The Rebel Cowboy's Baby--A Clean Romance Read online

  CHAPTER FIVE

  BROOKE HAD NEVER been so happy to see the slightly sagging front porch of her childhood home. Even better, seeing her younger sister, Tess, sitting on the steps, reading a book. In a patch of sun at her feet sprawled her giant orange-and-white cat, Marzipan. He never strayed far from Tess. It was all so normal. Her sister. The cat. The old tire swing hanging from the pecan tree in the front yard, swaying in the light afternoon breeze. The old family home had never looked so good. She didn’t care about the chipping paint, the slightly sagging porch and the missing wooden step. Being here calmed her, instantly. The sense of belonging and comfort, security and permanence. Since yesterday’s phone call, things had flipped upside down. Nothing had made sense. Nothing. What sort of world existed without Dara and Kent? It had been beyond imagining. But now, it was time for reality.

  Tess looked up as the truck slowed, set her book aside and stood.

  Brooke had rehearsed this in her mind. What she’d say. How she’d say it—maintaining her in-control older-sister vibe while informing her little sister that things had taken a somewhat unexpected, and permanent, turn.

  But the minute she stepped out of the truck, Tess was launching herself at her. And Brooke caught her—like she’d done since Tess was a baby.

  “Brookie, are you okay?” Tess’s voice was muffled against her neck. “I’m so sorry. So, so sorry. I’m in shock.” She sniffled, her thin arms wrapped around her—with no signs of easing. “I can’t believe it.”

  “I know.” Brooke closed her eyes and held on to her sister. Tears burned, threatening to slip between her eyelids, but she tried to hold back.

  “I got your texts and I just... I mean, I’m still... I...” Tess’s hold loosened and she stared up at Brooke with huge owl-like eyes, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. “I mean, it’s Dara.”

  “I know.” Maybe it was the pain and despair on her little sister’s face or it was the way that Tess was clinging to Brooke’s hand or that Tess was saying all the things Brooke couldn’t say because saying them would make her cry—but something inside seemed to shift and open the floodgates she’d been fighting since she’d answered her phone yesterday morning. The tears started. All she could do was cry. And cry. With no sign of stopping. “I’m sorry,” Brooke said, frantically wiping at the tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’ve been okay—”

  “Why are you apologizing?” Tess asked, crying anew. “Because you’re crying? Brooke, it’s, like, totally normal.” She sniffed, giving her sister a look. “If you didn’t cry, it’d be way weird and I’d totally freak out. Besides, you have to or it’ll build up inside and make you sick. You’re supposed to cry when someone you love dies.” She was hugging her again. “And you loved Dara.”

  “I did. I do.” Tess didn’t understand. It was Brooke’s job to be the strong one, always. Crying wasn’t something she did—not normally. But there wasn’t a single thing about the last twenty-four hours that she’d call normal. And since there was no stopping the sudden outpouring of emotions, she gave in, embracing her little sister’s wisdom and ignoring everything else.

  Until Joy started crying.

  “Oh, right, poor little thing.” Tess instantly let go and hurried to the truck. “Hi, Joy. You remember me, of course. Your most favorite...cousin in the whole wide world,” Tess cooed. “Are you ready to get out of that nasty-wasty car seat?”

  Brooke followed her little sister, watching as Joy’s tears instantly vanished and a beautiful smile took their place. Tess had babysat for Joy when Dara and Kent had come to visit, but there was no way Joy could remember that. At that point, she’d been a teeny-tiny thing, sleeping almost the entire weekend that Tess had carried her around like her own doll. But, as far-fetched as it seemed for Joy to remember any of that, there was no denying the baby girl’s response to Tess.

  Joy made a series of pitched noises and gibberish with a big grin on her face.

  “I bet.” Tess climbed up and into the truck, unbuckling the car seat and reaching for the baby. “Let’s get down. You can meet Marzipan and we will get you a snack and make your room pretty and have all sorts of fun.” Tess didn’t seem aware of the hand Audy placed under her elbow to help her down from the truck...or the incredibly endearing smile on his face as he watched Tess with Joy.

  Oh, that smile. She hated how it—he—could make her feel. There were times she wished she didn’t dislike the man as much as she did. Too bad he makes it so easy. She tore her gaze away, his snarky, I know a lot of ladies who’d be happy to change places with you, and cocky wink had been enough to get her blood boiling all over again. They were...stuck together.

  Stuck was exactly the right word. Stuck with Audy Briscoe. While she had yet to come to fully consider all that that implied, she wasn’t feeling very optimistic. How were the two of them going to work together? Assuming he does stick around. He wouldn’t. His cocky declaration was pure defiant pushback at her honest take on how things would wind up.

  Lucky for her, Joy chose that moment to giggle, stopping any further mental rants about her predicament. The baby’s laugh was the sort of gleeful sound that warmed the heart—free and easy and full of sheer delight. Before she knew it, Brooke was smiling right along with Joy and Tess, caught up in the baby’s wide-eyed sweetness.

  “I think she likes my shirt,” Tess said, using a baby voice.

  Joy giggled again, one hand patting the stitched flowers decorating the front of Tess’s shirt. “Ba ba ba,” she said, her chubby little fingers running through the pom-pom in the center of a flower.

  “I think she likes you.” Brooke’s smile only grew at the way Joy stared up at Tess before resting her head against her shoulder.

  “Who doesn’t?” Tess teased, patting Joy on the back. “I’d like to think I’m totally likable.”

  “What do they say about kids and dogs?” Audy joined in. “They’re the best judge of character?”

  That was the moment Tess realized that Audy was standing there, watching—and smiling that way-too-appealing smile. Brooke sighed.

  “Hey... Hi, Mr. Briscoe,” Tess mumbled, her cheeks going pink.

  Audy burst out laughing. “Mr. Briscoe?” He shook his head. “Now, hold on there. I appreciate the respect and all, but let’s stick with Audy.”

  Tess’s cheeks went from pink to scarlet. “’Kay.”

  Audy nodded, pushing his cowboy hat back on his forehead. “Guess I’ll get things unloaded, then we can work out a schedule.” He barely glanced Brooke’s way before heading around and leaning over the truck bed.

  “A schedule?” Tess whispered, her eyes wider and rounder than ever.

  As far as Tess knew, Audy was no longer in the picture. That’s what Brooke had texted her—before Audy had told her otherwise. Brooke sighed. “I’ll explain in a bit.” This time, she hoped she’d be able to stick to the script she’d come up with. Tess was a gentle soul, she always had been. Instead of flipping out over the addition of Joy to the household, she’d welcomed the baby with open arms. Brooke had expected as much. But Audy? She didn’t want Audy to be a fixture in her little sister’s life.

  Tess was a teenager and Audy was...well, he was a lot. Once the shock of how ridiculously good-looking he was wore off—assuming it wore off, that is—there were still the layers of charm and charisma to work through. But that was all there was to the man, hot air and good looks.

  And there was also Tess’s crush on Beau to consider. No. Just because Audy was around didn’t mean Tess needed to spend time with Beau. Her little sister needed to focus on her grades, not getting moon-eyed over some boy. Their parents had met in high school. For Brooke, that was all the motivation she needed to keep Tess away from Beau. No one should end up as miserable and alone as their mother had. No one. Definitely not Tess. Her little sister would be the first Young woman in four generations to leave Garrison and have a bright future far away
from their small town.

  “Where is this going?” Audy asked, the plastic-wrapped pieces of Joy’s crib tucked under one arm like the whole thing weighed next to nothing. But the taut ripple of muscles in his arm said otherwise.

  She shook her head. I am not looking or thinking about his arm or his muscles. “This way.” With a wave of her hand, she led him across the well-worn pavers that made up the uneven path from the sidewalk to the front steps. “Watch your step. There’s a board missing,” she pointed out, hurrying up the stairs and across the wide porch to the front door.

  “That’ll need fixing,” he said, hopping over the lack of step with ease. “Before the home visit.”

  “I’ll take care of it,” she snapped. She hadn’t meant to snap, not really.

  “All righty, then.” His brows shot up and the corner of his mouth curved just enough to set Brooke’s nerves on edge. Again.

  She held the old screen door wide, waited for him to pass, then followed. She led him past the formal living room that had remained untouched since her mother’s passing and took a left down the hall. When she came to the spare bedroom, she opened the door—and smiled. “Looks like my sister got a head start in here.” The walls were bare, all the knickknacks and smaller pieces of furniture had been removed. Only the wooden-framed four-poster bed remained, and even that had the sheets stripped and the quilt folded up on the foot of the mattress.

  “She’s a junior?” Audy asked. “Like Beau? Your little sister?”

  “Tess?” Brooke nodded.

  “Tess...” His whole face changed. Like he’d just found the final piece of a puzzle or made a surprise discovery. “She’s... Right. Of course. Her name is Tess.”

  Brooke stopped, her concern mounting as a cheerful smile creased his undeniably easy-to-look-at face. “Yes... Why?”

  “Hmm?” His gaze flitted her way and his smile dimmed just a bit. “Oh, no reason. Just wanted to get her name right, is all.”

  Brooke didn’t believe that for one second.

  “Where are we setting this up?” He stood, sizing up the space. “If we get the bed out of here, it’d fit perfectly on that wall.” His gaze swiveled her way.

  She was still trying to figure out what had been going through Audy’s brain to make him smile like that. She didn’t like not knowing...especially if it had something to do with Tess. And, clearly, it did.

  “Brooke?” he asked. Those sky blue eyes pinned her.

  “Yes,” she managed, clearing her throat against the sudden tightness pressing in. “Against the wall makes sense. That way she will have plenty of room to play.”

  “I guess I’ll need to look into getting her a room set up at the ranch. Don’t want her sleeping on the floor or anything.” He was teasing but it wasn’t funny.

  It was almost impossible to imagine Joy on Briscoe Ranch. More specifically, Audy taking care of Joy... Unless he was planning on enlisting help? But who, was the question. She didn’t relish the idea of him handing off Joy to someone she might not approve of. Like his friend RJ. “I feel like we should establish some ground rules we need to go over, so we’re on the same page.”

  “I can’t wait to hear this.” One brow cocked.

  “No...no drinking or rodeo or entertaining... No lady friends.” She put her hands on her hips and waited. There was plenty of gossip surrounding Audy and not all of it was about whatever mayhem he’d been causing. No, there was a fair amount of talk about who he’d been seen out and about with. His little comment about plenty of ladies willing to take her place? It was true. “Not when you have Joy, that is.”

  Those blue blue eyes didn’t waver but the corner of his mouth kicked up a little. “I can’t have Miss Ruth over? Now and again, she’ll stop by with some oatmeal raisin cookies, my favorite, and we play some Skip Bo—”

  “No, Audy.” She focused on moving the bed, not how amused he looked. “That’s not what I mean.” Brooke reached for the corner of the mattress and gave it a tug but it didn’t budge. She tried again and this time it moved so suddenly, she almost fell over.

  “Oops,” Audy chuckled, holding the corner of the mattress up. “So, what you mean is—no dates.”

  She caught herself before falling onto the mattress and turned, nodding her thanks. “No. I mean, yes, no dates.” Together, they carried the mattress out into the hallway and propped it against the wall.

  “What about you?” Audy asked, following her back into the bedroom.

  “What about me?” She stooped, peering under the bed and running her hand along the screws holding the frame together. “I need a screwdriver.” She headed back down the hall and into the kitchen—where Tess was dancing with a smiling Joy in her arms. “You two good?”

  “Two girls, living it up.” Tess nodded, spinning and making Joy giggle.

  “I mean the same rules apply to you?” Audy asked as he followed her. “Fair is fair.”

  Brooke pulled open the kitchen drawer that held every bit of overflow in the room. From twist ties to clothespins, batteries to rolls of tape, and an assortment of useful tools. “There it is.” She grabbed the screwdriver and turned to find Audy waiting. She sighed. “How about we get this bed taken care of.”

  “As soon as you answer the question, we’ll finish. Or are you trying to dodge my question? Seems to me we should both follow these ground rules of yours.” He paused. “So, we both agree—no bringing dates back to the house when we have Joy.”

  “Wait, Brooke? Are you finally going to start dating again?” Tess stopped dancing to stare at her, openmouthed.

  Audy was staring at her now, too. No, more like studying her. What does that look mean? Was he laughing at her? In shock? Not in the least bit surprised? Not that she cared. Her life was in order and she had a very clear set of priorities. Dating wasn’t one of them. Now, with Joy, chances were that wouldn’t change anytime soon. She was okay with that. More than okay with that.

  Audy still didn’t get it. “Right now, my focus is on incorporating Joy into our lives, Tess. Making sure she feels at home. Which is something you might want to think about, too, Audy.” She crossed her arms over her chest and asked, “But, since you’re so worried about dating, we might as well get a schedule in place so you can make sure to rearrange your social calendar accordingly.” The sooner that was done, the sooner Audy could go and Brooke would have room to breathe again.

  * * *

  IT WASN’T THE first time Audy found himself admiring Brooke Young. There was no way—no way—she didn’t have suitors lined up around the block. And he wouldn’t believe anyone who tried to tell him otherwise... Except, maybe, Brooke’s own sister, that is.

  Brooke sat, with her long braid over her shoulder, at the kitchen table with her calendar square between them.

  Her eyes were clear, light hazel and fringed with dark lashes. She shied away from makeup—something he’d noticed. The rose on her cheeks was natural, not powder. And there was no need to add color to her lips, either. They were full and red and...

  “How does this look?” Brooke asked, glancing up from the calendar and tucking a loose strand behind her ear.

  He cleared his throat and leaned forward to see what she’d come up with. She was using a pink highlighter for her days and a blue highlighter for his. “It looks like a spiderweb.” He shook his head.

  “Does that mean it won’t work for you?” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “It’s two days on and two days off, like you suggested.”

  “No, now, I didn’t say it wouldn’t work.” It had been his idea... But that had been before he’d taken a look at what that actually meant. Now those little pink and blue marks seemed downright ominous and far too permanent. “It’s fine,” he lied.

  Fine? It wasn’t fine. He didn’t know a thing about babies. But now, in two days, he was supposed to take over the feeding and cleaning and...whatever else litt
le Joy needed to be happy. He frowned. What if she wasn’t happy? Here, she had Tess—who made little Joy light up like a Christmas tree. Out at his place, she’d have...who? He better think of something, and fast, or he’d have two days of dealing with that little lip-flip thing. There was no way he could handle that for two whole days.

  “Audy?” Brooke asked, her voice low.

  “Hmm?” He tore his gaze away from the pink-and-blue map of his future. “Sorry, did you say something?”

  “I did.” Brooke sat back in the kitchen chair. “Everything all right?”

  Was she serious? But something stopped him from admitting he was freaking out over the whole plan-the-next-month-of-their-lives thing that was happening. Not to mention the whole taking-care-of-baby-Joy thing. “Taking it all in.” He did his best to muster a smile.

  “Is that it? You look a little pale.” She stood. “Would you like some lemonade?”

  “Sounds good.” He cleared his throat against the tightness, fully aware of the assessing way she was looking at him.

  Brooke took her time pouring them each a tall glass of lemonade, glancing out the back door at Tess and Joy sitting on the wooden porch swing, then carried the glasses back to the table. She waited until he took a sip to ask, “Have you ever changed a diaper or had to treat diaper rash?”

  He inhaled a good bit of the sip he’d taken, hacking and coughing until she pounded on his back. Diaper rash? He’d never heard of it, let alone treated it. “No,” he managed tightly.

  “I’m guessing you’ve never made a bottle, either?” she asked, standing at his side.

  “You’d guess correctly.” There was no missing the snap to his words. “What are you getting at, Brooke?”

  She sat, pinching the bridge of her nose again and staring at the brightly marked calendar. “Have you ever held a baby?”

  He’d held Joy once—maybe twice. “Yes.”

  She glared at him. “Other than when Dara or Kent made you hold Joy?”