Picnic in Someday Valley (Honey Creek #2)(55)

When Rip finally hung up, he swore he’d never have children.

The sheriff showed up at seven and made a big deal about Pecos leaving his post, but Marcie had watched LeRoy enough to know that the guy was full of hot air. The old sheriff thought of Pecos as a son.

When one of the day dispatchers came in, Marcie was ready to leave. As the old woman sat down, her knitting bag on the desk, Marcie walked out into the main office. She saw Brand standing by the sheriff’s desk talking to Rip. All three men turned to face her. Marcie didn’t need a lie detector. It was obvious they’d been talking about her.

She walked closer and just stared at them.

LeRoy broke first. “I was just saying you did a great job last night alone.”

“Alone?” Rip snapped. “I was here with her.”

Brand didn’t comment. He just extended his hand and said, “Wanna go to breakfast?”

“You bet.”

As they walked out, he whispered, “While we eat, how about we talk about what frightened you last night? Rip said you were pale when he came in from a call and found you alone.”

“I can’t,” she answered.

Brand stopped and faced her. “Can’t what? Go to breakfast or talk?”

Marcie jumped at the first life raft she could grab. She couldn’t, wouldn’t talk about how frightened she’d been alone. “I need to go see Pecos. He had a baby. You should have seen him. He looked like he might have a heart attack.”

“That’s interesting. Mind if I tag along? I’ve never seen a newborn human.”

Ten minutes later they were standing in the short hallway where babies were born at the clinic. The four rooms were made up almost like bedrooms, only with a hospital bed, and a private bathroom. Each room had a couch for the husband to sleep on.

Mr. Winston was at the door of the Smiths’ room as if he were the butler. When Marcie dragged Brand in, Pecos was holding a wrinkly newborn and Kerrie was asleep.

Brand took one look and let go of her hand as he backed away.

Marcie grabbed his arm and forced him forward. “Don’t worry, Brand. She doesn’t have her teeth yet. She can’t bite you.”

The nurse beside Kerrie whispered to Marcie, “Only stay a moment. This new little family all needs sleep.”

With a look at Brand, she added, “That may be all the big guy can take anyway.”

Marcie nodded as she fought down a laugh. Brand did look a bit pale.

Marcie said the baby was perfection. Brand set down the white teddy bear he’d bought at the pharmacy next to the clinic and then started pulling Marcie backward.

Pecos looked tired, but he was smiling down at his new daughter, barely aware that there was anyone else in the room. A tiny hand was wrapped around the tip of his little finger.

Marcie talked about the baby as they walked out, but Brand made no comment except that he never dreamed they come out so little.

“Wasn’t she beautiful?” Marcie said.

“Looked a bit like a large tadpole to me.” He scratched his head. “Horses come out looking like horses. Cows come out looking like cows, but I didn’t know about humans. How long before she can stand and suck?”

Marcie jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow.

He winked at her to let her know he was kidding.

Marcie loved that the quiet man liked to make her laugh. “She is beautiful.”

“If you say so,” Brand added. “You know the parents should post a picture on the door so it’s not so much of a shock when you walk in and see the kid.”

Marcie stopped in the middle of the hallway and kissed him.

When Brand finally pulled away and asked her where she wanted to eat breakfast, she suggested they go back to Winston’s house and she’d cook him something.

Even in the silent kitchen, the old house seemed to welcome them in the early morning light. Brand offered to help, but Marcie made him sit down and watch.

They ate eggs and toast in a tiny breakfast nook and made predictions of what the world would be like when the baby was twenty.

After they did the dishes, she showed him her room and leaned back on the bed. Brand sat down on the other side. “How about we talk now, Marcie? I’d really like to know why you were so afraid to be alone last night. I thought it might be about the scare you had a week ago, but it seems like something else. You know you can tell me anything. If I can, I’ll try to make it better.”

He laughed. “I think I’ve just said more words than I’ve said at one time in years.” He leaned on his elbow, almost lying beside her as he brushed her hair with his fingers. “I guess I’m worried about you.”

He leaned close and kissed her lightly. “Any objections?”

“Never,” she answered as he kissed her again.

After a few minutes, he backed away. “I love kissing you.”

“Me too.” Her eyes drifted closed as he kissed her cheek.

She smiled as she circled her arms around his and fell asleep. The last thing she heard sounded like no more than a whisper in the wind.

“Marcie, are you asleep?” When she didn’t answer, he added as he rolled closer. “Good night, my little koala bear. If you don’t object, I think I’ll stay right here until you wake up.”





Thursday