“Bugs?” Suellen asked. “I have a worm.”
“Worms are cool,” Cal said, earning a smile from Suellen.
She followed, determined to hide whatever craziness was happening between her and Brody.
It was a pretty day, the sort of day meant for enjoying. All she was going to think about was the beautiful baby on her hip and her adorable son playing tour guide for two more equally precious girls.
“Here.” Brody’s hand circled her upper arm, gently stopping her. He made a show of checking inside Amberleigh’s boots before sliding them back onto his daughter’s feet. “She can walk now.”
His hand stayed where it was, holding her close, his scent teasing her, making her every nerve sit up and take notice of him. It was torture—and he knew it. His eyes were sparkling as she pulled away, gently, and sucked clear air deep into her lungs. “I don’t mind,” India said, continuing to pat Amberleigh’s back. “Besides, shouldn’t you be mayor-ing it up?” she said, glancing over his shoulder at the WQAI van. “She came all this way for you.”
“In heels. She said something about an ice pack in the van.” His grin made her laugh. “You have a pretty laugh, India Boone. Doesn’t she, Amberleigh?”
Amberleigh smiled. “Pretty.”
“She is that,” he agreed. “India’s got a big heart, too, Amberleigh. In here.” He tapped his daughter’s chest. “Nothing better on this earth than a big heart.”
Amberleigh nodded, as if she was in full agreement.
His compliments lit her up on the inside. And set off warning bells. So she downplayed his praise. “I don’t have a camera, Brody. You don’t have to turn on the charm with me.”
“Maybe you’re the one I want to charm.” He studied her closely, smiling at the heat that stung her cheeks.
It was too much. He was too much. And she liked it.
He was smiling at her when he said, “Your truck is at Click’s place. Hope to have it fixed in a few days.”
“That’s great news, Brody, thank you.” And it was. Now all she had to do was figure out how to pay for the repairs. Between the test fees, upcoming holidays and her truck repairs, maybe she should take the long-term substitute job.
He smiled at her, and that smile, oh that smile. It was ha
rd to think about practicality when faced with something so damn beautiful.
She wasn’t going to stare at him. Or get caught up in his eyes. Nope, she focused on Cal and the girls. “Be careful picking up rocks, Cal.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he called back, pointing at something in the leaves. Tanner was rigid, ears and tail standing up straight and alert.
“What is it?” she called. “Tanner?”
Tanner’s stance never changed.
Cal called back. “Just an armadillo.”
Brody ran past her. “Stay there. Don’t move.”
“You hear him, Cal? Stay put.” India followed quickly, shifting Amberleigh to her other side out of instinct.
“It’s okay. It’s not close. Tanner won’t let it get anywhere near us,” Cal said. “It’s hiding in those leaves over there.”
Brody stepped in front of the kids, his gaze pinpointing the spot Cal indicated. “You’ve got good eyes, Cal.” His posture relaxed. “Good boy, Tanner.”
Tanner whimpered, his tail wagging. But the armadillo’s presence made it impossible for him to be completely at ease. Protecting Cal was all that mattered to that dog. He wouldn’t leave her son’s side until the creature was gone.
Brody’s voice was stern. “That’s an armadillo. That’s what’s been tearing up Nana’s garden.”
India watched the little creature digging in the wet soil. They were a pest but weren’t a real threat to people. They could carry all sorts of germs, though, so keeping the kids away was necessary.
“Is it bad?” Marilyn asked.