When Love Happens by Darcy Burke Read Free Book Online Page A

young man.”
    Sean laughed. “ Now . I was prone to ill behavior at university.”

    “I’m sure it’s nothing I haven’t heard. My children might have you think otherwise, but each of them went through an unfortunate period at one time or another—some longer than others. I will say that Tori was about as consistent and reliable as a child could be. I sometimes think she was a second mother to the rest of them.”
    Sean didn’t bother hiding his interest. He wanted to get up and pouranother cup of coffee, but he wanted to hear what Emily had to say about Tori even more. He turned on his stool to face Emily. “Really, how?”
    “I had to spend a lot of extra time with Alex, of course, and with Sara and Evan. It’s tough to have six children at once, but when three of them have special needs, it’s especially challenging. Not that I would trade it, mind you.” She sipped her coffee.“And I did have help. We had a live-in housekeeper. If you ever watched reruns of The Brady Bunch when you were younger, think of Alice. Birgit was our Alice.”
    “Well, you had a bunch of your own, so it seems fitting,” Sean cracked.
    Emily smiled. “True. Birgit was wonderful. I don’t know what I would’ve done without her. She died, my goodness, over ten years ago now.” Emily shook her head. “Havingher made all the difference, but Tori was a little manager. She still is, I suppose. I think losing Alex has hit her especially hard because of that role. She just isn’t the same person.”
    Sean felt a surge of validation. He knew it couldn’t just be him. She was different. The question was, would she stay that way?
    They both heard the door shut and turned to look at the hallway. Tori steppedinto the kitchen as she pulled earbuds from her ears. She stopped abruptly as soon as she saw Sean. She looked sweaty, her cheeks flushed from her run, but damn she was beautiful. Her hair was swept into a high ponytail, exposing the creamy arch of her neck. He knew if he buried his face against her, she’d smell like earth and autumn sky. His cock twitched, and he tore his gaze away from her beforehis mind could continue along that dangerous path.
    “Morning, Tori,” Emily said. “Can I get you some coffee?”
    “No, thanks. I had a cup before I ran.” Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “What are you guys doing?”
    “Having breakfast.” Emily stood and gathered her dishes, moving to the sink. Then she reached for Sean’s.
    “Let me,” he said, standing and taking his own things to the sink.
    Emily relinquishedthe dish rinsing to Sean with a happy smile. “What are you two doing today?” she asked Tori.
    Sean slid her a glance. What were they doing today? Would she try to evade him?
    “I thought I’d give Sean a tour of The Alex.”
    “What a great idea. I’d go with you, but Maggie and I are taking a field trip to the Oregon Garden this afternoon. I haven’t been there in the fall, and we want to cull someideas for the garden at The Alex. We want to ensure it’s spectacular year-round.” She cocked her head to the side. “Perhaps you should come with us. You can tour The Alex tomorrow, and when will Sean get to see the Oregon Garden again?”
    “Thank you so much for the invitation,” Sean said before Tori could respond. He liked Emily a lot, but he needed this day with Tori, preferably alone. “But I’mreally looking forward to seeing The Alex, and I don’t want to be in anyone’s way tomorrow when the crew is back at work.”
    “That’s a good point. All right then. But we’ll see you here for dinner, and I’m not taking no for an answer. Everyone comes for Sunday dinner if they’re in town.”
    He nodded and wiped his hands on a dishtowel. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
    “Be here at six. Bye, dear.” Emily peckeda kiss on Tori’s cheek before leaving through an arched doorway that looked as though it led to a larger living-room area.
    “Perhaps we should start with a tour of your house,” Sean