Page 57 of Make Me Crazy (Loco, Texas 2)

“Deal. So you want to come by mom’s and meet your nephew? He’s a cute little shit.” Dustin’s whole face glowed with pride.

Jake hesitated. “Sure, but I’ll have to call Rand. She’s expecting me.”

“Mom said to bring her along. She wants to talk to her about the bridal shower, something about a co-ed one? I think mom is trying to get with the times,” Dustin said, laughing.

Rand was going to love that.

Rand had agreed to go with Jake to his mom’s house for dinner, although she’d been pretty put out that Jake hadn’t told her Dustin was coming home.

“I just forgot. We’ve had a lot of other things going on.”

Rand didn’t believe him for a minute, but she wasn’t going to keep arguing about it on his mother’s stoop. When the door flew open, Dustin stood in the doorway, his eyes popping out of his head. “Rand, is that you?”

Rand gave Dustin a wide grin. Jake’s older brother had always been a favorite of hers, and not just because he’s treated her like one of the family. “Sure is.”

Dustin waved them in and caught Rand up in a big hug, squeezing the breath from her. He had Jake’s sandy hair, shaved close to his head, but instead of bright green eyes, Dustin’s eyes were a golden hazel.

Dustin gave her a smacking kiss on the cheek. “Whewee, Rand, you’re a pretty sight. Why in the hell do you want to marry my ugly little brother?”

Rand caught Jake’s scowl and played along with the teasing. “Eh, ran out of options.”

“You’re both hilarious.” Jake’s tone said he thought they were anything but. However irritable he might be though, he still reached out and took her from under his brother’s arm, pulling her close to his side. Being hugged close by Jake was definitely better than being held by anyone else.

“Come on in, y’all, I’ve got dinner on the table.” Jake’s mom yelled from the other end of the modular.

Rand let Jake lead her farther in, memories tickling her brain as she remembered how many times the Hansen’s had let her eat dinner with them, and best of all, how nice it had been to spend time with a normal family, until Jake’s dad had left and she’d moved in with her granddaddy. After that, Jake’s mom had worked so much, Dustin and Jake had picked up the slack; cooking their own meals and cleaning the house. Rand thought it had taught them responsibility, but she knew it had been hard on Jake, especially those first few years and then again when Dustin had left.

Jake’s mom came out of the bedroom holding onto a little tow headed boy with rosy cheeks and bright green eyes. Rand couldn’t take her eyes of the toddler, and unbidden longing rose up inside her. The boy’s eyes were so much like Jake’s, who had gotten his eyes from his mom.

If we had a baby, would he look like this?

Rand silently scolded herself for thinking about something so ridiculous. She needed to see if they could make it through a year together, not start day dreaming about children she may never have.

She had always assumed she wouldn’t have any, since she had no plans to marry.

Until the will…and Jake.

“Here’s my guy.” Dustin said, reaching out for his son, who let out a childish squeal as he jumped into his arms. Dustin held him close, and Rand saw him close his eyes, his expression one of pure happiness.

“Luke, this is your Uncle Jake and your Aunt Miranda.” Rand started at Mrs. Hansen’s introduction, and as if reading her thoughts, reached out to pat her hand. “A little less than a week, and it will be official.”

The little boy watched them, his small thumb shoved in his mouth. For some reason, he held his arms out to Rand first. “’M’anda.”

Rand had spent very little time around children, but those sweet eyes melted her like a stick of butter on a hot day. Holding out her arms, she took Luke from Dustin and cradled him against her, his warm body squishy against hers. He smelled fresh and clean, as if he’d just had a bath.

She pulled away from his tight embrace and looked into his face, smiling. “Hey Luke. It’s nice to meet you.”

She turned to face Jake and was puzzled by the wide eyed terror she saw on his face. His skin looked a little green, and she was suddenly concerned his food poisoning was back.

“Jake, are you okay? You look sick.”

“I need some air.”

Before she could blink he was almost out of the modular, slamming the door behind him. His mother let out a weary sigh and Dustin’s mouth set into a grim line.

“I’ll go talk to him.”

Rand bounced back and forth with Luke in her arms, turning her attention to Mrs. Hansen. “I’ve never seen Jake act like that.”

---