Page 14 of Perfect Bragg

She checks her watch. “I don’t have time for your shenanigans. I need to be in Denver in two hours.”

I bow. “Elder Bragg. At your service.”

She huffs. “I’m serious, Elder. I don’t need your help.”

“Uh oh. The stubborn queen has arrived at the party.”

“I am not stubborn.”

I chuckle. She’s the most stubborn woman I know, and this town is full of stubborn, opinionated women.

“Which is why you’re standing on your porch arguing with me instead of getting your butt in the truck so I can drive you to Denver?”

“Eden’s supposed to help me today,” she repeats proving exactly how stubborn she is.

One thing I’ve learned about Harmony since I began pursuing her months ago is how she thinks accepting help from a friend makes her weak. It doesn’t make her weak, but she needs to come to the realization on her own. Although, I do plan to help her along the way.

“Eden’s not here. I am.”

“I should ring her.”

“If my son was being stubborn on a flight would I check him with my luggage?” I pause. “Or would I have to carry on my wayward son?”

I chuckle. I’m hilarious if I do say so myself. Harmony ducks her chin but not before I notice her lips tip up. She’s wavering.

“I’ll get the car seat.”

I grasp her hand to stop her. “No need. I’ve got a car seat all set up in the backseat of the truck.”

I met with Harmony’s friend, Ashlyn, early this morning and she gave me a quick lesson on putting in a car seat.

“Let me get Robin.”

She hurries away and returns with the baby and a diaper bag thrown over her shoulder. I grab the diaper bag before grasping her hand and opening the door. The dogs howl the second the door opens.

“What’s wrong with your dogs? They don’t usually howl when you leave.”

“They’ve become very protective of Robin. They were glued to her side the entire night. Except for when I got out the devil machine.”

“Good.”

I didn’t want to leave Harmony alone last night, but it makes me feel better knowing her dogs protected her and Robin.

I open the truck door and place the diaper bag on the floor before taking the baby from Harmony and placing her in the car seat.

“You learn quick,” Harmony says once I’ve got Robin all strapped in.

I feel my face warm and drop my chin. “I practiced.”

Ashlyn wouldn’t let me drive away this morning until I could get her daughter, Patience, into the car seat. Good thing Patience’s name suits her since I needed several tries before I managed the task.

“Where am I headed?” I ask as I switch on the engine. Harmony shows me the address on her phone and I plug the directions into the navigation system.

“Do you need to do any shopping for Robin?” I ask once we’ve left Winter Falls.

When Harmony doesn’t answer, I glance across the front seat to find she’s fallen asleep with her head leaning against the window. I should have brought a pillow and blanket for her. I should have realized she’d be exhausted this morning.

I make a note to stock the items in my truck – when and if I ever drive it again – and lower the volume on the radio.

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