Page 8 of Cooper’s Promise

“You don’t have to say that.”

“I’m not, you doofus. This is really good.” Brenna felt her blood hum with approval. It wasn’t quite as good as when Cooper had praised her, but almost.

“Yeah, I can get you a copy of this.”

“Can you get it blown up?”

She laughed and nodded. Then she tried to take the album out of his hands, but he kept turning the pages. “By the way, I talked to Coop today. He has to leave town for a while. But when he comes back, he’s going to keep an eye on you until you leave.”

“What?” Brenna cried. “What in the hell are you talking about?”

“This thing with that asshole has both of us worried. From what you told me today, you don’t have enough for a restraining order, so you’re getting some protection.”

“The reason I can’t get a restraining order is because he hasn’t done anything worth restraining. I told you, it’s a non-issue.”

“Bullshit. You’re having people walk you to your car at night after work because he’s been there waiting for you. That’s predatory behavior.” Hudson handed her the album, and walked towards the kitchen. He opened up the fridge, and pulled out the container of sweet tea.

“I would have talked to the asshole, but the fucker is out of town, too. I checked out his apartment, and he’s in Chicago. He’ll be back on Monday. Coop thinks he’ll be back by then.”

“You broke into his apartment?” Brenna asked, aghast.

“Do you want a glass?” He held up the pitcher, and she shook her head.

“Answer the question. You broke into Josiah’s apartment?”

“Breaking and entering is such an ugly term. I just let myself in and found that things like his toothbrush were missing. When I had a friend check airline records, I found he was in Chicago for a convention. He’s due back on Monday. If Coop isn’t back by then, I’ll be here to have a talk with your little friend.” Hudson did an impression of Scarface.

Brenna rolled her eyes and shot off the couch.

“I told you I had this covered.”

Hudson took a sip of tea, and then leaned back against the counter. “I have one question for you. If this had been happening to Tanya, would you have called me or Coop for help?”

Brenna gnawed at her bottom lip. She thought about the single white roses that had been left at her apartment door for her to find in the mornings. It had happened four times. Four times she realized he had been at her door in the middle of the night. She hadn’t told Hudson about that, because he would have gone through the roof.

“Yeah, I would have called you.”

“Goddammit!” her brother roared. “Your safety is more important than Tanya’s. You’re my baby sister!” He slammed down his glass, and strode towards her, then yanked her into his arms. “You never forget how important you are. Never, ever, forget.”

Brenna felt her eyes well with tears, then forced them back and plastered a smile on her face.

“I won’t. Now, what time is your flight tomorrow?”

Hudson gave a wry smile. “I have to be back in Dallas for a meeting tomorrow afternoon. I have another question for you. Well, two actually.”

“Shoot.”

“Are you sure about this Great Barrier Reef thing? Five years is a long time.”

She looked up into eyes that mirrored her own. “It was such an honor to be chosen. I really think I can make a difference, Hudson. You understand that. You want to help people in those disaster areas, like when you were in Paraguay. Well, I want to make a difference, too.” He gave her a hug, and she sank into it. Then he pushed back a little, and his eyes twinkled.

“Okay, you passed that question. But I dare you to give me a straight answer on this one. What’s the deal with you and Coop? Something’s off. You’re even calling him Coop these days.”

Again with the fake smile. Her brother was the master of charming, and he was trying to use his superpower on her. Well, it wasn’t going to work. She had some of her own powers.

“Hudson, there is nothing going on. He’s been so busy with work, and I got involved with my life. I really think it’s a matter of us kind of drifting apart. Chances are we would have drifted back together if I were going to stay here.” Put that in your pipe and smoke it big brother!

Hudson’s eyes searched hers, and then he gave a satisfied smile. “Makes sense. I know Coop is still just as concerned about you as he always has been. He thinks of you the same way I do.”

“I know. I have two big brothers.” She smiled brilliantly. All teeth. Please, God, let him leave now, so she could start crying. She needed him to leave. She faked a yawn.

“Oh, honey, I’ll get out of your hair. You better have a bigger place in Australia. I’ll want to stay at your place instead of at a hotel.”

“Gotchya.” It was the only word she could force out.

He kissed her on the forehead, grabbed his jacket and waved good night.

“Don’t forget to lock up after me.”

“I won’t,” she choked out. She bolted the door behind him. She leaned against it, then slid down the face until her butt hit the floor, and finally the tears started. She didn’t think they would ever end. Why did the man she loved only see her as a little sister?