Samantha spent the next few days working hard to perfect her punches while she waited for her brother.But tonight, he finally strode through the front door.“Simon!”she called as she threw herself into his arms.“You came!”
“Of course I came.”He held her so tightly.“My sister needed me.”
“It means the world to me.I know how busy you are.”
He stepped back and looked her over from head to toe, a smile growing on his lips.“I can hardly believe the change that has happened with you in such a short time.”
“And you,” she said, tugging on his lapel.“I barely recognize you in black.”
He shrugged.“It’s what the new job requires.I notice your long hair is gone.Had enough of it, did you?”
She rubbed her fingers nervously through her short hair.
“It suits you.”
He pulled her back into his embrace as a grateful tear ran down her cheek.He was always so good to her.Anyone else would have chastised her for cutting it.
“Where’s Trent?”
“Putting Maggie to bed.He’ll be down shortly.Where’s Madelene?”
“She has family up in Scotland, so they met us at the station, and she continued on with them.”
“Come.”She took hold of his hand and led him toward the blue drawing room.“Let’s sit and have a drink.”
“Well, I won’t say no to the drink, but I’ve been sitting all day, so I hope you won’t mind if I stand.”
Benson was in the room when they entered.“Excuse me, miss.I’ll get out of your way.”
“No, Benson, stay.I want you to meet my brother, Simon.”
She turned to her brother.“Benson has been teaching me how to play backgammon.”
Simon gave a quick assessment of him before shaking his hand.
“What will you be drinking?”Benson asked.
“Whisky, if you have it.”
“Whisky it is.”
“So,” Simon said, after taking a sip.“Backgammon?”
She laughed and a stunned smile slowly grew on her brother’s face.“That is music to my ears.”With a long sigh, he pulled her in for another tight hug, his voice a rough whisper.“I wasn’t sure if I’d hear your laugh again.”
“I wasn’t sure either.”
He stepped back and just smiled at her.“You”—he tapped the end of her nose—“are amazing.”
“Stop it.”Warmth filled her cheeks, but then she leaned in and whispered, “You don’t really have to stop.”It felt so good to be teasing her brother again.They hadn’t shared banter since… before Norman.
There was a patter of running footsteps and Maggie burst into the room, her smile beaming.“Mr.Allister!I got my pony!”
Simon crouched before Maggie.“You did?Well, perhaps tomorrow when it’s light, you can take me out to see her.”
She nodded animatedly.“I will!”
Trent walked through the doorway, chuckling and shaking his head.“Back to bed, Little Mouse.”
