“I thought you were off today.”
“Renee was delayed, so I filled in until she could get there.” Holding the baby, she went to the couch and sat down. “I’m sorry if I startled you, but after she tried to follow me, all I could think to do was to protect Andy—and to warn you.”
“Warn me?” He set Andy down when he started to wiggle, assuming he wanted to see Shayna. Instead, Andy tried to climb into her stroller. Troubled by other thoughts, Brogan helped him.
Then Andy said, “Wok.”
“What?”
“Wok.” Andy rocked, trying to get the stroller to move.
On autopilot, Brogan pushed him around the room while his thoughts churned. He stopped in front of Pixie. “My sister made me legal guardian.”
“I know.” Absently, Pixie checked Shayna’s diaper, then cuddled her some more. “I don’t think that awful woman cares, though. She said you’d better call her.”
His heart was still lodged in his ribs. “You know?”So Pixie isn’t doubting my guardianship?
She gave a shudder. “I kept thinking about Ruthie having Shayna, about the hideous way you found her.” Her eyes closed a moment, then opened again so she could pin him in place. “I’m so glad she has you now.”
“Wok!”
This was a new emotion for Brogan, some disturbing mix of relief, gratitude, and optimism that made his skin feel too hot and tight. He’d love nothing more than to have a moment to himself to come to grips with it, but he had a fourteen-month-old boy wanting to walk, a four-month-old girl who needed his care, and a bighearted blue-eyed woman waiting for his reaction.
Brogan turned to look at the front window. “How far did she follow you?”
“Far enough to know I live in this vicinity—and there aren’t many houses near this part of the lake.” She described everything from the time she realized she was being followed, until she backtracked, lost Ruthie, and then returned.
Pushing the stroller, he went to the window and looked out. The road was empty as far as he could see, but he couldn’t dodge Ruth forever. And if she was going to harangue someone, it needed to be him.
Several decisions were made in a single instant. He had to tell Pixie everything.
And he could not leave her alone.
“I know it’s early, but would you mind if I stuck close? I don’t trust Ruth not to suddenly show up, and I don’t want you to have to deal with her.”
She hugged Shayna. “I’d be relieved if you did.”
His heart was now pounding hard enough to break something. “Would you want to head to your place now? With me, I mean.” The lake house was tiny, and he was basically wheeling Andy in small circles around the furniture.
As she nodded, Pixie whispered, “Brogan, is she dangerous?”
“Probably not the way you’re thinking. She’s unfeeling and mean as a rattlesnake, but nothing that Connie wrote to me included physical attacks. Neglect, yes. She stole from Connie every chance she got. And she has a nasty way of insulting people.”
“She stole from her own daughter?”
“Several times. Connie said Ruth would visit, and after she’d leave, things were missing. Jewelry, cash, a coin collection.” He ran a hand over his face. “Let’s go to your house. There are other things I need to tell you.”
“Okay.” Pixie stood, one hand absently patting Shayna’s back. “I’ll need to get dinner prep started anyway, and Andy is probably ready for a snack.” She stopped in front of him, her bottom lip caught in her teeth. “I’m worried.”
There wasn’t enough control in his arsenal to keep him from reaching for her. He cupped her face, rewarded when she turned her cheek into his palm. Looking at her, seeing all thesoftness she couldn’t hide, Brogan started to believe it’d be okay. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
He felt her smile before she tipped up her face and showed him the sweet curve of her lips. “I’m most worried for you. But yes, also for Shayna, and Andy and me. I considered calling the town police, but I thought that might draw unnecessary attention your way.”
Talk about a kick in the teeth. “Listen to me, Pixie. Do not ever hesitate to call for backup if you feel threatened. Call the cops. Call me. Whatever is easiest. I can handle any blowback, and I can handle Ruth. What I can’t handle is having my problems spill over onto you.”
She agreed with a small nod. “When she said you stole Shayna, I told her to call the police. She just smirked.”
“Because she’s been in trouble with the law. I have not.” He thought of Officer Flynn, the cop who’d interviewed him about Benny’s near drowning. Maybe he’d give the officer a call, just in case. Now that he had Shayna, he had to start thinking differently—not just of his own capability, but of what was best for her.
