Page 32 of Falling for Brody

She really felt it then.

Not just the longing that Chip felt but the empty spot in their lives.

She'd done everything she could to be there for Chip as both mother and father, but there really was a difference.

She wondered if or when things would settle down, if she could ask Brody to help her figure out what more she needed to do for Chip.

Sure, he wasn't a father, but he had two good examples in his life.

That had to count.

He'd become a good man. A man that Chip was gravitating toward on instinct.

A man willing to give him time and attention.

She wouldn't expect him to continue giving Chip this kind of one-on-one time for much longer. That wasn't his job.

He barely knew them.

Missus Hardy waved her hand at Brody, and he turned to her immediately. "Brody, dear?"

"Yes, ma'am?"

She gestured to the group. "Do you think you could take us all to my house?"

"Sure."

Rhea loved that he agreed instantly, and she smiled at him.

She stood up and gave Brody a nod. "I want Rhea and Chip to come to my home, because..." She gave Brody what Rhea thought was another impish grin, "I think I might have some roommates if they like it as much as I do."

Chip looked at her and then at Missus Hardy. "Really?"

The older woman nodded. "Absolutely. Want to see what my house looks like?"

"Oh boy, do I? Yeah!"

Missus Hardy laughed and clapped her hands. "Well then, let's get going, young man."

Rhea put out her hand and Chip took it, giving her a happy squeeze.

Some of her anxiety fell away and she was breathing a little easier.

Maybe her lungs were getting used to the slightly thinner air and maybe she was just realizing that things just might work out the way she'd hoped.

CHAPTER6

Before the night was over,Chip crawled into bed at the Armstrong house. He wanted to sleep at Bea's house, but they had to make sure things were ready to move and Rhea didn't want to inundate Beatrice before she had a good night’s sleep.

Yes, she'd found out that Missus Hardy's name was Beatrice, but she'd insisted that Rhea call her Bea since 'we're going to be fast friends.'

And Chip? He got to call her 'Aunt Bea.'

Worried about the move the next day, Rhea stepped out onto the back porch so if she started to pace, she wouldn't wake up the Armstrongs.

Dressed in her sleep pants and a flannel top she walked down the steps to the grass and wiggled her toes in the cool green under her feet.

It felt good to be connected to the earth.

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