“Your point is that I’m unqualified for this?” He sighed. “I said as much back in Houston, didn’t I?” He took a sip of lemonade, watching the fluid shift of emotions on her face. “But—”
“I think we should hold off on this.” She tapped the calendar with the end of the highlighter. “Until you’ve learned how to do those things, and bought the things she’ll need, I think it makes more sense for Joy to stay here.”
He frowned. “Not that I’m trying to pick a fight here, but how am I supposed to learn how to do any of those things if she’s here and I’m there?”
Brooke propped her elbow on the table and rested her chin, looking beyond tired. “Maybe...” She swallowed. “Maybe some mornings you can come over and help with the morning routine and other days you can come over in the evenings and help give her a bath and put her to bed.” Her gaze darted his way. “What do you think?”
He was thinking that, for all her crusty exterior and judgy looks and condescension in her voice, Brooke Young was a decent person. She didn’t like him, so it wasn’t a huge leap to assume she didn’t want him around. And yet, here she was, offering to teach him everything he needed to know to care for Joy. “I think I owe you my thanks, Brooke. Sincerely. And I heartily accept your proposal.” He nodded. “For the time being, that is.”
“Two weeks.” She tapped the calendar and used the pink highlighter to circle the day, exactly two weeks from today, on the calendar. “That should be more than enough time.”
Two weeks? It didn’t seem long enough to him, but he’d take it. He nodded.
“Good.” She stood, returning the calendar to its hook on the wall. “If you’re free, you can stay and have dinner and help out tonight?”
Meaning plans for a long horseback ride, a cold beer and some time to himself wasn’t going to happen. “Sounds good.” He stood, carrying his empty glass to the counter. “Need help with anything?”
She handed him the screwdriver.
“Got it.” He took the tool, his gaze catching on Tess and Joy. “Your sister... Is she seeing anyone?” The mounting concern on Brooke’s face had him rushing to add, “My brother Beau has mentioned Tess.”
Brooke’s eyes widened. “Oh?” She turned, her expression softening as she took in the scene.
Tess had Joy in her lap, one foot keeping the swing moving in an easy rhythm. From here, he couldn’t see what Tess was pointing at, only that Joy was listening and watching every word the young girl was saying.
But Brooke’s reaction ate at him. “You didn’t think I...I was asking about your little sister...” He couldn’t finish that sentence.
Brooke’s cheeks were flaming.
“Right.” Audy shook his head. “Right. I keep forgetting how low your opinion is of me.” He spun on his heel and headed for the bedroom.
It didn’t take long for him to break down the old wooden four-poster bed. Once he’d carried all the pieces onto the back porch, he put together Joy’s crib and wiped it down with the disinfecting wipes they’d brought back with them.
He stepped back, pleased with his work, and ran a hand along the back of his neck. A crib. He was putting together a baby bed. Him. Audy Good-Time Briscoe. Daredevil. A party in a Stetson. The go-to for fun cowboy. He was putting together a baby bed. And now that he was staring at it, his heart was thumping against his rib cage, so loud his pulse echoed in his head.
I’m glad you think I can do this, Kent. Audy shook his head, eyeing the bags he and Brooke had unloaded before they’d sat down with the calendar—when Brooke had, once more, made him feel lower than dirt. He’d never had anyone look at him with such...such resentment before. Was resentment even the right word? That was part of it, though why she’d resent him had origins just as mysterious as her total dislike for him. Brooke would be happy if he walked out and never looked back.
It wasn’t the first time the urge to run overtook him, but it seemed stronger this time. It wasn’t just because Brooke had no faith in him or that Joy made him nervous or that he had no idea what the contents of half of these bags were for...it was the weight of responsibility he now felt for someone and something beyond his control. That was it.
If he was going to hold up his end of this bargain, he was going to have to rethink who he was. How could he go out dancing and carrying on when he had a child, a sweet angel of a little girl, looking to him for guidance? The very notion was ridiculous.
From the corner of one of the bags, Audy spied Joy’s epic-sized baby book. He pulled it out, sat on the wood floor and propped himself against the wall, and ran his hand over the pink embossed cover. His calloused fingers snagged a thread on the lace binding. Seems right. With a shake of his head, he carefully detached the thread without further pulling or fraying the delicate fabric.
He didn’t linger over the first few pages—one look at the proud new parents cradling their brand-new baby had him flipping ahead. He remembered that day. He and Brooke had sat on opposite sides of the waiting room, eager for news of Dara and the baby. Funny how, then, he’d just accepted her hostility as who she was. It was easier that way, not caring about why she was hostile but enjoying the rise he could get from her when he was in the right mood.
He kept flipping until he saw Dara’s even handwriting. He’d laughed at the extreme thoroughness of Dara’s notes but now he was thankful. He skipped the first few months but started reading when Joy turned eight months. It wasn’t exactly scintillating reading, but it was educational.
Babies didn’t do much.
Sure, they were cute and they could make a whole lot of noise but that was about it. If he could get a handle on Joy’s routine, maybe he’d feel less out-of-control.
From the looks of it, Dara was big on routines. Same times, every day. Breakfast—which she listed. Normal diaper or cause for concern. He frowned. What was concerning about a diaper...? Then he realized she was referring to what was in the diaper and not the diaper itself, and shuddered. Moving on.
From nine to five it read, See Day Care Sheet. He set the baby book aside and rummaged through the bags until he’d found the binder with the day care sheets all neatly organized in date order. Back and forth, baby book and day care sheets, he scanned over page after page.
“Mr.—Audy...” Tess’s voice wavered, loaded with nerves.
He looked up, giving the girl a winning smile. “What can I do for you, Tess?”
She blushed fiercely, her gaze shifting to the floor at her feet. “Oh, nothing... You don’t have to do anything.” She glanced his way. “Brooke said she thinks Joy is hungry...”
“Right.” Let the lessons begin. He closed both books, stood and stacked them on top of the chest of drawers he’d left in the room. “You have much experience with babies, Tess?” he asked. “’Cause, I confess, I feel like I’m about to go toe-to-toe with a rattlesnake. A cute one, sure, but unpredictable and potentially dangerous.”
Tess giggled. “Joy is the sweetest baby I have ever met.” She shrugged. “I babysit a lot. If there’s a baby in Garrison, I’ve probably watched it a time or two.”
“So, what you’re saying is...you are a baby expert?” If he could get Tess to school him on all things baby, he’d have less time with Brooke. And, right about now, he didn’t think he had the patience to face a hungry baby and Brooke’s ever-present irritation.
“I did have to take a class at the community center.” She nodded. “They taught me all the basic stuff and emergency training, too. Even baby CPR.”
Just the thought of giving Joy CPR had his palms sweaty and his stomach in his throat. There was nothing in Dara’s note-taking about the need to give Joy CPR. He sure didn’t want to find himself in that situation. “Classes?” He might just have to look into that.
“Yes, sir.” She smiled. “But you don’t have to worry Mr.—Audy, I’ll help out with Joy. You’ll see, once you get the hang of it,
it’s pretty easy.”
He shook his head. “If you say so.”
“I do.” Her confidence was surprisingly reassuring.
“Well, all right, then. I appreciate the vote of confidence, Tess. I truly do.” He rubbed his hands together. “Let’s get this baby fed.”
She giggled again, sounding every bit the teenager, before heading back down the hall to the kitchen. “I believe in you,” Tess said, shooting him a smile over her shoulder.
That smile had Audy’s thoughts instantly shifting to his little brother Beau.
Beau was all school and athletics and it had paid off with a full scholarship to the University of Texas after he graduated the following year. The only things Beau showed interest in besides his schoolwork and athletics were his new truck and Clement, his horse, and Tess Young. While his little brother engaged regularly with his truck and Clement, he’d never made a move on the girl he was so clearly sweet on.
But was Tess interested in his brother?
The last thing he wanted to do was encourage Beau to pursue someone uninterested.
“There they are.” Brooke had Joy on her hip, rocking back and forth on her feet, all smiles. “Dinner is just about ready.”
Audy glanced at the clock. “Six o’clock.” He nodded as he visualized the schedule on page after page of Joy’s baby book. Same time, every day. “Dinnertime.”
Brooke shot him a questioning look.
He smiled, oddly pleased that he’d taken the time to read as much as he had. There was no way he was ready to dive into this whole baby thing on his own, but he had the feeling Dara had left a pretty solid how-to manual for baby Joy. If he could take some of the classes Tess was talking about, he wouldn’t have to rely on Brooke for much at all—which was the way he’d prefer it. As long as Joy kept the lip-flip thing to a minimum, he’d be okay—even if Brooke and those clear hazel eyes of hers told him otherwise. Contrary to what she believed, this wasn’t about him proving her wrong...
But that was definitely a perk.
CHAPTER SIX
GARRISON FAMILY GROCERY was surprisingly busy—meaning there was no way she’d be able to sneak in and out undetected. Especially not with Joy and Audy in tow. She tried not to think about the neatly organized stack of diapers lining the bottom of Joy’s closet back in Houston. She didn’t know how he’d missed them, but he had. Now, with only the few diapers remaining in Joy’s diaper bag, their stock was running dangerously low. So, here they were, a few hours home, putting Joy’s car seat into the grocery cart and setting a brisk pace as they ventured inside.
It had been too much to hope that Audy would offer to watch Joy for the thirty minutes it’d take Brooke to get the shopping trip done. Just her suggestion had turned him a shade of green that’d reminded her of pea soup. Tess had taken pity on him and offered to babysit, but Tess had a pre-calculus test tomorrow—her weakest subject—so she needed to study. Besides, Brooke didn’t want to set a precedent of Tess covering for Audy. Tess was a teenager. Audy was Joy’s legal co-guardian.
Brooke made a silly face at Joy, earning a delighted giggle from the baby, and kept her head down. She ignored the looks they were getting and headed straight for the baby aisle in their local grocery store.
“They were in a red-and-white bag,” Audy offered, hands on his hips, as he stared blankly at the wall of diaper packages.
Brooke didn’t acknowledge him. Red-and-white bag. The fact that he hadn’t at least taken note of the diaper brand shouldn’t bother her...but it did. “Cuddlers. Cuddlers, size two.”
“Diapers come in sizes?” Audy leaned closer to the packages, eyes narrowed. “Well, lookee there.”
She managed not to laugh, but no luck holding back her smile. Audy seemed sincerely surprised and more than a little overwhelmed by this new information. There was something alarmingly adorable about Mr. Too-Confident-For-My-Own-Good looking so lost and befuddled.
But as soon as Audy’s attention wandered and he realized there was a handful of very curious Garrison residents watching the three of them, his I’m-charming-and-I-know-it smile was back in place.
Because he has an audience.
“You got that?” he asked.
“Yes.” She pulled two packages of diapers off the shelf and put them in their cart.
“Making sure,” he murmured.
She glanced his way—and rolled her eyes. He wasn’t watching her, he was all smiles for Judy Eldridge. “Thanks.”
The snap in her voice grabbed his attention.
At least he had the decency to look a little embarrassed.
“Ma ma ma,” Joy announced, at the top of her lungs. She smiled, clapped her hands and bounced her sock-covered feet before adding, “Bi bub u...” and then another gleeful shriek.
Brooke laughed.
Audy didn’t. He eyed Joy warily, taking two steps away from the grocery cart. “We ready?” he asked.
“Wipes.” Brooke pointed.
“Is there a size difference for them, too?” He tipped his hat back on his head, looked at her and waited.
“No.” She smiled. “But the brand in her bag was for sensitive skin.” She scanned the neatly lined-up boxes of baby wipes. “The last thing we want to do is give her diaper rash.”
“No, no, let’s not do that,” Audy agreed, stepping closer to the shelf and reading each label carefully.
Brooke couldn’t stop smiling now. Apparently, the fear of diaper rash was stronger than the need to charm the growing number of women now inhabiting the baby aisle.
“Those?” Audy asked, staring up.
“Yes.” Brooke stepped forward, standing on her tippy-toes to reach the single package—on the top shelf. She stretched but... “I can’t reach them.” She turned to find Audy, arms crossed over his chest, wearing an all-too-smug smile.
“You don’t say?” he asked. He stepped closer, reached up and retrieved the bag. “Here you go.”
It was only because all eyes were on them that she didn’t snatch the package from his hands. She was tempted, mighty tempted, but she decided to go another route. “Why, thank you, Audy,” she gushed, smiling broadly. “Aren’t you a gentleman?”
Audy’s smile froze and a deep crease formed between his brows. If he’d been wary before, he looked downright terrified now.
Brooke wasn’t having to work at smiling anymore.
“It is the two of you,” Miss Ruth, who’d just steered her cart around the end of the aisle, said loudly. “I heard you two were here and had to come see this with my own eyes.” She looked back and forth between them. “Of course, we’ve all heard about...Kent and Dara now. I am sorry.”
Brooke found herself pulled into Miss Ruth’s rough embrace.
“I was just beside myself when word reached us.” Miss Ruth released her. “I just knew that’s what’d taken the two of you off like that. Together, no less.” She patted Audy on the cheek. “Is this...is this their little one?” She leaned over Joy. “I can see that it is.”
Brooke nodded.
“I guess it’ll take them some time to get family notified and travel arranged to get this little angel.” Miss Ruth cooed. “It’s good of you two to take her in until then.”
“Ba ba ba,” Joy said, grabbing her toes and nodding her head.
It was Joy’s animated babbling that drew the other women closer. Dorris Kaye, with her perfect white pin curls and bright floral dress, shook a bottle of Tylenol over her head like a rattle. Miss Ruth’s red lipstick made her smile a little clown-like but Joy didn’t seem to mind. Judy Eldridge and her mother, Barbara, oohed and aahed, and Joy giggled and chattered and seemed quite content to be the center of attention.
Brooke glanced Audy’s way... And did a double take. He was studying Joy. Not in outright fear or panic, which had been the trend up until now, but curiosity and, maybe, interest.
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br /> “Audy?” The male voice rang out over the chorus of women cooing over baby Joy.
She didn’t recognize the voice, but Audy did. His jaw tightened and his posture stiffened before he turned. She did her best to sneak a peek around Miss Ruth’s fluffed and sprayed hair, but that wasn’t going to happen so she moved around the grocery cart under the guise of checking its contents... It was a flimsy excuse since the cart only contained two packages of diapers and one bag of wipes but it was all she had to work with.
Forrest Briscoe’s expression was a mix of confusion and anger. “You’re back?” he asked, his jaw going rigid—just like Audy’s.
There’s no missing they’re brothers.
“I was going to call you,” Audy said, running a hand along the back of his neck.
“It would’ve been nice.” Forrest sighed. “I’m guessing you got everything worked out, then?” His gaze darted beyond Audy and landed on her. “Hold on.” He brushed past Audy and headed straight for her. “Brooke, I’m so sorry. When Audy told me...” He shook his head. “I know how close you and Dara were. I can only imagine the hurt you’re feeling.”
An unexpected lump lodged itself in her throat, forcing her to nod in reply.
It was Joy’s sneeze, and the half a dozen women that said “Bless you” that had Forrest staring at the grocery cart. For a second, he went into full statue-mode—as if he was scrambling to make sense of what he saw. “Is this their little girl?” he asked.
“Joy,” Brooke murmured.
“She looks an awful lot like Dara.” Forrest’s brow furrowed. “Audy said something about concerns over the guardians—”
“Forrest,” Audy interrupted, shooting a pointed glance at the women.
Four members of the Garrison Ladies Guild. The Garrison Ladies Guild did all sorts of wonderful things for the community. From maintaining the gardens around the courthouse and in the park around The First Tree, to selling jam and jellies at the spring fair, making quilts for the Quilt and Wildflower Weekend and the Founder’s Day celebrations, to providing cookies and hot chocolate to every participant in the Garrison Christmas Parade. But the Garrison Ladies Guild was also known for one other reason—gossip. If a mother wanted to fix up her son or daughter, these women were the ones who’d know who was available and have the scoop on any past transgressions of said potential suitor. They filed away information and were likely listening in on everything Audy and his brother were saying.
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