Page 13 of Waiting for Devon
“I’m glad you think this is so humorous,” Devon responded in annoyance. “Reed is serious in his pursuit to get rid of me. What if he discovers the truth?”
“He won’t. We’re the only ones who knowthe truth.”
As soon asShane and Devon left the dining room, Jasper rose to his feet and demanded, “Reed, come with me to my study.”
Alone, father and son faced each other. “Reed, I have always admired your desire to see this family protected from fortune-hunters and the like. You have shouldered this burden much to your own detriment, I’m afraid, but you can rest assured our Miss Brooks is not an opportunist.”
“I disagree, Dad. This morning Miss Brooks allowed me to kiss her in a mostunbrotherlymanner, and she responded vigorously, I might add.”
Jasper tilted his head. “It was wicked of you to instigate such an amorous encounter, Reed. No wonder Miss Brooks appeared flushed and embarrassed. However, I would never allow an outsider to get close to this family without an investigation. I had Miss Brooks’ background thoroughly checked before she and Shane left San Francisco.”
“What did you learn?”
Jasper sat behind his massive mahogany desk. “Absolutely nothing. Miss Brooks has an impeccable reputation. She was raised in a strict household with a military father. Her mother was a high school teacher. They are both deceased, as she said. After graduating with honors from Stanford University, Miss Brooks attended Boston University’s School of Medicine where she also achieved recognition for being one of its most gifted future doctors. She completed her residency at Chicago’s Mercy Hospital, and eventually made her way to San Francisco General Hospital. Not long after her arrival Miss Brooks became the physician in charge of the emergency pediatric care unit. My sources confirm she is well-known and respected for her integrity and medical skills.”
“Miss Brooks sounds too good to be true. What about her prior relationships?”
“She dated in high school and in college,” Jasper answered with a shrug of his shoulders. “Those relationships were harmless. If there is a black mark in her past, it’s her recent divorce from Dr. Jack Taylor.”
“She wasmarried? What were the grounds for the divorce? Her adultery?” He flung himself into a chair opposite his father.
“No. Mental cruelty and neglect. Miss Brooks miscarried a baby at the end of her second trimester, and, according to friends close to the couple, her husband blamed her for its loss.”
“Was she to blame?”
“Not at all. A simple act of nature. After months of emotional turmoil, Miss Brooks filed for divorce. It was final a year ago.”
“What about Shane? Is his relationship with Miss Brooks really what it appears to be?”
Jasper smiled to himself.Thatwas one tidbit of information he intended to keep to himself for the time being. “Shane has chosen the woman he wants to marry, and we must support his decision. Please refrain from forcing Miss Brooks into a trap in the future, son. Do I have your word on this?”
Reed nodded, though with reluctance. “Yes.”
Reed cursed allthe way down to the stable. He’d vowed to himself years ago after being the victim of a greedy gold-digger, he would protect his brother and sister from sharing his fate. Not only that, but he would never again be affected by deep brown eyes and a killer smile and body.
He hadn’t intended to kiss Devon. Her challenge, presented with a stubborn tilt to her chin and mixed with bravado, somehow irked him. Remorse at what he’d done swept through him. Well, he would honor the promise he made to his father and keep his hands to himself. Damn, though. He hadn’t had sex in months, and she felt really good in his arms. It figured Shane would have met her first. He had no idea why that bothered him.
Their steamy kiss, however, replayed in his mind. It stunned him, to be honest. He hadn’t expected such a passionate reaction from his brother’s intended bride. The good doctor hadn’t kissed him as if she were engaged and getting regular sex. She’d kissed him as if she were starving for it.
As Reed stepped inside one of the stables, all thoughts of Devon fled. “Holy hell, Harry. What happened to you?”
Harry “Horseface” Walton looked at Reed through two, swollen black eyes. His face sported purple bruises and a split bottom lip. “Got into a fight, Boss.”
Reed frowned. “Here at the ranch?”
“Nah. In a bar.”
“You know I don’t approve of barfights.”
“Couldn’t help it.”
“If it happens again, you’re gone, Harry.”
With careful movements, Harry picked up a saddle. “It won’t, Boss.”
Reed eyed him. “Broken ribs?”
“Yeah.”
