clear she wasn’t interested in a conventional relationship or commitment. Hell, she wasn’t conventional—and if he were to remind himself of that, maybe it wouldn’t hurt. He should cling to the problems that could arise from being seen with her rather than the amount of joy it gave him. But every damn day it became harder.
He grabbed his shoes and slipped them on. For the first time, her rules for their relationship really fucking sucked.
…
“Honey. Can you please get me some water?” his mother asked, and Brooks grabbed the bottle from the counter and poured some in the plastic cup, then gave it to her.
“Are you feeling better?” he asked. He’d been in Dallas for two days, and his mother remained in the hospital while they performed other exams to make sure she could go home. Her blood pressure had spiked, so her doctor switched the dosage and preferred to send her home after a clear improvement.
“I feel better,” she said with a slow smile. “I’m happy you came. Vanessa said you were in Nevada.”
“Yes. Of course I’d come.” He kissed the top of her head, and reality punched him in the stomach. How many more times would he be called? When would he get the dreadful call that the last person he cared for in his family had passed? Then he’d truly be alone. And the one person he wanted by his side refused to be with him.
“Your father is arriving tomorrow. He went on a hunting trip in South Africa.”
“Right,” he said tightly, barely moving his lips. He doubted his father had made this trip alone, but he’d never say it out loud. Throughout the years, his mother had had enough chances to leave his father, but had always stood by him. “Dr. Anderson said if your blood pressure is stable, we can have you home in a couple days.”
“Good. I miss my cats. How’s Duke?”
“Duke’s good,” he said, thinking of his dog. “I’ve been doing some traveling so my housekeeper took him to her house so he won’t be alone.”
“That’s wonderful. Does the reason for this trip include a special someone?”
He popped his knuckles. In a way, sure, it did—but what had taken him to Nevada had been to discover what had really happened to Pamela. Yet dragging his half sister into a conversation with his ailing mother felt wrong. His mother had always treated Pamela kindly, but from a safe distance. “Sort of.”
“You should find a good woman to share your life with, son. I know you love what you do, but look for someone who enjoys the same things. Who makes you laugh. In the end, that’s all that matters.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, his shoulders tensing up. A wave of sadness washed over him, and he wished he could change his mother’s life. She was still positive, even though her own husband wasn’t at her bedside when most needed. Married, but alone.
His phone buzzed, and he scooped it from the side table where he’d placed it earlier.
A text from Alexa.
What’s your mother’s room number? When they’d spoken on the phone the previous day, she’d mentioned to him she wanted to send his mother some flowers. He’d forgotten to give her the room number in the hospital, with so many things in his head.
He typed it and sat the cell back on the side table.
A few seconds later, a knock on the door.
“Vanessa must be back from running errands,” he said, and without much thought, opened the door.
His breath caught in his lungs, and a wave of surprise slapped at him.
Standing in front of him, Alexa held an elegant bouquet of white lilies and daisies. She chewed on her lower lip, clenching the flowers against her chest like a shield. Uncertainty flashed in her eyes. “I forgot to say I wanted to deliver these myself.”
He closed the door behind him, still stunned. Currents of electricity charged through him, her presence alone awakening all his senses. “Thank you,” he said smoothly. “What made you change your mind?”
“Jackie. She can be pretty convincing.”
He made himself a mental note to send Jackie some expensive bourbon. He cleared his throat. What did her coming to Dallas mean for them? Was it a charity visit or did she really want to be linked to him, to meet his mother? “Are you ready to meet the lady who brought me into this world?”
A light of anticipation brightened her eyes. “I’d like nothing more.”
Affection filled his heart, making it flip