Love In Plain Sight. Jeanie London

rested her head against the pillows with a sigh and stared at the ceiling.

      Okay, maybe she was languishing.

      Courtney was about to concede the point when Harley said, “I could advise you to do the same thing. Why are you taking on the FBI? Go home, take up knitting and let them do their job. But I know you won’t listen, so do one thing for me since wondering and worrying won’t be good for me or the baby. Or your brother for that matter, since he’s the one trying to do everything because I’m down.”

      “What?”

      Harley sat up again, leveled that bright gaze Courtney’s way. “Be honest with us from now on. I seriously can’t sit here with the seconds ticking by like years and not worry if I think you’re hiding things. I’ll worry even more. So will Mac. We’re in panic mode already.”

      “Trust me. I know the feeling.” Courtney sighed. “No worrying about me. I’ve got things under control. Compliments of Mama and the bullying brothers, I’ve got Marc.”

      “Bullying brothers. Well said.”

      Courtney stretched across the bed. “You probably would have seen it coming. I didn’t.”

      “Really? Well, you don’t know Marc that well,” Harley conceded. “He is not in a good place.”

      “He’s alive after an accident. That’s a very good place.”

      “No argument. But he’s another one who isn’t being honest. You two have that in common.”

      “Cut me a break, will you?”

      That got a hint of a smile. “You’ve come to the wrong house for breaks. I’m fresh out. No breaks for Marc, either. It was only a matter of time before Mama found some way to light a fire under his ass and get him moving. Sounds like you and your little work problem fits the bill.”

      An answer to a prayer. Isn’t that what Mama had said?

      Had the prayer been to give Marc something to distract him from his pain and slow recovery?

      “I think Mama might get a bit more than she bargained for.” Courtney certainly had. She explained how Marc had invited himself to move in.

      “He’s staying with you?”

      “No. He has apparently taken a liking to your old place, because he wasn’t there ten minutes before informing me he wouldn’t be leaving. What was I going to say?”

      “You’ll nearly be roommates. Good luck with that.”

      “Speaking of, would you mind swapping cars with me? There’s not enough legroom in mine. I’m providing car service, too.”

      Harley nudged Courtney’s leg with her foot. “The keys are on the ring by the door, but listen to me. Whatever you do, do not let Marc give you a hard time. I’m serious. And do not, under any circumstances, let him into your bedroom.”

      Courtney opened her mouth to issue a quick reassurance on that score, but the phone on the bedside table rang out a rock tune.

      Harley reached for it. “Do you mind? Mac will freak if I don’t pick up.” She glanced at the display. “Oh, it’s not— To what do I owe this pleasure?”

      Courtney rolled over, ready to provide privacy, but Harley shook her head and cradled the phone against her shoulder to broadcast half of the conversation.

      “No, where?” she asked. There was a beat of silence while the caller replied. “My old place? Really?”

      Marc was on the other end of the line, and Courtney’s reaction came fast. A fluttering heartbeat. A shallow breath.

      Harley was watching Courtney so closely that a flush prickled her cheeks and she missed the next exchange. Harley arched an eyebrow, and Courtney forced herself to look casual. She wished she had stepped out of the room.

      “Tell you what, Marc,” Harley said. “Why don’t you come over here and stay with me? We can both lie in my bed and keep each other company while we work. I’ve got my big tummy and you’ve got your wrecked leg. We’ll make a great team.”

      Even Courtney could hear the disgusted snort on the other end and admired the easy rapport between two people who had known each other forever.

      “Play nice with Courtney or you’ll be answering to me,” Harley cautioned before saying, “Thanks. You take care of you, too. Call me if you need help. I’ll be here. In bed. Staring at four walls. Not moving.”

      Disconnecting the call, she set the phone back on the table. “Well, you’re right. He’s settling in for the long haul.”

      “You warned him to be nice. How much trouble am I in?”

      Harley considered her. “Can’t say for sure. Marc’s off his stride since the accident. Any other time I’d tell you to lock your bedroom door and throw away the key so you don’t get your heart broken.”

      Right. No problem there. “But now?”

      “Now...well, I don’t know. He’s one grumpy bastard. More miserable than I am. That much I can tell you. But he and I aren’t the same as before. He hasn’t forgiven me for marrying your brother.”

      “You’re kidding.”

      She shook her head. “Marc hasn’t lived here for a long time. He stays up on what’s going on, but that’s not the same as seeing for himself. He’s really hardheaded.”

      “Like the rest of his brothers.”

      Harley’s expression was thoughtful. “Except this one has a marshmallow center.”

      Which was about the last thing Courtney expected to hear.