Page 41 of Single Mom for the Mountain Men
A knot forms in my throat at his sweet and kind words. Somehow, he knew that I was doubting my ability to be a good mother because Sophie had never behaved the way she does now, and he’s reassured me.
“You really wanna make me cry before dinner?” I croak, throwing in a weak laugh to lighten the mood.
“Don’t cry,” he says abruptly, with such comical panic painted on his face that I let out a heartier laugh this time.
“I won’t, I won’t,” I say, smiling so wide my cheeks hurt. “Right, let’s take dinner out before Sophie starts yelling at us for our incompetency.”
Brody and I take the food out to the dining area. Sophie squeals when she sees us, then takes a seat between Aiden and Tanner. That leaves Brody and me to sit next to each other.
It’s roasted chicken and stir-fried rice, with a few vegetables I know she’ll eat as side dishes. I made some custard as well as banana bread for dessert. The brothers have brought a pack of beer, too, so it becomes a mini feast.
Tanner cracks his usual jokes at dinner, which are so funny that my beer nearly goes up my nose. That sets Aiden off, and soon, the whole table is a riot.
“And then, this man, Aiden, my boy, right here, tells her that he doesn’t care about the mechanics of the car.” Tanner chuckles as he finishes the tale of how Aiden ruined his chances with a pretty girl, all because he couldn’t take a hint.
“No!” I gasp theatrically. “Aiden! She was trying to make conversation with you!”
Aiden raises his hands up defensively, his face curled into a pout. “By telling me that if I paid twice for an exhaust pipe, it would give me two exhaust pipes? Come on now! I thought she had to be poking fun at me!”
Even Brody snorts at that, shaking his head as he tears away at his chicken.
Tanner and I burst out laughing, Tanner slapping his knee as we look at Aiden’s disgruntled face.
“Man, those were the days,” Tanner says as we calm down, wiping a tear from his eye.
“What about Brody?” I ask Tanner curiously, winking at the brother in question as he glances up at me. “Are there any funny stories about him and his interaction with women? I wouldn’t think he would have any problems, though. He has this whole rugged, roguish vibe to him.”
“Brody is scary,” Sophie puts in her two cents, wrinkling her nose.
Aiden snorts as he nods, but Brody stares at her, affronted, his spoon suspended mid-bite in the air.
“I mean, he’s not scary to me because I’m brave, and I beat him at arm wrestling,” she continues innocently while pushing her peas around with a fork.
“Yes, of course.” Brody nods diligently as I hide my smile behind my beer bottle.
“Brody was too busy getting his ass toasted in the plains of Syria and Uzbekistan,” Tanner responds playfully.
Aiden smiles at that, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. Brody inhales quietly, not even bothering with a smirk or anything.
The temperature of the room cools a bit as I glance between the three brothers, but there is nothing obvious enough for me to put a finger on.
Aiden makes small attempts to restore the banter, and I engage with him to try to restore the good mood of everyone else. Soon enough, our attempts pay off, and we’re back to laughing like normal. Only, this time, Sophie takes the lead with her silly stories.
It’s the best and heartiest dinner I’ve had, until it isn’t.
“Tanner, did you find out more about that guy who got to you in the market that day?” Brody asks all of a sudden.
Tanner is sipping his beer when Brody asks him, and he pauses a bit. He swallows another gulp, then sets the bottle down on the table.
“No, not yet. I will, though.”
“You’re sure they didn’t follow you here?” Brody’s eyes are locked on his brother.
Tanner tilts his head, the mirth slowly fading from his face. “You’re questioning me? You think I would be putting you all in danger? You doubt my capabilities that much?”
“Wouldn’t be the first time you’ve forgotten to be careful,” Brody responds back in a calm tone.
“Are you trying to insinuate something?” Tanner asks and tilts his head. His mouth turns into a neutral line.
