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Amberleigh had lopsided pigtails, lots of freckles and a slow, shy smile. She’d been the shoeless one.
“It’s nice to meet you,” India said. Brody had kids. Three girls. Would they ever know how lucky they were to have him for a father?
“Your dog?” Marilyn asked, pointing at Tanner.
“He’s big,” Suellen said, hiding behind Brody’s leg.
“This is Tanner,” Cal said. “He’s a real good dog.”
But the two little girls didn’t look convinced. Only Amberleigh approached Tanner, smiling as the dog sniffed her all over before licking her cheek. Amberleigh giggled.
“I didn’t think you’d come,” Brody said, one brow arching and the corner of his mouth kicking up. Almost embarrassed.
“You asked us,” Cal said, matter-of-fact.
“Daddy,” Marilyn spoke up. “Color?”
“You sure can, darlin’.” Brody pulled back a chair at a table next to their booth. “Climb on up and we’ll get you girls situated. Thing is, my folks decided to invite themselves. I imagine they’ll be along shortly.”
Meaning she and Cal would not be enjoying the pleasure of Brody’s adorable girls for dinner. Not unless Vic Wallace had decided to stop blaming her father for stealing his family’s land. As ridiculous as the feud was, she didn’t deny that the insult to her father—and her family name—stung.
“That’s nice,” India said, watching as Brody pulled coloring books and crayons from his beaten leather messenger bag.
Brody made a face. “I guess.”
She giggled.
“Fairies? Mermaids?” Cal frowned at the girls’ coloring books. “And dragons.” His disapproval lessened. “Who likes dragons?”
“Amberleigh,” Suellen said. “Dragons. And mud.”
“No clothes. Or shoes,” Marilyn added.
India shot Brody a grin. He shrugged.
“Dragons are cool.” Not that Cal was fully on board.
“Color?” Suellen asked. “There’s a scary fairy picture I don’ wanna color.”
“Scary?” Cal asked, peering at the picture Suellen showed him. “She is mean looking.”
Amberleigh proceeded to make the mean fairy face. Suellen and Marilyn covered their faces with their napkins, but Cal only grinned at the scowling little girl. Which made Amberleigh giggle again.
“That’s twice,” Brody said, smiling at his daughter. “Just about the sweetest sound imaginable.”
The tenderness on his face was too much for her. So she focused on his little girls, diligently coloring, instead. “They’re gorgeous.”
Amberleigh waved Cal forward and patted the chair beside her, holding her coloring book. “Mom?” Cal asked India.
“Amberleigh doesn’t share her coloring book with just anyone,” Brody said.
“Just until we order.” Which probably wasn’t the smartest answer—considering his folks were on the way. But, resisting Amberleigh’s offer was plain wrong. Cal climbed into the chair beside Amberleigh, and conversation came to a stop. All four kids were coloring quietly, happily preoccupied.
Leaving her and Brody, sitting next to her at his table. Her nerves returned. Now they’d have that awkward what-have-you-been-doing-with-your-life conversation she dreaded. She’d gone to school, gotten married, had Cal and divorced. Now she was back home. Not exactly riveting conversation.
Considering they were both back in the place they’d been so determined to leave, it was clear things hadn’t gone according to plan for either of them.
But she had questions for her one-time best friend. Like, what did she do to make you divorce her? India knew without asking that Brody hadn’t done a thing. He was a good guy, always had been—always would be. Even though he was much taller and larger and all man, he had the same kind eyes and warm smile. He was handsome in a way any woman would appreciate. Whoever his ex-wife was, she was an idiot.
