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“I am.” Smiling, Sylvia joined Eric on the sofa and curled into his side. She might have woken from her nap, but she still felt tired.
“I was just telling Eric,” Dante started, and snagged Sylvia’s attention, “that tomorrow I’ll take you into the back country. The lakes and mountains are wonderful to visit. It’s beautiful, albeit cold and thicker snow up there, but it’s breathtaking. A storm is due in a few days so it’s best to get it over with as soon as possible so you don’t miss out.”
He wasn’t lying about the cold. Winter seemed to have already started in Colorado, which was why Eric had made her pack her thermal clothes and winter gear. To which she was grateful. She actually couldn’t wait to get outside and up into the mountains. The solitude would bother others, but not Sylvia. She loved the peace and quiet, which was why she had set her heart on the cottage outside of Lexington. It was surrounded by fields. Her nearest neighbor would be a couple of miles down the road. A total escape for her when she wasn’t at work.
“You game?” Eric whispered into her ear while he caressed her hip with his wandering hand.
“Yes. I can’t wait to explore.” She tried not to sound too eager or act like a child because she was excited. It was her first time in Colorado and she didn’t want to spend it resting indoors.
“We’ll have to get Emelia to come with us.” Eric met his brother’s gaze and returned Dante’s frown.
Perhaps they did know something was going on with their sister and didn’t know how to help her. Or perhaps they’d tried and been knocked back for interfering, especially if it was a female problem.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Dante finally announced. “She’ll be more of a hindrance than anything.”
“Thanks, brother.” Emelia stood in the doorway looking as though she fought back tears. “It’s nice to know what you really think of me.”
She turned and her feet were heavy as she ran up the stairs.
“Fuck! Dante, why can’t you keep your mouth shut,” Eric steamed. “It’s obvious to anyone that something is wrong with her, and you’re not helping.”
“I didn’t know she was there,” Dante mumbled, but his eyes said more than that. They said he was hurting. “And watch your mouth.” Dante glared at his brother.
“We’re not in your church, brother.” Eric looked away, his anger noticeable.
Sylvia took his hand and kissed his palm before sliding hers inside.
“Thank you,” he whispered before glancing back to his brother. “You need to apologize to her. She looked too upset to just let it go.”
Dante sighed, and looked tired as he moved to follow his sister. “I’ll try, but I’m not sure she likes me anymore.”
His words and the way he said them was as though he had just lost the woman he loved.”
When she heard Dante’s feet on the stairs, Sylvia turned and faced Eric, confused.
That was no brother and sister fall out, it appeared to be a lot more. “What’s going on with them?”
“I mentioned before that they’d never lived under the same roof.”
Sylvia nodded.
“The truth is what I think is going on is probably so far from the truth, at least I hope it is, considering…” He didn’t finish his sentence, which left Sylvia more puzzled than before. What was he trying to say?
“Don’t think about it. I try not to.” Eric settled her back against the sofa, and swung her legs up over his lap. “How are you really feeling?”
“I’m really okay. Stop worrying about me.” The idea of him worrying about her made her feel loved, and a soft look crossed her face as she gazed at him. “I’m happy, Eric. Happier than I’ve been in a long time, and I owe that to you.”
“I’m not sure how I feel about that.” He frowned. “This whole thing is new to me, and I’m worried I’m going to screw it all up.”
“Don’t worry about that because you’re doing well so far.” She smiled, and was seconds away from climbing onto his lap, when Dante reappeared.
Dante sighed and poured himself a whiskey before he turned to face them. When he did, though, his face looked strained. As though he was holding himself in check.
; Sylvia glanced at Eric, who frowned at his brother before she settled her gaze back on Dante. He placed the untouched glass down and started for the door. “I’m going next door for a while.” He disappeared.
A five minute walk away, which was next door, was the church that Dante presided over. Eric had told her on their trip to Denver that Dante had been there for a few years and that he loved the solitude and his congregation.
