Free Cross My Heart by Carly Phillips Page A

Hunter hoisted himself onto the kitchen counter, making himself at home, which considering how often he came by, he was. “So what will you do while I’m researching?” he asked Lilly.
    Ty raised an eyebrow and glanced at her. “I’m curious about that myself.”
    She shrugged. “I thought I’d reacquaint myself with my hometown. I need to relax and maybe feel like I belong here again.”
    â€œI understand how you feel.” And he sympathized. “But you can’t just go walking around in broad daylight and risk alerting your uncle to your reappearance. You need to be discreet, at least until your uncle’s been told that you’re alive, well and intend to be rich.”
    â€œMan, I wish I could see his face when he finds out he’s waited ten years for nothing.” Hunter rubbed his hands together, his anticipation of the other man’s downfall as understandable as it was shared by everyone in this room.
    Lilly laughed but Ty heard the shakiness in her voice. For all her strength, she wasn’t quite ready for the reunion. A few days of breathing room would do her some good.
    â€œSo how do you think we should let him in on the secret? I can’t just walk up the front steps, ring the doorbell and say, Hi, Uncle Marc, I’m home! ”
    Ty grinned. “Maybe not, but I’d pay good money for tickets to that show.”
    â€œWe’ll have to go about this in a more subtle manner,” Hunter said.
    â€œAnd I take it you have the answer?” Lilly walked up beside him and leaned, one hip propped against the counter.
    He nodded. “That I do,” he said, cryptically. “But I’m not ready to explain just yet. In the meantime, you should lay low and relax.”
    â€œI think I can handle that. Starting now. I’m going to walk around out back. It seemed quiet enough. Digger, come,” she called to her dog, who came running from her spot on the floor.
    After hooking Digger to her leash, Lilly gave both Hunter and Ty an obviously forced smile. Then she walked out the front door.
    Ty started after her, intending to catch up.
    â€œLet her go.” Hunter placed a restraining hand on Ty’s shoulder. “We can’t begin to imagine what she’s feeling. Give her some time to deal with things.”
    Ty clenched his jaw as he turned around to face his best friend. “When did you turn into an expert on Lilly?”
    â€œWhen did you turn into a jealous son of a bitch?” Hunter asked.
    Ty groaned. “Is it that obvious?”
    â€œOnly to someone who knows you.” Hunter ran his hand through his hair. “You have no competition from me. No matter how I felt about her once,” Hunter said, shocking Ty by laying his feelings out there for the first time.
    â€œOnce and no more?”
    Hunter nodded.
    â€œIs that because you don’t want to compete with me?” Ty asked, not comfortable with the direction the conversation had taken.
    Hunter shook his head. “I may have felt that way once. Back when we were kids, I knew there was no way I could win against you. I’d never have even tried.” He slapped Ty on the shoulder in a brotherly manner. “But those days are gone. If I had those old feelings, only our friendship would stand in the way. Not my insecurity.”
    Hunter’s admission shocked Ty. He gave his friend credit for knowing his mind and admitting the truth aloud. “So what gives?” Ty asked.
    Hunter grinned. “My focus is on someone else.”
    And Ty knew who. “Molly?”
    â€œThe woman’s said no so many times I’m lucky I still have an ego left,” he said, somehow managing a laugh. “But I keep asking her out anyway.”
    â€œMind if I ask why the hell you haven’t pushed her harder to say yes to a dinner?”
    Hunter scratched his head. “Because until now, she was sending vibes that warned me to back off. And