“What do you think?” she asked.
“I think Dad would blow a gasket.” He went back to pouring milk and screwing on the lids.
His mother flipped a pancake and crossed her arms, looking at him. “Well, that’s nonsense.” She sighed. “Your father loves those girls and wants them happy. I’ll talk to him.”
“You don’t have to, Mom. Even if Dad is okay with it, I don’t think her dad would be. The two of them bump heads enough without adding her partying on enemy territory.” He collected all three cups and carried them to the table, where the girls waited.
“You seem to know an awful lot about her,” his mother said, serving each girl a pancake.
Brody used the pizza cutter to cut each pancake into little bite-size pieces, hoping to avoid further conversation about what he did or didn’t know about India. And, if he didn’t watch himself, she’d figure out just why he was coming home so early this morning. And why he’d spent the few minutes he’d had before his daughters’ arrival hoping Tanner would recover—Cal needed him to.
“Brody?” His mother nudged him. “Amberleigh asked very nicely for syrup.”
Brody poured a dollop of syrup onto Amberleigh’s pancake. “Good job using your manners,” he said, smiling at her.
“Where’s your head this morning, boy?” his father said, joining them at the table.
Brody looked at his mother, surprised by the smile on her face. What was she up to?
“He’s got a lot weighing on him,” his mother said to his father, squeezing Vic’s shoulder. “Doesn’t look like he got much sleep last night, either.”
“No? Like what?” his father asked.
“Nothing. I’m fine,” he assured his father, his eyes on his plate. Yep, his mother was definitely up to something. “Plans today? I’ve got a quick meeting at the library at one. Can’t imagine it’ll take too long since I’m running unopposed. After that, I thought I’d take the girls out to Click’s place—see all the horses.” He took the plate of bacon his mother offered him.
“Don’t forget your old saddle for Cal,” she whispered. “It’s in the back of the barn, in an old burlap feed sack.”
“What?” his father barked.
“Just asking if he wanted sausage, too,” his mother spoke up.
“Well, maybe I want sausage.” His father frowned.
She laughed. “Of course you do.”
“Paw-paw’s yummies,” Suellen said, grinning at her granddad.
“That’s right.” His father patted her cheek. “I love sausage.”
“I thought it was off-limits?” Brody asked, shooting a look at his mother. The doctor had provided them with a list of things his father should not be eating. “I’m pretty sure bacon was on that list, too.”
His father frowned. “You can’t expect me to give up bacon and sausage. I’m a Texan, boy. I need meat at every meal. And when I say meat, I don’t mean grilled chicken.” He looked disgusted.
Brody bit back a laugh, shaking his head. His father would do what he pleased—he always had. Hell, between his father and the girls, this election and India, Brody had very little control in his life. He sat back in his chair and watched the interactions around the table. Nothing like having his family around him to remind him how lucky he was. His family might not agree on everything, but there was love here. The girls were chattering, eating up their breakfasts, all smiles and carefree. His father, grumbles aside, looked good. His color was less blotchy, and for the most part, his temper was in check. And his mother. Even if she was watching him with that small knowing smile on her face.
“What?” he asked.
Her brows rose. “What do you mean what?” She sipped her orange juice. “I was just thinking about the girls and their new friend. How they get on so well.”
Brody scowled.
“Cal?” Amberleigh piped up. “Cal’s my friend.”
“Poor Cal and Tanner.” Marilyn sighed, her little face drooping.
“Tanner’s better,” Suellen jumped in. “Doc said so.”
“Who is Tanner?” his father asked. “Are we talking about Cal Boone again? You seem to be spending a lot of a time with that Boone girl and her boy.”
“Friends,” Amberleigh said.
“Yup.” Suellen nodded.
“Poor Tanner.” Marilyn sighed again.
“Who is Tanner?” his father asked again.
“Cal’s dog. He saved the girls from a copperhead yesterday,” his mother said. “But the poor dog was bitten in the process.”
His father stared at them. “And no one thought to mention this to me?”
“Everyone is fine. There’s no need getting worked up over what could have happened.” His mother smiled at him.
“Poor Tanner,” Marilyn mourned.
“Is the dog dead?” his father asked, frowning.
Brody shook his head. “No. He might lose an eye. But that’s it.”
“Hmm,” his father said, nodding. “Sounds like a damn good dog.”
“Damn good,” Amberleigh repeated with feeling.
Brody was stunned silent by Amberleigh’s earnest declaration. She didn’t know better. But his parents did. His mother was covering her mouth with a napkin, but he could tell she was smiling. And his father? His father was laughing so hard tears were pouring down his face.
And that, right there, was enough to let Amberleigh’s bad word slide—this time.
Chapter Thirteen
India headed to Click and Tandy’s place as soon as she’d showered and had some coffee. Sitting here worrying over what she’d done, how she felt and whether or not it was all a mistake was pointless. But, without distraction, that was exactly what she’d do. Besides, she wanted to see Cal. She could count all the nights they’d spend apart on one hand.
“You’re here bright and early.” Tandy greeted her on the porch, coffee mug in hand. “In time for breakfast. Click’s got Pearl and Cal helping him make biscuits.”
India could only imagine Click and Tandy’s toddler and Cal making biscuits. More likely they were making a mess. She smiled at the thought. “How’d it go?”
“Cal is good as gold, India. You know that. He’s so sweet with Pearl.” She smiled. “You look good—you’re practically glowing this morning.”
“Am I?” she asked, touching her cheek.
“You are.” Tandy’s eyes narrowed.
“I...I got some extra sleep,” she lied.
“Oh?” Tandy asked. “Interesting. I thought maybe it had something to do with Brody Wallace taking you home last night?”
She stared at her cousin.
“Small town,” Tandy said.
Her stomach sank. “Please tell me it was Scarlett and not Miss Francis? She’d have it all over—”
“No, no, it was Scarlett. I was teasing you, India. I’m sorry.” Tandy took her hand. “I invited her out last night, and she said she had to pick you up. A few minutes later she said she was free because Brody was driving you.” She frowned. “You look terrified.”
“Hoping to avoid more drama with Dad. You know how big an ass he can be,” she said.
Tandy nodded. “Why anyone feels like they need Woodrow Boone’s approval is beyond me.” She sighed. “Sorry. I know he’s your father, but...”
“No apologies necessary.” India smiled. Since Tandy’s wedding her father had gone from downright cruel to brusquely civil toward Click Hale, who was the best kind of man. His love for Tandy and their daughter, Pearl, was testament to that fact. “It’d be easier if I wasn’t having to rely on him right now.” She shrugged. “Not that he’d ever be fine with my dating a Wallace, but at least it wouldn’t be happening under his roof.”
Tandy nodded. “Are you? Dating Brody?”
She smiled, bombarded by a flood of memories that made her sto
mach warm and fluid. “I’m not sure.” She blew out a slow breath.
“He’s one of the good ones,” Tandy said. “No matter what your daddy might think.”
“I know that.” She nodded. “But, we don’t make sense, Tandy. I have plans. Plans that give Cal and me a real future, you know? I just want to take care of my son—to give him a chance to grow up without all the drama and noise and...judgment.” She sighed. “Falling for Brody and staying in Fort Kyle was never part of the plan.”
“Falling...in love?” Tandy said.
India blinked, realizing too late what she’d said out loud. “No. I didn’t mean—”
“Mom?” Cal asked, pushing through the front door. He grinned up at her. “You come for breakfast?”
“I did.” She hugged him tight. “I heard you and Pearl were cooking. Couldn’t miss out on that.”
“Pearl’s letting Banshee lick off the spoons,” Cal said, laughing.
Banshee was Tandy’s massive Anatolian shepherd. He was two-year-old Pearl’s shadow, her canine nanny and watchdog rolled into one. A lot like Tanner was to Brody.
“Just tell me she’s not putting the licked spoons back into the dough?” Tandy asked.
“Nope. Uncle Click’s watching her.” He grinned. “I should go help, though, ’cause she’s really busy. You coming?”
“Yes, sir,” she said, following her son inside, Tandy behind her.
Breakfast was a messy, laughter-filled event. Little Pearl, with her dimples and curly black hair, had her daddy wrapped around her little finger—as it should be.
While India and Tandy cleaned up the kitchen, Click offered to show her son the horses. “Already have the perfect horse picked out for you, Cal,” he said. “Brody will get you riding like a professional in no time.” He winked at her son, ruffling his hair and leading them to the barn.
India ignored the sharp tug on her heart. Did she really want Brody more involved in their lives? It ate at her to know her father couldn’t find the time to take Cal riding—that her son wasn’t a priority to him. Even if her dad could never forgive her for her past, there was no reason for him to treat Cal poorly. The more she thought about her father, the more upset she became.
Dammit, if Brody was willing to teach him to ride, she’d gladly accept.
“He was super excited about riding,” Tandy said. “When he wasn’t worrying over Tanner, he was listening to every piece of advice Click had for him.” She looked at her. “You okay? You look a bit...riled up.”
“I’m fine. Just indulging in a moment of self-pity.” She did her best to brush aside her irritation, placing the mixing bowl she was drying on the dish rack. “I appreciate you two offering to keep Cal last night.”
“We kept his mind off Tanner—for the most part. Click kept talking horses, and Pearl keeps everyone on their toes. I’d like to think he had a good time, too. It’s good he’s so interested in learning to ride. Riding, horses and cattle, being a cowboy—it’s part of his heritage.” Tandy glanced at her. “We can go get Tanner after his riding lesson? By then, I imagine Tanner will be champing at the bit to go home.”
India smiled. “Sounds perfect. Thank you.”
“I just did my job, India. You can thank Brody,” she said. “If he hadn’t been so quick, Tanner might not be doing so well.”
Those words caused an ache in her heart. She and Cal loved Tanner. She was thankful Brody had been there. She was thankful for Brody... From his gentle, constant smile to his sturdy, reliable nature—Brody Wallace was the sort of man she wanted Cal to have in his life. A boy needed role models, men he could look up to, respect and emulate. If Cal’s own grandfather wasn’t up to the task while they were in town, she couldn’t think of a better man than Brody to take her son under his wing.
And, if she allowed a moment’s honesty with herself, she wanted Brody around. When he was with her, things didn’t seem so big and overwhelming. He helped her set aside all the worrying and stressful thoughts of an unknown future and let her enjoy the here and now.
“India?” Tandy interrupted her thoughts. “I’m gonna put Pearl down for a nap. Heaven help us all. Pearl, the triplets and Cal on a horse. There hasn’t been this much excitement in this house in a long time.” She smiled, scooped up Pearl and headed down the hall to Pearl’s nursery.
India finished cleaning up and walked out onto the back porch. From her vantage point, she could see Cal watching the horses. Standing on the lower rail with his arms draped over the top rail, he rested his chin on his hands. He was getting taller, growing every day—becoming more of a man with every second that ticked by. She needed to see that. Cal would never be this age again. She owed it to them both to give him her undivided time and attention now and then. Today was definitely one of those times. Even from here, she could tell her son was thrilled about today’s adventure.
That Brody would be here only made things better.
* * *
“SHE’S RUNNING A FEVER,” his mother said. “So is Suellen.”
“Probably picked something up at the school.” His father frowned. “Damn places are chock-full of germs.” He couldn’t stand the girls being sick. “Or that boy you’re spending all that time with. He’s older, isn’t he? In school? He’s carrying all sorts of sickness, I’ll bet.”
Leave it to his father to blame Cal Boone for his daughters’ illness. Brody didn’t say a word—to him. Instead, he smiled down at Suellen and Marilyn. “What hurts?”
“Here,” Suellen said, pointing at her throat.
“Yep,” Marilyn agreed. “Ow.”
He sighed. “We’ll call the doctor—”
“Call him?” His father was not pleased.
“It’s the weekend, Dad. They’re closed. I don’t know if he does house calls—”
“He better get his ass out here to get them better now,” his father huffed.
Brody frowned. “Dad?”
“What? They have a fever, boy.” His dad was getting more worked up with each passing second. “What is it?” he asked his wife, who was holding the thermometer.
“One hundred degrees.” She placed her hand on his arm. “Breathe, Vic, please. Kids have been getting sick and running temperatures forever. You don’t need to get yourself all worked up—and neither do they,” she added, her whisper surprisingly stern. “And no hovering, either. It’s sure to put everyone on edge.”
Vic frowned.
“Grumpy?” Amberleigh asked, frowning up at her grandfather.
His father burst out laughing. “Not grumpy, darling, worried. Your granddad doesn’t like to see his girls under the weather is all.”
Amberleigh laughed, too, patting her grandfather’s hand in comfort. “It’s okay.”
It took a little more than an hour to get the doctor there and the girls medicated. Tonsillitis and ear infections. Soup, rest and medicine would have them right as rain by tomorrow.
Once the good doctor was on his way, his mother shooed them to the door. “You and Amberleigh go on, Brody. We’ll get them soup and watch some princess movies on the couch. Best for Amberleigh, too. Might spare her from catching it.”
“You’re leaving?” His father stared at him like he’d grown another head.
“Vic.” His mother shook her head. “You should go with Brody and Amberleigh.” She nodded at him. “Go and help a little boy learn to ride a horse.”
Brody froze. She could not be suggesting what he thought she was suggesting?
“What boy?” There was a razor-sharp edge to his father’s voice. “You’re leaving your sick daughters to help that boy?”
“Cal.” Amberleigh smiled. “M’friend.”
“What is the fascination with this boy?” His father’s face was turning a dark shade of red. “He’s a Boone. An apple never falls far from the tree and I—”
“He’s a go
od kid, Dad.” Brody shut him down. Cal couldn’t pick who his family was. He sure as hell didn’t want the boy judged for it. “His father, the tree, isn’t part of his life and—”
“His grandfather doesn’t have the time to teach him,” his mother interrupted. “Can you imagine, Vic? My heart just breaks for the boy. All he wants is to ride in the cattle drive, but since he has no one to teach him, that’s not going to happen now, is it?” She shook her head, making that face his father found impossible to resist. Brody knew. He’d seen her in action before. And her performances, while rare, were absolutely stunning. “So our son steps in and offers to help him. And you know what Cal said?” She sniffed, blinking rapidly. “He says, ‘I can surprise my papa so he’ll be proud of me.’ Can you imagine?”
Brody stared. He’d told his mother an abridged version of the story, but to hear his mother tell it, she was right in the middle of it. And it was working. His father could be a cantankerous old coot, but he put his grandchildren first. As far as he was concerned, all men with grandchildren were obligated to do the same. His mother was using his father’s weakness and playing the trump card—Woodrow Boone.
His father cleared his throat, instantly softening. “The boy said that?”
His parents both looked at him for confirmation. “He did,” he agreed. It was the truth—even if his mother hadn’t been the one to hear it.
His father’s sigh was long and loud. “Where’s the boy’s father?” he asked, no longer bearing Cal any ill will.
“No daddy,” Amberleigh said, shaking her head. “Cal. India. Tanner.”
Brody stared at his daughter, stunned by the amount of words she’d just spoken. But Cal was important to his daughter. And, since they were talking about him, it made sense that she had something to add.
“No daddy?” his father repeated, clearing his throat again.
Brody caught his father’s eye and shook his head, not wanting to share India’s secret about her ex but needing his father to understand. It was better Cal’s father wasn’t in the picture.
His father’s nod was stiff. “So he’s left with his ma, a dog and a granddad who won’t show him how to ride a horse.”
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