Love in Country (De La Fuente Family #4)(25)

She’s referring to Diego’s flirting, which he does every time Rae is close. “I’ve told you before he only keeps doing it because you give as good as you get back, which only encourages him.”

“So today I’ll ignore him, huh? We’ll see if it works.”

I smile to myself because her silence will only make him worse, but she doesn’t need to know that.

I’m looking forward to the early breakfast today. Lucia told me Kasey would be there, having flown home on a late flight the night before.

My brother has changed over the past few months and it drives me nuts not being able to get a take on him or what’s going on in his life. My thirty-one-year-old brother plays professional hockey on the Rangers team, which keeps him away from home too much and I miss him.

Until I came home from the Formula One circuit in Europe, I had no idea just how much I’d missed my family and being around them.

You get one family and mine are amazing and we’re all close. No matter how much we’re apart, when we’re together it’s like we’ve never been apart.

So pulling up beside Kasey’s truck, I smile and rush Rae out and into the kitchen to find my brother resting his hip against the countertop, drinking coffee.

I grin and just about give him time to put his coffee down before I drag him into my arms for one hell of a hug. “I missed you.”

My eyes snag on Diego who quietly leans against the doorjamb behind Rae. His eyes are fixed on her with a serious expression on his face, and for the first time I wonder whether his excessive flirting is to cover up how much he likes her.

I frown as Kasey says, “Missed you too, bro.” He hits me on the back and pushes me away. Turning, he grins at Rae. “My brother’s been holding out on me…He didn’t tell me you were gorgeous.” He slides a look at me before he moves closer to Rae. “You’re family, so it means I can do this.” He tugs Rae into his arms and gives her a hug.

My eyes move back to Diego and widen when I see jealousy flickering in his eyes before he closes them. When he meets my gaze all emotion is wiped clean, which makes me wonder whether or not I imagined it.

Diego steps into the kitchen and gives Kasey a shove. “Get off my lady.” He carries on moving toward the coffee machine. Pouring himself a cup, he glares at a laughing Kasey and an annoyed Rae.

“I am not nor will I ever be your lady.” Rae proceeds to ignore my youngest brother, but not before I catch the once over she gives him in his gym shorts. She turns and smiles at Kasey, saying, “But I wouldn’t mind being yours.” She winks at him, and adds, “At least with you I wouldn’t feel like I was cradle snatching.”

Of course that sets Kasey off, and he howls with laughter, tears running down his whisker covered face. “I like you.” He points at Rae.

I watch Diego, my frown deepening. He slams his cup down, snapping off the handle.

All eyes land on Diego as he gets up from the table and tosses the cup into the trash before he faces us.

Kasey wraps an arm around Diego, chuckling. I shake my head at them and watch Rae. She has a small blush on her face and I’m not surprised since both my younger brothers are standing before her flexing their pecks while only wearing low-slung gym shorts.

“You both need to find shirts before Lucia catches you.” I sling my arm around Rae and usher her into a chair. “I’ll grab us some coffee.”

I shove Diego out of the way so I can reach the machine and glare at him. He grins and sits opposite Rae, who won’t look at him.

I guess I need to start paying more attention because there’s something…and I’m not sure what or even if I want to know.

“Lucia will be in here soon. She’s in the lounge talking on the phone with Emelia,” Diego offers after Kasey disappears down the hall to his bedroom. “She wants advice about neutral colors for the baby’s room. Poor Dante.” Diego shakes his head and grins. “I’m going to head over there once this fire that I’ve been called up to is under control.”

My heart freezes at his words. I really hate that Diego is on a hotshot crew.

He refuses to meet my gaze but when he stands, I step in front of him. “You be careful.” I hug him and feel Rae’s hand on my back.

“Be safe, Diego,” she quietly offers, holding Diego’s gaze.

Diego hesitates, watching Rae, and I see when he makes the decision about his next move. He tugs Rae into his arms and holds her close, then he cups her face between his large hands and places a gentle kiss to her forehead before walking away.

Rae doesn’t say anything but sits back down and takes a sip of her coffee, her hands unsteady.

Clearing my throat, I greet Lucia, “We were promised waffles.”

I’ll think more on Rae and Diego when my own life isn’t so messed up.





13


SARAH


My front garden is bursting with color, thanks to the previous owner and his green fingers. When he’d died the property had overgrown with weeds, but with some hard work before moving in I had it looking like a garden once again. I’m out watering it now when I hear a truck pull up. I know who it is and am not surprised. He dropped Rae off minutes before and now he’s here.

My heart thumps in my chest and I really wish this confrontation wasn’t about to happen but I suppose it’s best to get it over with.