Tanner circled, whimpering and barking. “Heel, Tanner.” Cal placed a hand on the dog’s head before asking Amberleigh, “Get stung?”
“Nope.” Brody was frowning.
“A cactus needle?” India asked, knowing how much the little girl hated shoes. She’d been wearing boots. Now she was barefoot. Why would Brody let her take her shoes off here? One glance at Brody told her he hadn’t.
“Nope.” Brody shook his head, studying his daughter. He wasn’t happy.
“You hurt, sweetie?” Ada asked, clutching the first aid kit to her chest.
Brody shook his head. “She’s fine, Miss Ada. I’m sorry she got you all worked up.”
“Well, what’s the matter, Amberleigh?” Cal asked, sensing something was off. “You’re screaming so loud you’ll scare off the horny toads and grasshoppers I was gonna show you.”
Amberleigh drew in a shuddering breath and was instantly quiet. She stared at Cal with huge light brown eyes and nodded. “O-okay,” she whispered.
Brody’s frown grew. “Amberleigh May Wallace. Did you just throw a fit to get Cal’s attention?”
Amberleigh stared up at her father with big eyes. Her lower lip flipped down, quivering fiercely, as she nodded. In that instant, India was smitten. Poor, sweet little thing wasn’t good with her words. She’d wanted Cal, and Cal wasn’t coming. What else could she do? The little girl felt bad about it, that much was obvious.
Cal sighed, staring up at Amberleigh and putting both hands on his hips. “I was coming. I just had to give Miss Ada my arrowhead.”
“’Kay,” Amberleigh whispered again. “S-sorry,” she hiccupped.
India patted Amberleigh’s back, wanting to calm her. “It’s okay, sweetie. We were worried about you, that’s all. We’re happy you’re okay.”
“I’m glad she’s okay.” The television reporter was rubbing her forehead. “Who knew something so little could pack such a punch?” She was smiling, but there was an undeniable edge to her voice.
“I’m so sorry, Jan. She didn’t mean to hit you in the head with her boot.” Brody was upset by his daughter’s outburst and, possibly, a bit amused. “She’s really sorry. Aren’t you, Amberleigh? Everything is fine, girls.”
Suellen and Marilyn let go of him, but stayed close. Amberleigh nodded, her lower lip trembling again and her big eyes filling with tears.
India couldn’t stop herself from looking at the red bump popping up on Jan Ramirez’s forehead. Not the best look for a news reporter. And yet, it was an accident. Amberleigh might have thrown a fit, but she’d never meant to hurt someone.
“It’s okay, sweetie. Accidents happen,” India said, still patting the little girl’s back.
And just like that, Amberleigh was leaning away from her father and toward her, arms and fingers stretching. “May I?” she asked.
Brody sighed, relinquishing his daughter to her. “Sure.”
The little girl’s slight weight in her arms was heaven. Her little head rested on India’s shoulder while her little hand slid through India’s hair. “You’re all right now,” India said, keeping her tone as soothing as possible. “Your daddy loves you, Cal is here and we’ll go find some horny toads.”
Tanner barked, looking back and forth between Cal and Amberleigh.
“She’s okay, Tanner,” Cal told the dog. The dog’s ears drooped and he trotted off to explore.
“Horn-toads?” Amberleigh asked.
“Sorta like baby dinosaurs. Or dragons. Spiky backs and fast runners. But they don’t have wings and they don’t breathe fire.”
Amberleigh perked up, smiling at her, then Cal. The other two weren’t quite so enthusiastic, but they didn’t protest, either.
India shook her head, her gaze colliding with Brody’s. Collided and stuck, the force of magnetism cementing the hold and stoking the fire in her belly. She welcomed the burn.
How could he do this to her? With just one look?
It was just Brody. The same Brody who had bought her circus peanuts when her guinea pig had died in second grade. The same Brody who helped her break into the girl’s high school locker room to get her purse—and avoid another argument with her father. The same Brody who made her believe she could do whatever she set her mind to. So when had looking at him made her feel like this? Warm and flushed and light-headed and...beautiful.
Brody stared right back at her. There was no misinterpreting the look in his tawny eyes. She wasn’t the only one strapped into this odd, wonderful emotion-charged roller coaster. His attention was very clearly focused on her. And her mouth. Which was bad, considering Ada Haynes and a newscaster were both watching the exchange with open curiosity.
He shouldn’t look at her that way. He shouldn’t make her feel this way. They were going to have to seriously work on the secret part of this arrangement.
She patted Amberleigh on the back and stepped away from Brody, needing space between them. “Cal, stick to the fort path.” It was long enough to wear them out and short enough to not require anyone to be carried back. It was also well traveled, keeping the wildlife less likely to surprise them on their trek.
“Yes, ma’am,” Cal said, excited. “More lizards that way. Come on, Tanner.”
“Let Tanner go first,” she said, watching the dog trot ahead, almost as if he understood what she needed from him. There were times she thought the dog really did understand her, especially when it came to keeping Cal safe.
“The lizards will be hunting bugs.” Cal was already intently scouring the landscape for signs of the palm-sized horned lizards native to the area.
“Bugs?” Suellen asked. “I have a worm.”
“Worms are cool,” Cal said, earning a smile from Suellen.
She followed, determined to hide whatever craziness was happening between her and Brody.
It was a pretty day, the sort of day meant for enjoying. All she was going to think about was the beautiful baby on her hip and her adorable son playing tour guide for two more equally precious girls.
“Here.” Brody’s hand circled her upper arm, gently stopping her. He made a show of checking inside Amberleigh’s boots before sliding them back onto his daughter’s feet. “She can walk now.”
His hand stayed where it was, holding her close, his scent teasing her, making her every nerve sit up and take notice of him. It was torture—and he knew it. His eyes were sparkling as she pulled away, gently, and sucked clear air deep into her lungs. “I don’t mind,” India said, continuing to pat Amberleigh’s back. “Besides, shouldn’t you be mayor-ing it up?” she said, glancing over his shoulder at the WQAI van. “She came all this way for you.”
“In heels. She said something about an ice pack in the van.” His grin made her laugh. “You have a pretty laugh, India Boone. Doesn’t she, Amberleigh?”
Amberleigh smiled. “Pretty.”
“She is that,” he agreed. “India’s got a big heart, too, Amberleigh. In here.” He tapped his daughter’s chest. “Nothing better on this earth than a big heart.”
Amberleigh nodded, as if she was in full agreement.
His compliments lit her up on the inside. And set off warning bells. So she downplayed his praise. “I don’t have a camera, Brody. You don’t have to turn on the charm with me.”
“Maybe you’re the one I want to charm.” He studied her closely, smiling at the heat that stung her cheeks.
It was too much. He was too much. And she liked it.
He was smiling at her when he said, “Your truck is at Click’s place. Hope to have it fixed in a few days.”
“That’s great news, Brody, thank you.” And it was. Now all she had to do was figure out how to pay for the repairs. Between the test fees, upcoming holidays and her truck repairs, maybe she should take the long-term substitute job.
He smiled at her, and that smile, oh that smile. It was ha
rd to think about practicality when faced with something so damn beautiful.
She wasn’t going to stare at him. Or get caught up in his eyes. Nope, she focused on Cal and the girls. “Be careful picking up rocks, Cal.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he called back, pointing at something in the leaves. Tanner was rigid, ears and tail standing up straight and alert.
“What is it?” she called. “Tanner?”
Tanner’s stance never changed.
Cal called back. “Just an armadillo.”
Brody ran past her. “Stay there. Don’t move.”
“You hear him, Cal? Stay put.” India followed quickly, shifting Amberleigh to her other side out of instinct.
“It’s okay. It’s not close. Tanner won’t let it get anywhere near us,” Cal said. “It’s hiding in those leaves over there.”
Brody stepped in front of the kids, his gaze pinpointing the spot Cal indicated. “You’ve got good eyes, Cal.” His posture relaxed. “Good boy, Tanner.”
Tanner whimpered, his tail wagging. But the armadillo’s presence made it impossible for him to be completely at ease. Protecting Cal was all that mattered to that dog. He wouldn’t leave her son’s side until the creature was gone.
Brody’s voice was stern. “That’s an armadillo. That’s what’s been tearing up Nana’s garden.”
India watched the little creature digging in the wet soil. They were a pest but weren’t a real threat to people. They could carry all sorts of germs, though, so keeping the kids away was necessary.
“Is it bad?” Marilyn asked.
“It’s not good,” Cal said.
“They’re just pesky, for the most part. But, to be safe, don’t touch ’em,” Brody said. “It can bite or scratch you and make you real sick.”
Suellen backed up. “Bite us?”
Tanner tried to round the kids together, eager to herd them all to safety. “It’s okay, Tanner,” India whispered, rubbing the dog behind the ear.
“They look funny when they run,” Cal said, pointing at the ridiculously tiny feet sticking out from under the armadillo’s armor. “Bet there’s lots of lizards up ahead. Come on, Amberleigh.”
Amberleigh let go of India, so India put her down and watched the little girl run to catch up to Cal.
“Try to keep them together, Tanner,” she said, nodding after the kids. The dog milled among them, doing his best to keep them in line while staying on alert.
“Good dog,” Brody said, admiring the animal’s efficiency.
“He was a stray,” she said. “I almost hit him with my car when he was a puppy, all bony, floppy ears and big paws. JT told me to leave him, but I couldn’t. He had the sweetest eyes and was so eager to love someone. I brought him home and cleaned him up—he was my baby until Cal came along. Then Tanner decided Cal was his baby, too. He takes good care of him.”
Brody studied her for a long time. She knew what that look meant: he had questions. But he must have sensed her reticence because he didn’t push. “My mom said Amberleigh put her shoes on because of Cal,” Brody said, returning Suellen’s wave.
India watched the exchange. There was no denying the love and devotion this man had for his daughters. And it made her ache. He was a good man. A good father. And Brody Wallace was, without a doubt, the best-looking man she’d laid eyes on in...years.
He turned when the news reporter came power-walking up the path.
“My running shoes were in the van,” she explained. “I’m Jan Ramirez, WQAI. You’re India Boone?”
“I am.” She glanced nervously at Cal.
“How’s the head?” Brody asked.
“It’s fine.” The woman waved his question aside. “You two are friends?”
India cleared her throat. “Just to be clear, my son and I aren’t interested in being part of this interview.”
Jan’s gaze darted between the two of them. “You and Brody being friends will only confirm what a great guy he is.”
India didn’t take the bait. She wasn’t going to talk about the feud or their fathers. “I’m sure you’ll be able to do that without having me or my son on camera.” She did her best to smile but knew it fell flat.
“May I ask why you don’t want to be on film?” Jan pushed, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Are the two of you trying to keep your relationship a secret?”
India stopped, her heart in her throat. Relationship? The word struck a nerve, a highly agitated nerve far too close to the surface. And the look on Jan Ramirez’s face told her the other woman knew it, too.
Tanner’s sudden barking distracted her. His barking sharpened, turning ferocious—and India’s blood to ice. She didn’t know what was happening, but the chorus of cries from Cal and the girls had her running toward them with her heart lodged in her throat.
* * *
BRODY HELD HIS BREATH, the terror and screams of his daughters setting him in motion.
“Snake! Snake!” Cal cried out. “Tanner! No!”
And there was Tanner, stumbling, then falling, to the ground, still whimpering.
Brody had never moved so fast in his life. He didn’t think as he kicked aside the copperhead, which landed a few feet away and went slithering off. He didn’t think as he herded the kids toward India, and bent to scoop up Tanner. “Cal. We need to get him to the clinic. Quick. Run back,” Brody said, handing the boy his keys. “I’ll get Tanner, you get the truck door?”
Cal nodded, gripping the keys and running as fast as his legs could carry him.
India was already picking up a wailing Suellen and Amberleigh, while Jan Ramirez awkwardly carried Marilyn.
How they managed to get back to the truck without further incident was a mystery. While India buckled the kids into the Suburban, Brody loaded Tanner into the back.
“I’ll stay with him,” India said, climbing into the back with the dog. “You did good, Tanner. You did good, baby.” Tanner lay with his head in her lap while she rubbed her hand along his black-and-brown fur, crooning softly to him.
Brody’s heart hurt, the tears on her cheeks gutting him. “It’s going to be okay,” he promised, closing the doors. He drove to town in a blur.
The arrival at the vet clinic, his mom arriving to take the girls to the Soda Shop, India going back with Tanner... Now, nothing. Waiting in an empty room.
“Is Tanner gonna be okay?” Cal asked, his legs swinging.
There were times Cal seemed so much older than he was. But now, sitting next to the boy, it was impossible to miss how small and young and scared he was. Brody wanted to comfort him, to tell him that his dog would be fine, but he knew giving the boy false hope would only hurt more. “I don’t know, Cal,” Brody answered honestly. “He’s a big dog. That’ll work in his favor.” As far as he knew, snakebites were rarely fatal if they were treated early. Still, that damn snake bit Tanner right on the eye.
“He’s tough,” Cal said, his hands clasped in his lap.
Brody nodded, draping an arm around the boy’s shoulders. “He is.”
Cal looked up at him then, his big green-blue eyes so like his mother’s. “He was protecting me.” Those eyes flooded with tears.
“Of course he was,” Brody agreed, patting Cal on the back. “You’re his boy.”
Cal nodded, sniffing loudly.
Brody squeezed Cal’s shoulder. If Cal wanted to cry, he should cry. If he needed to be brave, Brody would sit quietly at his side. Whatever the boy needed. But, dammit, he felt like he should do something—say something. Just what that was, he had no idea. When India stepped out of the examination room, he could breathe a little easier.
“Cal,” she said, squatting, her arms outstretched. “He’s sleepy, but he’s okay.”
“Momma.” Cal barreled into her arms. “Tanner’s not gonna die, is he?”
“No, baby,” she soothed. “He is not
going to die.” She hugged him close, burying her face against the side of his head and closing her eyes. She held him that way, a deep furrow forming between her brows, as they hugged. Sitting there, watching Cal and India cling to each other, was hard. He had room in his arms for both of them. Room in his heart, too.
Her eyes stayed closed but she said, “Thank you for keeping Cal company, Brody. Truly.”
“Anytime,” he murmured, his voice thick.
“Can I see him?” Cal asked. “Is that okay?”
“You can.” She eased her hold on him and stood. “He’s real sleepy from the medicine and he needs to stay still and quiet, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am. Coming, Brody?” he asked.
He glanced at India, not wanting to overstep. Her nod was all the encouragement he needed.
“Yes, sir,” he said, earning a smile from India. Damn but he loved her, more than she’d ever know.
“Hey, Cal.” The veterinary tech was India’s cousin, Tandy Boone. She greeted them with a sympathetic smile. “You’ve got yourself one good dog, you know that?”
“He’s a hero. Mom said he’ll be okay?” Cal wanted reassurance.
“Yep. That tube gives him medicine and water—stuff to help him get better. It was good you got him here so fast.” She hugged him. “I can’t make any promises about his eye, Cal. We’ll keep it covered and hope for the best, okay? But the rest of him will be just fine after a nice long rest.” Tandy led them through the door at the back of the exam room. Brody stared around at what resembled a large surgery center with cages on each side. It was dated and old, but clean and orderly.
Tandy pointed. “There he is.”
Tanner lay on a massive dog bed, his cage door propped open. Brody thought the dog was asleep until Tanner’s long tail thumped in greeting.
“Hey, boy. Thank you. You’re the best dog in the whole world,” Cal whispered, dropping to his knees. “I love you, boy. You stay real still, okay?” he pleaded, placing his small hand on Tanner’s side. “Me and Mom will take real good care of you.” It was a promise.
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