Easy Charm

For now.

Besides, the breeze is lovely, blowing through my hair to my neck, over my face, and the blue jays are calling back and forth.

So for just a few minutes, I’ll rest my eyes and enjoy the quiet.

***

“Gabs?”

I jolt awake and sit up straight, and there in front of me is my oldest brother, and my best friend, Beau.

“You’re home early,” I say and stretch my arms over my head.

“It’s Friday,” he replies with a shrug. “And Eli’s the workaholic, not me.”

I grin and pat the swing next to me. “Sit.”

Like all of my siblings, Beau is tall and dark, with the same hazel eyes as the rest of us. He’s strong. Calm. He’s been my rock for as long as I can remember. And despite being ten years older than me, he’s the one I’ve always felt closest to.

Which is saying a lot because the Boudreaux family is a close one in general. Mama and Papa saw to that.

“I haven’t seen you sleep during the day since you were a kid,” he says as he lowers his tall frame next to me and rests his arm on the back of the swing. “You feeling okay?”

“I’m fine,” I reply immediately. “It was just a rare, quiet moment and my eyes got heavy.”

He peers at me closely, narrows his eyes, and tilts his head.

“What’s on your mind, baby girl?”

He knows me too well.

“Nothing.” I shrug innocently. “What do I have to complain about? Aside from the fact that you still live in my back yard, despite me being twenty-seven and able to fend for myself. You seriously need a woman.”

“We aren’t talking about me.”

“Maybe we should talk about you,” I reply and turn in my seat to face him. “You don’t have to stay here to babysit me, you know.”

“I like being here,” he replies calmly. “It’s a good place.”

“It’s a bitch of a commute to work for you every day.”

“It’s a good place,” he repeats. “I also don’t like the idea of you and Sam out here by yourselves.”

“I can—”

“Yes, I know you can take care of the both of you. You’re one of the strongest people I know, but damn it, it gives us all peace of mind to have me nearby.” His jaw clenches, the only sign that he’s good and irritated with me, so I lean over and kiss his cheek.

“I love you, you know.”

“You’d try the patience of the Dalai Lama.”

“He’s pretty patient,” I reply. “Maybe a different llama.”

Beau laughs and shakes his head at me.

“Hey,” I say casually. “The last you heard, was Colby still living in San Francisco?”

The smile vanishes from Beau’s face, and he leans closer to me. “Has he contacted you?”

“No,” I lie. “I’m just curious.”

He searches my face, and finally says, “Yes, he’s still in San Francisco.”

I nod, relieved.

“If he contacts you, I want to know,” Beau says.

“He signed his rights away,” I remind him. “What would he want with me?”

“I know, I was there,” he replies grimly. “Promise me that you’ll tell me if he contacts you.”

God, I hate lying to my brother. But nothing has really happened, and there’s no need to worry anyone.

Besides, I can take care of myself!

“Fine.”

“Promise me, damn it.”

“Okay, I promise, geez. You should have been an interrogator or something.”

I move to stand, but he grips my arm and pulls me back.

“I’m serious, Gabs. You haven’t asked about him in seven years. Not since the day Sam was born. Why now?”

“Because I just wanted to make sure there were still several states separating us. That’s all.”

Just then, Rhys pulls in with Sam, who climbs from the car quickly, running toward me.

“Hey, buddy!” I call as he climbs the stairs.

“Hi Mom! Hi Uncle Beau!” He hugs us both, then turns to me, practically bouncing with excitement. “Mom! Guess what?”

“Slow down. Did you have fun?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Did you have a good lunch?” I glance up as Rhys joins us on the porch, that half-smile on his impossibly handsome face. He leans his hip against the railing and crosses his arms over his chest and my mind just… empties.

Damn hot man.

“Yes, ma’am, I had a shrimp po’ boy for lunch.”

“Good. Rhys, have you met my brother, Beau?”

The two men nod at each other as Sam frowns, still quivering with excitement and impatient to share his news.

“We met at the office,” Beau replies.

“Mom, I have something really important to tell you.”

“Okay, I’m all ears. Shoot.”

“So, um…” He shifts his weight from side to side, his big brown eyes on mine, and I feel my heart tug, just a bit. This perfect little boy is mine. I made this. Amazing. “Miss Kate has a friend at work who has a dog—”

Uh oh.

“And the dog had puppies—”

Of course it did. Tramp dog.

“And Miss Kate said that if it’s okay with you, she’ll buy me one for my birthday next month. It’ll be an early present!”

His eyes are so full of excitement and hope.

“Buddy, you know that sometimes we have guests who stay here who are allergic to animals.”

And I just killed the light in my own kid’s eyes.