Her Very Own Family by Trish Milburn Page B

asked.
    Audrey tried to quell her rising panic and sound casual. “No.” She didn’t elaborate, afraid her voice would break. She needed to get Nelson and Brady out of here before this stranger said something to ruin everything. Despite her care, she felt Brady tense.
    When Nelson came to a stop, she slid out of the truck and headed straight for the man. She forced a friendly smile she was far from feeling. “Hello, can I help you?”
    The man stood, his khakis and golf shirt contrasting with her shorts and tee. “Yes, I’m Joe Spellman. We’ve spoken before.”
    The reporter. The bastard didn’t take no for an answer. Her panic ratcheted up another notch.
    She spoke, interrupting him before he said any more. “Oh, yes, if you’ll give me a few minutes, we’ll talk.” Again, before he could respond, she spun and walked toward Nelson and Brady to keep them from coming any closer. She felt her fake smile threaten to crack as she turned her back to Spellman.
    Brady saw her distress and took a few steps toward her. “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing. I’ve just got to take care of some business. How about we plan that dinner for tomorrow night instead?”
    Brady stepped closer and lowered his voice. “I can stay.”
    “No need.”
    He glanced past her toward Spellman before capturing her gaze. “I saw how that guy being here affected you when we drove up. You didn’t want to see him. I’m not leaving you here alone.”
    She glanced to where Nelson was also eyeing Spellman, then edged back a step. “You’re overreacting. He isn’t here to hurt me.” Not physically, anyway.
    “Who is he?”
    “Nobody. Really, you two go on home. Tell Sophie we’ll reschedule the dinner.”
    He looked like he was going to argue again, so she took one of his hands between hers. “I’m fine, I swear. I’ll see you in the morning.”
    Brady shot what could only be called a warning lookover her shoulder toward Spellman. It might have annoyed her at some points during her life, but right now it warmed her to have someone care about her even a little. But she had to get him out of here before Spellman destroyed what might be the start of something.
    Her common sense tried to intrude, telling her that there could never be anything more than what she currently had with Brady. If she went further, she’d have to tell him about who she was. And she couldn’t envision that turning out well.
    “Will it help if I promise to call if I need you?”
    Brady still didn’t look happy about leaving, but he nodded.
    “Are you sure?” Nelson asked from the other side of his truck.
    “Yes.” Please, just go before Spellman opens his mouth again.
    For a moment, she thought Brady might kiss her. Part of her so wanted that kiss, but she couldn’t allow that to happen in front of the reporter. She didn’t want Brady touched by whatever Spellman had in mind. Instead of moving in for a kiss, however, Brady squeezed her hand then headed for his own truck. She didn’t move until he followed his father down the lane and out of sight.
    “Looks like you’ve made some friends here already,” Spellman said from behind her.
    She took a deep, slow breath before facing him, but it didn’t help. Her nerves were still firing like a string of firecrackers. “What do you want?”
    “An interview.”
    “No.”
    “Hear me out.” He advanced a few steps toward her.
    She maneuvered past him to situate herself next to the porch. If he became too much of a problem, she could go inside and lock him out. “You people made my life hell for months. What makes you think I’d cooperate now?”
    He looked confused. “Didn’t you get my message?”
    “I erased it.”
    “What I said was that I wanted to tell your side of the story.”
    She pointed toward herself. “My side of the story is the truth.”
    “Then let’s tell people that.”
    She shook her head. “I tried that already. Didn’t work out so well.” She sighed. “I just want to get on