Page 56 of The Forbidden Sitter
“K.” I picked up Braiden as she reached into the seat behind hers to retrieve his diaper bag. It was a thing she had told me was on its way out, as she would soon have him using the bathroom like a bigboy.
We didn’t even get to the door before her mother popped her head out the front door. “You made it!” She hurried out to meet us, grabbing Brooke and hugging her. Then she looked at Braiden. “Oh my goodness!” She pinched his cheeks, making him giggle. “You are so adorable!” She smiled at me and gave me a wink. “It’s clear to see where he gets that from. Hi, Gannon. It’s nice to finally meet you. Brad’s spoken about you so often through the years; it’s like we all already know you. My name’s Barbara, but everyone calls me Babs.” She opened her arms up. “Wanna come with Grams, Braiden?” Then she pulled out a cookie from her apron pocket to lure him in. “I havecookies.”
I’d lost him to her then. He nearly jumped out of my arms to get into hers. She led the way, and I fell into step with Brooke. It was hard not to wrap my arm around her, I found out, as I reached out to do just that. “Here, give me his bag,Brooke.”
She caught what I had almost done and smiled at me. “Here you go,sir.”
I winked at her. “Thanks,sitter.”
I couldn’t help but love how her mother was already telling Braiden to call her Grams. It was a greatstart.
Inside the home, I found it was bustling with people. Just inside the doorway, her mother stopped, and it was on to the introductions. “All right everybody, hush up and listen,” her mother began. “This little guy here is Braiden. His big, good-looking daddy, this mighty hunk of man who’s standing behind me, is Gannon Forester. You might’ve heard Brad bragging about knowing him a time ortwo.”
Some young guy in the corner chimed in, “Or every damn time anyone talks to him!” Raucous laughter followed, making the living roomshake.
Babs went on, “That wisecracker is Brad and Brooke’s cousin, Bobby. He comes from my husband’s side of the family. They have no filter, so watch out for Uncle Bob, Aunt Lou, their sons Bobby and Kenny, and you also have to watch out for their little dog, Toto. They’re all ones to rattle off about things no one cares to hear.” Another round of laughter told me they all were pretty thick-skinned and everyone had a sense ofhumor.
Out of a side room, I saw Brad coming in, followed by what had to be his father as he looked like an older version of my old friend. “Hey, buddy.” Brad waved. “You’re taking the dare Brooke gave you,huh?”
With a shrug, I said, “I wouldn’t call it a dare. I’d call it a very nice invitation to spend this holiday with her large and funny family. And I’m extremely happy she did invite me. This seems like it’ll be a fun couple ofdays.”
Brad laughed as he and his father made their way, curving through the mass that filled the living room, to get to us. “Should be fun,” Bradagreed.
His father stuck out his hand, and I took it with a firm handshake. “Benjamin Moore, like the paint company. Call me Ben, Gannon. It’s a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance.” He gave me a wink then turned his attention to my son. “And who is this handsome young man we havehere?”
Babs put her hand in her apron and slipped Ben a cookie. “This is Braiden, and he likes cookies,Papa.”
Ben held up the cookie he’d been given and smiled at Braiden. “Oh, my! Look what Papa has for you, little Braiden.” Without a hitch, Braiden went for that cookie, as he’d just finished the one Babs had given him, and into Ben’s arms hewent.
Bab’s jabbed me in the ribs, talking out of the side of her mouth, “He’s going to be fought over more than the turkey’s drumsticks thisThanksgiving.”
“I think he’ll be in heaven here.” I looked at Brooke, who was beaming. “Thanks for letting us tag along,Brooke.”
With our backs to the door and her mother in front of us, we had a bit of cover, and I felt her hand move over my ass. Then it settled on my back. “You’re not tagging along, Gannon. You’re family. Can’t you seethat?”
We were off to a great start. I was introduced to Bab’s sister, Leah, and her husband, and Steve. They had two grown kids, Laura and Andrew. Andrew was married with one kid, and then there was another dog who was part of hisfamily.
It was like a circus in their home. Loud, crazy smells everywhere, andwonderful.
We’d managed to get to the middle of the living room. Brooke had said we needed to take Braiden upstairs to her room so she could change his diaper. So we were heading slowly in that direction as Babs introduced me toeveryone.
I heard footsteps on the wooden staircase that came down to meet the end of the large living area. “So, you madeit?”
I looked up to find an older version of Brooke coming down the stairs. “You must be Brianna,” I called up to her. “I’m Gannon. Nice to meetyou.”
She stopped right where she was, waiting for us to come up. Her eyes never left mine. “I’ll help you guys up here.” She looked at her father, who still held my son. “Hey,you.”
Braiden looked at Brianna, then back at Brooke. He was confused, as they looked so much alike. When Brianna held out her arms, he went right into them. She turned and went up the stairs with him as Brooke and Ifollowed.
“I had no idea she and you looked so much alike, Brooke.” I immediately regretted my words as her eyes cut to me and I saw the insecurity inthem.
“She’s five years older than me. Much closer to your age,” she whispered as we climbed the stairs behind her sister. My son looked at Brooke over Brianna’s shoulder with a confusedexpression.
We filed into Brooke’s bedroom, Brianna laying Braiden down on the pink comforter that covered Brooke’s twin bed. “Aren’t you a handsome devil, Braiden? I could just eat you up.” Brianna smiled at him as he held her face, undoubtedly wondering what washappening.
I put the diaper bag on the bed, and Brooke quickly opened it to get out a fresh diaper. “Let’s get you freshened up,pumpkin.”
Brianna stepped back to let Brooke tend to him and looked me all the way up and all the way down. “Hmm. So you’re the man who helped our big brother strike it rich.” Her eyes cut to Brooke. “And now you’ve made sure our baby sister is getting her college all paid for and even getting hands-on experience to boot. Some might call you the Moores’ angel, GannonForester.”
