Page 22 of Unexpected Danger
“Baby boys can cry all the time, too. Just ask Grammie.”
Roarke chuckled. “You don’t even have to ask Grammie. I can tell you that your Uncle Brodie cried all the time when he was a baby.”
“You were two. How would you know?” Brodie slugged his brother in the arm. “At least I didn’t cry all the time over food.”
Xander wrinkled his nose. “Over food?”
“Yeah, your dad cried all the time because there was no more food because he ate it all.”
It was Roarke’s turn to slug Brodie, and they proceeded to playfully roughhouse. Sure, Roarke was taller and thicker, but Brodie was just as broad-shouldered, muscular, and fit. He overheard Mila ask, “How did you do it with four boys, Aileen?”
Mom laughed. “I sent them outside.”
“I’m excited to have a little girl, and now even more so.”
Xander, who had joined in the roughhousing, stopped and looked at his mom and grandma. That distracted Roarke and enabled Brodie to get in the last playful jab. “Don’t underestimate the little brother,” he said.
They were about to continue when Xander tapped on Mila’s arm. “I’m not having a brother?”
Mila sat on the couch and gestured for her son to join her. She put an arm around him. “No, sweetie. Mommy and Daddy found out recently that we’re having a baby girl.”
“Not a brother?” Xander scowled.
“No, not a brother.”
Xander’s shoulders slumped. “But I put in the request for a brother.”
Everyone in the room laughed, and Roarke took a seat beside Mila on the couch. “You’re going to be an amazing big brother, Xander.”
“And very protective of your baby sister. She’ll be blessed to have a big brother who looks after her.”
Xander perked up. “I can do that. I can make sure she’s safe.” He put a finger to his chin and gazed up at the ceiling. “I can make sure no bad bugs come by her, and I can share my bug collections with her. Do you think she’ll like bugs? Kit’s little sister is boring and only likes babydolls. Kit had to have a tea party with her once.” A look of horror crossed Xander’s face. “Mommy, am I going to have to have tea parties? Because I don’t like tea.”
That caused a round of chuckles, and the topic continued until Mom brought up another matter. “I heard from Grayson yesterday.”
“How is he doing?” Brodie attempted to shove aside the bad taste in his mouth.
“He’s doing well. As I shared previously, he’s working on the police force in Denver.”
“That must be exciting,” said Roarke, although his voice lacked enthusiasm.
“I think he’s ready for a change. That’s what I needed to speak with you about, Brodie. Didn’t you mention there was a vacant spot at the police department?”
“Vacant spot, yes, but it’s not for patrol like what Grayson’s doing. It’s a detective position. Besides, I don’t think Grayson is planning to return here. Not after…”
Mom held a finger to her lips, the silent admonishment she’d used since they were kids when she needed to say something important. Brodie stopped talking. “Forgiveness is something we, as Christians, are called to do, and I know Grayson left suddenly after your dad died and hasn’t done the best job of staying in touch.”
Brodie and Roarke simultaneously snorted.
“Be that as it may, he is your brother and he is my son.” Mom’s voice shook. “Brodie, can you send him the details about the detective position and put in a good word for him?”
“I don’t know anything about his work ethic as a cop, Mom.”
“I’m sure it’s the same strong work ethic he had working on the ranch all those years.”
Brodie could press the issue, but wouldn’t. It wasn’t worth upsetting Mom, and she’d suffered enough losing her husband and Danny, and in a way, Grayson. “All right. I’ll talk to the chief about it and get you the details so you can forward them to Grayson.”
“I’d appreciate it.” Mom had that look in her eyes she got when she was covertly demanding a request be obeyed.
