Her stomach sank. “Please tell me it was Scarlett and not Miss Francis? She’d have it all over—”
“No, no, it was Scarlett. I was teasing you, India. I’m sorry.” Tandy took her hand. “I invited her out last night, and she said she had to pick you up. A few minutes later she said she was free because Brody was driving you.” She frowned. “You look terrified.”
“Hoping to avoid more drama with Dad. You know how big an ass he can be,” she said.
Tandy nodded. “Why anyone feels like they need Woodrow Boone’s approval is beyond me.” She sighed. “Sorry. I know he’s your father, but...”
“No apologies necessary.” India smiled. Since Tandy’s wedding her father had gone from downright cruel to brusquely civil toward Click Hale, who was the best kind of man. His love for Tandy and their daughter, Pearl, was testament to that fact. “It’d be easier if I wasn’t having to rely on him right now.” She shrugged. “Not that he’d ever be fine with my dating a Wallace, but at least it wouldn’t be happening under his roof.”
Tandy nodded. “Are you? Dating Brody?”
She smiled, bombarded by a flood of memories that made her sto
mach warm and fluid. “I’m not sure.” She blew out a slow breath.
“He’s one of the good ones,” Tandy said. “No matter what your daddy might think.”
“I know that.” She nodded. “But, we don’t make sense, Tandy. I have plans. Plans that give Cal and me a real future, you know? I just want to take care of my son—to give him a chance to grow up without all the drama and noise and...judgment.” She sighed. “Falling for Brody and staying in Fort Kyle was never part of the plan.”
“Falling...in love?” Tandy said.
India blinked, realizing too late what she’d said out loud. “No. I didn’t mean—”
“Mom?” Cal asked, pushing through the front door. He grinned up at her. “You come for breakfast?”
“I did.” She hugged him tight. “I heard you and Pearl were cooking. Couldn’t miss out on that.”
“Pearl’s letting Banshee lick off the spoons,” Cal said, laughing.
Banshee was Tandy’s massive Anatolian shepherd. He was two-year-old Pearl’s shadow, her canine nanny and watchdog rolled into one. A lot like Tanner was to Brody.
“Just tell me she’s not putting the licked spoons back into the dough?” Tandy asked.
“Nope. Uncle Click’s watching her.” He grinned. “I should go help, though, ’cause she’s really busy. You coming?”
“Yes, sir,” she said, following her son inside, Tandy behind her.
Breakfast was a messy, laughter-filled event. Little Pearl, with her dimples and curly black hair, had her daddy wrapped around her little finger—as it should be.
While India and Tandy cleaned up the kitchen, Click offered to show her son the horses. “Already have the perfect horse picked out for you, Cal,” he said. “Brody will get you riding like a professional in no time.” He winked at her son, ruffling his hair and leading them to the barn.
India ignored the sharp tug on her heart. Did she really want Brody more involved in their lives? It ate at her to know her father couldn’t find the time to take Cal riding—that her son wasn’t a priority to him. Even if her dad could never forgive her for her past, there was no reason for him to treat Cal poorly. The more she thought about her father, the more upset she became.
Dammit, if Brody was willing to teach him to ride, she’d gladly accept.
“He was super excited about riding,” Tandy said. “When he wasn’t worrying over Tanner, he was listening to every piece of advice Click had for him.” She looked at her. “You okay? You look a bit...riled up.”
“I’m fine. Just indulging in a moment of self-pity.” She did her best to brush aside her irritation, placing the mixing bowl she was drying on the dish rack. “I appreciate you two offering to keep Cal last night.”
“We kept his mind off Tanner—for the most part. Click kept talking horses, and Pearl keeps everyone on their toes. I’d like to think he had a good time, too. It’s good he’s so interested in learning to ride. Riding, horses and cattle, being a cowboy—it’s part of his heritage.” Tandy glanced at her. “We can go get Tanner after his riding lesson? By then, I imagine Tanner will be champing at the bit to go home.”
India smiled. “Sounds perfect. Thank you.”
“I just did my job, India. You can thank Brody,” she said. “If he hadn’t been so quick, Tanner might not be doing so well.”
Those words caused an ache in her heart. She and Cal loved Tanner. She was thankful Brody had been there. She was thankful for Brody... From his gentle, constant smile to his sturdy, reliable nature—Brody Wallace was the sort of man she wanted Cal to have in his life. A boy needed role models, men he could look up to, respect and emulate. If Cal’s own grandfather wasn’t up to the task while they were in town, she couldn’t think of a better man than Brody to take her son under his wing.
And, if she allowed a moment’s honesty with herself, she wanted Brody around. When he was with her, things didn’t seem so big and overwhelming. He helped her set aside all the worrying and stressful thoughts of an unknown future and let her enjoy the here and now.