Ben laughed, the boisterous sound pushing through the trees around them. “For a while there, she wasn’t sure she could have a baby, so we’re relieved. She’s been pretty sick, but she’s starting to feel better now, and the doctor said the baby looks healthy and is growing properly.”
“That’s great,” Darren said, his mind catching on the bit of information that his brother and his wife might not have been able to have a baby. Darren hadn’t known that. Ben had never said anything. Darren swallowed back the thought that if he hadn’t been so wrapped up in his own problems, he might have been able to be a better support for Ben.
“Well, I better get back,” Ben said. “I told Rae I’d pick up dinner on the way home.” He swung his horse around, and Darren hesitated. He’d brought out his overnight pack, and he was prepared to stay out in the woods with his horse and his dog.
But did he really want to?
“You stayin’ out here?” Ben looked over his shoulder. “I don’t think you should. Come on back to the house and come to dinner with me and Rae.”
Darren didn’t know how to tell his brother that eating dinner as the third wheel wasn’t exactly appealing. He shook his head. “I’ll come back, but I’m not going to dinner with you two.”
Ben gave him a knowing smile and nodded, waiting until Darren swung his horse around too. “Let’s go, Rambo.”
“You and that dog.” Ben chuckled.
“Hey, he’s all I have.” Darren managed to smile to take some of the sting out of the words. “We both miss Logan, so we’ve bonded. That’s all.”
“Or you’ve gone soft for a paw pal.”
Darren laughed with his brother, because he didn’t dare admit that he simply needed a companion, and if all he could get was a furry, four-legged friend, he’d take it.
Darren knewsomething was amiss as soon as he broke through the trees on the edge of the farthest field from the farmhouse. Something sweet and savory filled the air, and it only took him three deep breaths to identify it.
“Farrah,” he whispered.
“What?” Ben asked.
“Farrah’s here.” He swung wildly toward his brother. “Why would she be here?”
Confusion furrowed Ben’s brow. “How do you know it’s her?”
“She has this pork chop recipe she makes for me.” His voice broke on the last two words, but he’d be able to identify the salty, tangy scent of the onion gravy from the grave.
Before Ben could answer, his phone chimed several times. He bent over it, the lines between his eyebrows disappearing as he read. “You’re right. Farrah’s here.”
“Who was that?”
“Cody. Apparently she wanted to give you a cooking lesson at four-thirty.”
Darren cursed himself for leaving his phone in the kitchen, but he supposed it wouldn’t have mattered. He wouldn’t have gotten any calls or texts from her out in the forest, just like Ben hadn’t gotten Cody’s messages until they were back on the farm.
“What time is it?”
“Just after five.” Ben swung down off his horse. “I’ll put Paintbrush away if you want to go in.”
Darren faced the farmhouse, at war with himself once again. He finally shook his head. “No, I’ll take care of Willow for you. You have a pregnant wife to get home to.”
Ben practically wore the pregnant glow on his face, and he handed his mare’s reins to Darren. “Don’t take too long,” he said. “And go talk to Farrah. Tell her how you feel. You might be surprised how well that works.”
Darren nodded and grunted his consent, but he would absolutely not be telling Farrah that he loved her. After all, some secrets should be taken to the grave.
He methodically worked through Willow and Paintbrush’s care, taking an extra moment to run his hand down his horse’s nose before facing the back of the farmhouse. Every cell in his body vibrated, and he took several deep breaths.
Be nice to her.
He appreciated that his oldest brother’s words were there in his head. He’d have preferred his father, but Sam had done everything in his power to make sure the other boys hadn’t wanted for anything.
Darren walked toward the house deliberately, his footsteps slow and sure. When the night ended, he wanted someone to tell about the forthcoming encounter with Farrah. All at once, Darren realized that some of the responsibility of maintaining a relationship with his brothers fell on him.
