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Arianna studied Brad now. She should walk around him, get a water bottle out of the fridge in the kitchen area, and go back to work. Instead, she demanded, “Where have you been for the past eight years?”
His eyes immediately shuttered. He folded his arms across his chest, and she feared he wouldn’t answer. Wouldn’t give her even that courtesy. “Africa,” he finally said.
“Doing what?”
“Volunteering in different villages—digging wells, building schools, teaching the villagers to farm, protecting them.”
“Oh.” That wasn’t what she’d expected to hear. She’d feared he was chasing women or losing himself in selfish pleasures, drugs, and squandering his inheritance like the prodigal son. Sadly, he had no father, no mum.
She didn’t know why she’d worried about any of those things. Simply looking at Brad, she could see he lived clean and was fit and healthy. His eyes were clear, but sometimes tormented. Had he gone through something awful while protecting the villagers?
“That is very honorable of you,” she said.
“Thank you.”
She couldn’t very well ask why he hadn’t come back from his very charitable humanitarian mission to love her, but she found herself begging to know, “You couldn’t have called, written, sent a text?”
He pushed out a heavy breath and stared at her. Finally, he said, “I’m sorry, Ari … I didn’t think you’d want to hear from me.”
“Pardon me?” Maybe she would still get the chance to slap or punch him. How could she not want to hear from him? He’d been her hero as a child and teenager. The older brother she’d always longed for. He’d killed snakes and taught her to fish and often took her on adventures in the mountains near their Traverse homes. She’d realized she was in love with him by the time she was fourteen, but he never seemed to reciprocate the next level of feelings and had grown too busy for her.
Until the fateful night of his mum’s funeral. When they’d clung to each other, she’d taken a chance and kissed him, and he’d kissed her back. Wow, had he kissed her back! Then he’d broken the kiss and said he needed to go.
They hadn’t said much as he’d walked her home that night. She’d known he was going through something unbearable. She’d been through it a year before, and his mum and hers had been incredible women, the best of friends. At least she still had her dad. Brad only had her. Okay, he had numerous friends, but she could understand what he was going through best.
The next morning she’d gone to work at the Harrod’s in Traverse, knowing he’d be back at work as a delivery driver. She’d hoped for a text or a call, but nothing. By evening, she had gotten worried. She had gone to his home to check on him, but everything had been quiet. Nobody around. And the next night and the next. She’d tried his phone. Repeatedly. No service, and then after a few days it said the number was disconnected. Then his mum’s home had gone up for sale and all his close friends would say was he’d gone to volunteer somewhere. Maybe they hadn’t even known where.
“I’m sorry, Ari,” he said again, scrubbing at his beard and then dropping his hand. “I did so many things wrong before I left. I should never have … let down my guard with you.”
What was she supposed to say to that? He had done her wrong, very wrong, but despite herself, she still cared for him. Still loved him. Was he trying to say, but not say, that he shouldn’t have kissed her? She needed to smack him.
“Can we please focus on the close family friends we used to be and keep you safe?” he asked in a low, pained voice.
Pained? She’d show him pain. She’d discovered spike heels could penetrate flesh. She had her massive suitcase and a nice supply of ‘shoe weapons’ right inside the bedroom.
“Good morning,” Mason called out, bounding into the main area with his usual bright smile. “Breakfast? We can plan the day while we eat.” He gestured to the four-person table in the kitchen area. “Get cozy. Grace said she’d send up a tray.”
A rap came at the door.
“Am I living right or what?” Mason grinned and hurried for the door.
Arianna stayed rooted to the floor, glaring at Brad. Friends. She should get him off this protection detail. One word to General Ray or Chad and they would do it.
“Thank you.” Mason shut the door and turned to them, a loaded tray in his hands. The scent of fresh-baked bread and sweet and savory flavors wafted to them. “Who’s ready for deliciousness?” He looked between them. “Did someone die?”
Arianna gave a choked laugh. “I’m not hungry, and I have loads of work to do. I’ll be busy all day. That’s my plan. Sorry, but it will be very boring for you two. If you want to take turns going up to the gym or whatever, I’m sure the Gifted Genius won’t break into my room. Thanks so much for being here for me.”
She whirled and hurried into the bedroom before either of them could say a word. The last thing she saw was Brad’s brown gaze. Anguish was clear there. His usually golden, bright, enticing, brown-sugar eyes were darker, much darker.
Arianna had hurt him. She felt a sense of vindication that wasn’t very Christian of her. He deserved to know how it felt.
Sorrow and longing followed the vindication. She wanted him to love her, not feel guilty or sad.
Christmas was not looking very cheery this year.
ChapterSix
Brad reluctantly settledinto the chair across from Mason at the small dinette set. He was certain breakfast would be awkward. He was highly committed to being here for Arianna, but their latest conversation only confirmed how angry she should be at him and she didn’t even know the half of it. Her generous personality kept her from hating him, but she had to believe he would never stick around.
