Nursing the Soldier's Heart. Merrillee Whren
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smiled, then looked at her as if he was seeking her approval. “Sure. Thanks for inviting me.”
Brady’s expression didn’t go along with his brash attitude. Maybe she’d imagined the look. She didn’t want him to go to lunch with them. With her dad there, she wouldn’t be able to tell Brady anything about Cora. So why did he want to go? Shouldn’t he be having lunch with Cora?
Kirsten tried not to analyze the situation further as she followed her dad and Brady to her dad’s car. She needed to develop a better attitude. Today’s lunch with her dad and Brady would test her ability to reach that goal.
* * *
The white iridescent vase full of pink roses and white calla lilies shimmered like a neon sign as it sat on the counter at the nurses’ station. The bouquet seemed to whisper, I’m really a nice guy. You just need to get to know me. Kirsten tried to purge the imagined message from her thoughts.
“I’d say Brady’s trying to impress you.” Jen grinned.
“He’s just thanking me for introducing him to my dad.” Kirsten wondered whether Brady had asked her dad about her favorite flowers. Otherwise, how would he have known?
Jen gave Kirsten a dubious look. “There’s more to those flowers than a thank-you.”
Kirsten shook her head. “You have no idea what happened yesterday.”
“I’m all ears. Give me the scoop.” Jen settled back in her chair.
“When I introduced Brady to my dad, he invited the guy to lunch.” Kirsten shrugged and held up her hands in a gesture of helplessness. “That’s the last thing I wanted, but it gets worse.”
“How does worse translate to this beautiful bouquet?” Jen gestured toward the flowers.
“First, we were talking about the wedding. Then Brady says he needs to get a suit, so Dad invites him over to check out one of his suits.”
“So your dad lent the guy a suit. What’s so bad about that?”
“Nothing if it had stopped there.” Kirsten released a loud sigh. “When I stopped by Dad’s office before I came to work, he informed me that Brady is going to rent a room from him—not just any room, but my old room.”
“You didn’t want it, so what’s the problem?”
Kirsten shook her head. “I don’t know. It seems weird to have this guy living in my old room.”
“Did you ever think your dad might be lonely, and having someone else in the house is a real plus? It’s probably a win-win for both of them. Your dad doesn’t have to come home to an empty house, and Brady has an inexpensive place to live while he looks for a job.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
While Kirsten checked patient records on the computer screen, she wondered what Brady might be hiding. Why was his job experience something he’d had to think about at lunch? Had he been involved with something illegal? Those tattoos could mean he’d been in some kind of gang or something. Maybe she’d been reading too many suspense books lately.
“I’m not quite sure why you have this hostility toward the guy.”
“It’s not animus. It’s caution.” Kirsten looked up.
“And why do you have to be cautious of a man who sends flowers?”
“You’ve answered your own question. Why did he send flowers?”
“To say thank-you. That’s what you said.”
“I was only trying to find an explanation, but he may have some ulterior motive.” Kirsten frowned. “What do we really know about him other than his relationship to Cora?”
“He’s good-looking.” Jen grinned.
Kirsten swatted at Jen. “Be serious. I’m worried about my dad inviting a stranger to share the house.”
“Don’t you remember the scripture from Hebrews that says if you practice hospitality you might unknowingly entertain angels?”
Kirsten didn’t want to think about the scripture reference. “He’s the only family Cora has left. He should’ve let her know where he was.”
“Fair enough, but I’d say he’s trying to make up for it now. Give him a chance to prove himself. You could still ask him to be your date for the wedding and get to know him better.”
“And why would I want to do that?”
Jen raised her eyebrows. “Because he’s good-looking?”
“Give up. I’m not interested.” Kirsten’s thoughts about Brady battled back and forth. One minute she was ready to cut him some slack because he had a legitimate reason for not answering his phone messages, but the next minute she couldn’t forget Cora’s distress when they couldn’t reach him.
He still had years of neglect to answer for. If you loved someone, how could you ignore them for months at a time, especially a grandmother who’d raised you? Kirsten’s judgmental attitude didn’t die easily when it came to Brady.
Jen shook her head. “You know what they say. Never give up.”
“Please. He’s only twenty-nine. I’m five years older than he is.”
“Is that a problem?”
“I don’t think it’s a problem.” A male voice sounded from around the corner an instant before Brady appeared.
Kirsten’s heart plummeted into her stomach as she quickly lowered her gaze. Her face flaming hot, she didn’t dare to look up. How much of the conversation had Brady heard? He must have heard enough to know they’d been talking about him. She wanted to crawl under the desk. What could she possibly say? Now he would surely have the wrong impression. Deciding not to respond to his comment, she shot a dagger-filled look in Jen’s direction, then finally found the courage to smile at Brady. “Thanks for the flowers. They’re lovely. My favorites.”
Brady grinned. “Your dad said you’d like them. Did Cora like hers?”
“I haven’t been down to her room since I came on duty. If they’re as beautiful as these, I’m sure she did.” Kirsten let this information filter through her mind. So Brady liked sending flowers. There was nothing special about her bouquet. Why did that disappoint her?
“I’ve been job hunting most of the day.”
“Any success?” Kirsten hoped her question would permanently steer the conversation away from her comment about his age.
Brady nodded. “I have a few leads. The job counselor here was very helpful. I’m glad your dad suggested I talk to her.”
“My dad tells me you’re renting a room from him.”
“Yeah. It’s a real help while I’m trying to find a job.”
“I’m glad he was able to help you.”
“Me, too.” Brady winked at her. “And for the record. I like older women. Underneath your prickly exterior, I’m sure there’s a heart of gold. And I intend to find it.”
Kirsten stared after Brady as he sauntered down the hallway without a backward glance. How had he managed to insult and compliment her all in one statement? How could such an insolent man make her heart flutter?
Jen swiveled her chair until she was facing Kirsten, then laughed out loud. “This is going to be fun to watch.”
“There isn’t going to be anything to watch.” Kirsten was determined not to let him get under her skin or into her heart.
Jen laughed again. “I wouldn’t count on that. I’m pretty sure Brady Hewitt doesn’t lose when he sets his mind to something.”
“Count