a beautiful mess

Cole understood Jared's concern. Of course, Cole wondered if it were on an excuse about how he couldn't get on with his life. Although Jared had his own problems he should have been worried about. Lee Ann was no concern of Jared's.

"Just worry about your job," Cole told his brother he doubted Lee Ann would be around. After all, she did have her sister. All Lee Ann needed was a ride from Kansas City. So Cole did as much. He didn't ask her anything. If she wanted to tell him she would. Otherwise, she didn't like questions.

She'd always been a fuzzy girl. Yet, he'd found it kind of funny. Somehow, she always found her way back to him. Although, he did listen to plenty of stories of her should have been happy endings, but they weren't.

Her expectations were high when it came to her future. Of course, she was looking for someone to fill those goals. As in some blond and blue-eyed creature who was made of money, and of course, a gentleman.

Evidently, those sorts were hard to find, but she'd ended up with a baby, who had his father's full name. She'd managed to get married to an Army soldier, only it hadn't lasted.

"Well, at least he's alive," Cole said that had to be a positive, but Lee Ann was on the negative with a gnarled face. They were now a divorce. She had a restraining order on him. She didn't even want child support anymore. War had ruined him. He was out of work, perhaps even homeless.

Cole could tell she'd been through a lot, but she didn't ask for help.

"If you need anything-" She'd slammed the door shut. End of story. He guessed.

Now he wondered what he'd ever seen in her. She'd never wanted Cole, but he was a good listener.

It left him a little teary-eyed. Still, after all this time. She didn't need him. Never, but the doorbell rang, and there she was with the baby.

Naturally, Jared left for his room. Cole helped her in with the carseat and the heavy backpacks. Uber brought her to his doorsteps.

He didn't ask what she wanted. She was far too upset to talk. He brought her a water bottle and asked if she needed formula for the seven-month old who was already wanting to climb out of her arms.

She had some, so he went to make some formula for the baby.

Cole could tell from the hurt look on her face, she wanted a girl, after all. He gave baby Daniel his bottle, and the child took to him as if he'd finally found someone he really wanted. He was at peace in Cole's arms.

He remembered how he used to take care of Jared. He never thought he'd miss it, until now. All his young life he'd been a father and brother to Jared. He was certain he never wanted to go through that again, but this sort of thing came so naturally to him.

Of course, he doubted Lee Ann could see that for all the sadness she was in. She'd had a spat with her older sister who didn't want to take her in, after all.

"It'll be fine," Cole told her she could stay with them.

He could tell it was hard for her to swallow her pride. The house was old, but he had room for her and the baby.

"We'll just need to find him a crib," Cole said.

"He sleeps with me," she said. He nodded. But the blue-eyed baby was getting sleepy, who could probably sleep right on the couch.