Read Online brides for brothers 15 - a randall hero by judy christenberry - Free Book Online Page B

always thought he’d have kids of his own by now. He’d figured he’d have married young. Why not? He had a good job, he could take care of a wife and family, even build a new house for a future wife. He’d dated more than his share of local girls, even considered asking one of them to marry him. But in the end, he couldn’t quite bring himself to commit, not when he’d yet to find the kind of love his parents shared.
    Strange that he was struck by love on a dark night more than an hour out of town by a pregnant married woman.
    It wasn’t a good situation. But somehow it didn’t matter. Lucy had needed him then. He still remembered those hours in the truck holding her in his arms. Arms that ached to hold her again…and again.
    But he couldn’t. Not yet.
    Instead he held Emma, so her mommy could sleep. He hoped Lucy knew he did that for her, because as much as he loved Emma, he loved her mother more.
     
    T HE NEXT MORNING, after Lucy had fed her baby and played with her, Lucy put her in her crib and went to the kitchen.
    “May I have a cup of coffee?” Lucy asked.
    “Of course, dear. The pot’s always on.”
    “I wanted to apologize for bringing up the story about how you and Griff met. I didn’t realize John wouldn’t know.”
    “I had forgotten he and Melissa didn’t know. We didn’t think we should tell them because of their grandfather. He was greatly embarrassed by his past.”
    “I can imagine. I’m glad John took it as well as he did.”
    “Yes. He’s a good boy. I shouldn’t say that. He’s a man now, not a boy.”
    “Yes, he is. He got up with Emma at midnight. I tried to get him to go back to bed, but he threatened to wake you up.”
    Camille laughed. “He’s a little hardheaded.”
    “I realized that. I finally went to sleep, but I felt badly, knowing he’d be up at six.”
    “He was worried about you getting too tired from our luncheon yesterday. He’s such a worrywart.”
    “That was thoughtful of him.” More than thoughtful. It was so caring of John. He was willing to suffer himself if it would help her.
    “Yes, it was.”
    “Well, I’d better go put some clothes into the wash. I’m afraid I’m going to wear out your washer and dryer with all the washing for Emma.”
    “Babies are like that. And it will be that way for at least two years.”
    “I’ll have to find a place to lease with a good washer and dryer.”
    Camille stared at Lucy. Then she picked up Lucy’s coffee cup and moved into the kitchen. “Yes, of course.”
    Camille warned herself she couldn’t hold Lucy against her will. She could leave if that was her choice. But Camille realized how much she wanted Lucy and Emma to stay. She’d just have to work on Harry and Melissa when they came back.
     
    W HEN J OHN CAME IN just before dark, Lucy was in the kitchen, helping his mother get dinner ready.
    “Did you take a nap today?” he asked without saying hello.
    Camille looked at her son. “Why no, dear, I didn’t. But then, I wasn’t tired.”
    “Mom, you know I’m talking to Lucy.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize that. Did you, Lucy?”
    “No, I didn’t.” Lucy kept her head down, filling a bowl with black-eyed peas.
    “Excuse me. Lucy, did you take a nap today?”
    She set the pan in the sink and filled it with water before she looked at him. “No, I didn’t. I wasn’t tired.”
    “You can’t expect to get up all night with Emma if you don’t get enough sleep.”
    “I don’t think I did get up with Emma every time last night…did I?” Lucy arched an eyebrow.
    “What do you mean?” Griff eyed the two of them.
    John turned bright red and looked at his parents. “I—I got up with Emma at midnight.”
    “But, dear, if you’re getting up at six in the morning, how can you possibly get up at midnight with Emma?” Camille asked.
    “One time didn’t hurt, Mom. After you went to that luncheon, you knew Lucy would be tired. She needed more rest than she was going to get from a