Worry kept his brows together. “Mr. Rafferty?”
“Formality is important when making agreements, or so Marlow has always told me. She’s the dealmaker, you know. Anyway, if we’re going to know each other for more than a few months, then you should know that I’m a crier.” Lifting a shoulder, she made it clear that she wasn’t going to fight it. “I cry when I’m happy, and when I’m sad—”
“You’re sad?” he quickly asked.
“For Connie, yes. For you and the unnecessary regrets I know you have. For what Shayna has lost.” Saying it out loud brought more tears into her eyes. It really was absurd how easily she cried for a woman she’d never known, and a baby she’d only recently met. “What an incredible man you are to come here for your sister. And for Shayna.”
“I don’t feel incredible.” He looked away. “It doesn’t matter that Connie let me off the hook. I should have been there for her.”
Pixie thought, at the time, he’d had to be there for himself first. She couldn’t imagine tackling the obstacles he had, especially without any backup. “When did you last hear from her?”
“A few Christmases ago. She sent me a card. She’d randomly do that. Reach out in some way, and she always included a note as if we’d been in touch all along. As if years hadn’t passed.” His chest expanded on a strained breath. “She was like that.”
Those had probably been the times when Connie had missed him the most. Brogan must realize it, too.
On the couch between them, his large hand curled into a loose fist. Pixie covered it with her own.
Startled, Brogan looked down, then into her eyes. “Sorry.”
“For reacting to a bad memory? Don’t be.”
Looking as if he didn’t understand her, he said, “I want you to know, I don’t lose my temper. Even if I get tense, I swear to you, I would never hurt you.”
Gently, Pixie said, “That thought never even crossed my mind.” Mostly, she just wanted to offer comfort—and receive it.We’re friends only, she reminded herself. Brogan had made his intentions clear enough, and now she understood why.
She wanted to ask him about his time in the military; when he’d joined; what his mother had thought about it; if he still saw his mother; what he planned to do about Ruthie.
She was sorting through all her questions, trying to decide the easiest way to start, when she heard a buzzing in the kitchen. “Oops, that’s my phone.”
Grabbing the opportunity, Brogan sat forward. “Go ahead and answer. I’ll keep an eye on the kids.”
As his tall, fit body unfolded from the couch, she pressed a hand over her heart. This one could rob her of all reason so easily.
“Thank you,” Pixie said to his back, but she was smiling. Yes, there would be problems to face, but now she could assume Brogan would be in her future.
Difficulties and convictions aside, her heart was happy.
For the fifth time, Brogan reminded himself to stop eavesdropping on Pixie’s conversation. From what he’d heard, Marlow-the-paragon had called. He half-smiled. Did Pixie realize that she glowed when she spoke of her friend? To hear her tell it, Marlow was an angel walking among mere mortals, a larger-than-life hero who could do anything.
It was nice that she’d found someone special, someone whocould fit the role of family, since she’d had no one of her own. That was how Brogan had felt about his teammates. They’d been a quirky lot. Badasses, all of them.
God, he missed them. He missed the life he’d built for himself in the military. He’d expected to be there still.
Shayna made a sound, and he looked up with a smile already on his mouth.
He’d have died for any one of his brothers, but he was grateful to be here now with Shayna.
He heard Pixie say, “It’s not like that.” Then in a mere whisper, “He made it clear, Marlow.”
What had he made clear? Wondering if he’d ever meet Marlow, Brogan got the diaper bag to change Shayna’s diaper and again resolved to stop listening.
Andy wanted to help him, and that stymied Brogan for a moment. Then he handed Andy a diaper. “Will you hold that for me?”
With great seriousness, Andy clutched the diaper in both hands as he crouched down, staring intently as Brogan got out the wipes and a changing pad.
“Can you say ‘Shayna’?”
“Shen.”
