Page 122 of Luck of the Draw

Orson raised an eyebrow again and gave a weighty pause before he broke into laughter. “My,my. Maybe this little scare was all you needed to straighten you out. I’m pleased.”

Brennan polished off his mimosa. “Glad to hear it.” He shoved his chair back from the table and stood. “Will you all excuse me for a moment? I have to make a phone call.”

It was obvious there was no phone call he needed to make. The tight expression on Brennan’s face was completely new to Skye, but it was abundantly clear that he was at the end of his fuse and needed to get away from his dad for minute to calm down.

Imagine a man who walked away to calm down.

Imagine a man who didn’t just throw a punch or a slap just to make himself feel better.

Imagine a man who wouldn’t even hit you back afteryou hit him firstand insteadgot down on hiskneesand begged to simply hold you while you thrashed through your blind rage at things he’d had nothing to do with.

The simple concept was still almost too much for Skye to wrap her brain around.

Constance waved Brennan away. “By all means, sugar.”

Before stepping away, he placed his hands on Skye’s shoulders and pressed a lingering kiss against her temple. “I won’t be long, sweetheart.”

She patted his hand before he slipped them away. “Take your time.”

The sound of his footsteps faded into the hall, and she heard the front door open and close.

“I must say, Skye,” Orson said, leaning back in her chair and gesturing in the direction Brennan had left, “that is not the Brennan I know.”

“Well, I can’t speak to how he was before…you know…everything. I hadn’t known him very long before the incident,” she said. Little white lies never hurt anyone. “But I do know he’s been very busy and focused, and honestly quite stressed out. Maybe he thrives under pressure.”

“He probably does. He should’ve reenlisted after college.”

Recalling what Brennan had said about his job in the military, Skye couldn’t help mentioning, “He strikes me as not having enjoyed his time in the service.”

Orson chuckled. “Well of course he didn’t. Too much structure. Too many orders.”

“Actually, darling, he didn’t like that his job was specifically tokillpeople,” Constance clipped.

Orson waved his hand dismissively. “You coddle him, my dear. He was fine. He was good at it.” He pantomimed aiming a rifle. “Sharpshooter. Marksman. Ever since he was a boy. Never missed a duck or a dove or a rabbit.” He wagged his finger. “If he’s got a gift for anything in life, it’s a steady hand and an eagle’s eye.”

It took everything for Skye to restrain herself from making a disgusted face.

“He never liked killing any ofthosethings either,” Constance snapped. “Youdon’t understand him as well asIdo.” She speared him with her hazel eyes as she sipped her mimosa.

Orson cut a glance at her and then cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Now Miss Skye,” he said, turning to her again. “I’d like to speak to you candidly if I may.”

Skye gulped discreetly. “Certainly.”

“You feel as if he’s looking after you?”

“Absolutely. He’s wonderful.”

“And you gather that he’s actually working for Mr. Hall? You know he never actually did before. He’d just come and go as he pleased. It was all fun and games for him.”

“He is. I’ve been there every single day. From everything I’ve seen, he’s someone who’s very serious about their work.” Skye knew exactly why he was so serious about it, but it was up to Brennan to inform his father about that.

Orson shook his head in disbelief. “That is just uncanny to me. He’s never done this. And he hasn’t been to Harrah’s?”

“No, sir. Not even once.”

“Well,” he said, looking at Constance, “I suppose between that and looking after her, that’s all I could ask of him. This situation has certainly changed him for the better. Again, I think a little scare in life can be a significant motivator.”

“You’re too hard on him, Orson,” Constance clipped, pushing her plate away and reaching for a cup of coffee. “You never cut off either of the girls, even when their behavior was equally indulgent.”

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