AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I live here.”
“Alanna, these are my brothers, Matthew—”
The one she had seen at the sheriff’s office nodded his head at her.
“—and Isaac.” Silas’ voice grew reprimanding. “Matthew only told me this morning, when I was leaving, that he had gotten arrested and might have spoken to you while he was there.”
Matthew made a face. “I knew the cat would be out the bag when you saw me. I hope I didn’t say anything to put you offtaking the job. I’m afraid I don’t remember much about that night. I’d had a few too many drinks, coupled with one of Greer’s greens, so I have to admit that night is kind of a blur.”
The embarrassed way he was looking at her lessened the tension she was feeling.
“The deputy gave you a joint?”
Matthew laughed at her shock. “He wasn’t on duty at the time.”
Silas took her arm. “We’re keeping the others waiting.”
Isaac gave her a bashful smile. “We were going to wash up. Give us five, and we’ll be there.”
Alanna let Silas lead her to the house. As they passed his truck, she gave it a wistful glance.
“You don’t have to worry. Matthew doesn’t make it a habit to light up. He was celebrating.”
“Oh … okay.” Alanna looked to where Silas’ brothers were splashing water at each other from a barrel next to their building.
Silas noticed where she was staring as they walked up the steps. “Matthew and Isaac are very close. They spend the better part of the day cutting up with each other.”
“I see that.” Alanna felt a familiar tightening in her chest. How many times had she spent regretting not having siblings? Even now, as an adult, she would wonder if her parents had planned to have more children. Would their marriage have lasted? She mourned not only the parents whose memories grew fainter each year, but also the future they would have had if they had lived.
Silas cast her a worried glance as he grabbed the doorknob. “Ready?”
Alanna frowned at him quizzically. “Is there something I should be prepared for?”
“Only that we can be a bit overwhelming because there are so many of us.”
She loosened her guard, seeing Silas wanted her to like his family. He was making inroads in her desire to keep a professional distance between herself and all the Colemans. He was the type of brother she had always longed for.
“I’ve always wanted a big family. I was an only child,” she told him.
“As frustrating as mine can be, I wouldn’t switch places to a smaller one.”
“I don’t blame you.”
Silas opened the door, allowing her to enter first.
Expectant faces turned as she walked inside. The sea of males all stood as one as Silas ushered her further into the room.
“Hello,” she greeted them nervously.
“Hello,” they all said in unison.
“I was wondering how much longer you would be. I was about to put the roast back in the oven to keep it warm.”
A cheerful female voice had Alanna turning her head toward the woman she hadn’t noticed standing beside the biggest table she had ever seen. Every inch of the table was filled with empty plates waiting to be filled, and the rest was taken up with the smorgasbord of dishes that had her stomach growling.
“Silas”—the woman smiled, breaking the embarrassing moment—“you better make the introductions quick. I hear your stomach growling from over here.”
Flushing, Alanna gave her a thankful glance for trying to spare her feelings. “I’m afraid that was me.” Placing her hand on her stomach to smother the rumbling sounds, Alanna regretted not eating the breakfast that Deputy Porter had brought her. “I was too nervous to eat breakfast this morning.”
