Perkins.”
Suzy glanced up at Cricket. “The Priscilla Perkins whom you despised on sight because she lured your brother away from his fiancée?”
“That was Thad’s fault,” Cricket said. “He should have had stronger morals. But men and morals are not always secure friends, and heaven knows Priscilla has more than her share of charms.”
Suzy shook her head. “I wouldn’t wish either of these men even on Priscilla Perkins.” Actually, Dane was the kind of man she’d hate to see Priscilla throw her cap at, because he was darling in a sort of hotheaded, sexy way. And he’d kissed her, which she hated to admit had been the hottest kiss she’d ever experienced. But truthfully, Dane was all knotted up and probably had no idea how he’d got that way. Pete seemed like he was meant for wild times and outrageous women—an explosive combination at best.
“Are there any more of them?” Cricket helped Suzy take the girls out back where a patch of sunlight was barely warming the January-cold grass. “The brothers?”
“The youngest, Gabriel, is married and lives close to town. Mr. Morgan was thrilled about the wedding—he’s crazy about Laura and her children. I’ve never met Gabriel, but he’s not as mulish as his brothers, apparently.” Suzy smiled. “And Mr. Morgan mentioned an eldest son whom he never sees, with whom he has a difficult relationship.” She looked at Cricket, sympathy in her eyes as she picked out a ball for the girls to try to roll. “I could tell it hurt him a lot that he and Jack are estranged.”
“How did you meet Mr. Morgan?”
“I was a nurse at the hospital when Mr. Morgan was brought in one day. He has—” she lowered her voice and glanced around to make certain there were no Morgan men around “—some health issues.”
Cricket’s eyes went wide. “His sons don’t know?”
Suzy shook her head. “He doesn’t want them to know. He’s hoping they’ll all come home and want to stay one day.”
“Be a family.”
“At least try.” Suzy looked at her little girls with pleasure. “I can’t argue with the plan. My mother and father certainly have no desire whatsoever to be a family.”
Cricket winced. “I think they regret some of their words—”
“Don’t.” Suzy rose, taking the ball with her. It was now the middle of the afternoon. She needed to put the girls down for a quick nap and start their dinner. “Unlike Mr. Morgan, I don’t believe in fairy tales.”
Cricket’s eyes went wide. “Suzy!”
“Why don’t you bring in your luggage,” Suzy said, unwilling to think about the past. “I plan to enjoy every moment of your time here, so first I’m going to show you to a room, and then put the girls down to nap, and then you and I are going to sit and girl chat.”
A window opened on the second floor. Dane poked his head out, staring down at them. Suzy was pretty sure the lord of the manor’s mood hadn’t improved any by the scowl on his face.
“Can I assume you’ve commandeered the master suite?”
Suzy put her hands on her hips. “You may assume that.”
“And where is Cricket sleeping?”
“In the room next to mine.”
“I can sleep wherever,” Cricket said hurriedly. “Suzy, I don’t want to put anyone out.”
“This place is like a castle. There are plenty of rooms. Let me see what his problem really is.” She returned his scowl. “Why do you care where Cricket sleeps?”
“I don’t. Pete wants to know.”
Suzy looked at Cricket. “It’s all about communication.”
“He just wants to know where he should sleep,” Dane explained. “He didn’t know you were in Pop’s old room.”
“I took the master because it was big enough for me and the girls, and your father said I should since he wasn’t planning on returning any time soon. And besides, there’s a huge lock on the door. He said I’d be safer that way.”
Dane considered that. “Are you saying you’ve spoken to my father recently?”
She nodded. “Yesterday afternoon after you left. I wanted him to know I was accepting the job.”
“You didn’t tell him I was here, did you?”
“I mentioned it,” Suzy said, not sure why it mattered. “Is there a problem?”
“There are problems,” Dane said, “but they’re really not your concern.” He slammed the window down.
Cricket looked at her. “Those boys are a symphony in human frailty.”
Suzy laughed. “I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s go get you settled.”
The window shot back up. “Now, listen,” Dane said, “did my father tell you about the nice strong lock on the bedroom door before or after you told him I was here?”
She shrugged. “Before. He said he’d feel better knowing the girls and I were tightly locked up since we’re so far out in the country. Why?”
He thought about that, seeming satisfied after a moment. “Just checking.” The window shut again. Suzy looked at Cricket, who shrugged.
“Think you’ll last a year?” Cricket asked. “I’m not sure I could swim in all these undercurrents.”
“I’ll last,” Suzy said. “Swimming’s my only choice.”
“WHAT EXACTLY DOES A DEACON DO?” Dane asked Pete as they did chores in the barn.
“Depends,” Pete said, “marry you, bury you, discuss spiritual stuff with you and so forth. Why? Got a thing for Deacon Cricket?”
“No!” Dane slid a glance at his brother. “Do you?”
Pete sighed. “I would, if I was able. But since I’m not, I don’t torture myself. I’m looking for a peachy blonde.”
Since Suzy probably qualified as a “peachy blonde,” Dane didn’t want more information than that. “So, are you really hanging around here for a while?”
“Sure. What’s better than family?” Pete grinned. “As long as Pop’s not around, that is.”
“Jack planning on showing up?”
“Wouldn’t bet the farm on that ever happening.”
Dane moved some tack to the other end of the barn while he digested his thoughts. “Since you’re the only one who really knows how to find Jack, why don’t you tell him the old man isn’t here and he might as well pay a call on the rest of us slobs? We’ll get Gabriel and Laura out here, let everybody have a grand old time getting to know
