He laughed again, and I caught myself wanting to hear more of it. “I’ll be ready.”
“Thanks, Cole.”
“’Night, Madison.” The call ended, and I set my cell on the table, replaying the sound of my name on his lips in my mind.
I got up and stretched before heading into the kitchen to forage for food. Anything to take my mind off the phone call I’d just had. I had just taken out a frozen chicken pot pie when my cell rang again. I peered around the corner as if it might explode, pretty sure I should not answer with my current buzz.
Chandler’s name lit up the screen. How much damage could I do?
I picked it up and accepted the call. “Hey, bro. What’s up?”
“Just finished at the TV station and thought I’d bring over a pizza. Are you game?”
I put the pot pie back in the freezer. “What about Wendy?”
“She’s busy with Naomi and the twins tonight.”
I’d learned from Chandler that their friend Naomi’s twins were actually fathered by Wendy’s elder brother, who had been murdered. She’d also lost her parents in a mining explosion so the boys were the only blood relatives Wendy had left.
“Then I’d love to see you! When will you be here?”
“I’m already on the road. I’ll be there in an hour. Want to order the pizza?”
“Sure. Where’s the best pizza around here?”
“Filippi’s is good. Tell them I’ll be there in an hour to pick it up.”
“Will do.” She jotted down the name just in case her buzz stole her short-term memory.
“See you soon, Madison.”
Chandler came through the door with a large pizza, and I smiled. “That smells amazing.”
He set the box on the table while I retrieved paper plates. He glanced at my moving boxes and back to me. “Need help unpacking?”
“Nah, I’ll get it eventually. I unpacked the important things.” I opened the pizza box. “I’ve just been really busy with my new job.”
“Tell me again why you decided to take a job on a cattle ranch?” He lifted a piece of pizza, stretching out the cheese until it broke free.
“I already told you. I wanted something closer to you and Wendy, and this job included marketing. I just need to get up to speed on all the cow things.” I picked a piece of pizza from the box and took a bite, moaning as the cheesy miracle hit my tongue. “Oh, this is good.”
He set his slice back on the plate. “You’re coming to the baby shower on Saturday, right?”
“Yes. I can’t wait to meet all your friends, and I haven’t seen Wendy since Dad’s surgery.” I took another swig from my wineglass.
He nodded without smiling. Something was up with my brother, but I couldn’t figure out what. I took another bite and lifted my eyes to his face. “Are you…not happy I moved here?”
“No.” His gaze locked on mine as he shook his head. “Wendy and I are both glad you’re here. Her nephews are in Sedona, too, so we’ll be over from Phoenix as much as we can.” His sad smile spoke volumes. “Family is everything to Wendy.”
A wry chuckle escaped my lips. “Even after meeting our mom and dad?”
He smirked. “I thought the same thing, but she doesn’t hold them against us.”
“You found a good one.” I munched on more pizza.
“I did.” He sobered as he went on, “Wendy was just diagnosed with gestational diabetes so I’ve got to keep an eye on her.”
I set my pizza back on the plate. “I’m so sorry. Is she going to be okay?”
“Yeah. It should go away after the birth.” His eyes met mine. “It usually means the baby will be large, and there’s a possibility they’ll be born premature.”
My jaw slackened a little. “That sounds scary.”
He reached over and squeezed my hand. “The doctor has assured us she’ll be fine.”
“Good.” But it didn’t feel good. I’d been so excited for my brother and our chance to start a new, healthier branch of our family tree that it hadn’t occurred to me that Wendy or the baby might be in danger. I’d been blissfully naive.
Eager to change the subject, I blurted out, “I met the veterinarian for the ranch today. He invited me out for drinks tomorrow night.”
“That’s great.” Chandler grinned. “You’re already making friends here.”
It was no secret he had felt guilty when I told him I was leaving Vivi and all my friends in Lake Tahoe, but his enthusiasm for my date was adorable.
“I hope so. Cole seems like a great guy. He offered to show me around town, too.”
Chandler’s grin faded, a crease forming between his brows.
I frowned. “Is something wrong?”
“Cole…Vega is your vet?”
My eyes widened. “Do you know him?” I couldn’t bite back my smile. “He’s smart and funny, and he looks like Bradley Cooper. Well, the version without a beard. But those eyes…” I shut my mouth, forcing myself to stop rambling as the color drained from my brother’s face. “Shit. Please don’t tell me you did an exposé on him grifting animal lovers or something. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He shook his head, but he also wasn’t smiling. “He’s a great guy. You’ll probably see him at the baby shower, too.”
“He’s part of your friend circle?” I might never stop smiling. “That’s so great. What a small world, right?”
He nodded. “Unbelievably small.”
“You don’t look happy.” My brows pinched together. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Cole’s a friend of mine. I just think…” He met my eyes. “He’s got a lot on his plate. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
If my brother didn’t stop speaking in riddles soon, I was going to smack him. “What’s wrong with him? Is he married? He wasn’t wearing a ring.”
“No. It’s nothing like that.” He shook his head. “He works a lot, and sometimes it gets dangerous. I just worry about you. You’re my baby sister.”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh please. I could kick your ass if I wanted to.”
He raised a brow. “I doubt that, but you could try.”
“Don’t tempt me.” I laughed and took another bite of pizza. “Don’t tell Cole anything bad about me, okay? It would be nice to have a friend here, even if that’s all he is.”
“There’s nothing bad to tell.” An honest smile curved his lips. “And he’d be lucky to call you a friend.”
CHAPTER 3
Cole
As soon as I lifted a cold beer to my lips, my cell rang. Chandler’s name flashed on the screen. I raised a brow, and swallowed before accepting the call. “Hey, Chandler. What’s up? Is Wendy all right?”
“Wendy’s fine.” He sighed. “It’s my sister.”
I frowned. “The one coming to the shower? I told Piper you should tell her Wendy has gestational diabetes. It’ll explain why her pregnancy is so pronounced already.”