Everywhere and Every Way(100)

They could have easily knocked her over with their tails or greeting, but instead they plopped themselves down in front of her, as if recognizing she was a child and they needed to be gentle. Balin moaned in ecstasy as Becca rubbed his fur, and Gandalf bumped his nose against her leg, urging her to do the same to him.

Sydney laughed and rubbed Gandalf’s belly. “You guys are getting better,” she said. “Did you finally graduate obedience school?”

Cal snorted. “Heck, no. I tried getting them re-registered and was told the class is full for the next year. I think they’re lying.”

Brady shook his head and handed off a bakery box with a bottle of wine. “I told you, Cal, they need a firm hand. Animals respond to discipline. Same thing in relationships.”

Sydney and Morgan stared at him. “What did you just say?” they asked in unison.

Brady held up his hands in defense. “Let’s be honest, ladies. A weak-willed, waffling man is not attractive.”

Becca looked up from the dogs, a thoughtful expression on her face. “I like nice men,” she announced. “They’re the best.”

Cal laughed. “Argument settled. Becca wins. Now let’s go eat before Sydney and Morgan gang up on you, Brady.”

They drank cocktails, nibbled on appetizers, and watched Becca run around with the dogs. By the time they sat down for dinner, everyone was laughing amid the brothers’ bantering and teasing of Brady about his archaic views on women. Seemed the architect liked the old-fashioned Latin ways, where final decisions were made by men, and women’s job was support. Morgan mentally hoped he’d find someone to challenge those views and teach him a few things. With his dark good looks and quiet intensity, she doubted he lacked for many women dying for the opportunity to tame him.

“Uncle Cal, I’m still waiting for my tree house. You said you’d build one for me. Sally Peters has a big one, and she has tea parties in there for special guests like Disney princesses.” Her pout was pure genius and adorable. “I wish I had

one.”

“Becca, Uncle Cal is very busy,” Sydney interrupted. “He has to build a lot of houses first before he can work on your tree house.”

Cal faced the little girl with a serious expression. “I’m sorry, Becca, you’re right. I did promise. Tell you what. I’m going to order the wood and supplies, and on the weekend we’ll build it together.”

Her eyes bugged out in shock. “Me? I get to build it with you?”

Cal nodded. “Yes. I need an assistant, and you need to learn the business. We need more women in our employment.”

Becca clapped her hands. “Thanks, Uncle Cal. I’ll do a great job!”

“I know you will, sweetheart.”

Morgan smiled at the exchange. Sydney seemed choked up, but instead of gazing at her daughter or Cal, she stared straight at Tristan. A mingle of sadness and longing gleamed from her green eyes, but Tristan had ducked his head and missed the look. Suddenly he pushed his chair back. “Excuse me,” he said roughly. “We need more wine.”

Sydney turned away.

Dalton laughed, unaware of the sudden tension. “Always knew you’d make the best father out of us, Cal. Seemed to always attract animals and children like the Pied Piper.”

“Do you have any children, Uncle Cal?” Becca asked innocently.

Cal grinned. “Not yet. But one day, I plan to have at least six.”

Sydney winced. “Back off, buddy. Your woman may have a problem with that.”

“Fine. I’ll settle for five. There’s something about a big, chaotic household that intrigues me. I think it would be fun.”

Sydney gave a snort. “Sure. Not sleeping for a year due to colic or teething is fun. Worrying about every step you take until you’re a nervous wreck is fun. Balancing work with day care and household tasks and watching Barney or SpongeBob instead of CNN is fun.”

“We love to watch SpongeBob together,” Becca said seriously.

“Yes, we do, sweetheart,” Sydney said. “The reality is sometimes not what you think it is.”

“But you got her,” Cal said. “That’s worth it all, right?”

Sydney suddenly blinked away tears. “Yeah. It is. You’re right, Cal, it is fun.”

Becca smiled sweetly, not caring that the conversation didn’t make sense.

And right then and there, Morgan’s heart sunk.

Cal wanted a big family. Somehow she suspected it, but she’d been holding out hope that maybe he wouldn’t want children. The image of Elias leaving her after finding out what she couldn’t give him slammed into her mind. Her fingers trembled around her fork. She had to tell him. Things were getting too serious, and she fell harder for him every day.