Waiting for You by Heather Huffman Read Free Book Online Page A

grapes. She hadn’t thought any place on earth could be as beautiful as Devon’s home. She’d been wrong. Her temporary home was every bit as breathtaking, if in its own way.
    Dinner had been set up on the veranda, its aroma extending down the pathway to greet Karise. Candles flickered merrily, reminding her of meals at Devon’s. She realized with a start that the similarity pleased her. She really had grown fond of her brother and his home now that she’d chosen to let him in.
    “Karise!” Gavin, the only family member outside, was the first to greet her, although his greeting was quickly followed by a hello from their massive yellow and white mutt, Ty. Kate had warned her of the dog’s tendency toward exuberant greetings, so she braced herself. “It’s so good to see you.”
    “Thanks. You too… Oh my, hello puppy.” When the dog stuck his massive, wet nose in the most embarrassing place possible, Karise realized she wasn’t as prepared as she’d thought.
    Without missing a beat, Gavin hauled the dog off her. “You look lovely, my dear.”
    “And you look quite handsome.” She brushed her skirt out, eyeing the beast warily when Gavin let go of his collar.
    “Can I get you a glass of wine? I’d offer you something else, but I think that’s a form of sacrilege here.”
    “Wine is perfect,” she said.
    “Which do you prefer?” He motioned to the bottles.
    “I’m afraid to choose. I’ll only show my ignorance.”
    “Don’t be silly. If it tastes good to you, how can it be wrong?”
    “Chardonnay?”
    “Terrible choice,” he tsked and then winked at her. “Kidding.”
    “Kate’s right – you are incorrigible.”
    “Yeah, speaking of that…” Gavin took a deep breath and plunged ahead. “I kind of invited Aidan to dinner tonight.”
    Karise took a deep breath in preparation for a response when Gavin rushed ahead.
    “It was before I talked to Kate. She didn’t know, I promise. Please don’t be mad at her.”
    That took the wind out of Karise’s reply. She sighed and narrowed her eyes at him. “Just remember, I’m not smitten with you, so that rakish charm won’t get you as far with me as it does with Kate.”
    “But you do acknowledge the charm.”
    Karise sipped her wine and gave Gavin the evil eye.
    “Appetizer?” He gestured to the table.
    “You mean that’s not dinner?” She took in the immense spread.
    “They pulled out all the stops for you.”
    “Why?” Karise couldn’t help asking.
    “We like you.”
    She had the distinct impression he wasn’t telling her something but let it drop. The headlights bouncing down the driveway had placed her heart firmly in her throat anyway. She was surprised to note that Aidan drove a rather beat-up old truck. It wasn’t quite the bad-boy- mobile she would have pictured.
    Panic flared when the truck stopped. “Do you think Kate needs help with anything inside?”
    Gavin’s grin was positively evil. “I think she’s got it covered.”
    “I need to use the ladies’ room.” Let him dispute that one.
    The grin erupted into a chuckle, but he relented and motioned to the French doors behind her. “Through there, take the hall to the right, it’s the first door on the right.”
    She nodded, set her wine glass down on the table, and bolted. K aris e couldn’t be sure, but it sounded a lot like Gavin’s laughter followed her down the hallway. Alone in the bathroom, she rested her forehead against the cool marble of the sink and tried to calm herself down. You’re being ludicrous . She was angry with herself for being afraid of one silly man. Or rather, of her reaction to the aforementioned silly man. It was that ire that helped her pull it together so she looked almost regal by the time she reappeared on the veranda, which had filled since her departure.
    “Karise, you look so pretty tonight.” Kate greeted her with a hug, whispering in her ear as she did. “Are you going to kill me?”
    “Nope. It’s all good,” Karise