When he arrived at the small diner, he recognized all the cars parked in the lot. He hurried inside. It was a typical small-town café: hardwood floors, booths, red gingham tablecloths and a jukebox in a corner. A Willie Nelson tune played in the background.
“Where have you been?” Eli asked in his best grumpy voice as Tuck took a seat.
Tuck ordered a beer and told them about Brady.
“Man, I don’t know how y’all handle things like that,” Jake said. “I’ll stick with raising cotton and corn. That I can control. Well, that is, if Mother Nature cooperates.” Jake ran the McCain farm outside of Waco.
“I see a lot of it,” Beau added. “Then parents who have abused their kids want them back. It’s hard when you get a judge who will grant that.” Beau was the lawyer in the family.
“This is turning into a downer,” Eli said. “Let me tell you guys what Jesse is up to.”
“We know what Jesse is up to.” Tuck took a swallow of his beer. “He’s chewing on everything in sight.”
“That’s the truth.” Eli leaned his forearms on the table. “I think he might be growing fangs instead of teeth.”
Jake raised his beer. “Here’s to a lot of sleepless nights.”
“Oh, man.” Eli downed a gulp of his beer and looked at Caleb. “How’s Josie?”
Caleb was also a Texas Ranger and he and Josie were expecting their first child. “She’s sick as a dog in the mornings. She’s taken a desk job, which I’m very grateful for. But I didn’t tell her that. Can you imagine a pregnant cop with mood swings carrying a gun?”
The brothers laughed.
“I suggested that she take a leave of absence from the force until after the baby comes. That didn’t earn me any points. I just worry about her.”
Eli slapped him on the back. “It comes with the territory.”
Beau sat twisting his bottle, which wasn’t like him. He was the talker in the group.
“You’re going to rub a hole in the table,” Jake told him.
“What?” Beau glanced up.
“What’s up with you?” Caleb asked.
“I’m almost afraid to say it out loud.”
No one said a word as they waited for Beau to speak.
“Macy’s pregnant.”
The brothers jumped up and pumped Beau’s hand, which gave way to hugs.
“Oh, man,” Caleb said, smiling. “When’s she due?”
“In November.”
“Josie’s due in October. Two McCain babies born in the same year.” Caleb beamed with excitement. “Have you told Mom and Dad?”
“We told them last night.”
“And Mom’s kept it quiet all day?” Jake lifted an eyebrow.
“We wanted to tell everyone ourselves,” Beau replied. “And, believe me, Mom’s bursting at the seams to tell someone.”
“This is wonderful,” Jake said, hugging Beau again. “Except Katie is going to start bugging Elise and me again for a baby. When Jesse was born, we heard about it nonstop.”
Eli grinned. “You know how to fix that.”
“Oh, no.” Jake shook his head. “A boy and a girl, we’re done.”
The brothers kidded back and forth. Tuck was the last to hug Beau. “Congratulations, man.”
“Thanks.”
Macy’s first marriage had ended in divorce because her baby daughter had died from a genetic heart defect. Since Macy carried the gene, she refused to have more children. Beau and Macy had adopted Zoë, a baby of Macy’s sister. But now they would have a child of their own. Tuck knew that wasn’t an easy decision for them to make.
All his friends were happy with families and children. It was wonderful to see. Suddenly he saw Brady lying in that hospital bed—he had no one. Brady needed someone to love and care for him. Without even having to think about it, Tuck knew he could be that someone.
“I’d better go,” Caleb said, grabbing his hat. “Josie’s home by now and I can’t wait to tell her.”
“Me, too,” Eli added. “My wife needs a break from the chewing monster.”
“Remember you guys promised to come to one of Ben’s Little League games,” Jake reminded them.
“We’ll be there,” Eli and Caleb promised at the same time.
Goodbyes were said and Tuck turned to Beau. “Could I speak to you for a minute?”
“Sure.” They resumed their seats at the table after the others had left.
“I know you’re anxious to get home,” Tuck said, now nervous about what was going through his mind.
“I’ve got a minute for a friend.”
“Congratulations on the new baby. I’m real happy for you and Macy.”
“I know and thanks. We’re excited and nervous.” Beau eyed him. “What’s going on?”
Tuck looked straight at him. “I’d like to adopt Brady.”
CHAPTER THREE
FOR THE FIRST TIME since Tuck had known him, Beau seemed speechless. “Are you sure about this?”
“Yes.” The more he thought about it, the more real the idea became. “Brady needs someone and no one in his family wants him. I’ve always planned to take in kids, so I’ll start a little earlier than I thought. Will you help me gain temporary custody pending an adoption?”
“You know I will. But think about this.”
“I’ve thought of very little else since I saw Brady chewing on a bag of dog food.” Tuck shifted in his chair. “Can you believe that? They bought food for the dogs, but not for the baby.”
Beau grimaced. “Man, that’s awful. I can see how upsetting it would be to find a baby in that situation. But this decision will change your whole life. Are you ready for that?”
Tuck nodded. “I know there’ll be some adjustments, but I really believe I’m ready.”
“Okay. I’ll start on the paperwork tomorrow and call you when I’m ready to file it.” Beau paused.
“What?” Tuck asked, sensing something else was bothering Beau.
“Be prepared for some hard questions from the judge.”
“Like what?”
“Your job for starters. What do you plan to do with Brady during the day?”
“I haven’t thought it through, but by the time the hearing rolls around I’ll have a plan. Mrs. Wiggins lives down the road from me. She’s a retired teacher and now keeps her small granddaughter. She might also be willing to watch Brady. I’ll talk to her. And there’s a small day care two blocks from my office. I’ll check it out, too. I can make this work, Beau.”
Beau played with the paper napkin on the table. “I have no doubt you can. You’re my very good friend and I love you like a brother, but I have to be honest.”
“I wish you would.”
“It’s very difficult for a single male to gain custody of a child, especially one that is not his biologically.”
“So you’re saying I don’t have a chance.”
“I’m