Alex glanced over his shoulder. Brody looked up from his seated position on the floor, grinned mischievously, then banged the wooden spoons in his hands on the metal pot between his knees. Scout barked and ran around him in circles.
“Do you think he’d like blue or yellow frosting the best?” Tammy asked, yelling over the racket.
“Both.”
She cupped her free hand to her ear and tilted her head. “Blue?”
“Both,” Alex shouted, laughing at the chaos filling his kitchen.
Lord, it felt good. So good to laugh and talk and kiss. To have life fill his home again. He hadn’t realized how empty it’d truly been until Brody and Tammy had stepped inside it.
Brody, distracted by the shiny buttons on his overalls, stopped banging the pot, tucked his chin to his chest and started picking at his straps. Scout skipped over and started gnawing Brody’s untied shoelaces.
“So you think we should use the blue and the yellow?” Tammy asked.
“Yep,” Alex said, the sight of Brody and Scout widening his smile. There wasn’t a cuter kid on the planet. “I think he’d like both.”
“And you were checking me out earlier, right?”
“Yeah.” Alex jerked upright. “Wait, what?”
“Busted.” Tammy winked, green eyes twinkling. “Not that I mind. As a matter of fact— Ouch!”
She jumped, the pan falling from her hold and clattering to the table. One cupcake bounced out and rolled across the floor. Scout darted after it, trapped it with a paw and started chomping, his loud smacks filling the kitchen. Brody cackled and banged the pot again.
Tammy jerked the oven mitt from her hand, blowing furiously on her fingers. “Doggone thing was hotter than I thought,” she said, waving her hand back and forth through the air. “Burned me right through the mitt.”
“Let me see.” Alex walked around the island and took her hand. Bright red blotches marred her fingertips. “Here.”
He tugged her to the sink, turned on the faucet, then held her fingers under the cold stream of water. She relaxed and leaned against his shoulder, the soft scent of her shampoo releasing from her hair.
He firmed his hold on her wrist, fighting the urge to drift his fingers through the shiny waves, cup the back of her head and plunder the soft curves of her mouth. “Better?”
“Mmm-hmm.” She tipped her head back and looked up at him, those beautiful eyes lingering on his lips, her cheeks blushing a pretty pink.
Alex turned off the water, then lifted her hand to his mouth, kissing her fingertips. Her mouth parted, and she pressed close.
I’m always available if you need to forget.
He squeezed her hand gently, realizing he hadn’t sought comfort in a bottle since that night they’d shared on the porch. He hadn’t felt the need for it. Because the trouble was, he didn’t want to forget anything. He wanted to remember every moment he had with Tammy. Wanted to imprint the silky feel of her skin on his hands, memorize the delightful chime of her laugh and capture every sweet sigh against his lips. And he’d had only a few brief moments over the past week to savor a quick brush of his lips over hers. The immediate needs of the ranch had taken over, preventing anything more.
Last week, two more horses, Jet and Cisco, had wandered back to the ranch in poor shape, but the vet assured Alex they’d recover given time and attention. Tammy had worked as hard as he had to heal the animals and complete repairs over the past several days. They’d spent the majority of their time caring for Brody, rehabilitating Razz and Sapphire, and restoring the stable. And Brody was beginning to recover from the loss of his parents. He hadn’t cried for them in several days and he smiled more than ever.
The more time Alex spent with Tammy and Brody, the more precious they’d become. But like every valuable summer he’d spent with Dean, this one would eventually come to an end, too.
He winced, hoping their time together would last longer than he thought. Because, though he’d tried, he had difficulty envisioning his home without them. And he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that the privacy he’d craved in the past might become isolating after Tammy and Brody left.
He reached out and cradled her face with his palms, shaking off the invasive thought. He’d lived long enough to recognize an opportunity when it presented itself. Tammy was here. Right in front of him. He was going to enjoy whatever little time he had left with her and make damned sure Brody had a fantastic first birthday. The kind of birthday Dean would’ve wanted for his son.
Alex nudged Tammy back against the island and slipped a leg between hers. “I’m going to kiss you,” he teased, angling his lips close to hers and raising his voice above Brody’s banging and Scout’s snuffles. He smiled, hoping the chaos didn’t kill all the romance of the moment. “Right here, right now.”
She laughed and half shouted, “Are you asking me or telling me?”
“Asking.” He outlined her lips with his finger, a wave of need surging through him at the catch of her breath. “There’s a sweet smell in the air and we’ve got a one-toddler band serenading us. I’m hoping that’s enough to sway you.”
Her green eyes softened. She wrapped her arms around his waist and tilted her mouth in invitation. “That’s more than enough.”
Something shifted in his chest. He touched his lips to hers, tasting and teasing, and the heat filling him intensified. It throbbed deep within him, overpowering the loud noises filling the kitchen and swelling with each of her soft sighs of pleasure.
It’d been so long since he felt it, he almost didn’t recognize it. He’d forgotten how all consuming and disorienting it could become. But he knew exactly what that strong surge in his chest and deep pull in his gut meant.
He was falling in love.
He stilled, heart stalling. It’d happened so fast, he’d almost missed it. And it sure as hell wasn’t a good idea. But Tammy had slipped right into his heart and had him thinking of her every day.
When he was tending to the horses and rebuilding fences, he dreamed of holding her. When he was hauling off broken limbs and replacing windows, he imagined kissing her. And he remained fixated on thoughts of her during the hours before dawn when, after tossing and turning in the guest room, he’d slip out to the stable to sand and reapply varnish to neglected rocking chairs he’d constructed years ago.
All so he could make Brody’s first birthday as special for Tammy as it would be for him. So he could enjoy more precious moments with her, rocking beside her on the front porch and sharing more kisses. And, heaven help him, moments like the one last week—and now—made him wonder if what he and Tammy shared could be real. They made him hope that the future might hold something more for him.
You’re so much more than enough, Alex.
Reluctantly, he lifted his head. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”
Her eyes opened slowly, a dazed wistfulness filling her expression. “Does it involve more kisses?”
Alex laughed, pressed one more lingering kiss to her lips, then straightened. “Lord, I hope so.” He released her and crossed the kitchen to kneel in front of Brody. “Wanna help me out, birthday man?”
Brody stopped banging the pot, dropped the spoons and clambered to his feet. He smiled, then ran into Alex’s arms, babbling as Alex propped him on his hip and stood. Not to be outdone, Scout followed, slipping on the tiled floor and barreling into Alex’s boots.
“All right, Scout. You can come, too.” He stopped midstride and frowned at the pup. “So long as you don’t chew on anything.”
“What about me?” Tammy asked, rounding the island.
“Mind waiting here a minute? I need to set up the surprise first. It’s a beautiful day. I thought I’d set up a folding table, too, and we could have the party outside.”
She nodded, mouth twitching as she stood on her tiptoes and
cut her eyes toward the window. “Sure. I’ll just stay here and work on the cake.”
Chuckling, Alex paused on his way out to close the blinds, tossing over his shoulder, “No peeking.”
It was tough moving two rocking chairs from the stable to the front porch with an adventurous one-year-old and a frisky pup in tow. But he managed it. And the bright red bows he tied to the center slats brought out the cherry undertones in the dark varnish pretty damned well, if he did say so himself.
“Pfffttt.”
Alex glanced down, biting back a smile as Brody blew raspberries and shoved one of the chairs, watching with wide eyes as it rocked back and forth.
“What? You don’t like ’em?”
Brody pointed at the chair and squealed.
“Oh, I get it. They’re too big, huh?” Alex smiled. “Well, don’t worry, birthday man. I’ve got you covered.”
Alex jogged across the front lawn with Scout at his heels, keeping a careful eye on Brody as he retrieved a third rocking chair from the bed of his truck. This one was much smaller. He carried it to the porch, set it down carefully between the other two, then lowered to his haunches, eyeing Brody closely.
He’d never made baby furniture before. And especially not in the short amount of time that he’d had to put this one together. The measurements could be way off.
“Wanna give it a try?”
He held his breath, his lungs burning as Brody toddled his way over, grabbed the tiny armrests and climbed up. The small chair tilted forward, and Alex grabbed it, holding it steady as Brody settled in the center.
It fit him perfectly. There was even enough extra space to ensure he could still enjoy it after growing several more inches. And Scout took full advantage, leaping into the chair and stretching out across Brody’s lap.
Brody leaned forward, then sat back, rocking the chair. A wide smile broke out across his face, exposing his small teeth, and he giggled. The delighted sound morphed into full-blown laughter as he glided back and forth. The baby-fine strands of his hair ruffled in the warm afternoon breeze, and his chubby cheeks flushed with excitement.
Alex swallowed the tight knot in his throat. How many days did he have left with Brody? Maxine hadn’t called with an update on the uncle’s situation, and his heart broke at the idea of Brody not being claimed by a family member.
But when it came down to it...wasn’t he family? He’d been Dean’s best friend and had vicariously lived every monumental moment in Brody’s life so far through Dean. And he’d helped Brody survive the most devastating time in his life without Dean and Gloria. Didn’t that count for something?
Alex tightened his grip on the chair, hope swelling in his chest. When Maxine had first asked him to take Brody in, he couldn’t imagine being able to scrape by as a decent guardian. But now, he found himself wanting the chance to try. If he was given a shot, he’d do everything he could to make sure Brody was provided for and protected. More than that. He’d make sure Brody knew he was loved.
Hell, he knew how it felt not to be wanted. He’d never had a real family of his own as a child, and after his failed marriage, Dean and Gloria had been the closest he’d ever come to having one as an adult. Dean and Gloria had loved and wanted Brody before he was even born—Brody had never known anything different—and it damned near broke Alex’s heart to think Brody could possibly lose that feeling.
Alex gently covered Brody’s hand on the chair with his. He’d never be a father in the truest sense of the word. He’d accepted that. But if he asked, could Maxine find a way for him to keep Brody? And if he had Brody, he might be able to give Tammy some of what she wanted. At least enough to make her happy and tempt her to stay.
Would life actually deal in his favor for once and give him another shot at building a home with a child who needed him? And a woman he loved?
The strength of emotion spearing through Alex made it difficult to speak. He brushed a kiss across the baby’s forehead and whispered, “Happy birthday, Brody.”
A soft gasp sounded. Tammy stepped onto the porch, her hand covering her mouth and her gaze fixed on Brody.
Alex bit back a grin. “You were supposed to wait.”
Her eyes met his, glistening in the sunlight, as she lowered her hand. “I couldn’t wait any longer. Not after hearing Brody laugh like that.” She walked over and trailed her fingers over the back of one of the chairs. Her touch lingered on the decorative edges. “You made these?”
He nodded. “Two of them I made a long time ago. They were the only items in the stable that made it through the storm virtually untouched. They just needed to be refinished. I made Brody’s over the past week.”
She shook her head, smiling. “They’re gorgeous, Alex.”
Brody yelped, slapped his hands on his armrests, then babbled up at Tammy.
“I think he wants you to try it out.” Alex stood and gestured toward the chair. “Go ahead.”
She rounded the chair, sat down, then smoothed her hands appreciatively over the armrests. Alex sat in the third rocking chair on the other side of Brody.
“Someone told me this porch would be more welcoming with rocking chairs,” he said. “You think these fit the bill?”
Tammy leaned her head against the headrest and smiled. “They’re perfect.”
He eased back in his chair, the sight of pleased surprise on her face making the extra hours of hard work more than worth it. He pushed Brody’s chair gently and helped him rock. Tammy did the same, and they sat for several minutes, enjoying the sight of Razz and Sapphire grazing in the green field, absorbing the beauty of the summer day and savoring Brody’s enjoyment.
Alex closed his eyes, listening to Tammy’s gentle teasing and Brody’s responding laughter. How great it would be to end a long day of hard work like this. Hell, he could tough out any backbreaking project if he knew he’d see Tammy smile and hear Brody laugh at the start and end of each day. And what was most surprising was that the idea no longer felt out of reach.
“That’s not Ms. Maxine or Earl, is it?” Worry laced Tammy’s tone. “I told them we’d start the party at three, and it’s only a little after one.”
Alex opened his eyes and glanced at the driveway. Sunlight glared off a vehicle as it approached, and dust billowed out behind it.
“I haven’t finished the cake yet,” Tammy said. “Or put up the decorations...”
The growl of the engine drew closer.
“That’s not Earl,” Alex said, squinting at the approaching shape. “He comes in on the back road. It’s not Maxine, either. She drives one of those compacts. That’s a—”
“Truck,” Tammy shouted, jumping to her feet, her voice pitching higher with excitement. “My truck.” She darted down the porch steps and across the lawn, spinning back briefly to call out, “And Razz’s trailer.”
Alex froze. His boots glued to the porch floor, and his chair jerked to a halt.
Tammy ran to the driveway, waited until the truck stopped, then hopped onto the running board. Her breathless voice carried across the yard as she talked to the driver, her laughter ringing out occasionally.
Brody grunted and pointed at Tammy. His fingers curled in midair as if to pull her to him, then he looked up at Alex and frowned.
“I know,” Alex mumbled, a hollow forming in his gut.
Tammy could go anywhere now. To her friends’ ranch for the wedding, back to the circuit to resume racing and, eventually, to Vegas to win a new championship. The whole world lay at her feet. His battered ranch was merely a bedraggled speck on an otherwise pristine map. And it would be selfish and unfair to ask her to sacrifice her dreams.
His skin chilled. “Looks like summer may be over sooner than I thought.”
* * *
A BIRTHDAY JUST wasn’t a birthday without a cake.
Tammy walk
ed outside to the table Alex had set up, placed the colorful concoction she held in front of Brody and grinned. “The birthday cake has arrived.”
Alex, Maxine and Earl, all seated around the table, clapped, then leaned in for a closer look.
Tammy laughed. Well, the iced-together cupcakes could pass as a cake. Of sorts. The lopsided lump was colorful, arranged into the shape of a number one, and she and Alex had even managed to write Happy Birthday, Brody, in green frosting, having mixed the blue and yellow for an added wow factor. Of course, due to limited space, the words squished together and ran slightly off the edges. But Brody didn’t seem to mind. He dug his pointer finger deep into the H and cackled.
“Now, hold on a minute, birthday boy,” Tammy teased, tugging his finger from the pile of heavily iced cupcakes. “We’ve got to sing first.”
“Aw, let him have a taste.” Alex reached across the table and scooped a bit of icing onto his fingertip.
Scout jumped at Brody’s side, his ears flopping and black eyes emerging above the table as he struggled in vain to reach Alex’s hand.
Brody stared at Alex’s finger as it drew near. He latched on to it with both hands, brought it to his mouth and pulled off the icing. His brown eyes widened, then he licked his lips and squealed.
“What’d I tell you?” Tammy asked, smiling at Alex. “I rock at icing.”
Alex laughed, then grabbed a napkin and looked down, his smile fading as he wiped his hands.
Tammy retrieved the yellow bib Maxine had brought and fastened it loosely around Brody’s neck, then glanced at Alex. He’d grown quiet again. He’d smiled and played with Brody as they’d assembled the cake and put up decorations, but the flirtatious demeanor from two hours ago had dimmed. It’d started slipping away as soon as her truck had appeared in the driveway. And he’d become even more guarded since Maxine and Earl had arrived.
“All right, y’all,” Earl bellowed, leaning forward in his lawn chair and sharing a smile with Maxine. “That boy’s hungry. Let’s do this on the count of three.”
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