Gradually, the awful anxiety faded and he felt more like himself, like a man in control. His muscles relaxed. The sweat on his neck dried. He was able to draw an even breath.
Pixie turned on her signal to give him plenty of notice when they neared the small hospital. Thankfully, the lot wasn’t too crowded, and they were able to park near each other.
He walked up to the SUV to open her door.
She got out quietly, saying, “Andy’s asleep, but I think Shayna needs her diaper changed. She just started to fuss.”
Nodding, he opened the back door and unbuckled his little Sugar. She was working herself up to a real fit. He lifted her out, carefully cradled her close, and crooned to her. “Shh, baby girl, it’s okay. I’ll have you dry in no time.”
“I’m sorry,” Pixie said. “I should have checked her diaper before we left the restaurant.”
No way would he let Pixie take that blame. “It was my job to check, but we both wanted to get here. She’s fine, I’m sure.” Already, Shayna had settled down and now she was busy snuggling into his neck, one small hand fisted in his shirt as sherubbed her face against him. God, he loved it, and he loved her. He kissed her forehead, then kissed her again. And once more. He’d never tire of her sweet scent and softness, or the way she clung to him.
When he looked up, Pixie was giving him one of those “aww” smiles.
To fend off whatever she might say, he asked, “Are you familiar with this place?”
“Yes.” She stroked the baby’s back, her expression tender. “I had a few appointments here. I mean, back when I first came to Bramble.” Mouth lifting to the side, she admitted, “Marlow insisted. She was like a general giving orders, but they were all for my own good.”
“Because you were sick, and you did need care?” He’d love to know details, the extent of her illness, just how much help she’d had. Hell, he wanted to know everything about Pixie, every tiny detail.
“Yes.” Letting the subject go, she went to the back of the vehicle and opened it, spread out a blanket for him, and got out a diaper and wipes. “How do you want to do this? Do you want to stay here with the kids while I run in Ellen’s keys, or vice versa?”
Brogan indicated his mismatched clothes. “If it doesn’t matter to you, I’ll wait here.”
“That’s fine.” She handed him the key fob to the SUV and got out her phone to call Ellen. “You have my number if Andy wakes up and needs me.”
“Yes, I do.”
Knowing she’d ask Ellen how she was and if she needed anything, he said, “Don’t rush, Pixie. Take whatever time you need, but let me know if you’re going to be gone awhile.” If so, he’d find something else for the kids to eat. They had to be getting hungry.
He was more than ready to eat, but his own comfort was asecondary concern. Taking care of the kids, and then getting Pixie home where she could relax; those were his priorities.
“I will.” She hesitated a moment more, then put in Ellen’s number as she headed to the hospital’s emergency entrance.
Watching her go, he realized that Pixie did trust him. She wouldn’t have left Andy with him otherwise. Talk about a boost to the ego.
Every time he was with her, she did or said something that confirmed he’d made the right decision. Coming here to meet her, to get to know Andy, was the right move.
Now he just had to explain it all to Pixie—hopefully, in a way that got her on board and didn’t offend her.
He rarely avoided an unpleasant task. His MO was to get it done and out of the way.
But given what they’d just gone through and the fact that Pixie was still shaken, maybe he needed to hold off. It wouldn’t be a smart move to overwhelm her.
The last thing he wanted was for her to find him creepy or stalkerish.
After he changed Shayna, he got behind the wheel, holding her in his arms, and started the car again so he could keep the air-conditioning on. The weather wasn’t too warm, but with the sun on the windshield, it wouldn’t take the car long to get uncomfortable.
Andy slept on, but Brogan figured if the little boy woke, then he’d just get in the back seat between the two kids to keep them entertained.
For now, he quietly played with Shayna, earning not only a grin, but a giggling laugh.
“I love you, little girl. I hope you know that.”
She grinned again, kicked her chubby legs, and said, “Haaa.”
His brows shot up. “Wanna tryDainstead?”
