HER BROTHER.

JD IS ERIN’S BROTHER.

Oh FUCK.

“What are you doing here?” JD was speaking to Erin but he was looking at me and there was an edge to his voice I’d never heard before, a protective fury so cold it burned. What’s my little sister doing in your love nest? JD knew my reputation. Everyone knew my reputation.

Erin told him how I’d saved her outside the café and helped her get her stuff back. Her gorgeous country accent was so obviously Texan now. But on her it was so soft and gentle…that’s why I hadn’t made the connection with JD’s rough growl. She looked between the two of us, confused by the tension. “How do you two know each other?” she asked.

“Danny’s one of the team,” JD told her.

“Oh.” Erin looked at me, her nose wrinkling in confusion. Then she looked down at her feet and I saw the disappointment in her face. I felt like someone had punched me in the guts. Fuck. Why had I lied to her?

“I’ve known him for years,” JD said, still staring at me. “He’s my best friend. I trust him like a brother.” And his eyes flicked up to the balcony that overlooked the workshop and the messy bed there.

I gave him a quick shake of my head. No. Absolutely not. Of course not! Like I’d do something with your little sister!

The little sister who I’d been about to kiss. Who set off a whole fireworks display of confusing feelings every time I looked at her.

I held JD’s gaze and my poker face must have been better than I thought, because his scowl slowly faded and, at last, he looked away. When he looked at me again, he looked sheepish. “Thanks,” he said. “For looking after her.”

I smiled and nodded, my stomach twisting with guilt.

I helped them carry Erin’s tools and equipment out to her car. As they climbed in, Erin gave me one last look over her shoulder and the look in her eyes matched the ache in my chest. They drove off and I watched until their tail lights disappeared into the whirling snow.

How can she be his little sister, I wondered as I walked slowly back inside. She must be ten years younger than him. I remembered JD saying he had a sister, back when we first met, but he’d barely mentioned her since. How come I’d never met her, in all the years I’d known him?

The workshop seemed weirdly empty and quiet without Erin there. I leaned against the door, putting things together in my mind. Erin had come to Mount Mercy to visit JD. She must not have told him she was coming, or he would have told her he’d be away in Washington….