Being with her. Being withthem.
It was the kind of thing a guy could get used to.
Pixie’s shoulder touched his arm, and she didn’t move away. “That was Marlow.”
“Everything okay?” he asked, accepting Andy when the toddler reached for him, as always, making sure he didn’t accidentally kick Shayna.
Pixie went one further and lifted the baby girl into her arms. “It’s fine. Marlow called the shop to check in with Renee and found out about Ruthie.”
Something twisted inside him. Dread, disappointment. Embarrassment too, because he knew he was responsible for her being here. “And now she’s headed home?” he guessed.
“She and Cort both. I probably should have told her, but I didn’t want her to worry.”
Brogan put Andy on the blanket and handed him a toy. “I’m sorry. I never meant to bring so much chaos into your life.”
She shoulder bumped him. “Well, as to that, I’m glad you’re here.” She trailed a finger down Shayna’s button nose, then tapped her chin and smiled. “Both of you. It’ll take a little adjustment, but I rather like the idea of Andy having a sibling. I didn’t want him to be an only child, but since I couldn’t—”
Headlights hit the front window, drawing their attention. Dread crawled up Brogan’s spine.
“I think someone just pulled in.”
“Yeah.” His mouth flattened. “Stay here with the kids.” He started to stand.
Pixie stayed him with a hand on his wrist. “Something you should understand, Brogan. I don’t take orders well.”
“I didn’t mean it as an order.” His gaze went to Shayna in her arms, and then to Andy, who’d just found the infant’s soft hairbrush. “I can’t be two places at once.”
A sudden loud pounding on the door caused Andy to drop the brush and made Shayna wail. Just as Pixie was consoling Shayna, Andy launched himself against her, scrambling to get as close as he could.
Brogan barely bit back his curse. He was a man divided, desperately wanting to soothe Shayna, while at the same time knowing he had to deal with Ruth.
Pixie adjusted, holding Shayna in one arm and gathering Andy close with the other. To Brogan, she said, “Help me up.”
Right. She had her hands full. Though he couldn’t seem to strangle out a single word, Brogan assisted her to her feet, then stared helplessly at her while she lightly jostled Shayna and hugged Andy close to her leg.
“Go,” she said. “We’ll be fine. But Brogan?”
He waited.
“Please be careful. That woman is dangerous. I don’t trust her.”
Not what he’d expected. He’d thought … Well, he wasn’t sure.
Pixie gave him a small smile. “However,” she said, “I do trust you.”
Those words were like a suit of armor and a shot of adrenaline. On impulse, he leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Thank you.” And with that, he headed to the door. “Lock this behind me.”
CHAPTER9
Pixie followed him to the door, but didn’t scoff until he’d stepped out.Lock him out? Not likely.
Andy clung to her leg, but at least Shayna had quieted. Cuddling the little girl was something she could grow used to doing.
Sniffling, Andy said, “Fend,” with his bottom lip stuck out and big tears welling in his eyes.
“Shh, sweetheart, he’ll be right back.” Pixie heard Brogan’s calm, quiet voice ordering Ruthie to leave, and then she heard the woman’s snarled demands. Every word dripped hate.
Shayna yawned and turned her face against Pixie’s shoulder.
