Trinity Falls (Finding Home 1)

“If you love her, it’s worth the risk, Q.” Ean spoke from the heart. He was just beginning to realize he was falling fast and hard for Megan McCloud.

As though his thoughts had conjured her, Megan appeared in the office doorway, cradling a potted plant. She wore blue jeans and a black jersey, with the image of a green bookworm reading a brown book.

She smiled and the room was warmer, brighter. Her laughing eyes moved from Ean to Quincy to Darius on the far side of the office. “You guys look so serious.”

Darius stood away from the window. “Quincy and I were just leaving.”

Quincy looked startled. “No, we weren’t.”

Darius placed a hand on his friend’s back and propelled him forward. “Are you sure you have an advanced degree?”

“Why are you always questioning that?” Quincy’s voice carried a wealth of irritation.

Their quarrelsome exchange faded as they left the office suite.

Ean sighed. “They’re like grouchy old men. I’d forgotten that.”

Megan turned away from the door. “I think you’re all like brothers.”

Indeed, they were. They didn’t have real brothers. Darius and Ean were only children, and Quincy had an older sister.

Ean held his breath as their eyes met. “You haven’t returned my calls.”

Why had he said that? He sounded like a sulky child. Not the image he wanted to project to the person with whom he was falling in love.

Megan came closer. “I’m sorry. I reacted . . . just reacted yesterday. After I calmed down, I knew you were telling me the truth.”

“How?” Ean glanced at the plant—bamboo shoots—before looking into her melted-chocolate eyes again.

Megan drew her right hand through her dark hair. “You wouldn’t have made love to me if you were still attracted to Ramona.”

Ean felt as though she’d kissed him full on his mouth. He licked his lips. The movement drew Megan’s gaze. Her eyes darkened. Ean’s body heated.

He pushed away from the wall and came closer to her. He brushed her hair back, smoothing the wavy locks she’d tousled. The pulse in the base of her neck fluttered like a hummingbird. His fingers itched to touch it.

Ean inclined his head toward the potted plant she held. “What’s that?”

Megan blinked down at her arms as though she’d forgotten she was carrying anything. “Bamboo shoots.” She extended the plant toward him. “They’re an office-warming gift for you.”

“Thank you.” Ean accepted the gift. He examined the simple pale green ceramic planter, which held the four leafy stalks.

“Sure.” Megan cleared her throat. “You’re welcome.”

“No one’s ever bought me a potted plant before.” Ean carried the planter to the bay window. He placed it on the center of the ledge and stepped back to look at it. It seemed lost on the shelf by itself.

“They’re for good luck.”

Ean laughed. “I can use some of that.”

“You don’t have anything to worry about. You’re going to be a success.”

“I hope so.” Ean faced Megan. His gaze dropped to the image of the somber-faced bookworm on her T-shirt. It’s head rested against her breasts. Lucky bookworm. “This practice was Ms. Helen’s idea.”

Megan chuckled. “Then you know it will succeed.”

Ean slipped his hands into the front pockets of his blue jeans. “How does she know so much about what’s happening in Trinity Falls? I’ve never seen her leave that porch.”

“She makes it into the bookstore now and again.” Megan wandered the office, seemingly engrossed in the nothingness all around them. “I returned Ramona’s bra to her this morning.”