Brothers in Blue A Bryson Family Christmas - Jeanne St. James Page 0,41
the wonder of all wonders named Teddy.
“You’re hiding that handsome face of yours. Those green eyes, those cheekbones. Those luscious lips.” He curved a hand around one side of his mouth and leaned toward Cassie. “Bet he knows how to use them, too.”
Cassie nodded again, her hand still covering her mouth.
“Lucky, lucky girl, you. But, handsome, this... stuff on your face. Just no. It needs to go.”
“I like to pet it,” Daisy volunteered. “It’s scratchy, though. Nothing like Jury’s hair.”
Carly had no idea who Jury was.
“Yes, because that’s what it looks like, some animal growing on his face.”
As Teddy reached up to touch Judge’s beard, the bigger man stepped back. “Don’t.”
“Hmm. Playing hard to get... My favorite type of gorilla. But don’t worry, the only pair of scissors I have on me right now is tattooed onto my hip and only one man gets to see those.” Teddy turned to Cassie. “What does his hair look like under that knit hat?”
“It’s buzzed like he took a dog clipper to it.”
Teddy gasped and slapped a hand to his forehead. “You need some serious help, big man. And I’m just the fella to help you.” He pointed to the salon not even a half block away. “You see that place there? Manes on Main?”
“Teddy, lived here all my f— freaking life. Know who you are, know where your place is.”
Teddy’s dark eyebrows pinned together. “You have?”
“Yeah. Probably don’t know that ‘cause I never stepped a foot into your shop.” Judge leaned closer and growled, “And never plan to. Got my shit covered. Don’t need your help.”
Teddy’s mouth made a big O, then he plugged a hand on his hip. He must have realized he’d get nowhere with Judge, so he turned to Cassie. “You like that stuff on his face?”
Cassie pinned her lips together.
“See? She doesn’t even like it.”
“I like it!” Daisy exclaimed.
“I like it,” Judge grumbled. “And it ain’t goin’ nowhere.”
Teddy huffed out a breath. “Well!” He dug out his wallet and pulled out a business card, shoving it at Cassie, who took it. “I’m here for you if you need me. You must be new around here, since I’ve never seen you or your daughter before.”
“I am.”
“Then I’m your fella to take care of all that luscious hair for you and your girl. First cut is on the house. Manes on Main.” He pointed down to his shop. “Right there.” He clapped his hands together once. “Now, I need to go open my salon so this little muffin can get out of the cold.” Teddy turned back to Judge. “How long have you lived in town?”
“My whole life,” the big man answered.
Teddy pursed his lips and let his gaze rake over Judge again. He tilted his head. “We go to school together?”
“You’re a few years older than me.”
“Bet I’d recognize your handsome face if you let me trim off that mess.”
“Sounds like a good reason to keep it.”
Teddy gasped dramatically. “Oh, that’s how it is. I see. Fine. Well, then, I’m off.” He turned to Carly. “I’m going to go unlock the door for you. See you down there.”
He made a little squeak, turned as if he was flipping a cape back behind him and flounced down the sidewalk.
Carly unpinned her lips and said, “Please pass on my invitation to Autumn. Have a Merry Christmas.”
“Same to you,” Cassie said.
Carly continued pushing the stroller down the sidewalk, which was now even more crowded. When she got to the salon she found her family staked out, wrapped in blankets, and with red-tipped noses.
Matt was right. The weather was too cold for Levi to spend any amount of time outside. However, tomorrow they’d have no choice. She’d bundle up Levi and then strap him to Matt’s chest to keep the baby warm.
“Have you seen Amanda?” Mary Ann asked her.
Carly waved a hand back over her shoulder. “I think she was having a little pow-wow with Adam back there on the corner. They had to get a few more details straight.”
“How many more details are there?” Ron grumbled. “It’s a—” He shut up as Teddy came rushing out of the salon.
“I turned the heat up for you and the little one. Let me know if it gets too warm.”
“Thanks, Teddy.”
“Well, you take such good care of my broody Bryson buck, so I should be thanking you.”
“If you want to sit outside with the rest of the family, I can take Levi inside,” Mary Ann offered.