“No, you,” Trace insisted.
“I just wanted to say thank you again,” Marissa said. “Is she always this way?”
“From what Chase says, yes. She’s a very opinionated little girl.”
“That’s one way to say it,” I hope she sleeps a little while and lets her parents get some rest.”
“You were very patient with her,” Trace said.
“I’m used to needy kids all day,” Marissa admitted as the sound of a truck coming along the road made them both look up.
“Either way you did good,” Trace said his soft, serious eyes touching her face.
The front door opened and Marissa hurried to the entrance shushing Phil and Chase as they walked into the house.
“Where’s Meg?” Phil hissed looking around.
“Sleeping,” Trace said, stepping up behind Marissa with a husky whisper. “And no you don’t need to check on her, she was fed, bathed, changed, and is sleeping.”
Phil looked between Trace and Marissa a bewildered look on her face as she turned to Chase with a beautiful smile.
“Miss. Brighton, can I walk you home?” Trace asked. “There have been a few skunks in the area lately,” he added with a grin grabbing his hat and stepping around Phil and Chase.
“Skunks?” Marissa asked as she moved around the amazed parents and out into the starry night.
“Afraid so. Critters are a common occurrence here,” Trace said stepping down the stairs of the old house. “I wouldn’t want Kade coming after me because I let his house guest get sprayed by a skunk.”
Marissa laughed softly as a warm breeze rushed across the prairie. “No, I don’t think I’d like having Kade tracking me down,” she agreed.
Trace’s warm chuckle drifted through the darkness making Marissa turn to study his face. “What’s so funny?”
“Did you see the look on Chase and Phil’s faces when they came in and Meg was asleep?”
Marissa grinned. “They did look rather shocked. I wonder what they’ll do now.”
“If I had to guess I’d say they’ll sleep for hours,” the cowboy said.
They walked along a while in silence letting the night sounds filter over them in a quiet symphony.
Making their way to the stairs of the Ballard house Trace stopped leaning against the railing of the entrance. “I guess this is it,” he said.
“Thanks again for your help,” Marissa said. “I do appreciate it.”
Trace smiled, “If you ever need me just whistle,” he said touching his hat with a grin before turning on a booted heel and striding away.
Chapter 7
“Marissa,” Michelle called up the stairs, “I need you,” her voice echoed up to the second floor.
“What?” Marissa yelled back hurrying down the hall and peering to the bottom of the stairs where her sister stood with Kadence on her hip.
“I got a rush order for a promo package and need to get to the print-shop. Could you please take Kadence over to the main house and get him breakfast? I’ll owe you.”
Marissa smiled shaking her head. “Of course I can,” she agreed. “Let me grab my boots and then I’ll go.”
Michelle kissed her son on the forehead swaying slightly in that gentle motion all mothers seemed to adopt instinctively. “You be a good boy for Auntie Marissa,” she said. “Mommy has to go to work, but you can play and I’ll see you later.”
The little boy grinned up at her, his eyes bright as he blew her a kiss.
“Ready,” Marissa called skipping down the stairs. “Will you be back for lunch?” she asked taking Kadence.
“I don’t know. I’ll have to see. It’s an existing order, but the client ran out of everything and needs me to make more. The presses will be running double-time today,” she finished with a grin.
“I have my phone, so just tell me if you want me to come down and help,” Marissa said, “but for now I’m looking forward to one of Mrs. Wade’s big breakfasts. I bet you are too, aren’t you Boo?” she finished, grabbing her bag and heading out the door.
Michelle waved at her son as he peaked over Marissa’s shoulder it felt so odd heading off to work without the mite, and she couldn’t help but miss him already.
***
The big house was bustling as Marissa slipped into through the front door. Several guests were leaving the dining area while others were just arriving. The smell of bacon, eggs, biscuits, and sausage filled the big kitchen as Marissa stepped through the door, looking around at the long tables spread out to accommodate crowds.
Mrs. Wade looked up from her kitchen where she was directing several junior chefs under a watchful eye and smiled at Marissa.
“Let me see that little bit,” the plump woman with the fuzzy brown hair said hurrying over and taking Kadence in her arms for a hug. “Where’s Mama?” she asked not looking up at Marissa.
“She had a big order come in today and asked if I’d get Kadence some breakfast,” Marissa said.
Mrs. Wade, a one-time cafeteria cook, and overall kitchen wizard looked at the younger woman and smiled. “You go on outback and take a seat with the hands on the back porch,” she said handing Kadence back to his aunt. “I’ll send out breakfast. I know exactly what the two of you need.” Without any explanation, she turned Marissa to the back door on the far side of the kitchen giving her a little push to ensure she complied.
Marissa leaned toward Kadence with a giggle. “I rather believe that woman could run the world if she put her mind to it,” she said nuzzling the little boy’s neck and making him laugh.
“Good morning,” a rich baritone called from a bench on the other side of a long table.
Marissa looked across the table and smiled at Trace. “You’re up early?” she said.
Trace chuckled. “This is not what I would consider early,” he said making room for her on the bench. “You on baby watch again?”
“Michelle had a rush order that just came in, so she asked me if I’d take my Boo for a bit,” Marissa said slipping onto the
