Chapter Nine
Cait didn’t wantthe dogs for company. She wanted her husband, but one look at the determined set in his jaw, and she knew better than to push.
Brian was odd, and even though Cait was a grade ahead of him in school, she’d heard teachers and parents talk about him. Being a redheaded boy meant being bullied, and in Brian’s case, it made him withdraw even further into his shell. He had always taken things too seriously and too literally, so if someone called him a name, he’d overreact and fly into a rage. He didn’t get jokes, but then again, most of the jokes had been at his expense.
It wasn’t until high school that he came out of his shell—not all the way, but in a small way. He’d made the baseball team and joined Mrs. Thornton’s debate team. Soon, he was elected class president, and even though he was never popular, his sharp memory and attention to detail meant he never lost a debate. Personality wise, he was still a zero, although a few girls had crushes on him once he became captain of the baseball team where he played first base.
He was never in Connor’s social circle, and when he and Cait came back from their city hall wedding, her entire family was shocked. Who was this Brian Wonder? What did his parents do? Where had his family come from? Who were his people?
No one really knew, because Brian never talked about his parents or his past. It was as if he and his family sprang fully formed from a cabbage patch one fine morning, and after his parents died, no other relatives circled around to comfort the one remaining son.
Cait and her sisters used to speculate. Witness protection program? Former spies? Escapees from an asylum? Traveling circus performers?
Of course, after she married him, she stopped speculating. From combing through their few photo albums, tax records, and leftover things, she’d pieced together a quiet, solitary existence. They were both loners who somehow ended up together. Perhaps theirs had also been a marriage of convenience.
It seemed to have worked, and they had Brian, and the little family stuck together until tragedy overtook them. There was no backup plan, no grandparent, no aunt or relative for Brian, so they’d concocted the terms of their will to ensure he wouldn’t be lonely.
“Fine, I’ll see you in the morning.” Cait gave Brian a hug as he stood stiffly, and retreated to the bedroom. The two dogs sniffed at him and since he didn’t respond, they followed Cait.
He was still standing in the exact same location staring at his feet when Cait shut the door behind her. Her heart sank heavily into her gut as she climbed into the bed with Sierra and Melia.
He was a lonely man, even when he was surrounded by his firefighting brothers. Sure, he drove the truck, and he was second in command to Connor, but there was always something distant about him. It was Cait’s failure that she hadn’t dug deep enough to find out why.
Instead, she’d been too involved with her own brothers and sisters, and she’d neglected Brian—which was probably to his liking. A restless feeling stirred her heart, and as she rested her head on the pillow and closed her eyes, she made a vow to start putting Brian first.
* * *
“I’ve gotthe hot water on.” Brian peeked into the bedroom early in the morning. “Sorry about last night.”
Cait sat up and rubbed her eyes, yawning. “Did you sleep well?”
“No, the couch was lumpy.” He shrugged and gave her a self-deprecating grin. “I should have kicked out these two lazy pooches.”
Cait knew him well enough to know he wasn’t flirting. It was a matter of fact statement that he’d found the couch uncomfortable and regretted not taking the bed, even with her in it.
“They probably need to go outside.” Cait climbed out of the bed and stretched. “Thanks for turning on the hot water.”
Brian stood there awkwardly, not taking a step toward her nor backing away.
“What?” Cait blinked and glanced at herself. She was wearing thermal underwear, and she was sure she didn’t have a boob hanging out or a rip in her seat.
“Nothing. We can switch to tonight, if you want.”
He was referring to their sleeping-together schedule.
“I want what you want.” Cait tapped his chest. “And please, don’t act like you have to make an appointment.”
“That’s what we agreed to when we got married.”
“Actually, you wanted it that way. You like things to be predictable and you hate surprises. It’s probably why you were pissed last night at me coming here and surprising you.”
“No, I wasn’t upset. I was tired.” He flapped his hands as if he wanted to give her a hug, but was afraid of rejection.
As if she’d ever rejected him.
“Come here, Brian Bear.” She dragged him into her arms. “You know I like you. I’m surprised you went back home looking for me.”
“Connor says you were lonely at the Christmas Lights Festival.”
