Free Autumn Getaway (Seasons of Love) by Jennifer Gracen Page A

Alec’s brother. Melanie told me earlier today about the connection between the Selbys and the Forresters, that you’re like family to each other. So when I heard Zack call you ‘Uncle Sam’, it quickly explained why you were sitting on that end of the table, with Paige and Alec and their kids.”
    The corners of Sam’s eyes crinkled as he smiled. “They’re great kids,” he said, his affection obvious. “I love them, I love being with them. They’re fun.”
    “That’s sweet. But of course you can think they’re fun, they’re not yours,” Lydia quipped with a grin. “You get to give them back when they start to throw a fit or misbehave.”
    “True, true. But I love ‘em anyway.”
    John brought over a large glass of deep red wine and set it down in front of Lydia. Before she could even reach for her handbag, Sam handed John a twenty dollar bill.
    “You don’t have to—” Lydia started to protest. John was already walking away from them.
    “What, I can’t buy you a drink?” Sam asked, his brow creasing slightly. “Come on, indulge me.”
    Lydia smiled and said graciously, “Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome.” He studied her as she took a small sip from her glass. “You don’t like people to do things for you, do you? Not even little things.”
    She felt her brows furrow as she considered his intuitive question. She carefully set the wine glass back down on the bar. “I wouldn’t say that.”
    “Then what would you say it is?” he asked, leaning a bit closer to be heard over the loud music. His dark eyes searched her face.
    “I, um…” She pressed her lips together and slowly stroked the stem of the glass with her fingertip. “I’d say I’m not really used to people doing things for me. Even the little things. That would be more accurate.”
    Before Sam could answer her, Alec came up behind him. He laid both hands on his younger brother’s shoulders, smiling from ear to ear. “Sammy!” Alec exclaimed. He looked over at Lydia. “Ah… Lydia, right? The college roommate?”
    “That’s me,” Lydia confirmed.
    “Alec Forrester,” he said, holding out a hand for her to shake. “I don’t think we were officially introduced. Pleasure to meet you.”
    “Nice to meet you too,” she said as she shook his hand. She could see a resemblance between him and Sam—similar build, tall and broad shouldered, same full head of wavy dark hair. But Alec’s eyes were green, and Sam’s eyes were a dark, warm shade of brown; Alec’s light eyes seemed somehow colder in comparison. And he had a nice smile, but not nearly as breathtaking as Sam’s. At least, it didn’t affect her in the same way that Sam’s smile did.
    “Keeping my little brother company? I appreciate it,” Alec said to her. He wrapped an arm around Sam’s neck affectionately and gave his sibling a squeeze.
    Sam gave a small grin, but discreetly shot Alec a cautionary look.
    “Young man!” Alec exclaimed. “I owe you a birthday drink. I know I’m a week late, but better late than never.”
    “Hey, I’ll take it,” Sam said as John approached them.
    “Another round of whatever my brother’s drinking, please,” Alec said. He peered down into Sam’s almost empty glass. “Let me guess. Scotch. Macallan? Twelve year?”
    “He knows you well,” John grinned at Sam.
    “Who do you think introduced him to the stuff?” Alec boomed proudly. “That’s what big brothers are for! I’ll have one, and you know what, so will the groom. Make it three, John.”
    “Your birthday was last week?” Lydia asked Sam.
    Sam nodded. “Yup. The ninth.”
    “Well, happy belated birthday,” she said with a smile.
    He smiled back. “Thanks.”
    “So how old are you now?” she asked.
    “He’s but a babe in the woods,” Alec said dramatically.
    “Just turned thirty-five,” Sam said to Lydia. Over his shoulder, he said to his brother, “I’m getting up there, huh?”
    “Don’t worry, Sammy. I’ll always be older than you.