Page 39 of Karma

“Was there a card?”

“No, and I just assumed…” She glanced down and stared at her hands. “No wonder they say when you assume you make an ass out of you and me,” she muttered.

Dare fought back the tide of jealousy rising inside him. “I honestly wish I’d thought of it, but they weren’t from me. You have no idea who sent them?”

She spread her hands in front of her. “Not a clue. I guess I could call Millie’s tomorrow,” she said of the floral shop in town.

“Good idea. Could it have been your brother?” he asked, hoping for family and not competition.

“Not a chance.” She raised her head, her eyes dull as she answered. “We had it out today, and believe me, flowers for me are the last thing on his mind.”

“I’m sorry.” Reaching over, he placed his hand over hers. No wonder she’d left work early and needed something heavy for the pain. He had no desire to force her to revisit her argument with her brother. “How about we go inside?” he suggested.

“Sounds good.” She opened her door before he could get around to help her. “I didn’t realize you’d be here tonight,” she said as they walked up the path leading to the front door. She paused before they headed up the steps, turning to face him. “But I’m glad you are.”

His reservations eased, and he rang the bell. “Prepare yourself,” he said, looking at her from the corner of his eye.

“What do you mean?”

The front door swung open, and his half sister stood on the other side. Arms crossed over her chest, foot tapping in annoyance, Tess stared from Dare to Liza and back again. “It’s about time. I’mhungry, and because we’re having real company, nobody let me eat first.”

Liza raised an eyebrow at the hellion he called his sister. “You must be Tess. I’m Liza. I’ve heard a lot about you,” she said.

“Yeah? What’d you hear?” Tess asked. “Anything good?”

“How about it’s nice to meet you too?” Dare asked. He placed a hand on Liza’s back and led her inside.

“It is nice to meet her,” Tess muttered. “It’s hard to be polite when my stomach’s growling.”

Liza laughed. A real laugh, the sound actually light and carefree. “I know that feeling. I wasn’t feeling well and fell asleep. I missed lunch and almost slept through dinner, so I’m probably as hungry as you.”

Dare frowned at her admission. The woman was probably more hungry. Tess was a bottomless pit, but she was constantly snacking. “You need to eat if you’re going to keep up your strength.”

“Dare? Liza?” Faith walked into the hallway and straight over to Liza, pulling her into a hug. “I’ve been so worried about you!”

***

At the otherwoman’s sincerity and warmth, Liza nearly broke into tears. “Thank you. I’m okay, really.” She drew a deep breath, pulling herself together. “I’ve had a really good caretaker.”

“If you’re talking about my brother, that’s pretty hard to believe,” an unfamiliar male voice said.

Liza stepped back and looked up at the man who had to be Faith’s husband, the eldest Barron brother. Like Dare, Ethan had brown eyes and even darker hair. She vaguely remembered him from when they were younger as a bad boy on a motorcycle.

“You must be Ethan.” Liza stepped forward. “Thanks for having me to dinner,” she said with a smile.

“Any friend of Faith and Dare’s…” he said, extending his welcome.

“Ahem. Can we eat now?” Tess asked, her annoyance clear.

“We’re still working on her manners,” Dare explained.

Faith nodded. “No matter how hard we try, she insists on acting like the Neanderthal of the family. Let’s go into the dining room.” Prodding the girl in the back, Faith edged her forward.

Anna, who Faith reminded Liza had been around since Faith was a little girl, served a delicious chicken dinner. Liza was starving and truly appreciated the good food.

“Thank you so much for having me,” Liza said to Faith. “You’re right. I wouldn’t have been up to making anything for myself.”

“I had a concussion last year, so I completely get it.” Faith offered her an understanding smile.

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