Chapter 18 #2
“Come in. Go pop it in the kitchen.” She pointed to the electrolyte solution and crackers. “It could be a while before he’s ready to eat anything.”
Comprehension dawned on his face. “Ahh, he had to drive the porcelain bus, huh?”
She laughed. “Yep, all the way to the station.”
“Poor kid.”
“He felt terrible about it, but I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you.”
“Okay, I’ll dump this and then come see him.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. “Hi, Sparkles.”
“Hi, yourself.” She shook her head at his antics.
As she walked toward Finn’s bedroom, she could feel her smile growing. It was so nice to share this moment with him, although not an ideal one, but knowing he hadn’t run when he worked out that Finn had thrown up was a big plus.
Cerise walked in and Finn was curled up on his side.
His eyes were shut but she didn’t think he was asleep.
As she got closer, she noticed that the green tinge had leeched out of his face and, while it was still pale, there was a hint of color on his cheeks.
She set the drink and crackers on his bedside table, before sitting on the bed.
“How you doing, Finn?” She rested her hand on his forehead, pleased that it wasn’t warm under her palm.
“Okay,” he mumbled.
“Brodie’s here. He brought you some chicken noodle soup. You can have some later if you feel up to it.”
His eyes snapped open and he shifted so that he was reclining against his pillow and not lying flat. “Brodie’s here?”
“I sure am, buddy,” Brodie said from the doorway. “I understand you took a trip to the bus station?”
Finn’s eyes clouded in confusion and he looked at Cerise. “We didn’t go to the bus station, Brodie.”
Brodie sauntered into the room and sat down next to her. She braced her body so she didn’t slide into him, like she wanted to. “I meant you drove the porcelain bus. Threw up.”
“Ohhh.” Finn’s face cleared and he laughed a little. “Yeah, it was nasty. I told Cerise I’m never having gummy bears, caramel popcorn and Dr. Pepper again.”
“Man.” Brodie whistled. “That’s quite the combination there. Maybe separate might be a better idea than all together at one time.”
“Maybe.”
Cerise stood and grabbed Brodie’s hand, pulling him up as well. “I think you probably didn’t sleep much last night, so you’re tired too. And you’ve got school tomorrow so you can’t be tired for classes.”
“If I throw up, I can’t go to school until I’ve not thrown up for a whole day. So that means I don’t go to school tomorrow, because I threw up after the time school is supposed to start.”
Dammit, she’d forgotten about that rule, but she was sure that applied to kids who’d been throwing up consistently.
And he’d recited the information matter-of-factly, as if he’d had to remind his aunt a time or two.
He shouldn’t have to worry about those rules, because that was the job of his guardian.
Finn needed to go back to being a kid. “Okay, we’ll see how the rest of the day goes. ”
She gave his leg a squeeze and noticed Brodie did the same. When they got into the living room, Brodie pulled her into a hug, and she snuggled into his embrace. Everything felt right when he was holding her.
“You don’t have to stay now. I’m sure there are things you need to do back at the ranch,” she said after they’d been standing, holding each other for a few moments.
“There’s nowhere I’d rather be than right here with you. If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it together. Always.”
Her heart stilled. What did he mean, always? She looked up at him and swallowed at what was shining in his eyes. “Always?”
He smiled tenderly at her and brushed a fingertip down her cheek.
“Yep, I don’t know about you, but I’m in this for the long haul.
I know we’ve only known each other a short time, but Cerise, I love you.
I can’t imagine not having you in my life.
I would give away every penny I have to keep you in my life. ”
“What?” Her mouth dropped opened. She must have misheard him. He hadn’t just told her he loved her, had he? And that he’d give away all his money? No one had ever put her first in their life.
His warm, large hands framed her face, his thumbs brushing the apple of her cheeks. “I said I love you, Cerise Robinson. I want you to bring sparkle to my life every day.” He lowered his head and kissed her.
His mouth was gentle on hers and she wrapped her arms around his neck, going up on tiptoe to deepen the kiss. The dam surrounding her heart disintegrated and all the love she’d never known she was capable of poured out of her.
She had to tell him. Had to let him know that she felt the same. Breaking the kiss, she placed her hands on his cheeks. “I love you, too, Brodie. So very much.”
“Thank God,” he whispered and rested his forehead against hers.
“We’re going to do this, Cerise. We’re going to make a family with Finn.
You said when Daphne visited that she was happy at how contented Finn was with you.
I’m sorry I couldn’t make it like I hoped.
When she does her visit next month, I’ll be here, and she’s going to know that Finn belongs with us and it’s not a game. ”
Cerise hoped it was true. Part of her couldn’t help but worry that because this part of her life was turning out amazingly, that her adoption of Finn was going to fall apart, and he would be lost to her.
Using the high-powered binoculars he’d gotten from the Army supply store, Ed was able to see right into Cerise’s front window.
Bitch should’ve closed her blinds, but he was glad she hadn’t because, if she had, he would’ve missed the way she told the cowboy holding her that she loved him.
And him talking about the kid. He wasn’t a lip reader, so he couldn’t make out everything they’d said.
But he recognized the words Finn and love.
All he had to do was sit tight for a few more days.
The wildflower festival was coming up, and he had everything in place.
As much as he wanted to let the kid suffer, for him to get his hands on the money quickly, he’d have to kill the kid and dump him so that he couldn’t be found.
He’d have to be careful not to leave any DNA.
He’d marry Poppy because she’d be overcome with grief and then, once she had the money, he’d off her too.
Every time he thought about his plan, he got excited about the life he was going to live.
“Enjoy your happiness, bitch, because it’s going to be short lived.”