The One I Need

“Miles. What are you doing here?”

Despite the question, the warmth in Cameron’s voice told June that he and his brother were close.

“I told Mom and Dad I’d keep an eye on the place while they’re in Mexico.” Miles cast a curious look in June’s direction. “I could ask you the same thing.”

“Juin and I went to a festival, but it got noisy—”

“That’s part of the fun.” Miles, tall and built like a linebacker, with a beard and a mop of sandy-colored hair, grinned.

With his jeans, faded T-shirt and work boots, Miles would have fit right in with the crowd at the festival. There would have been no leaving early for him, June thought. He’d likely have stayed until the band played its last song.

“I don’t believe we’ve met.” Miles surprised her by extending a hand, which she took. He had a firm handshake, and she liked the way he met her gaze directly. “Miles Driskill. Cameron’s brother.”

“June Parker.” The name slipped out before she could call it back.

Cameron cast a startled glance at her.

In an easy manner at odds with the tightness gripping her chest, she added, “In business, I go by Juin Dion. I’ll answer to either.”

She thought a spark of recognition flickered in Miles’s eyes, but it was gone so quickly she might have only imagined it.

“It’s a pleasure meeting you.” Miles’s smile remained warm and friendly.

Yes, she’d definitely been mistaken.

“Juin and I met in Paris,” Cameron told his brother. “Though, until now, I didn’t realize she had two names.”

“Why use a different name for business?” Miles asked June, appearing sincerely interested.

“Dion is my mother’s maiden name and my middle name. It’s French. My mother grew up in France.” June found herself wanting to speak fast, but forced herself to slow down. “In business, I primarily deal with the European market, so I’ve always gone by Dion. Juin Dion.”

“Pretty,” was all Miles said.

Cameron slung an arm around her shoulders. “Yes, she is.”

“I believe he was referring to the name.”

Cameron grinned.

“That, too.”

Miles rocked back on his boot heels. “I assume since you have a French mother that you’re bilingual.”

“I am. It’s been a huge plus having a mother who grew up in France. Knowing the language and having the ability to integrate into French life and culture are essential when doing business in Europe.”

“I consider myself proficient,” Cameron said, “but I took Juin for a native the first time I met her.”

“What brought you back to the United States?” Miles asked, giving her his full attention.

It struck June that when Miles looked at you—like Cameron—it was as if no one else mattered. “My mother has been ill. I’m, well, her only child, and I wanted to be close.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Miles said, sounding sincere.

“We should get going. I thought I’d give Juin a quick tour of the house before I take her home.” Cameron smiled at his brother. “You could join us.”

“I’ll pass.” Miles turned to June. “It was good meeting you.”

“You, too, Miles.”