Page 29 of Falling for Brody

"Oh?" She grinned and he saw the sparkle in her eyes. "So... this is..."

"This is me playing with the kids, Heather."

Her shoulders shook with laughter. "Suuure, Brody."

She looked a little too pleased and he rolled his eyes but smiled the whole time.

"She's also going to be working with me in the rig."

"Ah..."

They both cheered as the kids played. She leaned in. "Do you have any idea what game they're playing?"

He shook his head. "Not a clue. But they're having fun."

She sighed and he heard her whole heart in her voice. "It's great. Marisa is everything."

He nodded, agreeing.

Then his gaze shifted over to Chip who was giggling as he tripped over something in the grass.

He went down as the ball moved away and Brody lurched forward to check on him, he was slow to get up, but he was still smiling when Brody reached his side. "Hey, buddy. You, okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah. I'm okay."

Brody narrowed his eyes a little. "You sure?"

Chip looked around at the other kids and smiled at them. "Yeah. Sure. I'm good."

"Okay."

He looked at the group, picking up the ball in his hands. "Just a few more minutes and I've got to go."

The kids groaned in a kind of unison, but they were all joking. Some hamming it up more than others.

* * *

Missus Hardy lookedout at the group of kids and sighed softly.

"It's amazing..." She drew in a breath, her shoulders rising and falling. "I watch the kids and feel... younger, you know?"

Rhea turned to look at her, turning on the bench seat a little. "When I watch Chip run around, I feel older."

Missus Hardy turned to look at her and they both smiled.

"Perspective..."

Rhea agreed.

"Rhea?"

She smiled at the older woman. "Yes?"

"What would you say if I offered you two of the bedrooms in my house?"

The words entered her brain but bounced around a bit.

"I'm sorry... I'm not sure I heard you correctly."

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