The Barefoot Groom: Bachelor Billionaire Romance (A Last Play Companion) Read Free Page B

this niggling feeling she should just quit her job and focus on her nonprofit. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the money to do that.
    Her phone buzzed, and she sat up and reached for her purse.
    Her older brother’s face and his military garb flashed across her phone.
    Hating that she’d resorted to a cowardly text to let him know she wasn’t coming home, she reluctantly pressed accept.
    “Hey!” She forced enthusiasm into her voice.
    “Hey whatever. Why aren’t you home? Do you know who’s on KP the whole time? And don’t even get me started on mucking out stalls.” Her brother’s teasing voice greeted her.
    Adjusting the phone, pulling it back, and pressing speaker, she laid down, hating the feeling of failing him. “I—”
    “Where are you?” He demanded. “Mom said you had to go somewhere for work? What work keeps you from your favorite brother who you only get to see every couple of months?”
    Closing her eyes, she let out a low whine. “I know. I’m sorry.”
    “Where are you?” He demanded again.
    “I’m at a work thing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.”
    “Wyoming? For your magazine?”
    “It’s an undercover thing. Long story.”
    “Sounds pathetic.”
    She grinned and sat up. She and her brother had different ways they thought the world should be saved, but both of them were passionate people. Tom wanted to serve his country, and he was definitely the type to do God, family, country. All in. “Shut up.”
    He laughed. “Seriously, I want to see you!”
    A million reasons she couldn’t go home went through her mind. Then she had an idea. “I’ll talk to my boss and see if I can come next week. You don’t leave until Thursday, right?”
    He sighed. “I just got orders. We ship out this Friday.”
    “What?” Her heart plunged.
    “I know.”
    Tears of frustration filled her eyes. “Tom, I’m … so sorry.”
    He didn’t speak for a second, and she could hear him sigh. “It’s okay, sis.”
    The worst part was she knew when Tom was really upset he acted like he wasn’t.
    “Tom …” Her mind whirled, trying to find a way she could see him.
    “Sis, it’s okay. I guess you’ll just have to make a trip to the Middle East.”
    Blinking, she was grateful he was trying to crack a joke. “Right.”
    He snorted. “Are you doing okay?”
    She hadn’t seen him since Hawaii. He’d gone straight back to Afghanistan.
    “I’m fine.” She answered quickly.
    “Right.”
    “What?”
    “You always answer too fast when you’re lying.”
    “No, I don’t,” she said quickly again.
    He laughed. “I miss you. Should I drive up to Wyoming?”
    “No. I mean, I miss you, but enjoy Mom and Dad. I’ll see you next time. I promise.”
    He let out a slow breath. “See, baby sister, you’re sounding awful skittish. Next time, you better come home or I’ll go to the big city and track you down.”
    She laughed, remembering how he looked dressed in military gear. “Only if you put the black paint under your eyes.”
    “Don’t think I won’t.” He broke off into a laugh. “I’ll find you in the middle of the night and scare you half to death.”
    “Tom, I am sorry.” It felt like everything had gotten in her way to see him this trip home.
    He sighed into the phone. “What’s the scoop on jerk face?”
    She smiled. Her brother’s sense of loyalty was much appreciated. She sighed. “I see he’s still going out with my loser ex-best friend.”
    “Listen, don’t worry. I always thought Victoria was too loud and chatty like a Chihuahua. Dillon deserves her.”
    She smiled wider then she should at the image. “Thanks.”
    “Are you okay?”
    Suddenly, she couldn’t answer, could barely breathe.
    “London?”
    She blinked and sniffed.
    He made a frustrated sound. “So, tell me again why you are on this assignment?”
    She sucked in a deep breath. “I’m de-bunking a relationship guru.”
    “What?”
    “Exposing him.”
    “Why?”
    “Because …” Her mind went blank. She