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From the corner of his eye, Colton saw Joel’s head turn toward him. He kept his furious gaze focused on the road straight ahead.
“I’m supposed to take Noah to New York, too,” Joel said.
The muscle ticking in Colton’s jaw increased tempo. “I know.”
“Well, that would certainly solve the problem. And keep Kendra from worrying about Noah flying all by himself…” Another moment of silence, then Joel asked, “You sure you don’t mind?”
He wouldn’t have thought it possible, but his knuckles turned whiter. “I wouldn’t have offered if I did.”
****
Joel gave his little brother a tight hug before setting him in the passenger seat of the truck. He was going to miss the kid, but hopefully not for too long. “Listen to Colton, you hear? Stick with him at all times.” After a quick glance around, he leaned close and spoke low. “Remember what we talked about?”
Noah nodded, face serious, eyes sparkling. Joel smiled as he straightened. Then he laboriously made his way up the steps on his crutches and joined his gloomy-looking family on the porch to wave goodbye. They watched until the truck and trailer disappeared around the corner of the driveway.
Cody turned to Dustin. “You want to go play in the tree fort?” he asked sullenly.
Dustin shrugged without any enthusiasm, but followed his brother anyway. Joel exchanged a morose glance with Britt.
“It’s going to be quiet around here without him.” She looked as sad as the boys at Noah’s departure.
Joel leaned his crutches against the porch railing. Stuck his hands in his pockets and casually strolled over to where she stood.
Her eyes narrowed.
He grinned. Enjoying watching the wheels turn in her beautiful head, he withdrew his hands to pull her into his arms, linking his fingers together at the small of her back.
“You sneaky dog,” she accused when she’d connected all the dots. Then she laughed. “You know, I wondered, but then you came back with the crutches and brace and your boot and you were so damn convincing. How’d you get Dr. Cain to go along with this?”
“He’s a romantic at heart.”
“Hmmm.” She punched his arm, and none too lightly. “Ooh—when I think of all the things I did for you the past two days—”
“That only slightly makes up for my boots.”
Britt smiled with a shake of her head. She stopped mid-shake, a sudden wrinkle creasing her brow. “You didn’t tell her he’s coming, did you?”
“And ruin the surprise?”
A hint of worry clouded her green eyes. “Joel, that’s not fair.”
“Hey, she never told us they got married,” he defended without remorse. “I’ve got plenty of catching up to do. Besides, all’s fair in love and war.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Kendra set the classifieds aside with a sigh. Nothing she’d wanted to do a few months ago even appealed to her now. But she had to find something to keep her mind occupied. Without a job to fill her days, something to give her a sense of accomplishment when she was done, she was left with entirely too much free time to think about what might have been.
She walked over to the window overlooking Central Park eight stories below. The sun was shining now, but a dark bank of clouds hovered menacingly along the horizon to the west, lending credibility to the weather woman’s earlier forecast.
Of course, the woman would be right this time because Kendra had an appointment tonight. Even though she loved thunderstorms, she preferred to watch them from the comfort of the couch, with a cup of tea or coffee.
A quick glance at the time made her turn around and head down the hall to get ready. When she first returned to the city, she had called the lawyer Michael recommended, and Kevin Serling had taken care of everything concerning Noah’s custody with speedy efficiency. Today’s meeting was more casual, over coffee, and to discuss the best way for her to donate money to help victims of rape and other charities.
She’d hesitated at the suggestion of meeting outside his office, but the only free time Kevin could offer this week was on his way to another meeting. At this point, anything that took her idle mind off Colton was welcome. Especially since Joel and Noah weren’t due until tomorrow afternoon and the rest of the day stretched endlessly before her.
She met the lawyer at a quiet café a short cab ride from the apartment. True gentleman style, he waited for her to sit before taking his own seat.
She surveyed him over the top of the menu as they waited for a server. His tailored gray suit fit his average sized frame to perfection, making him appear larger than he was. He wore his hair stylishly short, with just a hint of product to keep each strand in place. Kendra instantly pictured strong fingers raking through soft, caramel-colored locks. One blink and she saw Kevin again. Bet he never needed to run a hand through that short, dark hair to brush it off his forehead.
