Truly Madly Deeply Boxed Set

“At least call me the minute you’re through.”

“Yes, sir. Anyone ever tell you you’re bossy?”

A sad smile crossed his face. “My brother.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, wishing she could permanently ease his pain. But she knew from her own fragile emotions that he’d live with some variation of the hurt for the rest of his life.

He lifted his hands to her face and she savored the feel of his strong touch against her skin. “I love you.” She spoke honestly, without thinking. She wrapped her arms around his neck, meeting him halfway for a kiss that melted her defenses. Though Chelsie felt safe in his arms, the kiss was anything but. All the passion, heat, and tangled emotions threatened to overwhelm her.

A sheen of perspiration coated his forehead. His breathing sounded labored. “You’d better get going,” he murmured.

Chelsie smiled, finding it difficult to catch her own breath. “ ‘Bye.”

It wasn’t until she reached the shelter that she realized she had told Griff the truth. But not the truth that mattered most.

* * *

“You keep showing up unexpectedly and I’ll have to charge you rent.” Griff unlocked the storm door for Ryan.

Morning had turned into afternoon and then to early evening without a word from Chelsie. Griff understood her preoccupation with Amanda’s plight and, as a lawyer, understood that emergencies arose even on weekends. But his concern grew with each passing minute.

Ryan chuckled and, as usual, brushed past Griff into the house. “I take it you won’t be needing my baby-sitting services any longer?”

“Quit fishing for information. I haven’t needed your services in months. Consider yourself greatly appreciated but now unemployed.”

“Right. Miss Russell is filling in.” Ryan paused to plant a kiss on Alix’s cheek. She reciprocated with a wet one on his lips, causing him to chuckle. “Speaking of Chelsie...”

“I wasn’t,” Griff said. Thinking of her, definitely, but not sharing his personal thoughts, even with Ryan.

“I was. I did you a favor.” Ryan held out a manila envelope.

Griff glanced at the distinctive packet. He’d seen the results of Ryan’s investigations one too many times to be mistaken. “I thought I told you to leave her alone.”

“Friends help friends.” Ryan tossed the envelope onto the cocktail table. “Your decision,” he said and turned to play with Alix.

Knowing he had to get rid of the information before Chelsie returned, Griff scowled at Ryan before swiping the offending envelope from the table. He walked straight upstairs and into his office, placing the file in the top drawer of his desk. He saw no reason to upset Chelsie by telling her that a private investigator, Ryan of all people, had looked into her past. He’d dump the file later, when he could eliminate it permanently.

Griff had no intention of reading any information Chelsie didn’t disclose on her own. She’d indicated earlier that they had to talk, and he felt sure she would confide in him over time.

A lifetime, he realized with sudden clarity.

He’d known for a while that they couldn’t continue an affair with a two-year-old child in the house. In his heart, he knew he wanted Chelsie forever. He just wished his mind, so cluttered with images of the past, would leave him alone. But Chelsie had helped him begin to heal.

She cared about him, not what he could give her, buy her, or do for her. No woman had given him that gift before. For that reason alone, he trusted her enough to attempt to build a future.

He glanced at his watch. What the hell was taking her so long?

“Hey, Ryan.” Griff bounded back downstairs and imposed on his long-time friend one more time.

* * *

“So you went home for your son’s favorite stuffed animal.” Chelsie sat with Amanda in one of the few empty rooms of the shelter.

Posters cluttered the beige walls in an attempt to brighten what should have been a morose and depressing atmosphere. Anyone who made this place a pit stop had left severe problems outside these walls, but many brought children along with them. And where there were children, there was hope.

“Stupid, huh? It’s just that he hasn’t slept since we got here over a week ago.”

Chelsie clasped her hands together while attempting to formulate a reasonable response, one that didn’t take emotion into account. “You’re a good mother, Amanda. But some risks are just too great You gambled with this one.”