Renee Simons Special Edition Read Free

she went with him or stayed behind.
    "How do you feel about driving into Boston ?" Drew asked.
    "No problem. Can you suggest a hotel?"
    "I have a house on Beacon Hill . It's roomy and comfortable. The Willises would move over with you to keep the household running.”
    "I'd prefer to make other arrangements, Drew."
    He quickly controlled an expression of surprise. "If that is what you want."
    "I'd be more comfortable."
    "As you wish. Do you have any preference in a hotel?"
    "I've never been to Boston ."
    "I’ll make a reservation for you at The Taylor. It's near the library, convenient to mass transportation and the atmosphere and service are impeccable." He held out two items. "A map of the city and a guide book. I have a car for you to use."
    "You’re giving Ethan a car.” She smiled. “How many do you have?”
    “Enough to assure you of transportation.”
    “I'll drive my own, thanks."
    "Well then, keep a record of your expenses. You'll be reimbursed for everything. The bill for accommodations and services will be sent to me." He leaned back and combed his fingers through his hair again. "I believe we’ve covered everything. For the moment."
    "When would you like me to get started?"
    "You’d best be off directly you feel ready. The sooner you go, the sooner you'll return."
    "I'll leave in the morning. I’m anxious to begin."
    "If that’s the case, would you kindly give my brother a lift?"
    If he was still battling guilt and depression, Ethan Caldwell might not be fun, but that was no reason to refuse. "Of course. No problem."
    "Ta. As I said earlier, discuss your research with no one, not even him."
    At her own request, she made her way back to her cottage alone. How strange that he doesn’t want Ethan to know what we’re doing. If she had any family, they would share everything. What kind of relationship forced one brother to hide his actions from the other? Would Drew's secret cause any complications for her? Certainly, her own secrets caused complications enough.
     
    * * *
     
    The following morning Jordan found the brothers waiting beside her car. She couldn’t resist baiting Ethan. Just a little. "Are you sure you want to risk your life?"
    "What d'you mean?"
    "How smart is it to hitch a ride with a - what did you call me - a bloody galah?"
    "Good God," Drew exclaimed. "You didn't..."
    "Yeah," his brother said. "I did, and with enough reason, I'd do it again."
    "Well, I'll certainly try not to give you any." She smiled at Drew. "You'll hear from me in a couple of days."
    The trip off the Cape went smoothly, and as silently as she'd expected. The day was fine and sunny, the traffic sparse along Route 6. The sports car had begun to feel cramped by the presence of her passenger and she wasn't sure why. It certainly couldn't have had anything to do with those long legs of his or his powerful shoulders.
    "Let's stop for a few minutes," Jordan said, parking in a pullout overlooking the canal.
    "It's your car."
    With a sense of relief she stood at the rail and watched a boat moving gracefully through the waterway. Sunlight splintered on the waves and bounced off brass fittings as the sleek hull skimmed the surface, its sails bellied in a freshening breeze. Two people moved about on deck.
    "She's beaut, isn't she?" Ethan had approached quietly.
    "They’re lucky to be out on the water on such a lovely day," Jordan said. "I envy them, don't you?"
    "I haven't known that kind of freedom in too bloody long."
    "You're fortunate to have known it at all." She looked up at him.
    His lips narrowed in grim acknowledgment and sadness hovered in eyes whose vibrant blue irises tagged him as Drew's brother. Even if his accent didn't.
    The clear bright light of morning treated his bruises harshly, making them seem more raw than the day before. The sympathy she'd squelched on seeing them the first time intensified on a second look. She shrugged off the feeling. People hurt in many ways - some more obvious than others. She turned