Page 71 of Summer Love

I snorted. "But you think I can get through to Dalton?"

"If not you, then who? He respects you," Brady said seriously.

"And why is that?" I asked him as the girls got up and danced in a circle near the fire.

"You have your shit together. You're responsible. Dad obviously thinks you're trustworthy."

"Is that because I'm the oldest? What if Marshall were still here?"

Brady frowned. "There'd be less room for us in the business; that's for sure."

"He wasn't thinking about the business at all when he signed up for the military," I said, not quite believing I'd admitted that out loud.

Brady raised a brow. "Have you ever talked to him about that?"

"I supported his decision." My lips pressed into a straight line.

"That's a nonanswer if I've ever heard one," Brady said, his voice tinged with amusement.

"It's fine. He's doing his thing." And I was here, keeping the family together. "I'll talk to Dalton."

Gratitude crossed his face. "Thanks. I appreciate that."

The best-case scenario was that Dalton was an involved partner and father, but I wasn't so sure that marriage was the answer. Having a child or getting married never saved anyone's relationship if it was already imploding.

Brady was quiet for a few seconds, allowing me to observe the girls, and then he said, "Elena's nice. I like her."

I gave him a sharp look.

His eyes widened, and then he chuckled. "Relax. I don't want her."

I rolled my shoulders back. "I didn't think you did."

"Could have fooled me," Brady mumbled, and I gave him a look.

He shrugged. "She's a nice girl, and she's a fellow islander."

"That's the thing. I don't know if she'll stay."

Brady frowned. "Isn't she here to take care of her grandmother?"

"Yeah, but her job is probationary. This assignment is a test for her. If her boss doesn't like it or the readership pans it, then she might not have a job."

Brady turned slightly to face me, lowering his voice. "You're worried she'll leave just like Marshall."

The area between my shoulders grew tight.

"Just take things slowly, and communicate with each other."

I raised a brow. "Since when do I take relationship advice from my little brother?"

He chuckled. "Since now, I guess."

Shep was dancing behind the girls again, but this time, his hand was on Kinsley's hip. I inclined my head in their direction. "What's up with that?"

"You know Shep. He's always trying to stir up trouble."

"But why would he care about Kinsley?" I couldn't help but ask.

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