Her Very Own Family by Gina Wilkins

Author:Gina Wilkins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2011-06-11T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

“So then Jared and Shane gave the children horseback rides and Joe and I rode to a stream and back, and by then it was time to come home.” Brynn concluded her recitation of the day’s events in the same casual, breezy tone she’d used throughout the visit with Kelly, who’d demanded to hear every detail.

“It sounds like so much fun.” Kelly’s voice was wistful. “I’d have loved to be there, if only to see you on horseback.”

Brynn smiled ruefully. “I’m not sure it was such an inspiring sight. I felt so awkward and klutzy in comparison with Jared and Shane and Joe. And you should see Molly ride. Ten years old and she’s already a champion.”

Sitting up in the raised hospital bed, supported by pillows, Kelly studied her friend’s face. “You like them, don’t you?”

“Yes, of course. They’re all very nice.”

“Do you find anyone particularly ‘nice’?”

Brynn studied her fingernails. “I like them all. You will, too, once you get to know them, as I’m sure you will, since you’ll be living in the guest house with me when you’re released.”

“You didn’t answer my question. Tell me about Shane.”

Brynn couldn’t help smiling when she pictured Shane. She imagined most people who knew him smiled at the thought of him.

“He’s very funny. Charming. Sweet. Animals, children and little old ladies adore him. Everyone else genuinely likes him. There’s a hint of darkness in his eyes every once in a while—as if he has a few bad memories he doesn’t like to dwell on. But he seems to be able to shrug off whatever bothers him and find a way to make himself—and everyone around him—laugh.”

“You’re fond of him.”

“Yes. He’s become a friend, and you know how much real friendship means to me.”

“Now tell me about Joe.”

“Joe Walker? He’s the serious one of the twins. Ryan’s quite the cutup, but Joe...”

“Brynn.” Kelly interrupted patiently. “You’re being deliberately obtuse. I was talking about Joe D’Alessandro.”

Brynn plucked at a minute speck of lint on her black slacks. “What can I tell you about him? You’ve known him as long as I have.”

“I know him as my doctor. Tell me what he’s like away from the hospital.”

Brynn bit her lip. “Well, he’s, uh...” She trailed off for lack of words.

“You’ve stopped smiling.”

Kelly’s murmured comment startled Brynn into a scowl. Kelly couldn’t realize, of course, how significant her observation was in light of the similar one Joe had made.

“I was just trying to think of the right words,” she said defensively.

“You didn’t have any trouble finding words to describe Shane.”

“That’s different. Shane is easy to describe. Joe is... a bit more of a challenge.”

“Don’t you like him?”

“Of course.” The reply was automatic. But true, nonetheless. “He loves his family—his parents, his brothers, his nieces and nephews. He even spoke fondly of his cousins. He’s a good doctor, as we’ve seen for ourselves. He’s very intelligent and perceptive and considerate of others.”

“Does he make you laugh—the way Shane does?”

He made her burn—the way no one else ever had.

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