Free Shameless (St. Martin Family Saga) by Gina Watson

asked.
    “So you really like this guy.”
    Was he telling her? Because she sure didn’t hear a question in his words.
    He was watching her every move, trying to read her. She knew how he felt about her and she felt bad, but thought it best to tell him the truth.
    “He’s a good guy. He can seem a bit prickly at times, but he really is genuinely nice.”
    Parker crossed his arms. “And so…?”
    “And so… Yes, I like him.”
    Parker’s jaw tensed, and he closed his eyes. Brook’s stomach tightened as she watched him.
    “It was never going to be me, was it then?” He lowered his gaze to her hands, clasped them in his. “I knew that. I lost count of the number of times you said I was such a great friend.”
    He placed his palm on her cheek and his eyes darkened with a need she would never be able to answer.
    “What the fuck’s going on here?” A low, hoarse voice shattered the tense moment. Brook was relieved and then troubled.
    She gasped and whipped her head in Cory’s direction. “Cory!”
    His brow furrowed as he glared over the tops of his aviator shades and took in the intimacy of her position next to Parker.
    Stepping away from Parker, Brook said, “We were just unloading the animals into the stables.”
    Cory huffed and swore violently, not quite under his breath, as he stomped into the stable yard. He rubbed the back of his head as he took in the scene. “What the hell?” He turned to Brook. “You said you were bringing the rescue dogs here.”
    “There are two over there.” She pointed behind him and to the right.
    Cory turned. “But that isn’t a greyhound, it’s a three-legged mutt with mange.” He gestured to the corner. “And is that a pregnant goat?”
    “Both the mutt and the goat had to come with me. They were due to be euthanized today.”
    Cory’s head went back as he raised his eyes to the sky and exhaled a long breath, a very long breath, through clenched teeth. “Jesus, Brook. Are you going to rescue all the animals on death row?”
    “Not all. Just the ones I can.”
    “You won’t even make a difference. Thousands are put to death every day in the state of Louisiana alone.”
    Brook’s eyes filled with tears as she bent to pick up the three-legged dog. “It makes a difference to this one.”
    He shook his head, but he walked to her and wrapped one arm around her. “Your heart is simply too big. Here…” He put the mange-infested mutt on the ground and then grasped her shoulders. “Please don’t cry. We have plenty of room here. It should be fine. Just don’t bring any more. The last thing I want to do is come home to a bunch of mangled and sick animals at the end of the day. I’ll need to treat this dog.” He carried the dog over to a corner of the stable. Brook and Parker followed. Cory was silent as he filled a bucket with water and some solution he pulled from a shelf. He pulled on a pair of gloves and dipped the squirming dog into the bucket.
    She hadn’t considered that he’d have to come home to do more work. But she should have. Her heart was no bigger than his.
    “Brook?”
    She turned to Parker.
    “I’ve got to run a few errands. Do you want to go with me?” He shrugged. “Or I can come pick you up when I’m done.”
    “I’ll take care of her,” Cory said, not even bothering to turn.
    Parker’s lips tightened, and his chest expanded slightly. “Brook?”
    “Yeah, I’ll just get Cory to give me a ride home, but thanks for all your help today and for breakfast.”
    Parker hugged her and whispered, “You sure you’re cool with me leaving?”
    She shook him off when she felt Cory’s gaze burning through them. “Yeah, it’s fine. Thanks again.” She waved as he walked out.
    She watched a moment before she turned and stormed over to Cory. She narrowed her eyes at him. “Why do you always have to be so moody and mean?”
    “He’s always got his hands all over you.” He rinsed the dog with water from a hose.
    Brook pointed to the spot