“That’s because I haven’t held her,” my dad boasts. “Let me try.”
“She’s comfy,” I reply.
“Come on, Marsh. Let Dad hold her.”
“Fine,” I grumble. “Maddie, this is my dad. His name is Stanley. He’s nice. I promise.” I whisper the words before transferring her into my dad’s arms. I watch as she stares up at him.
“Aren’t you a cute little thing,” Dad says softly. He only has eyes for Madeline. “I raised five boys, and now my boys have boys. I’m not used to holding little girls.” He’s rambling, and she seems fine, which takes the wind out of my sails.
“I guess it wasn’t just you,” Owen says, joining us.
“Well, I’m the favorite brother, so there.” At the sound of my voice, Madeline turns to look at me and juts out her little lip. When it starts to quiver, I don’t give Dad the chance to refuse, I take her from him, and she settles against my chest, just like she did earlier. As if the spot is hers and hers alone.
“Huh,” Dad says, shoving his hands in his pockets.
“I win.” I grin at him.
“So it seems.”
“They’re just jealous,” I whisper to Madeline. “Come on. There are still more people for you to meet.” I give my dad and brothers a nod as I turn.
“He doesn’t even see it,” my dad says as I walk away.
I have no idea what he’s rambling on about. It’s easy to see that I’m her favorite.
“Hey, Mommy, I think we’re hungry,” I say after about thirty minutes of walking around and letting Madeline meet everyone and say hi to those who have already met her.
“I can take her.” Wren starts to stand.
“I can do it. Just point me in the right direction.”
“She breastfeeds.” Aurora smirks.
“I do, but she takes a bottle.” Wren is quick to reply. Her cheeks are rosy from embarrassment.
I can’t help it. My eyes stray to Wren’s tits, and yeah, I’ve noticed them before, but I’m looking again. You can’t tell me she breastfeeds and expect me not to look at her chest. It’s just not possible.
“Marshall.” Her voice pulls my attention back to the moment. “My daughter.” She holds her hands out for me to hand over the baby.
“Did you eat?”
She looks down at her plate that is still half full. “I’m working on it.”
“I’ll feed her.” I don’t give her time to argue. I walk over to where we left the car seat and find the diaper bag.
“You don’t have to do this,” she says from behind me.
“I know, but I’ve already eaten, and I’m not doing anything else. Look.” I point to where Royce is sitting on a lounge chair feeding Roan. “I’ll go sit with Royce. It will be fine.”
“We’re not your responsibility, Marshall.” Her voice is a little defensive and dare I say sad? It’s almost as if she wants to be my responsibility but is afraid of what that might mean.
“I didn’t say that you were. I’m just helping out. We’re all just hanging. You never get a chance to get a break. Enjoy yourself.”
“How do you know?”
“Wren, you’re a single mom. I’m guessing that your time isn’t even in your vocabulary unless you’re working. Go. I’ll be right over there.” I point again to Royce and Roan. “Any special instructions?”
“No.”
“Come on, Maddie. Let’s fill that belly.”
“Take these,” Wren calls out.
Turning back, I take the thin blanket and bib from her hands, then head toward Royce. “Look, Maddie, it’s Roan. You two are the same age,” I tell her.
“You look good with a baby,” Royce says.
I’d smart off, but I know my older brother and he’s being completely serious. “One day, brother,” I tell him.
“You volunteer to feed her?”
“Yeah. Wren was still eating, and all the women are chatting up a storm.” I shrug. “I wasn’t doing anything else. I assume she doesn’t have many days to just sit and gossip and relax, so I’m helping out.”
“Gossip? You think the woman are gossiping?”
“Probably about me.” I laugh. “They’re all scheming for who to hook me up with, I’m sure. Heaven forbid I’m the last Riggins holdout to start a family.”
“It’s more than that, Marsh. It’s the magic of finding love and knowing that person will be with you by your side through all of life’s up and downs.”
“Well, when I find her, I’ll be sure to let you know.” There’s no point in arguing with him about this. I’ve been round and round with my dad and all four of my brothers about their “magic,” and no matter how many times I dispute their concept, it doesn’t do me a bit of good.
“I don’t think you’ll have to tell us. I think we’ll just know. Look at me. Everyone knew Sawyer was good for me and that we should be together, but I fought it.”
“That’s you. I’m not fighting anything. I’m not dating. There is no woman in my life who’s going to suddenly make me believe in this magic sh—stuff y’all are always rambling on about.”
He grins. “Just do me a favor, Marshall, when it hits you, when you realize you’ve found your magic, don’t run from it like I did. Embrace it. Embrace her. Trust me, little brother, your life will be a hell of a lot easier because of it.”
“How so?” I take the bait.
“I wasted time with Sawyer. I could have had this”—he nods down to his son, who is sleeping in his arms—“a hell of a lot sooner if I hadn’t been so stubborn.”
“It all worked out in the end.”
He nods. “It did. The same way it’s going to work out for you as well.”
“When I have to admit you to the nursing home for losing your mind, I’ll be sure to tell them it’s been going on for years,” I tease.
His grin grows wide. “You know, as the oldest, I’m always right.”
“Okay. Let’s go with that.” I move my attention to Madeline, who is now snoozing in my arms. She sucked down her bottle like a champ and then dozed off.
“Thank you,” Wren says, appearing next to me. “I can take her now.”
“She’s comfortable.”
“You need to be enjoying your day. Not babysitting.” She places her hands on her narrow hips.
“I am enjoying my day. I’m thinking about taking a nap with Maddie.”
“Marshall,” she sighs.
“Go take a ride on the boat.” I point to where my dad and Owen are getting ready to take the boat for a spin.
“I can’t just leave her here with you.”
“Yes, you can. I’ll look after her. I’m the only one she likes anyway besides you.”
“You don’t know that. You’ve not let anyone else try,” Royce chimes in.
“I did. Dad and Con both tried.”
Royce just smirks. “He’s responsible even though he sometimes doesn’t act like it,” he tells Wren.