Page 33 of The Rules We Broke
She beamed. “You’re welcome, Miss Ellie.”
Brady leaned in casually. “So, what are you doing today . . . besides causing trouble?”
“Well,” I said, slipping the envelope into my purse, “according to my aunt, I’m Christmas and dress shopping.”
I wasn’t sure why he cared. But I cared that he cared. And I hated that a little. Or a lot.
Brady grinned widely. “Well, what a coincidence. Caroline was just telling me she wanted to go Christmas shopping and see Santa.”
“Uncle Brady, no, I . . . ” Caroline began, eyes darting in surprise.
But Brady scooped her up and whispered something in her ear—something clearly strategic.
She turned toward me in his arms. “Miss Ellie, will youpleasego shopping with us . . . and to see Santa?”
I sighed, exasperated. This wasn’t fair. Not even close.
“I’ll be really good,” Caroline added. “I’ll listen to everything you say.”
Then came the puppy-dog eyes. Two sets.
“Okay,” I relented.
“Yay!” they shouted in perfect harmony—loud enough for half the bank to hear.
Caroline jumped out of Brady’s arms and grabbed my hand like we’d been linked for years. As we walked out together, I could feel the eyes on us—small-town stares and decades of whispering judgment.
Brady led us to his truck. Charcoal gray. Dual cab. Four-wheel drive. It was new and rugged and . . . him.
He opened the passenger door for me and helped me in.
When our hands touched, all felt right with the world. But this was dangerous, a mistake even.
Before I could process the mistake, he shut the door gently.
He helped Caroline into her booster seat behind me, buckled her in with practiced ease, then slid into the driver’s seat, looking far too pleased with himself.
“I need to make a quick phone call,” he said, pulling out his phone.
I debated climbing out. My emotions were already too frayed. But then I looked at that sweet carrot top in the backseat. And I stayed.
“Benjamin, change of plans,” Brady said. “I’m going to take Caroline with me to Birmingham.”
I glared at him the moment he hung up. “You know where liars go, Brady Jackson.”
He leaned over, ran his finger down my cheek. “I’ll repent later.”
His touch made my breath hitch.
He turned and started his truck like he hadn’t just unhinged my world. “Shopping and Santa await, ladies.”
Meanwhile, I swallowed hard and buckled my seatbelt, knowing I was in for the ride of my life.
Chapter Five
BeforeIknewit,I was standing in the long line to see Santa. The air was crisp, but the sunshine softened the chill.
Caroline, as usual, was a delightful chatterbox, rattling off her wish list like Santa had asked for it in triplicate.
