“How did he get so lucky?” Frankie asked feeling jealous.
“He was here to draw straws with us. You’re late,” Tex said, then walked away. It seemed Tex was kind of in a bad mood, too.
Frankie looked back to where Vye was just as Kendrick was looking.
“You’d think those fucking men never saw an attractive woman before. Jesus, they’re relentless,” Kendrick stated in annoyance and grabbed his bag, then headed out of the room. Frankie followed. This was going to be hell.
* * * *
Lou walked into the back room to where Vye was feeding Benny. He cleared his throat and she placed a hand over her top, ensuring that he couldn’t see. The movement came too late though. She prepared her own lunch and ate as Benny ate.
“Where is Ella?” he asked.
“Oh, she ran down the road to the store really quick. She’ll be back soon. It looks like a light afternoon today,” she said to him, holding his gaze. The baby moved and she adjusted her top, placed the cloth over her shoulder, and began to burp him. Lou couldn’t stop the smile that formed, nor could he not reach out and stroke the baby’s head.
“My God he’s getting big. He eat a lot?” he asked, taking the seat next to her.
She smiled and looked at her baby with such love and care.
“He sure does. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to breastfeed him. I have an appointment with Doc on Saturday. I’ll talk to him about supplementing some cereal into the bottles or something. Plus, it will make it easier for babysitting,” she said, then the baby burped and they both laughed.
“What time is your appointment Saturday?” he asked.
“Ten.”
“You need a ride, or some company? I can help you out. I know Saturdays are busy at the farm for Ella and them,” he added, feeling kind of stupid for asking her. He didn’t even know why he did. He just said what was on his mind.
“I think I’ll be fine, Lou. After all, I’m a single mom, and that’s something I need to handle alone.”
He stared at her. Saw the emotion in her eyes. He wanted to tell her she didn’t have to be alone. That he would be here for her, but she seemed to be adamant about handling everything alone, except for watching Benny. She had no choice if she wanted to work. If she were his woman…
He stood up. “I need to head back. Do you need anything?”
She smiled. “I’m good. Thank you, Lou,” she said and he stared at her as she looked at the baby, kissed his head, and snuggled with him. She was a survivor, a strong woman, and she probably feared all men now, especially soldiers since it seemed her boyfriend had been one. Not a good one obviously, whomever the dick was. As he headed toward the door he saw Tex standing there and he looked pissed.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Tex whispered as they walked from the room.
“What?”
“You know what.”
Lou looked back toward the room and then at Tex. “I like her. I care about her and Benny.”
“What are you fucking saying? We all like her, care about her, and want what is best for her,” Tex said and then continued down the hallway.
“I think it’s more than that. I want to protect her,” Lou said, joining the others in the room. Pierce, Kendrick, and Frankie were setting things up for the afternoon class. Just one and they could head home.
Tex swung around and pointed at him.
“We can’t give her what she needs. We don’t even know what tomorrow will bring, or next week, next month or the next mission,” Tex exclaimed.
“We’re done doing missions. We know what’s coming. These classes, this job offered to us. Instead of it being temporary, we can make it permanent and settle down here,” Lou stated.
“With Vye? You think she wants forty-year-old, washed up soldiers when men closer to her age are hitting on her, looking to be her guardians?” Tex said and Lou swallowed hard.
“The attraction is there,” Lou said firmly.
“Enough of this. We need to get ready for the class,” Tex said and Lou looked at Frankie, Pierce, and Kendrick. They were straight faced and not giving up any info on their emotions or what they felt or thought. So Lou dropped it. He had some thinking to do. He really was attracted to Vye. He was willing to help her raise another man’s baby, a man who abused her, assaulted her, and treated her like shit. He could give her what she deserved, what Benny deserved. A loving relationship, a father, a husband—hell, he really cared about her a lot.
* * * *
Vye was bending over, getting the car seat out of the backseat when she heard someone clear their throat. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw two cowboys. She recognized them from the other day at work. They had come in to take some classes with a few of their friends.
“Morning, Vye. You need a hand?” the one blond cowboy, Trey, offered.
“Oh, thank you, Trey, but I’m good. How are you?” she asked, pulling out the car seat and then checking on baby Benny. She pulled down the top visor to keep the sun from his eyes. His brother Avery held the stroller that the car seat locked into.
“I’ll hold this while you get the baby in.”
She gave him a small smile, but she honestly felt a little uncomfortable. All week at the training center, guy after guy flirted with her, talked to her about town events coming up and hinted about going out. She really wasn’t interested in dating anyone. In fact, she thought the last thing she needed was another man or men in her life trying to tell her what to do and make demands. She had plans, goals, and coming to Salvation offered her the opportunity to achieve them because of the help she had from Ella and the men.
She put the small diaper bag under the stroller and grabbed her purse. Then she closed the door and locked it as Trey looked into the stroller.
“He’s adorable, Vye. Looks just like his mamma,” he said and gave her a wink.
“Thanks,” she said and adjusted the strap on her shoulder, being sure that her top was not too low. She needed some new clothes. Things were getting bigger and bigger on her. If Benny was okay she was going to walk him in the stroller around town and check out the local boutique.
“Where ya heading off to?” Trey asked.
“Doc Carter’s for Benny’s checkup.”
“Want to grab something to eat in town, or maybe we can walk you around and show you all the great places?” Avery asked. She felt bad and didn’t want to be rude. They really seemed nice.
“I don’t know. I was just going to see how the baby is and if he’s not fussy, then maybe check out one of the clothing stores.”
“We can show you,” Avery said and she swallowed hard.
“I’ll see. Let me go do the appointment,” she replied and started walking the stroller down the sidewalk. She noticed people looked at her, the baby, and smiled as Avery and Trey walked along with her.
“Do you need some company for the appointment?” Trey asked.
She looked at him. “I’m good.”
“Well, a woman shouldn’t have to do these things on her own. It isn’t right,” Avery said. She felt embarrassed. So they were being nice because they felt bad she was a single mom? Is that why Lou offered to come along today, too? Annoyed, she rolled her eyes and headed to the office.
“Vye?” Avery said and Trey stood right by him.
“Listen, you both seem like really nice guys and all, but I don’t need taking care of. I appreciate the neighborly offer, but no thank you,” she said and turned to head into the office. Trey held the door open.
“It wasn’t just us being neighborly. A woman as beautiful and young as you, shouldn’t have a burden like this alone because some guy was a jerk and didn’t stand by you.”
“A burden? Benny is a blessing, Trey, not a burden. Have a nice day,” she said and entered the waiting room at the doctor’s office. There were a few people in there and they’d heard her response to Trey. They kind of looked a bit taken back. She had to get used to this small-town mentality. Where she came from, no one cared what insul
ting thing someone said to another person.
She signed in, gave the woman at the front desk a smile, and then took a seat and looked at Benny. He was wide awake and staring at her. She smiled and stroked his cheek.
“Hey there, handsome. You ready to see Doc Carter again?” she asked, moving his hands and arms. He reached for her, wanting her to pick him up. It seemed as if he missed her a bunch when she was working. That was definitely one of the downfalls of having to work instead of staying home and taking care of Benny. Money talked, and without it they wouldn’t have a future. It made her feel bad, but no matter what, he came first. Her son was going to go to school, make good friends, grow up in a safe, loving community and be successful. Making those things happen was her primary job. She was his advocate and no man, no negative influences, were going to get in her way of making sure her baby had a good life. She caressed his hand. This cradle won’t fall. Mamma’s got you, Benny. I love you.
“Miss Colon, Dr. Carter is ready to see you,” the receptionist said a few minutes later.
Vye took Benny with her into the exam room and was greeted with a hug hello from Doc Carter. It brought tears to her eyes and she smiled wide.
“How are you, Evonna, and how is this precious baby of yours?” he asked, smiling.
“We’re doing great,” she told him and he watched her take Benny out of the car seat and then hold him.
“Let me see this little guy.” He took the baby from her and spoke to Benny in a regular voice and Benny made some funny sounds, making her laugh.
He went through the checkup, weighing Benny on the special scale after she undressed him, and then gave Benny back to her so she could redress him again.
“He looks good, Evonna,” he said to her. They then went over questions she had about feeding, adding cereal to his bottles, and some other things before discussing work.
“It sounds like you’re handling everything well. How do you like Salvation and the people? I’ve heard that Ford Brazos has gotten inquiries about guardianship for you and Benny,” he said and looked at Benny.
“Guardianship?” she asked, not knowing what he meant.
“I’m sure Ella has explained or will shortly, considering the circumstances.”
“I don’t understand or know what you’re talking about.” He made a face.
“Well, the easiest way to explain it is that here in Salvation we have rules. Women are to be taken care of, watched over, and protected. Under normal circumstances, a woman with a child would be assigned a guardian or guardians. I guess the sheriff is holding off on assigning anyone just yet.”
“I don’t need any guardians. I’m twenty-three years old, surely responsible for myself and Benny. Besides having Ella, her men, and friends around town already, too.”
“That could be why Ford is holding off, or it could also be that there are multiple men asking to be you and Benny’s guardians.”
“What?” she asked and immediately thought about Trey and Avery.
“So that’s why Trey and Avery were here when I showed up and pushing to show me around town, to come for this appointment. Lou asked, too. Unbelievable,” she exclaimed and threw her hands up into the air.
He laughed, crossed his arms in front of his chest, and bypassed the information about Avery and Trey to focus right on Lou.
“Lou McCann asked to accompany you here today? Seriously?”
“Why do you ask like that?” she asked, strapping Benny into the car seat.
“The McCann men do not socialize much around town at all. The fact they took on this new security training detail for the county is pretty huge. They’re exceptional men. Obviously you and Benny made an impression.”
“We invaded their home. I gave birth on the guest bed,” she said and exhaled.
“They’re good men, Vye. A lot older than you. Tex is pushing forty.”
Her eyes widened.
“He is?”
He nodded.
“They’re so serious and stern. When they talk they sound like they’re giving orders. It’s intimidating. I don’t talk too much to them at work. Well, to Lou I do. He’s more soft spoken,” she said and thought about him and about the others. They were incredibly hard, good-looking men, but that ferocity made them seem unapproachable.
“Hmm, never know how Ford figures these things out, but he’s never wrong,” Doc Carter said and then uncrossed his arms and gave her a smile.
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing at all. Don’t worry. It will all work out. Just follow your heart. Sometimes fate has a way of making things happen. Keep up the good work with the baby. Also, Michelle Fortworth dropped off two bags of clothes, some with tags still on them for Benny. Her little guy, Taylor, grew out of them quickly or bypassed the sizes.”
“Oh, how nice of her. Thank you so much.”
“I’ll have someone carry them out for you.”
“Great,” she said and took down the carrier and headed out of the office. She got Benny into the stroller and then Doc Carter wound up carrying the two large bags of baby clothes out to the car. That’s when she saw Trey and Avery standing by the bench. Sheriff Brazos was over to the side talking to Tex and Kendrick. Then all their eyes went to her, the baby, and Doc Carter.
Before Kendrick or Tex could move, Trey and Avery were there offering their assistance. “Need some help?” Avery asked and took the bags from Doc Carter. Doc said hello and then looked toward Ford, Kendrick, and Tex, and then smiled.
“Let me unlock the door,” she said and walked closer to the car with the stroller.
“Give me the keys and I’ll do it,” Trey said, holding out his hand. She felt completely uneasy and untrusting.
“I’ve got it. Thanks.” She unlocked the door. They put the bags into the backseat. She locked the doors back up and glanced toward Ford, Tex, and Hendricks. Tex and Hendricks looked good. Their expressions hardened, serious as Avery placed a hand on her shoulder, drawing her attention back to him and Trey.
“How about that lunch and the stroll through town?” he asked.
She stared at him. He was good looking and close to her age. Trey held her gaze.
“Or just to the boutique to show you where it is,” he said.
“I have to get back to the farm. I’m supposed to work the register later today for a couple of hours. In fact, I might just take Benny for a short walk through town and then back home for lunch,” she said and stepped to the side.
“Morning, Vye, how did the doctor’s appointment go?” Ford asked, joining them. She smiled.
“It went well. Benny’s doing great.”
“I’ll talk to you later, Evonna. Have a good day and remember what we talked about,” Doc said and winked, then smiled at Tex and Kendrick.
“Hey, Tex, Kendrick.” Doc gave a wave, then a handshake before excusing himself to head inside.
Kendrick stepped into Avery and Trey’s way and bent down to look at Benny.
“Hey, big guy, how are you?” he asked and smiled at Benny. Benny’s eyes lit up and she couldn’t help but smile, too.
Ford’s phone rang and he answered it, excusing himself a minute.
She felt the hand on her hip and Tex right next to her.
“Appointment went well? You don’t need for anything?” he asked her. She stared up at Tex’s tanned, chiseled face and her heart began to race, pound against her chest at his close proximity and his words. He slid his hand along her belly and she thought she might pass out. He towered over her, his arm huge, muscular, and his scent of cologne combined with cigar smoke did something to her body.
She was so intimidated by the man she couldn’t speak. She just shook her head indicating she didn’t need anything.
“Lou said he might stop in and show you around town. He might have gotten caught up at the bank.”
“It’s Lois! She’s going into labor. Her water broke at the bank. Lou is with her,” Sheriff Ford exclaimed and then started to run down the sidewalk.
“Oh man, that’s crazy. Her water broke?” Avery said, looking kind of disgusted.
Vye watched the sheriff high tail it down the block. “Exciting time. He’ll want to be there for his woman, just like his brothers, so they can enjoy the birth of another child,” Kendrick said.
“She’s lucky to have them. He’s been so nervous,” she added, trying to hide the emotion she felt seeing Ford’s reaction and how he dropped everything to get to his woman as she delivered the baby. Tears filled her eyes.
Kendrick reached out and stroked her cheek.
“We were there for you. You weren’t alone,” he said as if reading her mind. A tear escaped and she quickly wiped it away and forced a smile.
Avery cleared his throat.
“Well, we were just going to walk Vye and Benny around town and show them the boutique.”
“That won’t be necessary. We’re here,” Tex stated.
Avery’s eyes widened and so did Trey’s. “I thought you guys weren’t staking a claim. You’re kind of old, aren’t you?”
“Is that a challenge, son?” Tex asked.
She held his hand over her belly as he began to step away from her and perhaps toward Avery and Trey. She didn’t know what exactly was going on. She just assumed that this had something to do with that guardianship nonsense and about maybe knowing more about Avery and Trey than she did.
“I don’t know what’s going on but I don’t want any trouble,” she whispered.
“No trouble, Vye. We’re looking out for you and Benny. Going to spend some time with you today. You men can move on,” Kendrick said and they shook their heads in frustration, then walked away, but they kept looking back. Something was going on here.
Tex stepped away from her and she immediately felt the loss of his touch. Was he putting on some sort of show of possession to get Trey and Avery to take a hike? She squinted at him and Kendrick.
“So, what do you need at the boutique?” Tex asked.
She placed her hands on her hips and stared up at him and then Kendrick.
“What the heck just went down here? Does it have something to do with this stupid guardian stuff? If so, then just drop it right now. I don’t need any man or men getting up into my business, trying to control me, and ruin my plans. No thank you,” she said and started to walk the stroller past them.
The American Soldier Collection 18: This Cradle Won't Fall (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 5