Page 22 of Reaching His Heart (The Sartoris 3)

Cason stiffened.

His brother’s eyes glittered with amusement, and then he straightened. “I saw an interesting sight the other night. No, don’t get all worked up. I don’t plan on telling Ezio. You and I both know how our brother is. I’m just asking you to be careful, Cason. I have a feeling this woman is different than the ones you used to toy with. She’s more sensitive, and if a person can look past their own situation they might see in her eyes that she’s been through something.”

Cason recalled Solette telling him of her father’s abuse. Was that what his brother had seen in her eyes? Or was there something else? He didn’t feel it had anything to do with him, but his insensitivity had run her off. Maybe Romy was right. He needed to be careful. At the least, he wanted her to be the one to help him with his recovery. Breaking in another nurse would be a hassle. Yeah, that was the only problem. It wasn’t that he couldn’t get Solette out of his head!

“Her personal life has nothing to do with me,” he grumbled.

“No?” Romy sounded amused.

“No. Forget about me. What about you? When are you going to marry Sonya?”

Romy tensed for a minute and then relaxed. He grinned and reached into his jacket pocket to pull out a small ring box. Cason’s eyes widened. He’d only been half serious, expecting Romy to say he wanted more time to be sure about the relationship.

“You’re serious?” He gasped.

Romy flashed a huge rock that must cost several thousand. From what he knew of Sonya, he doubted she would wear it. A woman who’d rather throw on cleats and shin guards than jewelry wouldn’t want to be bogged down with an engagement ring of that size. Then again, she played soccer, so she might not have an issue.

“I’m serious,” Romy said. “I plan to ask her to marry me. And…”

“And?”

A determined expression came over his brother’s face. “I’m going to get her pregnant.”

Cason shook his head. “Not sure she’ll go for that, fratello.”

“I’ll convince her—some how.”

“Wow, I can’t say I’m not shocked. When I mentioned it before, you acted like I was nuts.”

Romy flushed. “Ezio was near. I wasn’t in the mood to be hassled about my decision.”

“He respects you. Even if he’s a little bossy, he knows you’re older, and he wouldn’t go against your wishes or interfere where you’ve blocked him.”

“True, but it was the argument I wanted to avoid.” Romy stood. “Anyway, Cason. Nothing makes me happier than to see you with hope in your eyes. If Solette put it there, I can only thank her. You mean everything to Ezio and me. You know that.”

Cason felt a bit of heat entering his own face and looked away. “Lay off.”

“Ezio was beside himself when I arrived home the day after your accident. We both were. Cason, we almost lost you, and it was all we could do to draw our next breath. Fratellino, I want you to be healthy and happy, to be the little brother I knew without a care in the world.”

Cason frowned and squeezed one of his thighs, ignoring the ache that seemed to come from deep inside his bones. “There’s not much chance of me ever being that man again.”

“True healing takes time.” Romy dropped a hand onto Cason’s shoulder, but there was only a featherlight touch in it. Regardless, Cason sensed his brother’s deep feelings. “You’ll get there. You will walk again as long as it’s what you want. I’ve never seen you or Ezio not get whatever you set your mind to.”

Cason grunted rather than answer.

“All right, I’ll get out of here. I have to take my family out to dinner, and I suppose I’ll take the opportunity to propose then.”

Cason snorted. “You suppose? Not putting much thought into it.”

“I’ve tortured myself thinking about it. Trust me. I’m to the point of wanting to jump in and hope for the best. I’ll look in on you later.”

“Don’t strain yourself.”

Romy chuckled and kissed the top of his head again before leaving the room. Cason sat in silence in his room, thinking about what his brother shared. Ezio would for sure crap a cow about the engagement, but he would come around. Cason ran a hand over his jaw. A rough beard scratched his palm because he hadn’t bothered to shave in forever.

“What about me?” he wondered aloud. “Married.”

He uttered a short humorless laugh and shook the thought away. Even before the accident he never intended to get married, and now it was impossible. Better to concentrate on what he could have—Solette under him. That was enough. For now.

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