cocked a brow. “Thanks.” With a shake of his head, he sat and focused on the task at hand. His expression changed, eyes narrowing, lips quirked, his jaw going rigid as he plugged in the codes. With a few more clicks, the screen turned blue and the welcome popped up. “Looks like it took.”
“That was it? A plug? Really?” She glanced back and forth between him and the computer screen. “I don’t know whether to hug you or hit you.”
He stood. “I’d prefer a hug. A hug is the better choice.”
She laughed, hugging him before she had time to think it through. “Thank you, Brody. You have no idea how frustrated I’ve been.”
His arms were strong and secure around her. “Life’s too short to sweat the small stuff.”
She nodded, far too content to stay in his arms. “You were right,” she whispered, trying not to burrow closer. It was hard.
“About not sweating the small stuff?” he asked. “Can’t take the credit. It’s one of those inspirational quote-of-the-day things.”
“Not that.” She laughed again. “About the hug.”
“Oh.” His arms tightened. “That. Yeah, I’m enjoying it. You always gave good hugs.”
She gave up the fight and burrowed closer. “I was going to say the same thing.” The problem was she didn’t want to let go.
“You okay, Goldilocks?” he asked, his voice close to her ear.
“Of course.” Was she? She was trying to be. Maybe her hold on him was a little too tight, a little too needy, to be convincing.
“I think we should load up the truck and head out to the ridge—like we used to,” he said. “A little stargazing and solving the world’s problems.” His breath brushed her ear.
“Think it’ll work?” she asked.
“Might be worth a try.” His hand stroked her back.
Except they were no longer teenagers. They were adults. Parents. With very different goals. Hers was to get out of Fort Kyle. His was to become mayor.
“Um, hi.” India’s sister, Scarlett, stood awkwardly in the doorway, Amberleigh in her arms. “She was looking for her daddy.”
India stiffened. At least it was Scarlett. She wouldn’t say a word to anyone—not that there was anything to tell.
“You need to get a doorbell or something,” Brody said, letting go of India. “Or someone could sneak up on you and scare you.”
India laughed in spite of herself.
“We didn’t mean to scare you, did we?” Scarlett asked Amberleigh.
Amberleigh shook her head. “Brought cookies, Daddy.”
“Thank you, darlin’.” Brody crossed the room to his daughter.
India watched as he stooped, taking the cookie his little girl held up. Maybe his hug had reinforced just how lonely she was. Maybe it was because Brody was synonymous with comfort and security. Or maybe it was because he was incredibly attractive. It was probably a combination. Whatever the reason, she couldn’t shake this new awareness of Brody.
“Share, Daddy,” the little girl said. “Manners.”
Brody broke the cookie evenly, offering India half.
The brush of his fingers against hers was far too potent for her liking. “That’s right, Amberleigh. Manners are important,” India agreed.
Amberleigh smiled. “Where’s Cal?”
“He’s still at school.” She grinned.
Amberleigh nodded.
“In a few years, you’ll be at school, too,” Scarlett said. “You’ll see Cal all the time. And bunches of other kids.”
Amberleigh perked up.
She’d have to talk to Brody about the half-day pre-K program the school offered. Amberleigh was smart and busy and ready for more social interaction. “Lose your shoes again?” India asked, smiling at the little girl.
Amberleigh shook her head. “Daddy’s truck.”
“I pick my battles,” Brody said, winking at her.
India tried not to stare.
But Brody’s gaze held hers, and his jaw tightened.
“Want me to go put Amberleigh in the truck?” Scarlett asked. “Or wait outside?”
Heat singed her chest, up her neck and cheeks. “He fixed my computer.”
“After I spilled water all over her,” he interjected.
“The hug was a...thank-you?” Scarlett didn’t buy it. But she smiled. “That’s all?”
“What else would it be?” Brody asked. “I’ve got too much sense to fall for a woman who has no intention of staying put.” He scooped up Amberleigh. “We’d better head out soon or your grandparents will run for the hills.”
“Thank you, Brody,” India said, waving them off.
Scarlett waited until they’d gone before turning a wide-eyed gaze her way. “You know, Fort Kyle is a good place, India. I’d love it if you stayed. So would Mom. I know you and Dad don’t always see eye-to-eye, but that won’t change whether you stay here or go. Don’t let him steal your chance at a very good thing.” She pointed out the large window at Brody and Amberleigh. “That right there is a very good thing.”
India watched Brody pack his little girl into his truck, her sister’s words more tempting than they should’ve been.
“What in tarnation is happening to this town?” her father asked, slamming the newspaper down on the breakfast table hard enough to make the glasses shudder and the cutlery clink.
“What’s the matter, dear?” her mother asked, unruffled by his outburst.
“That boy, that Wallace boy, is running for mayor? There’s an official press release,” he thundered. “What is he thinking? Why, he hasn’t even been in Fort Kyle long enough to run, has he?”
He’d done it. Brody Wallace was officially running for mayor of Fort Kyle. And, after spending the last few months listening to her father hem and haw over the current mayor, he stood a very good chance of winning. Even with the last name Wallace. India caught Cal’s eye. He winked at her, chewing his pancakes with enthusiasm.
“He’s a lawyer, isn’t he?” Scarlett asked. “He’s really nice, Dad—”
“Really
