“The kid’s got the makings of being a perfect older brother.”
“He does, doesn’t he?” Like always, whenever she talked about Finn, Cerise’s voice softened and filled with love.
“He’s your foster son, right, Cerise? I think that’s what Mitch told me when he phoned,” Jaidon asked.
“Yep, he is, but I’m hoping I can adopt him.”
Brodie was surprised she’d brought it up, considering Finn wasn’t too far away and she’d only just met Jaidon and Bridget.
“Good for you. He certainly seems happy with the both of you. I think you’ll be great parents to the boy.” Bridget glanced over to watch her daughter so she didn’t see the way Cerise stiffened beside him. He only knew because he’d been watching her out of the corner of his eye. He couldn’t seem to stop watching her.
It looked like she was about to correct the woman, but Brodie laid his hand on her thigh, giving it quick squeeze. Jaidon’s eyebrow rose in question but he didn’t say anything.
“Thanks,” Cerise commented and then shoved a forkful of pulled pork in her mouth. He figured she was doing it so she wouldn’t say anything else. Her reaction stung a little. Did she not like the idea of them parenting together?
Yes, it was presumptuous of Bridget to make the comment, but why wouldn’t she? They’d arrived together and had shown all signs of being parents to Finn. He hadn’t given much thought to walking down the parent trail before he’d met Cerise and Finn, but now, he could see himself as a dad. And the vision didn’t freak him out.
The rest of lunch passed without any drama and when the Patiences went to leave, Finn gave Louise a big hug. The boy almost looked like he didn’t want to let her go. Brodie went over and laid a hand on his shoulder. “Maybe we can all get together another time. What do you think?”
“Could we? That would be awesome. Louise’s a lot of fun,” Finn said enthusiastically.
Cerise came up and she pulled Finn into a hug. “It looked like you guys were having fun.”
“I’m sure we can organize something in the future.” Bridget scooped her daughter up and the little girl laid her head on her mom’s shoulder. “Thanks for playing with her, Finn.”
“It’s okay. One day I’d like a little sister, although by the time she’s old enough to play with, I’m probably going to be in high school. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to ignore her. My dad said mom was going to have another baby. I was so excited, but then they died.” He hung his head and studied the ground as if it were crawling with the spiders he’d wanted to see.
Cerise gasped. Clearly Finn’s declaration was news to her. “Thanks again for today, Jaidon.” Brodie held out his hand toward the other man. Jaidon took it and they shook briefly.
“Pleasure. And if you and Finn want to come out and camp here, let me know, and I’ll make sure you get looked after. It’s pretty primitive, but fun.”
“Oh, can we, Brodie?” Finn asked, his brief sadness about his parents dying disappearing at the prospect of camping.
“We’ll see. You’ll have to ask Cerise.” He slung his arm around her shoulders. “How about it, Sparkles? You up for some camping in the bush?”
“Umm, no thanks, but sure, you and Finn can. But not today,” she cautioned when it looked like Finn was about to ask if they could.
“Darn.” He scuffed his toe on the ground and stuck his hands in the pockets of his shorts.
Everyone laughed. “Well, on that note, we’ll see you around,” Jaidon lifted his hand. “Drive carefully.”
Once the other couple disappeared into the parking lot, Brodie turned to Cerise and Finn. “You guys ready to head back to the ranch?”
“Yep.” Finn nodded although he looked sad that the adventure was over. Immediately Brodie was overcome with the need to bring his smile back. “How about we take the horsesout for a ride when we get back? I’ll phone ahead and get them saddled up.”
“Yessss.” Finn fist pumped the air. At least there was one person enthusiastic about a horse ride.
“How about it, Sparkles? You up for another ride?”
“Sure.”
Together they walked to the car and Brodie couldn’t help wishing they were the family Bridget had assumed them to be.
CHAPTER TEN
“What’s this?”
Poppy Brown looked up from where she lay on the couch. Her skirt was still rucked up around her waist and her blouse hung open from when she and Ed had had sex. “I don’t know.”
