Page 48 of Free to Believe
“I know. I love you.”
“Same here. Call later.”
“Will do.” I disconnect the call on my end. Picking up the sketch pad, I think about the bolts of chestnut brown and purpledoupionsilk I received in the mail from Roisin Cross in Ireland. Pulling my iPad toward me, I look up my last order. It’s too bad I have nowhere to go, I think with some regret. There’s a bolt of the black silk in the box as well.
* * *
Two days later,my box arrives on the arms of one of the best-looking delivery guys I’ve ever seen.
I mean, I think most of the known universe wouldn’t mind having Brendan Blake as a delivery boy. Brendan, being led by Jenna around the side of the deck carrying my box, would cause most women and quite a few men to faint. Especially when he drops the box and sweeps me into a hug that lifts me off my feet. Laughing, I can’t catch my breath. “Well, this is a surprise!” Hell of an understatement, if there is one.
“That box and the hug are from Cassidy,” he tells me as he lowers me back down. “I have something special for you from Corinna that almost didn’t make it here because I wanted to eat it. But this is from me.” He kisses me gently on the cheek, then looks down to my bare legs. Letting out a long, slow whistle, he mutters, “Jesus, now I know why Corinna was all up my ass about making sure you were okay.”
“It isn’t so bad anymore, Brendan,” I assure him. “Really.”
“She’s right,” Jenna chirps. “Em’s been able to take walks with me and everything.”
“And you got your medical degree from where, munchkin?” Brendan shoots back.
As Jenna pouts, I gently rebuke Brendan, “Jenna was instrumental in my recovery. She not only bandaged me up the first day, she’s walked Mugsy every day since.” Hearing his name called, Mugsy stretches and lifts his head.
“Hey, old man.” Brendan crouches down. Mugsy slowly ambles to him and sniffs his hand, before gracing him with a lick. “Good boy. Sorry, Jen. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”
Jenna sniffs, ignoring her cousin’s fiancé. “Em, is that the fabric? Can I see it?”
“Absolutely!” I say enthusiastically.
Her face lights up. She runs for the box. Before she can make it, I dash her hopes. “In about two days once I’ve pieced the dress together.”
“Mean, Em. Just mean.” Jenna pouts.
“Hell, Em. I didn’t know the dress was for Jenna.” Rubbing the back of his neck, he smiles. “Gonna make Dani jealous though.”
Thinking about the black fabric, I smile. “There might be enough in the box to make her something as well.”
“I almost regret bringing one of your other dresses to wear if you’re in that kind of mood.” We all turn in time to see Dani Madison skip down the deck. Dressed in a baseball cap, cutoff jeans, and sneakers, she looks like a college cheerleader, not like the world-famous model who drops men to their knees.
Since I’m closest, I’m the one who receives the first of the exuberant hugs she’s doling out. “Hey, babe. Been too long.”
Pulling back, Dani looks down at me. Studying my face for a few minutes, she breaks out in a wide smile. “I knew this place would be good for you.”
“A lot of things have been good for me.”
“Just not biking,” Jenna pipes up. I roll my eyes as Dani growls.
“I am killing Jake the moment I see him. I asked him to throw out that piece of junk years ago.” Giving me a once-over, Dani winces when she spots the bruises I suspect I’ll be sporting for a while. “That chain could have fractured your calf, Em.”
“I’m fine.” I wave off the concern. “It’s over. Move on.”
“Yeah, let’s talk about where we’re all going for Jenna’s birthday.” Rubbing his stomach, Brendan says, “I’m hungry.”
“Seriously, is all you do think about food?” Dani gripes.
“Now that we’re done with this part of the tour, babe, I’m indulging. Besides—” Giving her a wolfish smile and a wink that causes her to blush, he continues. “It’s not all I think about.”
“I’m sure you all will have a great time,” I interrupt before Jenna makes herself dizzy by continuing to roll her eyes. I love the fact that her whole family is going to such an effort to make a big deal about her birthday.
Dani frowns. “What do you mean ‘you all,’ Em? You’re coming too.”
