One Secret Night, One Secret Baby. Charlene Sands

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СКАЧАТЬ good-night.”

      â€œHe, uh, needs uninterrupted rest. Doctor’s orders.” Brooke’s accomplished smile brought Emma a stream of silent chuckles. Leave it to Brooke. She was in defense mode now.

      â€œYes, of course, you’re right.” She nibbled on her lip, shooting another longing glance at the staircase. Then her expression changed. “He does need to rest up so he can be back on set as soon as possible.”

      The SEAL movie had been shut down for a month already and it was costing the studio big bucks, so Dylan’s return to the set was essential. Even Callista recognized that fact. “Tell him I’ll call him.”

      â€œWill do, Callie. I’ll walk you out.”

      â€œOh, that’s not necessary,” Callista said.

      â€œI don’t mind.”

      After the two left, Emma couldn’t contain her laughter. She knew for certain Callista Lee Allen hated to be called Callie, yet she let Brooke get away with it because she was Dylan’s sister.

      What a day it had been. Selfishly, Emma was glad it was over. She didn’t like walking around with a cloud of guilt over her head. She hoped “out of sight, out of mind” would work on her. As soon as she left Dylan’s house, maybe her head would clear and she’d be free of this grating bug gnawing at her to tell Dylan what happened between them.

      Finished with her duties, the house clean and back to normal, thanks to Maisey and her efforts, Emma took a seat on one of the many white leather sofas in the living room. A pastel pop of color fading on the horizon grabbed her attention as she looked out the window. The sunset was beautiful on Moonlight Beach. She leaned back, closed her eyes and listened to the sound of the waves breaking on the shore.

      â€œMission accomplished,” Brooke said, clapping her hands. “She’s gone.”

      Emma snapped to attention as Brooke sat down beside her. “You’re a regular Mama Bear. Who knew?”

      â€œNormally, Dylan can take care of himself, but right now, he needs a little help. What else are meddling little sisters for anyway?”

      â€œTo keep conniving women away from him?”

      â€œI try my best.” Brooke propped her feet on a cocktail table and sighed. “I’m getting excited about the celebrity golf tournament coming up. This is one of the biggest events we’ve ever booked. And we got it all on our own. No intervention from Dylan. They don’t even know he’s my brother. Dylan doesn’t play golf.”

      â€œI don’t?” Dylan walked into the room looking adorably rumpled. It was the five-o’clock shadow, the mussed-to-perfection hair and those deep blue bedroom eyes that did Emma in. He wore a pair of black sweats and a white T-shirt.

      â€œNo, you don’t,” Brooke said, eyeing him carefully.

      He grinned. “Just joking. I know I don’t play golf. At least I have memories of tanking every shot. Never did get the hang of it.”

      â€œBrat. What are you doing up?”

      On a long sigh, he ran a hand down his face. “I can’t sleep. I’m going for a walk. I’ll see you guys later. Thanks again for everything.”

      Brooke’s mouth opened, but he was out the back door before she could stop him. “Darn it. He’s still having dizzy spells. Will you go with him, Emma? Tell him you’re in the mood for a walk, too. He already thinks I baby him enough.”

      Emma balked. She was three minutes away from escaping to go home. “I, uh...”

      â€œPlease?” Brooke begged. “If you’re with him, he won’t get it into his head to start jogging. I know he misses it. He’s been complaining about not doing his daily runs. It’s almost dark on the beach. He could collapse and no one would know.”

      It was true. The doctor said he shouldn’t overdo any physical activity. How could she deny Brooke the peace of mind? She’d been worried sick about her brother lately. “Okay, I’ll go.”

      â€œThat’s why I love you.” Brooke sounded relieved.

      Emma bent to remove her heels and rose from the sofa. “You better,” she said. “I don’t chase handsome A-list movie stars for just anyone.” With that, she walked out the back entrance of Dylan’s mansion, climbed down the stairs, searched for signs of him and took off at a jog when she’d seen how far he’d already traveled.

      â€œDylan,” she called, her toes squishing into wet sand as she trudged rapidly after him. “Wait up.”

      He turned around and slowed his pace.

      â€œWould you like company?” Her breathing ragged, she fibbed, “I feel like a walk, too.”

      â€œLet me guess. Brooke sent you.”

      She shrugged. “Maybe I just felt like taking a walk?”

      His mouth lifted in a dubious smile. “And maybe the moon is green.”

      â€œEveryone knows the moon is made of cheese, therefore it’s yellow.”

      He shook his head, seeming to relinquish his skepticism. “Okay, let’s walk. Actually, I would like your company.”

      He took her hand, his fingers lacing with hers.

      How...unexpected. Her breath froze in her chest.

      â€œIt was a nice memorial, wasn’t it?” he asked as he resumed walking.

      There was a slight tug on her hand that woke her from her stupor and she fell in step with him. “It was heartwarming. You honored Roy with a wonderful tribute to his life.”

      â€œI’m the only family he had, aside from his crew. He was a great guy and it’s just a ridiculous shame. Roy was obsessed with his stunts. He spent his whole life perfecting them. He was the most cautious man I’ve ever known. It just doesn’t make sense.”

      â€œThey’re saying it was a freakish accident.”

      Dylan took a sharp breath. “That’s what they say when they don’t know what happened. It’s the standard answer.”

      They walked on in silence for a while, the heat from where he held her hand warming her entire body. It was actually a perfect evening for a stroll on the beach. Breezes blew at the twist of hair at the back of her head. She reached up and pulled it out of its band, freeing the long waves that touched the middle of her back.

      â€œSo tell me what’s going on in your life, Emma.”

      Her brows gathered at the oddity of the request. Dylan knew just about everything about her. She was Brooke’s friend and СКАЧАТЬ