Heart's Desire Read Free Page A

“You knew what the outcome of such a challenge would be.”
    “I dared you not to toss me into the lake! Indeed, my exact words were, ‘Don’t you dare throw me in that lake.’”
    “The operative words of that sentence being dare, throw, and lake . I was simply following instructions.”
    “Clearly , you don’t know what ‘instructions’ are. If my brothers had caught you throwing me in the lake , they’d have thrashed you.”
    “On the contrary, Nathan and Andrew would have laughed themselves into a seizure.”
    “Most likely.” She grinned. “But then they would have thrashed you.”
    That dimpling grin was impossible to resist , and he responded in kind, enjoying the teasing camaraderie that had marked their friendship from the beginning. When no social barriers separated them. When they were merely children enjoying adventures together. Playing silly games. Sharing secrets and laughter and fun. Albright C ottage had become a refuge for him, a home away from home. He’d loved the entire family, all of whom had treated him as if he were an adopted brother. But he’d loved Callie most of all.
    After Hayley, who raised the Albright children after their parents’ deaths, had married, the family settled into their new life in London , with the exception of newlyweds Pamela and Marshall , who moved into Albright C ottage. Callie’s absence left a huge hole in William’s heart. He missed digging in the garden with her and playing with her zany dogs at the small lake on the Albright property. Everything at Albright C ottage was lively and fun and chaotic in the best of ways, whereas his home was somber and quiet, his father’s countenance always either stern or tired. All the fun and laughter that had previous ly permeated William’s home had died along with his mother. Certainly th e part of his father that had once found joy in daily life was lost.
    But Callie’s house abounded with joy , and six-year-old William had soaked it up like a flower that hadn’t been watered in months.
    “I disagree with you, by the way,” she said, her voice once again pulling him back from the memories bombarding him.
    He raised his brows and feigned exaggerated shock. “I’m astonished.”
    She laughed. “Yes, I’m certain you are, given that we’ve always agreed about everything .”
    A chuckle escaped him. They’d often shared lively debates on a wide variety of topics, ranging from which shape of rock made a better skipping stone — he preferred round , while she liked oval — to which flavor of jam was the best — raspberry for him, strawberry for her.
    “What do you disagree with me about this time?”
    The amusement slowly faded from her eyes. “You said you weren’t a gentleman,” she said softly. “I disagree. You’ve always been one. Always been my friend. My partner in mischief. My staunchest ally and fiercest protector.”
    William forced himself to take a slow, deep breath. Forced himself not to read anything deeper into her words than what they were — an expression of sisterly affection for a childhood friend. Forced a lightness he was far from feeling and offered her a low , sweeping bow. “Thank you, milady. However, that is very much the opposite of what you said when you found yourself spitting out lake water, although perhaps I shouldn’t remind you of that.”
    “There is no need to remind me, William. I remember everything about that day.”
    His heart performed a slow somersault. God help him, he recalled that day with a clarity that would suggest it had occurred only moments ago. Of course the day didn’t hold for her the same significance it did for him — she only recalled a silly prank as opposed to experiencing a moment that had tilted his world on its axis.
    Before he could think of a response other than that’s the day I realized I loved you and would never have you , she continued, “Which is why I brought you this.”
    She extended her hand , and he pulled his gaze