Page 23 of Falling for Brody

Chip looked up at him as they walked back to his car. "Am I in trouble?"

Brody stopped and crouched down beside the boy. "You are absolutely NOT in trouble, Chip. That man is just a mean guy. And I'm glad you're not going to stay here near him."

Chip's gaze moved up to his mom, standing beside Brody. "Mom? Are we going to find a place to live?"

Brody heard the soft hiccup in his voice.

"Oh, honey."

She crouched down beside him, and Brody felt her sway a little and lean against him for a moment before she steadied herself. "We'll find someplace, but Brody is right. If the man who is in charge doesn't want kids around, then this is the last place we're going to stay. I promise you, honey. I promise you-"

"Cross your heart?"

"Absolutely." She smiled and moved again, lifting her hand and drawing a cross over her heart. "We are going to find a great place."

Brody saw Chip turn to look at him, and without prompting, he crossed his hand over his heart. "I promise we're going to find a great place for you and your mom."

Chip gave him a pat on his shoulder. "Okay."

Brody felt his own spirits lifting. He put his hand out to Chip and the boy took his hand.

"Got you."

"Yeah," Brody nodded. "I got you, too."

* * *

When they finished visitingthe fourth of the five listings that she'd written down, Rhea was worried that the last one would be a wash out as well.

So far, they'd hadn't found anything remotely close to what they needed.

She'd wanted to squeeze the last location in, but she knew that Chip was hungry and getting to the point where his good humor was likely stretched almost to its limit and her own stomach was about to complain, loudly.

When Brody beat her to the punch and suggested lunch, she jumped at the option and given him carte blanche to pick the location for lunch, even when he suggested giving them a list to choose from.

Her hunger and the hour put all thoughts of choice out of her head.

When they got out of Brody's car at the Sunny Side Up Diner, she relaxed. It looked exactly like the kind of diner she was hoping to find. A little bit out of time, but clean and quaint. Chip rushed ahead and tried to open the door on his own.

He put his weight into it, using his whole body, but he only got it open a few inches.

Brody hustled on ahead and helped him, taking hold of the door above where Chip's head was and before her son darted in, Brody touched him on the top of his head and murmured something to Chip.

Together they held the door open and waited for her.

As she stepped up within arm's reach she touched her hand to her chest. "Why thank you, gentlemen. Such delightful manners."

Chip grinned at her, sweeping out an arm. "Lady first."

Brody looked down at Chip. "I thought it was ladies first?"

Chip tipped his head back and shrugged. "There's just the one lady."

Rhea laughed softly to herself and stepped up to the hostess area. "Welcome, folks! I'm Sandra and I own the Sunny Side- Brody!" The diner owner looked tickled. "Brody Armstrong! It's always good to see you. Who are..." Rhea saw the way that Sandra looked her over and then looked at Chip before her gaze dragged back up to Brody's face.

Rhea felt her cheeks heating up. The woman was definitely curious. It might be her own imagination, but she was sure that Sandra was trying to determine if Chip was Brody's.

Brody seemed to cut her off at the pass. He put his hands on Chip's shoulders. "Sandra, this is my friend, Chip. And his mom, Rhea."

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