Brody nodded. “Thought so. Her love for peach ice cream was unrivaled by just about anything.”
Cal smiled.
“You want something?” Sara asked him.
Brody sighed, staring at the old-fashioned chalk menu.
“A root beer float,” India said. “With chocolate ice cream.”
Brody chuckled. “Haven’t had one of those in a long time.”
“Chocolate ice cream?” Cal asked. “Is it good?”
Brody nodded. “Last time I checked, you can’t really go wrong with chocolate.”
Cal nodded slowly. “Can’t argue with that.”
India glanced at Brody. He winked, the slight shake of his head so familiar. He’d always had a ready smile and a big, contagious laugh, and a kind word for everyone—and she’d admired him for it. He’d been a refreshing change from the other guys in her life. She and her father had tended to butt heads over every little thing. And the other boys in school were either too full of themselves or too eager to get into her pants to take the time to get to know her.
Of course, things were different now. But she hoped Brody, the man, hadn’t outgrown the generous spirit and easy nature she’d held so dear through school.
His gaze was just as thoughtful, just as warm. Which was nice.
Most of the men in her life stirred up other reactions. More like doubt. Insignificance. Defeat. Not that her father meant to undermine and belittle her. But he was a concrete sort of man. It didn’t matter if you tried, only if you succeeded.
Unlike JT. If JT was upset or disappointed, his words didn’t hurt half as much as his fists. JT had instilled all sorts of cold, hard feelings—fear being right at the top. She hadn’t missed him much the last three years.
“Here ya go,” Sara said, interrupting her thoughts.
Her hand was shaking as she took her ice-cream cone, so bad she almost dropped it.
“Careful, Mom,” Cal said, already scooping into his brownie sundae.
That was the plan. Being careful. As long as she stuck to the plan—save every penny and pass her school counselor certification exam—she and Cal would be on their way to bigger and better things. None of which included staying in Fort Kyle much longer. Until then, she’d be extra careful with her ice cream, her son and her still-battered heart.
* * *
BRODY SHOULD HAVE outgrown staring at India Boone like some lovesick teenager. He was a man now. A man with more than his fair share of responsibilities. Responsibilities that included a curmudgeon of a father, a high-strung high-needs mother, almost three-year-old triplets and one hell of a decision to make. He didn’t have time to sit beside India Boone, sipping on a root beer float. And watching her savor every lick of her ice cream...well, that was downright dangerous. India Boone had always made his brain short-circuit.
Dammit. He was older, wiser and a little harder now. She should know that, respect that. But one of her impish grins had him downright tongue-tied.
“You know anything about dinosaurs?” Cal asked between bites.
He shook his head, studying the boy. Good-looking kid. No surprise considering who the boy’s mother was. “I’m a lawman and a cattleman. Fair to middling on my horse knowledge. But my dinosaur knowledge is rusty.” He nodded at the toy sticking out of the boy’s pants pocket. “That looks like one poking out of your pocket.”
“Plesiosaurus,” India said. “That’s what that one is called. Cal is a dinosaur expert.”
“My daughters are more interested in mermaids than dinosaurs.” Brody nodded. “And fairies.”
India’s brows shot up, her not-so-subtle glance at his left hand making him smile. She hadn’t kept up with him, then.
“What’s her name?” Cal asked. “Your daughter, I mean?”
“I have three.” He smiled. “Suellen, Marilyn and Amberleigh.”
“Three?” India asked. “Wow.”
He chuckled. “That’s about right.”