Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Sam, of all people, knew it hadn’t been easy for Mike. He also remembered being one of the people to help his brother see what he could have with Cara. Ironic, since Sam didn’t believe in the same kind of thing for himself.
But something had shifted inside him after this weekend with Nicole. It felt deep and profound, yet Sam couldn’t put a name on it. He couldn’t bring himself to examine it too closely.
“Hey, you called and asked me to stay so we could talk. Are you going to stand there? Or did you have something on your mind?” Mike asked, breaking into Sam’s thoughts.
He’d come directly from dropping off Nicole at home. His own suitcases were still in the trunk. He’d needed to talk to his brother.
“All quiet in town after I left?” Sam asked.
Mike nodded. “The festival ended, and everyone cleared out. Stanton left town, as you know. The Russians hadn’t checked into any nearby motels and were gone by nightfall. I didn’t see them around again, and believe me, I had an eye out.”
“Has Stanton been in touch?” Sam had given Tyler Mike’s number and told him to fill his brother in on any progress or lack thereof at home.
Mike nodded. “He tried to talk his father into coming clean, but his old man is more afraid of his clients than the cops. He knows the Russians could get to him in jail or out. So he’s refusing. Told Tyler if he could get Nicole back home and under his thumb, everything would be fine.”
Sam let out a low, threatening sound.
“Yeah. We all know that’s not happening,” Mike said, chuckling. “His old man’s delusional.”
Sam nodded.
“I told Stanton the feds want Nicole to wear a wire with his father. He balked. Wants to do it himself.”
Sam raised an eyebrow, feeling a surprising swell of admiration for Nicole’s ex. Maybe Stanton wasn’t such a jerk after all. “I’d rather he take the risk than Nicole. When do the feds want this to go down?”
“They’re watching Romanov. He headed back to LA, so not for a while. You’ll be the first to know when I do.”
Sam nodded. “Thanks. I’m keeping quiet about all this until Nicole needs to know. No use getting her worked up over something that may not come to pass.”
“That’s your call.” Mike folded his arms across his chest and met Sam’s gaze. “Speaking of Nicole, how’s your girl?”
“She’s not . . .” He caught his brother’s raised eyebrows and look of disbelief. “Yeah, umm, she’s fine.”
Mike laughed. “I never thought I’d see this day.”
“You haven’t. It’s just . . . it’s good. For now.”
Mike took his suit jacket off the back of his chair and slung it over his shoulder. “Whatever you say, little brother. I’m heading home to Cara.”
“I’m meeting up with her for breakfast before work tomorrow.”
“Good. Maybe you can figure out what’s going on with her. I’m sure she’s not telling me something, and it makes no sense.”
“And it bugs the hell out of you that you need me to dig.” Sam understood his brother’s way of thinking. He wouldn’t like it if he needed to find someone else for Nicole to confide in.
“You can say that again,” Mike muttered.
“I’m on it.” He slapped his brother on the back. “It can’t be anything terrible.” Mike and Cara were solid.
Like Sara and Mark. Erin and Cole.
Like Nic . . . Sam shook his head and pushed the thought down deep, far from the light of day.
* * *
The following morning, Sam walked into The Family Restaurant where Cara was waiting for him. “Long time no see,” he said, settling into the seat across from her.
“I’ve missed hanging out with you.” She smiled, but the emotion didn’t reach her eyes.
“Okay, talk to me. What’s wrong?” He covered her hand with his.
It wasn’t just that she’d lost weight or her skin was pale. Dark circles shadowed beneath her eyes, and she lacked the vibrancy he usually associated with Cara. “You still don’t feel well?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No.” She gestured to the tea in a cup in front of her, a decaffeinated wrapper lying beside it.
Sam gestured to the server. “Coffee, please,” he said, before refocusing on Cara.
This illness had been going on too long, reminding him of when his sister had had a never-ending stomach bug before discovering she was pregnant. He wondered if the problem was that basic.
He leaned in close. “You know, the last woman who didn’t feel well for so long was Erin, and she turned out to be—”
“Don’t say it!” Cara said, cutting him off with a wave of her hand.
Sam narrowed his gaze. “Is that it? Are you pregnant?”
She shrugged. “I’m afraid to find out,” she admitted in a half-whisper.
“That’s not like you. And it makes no sense. You’re married. You’re happy. In love, yes?”