My heart skips a beat when I see the compassion Brett shares for others, especially Mom. We haven’t let anyone into this house in weeks, and he isn’t taking it for granted.
Mom has already set the table for the four. "I warmed up our plates, Melody.”
"Please, sit down, eat, make yourselves full," Mom says.
Brett pulls a chair out for Parker then pushes her in closer to the table. "What do you say?"
"She has already thanked me several times," Mom tells Brett. "She has very polite manners for such a young lady."
He’s not messing up this parenting thing at all. I’d say he’s nailing it. I’m not sure I could step in and pick up pieces the way he has and carry on as if this little girl is his life’s mission.
"So, do you think your mother would be upset if I stole Miss Parker for a night to bake some cookies?" Mom asks Brett.
Brett swallows a mouthful and holds a napkin up to his mouth before responding. "My mom is busy on Monday and Wednesdays with some volunteer work she does for the town, so either of those nights would work out just fine," Brett says. "As a matter-of-fact, Parker’s school has a bake sale on Thursday night, and they need cookies."
Mom claps her hands together with excitement. "That sounds wonderful. Are you sure your mom won’t mind? I don’t want to step on her grandma toes."
Brett shakes his head dismissively. "Absolutely not. She’d be happy to share her grandma duties."
Mom looks thrilled aboutthe idea of baking for a cause. "Okay, but only if you and Melody go out on a—" Mom cups her hand to the side of her mouth, so Parker doesn’t see what she’s saying. "D-A-T-E."
"Mom!" I respond with a snap to my voice.
"It’s a deal," Brett tells Mom, ignoring my response.
"Well then, I am free on Wednesday to make cookies with this cutie pie," Mom says.
"I’m free, too," Parker responds with a giddy smirk.
I’m staring at mom, waiting for her to catch the glimpse I’m giving her, but she ignores my face as she looks between Brett and Parker, beaming with a kind of joy I haven’t seen on her face in a very long time.
As I’m staring at Mom, I catch Brett glancing at me with a coy smile as he chews the bite in his mouth. "I’ve gotten the impressionMelody likes to be in control, am I right about this?" Brett asks Mom.
Mom nearly chokes on the sip of water she had taken. "Melody will control the world until the control is taken from her," Mom says, raising a brow in my direction.
"Good to know," Brett replies with a thrilling look in his eyes.
24
I’d be lyingif I said I didn’t wish yesterday away. Tuesday was slow and lacking excitement, but I’ve been looking forward to today. Tonight, I get to put all my baggage in storage and enjoy a night out with Brett. First, I have a full day ahead, consisting of preparing shipments for The Barrel House, though. I’ve been focusing on the shipping end of the business for now, so I can perfect one task at a time. Learning the software for incoming requests and preparing shipments is enough to hold me over for a couple of weeks. I hadn’t realized Dad had accumulated this many vendors over the years.
"This damn snow is like a never-ending storm this week," Brett says, carrying a crate out from the back. "I have to go get Parker from school early. They just called to say they’re dismissing them early, which almost never happens. I guess the plows are having trouble keeping up because of the snow and ice.”
"I think it’s supposed to stop later this afternoon, at least.”
"Yeah, it’ll give them time to clear the roads at least. I’ll be back in a half-hour. Call me if you need anything.”
Brett reaches for his coat from behind the back door, then grabs my arm, pulling me in for a peck on the cheek. "You smell extra nice today," he says. "New shampoo?"
"Maybe," I say, grinning like a moron. He places his hand on his chest as if he’s grateful for the scent of my shampoo.
I continue with the shipping labels, preparing them all to print at once in the back. As I’m getting to the last one, my phone lights up with Journey’s name scrolling across my screen.
Journey:I’m coming by for a bit if you need any help.
I figure she’s already in the car when she sends the message, so I don’t respond because I have to yell at her about texting and driving more than I yell at her for anything else.
She mentioned she would spend a few hours in the shop here and there to help where she can since she hasn’t made a final decision about her share of the business. I thought she had made her mind up, but I think Ace sent her for a loop the other day.
