it across the table before pushing back her chair. This could be dealt with later. She needed fresh air. A walk would be nice. Grabbing her keys, she went outside.
The low, late-afternoon sun greeted her, and she blinked a few times, the tears and light blurring her vision. As she reached the driveway, she nearly fell over as a giant creature rushed her. It took a second to recognize it was a dog, not an escaped polar bear. It wriggled and wagged and licked her face, as though understanding on some intuitive level that she was upset. Despite herself, a smile emerged, and she wrapped her arms around the giant fluff ball, pressing her face into the soft fur.
The sound of rushed footsteps caused her to look up, and she shaded her eyes with a hand. “I’m guessing she’s yours?”
“Yes. Sorry she darted over here,” he said, attaching a leash. “Are you okay?”
Their eyes met, and he blinked back surprise as she slapped a hand to her chest. “It’s you,” she uttered. “The doctor.”
He laughed. “Dr. Hart. And you’re the very brave Riki.”
She rose to her feet. “I wasn’t that brave. I was kind of a wreck.”
“You were great.” He moved his mouth to say more, but no words came out. Smiling, he tried again. “You live here?”
Realization hit her, and she slowly nodded. “I do. And you’re Embry’s brother. The urgent-care doctor.”
“She’s watching Gracie for me until I get settled. I’m moving down here.”
“That’s great!” It came out too quickly and too eagerly, but he didn’t seem to notice.
“I’m happy to finally settle down somewhere. I’ve been working locum tenens, meaning I’ve been moving from one urgent care to the next, following the seasons. It’s been a great way to see a lot of the country, but it’s time to be near family. See my sister’s kids grow up.”
“They’re awesome. So is your sister, for that matter. She’s a great friend.”
“Is that so? You must be ‘the sweet gal who lives across the way.’” A big grin emerged, and she tried not to pass out. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Just didn’t know it was you she was talking about. How is the wound, by the way? Are you taking good care of it?”
Touching a hand to her neck, she nodded. “Thanks again for being so nice to me.”
He rubbed his dog’s ears. “You’re welcome. Do you have a minute to say hi to Embry? I think she’ll get a real kick out of this.”
“Okay. Avoid that spot there, though,” she whispered. “A man died there last night.”
“Embry told me. How sad,” he said, mirroring the wide arc Riki made as they crossed the gravel driveway.
Embry held the phone in her hand, a silly grin hanging on her face. “Brandon!” she shouted as she sank onto the sofa. “Can you come here for a second?”
He stepped out of their room with a freshly changed Carson in his arms. “Yeah, babe? What’s up?” He stood in front of her and smiled at the look on her face.
She lifted the phone in her hand. “I just got off the phone with Daniella Stefani’s manager.”
“Daniella Stefani? Are you kidding me?”
“Nope.” Her smile took over, and a laugh burst out. “Daniella was at Soul Candy in Westwood, and she loved my honey pops so much that she wants to give away packs of them in her birthday-gala favor baskets next month.”
“Shut the front door! That’s amazing, Em!” He ran a hand down his mouth. “I’m floored.”
She stood and wrapped her arms around Brandon and the baby. Kylie rushed over from where she had been filling a basket with plastic fruit and grabbed on to Embry’s leg. “I hug you, too, Mama!”
Embry laughed. “Thanks, Ky. We’re going to be making a lot of honey pops in the next little bit here.”
“I help, Mama.” She rushed into the kitchen and opened a cupboard. Embry didn’t try to stop her.
Brandon looked into her eyes. “This could be huge, Em. Her social media following is in the millions.”
“I know! And her manager was so nice. She said that Daniella strives to help female-run businesses. She read the tag and loved my story.”
“I love your story. You’re amazing, darlin’.”
She bit her lip. Now was the perfect time to tell him. “There’s one—”
“Hey, Em!” Evan burst through the door with Gracie in tow. Riki stood next to him. “We have a funny story to tell you.”
She smiled at Brandon. Her news could wait just a little while longer.