by Naomi Niles
John was leaning against the sink, eating yogurt from a cup. I shot him a dirty look the moment I saw him. “What?” he asked innocently.
“Did you have to tell this dumbass about the dinner last night?”
“He wanted to know why I dropped by unexpectedly last night,” he replied, with a smile. “I didn’t think to lie.”
“And why should he have lied?” Sam demanded, taking a seat at the breakfast table. “We’re brothers – we shouldn’t have any secrets from one another.”
“Oh, I think having a few wouldn’t hurt,” I said, glaring at Sam. “It might actually help.”
Sam laughed and turned to John. “He’s being really tight lipped about the date last night. I think he screwed it up.”
“I didn’t screw up anything,” I said immediately. “And in any case, it wasn’t a date.”
John guffawed, and I shot him a look. “What?” I demanded.
“Come on, Pete,” John said evenly. “You’re totally smitten with this girl.”
“How hot is she?” Sam asked, perking up.
“She’s pretty.”
“She’s beautiful,” I corrected instinctively, and immediately I wished I hadn’t. John and Sam both whistled loudly, and I shook my head at both of them. “Anyway, she just moved in, she’s settling down here, she doesn’t really know the town… I just thought I could help her out a little.”
“Sure,” Sam nodded sarcastically. “Because men are usually that considerate.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“You’re obviously hoping to fuck her at some point?”
I cringed at Sam’s choice of words. “I’m hoping no such thing. Yes, I find her attractive, and yes, I’m happy to help her out if she needs it, but I don’t expect anything from her.”
Sam rolled his eyes. “You are such a goody two shoes.”
“And, you’re a complete opportunist.”
“Guilty as charged,” he nodded, with his hands in the air. “I do not deny it.”
John laughed. “Okay, well, I’d love to stay and hear the rest of this banter, but unfortunately, I’ve got to head out now. And Pete, I won’t be back till Sunday dinner.”
I turned to him in surprise. “How come?”
“An important client wants a consult and they’re flying me down to Malibu for a few days,” John explained. “It was pretty last minute, but I didn’t want to turn it down.”
Sam whistled. “Lucky you.”
“Oh, okay, well…have fun,” I said. “If that is in fact the right sentiment.”
John smiled. “It’ll work,” he said. “Good luck with the neighbor situation.”
“There’s no situation,” I shouted after him as he left the kitchen.
Once John was gone, Sam turned his full attention onto me. “So,” he started pointedly.
I rolled my eyes. “Is there a reason you’re here today?”
“I came to help you with the addition,” he said. “Because I’m such a caring, considerate and helpful brother.”
“Is that what you are?” I asked sarcastically. “You did a good job of hiding it all these years.”
Sam pretending to hold his heart with hurt. “Sometimes your words, they hurt.”
I laughed at his dramatics and reached for the half-empty juice carton. “I’ll be happy for the helping hand, and I trust you can take direction?”
“Direct me, master,” Sam said, saluting me with vigor. “I shall obey your every order.”
“Good,” I laughed. “Glad to hear it.”
“How did you learn so much about…this stuff?”
“Construction and carpentry, you mean?”
“Yup.”
“Dad,” I replied shortly.
“Ah,” Sam nodded, his expression smoothening out a little. “Right.”
As I ate my breakfast, I could see Sam’s eyes unfocus a little as he became bogged down in thought. I tried to distract him with unnecessary questions, but he just kept giving me short answers and then he fell back into silence.
“Do you ever think about Dad?” Sam asked finally.
I’d suspected that that was the route his thoughts had taken. “Of course,” I nodded. “I think about him all the time. It’s hard to live in this house and not remember him.”
“I know I was thirteen when he died,” Sam said. “But sometimes it’s still hard to remember certain things about him. It feels like he died when I was much younger. Do you think that’s odd?”
“What’s odd?” I asked, in confusion.
“That I don’t remember as much as I should.”
“Of course not,” I said immediately. “Memory is a funny thing; sometimes forgetting is just our mind’s way of protecting us.”
Sam tapped his fingers against the table like he used to when he was a kid and he was trying to figure something out. “He was a good father, wasn’t he?”
“The best,” I nodded. “You know that.”
“I know,” he said quickly. “It’s just that sometimes I don’t know whether that’s what I remember or if that’s what I want to remember.”
“He was a good father Sam,” I insisted.
He was silent for a minute. “I know he was, but somehow, the person I associate most with that word is you.”
“Me?” I said incredulously.
Sam smiled. “Yeah. Odd, right?”
“Well, I’m undeserving of that title.”
“I don’t think so,” he said firmly. “You took the reins after Dad died. You looked after us, especially Talen and I. You sacrificed a lot so that we could all stay together. You became a man at eighteen, and it never seemed like you were faking.”
“I was though,” I said.
“If you were, I never noticed. Neither did Talen.”
I snorted. “Talen… Come on.”
“No, I’m serious,” Sam nodded. “In some ways, I think that’s why your relationship with him is so rocky. I think if Dad had been alive, they would have had the exact same dynamic.”
“That’s the irony, isn’t it?” I said. “If Dad had been alive, Talen might never have gone down the route he chose. He might have become an engineer or an architect or…something other than a drifter who goes from one pointless job to another.”
“You even talk about him like he’s your kid,” Sam pointed out.
“That’s how I talk about all you guys.”
“Proving my point,” he said. “You weren’t just forced to become a man before you were ready. You were forced to become a father, too.”
“I guess,” I conceded. “It wasn’t so bad, though. I quite liked you guys.”
He smiled. “You know I’ve never said as much in so many words, but… I really appreciate everything you’ve done for us.”
I smiled, touched by my brother’s sudden and unexpected sentimentality. “Thanks, Sam,” I replied. “That means a lot to me.”
We held each other’s gaze for a split second before embarrassment set in. Sam looked away from me as a blush crept up his cheeks. “Given that we’re bonding and everything…maybe you could tell me what the new neighbor looks like naked?” he said, trying to deflect the serious moment with some humor.
I laughed and shook my head. “Nice try, buddy.”
“Is that a no?”
“Come on,” I said, as I rose from my seat. “Time to get to work on the addition.”
Sam followed me outside and we spent the whole day measuring out lumber and creating the framework for the walls we needed for the new addition. By the time evening rolled around, we had actually made decent progress and I was starting to feel optimistic. I took a few steps back from the new addition and cast a critical eye over our work.
“Well?” Sam asked.
“It’s looking good,” I replied. “It’s coming together nicely.”
“Sweet,” he whistled. “I think I can find a way to work this into conversation with women. They tend to favor men who are good with their hands.”
I rolled my eyes. “Is everything a pick-up line with you?”
“Umm, pretty much, yeah,” he nodded.
“So you’re never going to let any girl tie you down?”
“Are you kidding?” he replied. “I’m completely up for being tied down.”
“Really?” I asked, in surprise.
“Of course. I prefer handcuffs, but I’m open to rope too.”
“Geez,” I sighed, realizing how Sam had twisted my words around.
“Hey, speaking of kinky…look who’s coming.”
I had already heard the sound of the vehicle coming up the drive. I felt my nerves ratchet up a notch but I kept my face calm and free of expression.
“Hey,” I hissed at Sam. “Stop staring.”
He ignored me completely and watched as Madison got out of her car. She was dressed simply in blue jeans and a white t-shirt that hugged her curves and flat stomach. Her hair was loose and messy around her bed.
“Damn,” Sam said, under his breath. “She’s a fox. Are her eyes blue?”
“Green,” I replied. “Now shut up and be cool; she’s coming over.”
“Hi,” Madison greeted as she drew closer.
I straightened up immediately and walked forward, praying that Sam would be on his best behavior. “How was work?”
“Pretty good, actually,” she replied. “I got to work on two new clients today.”
“That’s great,” I smiled. “This is my brother, Sam.”
“Nice to meet you, Sam,” Madison said, extending her hand out for him to shake. Sam managed to keep the cheeky grin off his face while he shook hands cordially.
“How are you liking Fort Collins, Madison?” he asked.
“I love it so far,” she replied. “The people especially. Everyone’s so friendly and willing to help.”
“It helps that you’re a pretty girl,” Sam said, without the usual wink that accompanied one of those compliments.
Madison smiled. “Hey, I’ll take the help when I can get.”
“I wouldn’t blame you,” he replied.
Madison turned back to me and her eyes were bright, but a little hesitant. “Peter, I’m sorry about rushing out last night. I was hoping to make amends by asking if you were free for dinner tonight?”
“I’d love to,” I replied immediately.
“Sam,” Madison said. “You’re welcome to join us, too.”
“That’s nice of you,” he replied. “But I already have plans tonight. I was just about to head off before you showed up.”
“Oh, next time then,” Madison smiled, before turning back to me. “I don’t have much of a kitchen at the moment, but I can whip as up some sandwiches.”
“I insist you come over to my place for dinner,” I offered.
“You already cooked for me yesterday.”
“I love cooking,” I assured her. “Trust me, you’d be doing me a favor.”
“Well, if you insist.”
“I do,” I nodded firmly. “My place at seven-thirty?”
“Great,” Madison nodded. “I’ll see you then. Bye, Sam; it was nice meeting you.”
“Same here, Madison,” he replied as she walked off.
The moment she disappeared into her house, Sam turned to me with his mischievous grin back in place.
“Shut up,” I said, before he could say a word.
Chapter Twelve
Madison
“Okay, Polo,” I said, facing his big eyes. “I need to find something special to wear.” I turned to the messy contents of my suitcase and sighed. “That’s going to take a while.”
I had a quick shower, wrapped a towel under my arms and padded out into my still empty bedroom. I knelt down and rifled through the clothes I’d brought with me. I had brought everything I owned, which as it turned out, had been easy to do. I had a few staples, two pairs of jeans, and a few hardy t-shirts. I had some shorts for hot weather and a couple of dresses that could be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion.
“Hmm,” I said, glancing at Polo, who was sticking his nose into the contents of my suitcase. “Maybe once I start making some money, I can invest in some clothes. What do you think?”
I took Polo’s silence for agreement and patted him on the head. “What do you think about this outfit?” I asked, holding up a strapless pink dress. “Too much? Yeah, you’re probably right. Let me try this one on.”
I picked a blue, off-the-shoulder dress with a flowing skirt, but that looked a little too casual for my liking. Then I slipped on a midnight blue dress that dropped to my ankles, but that one looked too extravagant. Every time I tried on a new dress, I twirled around for Polo’s benefit.
“What do you think?” I asked. “I know, I know… I need to make some changes to my wardrobe.”
In the end, I picked a champagne-colored slip dress. I paired it with thin wedges and kept my hair loose around my shoulders. I gave my refection an appraising glance in the mirror before I turned to Polo.
“I think I look pretty decent,” I said, with a shrug.
He gave me a small bark and I took that as approval. “Awesome,” I said, as I grabbed my mobile and headed for the door with Polo at my heels.
“Hold on, buddy,” I said, bending to my knees and giving him a big hug. “I think I’m going to fly solo today. Maybe next time, okay?”
I kissed him on the nose, gave him a small treat to tide him over, and then slipped out the entrance. I walked over to Peter’s front door and knocked twice. He answered quickly, dressed in jeans and a plain black t-shirt that hugged his arms and toned chest. He looked incredibly masculine, standing there in the fading light of the setting sun. His hazel brown eyes were bright and welcoming.
“Madison,” he said. “You look beautiful.”
I suppressed the blush on my cheeks. “Thank you, so do you,” I blurted out.
He looked at me in surprise and then burst into laughter. “Thank you,” he replied, making me feel better about my own awkwardness. “Come on in. You didn’t bring Polo?”
“Not tonight,” I said, as I walked into the house.
He led me straight to the dining room this time and it was clear he had taken a lot of care setting everything up. There was a new tablecloth covering the old wood and he had already laid the table with white plates and a few candles that created a bridge in the middle.
“Wow,” I breathed. “Everything looks beautiful.”
The table was set with a few different dishes. There were roasted potatoes with thick gravy, a rack of lamb seasoned with herbs, charred eggplant dripping in a white sauce, and a salad filled with an assortment of different nuts.
“This looks amazing, Peter,” I said, as he pulled out a chair for me. “I can’t believe you did all this yourself.”
“Are you impressed?”
I smiled. “Extremely.”
He slipped into the chair adjacent to mine and poured me some wine. It was a strange feeling to have a man treat me that way. It was strange to have a man cook for me at all.
Peter was attentive and kind, and I could sense sincerity about him. But it was more than that: I felt safe with him even though he was a perfect stranger to me. Maybe it was everything I had heard about him, maybe it was just instinct, or maybe it was just the way he looked at me sometimes…but I felt like I could trust him. I felt safe with him. It was a new experience .
“Where’s John?” I asked. “Isn’t he joining us for dinner?”
“John’s out on work,” Peter replied. “He’s going to be back on Sunday.”
“He’s a doctor, right?”
“He is. A plastic surgeon actually, but it’s not what you think.”
“What do I think?” I asked in amusement.
“People assume he spends his time doing breast implants for a bunch of wealthy clients, but he actually likes to hand pick his cases. He looks for patients who have severe skin and facial deformities, people who have been in terrible accidents and need facial rec
onstructions, and he fixes them up.”
“Wow,” I said, shaking my head. “You guys are all amazing.”
“Really?” Peter seemed surprised by that. “How so?”
“How so?” I repeated. “You’re a cop, John’s a surgeon, Sam’s a firefighter, and as far as I’ve heard, you have another brother who’s an Olympic athlete.”
Peter smiled. “I have a fifth brother,” he said quietly.
“What does he do?” I asked.
“Umm…to be completely honest, I’m not sure,” he said with a smile. “Talen’s the youngest and he’s always been a little bit of a wild card.”
“I’ve known a few of those,” I nodded.
“He’s a good kid,” he spoke as though Talen were his child and not his brother. “He was just dealt a bad hand.”
“A bad hand?” I asked, not wanting to come right out and ask the question in case Peter wasn’t prepared to answer.
“Well, you already know that we lost our father eleven years ago,” Peter replied. “But before that, our mother left. Talen was young – very young – and it affected him more than he lets on. He might have been able to cope with losing one parent, but when he lost them both…”
“It was hard.”
“Very,” Peter sighed.
“How old was he when your mother left?” I asked hesitantly.
“He was five.”
“Wow.”
“Dad was a good father, but he was heartbroken after she left,” Peter explained. “He didn’t see it coming, and I think he was in denial for a long time. I think he believed he could convince her to come back.”
“Did he know where she went?”
“He thought he did,” Peter sighed again. “He even made a trip to try and find her, but he came back more disheartened than ever. After that, he changed a little.”
“Changed?”
“It wasn’t really obvious to anyone,” Peter said, his eyes were far away when he spoke. “Or maybe I was reading too much into it, but it was as though something inside him had broken. He was still there for all of us, he showed up for every event and worked harder than ever to provide us with whatever we needed.
“But he lost the brightness in his eyes. His smile became sad. He’s the reason I believe in broken hearts.”
