Signs of Love Read Free Page A

way.”
    “They don’t know. We’ve gone through genetic testing and all kinds of other tests for her and still don’t have a definite answer to that,” Daniel explained. His jaw tightened, and Alana knew he was trying to keep his emotions in check.
    She’d come to know Daniel and Beth well during the past few weeks. Beth had seen her at church signing in the service and then later with Caden and had approached her. She still remembered seeing the weary, sad and confused look on Beth’s face when she’d asked her about Caden’s deafness. Alana had offered to come and talk with them both about her experiences parenting a deaf child.
    Of course, she hadn’t known then that Beth had a brother who would trigger memories she’d rather not have.
    “I can’t accept that. They must have some explanation. A child doesn’t just go deaf for no apparent reason.”
    Beth laid her hand on his arm. “We’re still looking for answers, trying to figure out what has happened to her. But in the meantime, we’re doing what we can to make sure we can still communicate with her and help her communicate with us.”
    Justin’s gaze landed on Alana with such force her lungs constricted, holding the air there captive. He stared at her then looked at Caden before turning his attention back to Beth.
    “Alana knows sign language. You might have seen her signing during the services at church. We’ve asked her to help us learn it and to also begin to teach Genevieve.” Beth hesitated then said, “I’d like you to learn as well.”
    He shot another look at her, and Alana found herself hoping he’d say no.
    “I want a second opinion. If it’s money, I can—“
    “No.” Daniel spoke softly but firmly. “We’ve had second and third opinions, Justin. And money won’t fix this. Nothing will.”
    Justin pushed back from the table and got to his feet. “I need to go.”
    “Justin, please,” Beth pleaded as she and Daniel also stood. “Don’t leave. Talk to me.”
    “I have to go.” Justin turned and disappeared through the doorway.
    Beth’s shoulders slumped as she looked at her husband. “Well, that went about as well as I expected.”
    Daniel put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. Alana felt a flash of envy at the gentle way he gathered Beth into his arms and stroked her hair, whispering to her. She wondered what it would be like to have that kind of tenderness in a relationship.
    There was a sudden movement in the doorway, and Justin stepped back into the room. He wore his leather jacket again and had the duffle bag he’d arrived with in his hand. With a grim set to his features, he walked to where Genevieve sat and dropped into a crouch next to her high chair. The little girl smiled at him, and Alana saw pain flash across his face as he leaned forward and pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead.
    Then he went to where his sister and brother-in-law stood and rested his free hand on Daniel’s shoulder as he bent to kiss the top of Beth’s head. “I’ll call you.”
    And then he was gone.
    For the first time since Justin had walked into the house and dominated it with his presence, Alana felt the tightness in her chest ease, allowing her to take a deep breath. Somehow she was going to have to tell Beth there was no way she could help her brother learn sign language.

CHAPTER TWO
    Justin grabbed the handle and with a vicious jerk slammed the door of his truck closed. He twisted the key in the ignition and backed out of the driveway, barely waiting for the vehicle to stop reversing before throwing it into drive and peeling away from the house. When he got to the highway, he was sorely tempted to return to the compound where he could make use of the wide range of exercise equipment there to help him burn off the emotions that raged inside him.
    But he had a bag full of wet laundry and a meeting he had to be at the next morning, so he turned the truck toward his original destination. As he drove, Justin let