Brody (Texas Boudreau Brotherhood Book 3)

Patti placed a glass of juice beside Beth’s coffee mug. “Nica did wear those when she was younger. She griped and complained forever because she wanted a pair like her big brother Dane wore when he worked with the horses.” Ms. Patti winked at her daughter, who simply rolled her eyes and sipped her coffee.
“Can I go see the horses?” Jamie turned a pleading glance her way, and Beth’s heart melted.
“Breakfast first, then maybe.”
“Yeah, horses!” Jamie sat in the chair beside Beth’s and reached for the juice, taking a big swallow. Beth loved seeing the excitement and joy filling her daughter. It was funny how kids rebounded from just about everything that got thrown their way. Jamie had adjusted amazingly well to her father’s defection, moving halfway across the country, and even changing schools.
School! She’d have to let Mrs. Gleason know Jamie wouldn’t be in attendance for a couple of days at least.
Nica plopped into the chair across from Beth. “You get any sleep?”
“A little. Thank you for staying with Jamie.”
“No problem, she’s a sweetheart.”
“You hear that, Mommy. I’m a sweetheart!” Jamie grinned and a tiny trickle of juice slid down her chin.
“You are indeed, cutie pie. How about some toast, would you like that?”
“Can I have—”
“Nope, no waffles. Today, you get toast with butter and honey.”
Jamie perked up at the word honey. She loved honey and if she had her way, it’d be slathered on everything she ate. It was one concession Beth allowed, because it was natural sugar, something she could control, rather than something loaded with all kinds of junk. Not that she’d been super-strict about Jamie’s diet lately, but she was happy her child wasn’t a finicky eater.
Beth started to rise, and Ms. Patti motioned her back in her seat. With ease of long practice, she popped two slices of bread into the toaster, and pulled a bottle of honey from the cupboard. Within minutes, Jamie was chowing down on her toast.
“Can you keep an eye on Jamie for a couple of minutes? I need to call Mrs. Gleason, let her know Jamie won’t be in for a day or two.”
“Good idea,” Ms. Patti gestured Beth toward the door. “We’ve got this.”
Pulling her cell phone from her pocket, Beth quickly apprised the kindergarten teacher about Jamie’s absence, the other woman understanding and offering help. It was one more reason she’d fallen in love with Shiloh Springs. They’d been welcomed with open arms from the moment they’d first visited, coming to stay with Tessa after the debacle with Evan. She’d been made to feel at home. It had been a major factor in her decision to relocate, second only to her sister living there.
Glancing through the window of the living room, she spotted Douglas and Dane talking, their expressions serious. As she watched the two men, noting how similar they appeared, right down to their stance, a motorcycle roar could be heard roaring up the drive leading to the house, a lone rider straddling the sleek chrome and black machine. A black helmet obscured his face from view, yet somehow Beth knew this was somebody she’d never met before. He pulled to a stop beside Douglas and Dane, letting the engine of the great beast purr at a low rumble before cutting the engine. Straightening to his full height, he alighted and strode over to the two men, throwing his arms around Douglas in what could only be described as a bear hug, which he returned with a couple of thumps on the stranger’s back.
Stepping back, he tugged the helmet off, revealing dark blond hair that easily brushed the collar of his black leather jacket. Taller than either man he stood with, he had to top close to six and a half feet, broad shoulders encased in black leather. Even through the window, air of danger surrounded him. He looked familiar. Somewhere she’d seen him before, and from the way Douglas greeted him, he was either a member of the family or somebody close.
While Douglas and Dane headed toward the barn, the stranger strode toward the front door, his legs eating up the distance in long strides. There was a predatory grace in his walk, a controlled element of danger that sent a shiver down Beth’s spine. She didn’t want to get on the wrong side of this man.
“Momma?” The word accompanied the opening of the front door, and Beth heard a sharp gasp from the kitchen before Ms. Patti came barreling into the hall.
“Heath? Oh, my stars, Heath!”
The tall man lifted Ms. Patti off the floor like she weighed nothing, spinning around in a circle, a huge grin on his face. “I’ve missed you. What’s for supper?”
Ms. Patti swatted him on the chest. “Put me down. I can’t believe the first words out of your mouth are about food. Everybody else is eating breakfast, and you’re asking about supper.” She shook her head slowly, but Beth spotted her amused expression.
“I have been dreaming about your chicken fried steak for the last fifteen hundred miles. East coast food just doesn’t taste as good as yours, Momma.” The distinct whine in his voice disappeared when he spotted Beth. “Sorry, I didn’t know you had company.”
Ms. Patti practically dragged him over to Beth. “Heath, this is Beth Stewart. Beth, this is my son, Heath. I’m not sure what he’s doing here, since he lives in Virginia.” Her eyes studied her son intently. “But I’m sure he’s gonna tell me—soon.”
“Hello, Beth. Pleasure to meet you.” Beth stood still beneath his perusal, knowing he sized her up, as she did him.
“Mommy, can I see the horses now?” Jamie full-speed dash skidded to a half and she shrank back at the edge of the hall when she spotted Heath, her expression wary.
“Jamie, this is Heath, Ms. Patti’s son. He’s come to visit with her and Mr. Douglas.” Beth slid her arm around Jamie’s shoulder, pulling her against her side. Jamie stared up at the tall man, a mixture of trepidation and excitement