The Look of Love by Crystal B. Bright Read Free Book Online

to the apartment he’d used when his brothers had gotten on his nerves. His mother had used it for guests. Gunnar never thought he would be a guest in his family home.
    A cold chill met him as soon as he opened the door. He wondered if his mother used the place as a meat locker. He exhaled and saw a cloud of his breath in the air. He went to the thermostat and turned the heat on, hoping it would warm up the place in short order.
    Sheets covered the furniture. As he removed each sheet, a cloud of dust swirled in the air. He piled the sheets on the floor by the door. He would throw them in the washer after completing his tasks.
    Gunnar didn’t remember the small kitchen having all stainless-steel appliances. Apparently, his mother had upgraded this tiny apartment. Dark hardwood flooring squeaked under his feet. She’d had each wall painted with all pastel and light colors.
    Before making his bed, he called Gideon first. As the middle child, Gid had become the mediator whenever a fight had occurred.
    “Calling me so early on a Monday morning.” Gideon laughed. “Shouldn’t you be on top of some supermodel or something right now after your big win?”
    “You would think so.” Gunnar opened a closet door and found a stack of clean sheets and blankets.
    “Don’t tell Mom I said that.” Gideon laughed.
    Gunnar knew his younger brother realized his crass statement about women wouldn’t go over well with their mother. At least Gideon recognized that and chalked up the suggestion as a joke.
    “Our little secret.” Gunnar smiled. As he thought about what he needed to tell his younger brother, he sobered. “Look, need to tell you something. It’s about Mom.” He threw the set of sheets on the bare mattress and then sat.
    “She’s in the hospital.” The levity left his brother’s tone.
    Gunnar scratched his head. “How did you know? Is it on that gossip site already?”
    His brother laughed. “Mom called me.”
    Gunnar shook his head. “After she asked me to call you and Thane. I should have known she would have done it herself. When has Mom ever needed anyone to do anything for her?”
    “She said she’s going to be fine,” Gideon said finally.
    “They’re going to install a stent tomorrow morning. Until she gets better, we’re going to have to run her businesses.”
    “Without question. I’ll leave--”
    “No,” Gunnar exclaimed. “Sorry for cutting you off. I’m sure Mom told you to play your game. She would be so disappointed if you didn’t live out your dream.”
    Gideon sighed. “How the hell am I not supposed to worry?”
    “I’m here. I’ll watch out for the three businesses.” Gunnar tried to make his voice as calming as possible. “I mean the two of them. Thank God, it’s winter and everything is closed down at the Oceanfront.”
    “Got to love being in a resort town.” Gideon coughed. “Right after the game, I’ll come home to run the flower shop.”
    Gunnar smiled. “You do have a knack with the flowers.”
    “And it’s what Mom wanted. Remember, she had us sign the power-of-attorney agreements a year or so ago?”
    Gunnar had forgotten about that until Gideon mentioned it.
    “Have you talked to Thane yet?” Gideon asked.
    Gunnar cleared his throat. “I’m going to call him after this. But I’ve only been able to get his voice mail lately.”
    “You know him. He’s busy with the team and his endorsements.”
    Good old Gideon. Still playing peacemaker.
    Gunnar assured Gideon that after her surgery, he would call both of them with the results.
    “Wish I could be there in person to root you on.” Gunnar had the tickets his brother had sent him in his bag. “I can’t leave Ma. Not now.”
    “You’d better not.” The lightness returned to Gideon’s voice. “Win or lose, I’ll come straight home.”
    Gunnar smiled. “You and your team will win. You’re the best quarterback in the league.”
    “Thanks, man. Keep me updated with what’s going with Mom.”
    “Of