“Aria?” She looked up. Kelly stood at the door. “Um...am I disturbing you guys.” Her friend’s cheeks flushed red.
Aria shook her head with a laugh. “No.”
“Then, you guys have a visitor.” She stepped aside and allowed another gorgeous man into the room then left.
“Hey, bro. what are you doin’ here?” Reece set her down. “Ria, this is my brother, Jace.”
Aria accepted the extended hand. Jace left for the hospital the morning Aria and Reece arrived in Trinity, and they missed meeting him. She admired just how good-looking all the Bentley brothers were. Good genes definitely ran in the family. “Hi.”
“Howdy, Aria.” Jace’s voice was deep yet whisper-soft, unlike his brothers. “To answer your question, I came to check what other trouble my playboy brother’s gotten himself into.” He cocked a brow. Reece grinned. “Judging by this blushing lady, I’d say you got yourself into heaps.”
“Trust me, bro, she’s worth every bit.” He slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her tight against him.
“I noticed.” Jace winked at Aria.
She reddened a shade deeper. Whisper soft but charming nonetheless described Jace best. “Before I forget, Jace, I owe you a huge thank you,” Aria said.
He titled his head. “For?”
“Saving my baby.”
“My pleasure.” He smiled. “I’m sure Reece would’ve handled the situation if I weren’t there.”
“But you were, and I’m eternally grateful,” Aria said. His face flushed a deep red. She laughed. The man was shy around unknown women.
As if he wanted to change the topic, he glanced at Reece. “And where’s our big brother?”
“Off doing his wife—”
“Reece,” Aria scolded, and he laughed.
“You never let me finish...”
“Finish what?” Cody asked as he entered the room, followed by a red-faced Samantha.
“Nothing,” Aria said quickly. She cast Reece a stern gaze.
“Jace? What are you doin’ here? I thought you had to get back to the hospital?” Cody slid an arm around his wife’s waist while Samantha avoided Reece’s gaze. No doubt aware he’d probably make some wisecrack comment about Cody carrying her away.
“Popped in to check on Reece and Aria after everythin’ that went down.” Jace grinned. “Hey, Sam.” Her cousin smiled in greeting.
“You flew halfway around the world. That ain’t popped in.” Reece punched his brother lightly on the arm. Just then Kelly waltzed back in with Prisha and Laney in tow.
“Jace, meet my daughter, Prisha.” Reece scooped the little girl up in his arms, dropped a kiss to her cheek, and earned a giggle. Aria smile. She loved watching her daughter in the arms of the man she adored. “And this is Aria’s friend Kelly and her daughter, Laney.”
“Howdy, ladies.” Jace tipped his cowboy hat.
“We already met, silly.” Prisha giggled.
“Yes, you did. Silly me.” Reece winked. The little girl kissed his cheek, then slid down out of his arms and darted away with Laney.
“I leave you for one minute, and you get yourself not one, but two lovely ladies.” Jace teased.
“What can I say, when you’re good, you’re good.” Reece grinned, and Aria rolled her eyes at his insolence. “What about you?”
Without a word, Jace shrugged then offered a telling smile that indicated a story lurked there. Aria smiled, curious about this enigmatic man who appeared shy on the outside yet held a certain appeal any woman would be glad to meet.
****
