The Sapphire Brooch by Katherine Logan (best novels to read to improve english .txt) π

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- Author: Katherine Logan
Read book online Β«The Sapphire Brooch by Katherine Logan (best novels to read to improve english .txt) πΒ». Author - Katherine Logan
Braham swiped at the tears in his eyes. His heart was now lodged in his throat. βSheβs here? Where?β
Jack pointed toward the side of the house. βOver by the barn.β He then gave Braham a scrutinizing look. βYou need to clean up first. Come up to my room and take a shower. Iβll find you something more appropriate to wear.β
Braham jerked his thumb in the direction of the vehicles. βWhatβs going on here?β
βItβs Derby weekend. Elliott and Davidβs horse is an early five-two favorite for the Kentucky Derby tomorrow. There hasnβt been this much hype surrounding a horse in over a quarter of a century. The three-year-old stallion is a favorite to win the Triple Crown, and right now he looks unbeatable.β
Braham hustled up the stairs, following Jack to the second-floor landing. βIs the race here on the farm?β
Jack led him down the hallway and into his guest room. βItβs at Churchill Downs in Louisville. The farm is hosting a breakfast in the morning for a few hundred of Elliott and Meredithβs friends. Afterward weβll take limos to Louisville for a day of racing. The Derbyβs not until late tomorrow afternoon.β Jack opened the closet door and shoved back hangers, searching through neatly arranged jackets, shirts, and trousers.
βHow long have ye been here?β
βA week. Charlotte and I decided we didnβt want to miss any of the festivities this year. So we came up early.β
Braham tossed his bag on the bed. βI packed my kilt. I only need a shirt and jacket.β He looked around. βWhereβs the bathroom?β
Jack pointed to the door on the opposite wall. βThrough there.β
Braham headed into the adjoining bathroom, looked at the controls on the wall in the stall, and scratched his head. He didnβt want cold water, and he didnβt want scalding water. Finding the perfect temperature, he had discovered, took practice. Today he didnβt have time to experiment. He turned the handle to the left then put his hand into the stream of water. He got it right first try, and stepped into the warm spray, grinning.
βShampoo, shaving cream, razorβeverythingβs in the shower.β Jack carried a light blue shirt and navy jacket into the bathroom and hung the clothes on a hook.
Braham rubbed shampoo into his shoulder-length hair. βDo ye think sheβll be glad to see me?β
βAre you kidding?β Jack folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the sink, laughing. βShe has a picture of you she kisses every night. What do you think?β
βI was afraid she might have found someone else.β Braham turned off the water, grabbed a towel, and stepped out of the shower.
A man with a recognizable Scottish burr called from the bedroom. βJack, where are ye?β
Still chuckling, Jack said, βIn here.β
David entered the bathroom carrying two beers and came to an immediate stop, squeaking rubber-soled boots on the marble floor. βWell, Iβll be damned.β He shoved both cans at Jack, pushed up his sleeves, and slugged Braham in the gut.
Braham dropped to his knees, sucking wind like a man with asthma. βWhat the hell was that for?β
David scowled, fisting both hands. βBecause ye waited more than three fucking years to show up.β
Braham pulled to his feet. βItβs been over four for me.β
David threw a right-left jab to Brahamβs gut, although not as hard as the first punch, and Braham doubled over. βI thought ye were smarter than that,β David said.
Braham grabbed hold of the counter, weaving slightly. βIf yeβre going to hit me again, go on and take yer shot. Letβs get this over with.β
David relaxed his rigid stance and said in a lighter tone, βIβm done. Get dressed and Iβll give ye a welcome hug. I donβt hug naked men.β
βWhat naked man arenβt ye going to hug?β Elliott entered the bathroom and grabbed the doorjamb when he saw Braham. βWell, Iβll be damned. When did ye get here?β Elliott extended his hand and shook Brahamβs with a forceful grip.
βHe just arrived. But I wasnβt about to let him hug my sister until he cleaned up. David thought he needed more than a bath.β
Elliott crossed his arms and glanced from David rubbing his hand to Braham rubbing his belly. Elliott made a noise deep in his throat which didnβt need interpretation. βWell, get dressed, then. The vanβs ready to take Stormyβs Sun to the track and Meredith wants a group picture. Ye best be in it.β He smiled at Braham. βYeβre part of the circle now.β
βCharlotte doesnβt know heβs here, Elliott. Donβt ruin the surprise,β Jack said.
βSheβs yer sister.β Elliott walked out of the room, shrugging. βYe know her best. Iβll at least warn Meredith. David, Iβll see ye at the barn.β
A few minutes later, standing in front of the mirror dressed in kilt, blue shirt and blazer, Braham brushed the tangles out of his hair. His jaw quivered, and he cleared his throat roughly. βAre ye sure sheβll be glad to see me?β
Jack popped open one of the cans and took a long pull on the beer. βSheβll be thrilled.β
Braham pushed his hair behind his ears. βHow do I look?β
βLike a damn Scot in a kilt. How do you think you look? Come on, letβs go.β
Suddenly, panic grabbed a foothold in a pocket of fear, and Braham hesitated. βI donβt want to see disappointment on her face. Maybe ye should tell her Iβm here. Give her time to adjust to the idea before she sees me.β
Jack tugged on the jacketβs lapels. βOnce she sees those legs, sheβll be smiling. Trust me. I wouldnβt lie to you.β
Braham dug his hands into the pockets of the jacket, and his heart lurched. Throughout his life, when he needed courage most, it came from unexpected places. His fingers clasped the length of a thin cotton cordβthe cord that had tied the hood around Jackβs headβthe cord Jack had
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