The Secret Affair(6)

                He closed the medical journal and placed it aside. “You’re positive there’s no one else who can do it?”

                “Yes, and she really wants to see it. This is her home now and—“

                “Her home? She’s away at school most of the time,” he said.

                “And so are you, Adrian, Stern and Canyon, and this is still your home. So what’s your point?”

                He decided not to argue with her. There were times when his baby sister could read him like an open book and he didn’t want her to do that in this instance. It wouldn’t take her long to figure out the story written on his pages was all about Jillian.

                “Fine. I’ll go.”

                “Act a little enthused, will you? You’ve been kind of standoffish with Jillian and her sisters since Dillon married Pam.”

                “I have not.”

                “You have, too. You should take time to get to know them. They’re part of the family now. Besides, you and Jill will both become doctors one day so already you have a common interest.”

                He hoped like hell that would remain their only common interest. It was up to him to make sure it did. “Whatever,” he said, standing and walking toward the door, pausing to grab his Stetson off the hat rack.

                “And Aidan?”

                He stopped before opening the door and turned around, somewhat annoyed. “What now?”

                “Try to be nice. You can act like a grizzly bear at times.”

                That was her opinion. Deciding not to disagree with her, because you could never win with Bailey, he walked out of the house.





                                      Two

                Jillian heard the sound of a rider approaching and turned around, using her hand to shield her eyes from the glare of the sun. Although she couldn’t make out the identity of the rider, she knew it wasn’t Bailey.

                The rider came closer and when her heart began pounding hard in her chest, she knew it was Aidan. What was he doing here? And where was Bailey?

                Over breakfast she and Bailey had agreed to go riding after lunch. Because the property was located so far from Denver’s city limits and encompassed so much land, the locals referred to it as Westmoreland Country. Although Jillian had seen parts of it, she had yet to see all of it and Bailey had volunteered to show it to her.

                Dropping her hand to her side, Jillian drew in a deep breath as Aidan and his horse came closer. She tried not to notice how straight he sat in the saddle or how good he looked sitting astride the horse. And she tried not to gawk at how his Stetson, along with his western shirt, vest, jeans and boots, made him look like a cowboy in the flesh.

                When he brought the horse to a stop a few feet from where she stood, she had to tilt her head all the way back to look up at him. “Aidan.”

                He nodded. “Jillian.”

                His irritated expression and the cutting sound of his voice made her think he was upset about something. Was she trespassing on a particular part of Westmoreland land where she had no business being?

                Thinking she needed to give him an explanation, she said, “I’m waiting for Bailey. We’re going riding.”