Page 67 of Falling for Brody

Apparently, he wasn't choosing to listen to her words at all.

Turning slightly, she relaxed her arms, and Brody took Sarah into his embrace with a practiced ease that made her lady bits remind her that they were still very, very alive.

The smile he gave her as Sarah's hand lifted up and wrapped around his neck made her weak.

Damn it.

Rhea sat down in the chair and smiled when Misty's hand touched her arm. The other woman was gorgeous. Her curly bob of dark hair was full around her chin. She looked athletic and tall if she was standing, and there was a healthy flush to her skin. "Chip is so sweet."

"I'm glad you think so. He has so much energy."

Misty looked down at Chip and Rhea leaned over to see him playing gently with Roya. "He's very gentle with her."

Rhea nodded. "He was there when I stopped to help Avalon. I haven't been trained to work with animals, but we tried to keep her calm. Brody came moments after that."

Misty nodded, her expression softening. Still, Rhea could see some of her sadness.

"I'm sorry, if I brought up bad memories."

Misty looked up at her, her eyes shining with tears even though she was smiling now. "I'm just thankful that you were there. Talk about the universe coming together to help out."

Rhea smiled, her cheeks heating. "I don't know about that. But I was happy to help out. It was an unconventional meeting, but I felt like I'd almost met the whole family before I even got into town."

Misty laughed. "You did!"

"Thank you for letting Chip play with Roya. I'm always nervous."

Misty's brow furrowed with concern. "About Roya?"

"No!" Rhea covered her mouth. "No... Roya is a sweetie. She didn't lash out when she was hurt. I just don't know much about working dogs and I wasn't sure what the rules were."

"Well, Gabe told me that you heard we're gettinganotherdog in the family."

"Yes. How is that going to be."

Misty shook her head. "It could be awesome, or it could be chaos."

Rhea laughed. "Sounds like kids."

Misty nodded. "Roya is my baby. I'm sure it'll be the same with Gabe and his dog." Misty looked up and Rhea turned in her chair to see Brody and Gabriel talking to each other. Sarah was in a blissful slumber on his shoulder.

"I hope you'll keep coming to these dinners."

Rhea's head swiveled around to look at Misty. "Me?" She shook her head. "I'm not family."

Misty's laughter was soft, but the look in her eyes was focused on Rhea's face. "Careful. Those are some famous last words around here."

"Oh, I've already had Kay tell me... never mind."

Misty leaned closer, her arm heavy on the arm of the chair she was sitting in. "I'm guessing Kay's seen what I've seen."

Rhea didn't want to ask her what it was she thought she saw, but she should have known that the Armstrongs probably didn't keep their thoughts to themselves, even the people who joined the family.

"I'm not... This attraction I feel for him," Rhea tensed up and shook her head, mentally kicking herself for saying anything, "is natural. He's handsome."

Misty lifted a brow at her. "Is that all there is? A physical thing?"

Rhea wanted to escape, but at this point, Chip was happily giggling with Roya and Missus Hardy who was Avalon's teacher in school as well, was crying happy tears as they spoke about her pregnancy announcement. She couldn't leave.

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