Chapter 11 #3
“As you can imagine, he has a real case of hero worship right now.”
One glance in the living room and Pixie could see why.
Brogan now had Andy up on his shoulders, his hands holding him securely while he continued to talk with the boys.
They were quiet enough that she couldn’t catch the topic of the conversation, but the boys were listening intently.
Andy bounced a few times, but Brogan didn’t seem to mind.
When Andy leaned over and tugged on Brogan’s shirt, the sleeve of his T-shirt lifted and the kids could see his tattoo.
They all went wide-eyed.
Brogan answered their questions about the tattoo while helping to settle Andy more securely.
Pixie’s heart seemed to shift, to swell.
Andy was so happy with this new experience, his face lit up with glee.
“He’s a good man, Ellen.” The words sounded inadequate.
“He’s added so many new dimensions to Andy’s life.
” Knowing she was in trouble, that she already cared more than she should, Pixie sighed.
Ellen agreed, with her own sigh. “He’s too nice for anyone to believe what she was saying.”
“Can you describe the woman?”
She did—and it was Ruthie.
Hiding her anger wasn’t easy, and Pixie was unsure how much she should say to her new friend, but she had to say something. “I hope you won’t spread this around, but that awful woman is his stepmother, and she’s here to make unreasonable demands.”
Ellen looked down at Shayna, who was now asleep, her little rosebud mouth occasionally puckering. “Does she really want to take the baby from him?”
“I don’t think she cares at all about Shayna. She just sees her as leverage with Brogan.”
“Well, I hope he keeps her. It’s obvious to me how much he loves her, and I can’t imagine a better father.”
“No one is taking that little girl from him.” Keeping her explanation as brief as possible, Pixie gave a rundown of the facts—that Ruthie had no relationship to Brogan and that his sister had legally named him as Shayna’s guardian.
“Will you let me know if you see Ruthie again? I think Brogan will have to call the police. If you want the truth, she seems dangerous to me.”
“To me, too,” Ellen agreed. Cautiously, she said, “She also seemed drunk.”
Not surprising. “Did she drive to the store?”
“I don’t know, but I hope not. There’s no way she should have been behind the wheel of a car. I can’t know for sure, but she seemed to be with that man, so I’m guessing she arrived and left with him.”
Oh, no. Was Brogan’s father hanging around, too? “Can you describe him?” She’d be able to share the details with Brogan and maybe he could identify the guy.
“I’d say he was easily twenty years older than her. Heavyset, with unkempt gray hair. I’d never seen him before, but then Lankton isn’t as small as Bramble, and I can’t claim to know everyone.”
“Thanks. I’ll let Brogan know.
“Jansen could probably help.”
“Jansen?”
Feigning sudden interest in one of Shayna’s curls, Ellen avoided eye contact. “Officer Jansen Flynn. He talked with Benny and me at the hospital after the accident, and since then he’s checked on us a few times.”
Recognizing the signs, Pixie unleashed a slow smile. “Is he handsome?”
“Well …”
“Come on, Ellen. Is he?”
With a husky laugh, she purred, “Very.” Excitement brought Ellen closer.
Now instead of looking away, she reached out to clasp Pixie’s hand.
“I can’t tell my regular girlfriends because they’ll immediately start a campaign.
Since none of them are married, they’re always trying to get me to hook up, but as a single mom, you know how it is. ”
Really, Pixie didn’t have a clue, but she nodded.
“Jansen has really dark hair and eyes, and he’s great with Benny. He gave him a special badge they have for kids, and he asked if he could take us to dinner sometime.”
“Will you go?”
She bit her lip. “I want to. Usually, I dodge interested men, but the difference is that Jansen includes Benny. He doesn’t just expect me to get a sitter, you know? Between school and my work, I’m absent enough from his life.”
Pixie felt for this lively woman who carried such a big load. “I think having a date every now and then wouldn’t be so awful.”
“I guess, but I’m not ready for one-on-one.
That always seems to include expectations, you know?
Dinner with Benny along is less pressure.
And Jansen is fine with it. The first time he checked on us, it was official business.
The next time he called, he said it was unofficial, and he just wanted to see how we were doing. He’s been up front with me.”
“I like him already,” Pixie said.
“After that awful scare with Benny, I don’t mind telling you I was shaken.
I could barely sleep because I kept thinking about what could have happened, how I might have lost …
” Her lips quivered before she firmed them.
“I don’t think I want to let Benny out of my sight for a while.
That’s unrealistic, of course. He has school and his friends. ”
“I understand. You’re his mother and you love him. You had to have been terrified.” Fortunately, Brogan had been there.
Ellen took a moment to collect herself, and when she spoke again, her voice was softer. “Jansen understands, too. He’s been really supportive.”
Just like Brogan. Again, Pixie glanced at him. Andy was now leaning over him, his cheek against the top of Brogan’s head, his arms hanging loose. She thought he might be ready for another nap.
“I feel really lucky to have met him.”
“Who?” Pixie asked.
Grinning, Ellen said, “Well, Brogan, of course, because he saved my boy. But I mean Jansen.”
Ellen’s happiness was contagious. “I’m sure he’s the lucky one.”
“He’d be a good person for Brogan to talk to about his stepmother.”
“Not a bad idea. I’ll mention it to him.” Pixie quietly pushed back her chair. “With both kids now napping, I think we should get going.”
Ellen cuddled Shayna one last time. “She smells so sweet. I’ve missed holding an infant.”
“Me too. Holding her is nice, isn’t it? She’s so tiny, and Andy is such a tank.”
“He’s a gorgeous little boy.” Her gaze went from Shayna to Pixie. “With their nearly identical blond hair and blue eyes, they could both be yours.”
Lingering one moment more, Pixie admitted, “I wouldn’t mind that at all. I already love her so much.”
From behind her, Brogan said, “I feel the same way about this little guy.”
Startled, she turned in time to see him duck down as he stepped into the kitchen, careful not to bonk Andy’s head on the archway.
With her face feeling scorched, Pixie tried to brazen it out with a light laugh and a nod. “I think he’s asleep.”
“He’s snoring in my ear,” Brogan said, “so I’m sure you’re right.”
Ellen gave her a knowing look.
Brogan just smiled as he maneuvered Andy’s limp weight until he was resting against Brogan’s chest. “I’ll carry him if you take Shayna.”
Andy looked so peaceful with his cheek smooshed against Brogan’s chest, she didn’t want to disturb him. “All right.”
Ellen eased Shayna into Pixie’s arms. “That was a treat for me, seeing the babies. I hope you’ll come again. I know Benny had a great time.”
“So did I,” Brogan said. “He told me Officer Flynn has been visiting as well?”
Nodding, Ellen said, “Between you and Jansen, Benny has some great role models.”
Tipping his head, Brogan gave Ellen a look of sincerity. “I’d say his mom is the best role model.”
With a hand to her heart, Ellen nearly melted. “Thank you.”
“He’s a good boy. Smart and funny, and really curious about life. You’re doing a great job.”
Her eyes watered, and she gave a shaky laugh. “That means a lot.”
Yes, it did. Pixie got all kinds of encouragement from Marlow and Cort, but hearing it from others always reaffirmed that—so far—she was doing okay. She hoped Ellen received similar encouragement from her friends, but if they were all single, they might not be too focused on parenting.
For that reason, she backed up Brogan. “You’re working, parenting, keeping house—and inviting over guests. I agree, you’re impressive.”
“I invited you over to boost Benny, but you’re giving me such a boost, too.” Impulsively, she leaned in to give Pixie a hug, careful not to disturb Shayna. Then with a smile up at Brogan, she did the same to him.
He was able to free one arm and loosely return the embrace. “Keep in touch, okay?”
Ellen nodded. “This has been a wonderful visit.” To Pixie, she added, “Think about what I said, okay?”
“I will.” She pretended not to see the searching glance Brogan gave her, but once they were in the car with both kids sleeping, she knew it was time.
The weather had been accommodating enough to wait until they were on the main road back to Bramble before it started to sprinkle.
His wipers came on automatically, swishing back and forth as the sky darkened and the humidity swelled.
So far, the rain wasn’t too heavy, but weather in Kentucky was always unpredictable.
Pixie shifted to face him. “Ruthie is still around.”
Other than his hands tightening on the wheel, he didn’t show any reaction to the news. “Ellen met her?”
“No. She just saw her in the grocery store.”
“How does she know it was Ruth?”
Watching the enjoyment of the day vanish from his face broke Pixie’s heart. How many times had Brogan been able to genuinely embrace a good time before shadows set in? Not nearly often enough, she was sure.
Lips suddenly dry and her stomach knotting, Pixie vowed to herself that somehow, someday, she would ensure that he started to see life in a whole new way. The way he deserved.
“Ruthie said enough things to give herself away. She said your name and mentioned Shayna.”
With his disgust evident, he said, “Of course she did.”
“Ellen thought she was drunk, and she was with an older man.”
Predictably, his posture became more alert.
She didn’t want him bracing for the worst, hated that he felt he had to. Touching him was necessary, so she opened her hand over his shoulder, the same one that held his trident tattoo. There was no give to his flesh. It was as if he’d been carved from warm stone.
Through the soft cotton of his shirt, she felt his heat, the slight flex of steel muscles. It fascinated her. He fascinated her.
“Pixie,” he said, his tone strangled.
When she looked at his face, she realized she was affecting him. She, Pixie Nolan, the mouse no one had wanted, was eliciting a reaction from this remarkable man simply by touching his shoulder.
For one of the very first times in her life, she felt powerful—powerful enough to help him. Maybe enough to shield him.
Or at least offer him a distraction.
When he pulled up to a stop sign and turned piercing gray eyes on her, her courage shriveled.
Okay, never mind. Feeling silly, she withdrew her hand, but Brogan caught it, lowered it to his thigh, and held it flat. “What’s going on, Pixie?”
Well, she couldn’t tell him her thoughts, so she shared a variation of them. Glancing around, she realized they were alone on the road. The windows were starting to fog a little and the rain came down more steadily.
“I can describe the man to you, but I was worried he could be your father.”
“Doubtful, but that’s not why you were stroking me.”
Had she stroked him? And why did that sound so … sexual? “I was offering comfort.”
For a heart-stopping moment, those silvery eyes held hers. “Huh.” He flipped on the defroster and cautiously drove forward. “Felt like something altogether different.”