Page 34 of Falling for Brody

She looked down at him and smiled.

"I... I'm not sure if he's old enough, but I think that would be fun for him. I just worry about scheduling stuff like that. I couldn't ask Bea to take him to meetings if I'm working."

Brody dropped his gaze for a minute and when he looked back up at her, she had to let out a breath.

He was a handsome man.

And it was strange that she kept rediscovering that over and over again.

"I think we could swing it. Let me ask my cousins."

Rhea tensed a little at that.

She hadn't had much experience getting help from others and while she wanted her son to have these experiences, she didn't want to put pressure on the people around her.

She wanted to form relationships that would be good for both of them, but she didn't want to push and make things awkward. "I... I'm not sure that would be a good idea."

Brody moved his hand, and she felt his finger brush against her sleeve.

Rhea licked her lips and looked down into his face.

"I'm sure we can work something out." The moon shone brightly enough to see his earnest expression.

She wanted to lean on him, but she'd been in town less than... two days?

Hardly enough of a relationship to expect his family to give her son rides to events and meetings.

That might come in time, but this soon?

She wasn't about to ask.

"So, tomorrow-"

Rhea was startled at the mention.

They'd talked earlier as they were cleaning out some of Bea's things from the two regular bedrooms.

Stopping for a quick break for a sugary snack and water to replace some of the energy they'd burned off, both at the park and carrying boxes to the outdoor shed.

It was Bea who suggested that Rhea could go out in the ambulance with Brody for part of his next shift.

"I think," Brody continued softly, "it might be a good idea for you to come with me."

She hesitated. "I'm not sure Bea could handle him all by herself."

"She handled me when I was a little older than he is, and she was a master at that."

"Well that was... a few years ago."

Brody's snort of laughter made her smile. "Thanks. I think."

"It's just that this is happening quickly. I was thinking we could have a few days to ease him into something like... something like an overnight babysitter."

Brody frowned at her. "You had that at your last job, right?"

"It was a little different," she was trying to find the words. "There was a daycare facility. They had different caregivers over the time he was there, but the building was the same. They had a schedule, and he was used to it. We barely had time to talk about his nighttime schedule. It feels like we'd be throwing Bea into the deep, deep end of the pool."

"Okay," he reached out and touched her hand sending her whole system into shock. "What if we go over there a few hours ahead of time. Take your things to her place and settle in. Then we give it a start. You can come with me for an hour or two and check in with them. If it's too much, I'll drop you off there at our first opportunity and try again next shift."

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