Dawson's Fall (Welcome to Covendale #5)
Page 13
When she got out of the car, she heard shouting from the trailer.
She half-ran for it and found the door open. “You are not running that ’dozer.” Jonah’s voice, deep and irritated. “Sit your ass back down, before I knock you on it.”
“Damn it, I’m fine!” That was Mark. “I’ve been on my ass for a week.”
“And you’ll stay on it until the doctor clears you.”
“He’s an idiot.”
“No more than you, little bro.”
A frustrated grunt. “Fine, but I’m not waiting a goddamned month to get back to work.”
“We’ll see.”
Suppressing a smile, Aubrey stepped into the doorway. “Everything all right in here?” she said.
Jonah nodded a greeting. “Talk some sense into this clown, will you? I have work to do.” He smiled slightly as he walked past her and headed for the house.
She crossed to the desk and sat on the edge, next to a scowling Mark. “Good morning,” she said. “Going stir-crazy, are we?”
“Just a little.” He scrubbed a hand down his face, and his expression eased. “How about you? Still on the mend?”
“Getting there. I slept for about thirty hours yesterday, so that helped.” She’d suffered from smoke inhalation and bruised ribs, and that was it. The doctor kept telling her it was a miracle that they’d all survived—but she knew better. Mark was the miracle. “You could probably use some extra bed rest yourself, you know.”
“Yeah? Well, if you’re offering to share the bed with me…”
“If that’s what it takes to get you lying down.”
“Say the word, and I’m there.”
She leaned toward him with a smile. “Word,” she whispered, and kissed him.
“Oh, God. Er. I can come back.”
She flinched at the voice from the doorway—and turned to see her brother standing there, looking extremely awkward. “Jason,” she said. “Um…”
“Yeah, please don’t explain.” He hitched a half-smile. “Actually, I’m here to see Mark. Got a minute?”
Mark stared at him. “I guess.”
“I’ll make it fast.” He sighed and trudged inside. His face was still splashed with healing cuts and bruises, and his arm was in a sling. The roof beam had broken it. He stopped a few feet away and pulled a small piece of folded paper from his pocket. “First off, thanks for not pressing charges. I really can’t apologize enough.”
Mark waved him off. “Mrs. V. was very convincing.”
“Well, I volunteered for community service. For a long time. I’ve got to do something to make up for… everything.” He held the paper out. “And this is from Dad.”
Mark took it, and Aubrey watched as he unfolded it.
It was a personal check for a hundred thousand dollars.
“Hopefully that will cover your losses,” Jason said. “Dad said if it doesn’t, just let him know and he’ll get you more.”
“Oh, this’ll cover it.” Mark’s voice was small and stunned. “Um. Thanks.”
“Least we can do. He also says to tell you I’m covering half—he thinks he’s making me, but I want to.” Jason offered a hesitant smile. “You’re a good man, Dawson. Better than me.”
Mark shrugged. “I don’t know. You might have potential.”
“Right.” Jason glanced at his sister. “Bree, I’m…”
“I know,” she said. “It’s all right.”
“Yeah, well.” He cleared his throat and stared at his shoes. “Listen, I’ve got no place saying this,” he said. “But I wouldn’t be a brother if I didn’t, so…keep your hands off my sister, okay? At least while I’m around.”
“I’d punch you right now, if I didn’t have a sister myself,” Mark said with a smirk.
“And I wouldn’t stop you.” Jason half-turned toward the door. “Okay, I’ve got a hot date with the bridge club at the senior center,” he said. “See you.”
On impulse, Aubrey stood and hugged him. “Thanks for being my brother,” she said.
“Sure. Thanks for letting me.”
When he walked out, Mark got up and went to her. “All right, he’s gone,” he said. “That means I can put my hands on you now, right?”
She laughed. “I believe it does.”
“Good.” He settled his hands on her waist and pulled her against him. “How much longer until you’re…”
“Ready for bedroom gymnastics?” She reached up and looped her arms around his neck. “The doctor says I’m cleared for normal activities. But you’re still—”
“Not allowed to operate heavy machinery,” he said huskily. “I can do activities.”
“Mmm. I like activities.”
His lips met hers and she gave in completely to the sensations running through her blood. The door was wide open, but she didn’t care who saw them.
Nothing made her happier than loving a Dawson.
More books by Morgan Blaze
COWBOY’S PRIDE
Welcome to Covendale: Book 1
Available now from Amazon and Kindle Unlimited
SOLDIER’S CHOICE
Welcome to Covendale: Book 2
Available now from Amazon and Kindle Unlimited
DEPUTY’S SECRET
Welcome to Covendale: Book 3
Available now from Amazon and Kindle Unlimited
DAWSON’S STAND
Welcome to Covendale: Book 4
Available now from Amazon and Kindle Unlimited
About the Author
Morgan Blaze writes contemporary romance with a dash of heat. She enjoys summer storms, good coffee, and hanging out with family and friends.
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About the Welcome to Covendale Series
Small towns are the heart of America. Like every other small town, Covendale looks peaceful from the outside—but there are all sorts of things going on beneath the surface. Love and loss, friendships and rivalries, secrets and lies, long-time alliances and bitter feuds going back for generations. And most of all, passion.
Welcome to Covendale…the town right next door to yours. Grab a cup of coffee and settle in for an emotional ride you won’t forget.
Table of Contents
Dawson’s Fall
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
More books by Morgan Blaze