brides for brothers 15 - a randall hero by judy christenberry Read Free Book Online Page B

truck. At the memory, shivers coursed through her body.
    Why was she thinking of John that way?
    To overcome those feelings, she asked, “How about Melissa?”
    “Oh, she was terribly spoiled. If Griff or I didn’t get there in time, John would be beside her bed, patting her, telling her we were coming.”
    “I’ve seen him pat Emma, too, telling her to be patient. How funny that he cautions patience in others when he was very demanding,” Lucy said with a smile.
    “I know. But he’s such a caring soul. He always wants to make those around him feel okay.”
    “Yes, he does,” Lucy said with a frown, remembering his care of her again, “even if they aren’t his responsibility.”
    “But, Lucy, in John’s mind you are his responsibility. After all, he’s the one who found you when you were stranded on the road. He’s the one who got you to the hospital and he’s the one who discovered you are Harry’s sister. He’s going to be your brother until Harry comes back and can do that job.”
    She didn’t want to think of John as a brother. That wasn’t the feeling he evoked in her. But she didn’t want to reveal that to John’s mother. “I don’t want him to be responsible for me. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that I’m responsible for me. I blamed my marriage on my mother. But I’m the one who made that decision. Not her. I’m in charge of my life from now on.”
    “I’m glad to hear it.”
    At the sound of John’s voice she started. Looking up, she saw him at the entrance to the family room. He looked so handsome, so strong, so male…She swallowed the desire to fly into his arms.
    She breathed deeply before she spoke. “I was telling your mother that because she said you felt responsible for me. But you’re not.”
    “Nope. I’m just trying to help out where I can. Be sides, I’m Emma’s Uncle John. She should get to know me while she can,” he teased, leaning down to stroke Emma’s cheek.
    Emma turned her head in his direction, though her eyes didn’t quite register where he was.
    “That’s my girl,” he whispered.
    The nearness of John, the smell of his aftershave, the whisper of his breath on her face was all too much for Lucy.
    She had to get away from John before she embarrassed herself and kissed him—right in front of his mother.
    She jumped up from the rocker, putting Emma on her shoulder. “I’m going to go put Emma down so I can help you get dinner on the table.”
    She was out of the room before either adult could protest.
    “Did you upset Lucy?” Camille asked, frowning.
    “Not intentionally. I’ll go ask her.”
    John reached the door to Emma’s room, finding Lucy bending over her daughter’s crib.
    “Lucy? Are you all right?”
    She kept her face averted. “Yes, of course. I’m just putting Emma to bed.”
    “Need any help?”
    “No, of course not.” She wanted him to come to her without a reason. “She just takes a little time to settle.”
    By the time she’d finished speaking, she discovered John at her elbow. “She’s staying awake a little bit more, isn’t she?” she asked.
    “She’s only three days old.”
    “I know, but she’s already changed a lot.” Hard to believe that she’d only known John for four days. It seemed so much longer. He seemed so important to her…and to Emma.
    “Yeah.”
    “I think she’s asleep now,” Lucy said, backing away from the crib.
    “Okay. Are you going to help Mom put dinner on the table?”
    “Yes, I thought I would.”
    “Okay. I’ve got to go back to the barn, but I’ll be back in time for dinner. I’m starving.”
    She couldn’t prevent a response to his remark. “It seems to me I’ve heard you say that before, John,” she said with a chuckle.
    “You’re right. It seems to be a normal state for me.”
    As for her own state, she thought, it would be arousal.

Chapter Five
    They were sitting down to eat when John heard a sound he was beginning to recognize. He excused himself and hurried