Page 9 of Waiting for Devon
“No, Mrs. Peters. Once again, thank you for your hospitality.”
By the time Devon finished unpacking and putting her things away, it was nearly four-thirty. Two hours remained before she was expected downstairs. She tried to take a nap, but too many thoughts and emotions overwhelmed her. Mrs. Peters’ kindness made her feel sick to her stomach with her pretense.
This is wrong.
She opened the French doors and gazed down upon a lush garden bursting with several varieties of flowers and plants.
This is so horribly wrong. What am I doing here? I can’t stay. I just can’t. It’s not right. I have to tell Jasper Barrington the truth. My patients…oh, lord, how I miss my little ones!
Thoughts of the children who depended on her prompted Devon to call Jill, whose shift hadn’t ended yet. “Hi. I’m in Dallas and wanted to touch base. How is everything there? The Daltons’ baby?”
“Dr. Brooks, hi. I’ve got great news about little Tommy Dalton. He was released this morning.”
“That’s wonderful. Did Mr. Linhart hire my former husband, Dr. Jack Taylor?” Devon held her breath.
“As a matter of fact, he did. He spent the better part of the day grilling all of us for information about you.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I told him in no uncertain terms to mind his own business.”
“Good.” Devon exhaled. “Give everyone my love and tell them I miss them.”
“I will, Dr. Brooks. Take care.”
Devon luxuriated in a warm, scented bath for nearly thirty minutes while she contemplated meeting Jasper Barrington and the rest of Shane’s family. How would Blair and Reed react to her? Would they be suspicious of their brother’s sudden engagement?
Filled with nervous anticipation, Devon chose to wear a sleeveless, navy-colored sheath with a modest neckline and a pair of low-heeled pumps. Her thick curls were arranged in a French-twist with a few tendrils framing her face and neck. As soon as she dabbed her favorite perfume on her wrists and throat and checked her appearance one last time, Shane knocked on her bedroom door.
After complimenting her, he commented, “I can tell by the expression on your face you’re having second thoughts again.”
“Can you blame me?” Devon shot back. “I don’t belong here, Shane, and the situation is weighing heavily on my conscience.”
“My father left me no other alternative.” Anger caused the blood to rush into his face. “If he weren’t such a stubborn fool, he would see I am more than ready to take the reins of BI.”
“I don’t see why you can’t talk this out. We can tell your family we’ve decided not to get married after all, and you can speak with your father like a civilized adult.”
Shane laughed, and its bitterness echoed between them. “No one speakswithhim. Onelistens. No, Devon, I’m sorry, but this is the only way I can get what I want. I’m sorry for dragging you into this, but it will be over soon. Hopefully within two weeks or so.”
Devon gritted her teeth. She didn’t share Shane’s optimism.
He held her hand as they entered the living room. Shane nodded at his father, whose sharp eyes pierced them, and he smiled with warmth at his beautiful twenty-five-year-old sister.
Poised and graceful, Blair Barrington returned her brother’s smile as she glided toward him. Her pale blonde hair hung straight down her back. She wore a multi-colored broom skirt with a white off-the-shoulder-blouse and sandals on her feet. Blair hugged her brother and gripped his shoulders.
“You’ve been gone too long,” she scolded. “I’ve missed you, Shane.”
“I missed you, too. Blair, I’d like you to meet my fiancée, Dr. Devon Brooks.”
Blair met Devon’s open gaze. “I’m glad to meet you at last, Dr. Brooks. Welcome to the ranch. I hope you will feel at home here.”
“Thank you, Blair. I look forward to getting to know you.”
When Devon lifted her eyes, she caught Jasper’s hard, unrelenting stare. “You and Shane have arrived three days before I expected you.”
Devon refused to be intimidated. “Arrangements for my departure from the hospital were easily made, sir. You are an influential man,” she declared, unable to resist a barb. “I’m sure your two-million dollars will be put to good use.”
Blair choked on her wine and looked in astonishment from one to the other.
