Brody (Texas Boudreau Brotherhood Book 3), стр. 43
“Good morning.” His voice rumbled before he took a deep swallow of coffee. “Momma left breakfast warming in the oven. Said she had a couple of things she had to do this morning, but she’ll be back.”
“Thanks.” Pouring her own cup, she took a sip, and looked out the window over the sink. Bright sunlight shone on the back vegetable garden, and she could see one of the barn cats sneaking across the grass. She smiled, knowing the first thing Jamie would want to do was head out to play with the kittens. With all the excitement of the last couple of days, she’d left her sleeping upstairs.
Laying his tablet on the table, Heath studied her, before propping his elbows on the table and resting his chin on his hands. “I had a long talk with Dad last night. He explained to me what’s been going on. Anything I can do to help?”
Beth slid onto the chair across from Heath. “Everybody’s doing what they can. Rafe’s got the locals keeping watch for Evan. Antonio’s dealing with the FBI. He told me Mr. Williamson, his boss, wants him to stick around Shiloh Springs until Evan’s captured. I really hope he’s caught soon, so everybody can go back to their normal lives.” Her hands tightened around the mug, and she whispered, “I hate this. My problems have turned everybody else’s live upside down.”
“Tell me what your gut feels, Beth. Do you think Evan will run for the border, maybe head to another state?”
She shook her head. “He’ll come after me. He hates me for not standing by him when he was arrested. I’m not sure what he expected—he tried to kill my sister! Planned to kill me. All for money. Somehow in his twisted logic, he thinks I’m the bad guy because I gave it all away. Except he doesn’t believe I gave it to the county. He thinks I keep a big chunk for myself.” She gave a bitter laugh. “He’s the one who got us into so much financial trouble I may never be able to dig myself out of the hole he created.”
“From what I’ve read of his depositions and his plea deal, that’s the impression I got too. He’s narcissistic. He has delusions of grandeur. Thinks he’s above everyone else, including being above the law. Sound right?”
“You’ve pretty much pegged him. I can’t believe how blind I was. Maybe I deluded myself, because he was so different when we first met. Even when we first married. I thought I had the perfect marriage. Which goes to show you how big a fool I am.”
“I don’t know you. Haven’t got a clue who or what you’re all about. But I know my family wouldn’t take you in, wouldn’t consider you part of it, if you were a fool. Brody wouldn’t care for you if he considered you unworthy. And my parents are good judges of character.”
“They only know me because of Tessa.”
Heath slowly shook his head. “They met you through your sister, true. But they care about you because you’re a good person—or so I’m told. You’re a loving mother who’d do anything to protect her child. You’re raising her on your own. You picked up and moved halfway across the country to start over. I wouldn’t call that a fool. I’d call that a strong, determined woman who can do anything she sets her mind to.”
Beth met his stare straight on. “You are definitely a Boudreau.”
A beautiful smile changed Heath’s entire face, taking him from slightly dangerous to stunning. “A name I proudly claim.” Standing, he walked to the coffee pot and poured another cup. “I’m not the type to pussyfoot around, so I’m going to ask you outright. What are your feelings for my brother?”
“Brody?”
“Yeah, Brody. Momma said you’re his.” He made the statement sound like it was a done deal.
“I…we’re…feeling our way. He’s been a very good friend.”
“Is that all he is to you—a friend? Because if all you feel is friendship, tell him. Don’t play coy or toy with him, he deserves better.”
Beth jerked back at the vehemence in the Heath’s voice. It was obvious he cared about his brother, and didn’t want to see him hurt. Wasn’t it a good thing she had no intention of hurting him?
“I would never intentionally hurt Brody. I care about him a great deal.”
“Bah, I hate wishy-washy sentimentality. Either you love him or you don’t.”
Beth’s eyes widened at the anger on Heath’s face, but somehow, she knew it wasn’t directed at her. Somebody’d hurt him badly in the past, and he still carried the scars.
“What is between Brody and me is personal and it’s private. All I can say is I’ll never intentionally break his heart.”
Heath studied her face, weighing her words. Finally, he took a deep breath and nodded. “Good enough.”
Beth let out the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “You sure I can’t get you some breakfast? Suddenly, I’m starving.”
Heath chuckled and nodded, grinning. “Sounds good.”
Brody had barely climbed behind the wheel of his pickup when his phone rang. Blasted thing wouldn’t stop pinging this morning. Messages from the Austin lab. Rafe. The fire station. Everybody kept pestering him when all he wanted was to drive out to the Big House and see Beth. Especially knowing Stewart might have been in Shiloh Springs, he wanted—needed—to keep her and Jamie safe.
“What?”
“Boss, got another fire. A bad one.” Jeff Barnes’ voice was low and serious, enough so Brody felt a surge of adrenaline spike through his blood. Brody scrubbed a hand across his face, barely refraining from banging his head against the steering wheel. This day kept getting better and better.
“Where?”
“Santiago’s, the old Tex-Mex restaurant, the one that closed a