Page 3

CHAPTER 3

The rest of his shift, the next few hours, went by the same way many of his shifts did.

More of a house call almost-doctor. It was part of the fun of living in a small town. Mister Jenkins's bad aim on his hammer. Tina Carter, who was a marathon runner, had fallen down her stairs over her cat and needed help off the floor and to bandage her sprain.

The basics.

It was good, but it gave him a lot of time to think.

To think about his new partner.

Rhea Russell.

As he pulled into the driveway of the triplex he shared with Joshua and Gabriel, he saw a note on his door.

He knew it had to be one of the Moms who wrote it. The dads would have called.

He pulled the note down and read it, smiling.

Brody,

We're having a small dinner at Kay's.

Come over when you're clean.

Mom

He wanted to roll his eyes at the note, but he had a feeling that his mother would know. The Moms had eyes everywhere.

So he went into the house, set his bag down by the door and went into his bedroom, going straight for the shower. He needed to get clean. A twenty-four hour shift was no joke, even when there was downtime at the firehouse. What most people considered downtime was putting your feet up or watching television in the common room, but a small-town firehouse was much different. They might not have as many calls as they had in big cities, but that also meant they had more responsibilities on their shoulders.

Reports. Ordering supplies. Cleaning around the firehouse and keeping the rig spotless.

And cleaning meant that their uniforms could get even more dirty than they would in the field.

He took off his uniform shirt and dropped it in the hamper, toed off his boots and flexed his toes in his socks.

This was probably his favorite thing to do after a shift. His feet felt free. He reached into the shower and turned on the water. The steam felt good on his face and he reached for his belt and stripped off his pants and his undershirt and ripped his socks off of his feet a second before he stepped into the stream of water.

He snatched the bath towel off the hook, lathered it up and worked it over his body. There wasn't really time to linger on anything, but his mind didn't care. His thoughts went right to the best part of his day.

Avalon was safe. Hurt, yes. But safe. He'd gotten some news back from his sister Rachel. Avalon was healing up.

And Misty was in a hospital closer to the wreck. Given that she'd been kidnapped and injured by a serial killer, the LEOs in the area weren't risking her health. They wanted to make sure she had the best treatment for her injuries.

His dad had messaged him saying that Roya was going to be okay. Sore, but she'd heal up just like Misty. Things were going to be okay.

And now, he smiled. He had a partner in the rig.

A partner who was really good at her job.

And her kid was super cute. And smart, too.

He grinned and wondered if everything was okay when she went to get her car and if she got to the motel and settled in with Chip.

He looked over at the wall and saw the big numbers on the clock. He'd have dinner with the family and then go over to the motel to see if Rhea needed anything. He certainly wanted to get her number.

"For work reasons."

Yeah. He was a fucking liar.

He wanted her number.

For very personal reasons. On top of the work reasons.

"Fuck."

He reached out a hand and turned the water to ice cold.

It had been months, many, many months since he'd gotten hard about a woman.

And the last time it had happened to him, he'd been watching a movie.

Alone.

And ended up jacking off like a fucking teenage boy.

The chill from the shower helped to tame his erection. Smiling to himself, he leaned his head under the water to wash out the last of the shampoo suds as he had another thought. Rhea reminded him of the actress in the movie. One of his favorites.

Carla Gugino.

He'd seen her in so many films and TV shows, including the one that had started his fascination, although he'd never tell his sister and his cousin, Kay, The Buccaneers. He'd been young enough that they could order him around and make him watch and he'd watched, at first, pretending to be interested just so he could eat his share of the popcorn and chips that they'd squirreled away. But, after a while of pretending to be interested, he'd actually found himself enjoying it.

Not the storyline. He couldn't remember much of what he'd seen in the way of the story, but he remembered Nan, the character played by Carla Gugino. She had been pretty. Beautiful even. But it wasn't until her character had aged a little that he'd been truly interested in what was happening on the screen before him.

Kay and Rachel had gone on and on about the romance and the fashion, but he'd just waited for glimpses of Nan. And when he'd developed a decidedly physical reaction to her, he'd dragged one of the decorative pillows from the couch onto his lap and left it there.

Yeah. He'd watched a few of her films and TV shows after that. Hell, all of them.

Even Spy Kids. Because Carla was gorgeous at any age and his reaction to her was always the same.

He was hot for Carla.

And now?

Fuck.

Even with the water in his shower cold enough to fill the Arctic, he was hard again.

But not for Carla.

His own fucking partner.

His phone chimed and he looked at the clock again.

Dinner.

Shutting off the water, he dried off, got dressed, and thought of everything he could to calm himself down. And it worked.

Thank god.

* * *

Rhea felt like she was losing a bit of control over her circumstances.

It had been a relief at first, to have the Armstrongs offer her a place to stay with Chip until they found a place to rent. They'd stopped in to check on her kids at one of the Armstrong houses.

That's right.

HOUSES.

Plural.

And that's when she'd met another wave of Armstrongs. Joshua's mother, Avalon's mother-in-law, Helene had given her a rib-squeezing hug and thanked her again and again. It was nice to be thanked. It didn't happen many times face to face. In a big city it was scoop 'em up. Drop them off, move on.

There was hardly any chance of bumping into the patient or their family again.

Small towns, she reminded herself. Everyone knows everyone and it was beginning to look like half of the town was related to Brody.

Interesting.

Kay's father came in with his grandkids and Rhea thought little Sarah was a doll. A walking, living doll. Her light blonde hair matched her mom and her grandmom and little Jack had the same hair.

Kay's father had laughed when Rhea marveled over the wispy pale blond hair on the little boy's head. "Pretty soon he's going to have more hair than me."

Rhea had laughed softly at his words, but Michael Armstrong was in no danger of going bald. Neither was his brother. It seemed like Joshua and Brody had inherited their father's full, thick, head of hair.

Before they could leave to get her car, Helene had pulled out all the stops asking Chip if he was hungry.

And Chip brightened up immediately at that question.

He had snacks in his bag, but that paled in comparison to the freshly baked cookies that Helene had made.

"I started the cooking and baking when I heard about the accident," she explained as she set out plates for everyone including Rhea and Chip. "At the clinic here, the rooms are small. So I knew Joshua would take care of Avalon. We'll send over food in a bit. Brody called and said that you were on the scene when he drove up."

Chip looked up at her with some crumbs on his mouth. She nodded toward his napkin and he dutifully wiped at his mouth.

Rhea looked back at Helene. "I was driving in with Chip today. I saw Avalon and Roya and stopped to help. I think it was luck that had us driving in at that time."

Helene had her hand over her heart and a heavy look on her face. "Goodness. It's a miracle."

Rhea swallowed. "I'm not sure about that. A miracle would have been if I'd gotten there in time to stop Avalon's friend from being taken."

Helene frowned at her and stepped closer putting her hand on Rhea's shoulder.

"Misty is fine. I talked to my son, Gabriel. They're together and he got to her. She's in the hospital there and will likely come home tomorrow or the day after. No one, and I mean, no one is going to think that what you did was anything less than being a hero for the whole family."

Rhea tensed a little at that. "I'm glad I keep my med kit with me at all times. It helped a lot." She reached out and brushed her fingers through Chip's hair. "Chip's been at hospital daycares since he was a baby. He was there with me and handled it well."

Helene looked at her son. "Sounds like he's an old soul."

Rhea turned to look at her with a question in her eyes. "What's that?"

Helene bobbed her head back and forth. "Someone who seems older than they are. Usually you see kids running around and being playful and sometimes you have kids that seem to be a little more settled? Older in mannerisms? They seem to have an understanding of things beyond their years."

Rhea nodded. "Chip's had to grow up a little faster than I would have liked. When his dad passed on a couple years ago, things changed so quickly. We went from a happy family to an odd two-some. I'm afraid he matured more since his dad... since we lost his dad. It hurt sometimes to see how he's had to change and mature, helping me."

Helene frowned a little as she looked at Chip chomping away on his cookie beside Sarah. "He seems like a great little boy."

Rhea smiled and found her heart filling up with love like it always did for Chip. "He is. I have truly been gifted with him. Every day he gives me a reason to get up and go."

Helene agreed. "I'm so lucky that I have my children and my husband. And now my grandkids."

Rhea felt the warmth of the family in the very air of their home. "They're both adorable!"

Helene beamed in agreement as the front door opened up. "Howard! How is Roya?"

"She's going to heal up just fine with time. She's missing her mommy, though."

Helene's expression softened. "I'm so glad everyone is going to be okay. Come," she touched the counter, "I'll pack up some cookies for you to take home. Are you coming to dinner tonight?"

He hesitated and then shook his head. "Probably not. Roya's used to being around the family all the time. I'll probably stay with her and keep her from getting lonely. Louise might."

Helene nodded thoughtfully. "I'll make sure we send you food."

"Thanks, Helene." He turned to look at her and Rhea was relieved to see a smile. "Hello again, Rhea."

"Mister Armstrong. It's good to see you again somewhere beside the side of the road."

He chuckled. "What an introduction, huh?"

If Brody's father was shocked to see her, he didn't have any reaction to it. He seemed like he did this kind of thing all of the time. Have random people showing up.

He looked back at Helene. "I'll have Louise talk to you about dinner."

Helene gave him a plastic container of cookies. "Do you need more dog treats?"

He smiled. "We can always use more dog treats." He gave Helene a wink. "I'll even let the dogs have them once in awhile."

"See you soon, Rhea." With kisses for Sara and mussing up Jack's hair, Howard left the house.

Chip kept his gaze studiously on the plate before him and Rhea took one of the cookies off of her plate and put it on Chips.

She had a feeling she knew what it was.

Chip had always loved his dad. And by extension, his dad's family, but Charles' parents were barely affectionate with Chip while Charles was alive. After he passed, they'd disappeared. Like fucking fog.

It was like they'd forgotten they had a grandchild at all.

And Chip.

He'd felt it.

The therapist that Rhea had seen explained it to her. "Something, as crappy as it was, was better than nothing at all."

And she wanted better for Chip. She wanted him to be swimming in love.

Howard, Brody's dad, had a relationship with Sarah and Jack. He might not be their grandfather but he loved them. He was openly affectionate with them.

Chip saw it. He felt it. And rather than see them get the affection he wanted from people, he'd looked down.

He didn't want to see it happen and not have it himself.

Lifting a hand that felt like lead, Rhea touched the back of his neck and rubbed her thumb across his skin, feeling the prickly ends of his hair that they'd cut just before they started driving to Fallport.

She didn't say anything to him.

She wasn't sure he wanted to talk at the moment.

So she just left her hand there, wanting him to feel her love.

"You know," Helene spoke again, softer this time, "we have extra rooms here. Instead of checking into the motel while you look for a place to rent. Stay here."

Rhea had balked at that. "I... I don't want to be a problem. Or inconvenience to you. Your family."

"Nonsense." Helene's smile was warm and inviting and to Rhea, it was hard to admit how much she wanted that kind of warmth.

Not just from another person, but another woman.

"At least for tonight. Michael and Kay went to pick up your car, so you'll have your things soon. And we're all having dinner tonight," she hesitated, "except for my sons and their wives."

"And Brody's family?"

She winced as she asked the question. She didn't really know why.

Helene gestured at the front door that Howard had left through less than a minute or two before. "We'll likely send food over. Howard likes to stay with his patients and Louise? She likes to stay with Howard. Brody should be done with his shift before dinner."

Rhea had to slow her breathing to keep herself from blushing hot and pink across her cheeks.

She hadn't felt that way for a long time. Certainly not since she'd met Charles, but her heart had kicked up again by the side of the road.

She'd chalked it up to the work, but she'd been thinking about Brody since he'd left her in Kay's care. Remembering how he treated Chip, but also the look in his eyes when he looked at her.

She knew she may have been misreading things.

There was no way that Brody had looked at her like he thought she was pretty.

That was just wishful thinking on her part and even that was crazy.

There was no way that she was going to ruin her working situation by entertaining that idea.

Her mouth twisted a little at the corner.

She didn't think Brody would be interested in something like that either.

He likely had his pick of women, including that pretty brunette at the clinic. The one who'd kissed him.

Yeah.

She let those thoughts wash over her.

Helene was waiting for an answer and if Rhea was honest with herself. The last thing she wanted to do was pick up Chip and go somewhere else today.

"We'd be happy to stay the night if that's okay with you." She felt the muscles in her neck tighten a bit. "I don't want to overstay our welcome."

Helene's smile was infectious. "There's not a huge housing market in Fallport, but there are apartments and I know we'll do our best to help you, but for today, at least, please, let us help."

How could she say no?

"Thank you. Thank you for the offer. We're really fortunate to have your help."

"And we," Helene lowered her chin and looked Rhea right in the eye, "are fortunate that you were there to help when you did. This is the least we can do."

* * *

Brody walked across the green from his home and walked up the steps to the deck of his aunt and uncle's house. Thomas met him at the sliding door, with Jack in his arms, the baby's legs kicking out and a bright grin on his face. "Hey, buddy!"

Jack laughed and Brody reached out to pick up the edge of the cloth that Thomas had in his hand and wiped at Jack's face. "Droolin' like a champ."

Thomas sighed, rolling his eyes. "More teeth."

Brody winced. "Looks like he's happy."

"He's been biting everything he can get in his mouth. Watch your fingers."

Brody looked at Thomas. "Really, man? You couldn't warn me before I wiped his mouth?"

Thomas shrugged. "You still have all your fingers. He's a baby, you should know what that's like by now."

Brody snorted at that. "Just because you got Kay knocked up twice doesn't mean that I know the ins and outs."

Thomas opened the door. "Better wash up. Dinner will start as soon as the kids are bathed and dressed."

Kids?

Brody looked at Jack in Thomas' arms and wondered why he'd used the plural. If Sarah was in the bath.

Huh.

Maybe he was just too tired to get it.

He nodded. "Okay." He stepped inside. "Thanks."

He walked across the living room and saw the Moms in the kitchen.

"Hey Moms!"

Both Helene and his mom, Louise, turned around to look at him. They both smiled, even though his mom looked a little tired.

"Brody!" "Son..."

He leaned in and gave his Aunt Helene a kiss on her cheek and then wrapped his arms around his mom before giving her another cheek kiss. "I'll wash up and help."

He moved to the sink and washed up.

He heard his Aunt Helene laughing a little. "I can tell you're working in the medical profession."

"Yeah?" Brody looked up over his shoulder, smiling. "How so?"

She nodded her head toward the sink. "You wash your hands like a doctor. Joshua does too, since he's trained from the fire department. Gabriel? He's more spartan about it."

Brody looked askance at her.

"Oh, he does a good job, but he's more utilitarian about it." She tilted her head to the side with a thoughtful look on her face. "Come to think of it. They were like that before they took their jobs. Maybe it's a thing."

Brody shook his head. "Not for me. I was always trying to do things fast to get them over with and onto the next thing. It wasn't until I started training as an EMT that I got the whole thorough isn't thorough enough bug."

Helene nodded in surprise. "Oh? Was that what it was like for you?"

Brody frowned and then he realized that his aunt wasn't talking to him.

He turned to look in the other direction and saw Rhea and Chip coming down the stairs.

Rhea tore her gaze away from him and looked at Helene, smiling. "Hand washing?" She smiled and her cheeks pinked. "Not really. I was always a nervous kid. I washed my hands a lot. I didn't like getting dirty."

Chip looked up at his mom. "Is that why you're always checking behind my ears?"

The room relaxed and Chip moved closer to Brody, waving his hand. "Hey, Brody! Mom and I are staying here tonight!"

"Oh, yeah?" He crouched down a little. "That's cool!"

Chip brightened up like a fluorescent light bulb. "Super cool."

Helene beamed at them both. "Brody, can you help the kids get settled at the table?"

Brody put out his hand and Chip took it with a big grin. "Come on, bud. Let's get you seated."

Brody smiled as Chip almost skipped alongside him. Almost, because he didn't seem to know exactly how to skip, but he was happy while he did it and that was okay.

Better than. The kid was practically beaming.

And damn. It felt good.

He stopped short of the table when he remembered there was Sarah's chair with a booster and Jack's high chair, but what was he going to do for Chip?

"I... I brought his booster in from the car. It works for the table, too."

Rhea was standing beside him, looking at him.

For direction probably.

He looked at his aunt and Helene was looking at him with every ounce of love she had in her eyes. "Pick a seat. You know its first come first served on chairs."

It had been growing up, but since Kay had her kids, things had gotten a little habitual. At first it had been Sarah in a high chair between Kay and Thomas and then when it was two, they had the kids between them. So that was one side of the table.

He looked at the room.

His mother spoke then. "I'm taking plates for your father and myself. And we'll send plates to Joshua and Avalon."

He nodded. "And Gabe is staying with Misty."

When he got the nod, he pulled out a chair on the other side of the table. "How about here."

Chip looked up at his mom. "Please?"

"Okay." She put the booster down and reached for Chip to lift him up onto the seat.

He leaned in to help and suddenly he was inches away from her mouth.

Fuck.

"Uh...."

"Sorry." Brody took a step back and watched Rhea lift her son up onto the seat.

Then she looked up at him with a smile that hit him in the chest like a punch.

It was a grateful smile, but there was this brightness in her eyes. He knew it was love for her son, but having that kind of beauty directed at him?

Wow.

Sucker punch.

And he liked it.

Almost too much.

Once Chip was seated, Rhea turned to the Moms. "What may I help with?"

Brody grimaced.

Rhea had saved herself from the number one grammar trap in his family.

As a kid and sometimes as an adult, he'd asked 'can I' a lot.

And then his mom or his aunt would say, 'I don't know. Can y ou'?

Rhea had just proved herself to be better at this than he was.

"Sit down, Rhea." His aunt waved her away. "You've had a long day. Sit down and relax."

Brody agreed. "Have a seat next to Chip. I'll get you two something to drink. Chip?"

The boy swung his head around to look at him, grinning from ear to ear. "Yeah?"

"What do you want to drink?"

The boy shrugged. "Whatever you're having."

Brody froze on that thought. His mother rolled her eyes. Usually, he had a beer.

That wasn't going to happen now.

"How about some water?"

Chip frowned. "Water? You drink water?" He turned slightly and gestured at his mom. "She drinks water."

"Well, people need to drink water."

Chip sagged in his seat. "I was hoping for some soda."

Brody chuckled. "Water it is."

He moved over to the kitchen and reached into a cupboard for some cups. He knew where his aunt kept Sarah's cups and opened the cupboard. He stopped and looked back. Rhea was watching him and nodded when he pointed to the child-friendly cups. "Sippy? or..."

"Just the cup is great. Thanks."

Damn. The way she smiled at him, it hit home.

There was something there.

He couldn't ignore it.

He was in trouble.