Paws Up for Love

by Stephanie Rowe

  Evan slid off the bathtub to the floor, picking her feet up and settling them in his lap. "I know something's wrong when you pass up an opportunity to insult me."

  She sighed as Evan began rubbing her feet. "I don't insult you randomly. Just when you upset me."

  Evan's hands were so warm and soothing against her feet. "Really?"

  "Really what?" As if she could think with him touching her. He was much too distracting.

  "You don't insult me for the sheer entertainment value of it?"

  "Of course not. You upset me, and my emotions come blubbering out of my mouth. I really ought to control it better, but I have my hands full with being an Amazon warrior at the moment."

  "Ah, yes. The Amazon reference again. Not sure I fully grasp that one."

  "Just trying to be tough."

  "I think you pass."

  "Not." She sighed and tried not to let herself enjoy the soothing feel of Evan's hands on her feet. "Do you by any chance know of a training facility for sword fighting in the Boston area?"

  He lifted a brow. "I'm sure I could find out."

  "Great. Do it. I'll sign up tomorrow." Hmm...maybe she could alternate using the Dorsett brothers as targets. Tie them up and try to slice the ropes without cutting the boys too severely. And if she missed...oops. Too bad. Some rubbing alcohol and a Band-Aid would take care of the problem.

  "So...your car?"

  "Will you make love to me first?"

  He stopped rubbing her foot. Obviously not the best response. "What?"

  "I don't suppose you'll let me get up and just walk away now, huh?"

  "Not a chance."

  Josie sighed. Her nickname should apparently be Josie Big Mouth. "See, there's this little situation that has arisen. I'd prefer not tell you, because when I do...well...I'm pretty sure I won't like your reaction."

  "But you're going to tell me anyway?"

  "Well...I sorta think I should. But, if you were to leave me alone, then I wouldn't have to even make the decision. I could just pretend you didn't exist and..."

  "Tell me."

  So much for Evan being the sympathetic, nurturing type to give a woman the space she needs. "Well...ah..."

  Don't tell him!

  Tell him!

  It was like she had two Tasmanian devils in her brain, each of them yanking at her mind, one way, then the other way, then back...if she let it go on long enough, she'd lose her mind.

  And wouldn't that be a welcome relief?

  "Josie? What's up?"

  "I went out tonight."

  "Yes...I'm aware of that. Where'd you go?"

  "Fast food joint." To tell or not to tell. Ah, such an ugly question.

  "And...what happened there?"

  "I...had a conversation." Still undecided.

  "With Monica?"

  "No...she dropped me off." Okay, it was sort of looking like she might spill the beans. To what avail? Losing the man she loved? But she couldn't exactly lie to him. Not conducive to building a trusting relationship...darn. She hated having ethics and morals.

  Evan lifted a brow. "You met someone there?"

  "Um...maybe?"

  "Who did you meet?" His voice was low and tight.

  As if he was fooling her. No doubt, he'd already guessed the answer.

  "Buddy." His face became stark white and he looked like he was going to zoink to another planet. Hmm...he looked a little too startled. "What did you think I was going to say?"

  "I don't know. But I wasn't expecting that. Tom, maybe?"

  "Is it too late to pretend I said Tom?"

  From the look on his face, she was venturing that the answer to that question was affirmative. A little explanation was going to be in order. And it was not going to be an enjoyable experience. Unless she could distract him with her body? Hmm...an interesting idea.

  "What in the world is going on?"

  Or maybe she'd just better start talking.

  He couldn't believe it. Josie had met with Buddy? Tonight? Had she known where he was all along? Had she been lying to him this whole time? Playing him?

  No. It was impossible. Not Josie.

  He wouldn't judge her. Not yet. "Explain."

  She pulled her feet off his lap and hugged them with her arms. "Apparently, he's been trying to find me, but since I wasn't at work or my old apartment, he couldn't find me. He found Monica, who told me."

  "And she set it up."

  "Yes."

  Did he believe her? He didn't know. "And?"

  "And...he wanted to meet with me tonight."

  "You agreed to go."

  "Well, I wanted my money back."

  "Why didn't you tell me?"

  "Ah... That's the bugger. I'm not really interested in sharing that with you."

  As if that should surprise him. "I'm not feeling real sympathetic to your issues right now."

  Josie's eyes narrowed. "Don't treat me like I'm a criminal. I did nothing wrong."

  "You lied to me."

  "I did not. I said I was going out with Monica and I did."

  "Omission is just as bad as lying."

  Josie threw up her hands. "Oh, so now that you know I met Buddy and I didn't tell you beforehand, then everything I've said is a lie? Just reinforces your opinion of me."

  "Actually, I have a rather high opinion of you."

  She looked startled. "You do?"

  "Yes." And he did. In his gut, deep down inside, he'd had an aching feeling from day one that she hadn't lied about anything regarding his brother. She was too honest and forthright to consider lying. But he'd wanted to believe so much in his brother that it had been less painful to try to pretend she was lying. Not that he'd admit that. "So, what happened tonight?"

  "Ah... He...um...well..."

  "What?"

  "Darn it, Evan. I don't want to talk about this." She flung her legs out and lurched to her feet. "I don't want to get involved in a Dorsett family squabble. Or a love triangle as it were."

  She stepped over his legs to bolt out the door, but Evan closed his hand around her ankle and trapped her. "A love triangle." He repeated the words softly, not wanting to know what she meant, at the same time desperate to find out.

  She stopped, staring down at her ankle caught in his hand. "You know, sometimes I think your physical strength is incredibly sexy, and other times I find it a huge annoyance. Now is one of those annoying times."

  He grinned. "Have I told you that I love your honesty?"

  "Great. That makes everything all better."

  His smile faded. "What did Buddy say?"

  She growled, then folded her arms across her chest and glared at him. "Fine. You want to know? Well, you were right. Does that make you feel better?"

  He sincerely doubted it. "Right about what?" That Josie loved Buddy and belonged with him? No, being right about that would not make him feel good.

  "He came back to propose to me."

  Evan's gut slammed into his throat and words froze in his mouth.

  Josie flung her hands up in the air. "His love for me reformed him. He has a job now, wants to be a stay-at-home dad for our kids. Used the remains of my money to buy me a diamond ring. And he gave back my car and my waffle iron. True love, huh?" She tugged a receipt from her pocket. "Got the receipt so I can return the ring, but no...he's still convinced I love him. Thinks he can whittle away at my resistance until I fall helplessly in love with him."

  Evan leaned back against the tub and closed his eyes. He didn't want to hear this.

  Josie continued to vent. "The jerk stole from me, got me fired and he thinks I'll marry him? Not bloody likely, even if I hadn't fallen in love with his brother."

  His eyes snapped open. "What?"

  Josie muttered a very unladylike curse and he caught some reference to what could have been Josie Big Mouth, but he couldn't be sure.

  "I totally didn't mean to say that." She yanked her ankle out of his grasp. "Gotta go."

  As if that would happen.


  He grabbed her around the waist and toppled her onto his lap before she could take a step. She froze. He caught the scent of flowers and spring. "God, you smell good."

  The fearful look on her face softened and she laid her hand alongside his face. "Evan..."

  He took her hand and pressed it against his lips. She felt so right in his lap, her body warm against his. She was his fire, his sparkle, his energy.

  He grabbed her face suddenly and kissed her deeply. She responded instantly, throwing her arms around his neck and pressing her body against him.

  So right. She felt so right. So good. He wanted her.

  Buddy didn't deserve her.

  He broke the kiss sharply, his breath catching in deep gusts.

  "What's wrong?"

  He shook his head and pushed her off his lap. "I can't do this to him."

  "But I don't love him."

  "He loves you. That's enough."

  He stood up, but held out his hand to pull her to her feet. She grabbed the edge of the sink instead. Her lips were tight. "I knew you'd react like this."

  "I have to."

  "I have one question for you, Evan."

  "What's that?" He couldn't look at her.

  "If there was no Buddy, would you give us a chance?"

  Evan forced himself to meet her gaze and was shocked by the honest vulnerability in her eyes. But he shook his head. "What does it matter? He does, so there's nothing else to discuss. I was dumb enough to think it didn't matter... Oh, hell. I wasn't thinking. I don't know why I let myself make love to you, but he's back." The words burned. "Don't you get it, Josie? He's back. My brother is back!"

  She wrinkled her nose at him, but her eyes were looking a mite shifty. "Well, that's it then."

  And then she left.

  He didn't stop her.

  How could he?

  He sank back to the floor of the bathroom and let his head drop to his hands.

  His brother was back. He could have a family again.

  Except that he'd made love to the woman his brother loved.

  And he didn't want to let her go.

  As if he had a choice. How could he let a woman come between him and his brother?

  Intellectually, it was an easy decision.

  In his gut, it felt like hell.

  Obviously, the only answer was to keep his distance from Josie, for both their sakes. Then he'd find Buddy, beg his forgiveness twice, then hope they could move forward.

  Simple.

  Painless.

  And the hardest thing he'd ever done.

  Chapter 28

  "Everyone, Sit!" Josie released Max into her mom's living room and shouted at her sisters, her mom, and Monica. And two of her brothers, who had skipped work to barge in on the women's family meeting that Josie had called. "I'm having a crisis!"

  "Lemonade and iced tea," her mom called out as she put two pitchers on the coffee table. "Danishes and coffee cake will be up soon."

  "Mom, will you sit? You have to hear this."

  Her mom patted her cheek. "Don't worry, honey, I can hear just fine from the kitchen."

  Max climbed onto the couch and stretched across four laps, and received lots of patting in return. Josie's parents' house wasn't the kind of place where dogs weren't allowed on the furniture. How could it be? With nine kids growing up, then countless grandkids and spouses, the most anyone could hope for was to see the furniture under all the junk.

  Which was perfect. She loved this house. Not Evan's pristine house. Granted, he'd been quite amicable about letting Max take over and shed hair and toss slobber around, but still. That didn't mean the house was as warm and cozy as her parents'.

  She suddenly realized the room was silent and everyone was staring at her. "Oh, right. You want to hear what's up."

  Her mom popped in with a tray of steaming pastries. "Get 'em while they're hot. More will be ready in ten minutes."

  Josie waited while everyone helped themselves, then one of her sisters-in-law had to rush to the backyard to deal with a screaming child that the teenager-in-charge hadn't been able to quiet. Then a very pregnant Rose had to go to the bathroom. "You might as well just start," Monica said. "You'll never get everyone here at the same time."

  "Fine." But if she waited until everyone was there, then she'd never have to talk. No, she could do this. This is what family was for. Helping. "It's Evan."

  "Are you pregnant?" her mom shouted from the kitchen.

  "No!" She stomped her foot, but then took a deep breath. "Let me talk for a couple minutes without interruption, okay?"

  An assenting murmur passed through the room, accentuated by a five-year-old howl from the backyard that lessened her audience by one. She'd have to get this out quickly, or she'd never finish.

  "Buddy's back." Mouths started to open, so she rushed onward. "He wants to marry me, but he spent all my money. Has a job. Says he has reformed himself because he loves me."

  "Don't even think of dropping Evan for that loser," her mom announced, pointing a dripping spatula in her direction. "I had the nicest conversation with that boy last night..."

  "What? You did? About what?"

  "No, no, no. Finish the story," Monica said. "Do the conversation thing later."

  What in the world had her mom and Evan discussed? Evan hadn't mentioned it last night.

  "Talk," Monica ordered.

  "Fine." Josie paced in front of the fireplace...well, the brick opening in the wall that used to be a fireplace, but which now served as a toy chest. "Anyway, I think I might be...getting overly fond of Evan."

  "Of course you are," her mom said. "You're marrying him."

  "No!" Josie flexed her hands and forced herself to stay calm. "The engagement thing was a lie to get you off my back about getting married again. Then it sort of exploded. But the thing is..." She stopped. How did she admit this?

  "You wish it wasn't a lie," her sister Rose finished.

  Josie shrugged, her gut tight. "Maybe."

  "Wait a sec," her brother said. "You're living with the man and he hasn't made a commitment to you?"

  "It wasn't like we were involved. He moved me in to keep me available for when Buddy came back." No need to point out her use of the past tense regarding whether they'd been involved. "So, there's my conflict. I think he likes me, but he's adamant that since Buddy loves me, he can't steal me. But I like Evan." There. She'd said it. She liked him.

  The room was quiet, and even her mom was standing in the doorway drying her hands off on her apron.

  "Why is Evan being so altruistic?" Rose asked.

  "Because he feels he owes Buddy. It's a long story, but believe me, I don't think I'm going to talk him out of it."

  "Already tried, huh?"

  "Maybe a few times."

  "So, what do you mean, 'were' involved?"

  Josie scowled at her brother. "Nothing."

  "You sleeping with him?"

  Okay, this was so not the forum to be discussing her sex life. Not with her family there. "That's not the point, Oscar. I need to know what to do about Evan?"

  "It is the point." Her brother was on his feet now. "He's getting action with my sister and you have no ring on your finger?" He jerked his head at the other brother in attendance, Robbie. "Let's go. I know where his office is."

  "Wait! You can't!" She tried to grab her brother's arm. "Come on, you guys. This isn't the olden days. I'm just as responsible as he is."

  "Yeah, and we'll deal with you later." Oscar easily twisted out of her grasp and her brothers slammed out the front door.

  Great. Just great. That was the sure way to win Evan over. Threaten his life? She looked at her sisters, and they were all grinning. "What's so funny?"

  "Face it, Josie. Evan deserves it. You're way too easy on your men. He needs to realize you aren't some piece of leftover pumpkin pie to leave out on the counter until he's ready for a bite," Rose said. "I thought you weren't going to let men walk all over you. Wasn't that your plan?"

&
nbsp; "Yeah...but...I..." Damn. Her sister was right. "I'm totally pathetic, aren't I?" And here she thought she'd been some tough chick. "I don't deserve to be a woman."

  The room filled with supportive female cooing, and Josie found herself herded onto the couch under a barrage of hugs and pats.

  "Stop it!" A loud clang startled them, and they looked to the door. Her mom stood there with two pots, which were still reverberating from being smashed together. "What's your problem? All of you, not just Josie."

  Josie snuggled between her sisters. "What are you talking about?"

  "Josie doesn't deserve hugs for letting a man walk all over her. She needs to be smacked in the head with this pot." She held up a particularly heavy-looking pot for emphasis.

  "Gee, thanks, Mom." Looked like her mom had finally figured out the truth about Evan. Maybe the delusional Mom was better. "I thought you believed women should put their men first. Don't have a career and all that."

  "Is that what you think? Then I've obviously failed as a mother." Her mom tossed the pots on the floor with a loud clang. "Now, you listen up, young lady. I think women should stay home with the kids, yes. Who needs the grief of a boss and a career when the best thing about life is your family and kids? Let the man deal with it."

  When phrased that way, it didn't sound entirely illogical. Unless she liked her job, of course.

  Her mom shook a floury fist. "But, that doesn't mean you give up self-respect or relinquish control. Every woman in this room is equal to her husband, and secretly, we're the ones in control. That's the way it should be. Love a man, but keep him in line and be the one in control." Her mom rolled her eyes. "This situation with Evan is ridiculous. How can you be an enabler after all I've taught you about being strong?"

  "That's why I'd sworn off men! Because I obviously suck at being in relationships! Why do you think I'm here? I told you I was having a crisis! I did it again. Fell in love with a jerk."

  "You love him?" her mom asked.

  "I...don't know."

  Her mom nodded. "He's not a jerk."

  "Yes, he is."

  Her mom glanced to the door, then back at the roomful of women. "Do you guys want to hear the real story about how I snagged your dad? He likes the version about how he swooped down and rescued me, but it's not really true."