“Because they loved all of you.”
“But they don’t know us,” one boy said.
“Not personally, no. But they know you’re here, and they want you to have a good life.”
While she paused at the kitchen doorway, drawn to Brogan’s words, she saw him settle on the couch next to Benny. The other boys clustered around them, one practically on Brogan’s lap, one hanging over the back of the couch, and two sitting on the coffee table in front of him.
“They did their part,” Brogan said. “You know what your part is?”
They all shook their heads.
“You do the best you can in school, at home, and in all your activities. You don’t have to bethebest—as long as you’re doing all you can. You stand up for your brothers.”
One redheaded boy with freckles said, “I don’t have no brothers.”
“They’re all your brothers.All of them.If you see them doing something they shouldn’t, you tell them so. If someone else is mean to them, you stand up and defend them. You treat everyone fairly.” Brogan gave that quick thought, then said, “Brothersandsisters.”
The boys glanced at each other, then groaned.
Mouth twitching, Brogan added, “And always try to be polite.”
A blond boy said, “My grandma says I’m real polite.”
Brogan offered him a high five. “Excellent.”
It was a fact—she was fast falling in love with Brogan. How could she not? But what was the point when he didn’t want that type of commitment, and she wasn’t ready for intimacy?
“He’d make an excellent teacher,” Ellen said. “The boys are hanging on his every word.”
Putting the phone back on the table, Pixie nodded. “He’s a natural. I noticed it as soon as he met Andy.”
Just then, Andy decided to use a wooden spoon to drum against the side of the stove, creating an awful racket. Shayna, who had been sitting on Ellen’s lap gurgling at her, let out a startled cry.
Pixie said, “Andy, don’t do that! It’s too noisy.”
He’d already jumped up and rushed to Shayna’s side, saying, “Shh, shh,” and kissing her head.
Ellen laughed. “Shhis right. I think you took Shayna by surprise.”
Andy explained, “My baby.”
“He’s claimed her,” Pixie needlessly explained.
“That’s so sweet.” Ellen smoothed down Andy’s hair, watched it spring right back up, and gave him a one-arm hug. “You’ll make a good big brother.”
Arrested by the idea that news had somehow gotten out, Pixie stared at her. She knew Marlow and Cort wouldn’t have said a word, but if Ruthie …
Ellen continued her observation. “Benny has a little cousin that he thinks of as a brother, even though Elijah is only five.” She glanced up, then went still when she saw Pixie’s face. “Are you okay?”
“Oh, yes.” Trying to cover for her incorrect assumption, Pixie stifled a fake yawn. “I just didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“Did your little guy keep you awake?”
It was more like a very big guy had kept her awake daydreaming. “I guess I was just restless. The start of the tourist season is always busy at the shop.”
“That’s right! You do the amazing designs at Marlow’s Whimsy. I’ve been in there a few times. I love everything you have.”
“My friend Marlow owns the shop. I only do some of the designs, but it’s a fun place.”
