Choosing His Family Read online

  “Guess I let them stay up too late.” She moved to sit on the coffee table, facing him. “I’ll carry Lola and Reese back. Sage, you can walk, can’t you, love?”

  Sage’s weighted lids said the battle to stay awake had been hard-fought. “I hold you, too, Mommy.”

  Cute. Finn wouldn’t mind following that rabbit trail. Wouldn’t mind making the same request of Ivy. Despite his determination not to let her burrow under his skin, tonight she’d done exactly that. He’d found himself attending the school of Ivy when she was otherwise distracted. Did she know that she made the tiniest sound popping her lips when she was lost in thought? Or that she tilted her head to the right and only the right when she was listening—and studied the speaker with so much interest that it made them feel like the most important human on the planet?

  Stay on track, Brightwood. This isn’t your circus. Finn had already bought a ticket to a circus back in North Dakota, and things hadn’t ended well. No need to attend that show again. Especially when the price of admission had cost him so much.

  “I’ll help carry. I can take two if you take one.”

  “Thank you. That would be really great. I’d prefer to move them into their beds and keep them asleep if at all possible. If Reese gets woken up she’ll start crying and I’m not sure I have the bandwidth for that tonight. Thankfully it’s not snowing or freezing, so we don’t have to worry about finagling them into jackets.”

  Ivy gathered the girls’ movie and sweatshirts, then slipped Sage from the back of the couch.

  Finn scooped up Reese and caught Lola with his other arm. He stood and held still, waiting for complaints. Lola fidgeted and then settled back to peaceful. Reese was so far gone that she didn’t even flinch.

  These girls. His dry, brittle heart cracked and healed all at the same time. They were good for the soul.

  They made their way over to the bunkhouse, a warm spring breeze rustling the night. The sky was filled with so many stars that Finn stumbled trying to take them in. He paused to resituate the girls, whose warm little faces were nestled against his neck.

  Thankfully, no one complained or woke.

  Not for the first time he wondered how Ivy handled everything with the girls on her own. She was right that it was three against one. And yet, the girls had adjusted quickly to their unexpected time in Westbend—at least from Finn’s vantage point.

  The woman was definitely doing something right. A lot of things right.

  When they reached the bunkhouse, he followed Ivy into the bunkroom. She placed Sage on the top bunk, then motioned to the bottom.

  “They can both go here. That way if they don’t realize where they are and fall out, it’s not a huge deal.”

  Spoken like a veteran mom. Finn knelt, and Ivy helped him finagle both girls into the bunk. They snuggled under the blanket she covered them with, Lola’s nose wrinkling, Reese’s mug snarling at the disruption to her sleep.

  He and Ivy retreated to the living room space of the bunkhouse, and she shut the girls’ door behind them.

  “I feel like I should get some sort of newbie award since neither of my passengers woke up on my first transfer attempt.” As if there would be more transfer attempts? This was why he hadn’t wanted Ivy and the girls to stay at the ranch. He got involved too easily.

  And now they’d made plans for another dinner next week. Yes, he wanted whatever food Ivy created. He even wanted the companionship. But he shouldn’t. He knew too well this road terminated in a dead end.

  Ivy was handling her life on her own, and Finn needed to let her continue that...without his involvement.

  “You certainly have your hands full, Ivy Darling.”

  Her smile was worn but content. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. When we learned we were having triplets, at first I didn’t believe the doctor. I made him repeat it three times, ironically. It took me about a day to get over the shock, and then I was just excited. I knew they were meant to be. Can you even imagine not having one of them? Life wouldn’t be the same.”

  “They’re definitely all perfectly unique.”

  “Exactly. You get them better than Lee did, and you’ve only known them a short time.” She slapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide.

  The compliment came with a wallop of pain. How could their father not have seen the girls for the gifts they were?

  “I’m sorry,” Ivy continued. “I try very hard not to speak badly of Lee, mostly for my own sanity. I can’t live with negativity permeating my world, even if he did make terrible decisions.”

  Finn should take lessons from her. The stuff with Chrissa was so much less than what she’d suffered through because of her husband, and yet, she could be a motivational speaker.

  “How did you get there? And so fast?” She’d told him Lee had taken his life a little over a year ago.

  “Lots of counseling and letting myself feel all the things. Plus, the girls. Even if I hadn’t wanted to process everything in a healthy way for myself, I did it for them. But along the way, I started doing it for me.”

  “Maybe instead of making another meal next week, you should be coaching me on how to move on.” He’d said too much. And yet, Ivy had a certain vulnerability and humbleness that said she could be trusted.

  “What do you need to heal from, Finn Brightwood?” The question was soft, her head doing that endearing tilt, her eyes asking him to spill. “Was that why you were against us staying here when Charlie came up with the idea? Because you’re not that person as far as I can tell. Sometimes you try to act tough or aloof, but at the core...I think you’re one of the best people I’ve ever met.”

  I think. A trace of doubt joined that phrase, as if Ivy was almost certain, but he was playing the part just enough to confuse her. Probably better that way. Finn had been too easily swayed in the past. Too eager to help. Too willing to ignore the red flags.

  “There was a woman.” If he told her some of it, he could build the wall between them again that had started crumbling tonight. “Back in North Dakota when I was working an oil rig. The way things ended really messed with my head.” More detail didn’t jump from his tongue. How could he tell Ivy the truth behind him trying to rescue Chrissa and failing when that was exactly why he was avoiding growing feelings for her? “She and the situation broke something in me, and I’m not sure how to patch it.”

  It was the truth, just not all of it. But since the whole truth would wound, he kept it tucked close.

  Ivy squeezed his arm. “I’m sorry. Thank you for telling me.” And then instead of letting go, she stepped closer. Her arms slid around his middle and her cheek pressed against his chest. “Thank you for your help with the girls tonight. And for letting us crash your evening. It was over and above.”

  His arms, which had automatically wrapped around her in response, squeezed. “You’re welcome. Thank you for dinner.” He was glad he could help her out—as long as he didn’t emotionally lose himself in the process like he had the last time.

  As Ivy eased back from their impromptu embrace, their eyes met and held. A current passed between them that surprised him but also felt as natural as taking his next breath.

  He’d been attracted to her from the start, but keeping his distance had allowed him to ignore that niggling sensation.

  Tonight had obliterated that space.

  He rested his wrists on her shoulders, unwilling to break their connection so fast. His hands itched to slide under her hair, and his mouth...it had other objectives.

  He wanted to kiss her, and the shock of that revelation nearly leveled him.

  “I—” He swallowed, certain his expression was detailing his every thought and desire.

  The skin meeting her pretty eyes crinkled, and her hands came up, hooking over his arms, resting there, holding him in place.

  “Me, too.”

  So she did know. And
she felt the same interest. Resisting the implications of that knowledge was like attempting to swim in a frigid mountain stream instead of pulling himself out onto the warm, sun-kissed bank.

  They stayed frozen in time, each warring internally.

  Finally, Finn’s resolve snapped into place. “I can’t do this.” He removed his arms, causing her hands to plummet.

  He couldn’t sway from his original plan. It would never work.

  “I—”

  “You’re leaving.” He cut her off because he was afraid that if she disagreed with him, if she expressed interest at all, he wouldn’t have the strength to say no. He wouldn’t be able to resist her. And he really couldn’t go there again with someone whose life was in disarray. “I’ve been messed with before. I can’t do that again.”

  “Finn.” His name snapped from her tongue as if she was reprimanding one of the girls.

  He took a step back, then another, bumping into a chair.

  “Finn!”

  He ignored her call, not waiting for the rest of what she had to say. Instead, like a coward, he turned tail and ran.

  Chapter Nine

  The next afternoon, Finn drove into town at his sister’s request. Supposedly she needed help with some things at the café, though he wasn’t sure why his presence was necessary.

  She was capable of most everything herself.

  And she also had Ryker. Or Ivy. Or even Scott, who was a mechanic in her shop.

  Something smelled fishy.

  At least she’d asked for his help before the situation had developed with Ivy last night, so he knew it wasn’t about that. Though he could use a stern reprimand. What had he been thinking getting so close to her? Almost kissing her? Ivy and the girls staying at the ranch complicated things and forced them into the same proximity. She was a good person working on changing her life. Finn just couldn’t be involved in that process again.

  Last night as he’d tossed and turned, he’d tried to wrap his mind around how things between them had escalated so quickly. He’d concluded that it had something to do with the scene he’d walked in on when he’d returned from the Blairs’.

  Being around Ivy and the girls had made him want more of the same. A family to come home to. A wife to pray with him. Kids to raise and love. He’d been fighting feeling anything for anyone since Chrissa, but in that process, he’d denied his desire to have a family one day.

  He wanted more nights like last night, but they couldn’t be with Ivy and her girls. They were moving to California, and Finn wouldn’t be the one to stop them. Between her parents, her late husband and the girls, she had plenty to work through, and Finn had meant it when he’d decided no more rescuing, no more messy relationships. But he’d forgotten that he did want something good and easy. That had to exist, right?

  He arrived at the café. Inside, he found his sister and no Ivy. It was just after four. Perhaps she’d already gone home. Relief made his limbs buzz.

  There was a chance he’d told Charlie he couldn’t come into town until this time so that he wouldn’t run into Ivy.

  There was also a chance he was turning into a wuss.

  Charlie greeted him, “Hey, brother.” She squinted in his direction. “What was the massive sigh for?”

  Oops. He hadn’t meant to broadcast his blatant relief. “Nothing. What’s going on with you? What do you need help with?”

  She paused as if considering continuing her line of questioning, but after two beats of analyzing, she pointed to a stack of pictures that were propped against the wall.

  “I need to hang those, and I could use a hand.”

  That made absolutely no sense. “You need me to help you hang pictures?”

  She nodded fast like hummingbird wings.

  “Don’t you have a boyfriend for this kind of stuff? Hanging pictures definitely seems like it would fall into the special friend category.”

  Charlie laughed at the title their parents had given to anyone either of them had dated...not that Charlie had done a lot of that before Ryker.

  “He’s at work.”

  “What about Ivy?”

  “She has other things to do.”

  “Scott could help you.”

  “Scott’s busy being a mechanic, which is his job.”

  “And yours. Plus, I’ve never known you not to be capable on your own. You don’t need me for this. What’s going on?”

  Charlie crossed her arms. “I miss you, okay? Everything’s been so busy we never see each other.”

  His radar said that wasn’t the full truth, but Finn played along. “And whose fault is that?”

  “Mine. I can’t help it if I’m successful.”

  Finn groaned and rolled his eyes, and Charlie’s delighted laughter punctuated his annoyance. Something was still definitely fishy, but his sister would spill soon enough. She was nothing if not blunt, and she was terrible at hiding her feelings.

  He picked up the first piece of art. It was a black-and-white photo of a table with a steaming coffee mug perched on it. “All right. Let’s get this done. Where do we start?”

  “Over here.” She motioned to the corner, and he followed. “We need to measure and map this out. There are ten photos, and of course I need them balanced.”

  “Of course.”

  Charlie did some quick math on a piece of paper. “Hold the picture up, would you? I’m trying to decide how high I want them.” He obeyed. “Up a little.” He inched it toward the ceiling. “Nope. That’s too far. Down.” At this point, the triplets could be handling Charlie’s request. “There! That’s it.” He hadn’t even moved the picture again.

  Charlie measured up from the floor and jotted down the height she wanted. “Can you grab the hammer and nails? They’re on the counter.”

  Finn did as she’d asked, handing them over. “What is going on, Char? I know you didn’t ask me into town for this.”

  “Which one should go next? The landscape or Main Street? Did I tell you a local artist took these? She’s letting me display them, and I’m going to keep her information on the bulletin board in case anyone wants to purchase one. Win-win.”

  “It doesn’t matter. Once we have the nails in place, you can switch them around. As you well know.”

  “Fine.” The hammer swung down by her hip as she turned to face him. “You’re not going to like what I have to say.”

  Finn’s pulse revved into high gear. Had something happened with Ivy? Had she quit because of last night? What if she’d told Charlie and his sister blamed him? No. That couldn’t be. Charlie had asked him to help before anything had almost happened between him and Ivy.

  “I need a favor from you.”

  “This is a favor.”

  Charlie’s head shook, her eyes worried. “A bigger favor.”

  Oh, boy.

  “I’ve decided to use the opening night of the café to raise funds for a charity that provides physical items for foster kids.”

  “That’s great.”

  “And I’m going to hold an auction as part of it.”

  “What kind of auction?” As a rancher, there wasn’t much he could donate. Was there?

  “The kind that lets women bid on hanging out with a guy.”

  A slow churn began in his gut. “You mean a bachelor auction? The kind where women ogle men and then bid on a date with them?”

  She winced. “Sort of. We’re also pitching it for women who’d like to have a handyman help them out with some things, so it’s not all romantic. There will be women interested in both options.”

  And she wanted him to be involved. That was why she’d asked him here. She’d known that if she texted or called him, he’d say no. Well, she was about to hear the same in person.

  “No way. I’m not doing it, and you’re crazy for even attempting it. You’re never going to get e
nough guys to do it.”

  “I already have eleven lined up. Most of them took very little convincing. But eighteen women have signed up for a bidding number so far, so I really need to round up more men to even things out.”

  “How long have you been planning this?”

  “A week.”

  She worked fast. He’d give her that. “And when were you planning to ask me to be part of it?”

  “Never, actually. I’d hoped I wouldn’t need you because I thought you’d make a big stink about it.”

  “You were right.”

  “It’s a few hours of your life, Finn, and it’s for a great cause. I can send you information about the charity. It’s really amazing. You know it’s been hard for me to step back from fostering because of how busy things are with the shop and the café. This is something I can do in the meantime to love on some kids.”

  What irony. Yes, he’d just considered finding someone to share his life with, but this definitely wasn’t what he’d had in mind for how to go about it.

  “At least say you’ll consider it. Don’t say no right away.”

  “That’s your favorite negotiating tactic, isn’t it?”

  Charlie’s grin was far too knowing and far too victorious. Her phone beeped in her pocket, and she checked it.

  “Scott has an issue with a customer next door.” She motioned to the photos. “Finish hanging those, would you? I’ve got to run over there.”

  Finn shook his head at her retreating figure. This was why he was so afraid of getting pulled into another mismatched, drama-filled relationship. Because he was a pushover.

  A few minutes later, Finn heard the back door of the café open and then footsteps echoing down the hallway. He was in the middle of pounding in a nail, so he didn’t turn.

  “Anything else, Your Highness? You know, with all of your businesses, you should really be able to hire people to do this stuff.” Though of course Charlie had pulled him in because of the auction request. And now kept him working because she could.

  “I really prefer Your Majesty.” Ivy paused next to the counter. She was dressed in a red sweater, dark jeans and ankle boots. At the sight of her, his mouth filled with dry sand. “And since none of the aforementioned businesses are mine, I can’t hire anyone to do the little things.”