Page 79 of Deadly Secrets
“I take it your maternal grandparents are deceased?”
“Actually, they live in a retirement community in Arizona.”
A woman emerged from the house, waving at them from the front porch. She had dark hair and blue eyes like Roman, but was shorter than Brooke and wore a stylish bob. Her tailored peacock blue dress matched her eyes.
I’m so underdressed. “Candy?” Brooke asked.
Roman waved back at his sister. “That’s her. The youngest by a couple years but she acts like she’s the oldest.”
“So she tries to take care of you.”
“She noses her way into my business on a regular basis.”
“She loves you and she’s as perfect as you are. I think I’m jealous. I want a sister like that.”
He laughed, grabbing the handle of his car door as he pecked her on the cheek. “It’ll pass. Trust me.”
But it didn’t. Candy hugged Roman, than drew Brooke into a bear hug as well, treating her more like an old friend than a new acquaintance. “Everyone’s out back,” she said, taking Brooke’s hand and drawing her through the house.
Brooke looked back at Roman over her shoulder. He gave her a shameless grin and followed.
His other sister, Felicity, had three of the five kids running around the grounds. Her hair was lighter, her body taller and lankier than Candace’s. “Nice to see my big brother is finally back on the dating scene again.”
Roman kissed her cheek and accepted violent hugs from his nieces and nephews as they rushed him, heading for the back patio doors. “Hey, I’m picky. What can I say?”
Felicity patted Brooke’s hand. “Thank you for putting up with him.”
Brooke smiled, seeing the teasing light in her eyes and instantly liking her. “He has his good points.”
They emerged onto a back patio where people laughed and conversed with drinks in hand as more kids enjoyed a bouncy house. The backyard was as tastefully landscaped as the front and included stone walkways, fruit trees, topiaries and a lush rose garden. In the center was a water fountain.
“Roman!” An older woman who had to be his mom broke free from a group nearby and hugged him. “You look tired. Are you working too much like usual?”
“Oh, please, Mom,” Felicity said, eyeing her kids as they dashed through the crowd. “He looks better than he’s looked in months. No doubt Dr. Heaton has something to do with that.”
Felicity winked at her and wandered off to help Candace with the wine as Roman’s mother turned to Brooke and looked her up and down.
A regal nose, intelligent blue eyes, and model-perfect cheekbones.
Of course. She probably had been one back in the day.
Her designer dress highlighted her lithe body modestly. The shoes on her feet probably cost as much as Brooke’s Honda back home.
“My son neglected to tell me he was bringing a guest.”
“Mother,” Roman said, “this is Brooke. And by the way, I told Candace. Brooke, this is my mother, Theodora Walsh. Brooke is helping my taskforce with a case. She’s also living with me.”
Brooke nearly died right there on the spot. Theodora’s eyes went hard, but she extended her hand anyway, half a dozen gemstone and diamond bracelets on Theodora’s wrist clanging together.
Brooke accepted the handshake. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
“And you,” Theodora replied, her gaze swinging back to Roman. “She’s helping you with a case?”
“Yes, Mom. She’s a consultant.”
“I see.” Those blue eyes, so much like Roman’s showed tempered distaste as she took in Brooke’s attire again. “And you brought her to my party?”
Roman’s arm slipped around Brooke, his hand going to her lower back. “Like I said, we’re living together as well as working together. Brooke has three advanced degrees, is sexy as hell, and knows how to cook. I’m nuts about her, and I’m going to get a ring on her finger as soon as possible.”
