old to you, but not to me. I like her a lot.' Fear flashed in Brett's eyes. Nash leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees.
“The thing is, I'm just passing through,' he said. 'I'm not sticking around. In a couple of weeks I'll go back to Chicago. That's where I live and work. That's where my life is.' His life? For the first time since Tina's death Nash realized he was lying about having anything close to a life. He had a job and that was about it. Few friends outside of work. None that he socialized with. He lived alone and he was damned tired of it.
He shook off that train of thought. Later, he told himself. Right now Brett was more important.
“I understand what you're going through,' Nash said.
Brett turned away. 'Yeah, right.'
“Okay. Grown-ups say that all the time. It's boring and annoying, huh? But in this case, it's true. Your dad died. My dad never bothered to stick around after he got my mom pregnant. There wasjust her, Kevin and me. She was really young and didn't have any money, so it was hard for her. She worked a lot. She worried a lot. I hated to see that, so I filled in when I could. Sort of like you with the twins.' Brett traced a pattern on the countertop. Nash wasn't sure, but he thought the kid might be listening.
“They're still pretty young,' he continued, 'but
Nash nodded. 'It happened to us. My mom started dating this guy-Howard. He was okay, I guess. But I never really trusted him. Why was he butting in? He didn't belong.'
“What happened?' Brett asked.
“They got married. I didn't want them to, but they did anyway.' There was more to the story, but Nash didn't bother going into it. He'd made his point.
“I'm not like that,' he told Brett. 'I like your mom and I'd like to see her while I'm in town. But I
“Okay. I get it.' He still looked troubled, but not so afraid. 'I guess my mom needs someone to talk to and stuff.' He gaze narrowed. 'But you shouldn't kiss her where just anyone can see. My brothers wouldn't understand. They don't remember Dad much and they might think you're sticking around.'
“Good point. I'll remember it.' Nash stood. 'Something else, Brett. You may not believe me, but it's true. Even if your mom were to find someone she fell in love with and wanted to marry, that doesn't mean the guy would be taking your dad's place. No one can do that. You might even like the guy, which would be okay, too. But your dad will always be your dad.' Brett looked doubtful, but didn't disagree. Nash figured he'd done as much as he could. He held out his hand.
“Friends?' he asked.
Brett stared at his hand, then him. Finally he moved close and they shook.
“I guess we can be friends,' the boy said.
“I'd like that.' He jerked his head toward the front of the house. 'I'm going back to the gatehouse now, if that's all right with you.' Brett nodded. 'Tell my mom I'm going to get changed, then I'll come help, too.'
“I know she'll appreciate that.' Brett headed for the door, then paused. Staring at the ground he said, 'Thanks for explaining things, Nash.'
“You're welcome.' Nash returned to the gatehouse and found Stephanie waiting impatiently by the door.
“You nearly hit your limit,' she said, glancing from him to her watch. 'I was giving you ten minutes, then I was going to barge in and take over.' She tried to smile as she spoke, but he could see the worry in her eyes.
“We worked it out,' he said, then explained what he and Brett had discussed.
When he was done, she sank onto the floor and pulled her knees up to her chest. 'Thanks for clearing things up with him. He and I used to be able to talk about anything, but lately I've noticed things are changing. I guess it's because he's getting older. I'm not looking forward to him being a teenager. That's for sure.'
“He'll get through it, as will you,' he said, crouching next to her. 'He's a good kid.'
“Too good. Oh, sure, he can be a pain, but for the most part, he really tries to step in and help. Sometimes it's easy to let him. When that happens I do my best to remember he is still a kid and not my personal assistant. He's getting to that age when he needs a man around. Sometimes I think I should get over my fear of getting involved with another irresponsible guy and get married simply to take the heat off Brett. It would sure give him a break.' She continued talking, but Nash no longer heard what she was saying. Instead he was remembering a conversation he'd had with his mother shortly after she'd told him she was marrying Howard. He'd protested the engagement, saving they didn't need Howard around. His mother had tried to explain that Howard was a good man whom she loved very much.
“But there's more to it than that,' she'd said. 'My marrying Howard means you don't have to be the man in the family anymore. You won't have as much responsibility. I want that for you.' At the time he'd felt as if he were being eased out of his own family. Now, looking back, he wondered if his mother had worried about him the same way Stephanie worried about Brett.
Footsteps on the walkway interrupted his musings. Both he and Stephanie stood.
“Anybody home?' a man called.
“Hey, Nash, did your landlady kick you out already?' He didn't recognize the first voice, but he knew the second.
“Kevin,' he said and headed toward the front porch. Nash assumed the other man was one of the Haynes brothers.
When he stepped outside he saw he'd been right. Kevin and Travis stood by the sidewalk. They waved at him and walked closer.
Kevin smiled at Stephanie. 'I knew you'd get tired of his ugly face. Threw him out, huh?' She laughed. 'Actually he's helping me patch and paint my gatehouse. He does quality work and if he's at it much longer, I'm going to have to give him a discount on his room.' Kevin shook his head. 'Nash getting his hands dirty? I can't believe it.' Nash stepped next to his brother and threw a mock punch. Kevin ducked, shot out a jab, then slapped him on the back. 'Wait until you hear what Travis has to say.' Travis Haynes wore a khaki-colored uniform and a beige Stetson. He pulled off the hat and smoothed back his hair.
“Kevin and I were talking,' he said. 'I happened to mention that once a year the Glenwood sheriff'sdepartment along with local firefighters and paramedics get together with the army base about fifty miles from here. We break up into teams and spend a couple of days playing war games. The more experienced men are paired up with new recruits, giving them a chance to learn. What with your background and all, I thought you might be interested.' Nash could see Stephanie out of the corner of his eyes. She stood on Travis's right. At the mention of war games, she rolled her eyes.
“Gage already said yes,' Kevin said. 'I did, too. If Quinn shows up in time, I know he'll be in.”
“I'm in,' Nash said.
Kevin nudged Travis. 'Told you he'd say yes.' Nash turned to Stephanie. 'What about you?' She shook her head. 'I have an actual life that requires me not to play games. Why is it men refuse to stop acting like little boys?' She looked stern, but her tone was teasing.
“Everybody has to play sometime,' Nash said. Her gaze locked with his. He felt the sexual tension return and wished they were alone.
“I like a different kind of game,' she informed him, then turned her attention to Kevin and Travis. 'Gentlemen, I need to get back to my painting. I hope your war games are everything you want them to be.' Travis grinned. 'You sound just like my wife. She makes fun of me every year.' Stephanie waved and headed back into the gatehouse. Nash watched her go, his gaze drifting from her trim waist to the sway of her hips. Heat flared inside him. He knew he had it bad and he didn't give a damn. Wanting Stephanie was the most fun he'd had in years.
“The war games start in a couple of weeks,' Kevin said. 'You're going to have to extend your vacation.
Nash thought of all the time off he'd accumulated in the past couple of years. 'Not a problem.”
“Good.'
“We need to-' Travis's cell phone rang, cutting him off. 'Just a sec,' he said as he pulled out the phone and pushed the Talk button. 'Haynes.' He walked a couple of steps away as he listened.
Kevin stepped closer and lowered his voice. 'So what's with you and Stephanie?' Nash wasn't surprised his
