Unbroken by Jennifer McNare Read Free Book Online Page A

him, that she had grown up in a small town in California and that her parents had been killed in a car accident while she was in college.  He’d also realized that she was younger than she appeared. 
    It was odd, he thought as he pulled out the bags, with Ben she’d been open and friendly, yet afterward on the short drive to the house, she’d once again grown quiet and pensive.  If he hadn’t already been aware of her reputation within the Blades organization, he might have thought her reticent behavior was solely for his benefit.  It was puzzling, to say the least. 
    Picking up her two smaller bags, Britney slung one over her shoulder and then followed Jake, who toted a couple of the larger suitcases up the front steps to the house.  Stepping onto the front porch, they both stopped and turned at the sound of an approaching vehicle.
    As Britney watched, a silver Chevy Tahoe pulled up and parked beside the Explorer, an older woman with short, dark hair behind the wheel.  As Jake smiled and waved, she realized that this must be the infamous Rosie, Ben had mentioned earlier. 
    Dropping the luggage onto the porch, Jake descended the steps to greet his aunt as she stepped from the vehicle.
    “Hey , darlin’, it’s so good to see you,” she exclaimed as Jake enfolded her in a warm hug.
    “You too , Aunt Rose.  It’s been too long.”
    Stepping back, she eyed Jake with a slight shake of her head and then patted his cheek.  “You look tired, sweetie.  You’ve been working too hard, haven’t you?”
    “Nah , I’m good.  I just stayed out too late with the boys last night,” he admitted sheepishly.
    “ Well, just the same, you need this vacation. When I talked to your mother the other day, she told me how much you’ve got going on, even during the off-season.  She’s worried about you, Jake.”
    “Mom’s a natural worrier , Aunt Rose, you know that,” he said, with a good-humored expression.  “Come on,” he said taking her arm.  “Let’s go up to the house and I’ll introduce you to my assistant.”
    “Your assistant?  For goodness sake, Jake, you’re supposed to be on vacation,” she grumbled, as Jake led her to the house.  “No wonder your mother’s concerned.”
    As Britney waited on the front porch, she unobtrusively took in the other woman’s clothing, hot pink capri pants, a matching white blouse with pink polka-dots and a pair of flat-heeled pink sandals.  With Jake dressed in his casual t-shirt and athletic shorts, she felt ridiculous standing there in her drab business suit but tried not to let it show.
    “Rose, this is Miss Britney Taylor.  Britney, this is my aunt, Rosemary Porter.”
    “It’s lovely to meet you , dear,” Rose said, extending her hand.
    “ You too, Mrs. Porter,” Britney replied politely, as the older woman’s curious gaze raked her from head to toe. 
    “Call me Rose, dear, everyone does.”  Withdrawing her hand, her smile was friendly as she studied Britney’s appearance.  “I certainly hope my nephew doesn’t expect you to adhere to business attire while you’re here,” she said with a sidelong, semi-censorious glance at Jake.  “We’re all pretty laid-back around these parts.”
    Britney inwardly cringed.  Apparently, they were also very direct. 
    Jake frowned.  It wasn’t his fault that Britney was dressed like that.  “Britney can dress however she wants,” he said.  “It certainly doesn’t matter to me.”  Reaching down, he picked up the bags he’d dropped and strode to the front door.
    As Britney turned to follow, Rosemary stopped her.  “Just leave those bags for Jake , dear.  You can help me bring in the food.”
    “The food?”
    “Just a few groceries, and of course I have the meals for the next few days.”
    “M eals?”  Britney was confused as she followed Rose back to her Tahoe.
    “Didn’t Jake tell you?” she asked, lifting the rear hatch. 
    Britney regarded her blankly.
    “In addition to running