Page 45 of Sheltering Lawson
Later on when the twins and Duel were down for a nap and Henry had his hour of video game time, we went into her office. “You were so good with the kids. You wouldn’t be handing out babysitting time, now would you?”
“Absolutely. I’d love to.”
“Oh, I will keep that in mind. Ethan loves to sit for us.” She studied me then said, “Your face just lit up then. Are you dating my wonderful big brother?”
I couldn’t hide it or deny it. “Yes, I’m seeing your brother.”
“Oh, really?” She threw her arms around me. “I’m so glad. He deserves someone special.” She smiled then indicated the computer area or should I say disaster area with papers and receipts all over the place. “I’ve been trying to keep up, but with the kids and my work schedule…it’s just been impossible.”
“Let’s see what we can do. Why don’t you go and relax? It’ll take me a bit of time to get the lay of the land. I doubt I can make a dent in it today, but we can get a plan and get organized.”
“I’ll be in my studio. I’m working on putting the finishing touches on our Fall line. Cute dress by the way. Gives me an idea for tropical inspired summer looks for next year.”
She left and I got to work.
Two hours later I found her and laid out my plans for organizing her and Boone’s business. She took my notes and said she’d present them to him. At the door, she said, “I’ll see you at the cake tasting tonight. I hope you’re ready for Outlaw shenanigans. They cannot all be in the same room together without causing some kind of mayhem.”
“I’m looking forward to it. Bye.”
I headed back to Outlaws and went inside. Ethan was still at the bar, but Brax came out and shooed the remaining customers away and locked the doors.
People started coming out of the kitchen, including a carbon copy of Brax. He was talking to a cool-looking redhead with sharp green eyes and round with pregnancy. That must be Booker and Aubree. I watched them and smiled in reaction to the sheer love in their eyes. Booker was a tad leaner than Brax who was more muscular. Booker had a runner’s body.
Then I spied Rory and a pretty blonde woman who must be Savannah. Chase and Samantha, Jake and Sky, and Evie and her handsome husband Win. I had already gotten inquiries from her about her business and she suggested I meet Chase, Jake and River Pearl’s parents who also had a thriving business, then Jake and Sky as well. Before I knew it, I would be working for them all if they had their way. That would keep me so darn busy, I would be hard pressed to attend law school. But if there was a will, there was a way to work it all out.
When Ethan spied me, he motioned me over and introduced me to Savannah and Win. Then he presented me to Aubree. She smiled and shook my hand.
“I’ve heard so much about you. You’re organizing the Outlaw clan. That is a feat and takes a bigger woman than I.” We sat down at the table, Booker draping his arm over her chair.
“I don’t know about that,” I leaned forward, thinking she looked like she was glowing. I admired her pretty red hair. “Studying to become a doctor means you have to fill some pretty big shoes if what I’ve heard about Doc Rust is true.”
She nodded vigorously, then entwined her hand with Booker’s as he looked up at Boone, conversing in low tones with him. “It’s all true, and I sure hope I can do him and his practice justice. Just four more years of training to go.”
I sighed at her plans and wished I could really get to making my own…with Ethan. Booker laughed at something Boone said, his hand moving to the back of Aubree’s neck, caressing her tenderly. “It must be great to be graduating though and moving on to the next step.”
“Oh, it is. It’s so thrilling.”
“Where are you going to school?” I looked away to see Ethan staring at me with a soft smile on his mouth. He was enjoying watching me having a good time. I gave him a slight smile.
“In New Orleans. I got into Tulane. So, we’ll continue to live there and visit on weekends. My plan is to get a residency in Lafayette when I’m finished. Booker and I can then come home to live.”
“Ethan mentioned that when we went to help out River in Lafayette. It’s a pretty big hospital. Your residency is will be a challenge with a four-year-old. Congratulations, by the way.”
Booker rose and Boone followed him. He sat down at a piano and started to play. Boone grabbed a guitar and together they blasted out “Great Balls of Fire.”
“Oh my God, I had no idea they could sing,” I gasped, loving the rasp to Boone’s voice. He was quite good and I could easily see him on the radio.
“They could have made it big if they’d really set their minds to it, but they wanted to be hometown boys. Brax was in a band for a while.”
“He can sing, too?”
“And play the fiddle.” To reinforce her words, Brax came out of the kitchen and walked to the stage. He picked up a bow and tucked the violin against his chin. They moved into more lively songs and I was so darned impressed. God, I loved working here. What an amazing group of people.
“Anyway,” she said as I returned my attention to her and she picked up the thread of our conversation. “It will be a challenge to have a child and a residency, but I have Booker and with him, I can do anything. Who knows? I might have more children by then, but we’re ready for this.” She rubbed her stomach beaming. “I’m so tired, but so excited. Booker and I are so ready to be parents. It won’t be too bad, Booker writes from home, so he’ll be watching the baby.” She turned to look at him, the tenderness and love in her eyes. He caught her glance and smiled, blowing her a kiss.
After a couple more songs, Brax said, “Listen up, people.” He held up some papers. “We have score sheets—”
Everyone groaned and Boone snickered. “Geez, huckleberry,” he shouted, “This isn’t a competition. We just want to eat cake.”
