by Jillian Hart
“Me, too. I didn’t know what I was thinking just picking up a dog with no forethought or preparation. I don’t know the first thing about owning a dog.”
“I can see how it happened. Who would think twice when it comes to Oscar? Of course you wanted him.” She smiled, beauty in the night. “Goodbye.”
“Wait. What do I owe you?” He reached for his wallet, but she waved him away.
“We can decide that later. After we see how successful I am. You may change your mind about me and want a real professional.” She shook her head, scattering tendrils of dark, silken hair. Those gossamer strands brushed against the curve of her cheek and the line of her jaw the way his hand itched to.
He didn’t reach out as much as he wanted to. Brooke had put distance between them and he wasn’t going to cross it. Distance was a good idea. So good, he took a step back, barricading his feelings with all his might.
No way was he getting involved again and if he did, it wouldn’t be with a woman who was as reserved as Brooke. After talking with her half the evening, she remained a great big mystery. She kept a part of herself hidden away just like Sidney did. Besides, he liked Brooke far too much for safety. That was the best reason to pull back.
“Drive safely. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow.” He eased onto the sidewalk while the engine started. Kept to the shadows. He could be a mystery, too.
Brooke lifted her hand in a dainty little wave, giving him nothing more, not even a smile, before the truck pulled away.
He watched the taillights grow smaller in the darkness until with a faint red flicker they faded away.
* * *
The crescent moon peeked over the trees rimming the trailer park. Brooke climbed out of the borrowed pickup and into the faint moonlight. Lights shone from neighbors’ windows but no one else was out. Not a single car motored by. No dogs barked. No cats prowled the shadows. Gripping her bag, she headed up the stairs, breathing in the sweet Montana air redolent with the scents of lilacs and early budding roses. Upset clung to her no matter how hard she tried to stop it. Just brush it off, Brooke. She paused on the porch to take a cleansing breath. It had been a close call tonight. Why had she let her guard down? She had no clue why Liam affected her that way.
“Brooke, there you are! I thought I heard the truck.” The door swung open before she could reach it. Brandi held a bowl of ice cream in one hand, gripping the doorknob with the other. She looked adorable as always dressed in a Montana State University T-shirt and shorts with her light blond hair tied back in a long swooping ponytail. “You’re just in time. We’re having zero-calorie dessert.”
“There’s a brand of ice cream with no calories?”
“Sure. In my imagination.” Brandi laughed.
“In mine, too,” Bree called with an identical cheer from the kitchen. She held a bowl in one hand and a freshly loaded spoon with another. “Come in and have some no-cal mint chocolate chip.”
“I’m not sure I’m that imaginative. I see calories,” she teased. “Lots and lots of calories.”
“Hey, I’m in denial over here,” Colbie called from the kitchen. “Don’t mess with my denial!”
“Sorry. My bad.”
“Don’t just stand out there, dear, come tell us all about it.” Lil gestured from her chair with the hand that wasn’t holding an enormous bowl of ice cream. “Did you have fun tonight?”
“Oscar was a hoot.” She closed the front door behind her and plopped her purse onto the small entry table. “I found him a spot at the Dillards’ day care.”
“Good choice. They’re such nice people.” Colbie scooped ice cream from the container and into a bowl. “I’m sure he’ll be happy there.”
“That should keep him out of trouble, but that’s not what we all wanted to know.” Brandi waggled her brows as she dug into her ice cream. “So, how did things go with Liam?”
“Yes, tell us all about Liam.” Lil hit Pause on the remote, freezing the legal drama on the screen mid-cross-examination. “He’s such a handsome man and a real gentleman. You two seem to get along.”
“Looks can be deceiving. He’s a reporter. You guys could have told me what I was walking into.”
“Guess I didn’t think of it.” Bree ambled out of the kitchen and gave her spoon a lick. “He asked me for an interview and I’m giving him one right after my testimony.”
“He already got an unofficial one from me.” She hated to be the one to break their illusions about Liam, but she had to be honest. “He asked me a lot of questions, which I answered without knowing his agenda. Questions about you, Bree.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing. He won’t use what you told him. Honestly. Trust me. He knows if he wants a quote, he can call.” She slipped into an overstuffed chair facing the TV. “Hey, did you get supper? We can warm up leftovers if you’re hungry.” That was Brianna, as sweet as could be. She sat next to her twin, totally unconcerned. Clearly she didn’t understand the situation.
“I ate, thanks. I’m sorry, I should have wondered why he was asking all those questions. He just seemed like a concerned friend of the family.”
“That’s because he is. We’ve known Liam for a long time.” Colbie opened the cabinet in search of another bowl. “What kind of ice cream do you want? Mint chocolate chip, strawberry shortcake or triple fudge?”
“The chocolatey one.” Did Colbie really have to ask?
“Liam’s not like some of those reporters who hounded us when Bree was in the hospital,” Brandi explained.
“Or like the ones who descended after your arrest,” Bree finished. The twins nodded together, blond heads bobbing, heart-shaped faces dimpling, two peas in a pod.
Liam had said he wouldn’t use what she’d told him. But what he actually did was a different matter. And the mention of her arrest? That was just the ultimate reminder why she should never trust another man again. Darren had betrayed her trust in the worst possible way.
“Is this enough or do you want another scoop?” Colbie held up a bowl heaping with ice cream.
“Give her another scoop,” Brandi called from the couch, pushing a stray strand of light blond hair from her eyes. “We have to fatten her up while we can…”
“…and spoil her as long as she’s here.” Bree finished her twin’s thought with a cute grin. “Then maybe we can change her mind about going back to Seattle.”
“I guess at this point it depends on how my job hunt pans out. Colbie, that’s a whole lot of ice cream.”
“No calories, remember? So it doesn’t matter.” Colbie plunged a spoon into the mountain of chocolate and handed over the bowl. “I’m praying hard. Maybe, just maybe, you can stay. Training Liam’s dog is a start, right?”
Brooke did her best not to imagine Liam laughing in the sunshine tossing a Frisbee. She tried not to remember how kindly he treated his dog. Her throat tightened and she felt at a loss. “It’s just one very temporary job.”
“But it could turn into another. You know how word of mouth works.” Colbie grabbed her by the arm and forcefully steered them both toward the living room. “You do one good job, people talk, and next thing you know you have more work than you can handle. Maybe you will become the premier dog trainer in Bozeman.”
“That’s quite an imagination you have.” Her sisters. Who wouldn’t love ’em? She slipped onto the edge of the couch. “Premier dog trainer? I can’t see it.”
“Maybe it’s time to start dreaming again, Brooke.” Lil worked her spoon in her ice cream. “You ought to think about what you want to do next with your life.”
“Maybe.” Agreeing was easier than admitting she didn’t know how to get her dreams back. She’d been out of jail nineteen months, and half of that time she’d spent struggling to find the basics—shelter, food, work, purpose.
“You always wanted to be a vet assistant.” Brandi paused over a spoon piled high with mint chocolate chip. Her forehead crinkled adorably. “I could check around. Maybe MSU has a program or something. We could
be college buddies, you, me and Bree.”
“But aren’t you two almost finished?” The ice cream really did smell good and fudgy. Her mouth watered traitorously. She stared at the bowl, debating. As much as she wanted to she couldn’t deny the calories away. Colbie had dished up enough for three people, but did that stop her from digging into it?
No way.
“We’re going to look into it anyway. End of argument.” Bree licked at her spoonful of ice cream.
“Excellent. It’s a great plan.” Colbie settled into the middle couch cushion with a bounce. “We want you to stay, Brooke, and it’s a great deal for you. We know you love animals, so it’s the perfect profession for you. You could meet lots of dashing college students. When you graduate there’s always handsome pet owners and hunky veterinarians. I say it’s a win-win.”
“And a guy is so not what I need.” She rolled her eyes, shook her head and thought of Liam. Why did she think of Liam? Probably because of the words handsome and hunky. A natural combination that defined the man.
Get him out of your head, Brooke. She popped a spoonful of chocolate into her mouth, richly delicious and cold enough to freeze the roof of her mouth. Ouch.
“Speaking of hunky and handsome.” Bree leaned forward, turning the intensity of her lavender-blue eyes on Colbie. “Did you notice the D.A.?”
“The district attorney?” Colbie asked offhand, as if she hadn’t a clue who Bree was talking about. “I guess. Was he the tall one?”
“Yes, he was the tall one.” Bree rolled her eyes, not believing Colbie for a second.
“Tall and handsome. Those shoulders.” Brandi picked up where her twin left off. “We caught you looking at him.”
“Sure, I had to, since he was sitting between me and the witness box.” Colbie shrugged indifferently and a silken lock of dark hair tumbled over her slender shoulder. Wistfulness glinted in her expressive eyes for a brief moment.
Interesting. Brooke wondered if she was the only one who noticed it before Colbie plunged her spoon into her bowl, mashing up her scoops of fudge ice cream.
“That district attorney would make a better door than a window,” she said as if she didn’t care about him at all. “I couldn’t see a thing with him blocking the way. Bree, any chance your fiancé has a friend you can fix Brandi up with? One with nice shoulders. Apparently that’s important to her.”
“Integrity is important to me,” Brandi spoke up, swinging her spoon in the air for emphasis. “Steadfastness, loyalty, honesty, the list goes on and on. Notice I’m not dating anyone? That’s why. No one can live up to my standards.”
“I found a Prince Charming.” Love polished Bree, making her more lovely than ever. “There’s no reason you can’t find one, too.”
“I don’t know. There aren’t many fairy tales out there ready to come true.” Brandi set her chin, not ready to believe. “I’m glad you found one, but I’m grateful to be right here with all of you, my sisters. And Lil.”
“I’m thankful, too, dear.” Emotion glinted in the older woman’s eyes as she grabbed the remote. The screen came to life, sound filled the room as they all leaned back into the cushions to watch the drama unfold.
It was good to be part of a family again.
Chapter Seven
By the time he raced into the morning courtroom, Brooke had already arrived. She was seated near the front with her family behind the D.A.’s table, which was empty. Folks milled about, conversations buzzed and Roger left his side to get their seats. They’d departed the staff meeting early, leaving his grandfather happily in charge, but the satisfaction from working alongside Pop remained. Liam was glad he’d let the Lord guide his steps back home to Bozeman.
What he wasn’t glad for was the way his gaze arrowed to Brooke against his will. He really needed an eye exam or something. Maybe a brain scan to solve the mystery of why he couldn’t look away from her. Something really had to be wrong with him. And his feet because they took him straight to her.
She looked amazing this morning in slim-cut slacks, a summery-blue top and matching cardigan. Her hair fell in a long sleek curtain framing her heart-shaped face. When her violet-blue gaze met his, the impact rocked him back a few steps.
Wary. That’s what he read in her eyes.
Good, because he was wary, too.
“Good morning, McKaslins.” His voice sounded strained and gruff, so he cleared it.
“Liam!” Lil twisted in her wheelchair, adorable as always with her dark cap of hair and apple cheeks. “How good to see you. How is your grandfather?”
“The same. Tough. Stubborn. A rascal.”
“And you’re a chip off the old block.” When she smiled, Lil was a handsome woman. He always kept her in prayer, trapped in that wheelchair. The strain of the trial looked to be getting to her. Smudges bruised the skin beneath her eyes and she looked pale. Pale, but resolute. Nothing could dim her determined smile as she leaned closer. “I hear Brooke found a solution for your dog.”
“A good one. Last time I saw Oscar, he was leaping around in the doggy gym chasing a big red ball. He’s making all kinds of new friends.” His gaze slinked back to Brooke. He wasn’t powerful enough to stop it. But was Brooke watching him? No. She was focused squarely on Lil. Probably a good thing and he relaxed a bit. “So far no one from the day care has called to say Oscar’s in trouble, so I’m staying cautiously optimistic.”
“I hope he has a lot of fun,” Colbie broke in. “You should bring him over next time you’re in the neighborhood. I’d love to meet him.”
“I’ll be swinging by tonight.” Why he felt obligated to offer that information, he couldn’t say. He couldn’t seem to stop himself. “I owe Gram a ham.”
“Yes, Madge told me all about it.” Lil chuckled. “Said she was going to dog sit for you and intended to keep a close eye on him. He’s not allowed in the kitchen ever again.”
“That settles it,” Bree spoke up. “We’re having supper at Lil’s again tonight. I want to meet Oscar. I love dogs.”
“Me, too.” Brandi leaned over the bench. “We are way too busy these days for a pet, so we’ll have to borrow him.”
“If you need a dog sitter—” Bree offered.
“—you know who to call,” Brandi finished.
“You two do not know what you’re getting into,” he warned them, aware of every breathe Brooke took, aware of how deliberately she kept her head turned toward her sisters and not him.
Good. That’s just the way he wanted it. He had to ignore the tightness gathering in his chest. She simply had that effect on him—he would get used to it.
“How are you doing, Brianna?” He asked as a family friend, not a reporter. “Are you holding up okay?”
“I’m good. The tough part starts today.” Bree swallowed hard. She tightened her grip on her fiancé’s hand. Max Decker, a detective with the city, was a good guy. One of the best. They exchanged greetings.
It was easy to read the worry on the man’s face and his concern for his Brianna. Infinite devotion shone in those dark eyes. Sometimes love worked out. It was good to see.
“I’ve got Max, and I’ve got family around me.” Strength showed beneath as Bree lifted her chin. “This will be good in the end. I get to face it and when the trial is over, I’m praying for justice and closure. After all, I wasn’t the one hurt the most that awful night.”
She glanced a few rows over where Juanita’s family was settling in. They had lost a daughter during the robbery. He ached for them. “I’m keeping you all in prayer. You need something, anything, let me know, okay?”
“Thanks, Liam.” Bree’s quiet smile telegraphed caring and something else. She cast her gaze across the others to Brooke. Brooke, trying hard to avoid him, bit her bottom lip adorably.
His chest cinched tighter. He ignored that, too. “I’d better get settled. The D.A. just walked in.”
“Thanks for coming down, Liam,” Colbie spoke up with a grateful smile. “Your support means a lot.”
“Hey, you’ve been a friend and a good neighbor to Gram for a long time. Don’t forget. I mean it. If I can do something, you call. Got it?” He backed up the aisle, glancing over his shoulder to make sure he didn’t ram into anyone.
“Don’t worry, we have your number.” Lil winked.
“Good. Use it.” He seemed to mean it. Caring deepened the summer-dawn blue of his eyes and for a second his gaze held with Brooke’s. The shock rolled through her like thunder, rattling her bones before he whipped around, leaving her pulse thumping in her ears.
“He’s a gem,” Lil trilled as she watched him stride down the aisle. “I just love him. He’s so good to his grandmother, always visiting. He gave up a lot to help out when his paternal grandfather got that diagnosis.”
“What diagnosis?” The question popped out. She didn’t mean to ask. She wasn’t interested; she wasn’t fishing for information about Liam and his life.
“Cancer. They found it early and Ed’s doing well. Liam gave up a big-time job to run the paper while his grandfather was in treatment. Now he’s staying on so Ed only has to work part-time. Doesn’t that say a lot about the boy?” Lil’s hand patted Brooke’s. “I—”
“Excuse me.” A deep voice belonging to the tall, striking district attorney broke in. Austin Quinn could have been a TV star with his rugged good looks, polished presentation, perfect dark suit and striped tie. But did Brooke’s heart skip a beat?
No. Not even a stumble. Regardless of how hard she tried, she couldn’t ignore Liam. He’d stopped to chat with Juanita’s family. She had a perfect view of him out of the corner of her eye. Not that she was intentionally looking; he was naturally in her field of vision. Caring warmed his handsome features, softened his powerful masculine stance and roped her in. He clearly was just a friend checking in and not doing his reporter thing.
He’d been true to his word. She’d read Lil’s morning paper front to back. There hadn’t been a single article by Liam Knightly. Roger’s recap of the trial had been a facts-based and thoughtful account of the opening day, proving the kind of newspaper Liam and his grandfather ran. Liam had been true to his word.