Page 46 of Mountain Struggle

“He is … and I can’t wait for you to meet Jamie as well. He’s an amazing kid.”

“Yeah, about the kid …” Sarah began cautiously. “You do know what you’re getting into?”

Tess nodded.

“Damien and Jamie, they’re … a package deal. I think I’ve fallen in love with both of them.”

“You have to tell Mom and Dad,” Sarah said.

“Hold your horses, Sarah. I have to tell him first. He and Jamie have been alone for a long time. I don’t know if they’re ready for something like this—or if I’m ready.”

“Well, you’d better make yourself ready, because I have the feeling Damien feels the same way about you.”

“You know you’re the best sister a girl could have, and also the best friend, right?”

“Right back at you, little sister. I’ll always be here for you. You know that.”

“So, tell me about your work,” Tess said, changing the topic. “How are things going? Are you seeing someone?”

“Good, and not so good. As in, the job’s going great. This program in Paris, it’s the first of a monthly series I’m doing in different European capitals. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Not so good, because the job doesn’t leave much time for anything else. It’s not that I want to turn into an old spinster—”

Tess laughed. “A spinster? I don’t think I’ve heard that word used out of a Jane Austen novel, Sarah. People don’t become spinsters anymore.”

Sarah nodded thoughtfully. “Perhaps people don’t, but I’m at real risk of having it happen to me. I’d like to find a man who’s not a creep, and who understands how important my work is for me. It wouldn’t hurt if he could be as hot as your man’s colleagues—they were at the bar earlier tonight and one of them literally made my eyes pop out of my head.”

“Which one?”

“I didn’t hear his name—didn’t want to be too obvious about it, but he was H.O.T.”

“Dark hair? Asian-looking? With a beautiful black dog by his side?”

“No—nobody there matching that description. This guy had dark blond hair, tall and muscled. He was speaking English but his accent sounded German.”

“That’s Jens. He’s a doctor. Why didn’t you speak with him? Oh, I forgot—you were too busy trying to pick Damien up.”

Sarah had the grace to blush. “Yeah. You know me. Work before pleasure always.”

“I can introduce you to him tomorrow.”

“No, please don’t. I’ll be leaving soon. It’s better this way.”

“Okay. If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure. Now show me what you’ve been writing!”

Chapter 15

Damien

“My sister liked you,” Tess said.

Damien held her tighter. He could feel the sadness pouring off her after having said goodbye to her sister.

“I liked her too,” he said. “She’s protective of you.”

“She’s my older sister,” Tess said proudly. “I know she tried to pick you up at the bar.”

“Did she tell you I wasn’t interested?” He grabbed on to her waist and pulled her closer. “That I’m only interested in one woman?”