Page 50 of Waiting for Devon
“What will you do when it’s over?”
“Convince your brother I love him with all my heart.”
Toward sunset Devonwandered down to the stable where she found Reed grooming Prince. “Blair told me you were here. I’m sorry you had to witness that scene earlier. Shane is furious with me. I think he may want to…”
The expression on Reed’s rugged face indicated his lack of concern for his brother’s feelings. He stared into Devon’s eyes and declared, “I’m flying to Kentucky on Friday in order to look over a few thoroughbreds I plan to buy. I’ll be there for the weekend, and I’d like it if you would accompany me.”
She drew in a sharp breath. “You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, I’m very serious. I wouldn’t have asked you to join me if I weren’t.”
“But Shane…”
“To hell with Shane.” Reed swore beneath his breath before he pulled Devon into his arms and kissed her. “Please come with me,” he murmured, enticing her with his brilliant blue eyes. “Please.”
“All right,” she whispered as she succumbed to his plea. Then, she turned and fled the stable.
As soon as she reached her bedroom, Blair joined her.
“Please don’t be upset, but Reed invited me to go to Kentucky with him this weekend, and I agreed,” Devon began in a rush.
“It isn’t right,” Blair declared with a note of censure in her tone. “You and Shane are using Reed’s feelings for you as an excuse to extricate yourselves. Sooner or later, it’s going to backfire on you. What will you do when Reed realizes both of you made a fool of him?”
“I hope it won’t come to that. If Shane has a legitimate reason to end our engagement, Reed won’t ever know the truth.”
“You’re living in a fool’s paradise.”
“I have to go with him. The opportunity to be alone with him may not come again.”
Blair flopped onto Devon’s bed. “You’re killing me, Dev. Let’s talk about something else like my love life for a change.”
Reed did notseek Devon’s company for the rest of the week. At dinner he pretended to ignore her as they bided their time. He could afford to be patient, his eyes told her, as he listened to her lively chatter with Blair at the table. Soon, his body language communicated.Soon.
Underneath the table, Shane squeezed Devon’s leg to let her know he supported her decision to be with his brother. He’d already discussed with her how the situation would play out when Reed and Devon returned from Kentucky. When he’d left her room, he’d kissed her on the cheek and told her that her passion for Reed inspired him to put his love for Alana ahead of his career.
“I think you’ve finally figured out what your father wanted you to learn. Tell him you’re in love with Alana. Fight for her. Fight for BI. And win both,” Devon encouraged Shane.
“I hope both of us can win our heart’s desire. Enjoy being with Reed in Kentucky. He’s lucky to have you in his life.”
Excitement drove Devon out of bed early Friday morning. She packed a few clothes and necessities, summoned O’Rourke to her room, and instructed him to put her suitcase in the limousine. Since the dining room was deserted, she drank a cup of coffee in the kitchen and ate a slice of buttered toast before she headed to the clinic.
As she approached her Mercedes, happiness bubbled within her at the sight of Reed leaning indolently against the driver’s door. “Good morning, Doc,” he drawled as he tipped his hat and opened the car for her.
“Good morning.” She offered a warm smile.
Lowering his head, Reed’s lips brushed against her ear. “Having you all to myself for the entire weekend is driving me wild. Lincoln and I will pick you up at five o’clock.”
“I’ll be waiting,” Devon whispered and touched his clean-shaven cheek before she slid behind the wheel.
Devon stayed busy all day at the Barrington-Brooks clinic. She set broken bones, treated serious wounds and sinus infections, counseled distraught patients, and dealt with a case of chicken pox. At five o’clock, she scooted her last patient out the door as the limousine pulled alongside the curb.
Handing her lab coat and keys to Blair, she said, “Close the clinic. And, Blair, please be happy for me.”
Blair hugged her. “Have a great weekend with Reed.”
“I will.”
When Devon slid next to Reed on the leather seat, he commented with a sparkle in his eyes, “Your face is flushed, Doc. Are you ill?”
