Nick Of Time (Blue Ridge Romance 2) Read Free Page A

know,” Cooper said with a sigh. “She was just guessing, and now you confirmed it.” Cooper smiled at Roslyn before turning a scowl on Nic. “You’re awful.”
    “But I’m so damn good at it.”
    “We didn’t want anyone to know,” Roslyn explained.
    “Um. Sorry to say this, but generally when people want to move up a wedding, it’s either because the groom is being deployed overseas or the bride is pregnant. Besides, I’m a doctor, and your boobs are huge.” Nichole gestured at her friend’s chest.
    “I know.” Cooper’s eyes practically glowed, while Roslyn smacked him playfully.
    “So when are you due?”
    “September. We just found out two weeks ago. I really had no idea.” Roslyn was beaming.
    “Well, your secret—as mystifying as it is—is safe with me,” Nic said sarcastically as she finished off her egg roll.
    “Tucker will be flying in two weeks before the wedding so he can help you with anything.”
    “Oh, good. Do you have someone else flying in to watch over him, so I don’t need any help with anything? Because I have to tell you, he’ll be the thing I’ll need help with.”
    “Sorry, no. Just you and him. Roz is having Riley as her maid of honor and Lexi as her bridesmaid.”
    “At least I know you won’t take him to a strip club for the bachelor party,” Roslyn said, elbowing him in the ribs.
    “As if I’d want to go look at other women when I have you.” He kissed her neck, and Nichole looked away.
    She’d gotten over her heartbreak, dealt with the scrutiny once the real reason for her cancelled wedding got out. But there were still twinges when she saw people who were happily in love. She wanted to think she was above jealousy, but she wasn’t sure.
    “Do you need me to pick up little brother from the airport?”
    “No. I’ve got it,” Cooper said.
    “Good, because that would be above and beyond.”
    For the rest of the evening, Cooper and Nichole shared stories of Tucker when he was little, and how much trouble he’d got into. Roslyn seemed entertained.
    Starting with his stupid pranks in elementary school and moving through his attendance problems and fighting in high school. Followed by more fighting and partying, which landed him in juvenile detention. When he was eighteen he’d started the repetitive cycle of wanting to go to college only to bail or get kicked out after a semester. That had happened four times before he’d joined a band and started partying again. At least that time he was getting paid.
    “And then he became a rock star,” Roslyn said. Nichole hadn’t followed Tucker’s career too closely. She’d been busy finishing medical school, plus she just hadn’t cared that much.
    “He’s playing a song at the reception,” Cooper said proudly, while Nic fought the urge to roll her eyes. Cooper always defended his brother.
    Sure, sometimes he got pissed off, but when Tucker needed him, Cooper was always there. It infuriated Nichole. Or maybe it was jealousy after all. She’d grown up watching the relationship between Cooper and his brother. It never made any sense to her how Cooper could continue to love someone so exasperating. Being an only child, she’d never had the opportunity to experience the strength of sibling bonds. But she felt it between the brothers—an invisible wall—and she’d always been on the outside.

Chapter 2
    C ooper had offered to pick him up at the airport, but Tucker knew he would need a car, so he’d declined. He didn’t like feeling trapped without his own transportation. He didn’t need a vehicle in the city, but in Roanoke he wanted his own wheels. Just in case.
    Cooper had also begged him to stay with them in their new house. Tucker had tried to get out of it, but they wouldn’t take no for an answer. Apparently, they had a lot of guest rooms.
    When Tucker explained that it might be better if he stayed in a hotel in case he met someone, he was reminded again about not sleeping with Roslyn’s sister.
    So