the look in Amber’s eyes, she wasn’t buying it. “Jessica says that when a man and woman don’t like each other anymore, they move away from each other. But since you and Mommy like each other, why don’t you live together?”
“Because Brady lives all the way in New York and our life is here.”
Saved by Maggie’s voice, Brady lifted his gaze as Maggie walked through the door in a different shirt. She tossed his T-shirt at him as she sat on the edge of the bed next to Amber.
Amber’s face bunched up as she tried to work out her next question. Before she could ask anything more, Brady stood.
“I should go back to the farm.” He tugged his shirt on over his head. Maggie’s scent mingled with his.
“Sounds like a plan.” Maggie didn’t look as if she was going to offer to walk him to the door or anything.
“Can I come, too?” Amber bounced on the bed before turning her pleading eyes to Maggie. “Can I, Mommy? Please? I promise to behave. I can be ready. Please?”
“I don’t mind,” Brady said. “As long as you two don’t have anything planned.”
“No, we don’t.” Her smile seemed forced. “Go on, Amber. Get dressed so the two of you can go.”
Amber hopped off the bed and rushed from the room. Doors opened and closed and drawers slammed before the sound of running water filled the silence between him and Maggie. Picking at the blue shirt she wore, Maggie sat on the edge of the bed with her bare feet on the runner board. She didn’t seem to be in any hurry to move or to talk.
“We should talk.” Brady didn’t know what else to say, but they really did need to talk about many things. He needed to sort through what he wanted on his own before he gave her his plan.
“About what?” She tried to give him a blank look, but he wasn’t buying it. They hadn’t discussed what type of arrangement they were going to have after this week or the fact that every time he was alone with her he wanted to touch her and kiss her.
“About a lot of things. Have dinner with me tonight?”
“We have dinner every night.” Maggie pulled a length of her hair through her fingers. “When you aren’t too busy working.”
“Not here. Not with Amber. Out.”
That finally got her attention. Her hands dropped to the bed as she looked at him. “Where?”
“Well…” Brady hadn’t thought that far ahead. They needed neutral territory to talk things through, for him to have a chance to propose the arrangement and for them to discuss how to implement it. “How about we go to the restaurant in Owen on Main Street?”
No one ever called the place by its current name. Through the years it had been through so many owners and name changes that it had become that place in Owen on Main Street. It was practically the only sit-down restaurant for miles besides the small café in Tawnee Valley.
The only other restaurants were at least an hour’s drive away. Brady could think of better things to do with their time than driving to get to a good dining place.
Maggie kept smoothing that one strand of hair. For a moment he thought she wasn’t going to answer him at all. It wasn’t that far-fetched that he would want to take her out to talk. Especially after last night.
“Okay.” Maggie didn’t lift her gaze from staring at the ends of her hair.
That was it? Too easy, but he could use a little easy right now. “Great, I’ll pick you up at six.”
“Who will watch Amber?” Suddenly, her attention was fixed on him. The sunlight glinted off the green in her eyes.
“Oh…” Who would watch Amber? He’d never thought about that. Never had to think about it before.
The water stopped. He only had a few minutes before Amber returned.
“What about Penny?” Brady didn’t know Penny all that well. Only what Luke had told him once after a few beers in London. But she didn’t seem like that bad of a person. Maggie trusted her. Amber liked her.
“Penny can’t on Sunday nights.” Maggie padded over to her dresser.
“I’ll take care of it.” Brady had to find someone. If all else failed, there was one person that owed him about eight years’ worth of babysitting.
After a quick stop in Owen to pick up his new phone, Brady and Amber drove the country roads to get to the farm. Brady wished he could watch her face as she took in the countryside, but he kept his eyes on the road.
As he pulled in the driveway, Barnabus started barking and pretty soon the puppy joined Barnabus and started howling.
“Is that Flicker’s brother or sister?” Amber leaned her forehead against the passenger-side window to see the balls of fur pacing the car as Brady took it easy over the gravel.
“Sister, I think.” Brady parked the car near the old windmill.
“Is it okay to get out?” Amber’s voice was timid, but trembled with excitement.
“They won’t hurt you.” Brady smiled reassuringly. “Just walk as if you have every right to be here and if they get in your way, give them a gentle push and say ‘get down’ firmly.”
She nodded solemnly and opened the door. Immediately, two noses came through the opening and pushed into her lap. Her giggles filled the car as Brady leaned across her to shove the dogs back.
“You don’t happen to have a pork chop in your pocket, do you?” Brady said. The dogs were wiggling and pushing regardless of Brady trying to shove them away.
“No.” Amber laughed as the puppy licked her face.
A high-pitched whistle made both dogs retreat. Brady watched as they ran across the courtyard toward the barn and Sam.
“That was funny.” Amber shoved out of the car and followed the dogs.
Brady hurried after her.
“Hi, Mr. Ward.” Amber stooped to pet the puppy, who sat close to Barnabus and wiggled. Sam had trained the puppy quickly.
“Mr. Ward?” Brady gave Sam a questioning look as he caught up with Amber.
“He brings the baby animals to the petting zoo at the end of the school year,” Amber explained, not paying any attention to the two men. Her focus was intent on the puppy. Barnabus whined and nudged her with his nose. She giggled and started to pet both dogs at the same time.
The color rose on Sam’s neck. “Mrs. Potter asked me if I wouldn’t mind. It’s before planting season.”
“Amber?” Brady tried to pry her attention away from the dogs. Finally, she looked at him expectantly. “Sam is my brother. He’s your uncle Sam.”
That finally got her attention. She stood and stared at Sam. “I’ve never had an uncle before.”
“You
