“And he fills the role of Andy’s uncle.” It bugged Pixie that Sandra still held on to old resentments, but at the moment, that didn’t seem quite so important. “How did she take the news of Shayna?”
“Better than I could have hoped. She actually seemed intrigued about having a granddaughter.”
“For Sandra Heddings,” Cort said, “being intrigued equates to massive enthusiasm.”
Nodding, Brogan looked around the area. “I guess we should finish up. It’s getting late.”
His relaxed attitude concerned Pixie, but she wasn’t about to press him on it now. “I’ll go in and check on the kids.”
“Better still,” Marlow suggested, “why don’t you and the kids head home? I’ll follow and lend a hand. The men can finish up here, and then hopefully we can all get some rest.” She yawned. “I’m glad we both have the day off tomorrow.”
Pixie didn’t want to leave Brogan, but when he asked, “Would you mind?” she happily agreed.
It was another sign of trust, another step in the right direction.
Moving forward with Brogan was what mattered most.
Framing his face in her hands, she went on tiptoe to kiss him. “Take your time, but know that the kids and I will be at home waiting for you.”
CHAPTER16
It was another hour and a half before Brogan came in. Both kids had been fed, bathed, changed into their pajamas, and were still wide awake.
With a shout of excitement, Andy raced to Brogan and was scooped up for an enthusiastic hug. “I could get used to this, buddy.”
Brogan removed his boots while still holding Andy, then carried him to the blanket where Shayna, on her stomach, grinned and pedaled her legs at seeing him.
Somehow Brogan managed to hold both kids for a few minutes, showing affection to both. Andy was especially “talkative,” and Brogan nodded and looked surprised at all the right times.
“This amazes me,” Brogan said, putting his nose to Shayna’s head and breathing in her clean scent. “You got them both bathed?”
“It was easier than you’d think,” she answered. Her son’s once-set schedule had been altered multiple times recently, but Pixie was too happy to have Brogan and Shayna in her life to object.
He looked down at the kids for a moment. “I never meant to add to your workload.”
“Hey, I have you in my life, and I consider Shayna part of my family. Having you both here has livened things up.”
Smiling, he kissed each kid on the top of the head, then set them aside. “I’m in desperate need of a shower.”
“It’s all yours,” Pixie said.
He gave her a look. “Don’t tell me you got the kids bathed and managed a shower for yourself?”
“Consider me superwoman.” She grinned. “I closed them in the bathroom with me and kept constant watch. I didn’t get to wash my hair, but it’ll be fine until tomorrow.”
Wearing a look of admiration and tenderness, he reached over and brushed his thumb along her cheek. “You’re amazing.”
And I’m yours.Pixie turned her face to kiss his palm. “At least Ruthie is out of the picture.”
“For now.” He stood. “I’ll make it quick.”
“No need. We’re fine.” Pixie stretched out on her stomach near Shayna and looked at Andy’s book with him.
It was time for her and Brogan to figure out their future. She decided she’d start tackling that tonight. Marlow had suggested that she tell Brogan how she felt. Since it hadn’t been so long ago that Marlow had fallen in love with Cort, Pixie figured her advice counted for a lot. Of course, she always thought Marlow made great points. Her friend was a smart, savvy woman.
In a mere fifteen minutes, Brogan had finished. He wore a clean white T-shirt and sweatpants, which hung loose on his hips. Barefoot, he paused in the kitchen to warm up a bottle for Shayna.
“It’s past her bedtime,” he said as he rejoined Pixie in the living room.
