Free The Fairest of Them All by Leanne Banks Page B

don’t have to fight the memories. To tell you the truth, this is the first time I’ve talked about it in a long time.”
    Carly studied her friend with the soft brown hair and winsome eyes. Though Sara was poised and efficient, Carly sensed a vulnerability about her. “Was it an accident?”
    “Yes. The other car went out of control. Ron never knew what hit him. I’m thankful for that much.” Carly sighed and shook her head. “My mother died when I was four, then we lost Dad several years after that. It was tough, but my brothers practically smothered me trying to make up for the loss. You don’t have any brothers or sisters. What about cousins?”
    “None close to me. My parents’ families were from Minnesota.”
    “How do you get over it, then?” Carly asked, wondering out loud. Her brothers had completely encompassed her with their love. She couldn’t imagine facing that kind of grief alone.
    “I’ll never get over it,” Sara said quietly. She looked at Carly. “I just take it one day at a time.”
    “Well, do you ever date or anything?”
    A slow smile tugged at Sara’s mouth. “No. Not even when my boss tries to push me and her brother together.”
    Carly grabbed Sara’s hand. “Do you like him at all? Daniel’s stubborn, but he’s got a heart of gold. He’s not bad looking. You’d be perfect for him. And maybe you wouldn’t be so lonely.”
    Sara laughed out loud. Carly was happy to hear the rare sound after seeing such sadness on her friend’s face.
    “Daniel’s handsome,” Sara conceded. “He’s also not interested in me.”
    Carly noticed Sara neglected to comment on whether or not she was interested in Daniel. “What makes you say that?”
    Color tinged Sara’s cheeks. “I overheard him tell one of your brothers what a shame it was that Carly’s assistant had such a . . . great body and such a stuffy personality.”
    Carly stared at Sara. “You’re kidding.” Then the situation struck her as funny and she began to laugh. Sara frowned at her, but Carly only laughed more. “I wonder what Daniel would do if he knew about those lingerie catalogs you have.”
    Sara smiled, but her eyes held a warning light. “He’ll never know.”
    “Oh, I don’t know. That kind of information has a way of leaking out.”
    “Carly.”
    “It would be for your own good. You’re the kind of person who needs a family. I just want to help.”
    “You’re one to talk about men. You’ve got Russ Bradford dangling on a long line.”
    Carly grimaced. “Russ Bradford doesn’t dangle on anyone’s line. He’s got his own line, and he’ll never settle down.” The reality of that statement depressed her.
    “Oh, I don’t know,” Sara said in a gentle mocking tone. “For a guy who’ll never settle down, he sure seems to like children.” She nodded at the group of children surrounding Russ.
    Carly looked at him, his red hair glinting in the sun, his laughter inviting everyone within earshot to join in. He tossed a small boy in the air, then held the youngster like an airplane. They made buzzing sounds together until a little girl tugged on his leg. Russ gave the boy a hug, then set him down. He picked up the little girl and spun her around, sending her halo of blond hair flying.
    If he ever found a woman he could love, Russ would make a wonderful father. Carly felt a tight squeezing in the region of her heart. An indescribable yearning swept over her. For a second, Carly wished she could be that woman, the one he’d love and never leave. The feeling shook her to the marrow of her bones.
    “It’s hopeless,” she whispered more to herself than anybody.
    “What?” Sara looked at her quizzically.
    Carly shook her head, trying to clear it. “Nothing. Do me a favor and irritate Daniel a little bit. It’ll be fun for you, and it might distract him. He owes you for that snotty statement he made about you.”
    Sara tilted her head thoughtfully. “Not that I would intentionally irritate your