Page 48 of Unexpected Danger
Thoughts of Jasmine entered her thoughts. Londyn didn’t trust easily, but shehadtrusted Jasmine. With her secrets. With her plans. With her background. With the pain she’d experienced at the hands of her parents and the pain she’d caused Brodie and Aileen. Yet, the woman had taken that information and thrown it in Londyn’s face.
Brodie veered the truck back onto the highway, and Londyn shared about all that had happened in Rowland, from start to finish. Dustin’s visits, the creepy texts and phone calls, and the way he’d befriended her and wanted to date her. She omitted how he’d kissed her against her wishes.
Occasionally, Brodie would take his eyes from the road and look at Londyn as she spoke. He waited patiently until she was finished before interjecting.
“This guy is dangerous. And wewillcatch him.”
While nothing was guaranteed, Londyn knew Brodie well enough to know she could trust that he would do all he could to capture Dustin.
When they arrived at the ranch, a slew of emotions stirred within Londyn. She had spent so much time here over the years. Brodie assisted her out of the truck, and Aileen opened the door, her arms outstretched.
Londyn allowed Aileen’s warm embrace to comfort her as the tears streamed down her face. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
“There now, there will be plenty of time to discuss that.” Aileen held her at arm’s length then brushed Londyn’s hair from her face, just as a mom would do. “Praise God you are all right.”
Fresh lines edged Aileen’s eyes, and her face looked more drawn than Londyn remembered. In her fifties, Aileen had suffered for years from chronic health issues, but that never stopped her from caring for those she loved. “Why don’t you come inside? Roarke, Mila, and Xander are here. We’ll get you settled into your room.”
Her room. Yes, it had been her temporary sanctuary when she’d visited the Brennemans, especially the night before they would go camping or on another special trip. They had always treated her like another member of the family.
“Aileen, I need to apologize.”
Their conversation was interrupted when Xander skipped through the doorway. “I think I might have met you before,” he said, stopping just in front of Londyn and tilting his head to one side. “I’m Xander Brenneman, bug collector ex-tror-naire.”
Londyn laughed, thankful for the reprieve from more serious topics. Xander had always been a smart little fellow. One whohad been through so much when his parents died in a car accident. She’d heard from Aileen that he was subsequently adopted by Roarke and his wife. “I am Londyn. Pleasure to re-meet you, Xander.” She extended a hand, and Xander shook it.
“That’s right. Aunt Londyn. I remember you now.”
Aileen ushered them into the house. Xander tapped on her arm. “What happened to you?” he asked.
“I was in an accident.”
“What kind of accident?”
Londyn didn’t want to say too much and scare him. “An accident where I got a few owies,” she said.
“I was in an accident once when I was first learning to ride my bike without training wheels. I was all wobbly and going from side to side, and then I crashed.” Xander gestured with his hands as he spoke in an animated voice.
“Oh, no, I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It's all right. It was when I was younger. But I did have a couple of confusions.”
“You mean contusions,” said Roarke.
“Yeah, those too.”
Roarke nodded at her. “Good to see you, Londyn.” While Roarke’s words were cordial, she knew him well enough to know there was a hidden layer of disappointment in his features. He and Brodie were not only brothers but best friends with an unbreakable bond of loyalty. It would stand to reason he was irritated at her for breaking his brother’s heart, and rightfully so. She’d need to apologize to him as well. “Thank you. You, too.”
“I’d like to introduce you to my wife, Mila.”
Aileen had invited Londyn to Roarke and Mila’s wedding, but she’d been unable to take time off work, and back then, she couldn’t face Brodie yet.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Londyn.”
They chatted for a few minutes, and Londyn liked Mila immediately. She complimented Roarke well and was the perfect mom for Xander.
Yukon licked her hand. “It’s good to see you too, Yukon,” she said to the friendly dog she’d thought of as her own pet.
“Hey, guess what, Aunt Londyn?”
