Return To Sender (The Hart Brothers #2) - J. S. Cooper Page 0,16
but then I go to bed at night all alone and wish I had someone.”
“I know.” I rubbed the back of her shoulders. “I’m in the same boat. I wish I had someone as well. And let’s not say I do. I hardly think I have Wade Hart. Yes, I slept with him, but I don’t think that really means much.”
“Let’s not give up hope, Savannah. Maybe he really is your knight in shining armor and we just don’t know it.”
“Yeah, maybe.” I looked out the window and searched the sky. “I’m not seeing any flying pigs though, so maybe it’s not my day for miracles.”
“Oh, Savannah, come on, let’s take Jolene out and you can show me the grounds to your mansion and then we can come back inside and snoop up a storm.”
“I don’t know about snooping.” I bit my lip. “I was going to tell you later, but I think I caught Gordon snooping earlier.”
“Oh, no way! Where? In your underwear drawer?” Her eyes widened. “He wants a piece of you as well?”
“No.” I shook my head. “He was in Wade’s office. He said he was in there by mistake, but I saw a piece of the paper on the ground.” I pursed my lips. “He must have been going through his paperwork.”
“But why would he be doing that?”
“I know this might sound crazy, but I think Gordon might be Wade’s brother.”
“Whaaaaaaaat?” Lucy looked shocked. “Shit, this is better than any movie. Why do you think they’re brothers?”
“Well, I just have this feeling. Wade’s mom told me that her husband had an affair, which resulted in a pregnancy. I know for a fact that the child wasn’t in his father’s life because Wade didn’t even seem to know his dad had cheated.”
“And the dad never said anything? Wow.”
“Yeah. And Gordon keeps talking about his father who wanted nothing to do with him.”
“Oh, shit. So you think he wants to get to know his dad now?”
“I doubt it. His dad is dead.” I wrinkled my nose. “It’s all so sad and sordid, really.”
“Yeah, wow. What do you think Gordon is looking for?”
“No idea.” I shook my head. “But if he is Wade’s brother, it makes me wonder if any part of our friendship was real or if he was just using me.”
“Oh shit, yeah. Ugh, that sucks.”
“It does, but I feel bad for him. His father sucked. From what Louisa told me—she’s Wade’s mom—the dad was a real narcissist and only really cared about himself. It’s just sad all around.”
“You’re a good person, Savannah, but don’t let their family drama bring you down.” Lucy looked thoughtful. “Do you think Wade’s words had anything to do with Gordon? Maybe he knows that Gordon is his brother and doesn’t want to share the inheritance with him and he thinks you might help Gordon get some of the money.”
“You’re smart, Lucy. I’d never thought of that, but you could be correct. All Gordon keeps talking about is money. Maybe that’s why he was here. Maybe he was looking to help himself to what he thinks is rightfully his.”
“Oh, man. I don’t like this, Savannah.” Lucy shook her head. “I don’t like this at all.”
Chapter 6
“Jolene is absolutely loving being able to run in the grass.” Lucy smiled as Jolene wiggled her ass into the ground and then jumped back up and went running. “She loves it here.”
“Yeah, she does, but I suppose there’s a lot to love if you’re a dog.”
“So, do you like it here?” Lucy’s voice was suddenly serious and the air between us felt tense.
Neither of us was comfortable being serious. I suppose it was a defense mechanism that we’d developed growing up with domineering parents. We both resorted to laughter and goofing off, and while we always had each other's backs and could tell each other anything, we seldom had deep conversations.
“Surprisingly, I do,” I replied.
“It seems like it would be lonely.”
Jolene scampered off into the woods and we followed. I shivered a little at the sudden coolness. The dense branches above us blocked out most of the remaining sunlight.
“To be honest, I never felt lonely until today. When Wade left.” I reached my hands up and touched the lower hanging leaves. “Of course, I missed you and wished you were here, but I didn’t miss the city as much as I thought I would.”
“I guess that’s what happens when you meet someone who captures your heart.”
“I suppose so.”
“I’ve missed you, you know.” Lucy sounded nostalgic. “But