Page 42 of Waiting for Devon
“What’s necessary. I’m avoiding him from now on.”
During the following week, Devon returned to her previous routine of staying away from the Barrington ranch until late in the evening. The hours she devoted to her work left little time for anything else, and for a while she forgot about the pain rejecting Reed caused her.
Devon’s conspicuous absencesfrom the ranch caught Jasper’s attention. After her place at the dinner table sat empty for the seventh night in succession, he turned to Shane and demanded, “Would you mind explaining why Miss Brooks continually shuns our company? Are you and your fiancée having problems?”
Shane glanced at his brother. Reed had grown cold and unapproachable over the last week, and as he perused the granite features of his brother’s face, guilt overwhelmed him. If Devon were free… He swallowed the hard lump in his throat. “No, Dad, we’re not. Devon is a dedicated doctor. She would stay at the clinic all night if she thought she were needed. It’s one of the reasons why…why I love her so much.” Choking over the blatant lie, he reached for a glass of water and dared not look at Reed.
“If you love Miss Brooks, why haven’t you set a wedding date?” Jasper questioned with a piercing look.
Shane flinched. “We’re not rushing into marriage. We want to be sure we’re not making a mistake.”
Reed rose from the table and threw down his napkin. “Excuse me.”
Shortly after dinner, Blair followed Shane into the study and closed the door. “I know the truth, Shane.”
He frowned. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I’m talking about pretending to be engaged so Dad will make you CEO of Barrington Industries.”
“You have a fertile imagination,” Shane scoffed, but his face burned with guilt.
“No, I could never imagine anything so stupid. Devon confessed.”
“She had no right to tell you. It’s no one’s business but ours.”
“Do you care at all about the people you’re hurting? First, there’s Alana. Watching you with another woman must be killing her. Then there’s Devon. You placed her in this deplorable situation when it conflicts with her sense of decency. What about Reed? He’s in love with Devon, in case you’ve been too blind to notice. And she’s crazy about him, too. Why do you think she’s never here? She can’t run the risk of allowing him to see her true feelings. Everyone’s life is on hold because ofyou, big brother. Now what do you intend to do to end this charade?”
“If I knew, don’t you think I would have done it by now?”
“It doesn’t take a genius to figure this out, Shane. Tell Dad the truth and set things right.”
“I can’t do it. I’m in too deep.”
“You’re a coward. Frankly, it would serve you right if Devon left and let you face the consequences by yourself. Don’t you realize you may have already destroyed Reed and Devon’s chance to be happy? Tell the truth. If you don’t, I may have to.”
“Don’t do it, Blair, please,” Shane begged. “Give me time to decide the best way to handle Dad.”
“Don’t tarry too long. I have nothing to lose by telling Dad the truth.”
When Blair left the study, she headed down to the stable in order to check on Pale Promise who suffered from an enflamed forelock. She found Reed changing the poultice and asked, “How is she?”
“Fair.”
“And how are you?”
Reed grunted. “I’m working, Blair, and don’t have time to discuss my personal feelings with you.”
“If you miss Devon, go to the clinic to see her. Maybe you can convince her to stop this nonsense. She’s running herself ragged, not coming home much before midnight. She won’t listen to me. Perhaps she’ll listen to you.”
“I don’t give a damn what Dr. Brooks does with her time,” Reed snapped. “She’s Shane’s responsibility, not mine. If you want to stay and help, fine, but don’t mention her again.”
On Saturday morningDevon awoke with a terrible headache and burning eyes. Her chest felt tight and her throat scratchy. Every part of her body ached. She was so weak she couldn’t even begin to rise from the bed. When she didn’t come downstairs for breakfast, Mrs. Peters brought Devon a tray and asked if she was feeling well.
“Of course,” Devon lied behind a bright smile. “I just lost track of time, Mrs. Peters.”
“All right, Devon. Ring downstairs if you need anything.”
“I will. Thank you for your concern.”
