She gave him a look.
“All right, but it’s my right as your brother to ensure you are healthy.”
“Do I not look healthy then?” Dorrie snapped him.
“That will do.” Eden stepped in between them. “She is fine, Dev. Stop being overbearing.”
“It’s because I’m the last unattached woman in this family,” Dorrie muttered. “He can’t control the others, and Warwick is a man and therefore capable of looking after himself apparently, so he is focusing all his attention on me. My hope is that his own children start creating a few diversions on my behalf.”
“Oh, don’t you worry, I have more than enough attention to focus on at least five people at the same time.”
Dorrie poked out her tongue, and Dev laughed. He then grabbed her in a bear hug.
“I love you, little sister.”
“I love you, big brother.”
And that was all that mattered, Dorrie knew. Yes, she was watched from every direction by all the people in her large, boisterous, overbearing family, but she was also loved, and there were many who did not have that in their lives. Her eyes shot to Ash; he was listening to something Gus said, but he was focused on her.
Who had loved him when his brother was not in his life?
“Many thanks, Ash.” Dev left her and walked to where he sat. He held out his hand, and they shook. “I’m sorry for your bruise, but grateful you were there when we were not.”
“Your brother can handle himself,” Ash said.
“All my siblings can, but I’m still glad they did not have to without your help. So thank you again. They mean a great deal to us.”
“Did you really come charging in with a whip?” Somer asked Dorrie.
“It was outside the stables. I grabbed it in case I was needed.”
“Well done. Dev will always be Dev.” Somer put an arm around her. “It is his way.”
Dorrie sighed, as no words were needed.
“Ash was certainly angry when he walked you back to us.”
“He, like many, probably thinks women cannot defend themselves.” She wrapped an arm around her sister. “How is Gus, Somer?”
Their eyes went to the brothers. Even from here, they could see that neither was entirely comfortable with the other. They sat together and yet apart. Gus was talking, Ash listening, but his hands were clenched on his thighs.
“He is pleased his brother is here and pleased that Ash cleared up why he left, and yet he said that his brother is not the man who left him.”
“Which is to be expected, surely.”
“Gus always told me that Ash knew how to laugh better than anyone. A great booming laugh.”
Her eyes went to Ash again. She’d not seen him laugh since he arrived.
“Gus has not discussed everything they talked of, but he did say he knows his brother has suffered.”
How had he suffered?“I’m sorry he suffered,” Dorrie added.
“This Radcliff apparently is the root of all that has happened to Ash. There is still trouble afoot there, but as yet I am unsure what. Gus knows Ash will leave again and that he is going after Radcliff.”
“But surely he would be safer if he stayed here?”
“Very likely. But clearly he has lived his life for many years, and revenge against this man is his driving force.”
