Closing the oven, Erin turned, her eyes flashing. “I’m right here, Jared. I’m just moody. The doctor said it was normal. Dinner’s ready.” She eyed Duncan and Reese, who were both covered in sawdust. “Why don’t the two of you go take a shower so we can eat while the baby’s sleeping?”
Duncan nodded and bent to plant a hard kiss on her lips. “Of course. It smells delicious, and I’m starving.”
Grinning, he winked at Jared as he passed.
Jared hid a smile, knowing that his brother had an agenda.
Duncan would irritate Erin until she blew up at him, and during the ensuing argument, Erin would blurt out whatever was bothering her.
No matter what bothered her, Duncan would get it out of her, Jared would fix the problem, and she would go to Reese to vent about Duncan’s and Jared’s arrogance.
It was a system they’d adopted almost from the beginning, and it seemed to work for them.
Wrapping an arm around her, Reese shared a look with Jared, a look that said he would do his part to find out what was wrong with Erin. Kissing her hair, he ran a hand over her bottom. “Did William eat?”
The hostility in her eyes drained away. Leaning into him, she laid a hand on his chest and smiled. “Like a pig. He should sleep for a couple of hours.”
“Good.” Reese grimaced and held her away from him. “I’m covered in sawdust. We’ll pick this up after I take a shower. Come keep me company and you can tell me everything the baby did today.”
Jared sighed as they left the room and went to the oven to take out the pot roast.
Erin’s independence was a source of both pride and frustration to him, and he hated that, at times, they had to piss her off to find out what bothered her.
* * * *
Listening to Erin’s giggle and Reese’s low tone coming from the spare bedroom across the hall, Duncan finished dressing in jeans and a T-shirt.
Making his way to the living room, he smiled at the sight of Jared standing over the bassinette watching William. “Is he okay?”
Adjusting the light blanket over their son, Jared smiled. “He’s perfect. Erin just finished feeding him before you walked in, and he went out like a light.”
Looking down at his son, Duncan inhaled sharply at the surge of love that tightened his chest. “He’s so damned beautiful.” He glanced up at Jared. “I swear he looks like he’s grown since this morning.”
Jared’s lips twitched. “Yeah. He’s already outgrown the outfit Erin wanted to put on him after his bath.”
With half an ear toward the hallway, Duncan eyed his brother. “So what’s going on with Erin?”
With a shrug, Jared moved away from the bassinette and dropped into his favorite recliner. “I don’t know. Since she got that call, she seems quieter. Distant. Thoughtful. Something’s bothering her. She’s a little preoccupied. I thought she was just tired and tried to get her to lie down, but she’s too jumpy.”
Not liking the sound of that, Duncan dropped onto the sofa. “Did you question her?”
“I’d just started when you and Reese walked through the door.”
Nodding, Duncan turned his gaze toward the hallway where Erin and Reese approached. “I’ll get it out of her.”
“Let her eat first. She’s burning calories like crazy to feed our son, and she’s already lost too much weight.”
During their meal, Duncan shared a look with his brothers as he watched Erin pick at her food.
Jared paused with his fork halfway to his mouth and leaned toward Erin. “You’re not eating. Did you poison it?”
“Hmm. Interesting though. I’ll keep it in mind.” Stabbing a bite of potato, Erin wrinkled her nose at him. “Ace would probably figure it out anyway. Stop nagging. I’m eating.”
She hadn’t been, but since she’d started doing more than pushing her food around her plate, Duncan bided his time.
Jared cut into his roast. “Erin seems to think there’s nothing sexy about nursing bras.”
“Is that so?” Duncan reached for his iced tea, grinning at Erin. “I think they’re sexy as hell. I just unhook the little hooks and those beautiful breasts are all mine for the taking. I think all bras should have a quick access opening.”
Erin smiled at that and stood with her still half-full plate. “Pervert. I’m sure it’s not so sexy when I get so sore that you can barely touch them, especially when it’s been a few hours since the baby ate.”
Duncan decided to seize the opportunity. Shoving his dishes back, he hooked an arm around her waist, shoving his chair back as he pulled her against him. “The baby already ate, and I’m in the mood for dessert.”