Free Her Very Own Family by Trish Milburn Page B

“That story is never to be spoken aloud again.”
    Brady snorted. For years, the two of them had played one practical joke after another on each other, each time trying to outdo the other person’s last joke. On Craig’s twenty-first birthday, Brady had arranged for a “really hot” blind date to meet Craig at a Knoxville restaurant near the University of Tennessee campus where they were students. Brady had gotten a table in a corner to watch his best friend’s reaction when he arrived and figured out his date was actually a cross-dressing man. He’d nearly fallen out of his chair laughing when realization hit Craig.
    When they all finished their cake, they talked for a while about the work on the mill. Audrey’s cell phone rang, and she excused herself to take the call in another room. Nelson put the dirty dishes in the sink then sauntered down the hallway to go to the bathroom.
    “So, your dad seems to be doing better,” Craig said.
    “Yeah, staying busy is good for him.”
    “Sounds like you’re staying busy, too. Does that mean you’re getting busy, as well?” Craig nodded toward the doorway through which Audrey had disappeared.
    “No. We’re just helping her out. She’s on her own.”
    “Such a shame for someone as pretty as her to be living the solo life. Maybe I should offer to keep her company.”
    “No.” Brady bit down at the harsh sound of his answer.
    Craig eyed Brady. “Uh-huh, I thought so.”
    “Thought what?”
    “You like her.”
    Brady got up, stalked to the sink and started to run some water for the dishes. “She’s a nice person.”
    “Who happens to be smokin’ hot.”
    Brady eyed his friend and groaned in exasperation. “Do you think you could keep it down?”
    “Dude, make a move before someone else does.” Craig got up from his chair and smacked Brady on the side of the head on his way to the door. “Call me when you’ve gone over the figures,” he said as he pointed at the manila folder he’d tossed onto the counter on his way in earlier.
    Brady didn’t respond to either command. He should focus on the figures for the construction bid, but instead he turned off the water so he might hear Audrey’s voice.
    When he did, she didn’t sound happy.
     
    “H OW DID YOU GET this number?” Audrey’s pulse raced as she gripped the cell phone, the one with a new number, to her ear.
    “It’s pretty easy to track things like phone numbers, Miss York.”
    “I don’t want to talk to you. Please don’t call me again.”
    She pushed a button to end the call and stood shakingin Nelson’s living room. The reporter’s voice still buzzed in her head, filling her with dread.
    “You okay?”
    She jumped at the sound of Brady’s voice, her nerves frazzled. “Uh, yeah. I’m fine.”
    He walked toward her, his eyes narrowed and his face full of concern. “You sure? You look upset.”
    “Peachy.” She waved the hand that held the cell phone and tried to force a carefree smile. From the unchanged look on his face, she didn’t fool him. She glanced down, unable to stare into his probing eyes. “Just one of those uncomfortable family things.”
    “Want to talk about it?” He sounded awkward asking the question, like he wasn’t used to doing so.
    She appreciated the offer, especially from a man like Brady who didn’t seem like the overly gabby type. But the last thing on earth she wanted to do was talk to him about her past and how it refused to leave her alone. She liked Brady, and spilling the whole messy truth would likely end their budding friendship.
    “Nah. Actually, I’d better get going. Another busy day tomorrow.”
    “I’ll walk you out.”
    “That’s not necessary.” She was afraid she was going to crack to pieces from trying to keep her shaking under control, and she didn’t want that to happen in front of the guy who was occupying way too many of her thoughts. He’d even started invading her dreams the last couple of nights. She was surprised she was