Free Dangerous Therapy: O'Connor Brothers (Volume 1) by Rhonda Brewer Page A

noise of the men walking back and forth in the hallway stopped as though they were waiting for a bomb to drop. She shoved her hands into her jeans pocket. This was embarrassing.
    “I pulled her over a few months back for running a red light.” The corner of his lips quirked up. Her cheeks heated.
    “Oh dear.” Kathleen chuckled.
    “Well, my sister was in labor, and she was screaming and I was really freaked out because it was happening so fast and ….” Stephanie slammed her lips together and clasped her hands together in front of her. Rambling was not helping the situation.
    “John, you didn’t give the poor girl a ticket, I hope.” Kathleen wrapped her arm around Stephanie’s shoulder.
    “No mom!” John shifted in the chair. Stephanie’s cheeks burned hotter by the minute when he explained. That day was etched in her memory. It was hard to wrap her head around the fact that the strong confident Police officer she’d met that day was the same man sitting in the wheelchair. He’d lost weight. His eyes didn’t have the light in them that she’d seen the first time she met him. He looked so broken and beaten.
    “He was very understanding.” Stephanie wanted him to know how much she appreciated what he did that day. “And he was really sweet with my sister.” His eyes met hers. The same eyes in her dreams. Her stomach fluttered. Butterflies . Really . No man had ever had that effect on her with just a smile. That’s why his brothers seemed so familiar. Those blue eyes and dimples were family traits.
    “I guess you can stop complaining about the stranger taking over your house now, huh John.” A voice came over her shoulder.
    “Shut up, A.J,” John growled as his eyes glanced over her shoulder. A chorus of laughter and the expression on his face made her giggle. When he met her eyes again and she pressed her lips together. He was making it pretty clear when she walked in the house that he didn’t like the idea of her living in the apartment.
    “You know John; she doesn’t look bad for an old woman.” One of the brothers spoke behind her. Another chorus of laughter. She giggled again. When he glared at her, she covered her mouth with her hand.
    “Aren’t you guys supposed to be moving stuff?” John grumbled. The shuffling started behind her again.
    John had tension written all over his face and dark circles under his eyes. Over the past couple of days, the information she received told her that he was angry. Who would blame him? He’d been a cop and was probably used to having people depend on him. Nobody liked to be dependent on other people. Especially strangers.
    “I’m going back to the kitchen to finish cooking supper.” Kathleen gave Stephanie a quick side hug. “Sean, you want to help?” Sean nodded and followed Kathleen out of the room. Nanny Betty seemed to have disappeared, but the muffled sounds of pots told Stephanie, Nanny Betty wasn’t far. His brothers went back to bringing in boxes from the van and Cora followed them, leaving her alone with John.
    “You’re welcome to take a seat.” John motioned to the large armchair in the corner of the room. She was glad he offered because her legs were weak.  “I have to say, I’m surprised.”
    “Why?” Stephanie sat straight and clasped her hands in front her.
    “I didn’t know you were a physical therapist and a personal care attendant,” He said. “I’m impressed.”
    “One just led into the other.” She watched his brothers walk back and forth. “You know they really care about you.” He dropped his head.
    “I know!” He lifted his head and met her eyes. It took her breath away. “I’m just worried they’re doing all this for nothing.”
    “What do you mean?” This was the root of the issue. Like so many of her patients before, he didn’t believe he could get better.
    “What if none of this works?” His voice cracked. “What if I’ll never be able to do the things I’ve always done? What if I can’t go