Free A Home for Haley by Mary Jane Morgan Page B

to say a word.”
    “To hell you weren’t.”
    “Quit cussing around the little
ones, Mother.”
     “Might as well teach them early
how to let off a little steam,” Dottie muttered as she made her way out of the
barn.
    Ethan shook his head and turned to
the kids. “Hank caught a mess of catfish this morning. How does everyone feel about
a fish fry tonight?”
    Kayla wrapped an arm around the
lamb’s back, and snuggled closer. “I want hush puppies, too.”
    “You have a recipe for that?” Haley
asked, not sure she knew how to make hush puppies.
    “In here,” Ethan said, pointing to
his head. “You deserve a night off, Miss Wonder Woman, so consider me the cook
and kid-herder this evening. No arguments.”
    “I wouldn’t feel right about that,”
she protested.
    “Why? Everyone, especially nannies,
needs a break now and then. Which, by the way, you haven’t had since you
started working here. Believe me, Kayla and I can stumble through an afternoon
and evening without you. Besides, I’d have my favorite little guy here tagging
along,” he added, ruffling Ryan’s hair.
    “Since you managed for a year or so
without me, I’m sure you’re right, but I don’t need a break.”
    Ethan scrutinized her. “You look
pretty tired to me, so I’m ordering you to take the rest of the day and evening
off.” She started to protest again, but he didn’t let her finish. “No arguing.
Besides, you’ll be begging for a break after Mom’s surgery.”
    “You might have a point. Or maybe
Amos will come take care of her.”
    “Seriously?” Ethan said in shock.
    Haley raised her eyebrows. “Pay
attention, Ethan. Guess you didn’t know she’s invited him to the family reunion.”
    “Well I’ll be damned.” He winced.
“Sorry.”
    “Damn, damn, damn,” Ryan mimicked.
    Ethan winced again. “Ahhh, don’t
say that little buddy. I shouldn’t say bad words and neither should you.”
    “He’s right,” Haley chimed in. “No
more bad words.” She turned her attention back to Ethan. “I think your mom has
herself a boyfriend.” Ethan groaned. “You said you wished she’d find someone,”
she reminded him.
    “Yeah, but Amos? She’s known old
Amos forever. She met him at some bridge club years ago, and she never gave him
the time of day.”
    “Well, she is now.”
    Ethan glanced toward the barn door.
“I’ll be damned. I mean darned,” he quickly corrected.
    “Daddy,” Kayla admonished. “No
cussing. Only Grandma can cuss, ’cause she’s old and doesn’t feel good.”
    Ethan propped his hands behind his
head. “I’ll try and do better.” Ryan scooted closer to Ethan and laid his head on
his chest. Grinning, Ethan stroked Ryan’s back.’
    Haley watched as her son snuggled
in and closed his eyes with a sigh of contentment. Happiness filled her. For
the first time in years, her world felt safe and she was content. As she
watched Ethan and Ryan, she wondered what it would feel like to be held by
Ethan. She gasped and snuffed that thought out, ashamed of herself. She shouldn’t
think that about the man who cradled Ryan close as her son drifted off to
sleep, but she couldn’t seem to look away. It was a peaceful sight. Her son had
obviously become very attached to Ethan.
    Feeling relaxed and lazy, Haley
scooted down beside everyone. The lamb blew a soft breath into the hay. A horse
nickered in the corral and a Mockingbird’s song filled the air. A deep sense of
contentment settled over her, and she closed her eyes and soaked in the soothing
sounds of nature. Of peace. As she drifted off to sleep, she was barely aware
when a warm hand brushed a piece of hay away from her cheek.
     
    ****
     
    Keeping Hayden tucked close, Ethan
watched Haley sleep. He hoped she slept the afternoon away. He’d almost told
her to go back to bed this morning but managed to refrain because he figured
she would never go for that. Too bad, because the dark circles under her eyes
were beginning to rival Rocky the