Matt nodded. “When you’re right, you’re right. Each of you take a Babe. Leo, you’re with Ed. CJ, you’ve got Anastasia. I mean Red. Nick, you’re with Pam. Jake, you’re with Lucy.”
“You’re not taking Lucy? She’s your wife!”
“That’s why I’m escorting Peggy. We need to mix it up. Rafe, you take Josette. Garrett, you’re escorting Henri.”
“Henri? But I’m the newest one here. I shouldn’t be—“
“All the more reason you should do it. That leaves us with Ellie Mae Stockton.”
Zeke came through the kitchen door. “What’s going on?”
“The Babes just pulled up, bro,” Jake said.
“Ah.” His shoulders tensed.
“I’m assigning who escorts who,” Matt said. “We’re left with Ellie Mae from Eagles Nest, who’s not technically a Babe.”
“Well, I’m not technically a member of the Brotherhood, so let me escort Ellie Mae. Where am I taking her?”
“Around the house and back to the fire pit. Garrett suggested that would be classier than parading them through the kitchen.”
“Agreed.”
Matt gazed at him. “A word of warning. She’s eighty-something and she likes younger men. You might be just her cup of tea.”
Zeke’s shoulders came down a notch and he smiled. “Can’t wait to meet her.”
Grabbing his coat and hat, Garrett headed out the front door. Escorting Henri was an honor. He wouldn’t have chosen it considering his status as the new hire. Compared to the years his brothers had worked at the Buckskin, his time was nothing.
But Matt had the authority. With Seth gone, Matt was the most senior of the Brotherhood members. If Matt wanted him to escort Henri to the fire pit, he’d jolly well do it.
Pairing up Babes and members of the Brotherhood turned out to be relatively easy with Matt in charge. The Babes grasped the concept and cooperated.
Ellie Mae greeted Zeke with an oo-la-la loud enough for everyone to hear. “You must be new. I would have remembered such a handsome cutie-pie.”
“That’s Ellie Mae for you,” Henri said as she took Garrett’s arm. She lowered her voice. “I’m glad Matt called us in. We had a preliminary discussion about the situation before driving down here.”
“I appreciate the effort you’re all making.”
“It’s what we do. When I drove Anna and Georgie to daycare the other day, she filled me in on Georgie’s problem, so the Babes are all up to speed on that, and your plan to spend time with him.”
“I think it might work, but it’s likely to take a while.”
“That’s what Matt said. And in the meantime, you and Anna can’t enjoy each other.”
He’d turned up his collar against a chilly breeze. Big mistake. He needed that cold air to neutralize the heat rising from his neck to his face.
“I’ve embarrassed you.”
“Yes, ma’am, a little bit.”
“I apologize, but this problem is important, too, and clearly it won’t solve itself, either. Matt said he and Jack interrupted a hot kiss.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Can I assume Anna would like to have some time alone with you?”
“I—” He cleared his throat. “I believe she would.”
“That’s good information, Garrett. Or should I call you Grit?”
He laughed, and some of the tension eased from his chest. “I’m kinda proud of that nickname.”
“It suits you. You know, when little kids give you a nickname, they usually end up calling you that for years, maybe even when you’re old and gray.”
“I could live with that.” Especially if it meant he’d be turning old and gray with Anna.
Chapter Twenty
When Anna pulled up in front of Kate and Rafe’s cottage, lights glowed from the windows and smoke drifted from the chimney. She parked beside Millie’s truck.
She’d barely had time to unlock the doors and climb out before a blond whirling dervish hurtled across the porch, her coat half on.
“You’re here!” Claire grabbed her around the waist and squeezed. “Aunt Anna, can I help you get Georgie out? I want to see how those car seats work.”
“Sure thing. I—”
“Mama! Out, Mama!” Georgie bounced in his seat. “Sissy, Mama!”
“I’m coming, Georgie! Sissy’s here!”
“You taught him that, right?” Anna rounded the front of the car to get to the passenger side.
“Yes, because he was having trouble saying my name. I love being Sissy. I wanted a baby brother so bad when I was younger.”
That explained a lot. By the time Anna opened the back door, Georgie had turned his request into a chant of out-Mama-out-Mama as he rocked back and forth in his seat. She showed Claire how to release Georgie, who was beside himself with joy.
“Can I lift him out?”
“He weighs thirty-one pounds. Have you ever picked up anything that heavy?”
She hesitated, tapping her finger against her chin. “Maybe you’d better do it.”
“Good decision.”
“Grit getted me out,” Georgie muttered.
“Yes, he did.” She lifted him from the seat and lowered him to the ground. “He saved us from the snowbank. He’s a hero, like Spiderman.”
“No.” He clutched his moose to his chest.
She gripped him by the shoulders and crouched in front of him. “No, what?”
He gazed at her steadily. “No, don’t want Grit.” He tried to wiggle away.
She held on tighter. “No, ma’am.”
“No, ma’am.”
“Okay. Now you can go in with Sissy.”
“Okay!” He raced over to where she stood waiting. “Sissy, we gots Candyland!”
“Where?”
“Right here.” Anna pulled the board game from the floor of the passenger seat, where she’d tucked it so it would be easily accessible.
Claire hurried over. “I can carry it in for you.”
“Thanks.”
Taking the game, she stepped closer, her voice soft. “I think it’s great that you make him mind his manners.”
She smiled. “I’m guessing your daddy did the same when you were little.”
“Yes, ma’am.
“Sissy, we gots to play Candyland!” Georgie tugged on her jacket.
She turned to him. “We will. And guess what else? Aunt Millie found her game of Chutes and Ladders.” Wrapping an arm around his shoulders, she walked him up the steps. “I used to play that one, too. It’s fun. Hey, I see you brought Carl!”
“Yep.”
Anna picked up a tightly packed duffle from the front seat and slung it over her shoulder. Then she popped the trunk and walked back to get Georgie’s Spiderman sleeping bag.
“Can I help?” Millie came down the porch steps tugging on her jacket, her copper-colored hair loose around her shoulders. “I heard you drive up but I was in the middle of chopping onions for lasagna.”
“Yum. I love lasagna.”
“What can I carry?”
“The two six-packs are on the floor of the back seat, if you want to grab those.”
“Will do.” She opened the back door and pulled out the cartons. “Thanks for bringing these.”
“Will it be enough?”
“Plenty. We have some in the fridge and Isabel brought over her virgin brew since she’s nursing.” She started back toward the house.
Anna fell into step beside her. “Claire gave us a warm welcome.”
“I knew she would.” Millie climbed the steps and Anna followed.
“We put you and the kids in my old room, first one on the left as you go down the hall.” She tucked one six-pack under her arm and opened the door with her free hand. They’re already in there playing Candyland.”
“They didn’t want to set it up out by the fire?”
“I suggested that, but they chose the floor of the bedroom. Claire asked if we had a card table and a spare sheet t
o make a tent. I promised to round that up for her.”
“A tent. Georgie’s gonna be in heaven.” Anna walked into the cozy living room. “Wow, Isabel, you and Cleo Marie look like a picture out of Parenting magazine sitting by the fire in the rocker.” Isabel’s dark eyes and dark hair, cut in a short, asymmetrical bob, were compliments of her Portuguese ancestors. Her daughter, at least for now, had fuzzy blond hair and blue eyes, CJ’s coloring.
“She loves watching the flames. How are you? I keep thinking I’ll get over to the visitor center to say hi, but I never seem to make it.”
“You have a baby to take care of and a coffee shop to run. I can’t imagine when you’d have spare time to run over to the visitor center for a chat.”
“Evidently I don’t, so I was excited to find out you were coming. Go put your stuff down and we’ll get this party started.”
“Alrighty!” How long since she’d had a girls’ night? Very long. She walked quickly toward the hall and made a sharp left into the first bedroom.
Georgie glanced at her, eyes shining. “Mama, I winned!”
“Almost,” Claire said. “I still have a chance.”
“I gots a bigger chance.” He focused on the board.
“Looks like you guys are all set, then.” Anna put the duffle in a corner, laid the rolled sleeping bag on the bed and unzipped her parka. “Georgie, I brought in your sleeping bag.” And she’d forgotten something. What? Oh, yeah, she’d left her purse in the car.
He looked up again. “Sissy’s makin’ a tent, Mama.”
“I heard that.”
“We’re sleepin’ in it. Carl, too.”
“I brought the card table.” Millie came through the door, a card table in one hand and a blanket in the other. “Where do you want it?”
Claire stood. “The far corner, please.”
“You bet.” Millie handed her the blanket. “I brought this instead of a sheet. It won’t slide as much.”
“That’s perfect, Aunt Millie.”
“If the table’s in the corner, that will help hold it, too.” Millie stepped around the board game as she carried the table to the far corner of the room and unfolded the legs.
Georgie scrambled up. “Let’s maked the tent, Sissy!”
“Don’t you want to finish our game?”
“No, let’s maked the tent!” The second Millie put it down, he crawled under it.
“Okay.” Claire shrugged. “The tent it is.” She gazed at Anna and Millie with a tolerant smile. “He’s easily distracted.”
Anna laughed. “I’ve noticed.”
“Need anything else?” Millie surveyed the room.
“Snacks!” Georgie called out.
“Say please, son.”
“Snacks, please.”
“I’ll bring you some crackers and cheese.” Millie met Anna’s gaze and tipped her head toward the hallway. “Happy Hour time.”
“Lead the way.” She hadn’t seen Georgie this animated in ages. “Claire is a gem,” she said once they were out of earshot.
“She’s an amazing little girl. The woman who gave up custody of that child must be a wacko.”
“Her loss is our gain. Listen, I forgot to bring my purse in from the car. I’ll be right back.”
Cold air made her shiver as she left the warmth of the cottage to retrieve her purse. After she took it from the front seat, habit made her pull out her phone and check for messages. She had a text from Garrett.
Thinking of you. The Babes have arrived. I’m testing my outdoor barbequing skills. He’d included a picture of the fire pit with steaks on a grill suspended over it.
The message warmed her from her head to her toes and certain places in between. He was surrounded by his favorite peeps, busy with cooking chores, and yet he was thinking of her. And texting her to let her know that.
She texted back. Looks delicious.
His reply was instant. If it turns out I’m good at this, we can try it in your fireplace.
Clearly he missed her and wanted to keep the connection going even though they were apart. She was in the same boat. She typed I’m game!
Excellent. Have fun with Kate, Millie and Isabel.
I will. Good luck with the discussion.
I’ll let you know how it goes.
She started to type a reply and paused. She was standing in the cold sending texts like a teenager because he’d reached out and she didn’t want to break the connection.
Texting him a thumbs-up emoji, she silenced her phone and tucked it back in her purse. Time for girls’ night.
Chapter Twenty-One
Ed’s pricey champagne went down so easy that Garrett lost track of how much he’d had. With cider, he could count bottles, but when he kept the same glass and someone was always refilling it, how could he gauge his intake?
Good thing he was sitting on a chummy stump that forced him to maintain his posture. Lounging in an Adirondack chair, he might get completely sloshed. Those chairs had gone to the Babes, who could hold their liquor better than any man he knew, including him.
However much bubbly he’d consumed, he had a slight buzz going. Just as well. It would help him deal with an upcoming discussion that would horrify him if he had to handle it stone-cold sober.
They’d already covered Georgie’s situation and had come up with some ideas for transforming him into a pint-sized cowboy.
The plan had promise, especially since Claire, the person Georgie idolized, loved cowboys. Surely he’d want to belong to the tribe Claire held in such high-esteem.
But as Henri introduced the next topic, he topped off his bubbly and drained his glass. They were about to discuss his sex life. Or lack of it.
“Let me be clear,” Henri said. “Garrett hates the idea of talking about this. He’s very old-school. He’s convinced that men should work through this kind of issue on their own.”
Jake smiled. “So how’s that going for you, bro? “
“I’ve made progress.”
“If we’re talking about stealing a few kisses here and there,” Matt said, “that’s scant progress.”
“It’s only been a few days. And Anna and I don’t want to upset Georgie. I’m trying to earn his trust, not scare him more.”
“We all respect that.” Red, who’d decided to rename herself to match the color of her hair, raised her champagne glass. “Here’s to nobly considering the wishes of others.”
Pam reached over and tapped her glass to Red’s. “I’ll drink to that.”
Peggy giggled. “Me, too, but then I’ll drink to anything tonight. I didn’t check the year on this batch, Ed, but I’ll bet it’s a good one.”
“It is, but we’re not here to discuss the quality of the booze. The way I see it, two responsible adults are delaying sexual gratification to avoid traumatizing a toddler. Is that the gist?”
“Sounds more noble when you put it that way,” Rafe said. “But there still ought to be a way around that barrier.”
Garrett rolled the stem of his glass between his palms. “Look, I’m not sure I want a way around it. Georgie’s—”
“Are you serious?” CJ held out his flute as Jake came around with a freshly opened bottle. “In your shoes, I’d be searching high and low to find a way to distract that little shaver so you can make love to his sweet mama.”
“Nope.” Garrett shook his head. “Her ex used to try to seduce her to draw her attention away from Georgie. I don’t want to do anything that would remind her of him.”
“I don’t see her presenting you with solutions, bro.” Jake poured Garrett more champagne. “It’s not in her nature to go looking for a babysitter so she can make whoopee.”
“You’re right,” Garrett said. “She doesn’t like asking for help, especially when it comes to Georgie. I had to talk her into asking Henri for a ride into town so Georgie could get to daycare. I’m telling you, this is a complicated—”
“No, it’s not.” Ellie Mae sat forward in her chair. “It’s simple.
Make love to each other if you both want to. Use condoms if you’re fertile and you don’t want bambinos. That’s my formula. It’s worked for years.”
Ed rolled her eyes. “Tell me about it.”
Garrett couldn’t help smiling. “You’re forgetting about Georgie.”
“No, I’m not. He’s too little to understand. He doesn’t have to know a thing about it until he’s ready for the information.”
“He’ll know if I’m in his house. Which he does think of as his house. He doesn’t want me there for dinner, let alone spending the night.”
Red finished off her champagne. “I’m getting a vibe of guilt feelings from Anna that would louse up Ellie Mae’s perfect formula.”
Josette groaned. “Guilt. C’est terrible.”
“I’m giving up guilt for Lent this year,” Pam said. “That puppy’s a killer.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Henri said. “That’s why we need to present Anna with an opportunity for guilt-free sex with Garrett.”
He choked on his champagne.
“Easy there, bro.” Jake came over and slapped him on the back. “Man up. You can get through this.”
He wasn’t so sure. His coughing fit lasted an embarrassingly long time. Tears blurred his vision as he glanced around the semi-circle. Every single person was grinning.
Jake squeezed his shoulder. “First time on the hot seat is the toughest.”
“No kidding.” He cleared his throat and took a breath before he turned to Henri. Maybe the dim light would keep her from seeing how much he was blushing. “How do you propose to do that, ma’am?”
She gave him a warm smile of approval. “I thought you’d never ask.”
“You both need to relax your shoulders.” Millie came over and gently pushed Anna’s shoulders down and moved on to Isabel’s. “You can’t do a decent shimmy if your shoulders are tight.”
All three kids were asleep with their bedroom doors shut. Millie and Kate had decided to teach Anna and Isabel the shoulder shimmy for the gang’s next trip to the Moose.
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