Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Brodie glanced at Cerise again as she gazed out the window at the passing scenery. Her disappointment about the outcome of the meeting was palpable and he wished he could do something to make it better.
His stomach dropped to his feet. Had he made it worse by suggesting they turn up at the meeting as a couple?
Yes, doofus, of course you made it worse.
He flexed his fingers around the steering wheel. “I’m sorry, Sparkles.”
“What?”
“I’m sorry that instead of making the adoption process better, I’ve made it more difficult for you. I should never have suggested we be a couple for Finn’s adoption. I should’ve let you go alone.”
Her sigh sounded around the cab of his truck, making him feel like a class A jerk. “It’s not your fault. I was mad and disappointed at first, but Daphne is right. Perhaps it is best if I do take a step back and think things through properly.”
Dread balled in his stomach. She wasn’t about to take a step back from him as well, was she?
His reaction to Cerise was confusing and exhilarating all at the same time. Confusing because it seemed so fast to feel this connected to her. And exhilarating because he believed he could conquer anything with her by his side.
Manning up, he asked the question and whatever her answer, he’d deal with it. “What do you mean take a step back? Are you talking about taking a step back from us?”
Her hand landed on his thigh. “No. I meant it the other night when I said I liked you. I wanted to date you. That hasn’t changed, but maybe Daphne was right and me adopting Finn was a knee-jerk reaction to how he was acting when I picked him up.
I think I’m the best person for him but maybe I’m not. ”
“Stop. Don’t even think that. When you love someone, you make decisions that seem to be spur of the moment, but they’re not. They’re your instincts kicking in. You are the right person for Finn. Don’t ever doubt that.”
“I suppose you’re right. But maybe I should talk to Poppy about it first. Maybe she’s too afraid to say what she really wants because she’s worried she’s going to disappoint her brother and sister-in-law.”
“You could be right, but I’m not sure you should approach her.
Maybe it’s a question that Daphne needs to ask,” he commented as they pulled into the parking lot of Buck’s Roadhouse.
He’d convinced Cerise that she needed one of Buck’s burgers to deal with the situation they now found themselves with.
“I don’t think she’d tell Daphne the truth. I have a feeling she’d be too afraid to. Saying it out loud puts it out there. How would it sound if she said she wanted her life back and didn’t want to be burdened with a child that’s not her own?”
“The truth is probably better for Finn at this stage. If she doesn’t want him then she should at least want what’s best for him.
” He got out of the truck and went around to her side and opened the door for her.
“I still don’t think it’s a good idea to approach her yourself, but maybe talk to Daphne about it and see what she thinks.
Between the two of you, you’re bound to come up with something that will benefit Finn the most.” He held out his hand. “In the meantime, ready for some food?”
“Yes.” He helped her from the truck and slammed the door shut behind her.
They entered Buck’s place and he paused, letting his eyes adjust to the dimness of the restaurant. He was surprised at the amount of people in the bar for a Thursday. Seated at a table in the corner were some of his crew from the HVFD, Dean, Greg and Chris.
“There are some guys from my team here. Do you want to join them?”
“Umm, sure, if you want to. Yeah, that sounds good.”
He couldn’t tell from her answer if she was disappointed or relieved that they wouldn’t be sitting by themselves. “We can just go say hello if you’d prefer.”
“No, honestly, it’s fine. After what you’d told me about your team, I’d like to get to meet them. I know how important it is to be close to the guys on your crew.”
“Yeah, it helps when you’re at a fire or an accident scene to know that someone’s always got your back. And is there when you need it.”
“It’s like at the hospital, you’ve got to count on the staff around to support you when the situation calls for it.”
“Yeah, when I first started Mitch told me to trust them from the start. Of course, he doesn’t get called in as much now, seeing as he’s getting more involved with being a surgeon again. But I valued his input.”
“I think he misses it. Although he hasn’t come out and said it, I just gleaned that from some of the things Nadia told me.”
They made their way over to where his teammates were sitting. “Hey guys, mind if Cerise and I join you?”
Greg smiled and stood. “Sure. Hi, Cerise, I’m Blake. I guess you know these other two.” He pointed to Dean and Chris.
“Hi, Greg, nice to meet you. And yeah, I know Dean and Chris. How are you guys?” Cerise smiled as she sat down. All three men returned her welcoming smile.
Once they were seated, Greg leaned forward. “Dice, what brings you to Buck’s in the middle of the day on a Thursday?”
As far as Brodie was aware, Cerise didn’t want anyone to know what she was doing with regards to adopting Finn. “Just thought we’d get one of Buck’s famous hamburgers.”
Greg leaned back. “Uh huh.” He was studying the both of them. Brodie imagined he did this a lot in his career as a former police detective and now in his position with the sheriff’s department. Observing people and checking out what their tells, etc. were had to be an important part of his job.
“I had a meeting with Finn’s case worker. Brodie volunteered to drive me and then convinced me I needed this burger. Like I haven’t had it before,” she finished with a sweet smile.
The men hooted with laughter.
“Well, then, I guess I’ve been put in my place,” Brodie said, shaking his head.
When the waitress came up they all ordered the burger and talked about general things until their food arrived. Brodie bit and closed his eyes. “I’m almost too afraid to ask Buck what he cooks his burgers in to make them so flavorful.”
“Pig’s blood,” Cerise deadpanned as she took another big bite.
Greg, Dean and Chris choked on the food, grabbing their drinks to wash it down.
“That is both frightening and appealing at the same time,” Brodie commented.
“How the fuck is that appealing?” spluttered Chris.
“Well, when I was in the UK with my college mates, we had blood pudding for breakfast. It’s made out of pig’s blood and other stuff. It was pretty good.”
“I’m choosing to ignore any reference to pig’s blood. Otherwise, I’ll never eat here again,” Greg grumbled.
Cerise chuckled. “Sorry guys, didn’t mean to put you off your food, but I doubt if it’s anything more nefarious than some spices added to the burger meat and then cooked in good, old-fashioned lard.”
“I’m not sure that makes it better, but I can live with that.” Chris took another big bite of his burger.
Once they finished their meal, Brodie noticed that Cerise seemed a lot more relaxed than she had been when they’d left Daphne’s office.
This had been a good idea. “I saw a banner as we drove into town, Hunt’s annual wildflower festival coming up.
Any of you going?” he asked. “Will we have to do anything like crowd control with the HVFD?”
“In the past we’ve directed traffic to open spaces to park so they don’t block the streets, but as for crowd control, it’s usually not too bad. People just come to take pictures in the bluebonnets. I can never understand why you’d to that,” grumbled Dean.
“It’s a Texas tradition,” Cerise piped up. “Although I’m with you. I’m not sure I understand why it’s done. I’ve seen newborns laying among the flowers. I mean, they’re pretty and all, but it’s not exactly safe. There are bees and bugs that could harm the baby.”
“Not to mention allergies,” Chris commented.
“I think I’d like to go to the festival.” Cerise tapped her bottom lip, drawing Brodie’s attention to it, reminding him of how soft it was. “Maybe bring Finn and make him sit in the bluebonnet field, so I can take some photos. I’m sure he’d love that.”
Everyone at the table burst out laughing at Cerise’s comment.
Brodie picked up her hand and kissed the top of it, ignoring the looks he was getting from the guys.
He’d much rather have kissed her on the mouth, but if he started he wouldn’t be able to stop.
Her hand was a much safer option. “I’m sure Finn would love that.
But I like the idea of you coming. Even if I have to work the event, I’m sure I’ll be able to spend some time with you. ”
“It’s a date then.” She smiled and his heart skipped a couple of beats.
Brodie looked at his watch and saw the time. “Hey, we better get out of here. We need to get Finn from school soon.” If Cerise thought it was strange him using we, she didn’t let on.
“It was good to spend time with y’all,” she said as she opened her bag.
Brodie quickly stilled her movement. “Lunch is on me.” He then looked around at the other men at the table. “Including all of yours. And don’t even think about arguing.”
Dean looked like he was about to say something, but then he must have seen the look in Brodie’s eyes and pressed his lips together. “Thanks.”
Together they walked to the bar where Buck was wiping it down. “Everything all right?”
“Yep, just want to pay the check.” Brodie opened his wallet, pulled out his credit card, and gave it to Buck. The bar owner’s eyebrows rose a fraction but didn’t say anything. What was that all about?
He looked at his wallet. Shit, he’d used his black Reserve Card, the kind of card that only the bank’s elite clientele were given access to. He looked over at Cerise, but she was studying her phone.
God, why was he so worried about telling Cerise he had money? It wasn’t like she’d given any indication that she would be the type of person to get close to him just because he did. She was the most independent person he knew.
Buck handed the card back and he signed the credit card slip before slipping it back in his wallet. “Ready to get Finn?”
She looked up at him and smiled but it seemed a little strained, as if she remembered what had happened with Daphne and that her plans had been put on hold. “Yep. Let’s go get him.”
Ed Williams sat in the far corner of the bar of Buck’s Roadhouse, seen by the barman but not noticeable to everyone else.
He hadn’t had any plans to stop at Hunt before hitting Kerrville again and casing out Cerise Robinson’s house, but needing gas and food made him stop.
Now he was glad he had, as his quarry was right in front of him.
It hadn’t been too difficult to find Cerise’s address once he had her name.
The only good thing about living in bum-fuck, small-town Texas was that everyone was easy to find.
And luck was on his side for a change. When he’d heard her name, as the douche asked if they could sit at the table with three other guys, he’d practically fist pumped the air.
Once she left, he planned to follow her.
He wouldn’t make his move until the wildflower festival he’d heard them talking about.
They hadn’t been very quiet, which worked to his advantage.
A group of people was the best time to take someone.
People got lost in crowds all the time, especially kids.
But really, how crowded would the festival be?
Probably not very, but then again, as Cerise said, Texans loved their wildflowers.
Whatever. He’d make it work. Create a distraction or something. He had a couple of weeks to plan.
Poppy, the stupid bitch, thought he was in San Antonio for a job interview.
He needed a break from her constant needy attitude.
He’d told her that he wanted to get a job there so he could provide a better life for her.
She was so fucking gullible. He could only stomach being with her long enough to get her to make a will and think their marriage was going to last for a lifetime.
He shrunk into the shadows when Cerise and the guy she arrived with came up to the bar.
His eyes bulged when he saw the flash of black that the guy handed over to the bartender.
He’d seen that type of card once, when he was bartending in Austin and some fucker had come in and flashed it around. Only the rich had cards like that.
Things just got a lot more interesting.