Miles shook his head.“You’re awful feisty this morning.”
Braden shrugged and drove to the next gate.He didn’t bother asking Miles for help—he didn’t need it.He wanted to get the gates fixed and go pick up Delilah from school.And then, head to Maggie’s.
“Hey.”Miles slapped his shoulder.“There’s a rock.”He pointed.“Or are you aiming for it?”
Hell.Braden corrected the truck without batting an eye.“You wanted to come with me.”But he needed to focus on what was right in front of him—work.“How are things withyou?Renee good?”When Miles didn’t answer, he glanced his brother’s way.“What?”
“Nothing.”But Miles was grinning.“She’s good.Watching her manage her diabetes, how upbeat and dedicated she is to staying healthy, keeps me from feeling sorry for myself and my failing vision.She’s perfect for me.I’m a lucky man.”
Braden chuckled.
“Laugh while you can.You just wait.”He kept on grinning.“Maggie’s gonna wrap you around her little finger in no time.”
Did loving her mean she had him wrapped around her finger?If so, it was a done deal.Shewashis girlfriend.It was a good place to start.Delilah would be thrilled.Maggie was one of her favorite people.And Cody?Her hero-worship for the boy grew with each playdate.His brothers might give him crap but they wanted him happy.So did his parents—his mother especially.She’d probably start picking out dates and wedding locations.
“And there’s no shame in it, either.Renee tells me to jump, I’ll ask how high.”Miles chuckled.“When you know, you know.”
Braden envied his brother that.The certainty.Miles and Renee were a team working toward the same future.He was certain about Maggie and what he wanted for them.Was Maggie?
Then there was her job.It was the one hurdle he’d yet to clear.But it was a big one.Was she planning to start traveling again?If she did, he wasn’t sure he could be okay with it.She’d been sick, hospitalized, and put herself at risk.He admired her for wanting to make a difference and respected how devoted she was to her work, but, for him, family came first.After what she’d been through, he wonderedif she’d feel the same.For Cody’s sake, he hoped so.For he and Delilah, too.
“Hello?”Miles waved his hand in front of his face.
“What?”Braden blinked and turned to his brother.
“Your phone.”Miles laughed.
Braden glanced at the screen.Maggie had texted him.He came to a stop and opened his phone.It was a picture of her—in bed.Her hair was a mess, her eyes were heavy-lidded and she was wearing that sleepy smile he couldn’t resist.No text, just the picture.But it was enough.He’d asked her to rest and she was.And it made him so damn happy.
“What did she say?”Miles leaned closer.
Braden put his hand over Miles’s face and pushed him back.“None of your business.”He stepped on the gas.That picture was for him and him alone.“But Delilah and I can’t come to dinner tonight.We’re going to Maggie’s.”
“Yeah, it’s too late.”He held up his pinkie finger.“She’s got you right here.”And he laughed for the next five minutes straight.
Chapter Thirteen
“They’re coming over for dinner tonight.It’s not a big deal.Can we please not make this into a big deal?”Maggie gripped her brother’s upper arms.“Help me with Mom and Dad, too.”
“I’ll do my best but no promises.”Mike held up his hands.“Once Mom goes off the rails, all bets are off the table.You know that.”
“Are we speaking in idiomatic expressions this evening?”Maggie yawned.She’d slept for three hours but made sure she was up to greet Cody when he got off the school bus.
“Tired?”Mike grinned.
Maggie shot him a warning look.Last night was all hers.However things worked out between her and Braden, she would always treasure their night together.
“I’m real happy you found someone, Mags.I’m being serious.”Mike squeezed one of her shoulders.“I mean it.You deserve to be loved, you know that?A man who will support and love you and Cody no matter what.A man who will be loyal and steady by your side.”His smile was surprisingly intense.
She hadn’t been prepared for her brother’s heartfelt declaration.“Mike…”
“And if Braden does anything to hurt you or Cody, I’ll be there to kick his a—”
“Oh, stop.”She swatted his hand away.“You can’t get all deep and emotional tonight, okay?That will have Mom pulling out the wedding magazines she’s stored under her bed.”
“She does not.”
“She does.Stacks of them.”The house phone started ringing.“I’m going to get that, and you’re going to make me a peanut butter sandwich, please?”She lifted the handset.“Hello?”
