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He got in his truck and drove over to Smokey’s. Not because he was going to hook up. But because he was keeping himself from driving over to Elizabeth’s.
The place was packed out. December twenty-third malaise filled the air.
Filled with all kinds of people who didn’t want to deal with the holidays, including his brother.
Charity was also there, though, looking frail and pale.
“Hey,” Brody said, pulling out a chair and sitting down next to them. “You okay?”
“I spent all day at the ER with my dad,” she said. “I just don’t know how much longer he’s going to last.”
Brody knew that Charity’s father was the only parent she had.
That their relationship was extremely close.
He couldn’t imagine what it was like to have a good parent like that, and be on the verge of losing them. He and Lachlan might not have parents to speak of, really, but that didn’t mean he dismissed the connection that other people had with theirs.
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m just exhausted. Dad has to spend the night in the hospital, and I couldn’t bear being there anymore. Plus I had to go back and do a checkup on one of dad’s patients.”
Lachlan touched Charity’s shoulder. “I took her out for a commiseration beer.”
“Well. Well deserved. I’ll buy you one if you end up wanting another.”
“Where’s your girl at?” Lachlan asked.
Charity looked interested in that statement.
Brody tried to look innocent. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh,” Lach said, tapping his chin and feigning like he was trying to solve a math problem. “The woman you left with last night? Who also happens to work at our ranch?”
“I know who you mean. I object to the label.”
“So you’re going to tell me that nothing happened.”
“I’m not going to tell you that. But I’m not going to tell you anything, in point of fact, because it’s none of your business.”
“And where were you today?” Lachlan asked.
“Again. None of your business. But also not a big deal. I took Elizabeth down to see Copper Ridge.”
An expression of wistfulness crossed Charity’s face. “It’s always so pretty every Christmas.”
“Yeah. Beautiful. And a real snooze fest.”
He felt like a jerk. Because it had not been a snooze fest. Nothing with Elizabeth was. It couldn’t be.
“And yet you did it anyway.” Lachlan looked at him. “I think you’ve got it bad.”
“Got what bad?”
“I think you’ve got feelings for her.” Lachlan lifted his beer and held it out toward him. “You’re the latest McCloud to fall.” He tipped his beer back and took a drink.
“No,” he said, the denial coming out swift and intense. “Not at all. She’s hot, and I like her. But it isn’t like that.”
“Sure it’s not. Except it looks exactly like that.”
