Falling for the Brother

“Hey.” His tone was soft, too, reflecting the easy familiarity he’d adopted very early in their relationship. His “bedroom voice” she’d once teased him about.

Her turn again. She had no idea what to say. Bruce hadn’t been told where his grandmother was. He’d have no legitimate reason to be calling Harper to ask about her.

Mason didn’t want Bruce to know anything. He thought Bruce was the bad guy they were out to get, and for the life of her, she couldn’t understand it. From the day she’d met Detective Bruce Thomas, she’d admired him. His skill on the job. The respect in which he was held by the other officers—officers who’d worked with him for years.

“How’s Brie?”

Oh. Right. Of course. He had reasons, other than Miriam, for calling her. What the hell? Her mind was so wrapped up in Mason, in his hunt for Miriam’s truth, she’d missed a step.

“She’s fine. She was telling me last night that houses should have screens in every room that would let you order food. That way she could have a snack in bed whenever she wanted it.”

His familiar chuckle calmed her. “Did she think the screen would prepare and deliver the food?”

Harper was smiling now, too. “She said workers would do it. The people who owned the screen business.” No matter how much her time in the Thomas family had changed her, hurt her, she’d come out of it with Brianna and having that little girl was, hands down, the best thing that had ever happened to her.

“I was going to try to make it down to see her at the end of the week. I expect to be wrapping up this case tomorrow or the next day, but…”

Now that she was no longer at the department, she wasn’t privy to the details of his assignments. His words sent a jolt of panic through her. Deep breaths, focusing on slowing her heart rate, weren’t helping.

“Just let me know when, and we’ll meet you someplace.” He could not show up at The Lemonade Stand. Technically he didn’t know where the shelter was, or what shelter she worked for, but with his cop skills, she could never be sure what he did and did not find out.

As a cop, he’d have the clearance. But now that he was, based on Lemonade Stand paperwork, a possible abuser, he’d be arrested if he came anywhere near the place.

He’d be charged, too, if it could be proven that he knew his grandmother was there.

It wasn’t right, arresting a guy when all he thought he was doing was picking up his daughter. And yet, she couldn’t tell him Miriam was there. The whole point was to keep her safe from him.

Or from whomever had hurt her.

On the edge of her seat now, literally, Harper forced her mind into work mode. Did Bruce know more than he was saying?

Would he tell her that Miriam was away? That she’d been hurt?

Did he know she’d been in touch with Mason? That his brother had contacted her? She could just imagine what that would do to him. Silent fury would build until he walked out without a word…

She shook her head. He couldn’t walk out on her anymore. Not ever again. She’d left him.

“The thing is,” he continued, “I caught a break this afternoon, found myself with some free time so I’m here in Santa Raquel now. I was hoping I could take her for a couple of hours this afternoon. Maybe the three of us could have dinner together before I head back tonight. I’d like that a lot…to have some time with my girls. Maybe you and I could have a few minutes to talk…”

She’d had so much fun dating Bruce. He’d do things just like this, surprising her with a plan out of the blue, and every single time she’d loved it. They’d enjoyed each other’s company. He liked to have fun and had a way of helping others enjoy themselves, too.

They weren’t dating anymore. Harper wasn’t one of his “girls.” Brianna was with Miriam, and taking her away from the older woman would be like putting gasoline on a fire. Telling Bruce no wasn’t a great idea, either, for so many reasons.

He didn’t like to have his surprises falter; he didn’t cope well when his plans were thwarted. Try to do something nice for someone and… She’d heard that more than once during her year of marriage.