Acceptance. Brogan had felt it, too, and it was powerfully addictive.
Thirty minutes later, when Andy rubbed his face against Brogan’s shoulder and let out a yawn, he figured it was time to head home. “I have a napper on my hands,” Brogan said quietly.
Cort glanced at him, then smiled as Andy nodded off and went boneless. He took the rod from Brogan. “What did you think of fishing?”
“I didn’t catch anything, but I wouldn’t mind trying again.”
“It’s a little easier when you’re not holding a toddler.”
Brogan turned so his cheek pressed the top of Andy’s head. His sunglasses were now crooked and his hat was off to the side. “I don’t mind holding him.” The second he spoke, he laughed at himself. “I’d never even thought about holding an infant or a toddler until I met Shayna and Andy.”
“Didn’t know what you were missing, huh?”
“I had no clue.” Opening a hand on Andy’s back, Brogan looked out over the water. Sunlight glinted off the surface, and the air smelled so fresh. “I could get used to this.”
“Consider yourself invited anytime. I have more than enough gear. Andy is always welcome, too.”
Though he’d never given fishing a thought before today, Brogan already anticipated the next time.
CHAPTER14
The following night, after the kids were in bed, Pixie emerged from her bedroom, her hair damp, her face scrubbed clean, dressed in a big sleep shirt and cotton shorts that left her beautiful legs on display.
“Tonight’s the night,” she said with determination, almost stopping his heart.
He was primed in a way he’d never experienced before.
Every day seemed better than the one before it, and now this?
Alert to every smile, he watched her go into the kitchen and return with two bottles of water. She curled up on the couch next to him, touched his arm, and said, “Call your father. If Ruthie has gone home, we can both stop worrying about her.”
“I’m not all that worried,” he lied. The problem was that if Ruth was gone, he’d have no reason to stay so close to Pixie. He had no right to keep infringing on her, but he wanted to be here. Near her morning and night. Waking up and knowing they’d have coffee together. Giving Andy hugs good night.
Watching as Pixie cuddled Shayna and the kids interacted.
No right—and yet it felt like the kind of home he’d always imagined, the type of home he’d assumed would always be out of his reach.
Pixie picked up his phone from the end table and handed it to him. “Then call for me, because I worry enough for both of us.”
That bothered him. “I would never let her hurt you.”
Her expression went soft in that way she had, and she hugged him. “I worry for you, Brogan. Don’t bother telling me not to, because that’d be like telling the grass not to grow.”
Resisting her was no longer an option, so he held her close, telling himself that for her, he’d do anything. In truth, he’d needed the push. Before Pixie, he’d had an “I don’t give a damn” edge. Now, he badly wanted to protect what he had with her.
And so, with the phone on speaker, he tried calling the last number he’d had for Brian.
There was no answer.
Pixie looked more disappointed than he was. Hell, for him, it felt like a reprieve. Talking to Brian was bound to be ugly, and that ugliness had no place in his current peace.
But again, he wanted to do what was right for Pixie.
“Erin might have come back from vacation,” he suggested.
“She’s not due back until tomorrow.”
“To the office. I’ll try her at home.” He hadn’t wanted to interrupt Erin’s vacation, but now that he was ready to make the call to Brian, he wanted it over with. A glance at the time on his phone showed it shouldn’t be too late to call.
