Cerise slid across the booth and Brodie tucked himself in beside her. The scent of lemon and hay washed over her, and she controlled the urge to lean into him to take a deep breath.
“It’s nice to meet you, Finn.” Brodie’s deep voice was friendly and not threatening as if aware the little boy was scared around unfamiliar men. “Those pancakes look good. Do you recommend them?”
If she didn’t already like the man, she liked him even more now because he was engaging with Finn.
“They’re okay, I guess,” Finn mumbled around a mouthful.
Brodie shifted and his thigh brushed hers, causing darts of warmth to arrow out from the connection. Her heart rate kicked up a notch, and she had to control her breathing. This immediate reaction to him was throwing her for a loop.
“How about you, Sparkles? How’s the bacon and eggs?”
She blinked up at him as if there was a delay between him talking and the words registering in her mind. This wasn’t the first time he’d called her Sparkles and she had to admit she liked it—a lot. She’d totally own that nickname. “Umm . . . good?” Why was she answering him with a question?
“You’re not sure if they’re good?” he asked, grinning, causing even more havoc within her.
“No, I’m sure.” She smiled at the absurdity of her response. “They’re really good. I have them every time I come here.”
At that moment the server came up to the table with a coffee pot in one hand and mug in the other. If it was possible Cerise would’ve leapt up and kissed her for the interruption. Sheneeded a few seconds to get her mind in order so that what she said made sense.
“You want some coffee, hon?” she asked Brodie.
“Yes, please. And I’ll have some bacon and eggs with a serving of the pancakes too.”
“Coming right up.” The server looked at Cerise. “You want anything else? A coffee top up?”
“No, I’m good. How about you, Finn?” The boy hesitated like he wanted to say he would like something else but was too afraid. She didn’t think it was possible, but her heart broke a little more for the boy. “You can order whatever you want.”
“Can I have a chocolate milkshake?” he asked quietly.
“Of course you can.” Cerise looked up at the server. “And one chocolate milkshake, too, please.”
“Got it.”
She walked off and Cerise played with the bacon on her plate. Nerves at having Brodie so close to her had stolen her appetite.
“So, Finn, how long have you known Cerise?”
Finn’s fork clattered to the plate, apparently shocked that he’d been asked a question. “Umm?” he looked at her, his eyes wide, like a deer caught in headlights.
Cerise reached across and patted his hand. “Finn here is my foster son,” she said proudly. “This will be his third time staying with me, won’t it?”
“Yeah.” Finn sounded so dejected and she knew it wasn’t because he was staying with her again. Well, at least she hoped it wasn’t.
Brodie quirked his eyebrow at her and she shook her head. Now wasn’t the time or place to explain everything about Finn to him.
“What plans do you have today?” he asked instead.
“After we eat, I was going to take Finn home and get him settled. Then after that, well, we’ll just see where the day takesus.” She thought maybe a trip to the park might cheer him up. It was March, and March in Texas wasn’t too bad, weather wise. It wasn’t too hot and the humidity hadn’t arrived yet, which was always a blessing.
The server returned with Brodie’s plate and Finn’s eyes went even wider at the tall stack of pancakes alongside the bacon and eggs. “Are you going to eat all that?” he asked.
Brodie chuckled and the sound tingled down her spine. What would it be like if he chuckled like that against her skin? A shiver rippled through her, and she grabbed her juice to keep her hands from pulling Brodie’s head to her neck and asking him to laugh again.
“I’m going to give it a red-hot go, Finn. Working on a ranch, I need a lot of energy.”
She turned to face Brodie. “Speaking of work, why are you here and not at the ranch?”
She’d caught him mid-bite and he held up his hand, indicating he’d answer after he finished chewing. “I had to bring a load of guests back to Kerrville so they could make their way home. The next lot are due to arrive in a couple of days. Mrs. Alexander likes to have a few days in between so that the rooms and cabins can be aired out and given thorough cleanings. So, while I have my usual jobs I have to do, I can take a little time off. The Alexanders are really good about giving us all some relaxation time between guests.”
