7. Max #2
Pulling up to the house, I parked on the right-hand side.
We had a makeshift parking area that could fit four or five large sized trucks comfortably, side by side.
We rarely filled it, but with the extra vehicle, I wanted to make sure Stella had enough room to get Charlie in and out of her car seat comfortably.
Stella pulled in right beside my truck and killed the engine. Before I even had a chance to hop out and help, she had Charlie unbuckled and propped on her hip. Resigning myself to the fact that Stella didn’t need constant coddling, I motioned for her to walk towards the front porch.
The big house wasn’t fancy; its weathered clapboard siding and mismatched windows spoke of a long, quiet history.
Most folks thought that every ranch had a ‘big house’ that was reminiscent of what they saw on Yellowstone, but ours couldn’t be further from that.
It was a modest five-bedroom house with white siding and a wrap-around porch.
Ma had insisted that Pops install a porch swing on the side.
She used to say that every good southern farmhouse needed a rickety porch swing, and she often spent many nights curled up on that thing, drinking a cup of tea and regaling stories of her and Pops’ good ol’ years.
In the two years since she’d been gone, none of us Daniels men could stomach sitting on it. It stood as a vigil to the wonderful woman we had lost. It brought back the gut wrenching pain of losing our family matriarch, but none of us wanted to remove it.
“Let’s see this bachelor pad, cowboy.” Stella teased with a grin, knocking me out of my trip down memory lane.
The country air must have given her a little sense of peace.
She seemed marginally happier out here in the sticks, away from the hustle and bustle of town.
I took in how her hair glowed in the warm summer sunlight and the way her eyes sparkled as she took in her surroundings.
She seemed lighter, even in the last twenty or so minutes.
As she sauntered towards the front porch, I noticed a slight sashay in her hips. I’m sure it was just the counterbalance of carrying a child on her hip, but reason flew out the window the instant she cocked her head over her shoulder and called back, “You comin’?”
Fuck.
Yes, yes, I would be coming. Right in my fucking Wranglers if I didn’t get a grip on the hard on that was thickening in my jeans from watching her tight ass crest the porch steps.
Maybe I had a mommy kink, maybe I got off on playing savior to the damsel in distress, maybe I just had a Stella fetish. Whatever it was, this woman was playing with fire and I knew trouble wasn’t just going to be a nickname; she was trouble personified.
As we stepped up the couple steps to the wraparound porch, I hesitated.
I should have warned Wade that I was bringing a woman.
. and a baby.. home. Gripping the handle of the red front door, I twisted it, pushed it open with a creak, and silently prayed that he was clothed.
Apparently, the universe thought I didn’t need a win in that department.
“Fuck, bro! You scared the sh…” Wade stopped as he rounded the corner from the kitchen into the foyer. He was in nothing but a pair of black boxer shorts with tiny red hearts all over them and his cowboy hat.
For the lord’s sake.
I could hear Stella snickering behind me as she turned around, presumably shielding Charlie’s eyes from the view of a nearly naked cowboy in the foyer of what was to be their new home.
“Uhm. Didn’t know we’d have company..” He stammered, “I’ll go put some clothes on.”
He brushed past me in a hurry, his feet stomping loudly on the stairs to my left as he rushed up them. I turned around in slight embarrassment to gauge Stella’s reaction, expecting to see her just as rattled as I was. Instead, she greeted me with a wide grin and a small laugh.
I shook my head and gestured for Stella to walk ahead of me as we entered the kitchen.
The kitchen had been Ma’s sanctuary. She’d meticulously selected every detail in this room, all the way down to the cabinet handles. She’d nearly given Pops a heart attack when she’d insisted on sage green cabinets and the expensive white granite countertop.
He’d tried to convince her to go with something more neutral, but she pulled out her hidden weapon - the puppy dog eyes. Eventually, he’d forked over design rights completely and walked around behind her with the checkbook. After all - happy wife, happy life.
She spent many nights cooking extravagant dinners, even though it was just us three burly men eating. Her love language was always making sure we went to sleep with full stomachs. It wasn’t lost on me how privileged I was to be raised in a house full of love and support.
Wade came stomping back down the stairs in a pair of grey sweatpants and a faded rodeo tee shirt. With a flick of his wrist, he swept his long hair away from his face, revealing a dazzling grin that was aimed directly at Stella.
“Sorry ‘bout that,” he drawled, extending his hand for her to shake. With a slight movement, she shifted Charlie to the side and grasped his hand in a firm handshake.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Wade. The hotter Daniels’ twin.” He said, accentuating his introduction with a wink.
“Stella.” she said simply and gave him a terse smile. I could sense that she wasn’t overly comfortable around men, especially ones who weren’t shy, like my brother. Her rigid posture and protective stance gave that away.
“This is Charlie.” She added as the little girl made excessive wiggle motions to be put down.
Seeking my approval, she looked at me, and I nodded in response.
With a gentle lowering motion, she placed the wiggling toddler on the floor, giving the little one the chance to explore the surrounding area.
If they were staying long term, we definitely needed to install some childproof latches and covers to keep her safe.
“So, Stella, what brings you to Casa de Daniels?” Wade asked, walking over to the fridge and grabbing out a bottle of beer.
I snatched the beer out of his hand before he had the chance to pop the top. I motioned for him to sit on the barstool at the island counter. He plopped down with a huff and waited for me to explain why I’d stopped his mid-afternoon drink-a-thon.
“Stella and Charlie are going to be staying with us for a while. I’d appreciate it if we kept the drinking to a minimum,” I said, scratching at the stubble that was forming on my chin.
“They’ve gotten themselves in a bit of a bind and need a safe place to land, so I need you to be on your best behavior. ”
“Ooooo-kay,” he said, lengthening the front of the word in confusion. His eyes narrowed on mine, imploring me to elaborate, but I gave nothing away.
It was Stella’s story, and hers alone to share with the world in her own time and way. Confiding in Wade was entirely her decision, and she could do so when and if she was comfortable.
“That’s all the..” the front door flying open and a shrill shriek coming from the foyer interrupted my thoughts.
“ A BABY !!!” a female voice screamed, causing all of our heads to turn in its direction.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” I said, running my hands down my face in exasperation.
Now, I not only had to explain to my brother why I brought a woman and child home, but also to his best friend, Ray.