Page 102 of Falling for Brody

"Well, that was sweet of him to say that."

Louise looked at the kitchen before she indicated a spot of the counter against the wall. "You can go ahead and put them there. We'll try to remember to take them out when everyone else is here."

"Okay." Rhea moved across the kitchen and set the carrier down. "I'm happy to help with whatever you need doing here in the kitchen. I might not be a doctor, but my knife skills are pretty good."

"I've got everything going, Rhea. You can go outside and relax. I've got it all under control."

Then Louise turned to the stove and walked over to it, lifting the top of the pots one at a time and looking in.

Rhea had two choices before her. Heading outside to the porch or sticking around.

The smarter decision would be the first one, but she was feeling off balance and out of sorts.

And that's why she chose to stay.

"Missus Armstrong?"

Louise's shoulders tensed, but she didn't turn around. "Yes?"

Rhea stepped closer and smiled, trying to lift her spirits and the tone of her voice. "Is there something wrong? I mean, if I've said or done anything, I'd love to have the chance to apologize. And to know what it was so I don't do it again."

She took another couple of steps closer and wasn't prepared for Louise to turn around and look at her.

Really look at her as if she was trying to decide what to do.

"You've been a married woman. And you have a child."

Rhea nodded slowly wondering where this was going.

"There are a lot of wonderful men here in Fallport. Some single father's, too."

Oh.

"I know that Brody thinks he's falling for you-"

Rhea felt her stomach turn inside of her belly.

"But do you think it's wise?"

"Wise?" Rhea felt a little like a parrot, but really, she was confused.

"Yes. You're close. Anyone can tell that and see that. Brody's a good man. He's going to be a great father."

"Of course." Rhea couldn't argue with that. "Brody's wonderful."

"And he'd be wonderful with... anyone."

The room around them went silent.

Or maybe it was the way the blood seemed to drain out of her head and all the way down to weigh down her feet. Anchoring her to the ground.

"Missus Armstrong, I'm not sure what you're saying-"

"I'm saying that my son has seen his cousins fall for their wives in quick succession. It seems like this time last year all three of them were single and suddenly my nephews are happy and settled and I think," she nodded her head slowly as she spoke, "that Brody sees you and he thinks that you've fallen right into his lap like some product of fate. Like the you've been put here for him to fall in love with and that could be true."

Could be.

"Yes," Louise smiled at her. "I'm sure what he feels for you is good and it feels like love.

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