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“Brooke and I came here when we heard the flood warnings. The whole town’s included.”
“You’re safer here,” Wyatt said. “I was going to go get you if you didn’t head this way.”
The kitchen door came open just then and Brooke jumped. Tara laid her hand gently on Brooke’s shoulder when she saw who’d come in. “That’s my other brother,” she explained with a smile. “That’s DJ.”
DJ looked over, consciously clearing his frown. He asked Tara, “Is that…?”
“Yeah.” Tara had explained everything to him at the diner before he’d agreed to take her to the fight. How much had he shared with Wyatt? Some, she guessed, as Wyatt had accepted Brooke’s presence without any questions.
At least for now.
* * *
TARA’S GRANDFATHER HAD built this house, making it the heart of one of Texas’s largest and most successful ranches. Growing up, Wyatt had spent most of his spare time out here with Granddad, what time he’d had when he wasn’t helping Mom after Dad’s death and when he wasn’t in school. It hadn’t been a surprise to any of them that he’d taken over when Granddad had gotten too ill to run the place.
They’d all come here as kids, feeling the love and acceptance that Granddad had showered on them. But Wyatt had always seemed a part of this place.
Now Tara felt that family love reach out and wrap around her and Brooke. Brooke must have felt it, too, as she soon relaxed and started to nod off again.
“Are you sleepy, hon?” Juanita came over to kneel beside Brooke’s chair. “We got lots of big beds upstairs you and your dragon friend can snuggle down in.”
Brooke shook her head, leaning toward Tara. Juanita looked at Tara, a frown in her eyes.
“I have an idea.” Tara smiled at the older woman. “When I was little, I used to love to build a fort in the den, remember? Maybe we could do that tonight.”
Juanita’s warm grin grew. “I remember. That way Tara could stay with you. Would you like that?”
“A fort?”
“It’s really cool.” Tyler grinned and nodded. “The den is a big old room with a fireplace and bunches of pillows on the couches.”
“Okay,” Brooke softly agreed. “You’ll be there?” She turned pleading eyes to Tara.
“I will.” She stood and extended her hand for Brooke to take it. “I’ll even get it set up for you.” She looked at Wyatt, not really asking his permission but wanting some type of reassurance that she was doing the right thing. He nodded.
“Emily should be home soon.” He glanced at the door. “She called a bit ago and was almost home.”
Tara nodded and led Brooke to the den. It was on the other side of the family room, past the staircase. The wooden double doors were open and the room was dark. Tara hit the switch, and the lights came on the same instant the gas fireplace came to life.
“Oh.” Brooke stared in awe at the flames, and Tara wondered if she’d ever seen a gas fireplace before.
Juanita came in with an armload of blankets, and by the time she had the blanket tent with a half dozen throw pillows set up, Brooke was giggling at the woman’s antics.
She still held Lanara tight, though, never letting go of the toy. Even when Juanita helped her change into an old T-shirt of Wyatt’s that she’d brought as a makeshift nightgown. It nearly reached the ground.
“My, don’t you look lovely.” Juanita smiled at Brooke, who lay down on the same big pillow Tara had loved to snuggle on. Tara settled on the couch nearby, staring into the flames as Juanita left them alone.
“Tara?” Brooke whispered. “When I wake up, will Daddy be here?”
“I hope so, but I guess that depends on how long you sleep.”
“Okay.” Brooke smiled and closed her eyes, holding the stuffed dragon against her chest. It wasn’t very long before her even breathing told Tara she was asleep. Even asleep, she didn’t let go of the dragon.
Tara’s heart hurt as she watched the sweet little girl. Looking now, she could see where she resembled Morgan. Her eyes were pure Sylvie, but with them closed, her pouty lips and nose were all Morgan’s.
