Don't Let Go by Jaci Burton

said.
    â€œOkay. Oh, are you coming to the McCormack ranch shindig this weekend?”
    He frowned. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
    â€œThere’s a big baby shower for Des and Emma McCormack.”
    â€œDefinitely not going to that.”
    â€œEveryone’s invited. I’m sure you are, too. Carter and Molly are going. It’s a coed celebration, just a big party.”
    â€œYeah, I think I’ll pass.”
    â€œNo. You won’t. I’m inviting you as my date.”
    He gave her a curious look. “Are you?”
    â€œYes. So please come with me.”
    â€œI don’t do baby showers.”
    She laughed. “Trust me—it’s not a girl thing. It’s all their friends, including the ranch hands and their families—basically everybody.”
    â€œDo I need to bring a gift?”
    She shook her head. “Their families already had their baby shower, and Des and Emma said they have everything they need. This is just for fun.”
    He paused for a few seconds, then finally nodded. “Okay.”
    She grinned. “Awesome. Now get back to work. I’ll text you with the details about the weekend.”
    â€œSure.”
    She laid her hand on his forearm. “Oh and don’t forget to grab those baked goods from Molly’s office before Carter finds them.”
    He frowned. “He wouldn’t steal those from me, would he?”
    She shrugged. “You never know. See you later, Brady.”
    Brady watched as Megan gave Roxie a quick pat, then wandered off down the street, her ponytail swinging back and forth.
    He hadn’t expected to find her in Molly’s office when he’d come out of the painting bay. Nor had he expected to feel the excited twinge in his gut when he’d caught sight of her.
    And now he was going to some party at the McCormack ranch this weekend.
    But whatever.
    He looked down at Roxie, who looked back up at him, that weird yellow stuffed chicken hanging out of her mouth.
    He shook his head and bent down. “Ready to go back to the shop?”
    He started walking, leaving the leash lax like Megan suggested.
    Surprising the hell out of him, Roxie followed.
    Okay, so that worked. When he got back to the shop, he cleaned up his tools while Roxie ran up and down the halls. He was grateful Carter and Molly didn’t mind Roxie hanging out there. Otherwise, he would have had to keep her upstairs in a crate, and he really didn’t want to have to do that. She seemed happy to be around people.
    His phone buzzed and he pulled it out of his pocket, frowning.
    He punched the button.
    â€œHey, Mom.”
    â€œHi, Brady. We haven’t seen you in a while.”
    â€œBeen busy with work and stuff.”
    â€œOf course you are. I was wondering if you could stop by after work and take a look at your father’s car. It’s making a strange noise.”
    â€œWhat kind of noise?”
    â€œI have no idea, since I’m not a car person. Your father said it’s a grinding noise.”
    â€œDad could bring it over to the shop here and one of the mechanics can take a look at it.”
    Her mother gave a short laugh. “I mentioned that to your father, but he said there’s no reason to do that when we have a mechanic in the family.”
    He sighed. The last thing he wanted to do was visit his parents, but he also didn’t want his father driving around with a screwed-up car. “Sure. I’ll stop by.”
    â€œI’m so glad. We’re looking forward to seeing you.”
    He heard the neediness in her voice and it pained him, but he still didn’t want to go over there. For so many reasons.
    â€œI’ll see you after work, Mom. I gotta go.”
    â€œOkay, Brady. Love you.”
    â€œLove you, too, Mom.”
    For a day that had started out all right, he already knew it wasn’t going to end well.

Chapter 6

    BRADY HAD DEBATED on whether it was a good