Page 46 of Falling for Brody

Brody gave her a quick look and smiled. "Working with Rhea? Well, it's a dream. It's almost like we've worked together before. We have similar styles and haven't managed to get in each other's way all night."

She nodded her head and took a towel off of a rack beside the window. "And you still have that look about you."

"That look?"

Yes, he was playing a little stupid. Missus Hardy might have been his teacher in elementary school, but she was sharp. And her eyes? He knew they were good.

Very good.

"I may be old, Brody Armstrong, but I know what I see. And you, young man, are quite taken by our girl."

Brody raised a brow at her words.

"Yes, I said 'our.'" Missus Hardy's expression softened. "Mister Hardy and I had always hoped for a child of our own, but while we had a few chances, nothing came of it."

Brody turned off the water and took the towel from her hand, thanking her softly. As he wiped his hands, he turned toward her, leaning his hip against the counter. "I'm sorry, Bea."

She nodded slowly and then reached up her hand to pat him on his arm. "Thank you, dear."

Brody felt a few more pats and then she lowered her gaze from his face to his forearm where she was touching him.

She closed her hand over his forearm, frowning.

"Goodness."

"Uh..."

She turned and reached out her other hand, closing it on the other side of his forearm. She moved her hands up and little towards his elbow and then down toward his wrist. "Oh."

"Ma'am?"

Her gaze flicked up to his and her eyes held a note of mischief. "Is that muscle under this sleeve?"

His eyes widened a little at her question. "I'm sorry, what?"

She moved her hands up again, stopping at the middle of his forearm and gave his arm a big squeeze as if she was looking for a decent grapefruit at Grogan's General Store. "My my, you do work out."

He shook his head, stunned. "Excuse me?"

"No. No." She released his arm and gave him a 'pat pat' with a smile. "No need to excuse yourself, young man. It's good that you're strong."

"I have to lift things at work all the time." He smiled glad that she wasn't focusing on thoughts that made her sad. "It's part of the job."

"I'm thinking about," she looked up at him and batted her eyelashes as she folded her fingers together, "you lifting a bride over the threshold. And carrying children around. Oh, and all the various and sundry things that come with a whole passel of children."

A little voice broke through the odd silence. "Brody!"

Brody turned to look at the bedroom door, second closest to the kitchen.

Chip was standing there with a sleep shirt and pants that had fire trucks all over them. "You're here!"

Brody smiled at the little boy and looked up at his mother who was standing behind him in the doorway. "Mom said you're having breakfast with us!"

Chip took off running... straight at him.

Brody saw Rhea's shock and heard her call out. "Chip! You have to wash your hands!"

Brody realized that she had likely been steering Chip toward the bathroom.

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