by Lexie Davis
“I’m sorry.” Olivia stared at her with big alligator tears in her eyes.
“It’s okay. Just don’t do it again.” Aubree sat Liam down and reached for Olivia. “Come on.”
Parker gripped her shoulders for a second before leaning in to kiss her temple. “Call me if you need me.”
Aubree carted the kids out to her car and settled them in the back seat. She made sure the seatbelts were fastened before she climbed in the driver’s seat. She took them to her parents’ ranch and found her father outside putting his rubber boots on.
She got out of the car and let the kids out of the back. Her father watched her with a frown on his face.
“They weren’t kidding about that pregnancy rumor. Three?”
Aubree smiled. “This is Liam, Noah, and Olivia. They’re going to hang out here for a while.”
“We want to see the horses,” Liam told her father.
“Uh, okay.” He met Aubree’s eyes. “Care to tell me where you gained three kids?”
“They were at the church and a little more than Ms. Alice could handle.” She smoothed her hand along Noah’s back. “We’re going to get something to eat and then we’ll help you with the horses.”
He nodded. “Okay. Your momma is in the kitchen.”
She let the kids in the house and sat them at the table.
Her mother came around the corner and frowned. “Where did you get children?”
“The church.” Aubree grabbed a skillet. “We’re going to eat breakfast and then play with the horses.”
Her mother walked over to her. “Let me cook.”
Aubree watched as she completely ignored her and focused on the kids. “Do you want eggs and sausage? Maybe some biscuits and gravy too?”
Aubree went to the bathroom to get a washrag and some soap. She washed their dirty faces and hands. All three of them smiled at her with sweet grins. It didn’t take long for the food to cook, and they ate like they hadn’t had anything in a while. It made her wonder what kind of life they had. They couldn’t have been more than five years old.
“So how did you end up with them if they were at the church?”
“I volunteered to take them for a little while.”
“Were you with Parker?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re still not getting married?”
“No.”
Her mother stood and went to scrub the skillet she’d cooked in. Aubree didn’t bother trying to convince her of anything different. She knew she wasn’t marrying Parker.
After they were done, she let them go outside. The ranch was a perfect place to raise a kid. The three kids enjoyed riding the horses and feeding them. Her father was great in teaching them how to take care of the animals.
Aubree’s phone rang and it was Parker. “Hello, Sheriff.”
“Are you tied up? Do you have all your hair? Can you talk?”
She laughed. “I’m fine. The kids are having a blast. My dad is walking them around on a horse.”
“Well, social services is coming to get them. Also, Colton called me. He, Doug, and Holt are at my house to help with the appliances. I can’t believe you ordered that much stuff for me. It’s too much.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“If you need that many men to help unload it, it’s too much. I can’t accept it.”
“Think of it as gifts for the birthdays I missed.”
“Aubree…”
“Don’t. I can do whatever I want. I wanted to buy you appliances. End of discussion.”
He didn’t say anything for a moment. “We’ll talk about it when I see you.”
“Okay. I’ll meet Colton there. Tell social services to pick the kids up at your house.” She smiled as joy spread across the kids’ faces. “You should see them. They’re so happy, and I think my dad is actually happy too.”
“He’s going to want grandkids.”
“Momma still wants a wedding.”
“Is that your way of proposing?”
“If we get married, I’m not the one that will propose.”
He scoffed. “I’ll see you later.”
He disconnected and she slipped her phone in her pocket. “Okay, kids. We’ve got to go.”
Her father glanced over at her. “Where are you going?”
“I’m having some appliances delivered to Parker’s house.”
Her father arched an eyebrow at her and she ignored it, rounding up the kids. She dusted them off and walked with them to the car. After getting them situated inside she turned to look at her father.
“Appliances? Are you moving in?”
“Funny.” She licked her lips. “No. I went to his house and he’s lived there two years without the necessities.”
“He’s a man, sweetheart. If he’s lived that long without it, he doesn’t need it.” Her father wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “He’s probably not going to be happy.”
“He’s not.”
Her father kissed her cheek. “A kitchen is a woman’s domain. You’re dabbling in dangerous territory.”
“Probably.” She closed the back door of the car and opened the driver’s door. “If you get momma back in good graces with me, I’ll bring you a donut from the bakery.”
“I’ll talk to her.”
She smiled. “Thanks. I’ll be home late. Don’t wait up.”
“Mm-hm.”
Aubree drove to Parker’s and parked in front of the house. The delivery men were already there and unloading the appliances while Colton and Holt helped. She got the kids out of the car and walked with them toward the house.
“He’s going to be pissed,” Holt commented, glancing at her posse. “Where did you get the kids?”
“They’re mine for now.” She glanced toward the truck. “Watch your language.”
He snorted. “Does Parker know you’re doing this for him?”
“Yes.”
Holt shook his head. Aubree thought it was amusing Parker still had the same friends he did when they’d been in high school. The same dumb friends. She watched as Holt and Colton directed the delivery guys on how to get the appliances in, and then she signed the papers when the delivery men left.
“This stuff is nice,” Colton said. “I may come over and use it.”
“I’m sure he’ll like that.” She watched as the kids played in the yard.
“You two a thing now?”
“We’re not getting married anymore, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Awe. Holt and I were fighting over who got to be the best man.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re ten years older and still idiots.”
Olivia moved closer to the road and Aubree went after her. “Olivia, you can’t play in the road. Come here.”
A car pulled in the drive and Aubree didn’t know the woman getting out.
Parker’s black truck pulled in behind her.
“No,” Olivia said.
Parker walked around the car and shook hands with the lady and her passenger. “Aubree, this is Ms. Smith. She is the social worker assigned to this case. She’ll be responsible for taking the kids.”
Olivia clutched Aubree’s leg, and Aubree reflexively smoothed her hair back. “It’s okay.”
“No. I don’t like her. She’s mean.”
“I have to go to the children’s house nearly every other month to take them away. I probably wouldn’t like me too.” Ms. Smith went to collect the boys first.
Aubree turned toward Olivia and the little girl wrapped her arms around her neck. She sat in the grass and hugged the child, soothing her by stroking her back.
“It’s okay.”
The little girl tightened her arms around Aubree’s neck as she cried softly against her. Aubree’s heart broke with every second that passed by. She glanced up at Parker who looked over at her while he spoke with his friends. The social worker had rounded up the kids and got them in the car.
“Come on, Oli
via. We’ve got to go.”
Aubree held the child while she stood. “It’s okay.”
Her sobs grew louder as Aubree moved closer to the car. Tears filled Aubree’s eyes as she handed her over to Ms. Smith. Olivia screamed, kicking and flailing as the woman tried to put her in the backseat.
Aubree’s hand went to her mouth as she watched.
Once Olivia was settled in the car, she pressed her little hands against the window, staring out at Aubree.
Aubree waived at her as the car backed up and pulled out of the drive. She took a deep breath. That was one of the hardest things she had ever gone through.
“You okay?” Parker came up beside her, his face full of concern.
“No.” She turned toward him. “She’s going to be okay, right? I mean, she’s going to be cared for and played with.”
Parker pulled her into his arms. “Shh. She’s fine. I’ve done this many times with those kids. They’ll go to a foster home that takes good care of them. Then they’ll come back to their parents after their court date.”
She wrapped her arms around him. “Promise me.”
“I promise.” Parker kissed the top of her head. “I didn’t expect her to attach so quickly to you.”
She pulled away from him and turned to see Colton and Holt watching. “Go look at your new stuff.”
“I will later. I need to go back to work.” He kissed her lips. “It’s okay.”
She nodded and watched as he walked off to his truck. She sniffled and waited until he’d left before she turned to see his friends staring at her.
“The wedding may be called off, but the feelings are still there,” Colton said.
She rolled her eyes. “Thanks for your help, but go away.”
“You need our help with anything else?”
“No.”
Colton stood there for a moment. “You okay to be alone?”
“I’m fine.” She went inside. It made sense to focus on work. She’d left Parker’s painting clothes on his bed. Walking inside, she closed the door behind her to change. She didn’t expect to get attached to the kids so fast either.
After she put on Parker’s clothes, she grabbed the paint and the painting supplies to carry outside. The guys had stuck around and when she set the stuff down on the porch, they moved in to help.
“I thought you had something else to do.”
“Yeah, well, Parker asked us to clear our schedules.” Holt reached for the primer. “Looks like we’re helping you paint.”
****
By the time Parker got off work and went home, his entire porch was primed and painted. Aubree glanced up at him when he walked up to the porch before dropping her head again to continue painting. His friends were gone, and he didn’t know what Aubree’s sour expression was about.
“It looks good.”
“Thanks.” She wiped the sweat from her face on her shirt—his shirt. He caught a brief glimpse of her midriff. “It should be dry enough to walk on.”
The shorts he gave her barely hung on her hips. The shirt was twice her size. He took in the way she rubbed her eyes, and how she slapped at her legs periodically to chase away the mosquitos.
“You’ve worked hard today. Let’s get something to eat and watch some TV.”
“I’m almost done.”
He walked over to her. “The rest can wait until tomorrow. I’ll even do it myself.”
“It’ll take me thirty minutes.”
He took the brush from her. “And I’ll do it tomorrow.”
He set it aside and capped the paint can. She slapped at her legs again, and he knew he’d have to break out the anti-itch cream before the night was over. After he cleaned up the mess, he turned to face her.
“I talked to Ms. Smith. She said Olivia settled down nicely. She’s with her regular foster parents and was playing with her dolls when I called.”
Aubree nodded. “That’s good.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
He rubbed her arms. “Something. Tell me what it is.”
“Wow, Parker. You really don’t waste any time.”
Parker groaned before he turned around. “Sophie. What are you doing here?”
“I came to compliment you on the new paint job. It looks real nice.”
“Thanks.” He turned toward Aubree. “I promised to cook you dinner. I’ve got some groceries in the truck. Will you please stop looking so sad?”
“You’re cooking her dinner?” Sophie asked. “You never cooked me dinner.”
Parker ignored her and went to his truck for the groceries. After grabbing the two handfuls, he walked up the freshly painted steps and went inside his house. His first impression of the new appliances was that it looked like a completely different kitchen. She’d gotten top of the line models. Stuff he’d be saving for years to afford. He set the bags on the counter and went back outside to get Aubree.
“I didn’t do anything,” Aubree said. “If you have a problem with him, then you need to talk to him.”
Sophie lunged for Aubree and Parker hurried to grab her. “What on earth is wrong with you?” He pushed her away from Aubree. “Have you’ve lost your fucking mind?”
“Everything was fine between us until she came to town.” Sophie sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“No, Sophie. It wasn’t. I was never going to marry you. I could never be what you wanted.”
“But you can with her!” Sophie shook her head, tears streaming down her face.
“Aubree and I have a history that you don’t understand. She was my best friend long before she was ever anything else. That’s not something that can easily go away no matter how much time has passed.”
Sophie swiped the tears from her eyes. “You never gave me a chance. You never let me in.” She sobbed. “She’s been here three days and you’re making dinner for her. She’s been in your house. She’s probably spent the night.”
Parker watched as Sophie crumbled. The normally soft spoken woman cried with her heart shattering right in front of him. He hated the feeling, hated the fact that he could ever possibly be responsible for someone else’s pain.
“I could have been that for you, but you didn’t give me the chance.” Sophie turned away. “You never let me stay the night. You never wanted to stay the night at my place. Even after sex, you’d get up and leave like I was some whore you paid. You made me feel so sleazy, and I deserved better. I still deserve better.”
Parker stood there unable to move. “You do deserve better, Soph. I’m not the guy for you. You deserve someone that can give you all you want and then some.”
She turned to face him. Her mascara had run down her cheeks leaving behind black tracks from her tears. She sniffled as she stared. “But why her? What’s so special about her?”
“Everything.” He couldn’t explain it. He was a different person when Aubree was around. There was no rhyme or reason for it. “Please, understand, Sophie. I never meant to hurt you. I wanted things between us to work out, but I can’t give you what you want. I can’t be the man you want.”
She shook her head. “You’re a vile human being, Parker. Don’t ever speak to me again.” She turned and walked back to her vehicle.
Parker turned to see Aubree standing there, arms folded over her chest. She didn’t say anything, and he wondered if he should worry about that. “Are you okay? Did she hurt you?”
“I’m fine.”
“We’ve both had a shitty day. Can we please go inside before something else happens?”
She nodded. “You’re not a vile human being.”
He didn’t say anything as he followed her inside. He locked the door behind him and kicked off his shoes. Aubree stood in the kitchen and he kissed the top of her head as he passed.
“Thanks for the appliances.” He put away the groceries in his new refrigerator. “You really shouldn’t have spent so much money on me.”
“It’s nothing.” She walked past him an
d opened the dishwasher. Brand new, freshly cleaned cookware he’d never seen before sat inside. She lifted a skillet and put it on the stove.
“You got cookware too?”
“And dishes and flatware.” She glanced over at him. “My dad reminded me that you’re a guy and the kitchen is woman’s domain. It doesn’t surprise me you didn’t have all this stuff when you moved in.”
“Aubree, this is too much. How much did you spend on all of that?”
“Don’t worry about it.”
He leaned against the counter. “Come on. I want to know.”
“I got it from a client of mine at his cost. He said I could have anything I wanted, so I got what I wanted. It was a significant discount and he threw in the cookware for free.”
He didn’t like the idea of her spending money on him, but a little part of him enjoyed seeing her mark on his house. She’d picked out black cookware and black dishes. They were plain, but they suited him. She knew him well.
“You know a lot of people, don’t you?”
“Yes. I take care of my clients and they take care of me.”
He’d planned to make an Italian sausage tortellini with a cheesy topping. It was a fairly simple dish that tasted halfway decent. After getting the ingredients he needed, they worked together on making dinner. He liked having Aubree next to him. She opened up to him about her life, her career, and her clients. He enjoyed hearing about the part of her he knew very little about. She moved about the kitchen like she belonged, and he felt like she belonged.
They dished out the food onto plates and ate standing up in the kitchen.
“How does it taste?”
“Great.” She smiled at him. “Who knew you could cook?”
“Another thing I learned in the army.”
She reached for her glass of lemonade. “Is anything off limits between us?”
He forked a piece of food into his mouth. “What do you mean?”
“Conversation.”
“Probably not.” He glanced up at her. “What do you want to talk about?”
“Your time in the army. You did four tours, right?
He nodded. “I was honorably discharged two years ago.”
“War changes people.” She set her plate down. “Colton told me you had a hard time transitioning back into civilian life.”