Breathless (Steel Brothers Saga 10)

I finished up the Canadian bacon and slapped it on the full plates. I turned and forced a smile. “It’s ready.” I brought two plates over and set them in front of Joe and Bryce.

Ryan lifted his brow.

“I only have two hands, Ry. Sheesh.” I brought him his plate.

“Just kidding, Sis. But why do those two bozos rate higher than I do?”

“They were closer,” I said, forcing my smile again. “I made another pot of coffee.”

Joe held up his cup. “I’ll take a hot topper.”

Then Bryce stood. “I’ll get the coffee. I’m sure Marj has other things she’d rather be doing than feeding us.”

Ryan laughed. “Are you kidding? She lives to feed people.”

“Right,” I said, again with the forced smile. My brother was teasing, of course, but his words irked me. “Thanks, Bryce. I do have some things to do.” I walked swiftly out of the kitchen.

In truth, I didn’t have much on my plate today, but I relished the chance to escape. With Felicia gone, I was also doing the laundry, but I’d just completed it two days prior. We’d hired the rest of the housework out to a maid service that came once a week, which worked fine for me. I was an atrocious housekeeper.

Since Jade was still at the hospital and the boys were at school, I was off the clock for now. Though I was tempted to curl up with a good book and escape thoughts of Bryce Simpson, I decided instead to go into town. I’d take Jade’s advice and get back to the gym. I hadn’t gained any weight, but I was getting a little soft. Ryan’s wife, Ruby, had given me some pointers for my workouts. That woman had an amazing body, all toned and muscled but still beautifully feminine. In fact, maybe I’d give her a call and see if she wanted to accompany me. She’d quit the police force when they wouldn’t give her time off to go after her father, and though she was toying with opening up a PI business, she hadn’t yet. For now, she was helping Ry with the wine business.

I quickly dialed her cell, but she answered with a text that she was tied up in a meeting all morning. So much for that idea.

Off to the gym by myself, then. I grabbed my workout bag and headed out.

Holy smokes, was I out of shape! A half hour on the elliptical about did me in. I showered quickly, and changed, and then went next door to get a raspberry smoothie. I sat down at a small table and checked my phone, trying not to think about Bryce.

I wasn’t having much luck, until—

“Marjorie.”

A voice I recognized. I looked up. Colin Morse, Jade’s ex-fiancé, who I’d known since college, stood at the opposite end of my small table.

I swallowed. I had no idea what to say.

“Mind if I sit down?” he asked.

“Sure. Go ahead.” I avoided his gaze.

Colin had been held captive, tortured, and raped by Bryce’s father, Tom Simpson. Joe had rescued him, but Colin’s father, instead of being grateful, had threatened Joe with criminal charges, saying Colin was ready to name Joe as his captor.

Joe didn’t bite, however, and Colin came clean.

He hadn’t deserved his fate, but I was still pissed he was ready to blame my brother. Plus, he’d left Jade humiliated at the altar. I couldn’t turn him away, though. I’d never turn away a rape victim.

He sat down.

“What are you doing in Snow Creek?” I asked. This ought to be the last place on earth he’d be hanging out. He was abducted here, after a run-in with all three of my brothers.

“How’s Jade?” he countered.

So much for him answering my question.

“She’s good.” Did he know she was pregnant? I had no idea. None of his business anyway.

He sighed. “Do you know how many times I’ve thought about how much simpler my life would have been if I hadn’t chickened out the day of my wedding?”

Okay, this time I wasn’t holding back. “Look, Colin. I’m sorry for what you’ve been through. Truly I am. But if you think I’m going to let you off the hook for leaving my best friend totally humiliated, think again.”