Hara's Legacy Read Free

what you have to do. After, we will talk. I care too much about you to let you continue as you’ve been. Something’s eating you and I’m half afraid it’s me. I don’t want to cause you pain, Justin. I’ll leave if I have to. I want you to be happy. I don’t want you to hate me.”
    -12-
    “Sweetheart, I don’t hate you. Far from it.” The sight of tears in her beautiful brown eyes brought him under control and he was able to offer compassion. Now that was an emotion only she had ever been able to spark in his warrior’s soul.
    “But I’m making you unhappy. I can feel it.”
    He reached out tentatively, hesitating before he made contact. He knew the only way to convince her was to let her feel what he was feeling at this moment. He couldn’t let her leave. Not only would Caleb kill him, he would kill himself if any harm befell her. She needed his reassurance now, not his anger or his lust, though God knew he wanted her and had for most of his adult life. He squashed that thought as he prepared to touch her, concentrating on his care, his compassion and his love. Pure thoughts and emotions that would comfort her, if he could just keep them under control.
    She pressed her cheek into his palm, her eyes flooding again as she absorbed the waves of pure emotion he sent. The tears helped him like nothing else to keep his libido under control as he curved his hand to cradle her head, tunneling his fingers into her soft auburn hair.
    “I care about you, Janie. I don’t want you to leave. I want you to stay here, continue to make Caleb the happiest of men, and drive me and Mick crazy, okay?” As a joke, it wasn’t much, but she smiled anyway. “Besides, who would brew my beer? Mick’s too busy being Doctor Doolittle and I don’t know one end of that contraption you use from another.”
    She smiled at him and broke the contact, reassured. “I know you’re unhappy, Justin. If it’s not me, then what? Caleb and I want to help you in whatever way we can.” He stalked to the other side of the Harley, watching as she perched on the arm of his overstuffed easy chair. “So Caleb sent you down here to see what I was feeling, only you got more than you bargained for, eh?” He could almost laugh at the situation, if he wasn’t feeling so raw at the moment.
    -13-
    “We love you, Justin. We want to help you. Come on, tell me what’s really wrong. I don’t like to see you men fighting with each other.”
    He let the silence stretch until she shocked him with her next bold question.
    “Is it sex?”
    “Jane, you don’t want to talk to me about that. Believe me.” His tone was hard, unrelenting, and he hoped she’d get the message and drop the subject.
    “Come on, Jus. I’ve been married to your brother for almost seven years now. I know all about sex.
    And I know you weren’t a priest in the old days. You had your share of women swooning at your feet, beguiled by your mysterious eyes and bad boy rep. And now there are no women for miles around.”
    “Except you,” he whispered low, challenge in his gaze.
    “Except me.” She nodded slowly, swallowing hard.
    He cursed and shook his head with renewed anger. “You can’t possibly mean to take me on, Janie.
    You’re Caleb’s wife and that’s that. It’s best for all concerned if I just stay away from you for a while.” Jane didn’t know what she’d meant by her challenge, but she hated seeing Justin so full of turmoil. She loved him, as much as she loved Caleb and Mick. They were her family, her saviors, her life, and she would do anything for them. She turned to go, shocked to find Caleb there in the doorway, a look of concern and compassion on his face.
    Justin spun around when she gasped, his eyes hardening as he saw his brother standing there.
    “Perfect.” He swore. “Just perfect.” He shook his head. “I suppose you heard.” Caleb faced his brother with a frown. “Not all of it, but enough. Justin, I—”
    -14-
    “Save it.” He grabbed