re you sure? I won't offer my help any

ways there to help us when we need anything. I'm sure it's b

amily squabble, he said, "I think if you check that top drawer you'l

Sharp eyes as changing as the sky prompted her to slowly ra

ase the chill of the office and cast warmth into t

n't time,"

d held out a

y a moment before

how of appreciation. "I don't believe I've ever si

s jaw and throat drew her attention as he swallowed. Dragging it slowl

delic

or disapproval. Seeing none, she wrapped her fingers over the glass surface

welcomed the slow burn and savored the rich, woodsy flavor. Sl

dred and twenty some lab

studied his hands, finding something appealing about the lack of youth in his knuckles, lightly scarred as

ad been some time since she saw that ring. His index finger twitched and

d-clearly he'd c

"How do you know there are only four h

hnical. A slight smile curled his lips. "My father was a collector. I pilfered his stash often when I was a boy. Sometimes he overlooked the transgression and

drank

its fineness. I was sick all night, flush

u didn't even keep

from your mistakes and appreciate my father's scotch, bec

grin as she tippe

back and forth until there was not a penny worth of liquor left. Of co

laimed her. It was easy to overlook the shortcomings that usually haun

ter opener emblazoned with their family initial. Her body seemed to sink into her

but his attention no longer weighed as

do you

of your broth

young to take care of themselves and my father can't be bot

uldn't take losing yo

. But they both knew her father well enough to understand dis

to do it?" "Do what

ian's an adult now. I have no doubt he

saying that despite her sister's increasing

you plan to be there for her

much. He was already finding himself when our mother passed. Sometimes I think he should have been born first,

needs feeding." Steepling his fingers at his chi

ha

Daughters must be completely different. You hope a son will possess

ing to hear how he'd descri

fragile.

prove stronger than expected. "I wo

Isabell

daughter's name was Joan."

huck

re's a reason I wasn

ck if I had to watch

n kings in terms of war. And some men are