Remember Kari Asbury?
Nash frowned. The names familiar.
He dated her when he left the service and came back to Possum Landing. She took off to New York to be a model or something.
Oh, yeah. Tall. Pretty. Theyre getting married? It had to have been years since theyd seen each other.
Yup. She moved back and the rest is history. Apparently it all happened pretty fast.
Even though Gage kept saying he wanted a family, I figured he was going to stay single forever. I hope it works out.
Nash meant it. He wanted his friend to have a happy marriage. To be sure about the woman he married. Not to always wonder what wasnt exactly right between them.
Gage will be at the dinner tomorrow night, Kevin said. Youre coming, too, right?
Thats why Im here. To meet his new family. To try to get involved in something other than work. Maybe to find a way to feel something again.
Was that possible or was he like a kid wishing for the moon?
He didnt want to think about it so he changed the subject. Hows the leg?
Good. Healing.
His brother had been shot in the line of duty. Kevin was a U.S. Marshal who had been in the wrong place at the wrong time during a prison riot.
Do you have a limp? Nash asked.
Some, but its supposed to go away.
Youll have the scar. Women love scars from bullet wounds. Knowing you, youll use it to your advantage.
Funny you should say that. Kevin cleared his throat. I would have told you before, but you were away on assignment. The thing is, Ive met somebody.
Nash thought of the womans voice hed heard earlier. Haley?
Yeah. Shesamazing. Were getting married.
Gages engagement had been a surprise. Kevins left Nash speechless. He stared out at the tree-lined streets and couldnt think of a single thing to say.
You want to meet her? Kevin asked.
Sure.
Why not? His brother had been born wild. Nash figured any woman strong enough to tie Kevin down had to be an amazing combination of sin and steel.
Were staying at a bed and breakfast in town.
Kevin named the street and Nash realized it was the one hed been on a few minutes ago.
Im about two miles away, he said. Ill be right over.
A ministers daughter? Nash said as he stared at Kevin.
His fraternal twin grinned. Not what you expected?
Not even close. What happened to all bad girls all the time?
His brother shrugged. I met Haley.
That had to have been some meeting.
Kevin grinned. It was.
He motioned to the parlor just to the left of the foyer, then led the way into the formally furnished room. Nash glanced around, noting that this B&B seemed larger and more elegant than Stephanies. There were crystal chandeliers and some kind of tapestries on the wall. Her place was more homey.
Kevin limped to a long, high-backed sofa in a rich floral print. As he settled onto the cushions, he rubbed his thigh.
Nash took a chair on the opposite side of the coffee table. Youve seen a doctor for that, right?
When it happened and again back home. Im healing. In another few weeks Ill be back to normal, but until then it aches from time to time. I know Im lucky. The bullet missed the bone.
What he didnt say was if it had hit eighteen inches higher and a little to the left, he wouldnt have made it at all. Nash didnt like to think of anything bad happening to his brother.
I thought you promised we werent going to have to worry about you anymore, he said.
Kevin shrugged. If I hadnt drawn the short straw, I would have been in Florida on a drug bust instead of delivering a prisoner. It wasnt my fault. He grinned. Not that Im complaining. If I hadnt been in Kansas, I wouldnt have met Haley.
A ministers daughter, Nash repeated. I still cant believe it. So where did you two hook up? Church?
A bar.
The answer came from the doorway. Nash turned and saw a young woman walking into the parlor. As he stood he saw she was of medium height, with short fluffy blond hair and hazel eyes. She was pretty enough, curvy, dressed in a snug T-shirt and shorts. His gaze automatically went to her bare legs and he waited for the kind of reaction hed experienced when hed seen that sliver of Stephanies stomach that morning.
Nothing.
Which didnt make sense. If he hadnt had sex in forever and he was finally starting to feel something, why didnt Haley ring any bells?
You must be Nash, Haley said as she approached. She tilted her head. Wowyoure tall, like Kevin, and really nice-looking. The same dark hair and dark eyes, but you dont look very much alike. She wrinkled her nose. What is it with this gene pool? Arent any of you going to be fat or balding or at least kind of unattractive?
Kevin beamed at his fiancée. He wrapped an arm around her and brushed a kiss against her temple. Haley speaks her mind. Youll get used to it.
If not, Im sure youre polite enough not to say anything to my face, Haley said cheerfully.
She sank onto the sofa, pulling Kevin next to her. Nash sat down, as well. After linking hands with Kevin, Haley leaned forward and studied Nash.
Im really excited about the whole brother-in-law thing, she told him. Im an only child. I had way too many mothers, but no siblings. I always wanted other kids around. Some of it was to take the heat off me. I mean I couldnt even think bad thoughts. Its like everyone could read my mind. How awful is that? Okay, sometimes it was really great to have so many people worrying about me, but it could be stifling, too.
Kevin bumped her shoulder with his. Slow down. Youre going to scare Nash off. Hes not the sociable twin.
Her gaze became as penetrating as a laser. Really.
Nash shifted uncomfortably. Congratulations on your engagement, he said in an effort to distract her. If Kevin wasnt completely honest about his past, Id be happy to fill in the details.
Haley giggled with delight. Ooh, stories about when Kevin was bad. Hes told me a few things, but not about the women. There had to be dozens, right? Hundreds, even?
Now Kevin was the one squirming in his seat. Haley, you know everything important. I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. Isnt he the best? I cant wait to get married. Speaking of which, are you dating, Nash?
Kevin stood and pulled Haley to her feet. I think youve terrorized my brother long enough.
What? she asked as she put her hands on her hips. What did I say?
He gave her a little push. I wont be long.
Did I upset you? she asked Nash.
He stood. Not at all. From what I can tell, youre exactly what my brother needs in his life.
Ha. She tossed her head and walked out of the room. Ill be upstairs, she called back. Planning the wedding. A really big wedding.
Have fun, Kevin said, then flopped back on the sofa. Shes a handful.
Nash sat down. Interesting young woman.
I think so. Shes smart, funny, fearless. She gives with her whole heart. Im still learning how to do that, but she makes it so damn easy to love her.