Page 13 of Silver Lining Love

Whitney needed me. Michael needed me. Alice needed me. Benji would probably make it out of this unscathed and unaffected whether I was around or not since he was only nine months old, but still.

A tension that I’d been feeling trying to be here for the kids, for Whitney, and keep my distance so she didn’t think she had to depend on me evaporated from my shoulders. At that moment, I made the executive decision; I was all in.

Whatever they needed me to do, any time, day or night, I would do. I’d been worried about the consequences of me getting too involved. But I’d been kidding myself. I was involved.

Those kids had gone to bed one night feeling safe and loved and woken up to find out that they’d lost both of their parents. They needed all the care, love, and stability they could get.

Whitney was doing the absolute best that she could, but she couldn’t do it alone—at least not alone and still stay sane.

As I finished cleaning up, I formulated a new plan. One that didn’t involve me trying to keep my distance.

Michael had played Little League in Rolling Springs, and he talked about baseball all the time. I’d sign him up tomorrow. Sports were a huge part of what had kept my brothers and me out of trouble growing up.

Well, that and living on a working farm.

When you were up before dawn and putting in several hours of work before school and then had practice after school only to come home to more chores, there wasn’t a lot of energy or time to waste on getting into trouble. I mean, sure, we all found our own ways to rebel and be teenagers, but it was nothing that ended up with any of us in jail. I knew my mom considered that a win.

It also helped us make friends. Not that that was as much of an issue since we lived in a small town and had each other. But, still, brothers were different than friends. I’d met Remi playing soccer when we were four and Kane at Pee Wee Football when we were five. The three of us had been inseparable through high school.

Sports would also give Michael a sense of team, family, and camaraderie. Something I believed he needed desperately right now. He was getting more distant and withdrawn by the day.

Hell, maybe I’d even tell him who my brother was.

On the day Michael moved in with Whitney, I’d seen he had a poster of my brother JJ and several of his baseball cards. As a general rule, I never talked about my family. I’d considered telling Michael my brother was JJ Briggs but decided not to. The kid was dealing with so much, and at the time, he didn’t know me from Adam. I thought he might be suspicious like I was trying to get brownie points with him or something. But now, all these months later, he knew me and I felt safe letting him in on who my little brother was.

JJ had played in the major leagues and even won a World Series. He was retired now and had moved back home to Wishing Well after he hurt his shoulder and had Tommy John surgery. Now he was married with two kids. Their oldest, I’d only seen a handful of times, and the youngest only once.

Being around Michael, Alice, and Benji had really shown me what I was missing. Benji was only nine months old, but he was so different than when he first moved in. It seemed like he was learning something new every day. Alice had changed her favorite color from green to purple, and Michael had turned double digits.

Kids grew up fast.

I needed to make more of an effort to go home so I didn’t miss my nieces and nephews’ lives. If the past six months had taught me anything, it was that tomorrow wasn’t promised. I needed to spend time with my family while I still had them.

My mom’s birthday was coming up in a few weeks, and I’d heard rumblings that there might be a surprise party. Which, anyone who knew Dolly Briggs would know is impossible. My mom knew everything. Still, even if they weren’t throwing a big party, it would be the perfect excuse to go home and see my family.

As I finished drying the dishes, appreciation for all my parents had done for us filled me. It had been happening a lot over the past few months. I’d always sort of resented having to help out with my brothers so much. But now I saw that I’d barely done anything. Yes, I’d helped, but that’s all I’d done.

“Hey,” I heard Whitney’s soft voice behind me.

I turned just in time to see her walking toward me with Benji on her hip. The baby was freshly bathed, wearing pajamas with feet, and a familiar warmth filled my chest. It had been happening a lot lately.

Watching Whitney with the kids had been an eye-opening experience. I’d seen a side of her that I hadn’t known was there but found to be sexy as hell. She might not be as much of a natural nurturer as her older sister was, but that didn’t mean that she wasn’t one. She was so tender and patient with the kids. And creative. She was always coming up with fun, out-of-the-box games for them to play. It wasn’t easy to keep a four-year-old and a ten-year-old engaged, but she managed to do it.

She adjusted Benji on her hip as she started to make his bottle.

“I can take him.” I lifted my arms, and he reached out as he spoke baby gibberish.

Again, my heart warmed. Was there anything sweeter than a baby reaching for you? When my siblings were babies, I’d held them, fed them, changed them, and put them to bed whenever my mom or dad needed help, but I never felt anything like the way I felt when I cared for Benji.

“Thanks again for tonight and for everything,” Whitney thanked me for the millionth time.

“You don’t have to keep thanking me.”

“Yes, I do.” She spoke in a tone that left no room for argument as she shook the bottle then reached for Benji who had rested his head on my shoulder.

“Goodnight, little man.” I kissed him on his head and inhaled deeply. There was seriously nothing that smelled better than a freshly bathed baby.

I handed him back to her and as she took him from my arms, I had the strongest urge to kiss her goodnight as well. Her lips were just inches away. All I’d have to do was lean down. I’d had the same impulse when I was dressing her wound earlier.

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