Free Her Lucky Love by Carrie Ann Ryan Page A

floundering.
    And yet, why did she want to set everything aside for a moment and sink into Brayden’s arms?
    God, she didn’t want to be that woman. No, she’d rather kick ass than have him fall into her arms. That sounded like a better deal.
    Cameron ran up to her and put his arms around her waist. “Why do you look sad, Mom?”
    She ruffled his hair and leaned down to inhale that little boy scent. “I’m just worrying, you know me.”
    “With Brayden and the rest of the Coopers around, nothing can hurt us.”
    Oh, if only that were true . Though she believed that, with the authorities on David’s trail and the Coopers rallying around them, they were safer, that didn’t mean they were safe from getting their hearts broken.
    “I still want you to think safe, okay? Just because we’re staying here with Brayden doesn’t mean you can stop looking out for yourself and your brother and sister.”
    He nodded and rubbed his cast, his eyes looking tired.
    “I think it’s time you lie down for a bit. What do you say?”
    Cam scowled and shook his head. “Aiden and Lacy aren’t going to lay down.”
    “Aiden and Lacy didn’t have their arm broken last night.”
    He let out a putout sigh and rolled his eyes. “Fine.”
    “Fine is right. You don’t have to sleep, just lay down.”
    He rambled off to his room, or at least the room he was staying in. She didn’t want to create those connections and settle down. Not when they’d hopefully be leaving soon.
    She couldn’t entwine their lives with Brayden’s anymore than necessary. It would hurt too much when they had to leave.
    “Knock knock,” Jordan said as she walked into the house. The alarm immediately sounded, and Jackson came in behind her, turning it off.
    “I thought you two would have work today,” Brayden said as he walked into the house, Lacy and Aiden by his side.
    Bray took off his jacket and brushed a lock of hair from his forehead, and Allison’s gaze landed on his chest that filled out his Henley quite nicely.
    “I’ve already done my work for now and can do the rest from home for now,” Jordan said as she leaned down to give Aiden a hug.
    He blushed and fidgeted in her arms.
    Jackson took off his jacket then picked Lacy up for a hug. Allison blinked as Lacy kissed the usually stern man’s cheek and hugged him hard. Jackson’s cheeks reddened, but he hugged her back.
    “I closed down the office today. I figured you guys could use my help.”
    Everyone froze. Jackson was the only dentist for counties and was frankly a workaholic who never took days off.
    Miracles of miracles. Scary Jackson Cooper had a heart.
    “Thank you, Jacks. And Jordan of course,” she said, still surprised they were both here.
    Jordan smiled. “Well, we figured you could use a break to go to the sheriff’s department to talk to Tyler about last night, plus go to your place and get anything Justin and Rina forgot. Brayden should go with you though so you’re not alone.”
    Allison could have sworn the other woman winked when she said that. Well, it looked as though the Coopers were playing matchmakers as well as protectors. She didn’t know quite how she felt about that.
    “You’re going to babysit?” she asked Jackson, a little worried. It wasn’t as if she didn’t trust the man, but she wasn’t sure she’d ever seen him particularly warm to her children, besides what she’d just seen with Lacy.
    Jackson quirked the side of his mouth up in a semblance of a smile. “I did help raise my four younger brothers, in case you’ve forgotten.”
    Allison blushed, ashamed. “I’m sorry; I don’t mean to be rude.”
    Brayden came up behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist. She stiffened at the obvious show of affection in front of his family. What on earth could that man be thinking?
    “You’re not rude. Jacks just doesn’t show off his Babysitter’s Club side often.”
    Jackson shook his head and, with Lacy still in his arms, turned toward the living