Ben put an arm around her as they drove to the hospital, and Adrian was, thank goodness, just getting back from an afternoon television appearance in New York.

“I’m coming back right now. I’ll just head straight to the airport.”

“Brody will be so pissed if you come back here without making sure there’s a reason to. Why don’t you wait. Sit tight and I’ll call you the minute I know anything else.”

“Um, let me see. Hmm, what to say, what to say? Oh, I know. Fuck you. I’m coming back. Do you think for one second he’d just hang out in the city to be interviewed and get blown by hot chicks if one of us got hit by a f**kin’ car? If I didn’t know you were only trying to manage everyone and keep us all happy, I’d be insulted. You call me the second you hear anything. I’m in the limo and on the way right now.”

“I told you the just-stay-in-New-York-unless-we-hear-bad-news thing wasn’t going to work for him. You Browns are all stubborn as hell.” Todd looked at her in the rearview mirror. “He’s going to be all right, darlin’.”

Which she knew, of course. But this was her brother, and she’d feel a hell of a lot better when she was able to see it for herself.

Brody was in X-ray when they arrived at the hospital, but the nurse didn’t seem too worried. Another hour passed, Erin stepped out to leave a message on Adrian’s voice mail, and finally they got to see Brody.

“Christ a’mighty, why are you here looking like someone kicked your kitten?” Brody was grumpy in his paper gown, but Erin saw him fight a smile when she fussed over him. “I almost said ‘ate,’ and then I remembered who I was talking to.”

She rolled her eyes. “Someone’s had some pain pills. From the sound of it, they gave you the good stuff. Now, do kindly shut up. You’re coming to our house for a few days, where I can keep an eye on you.”

“You shut up. I’m older and I’m not going to your palace of decadence and deviance.” He made a raspberry sound and Todd burst out laughing.

She didn’t feel like laughing. Erin wanted to punch someone for his scaring the crap out of her. What on earth would she do without Brody? The very thought of him not being around had left her sweaty, grumpy and slightly depressed despite the evidence that he would recover completely.

“You got hit by a car. I’ll be the judge of where you go. A hitand-run. Oh my god. Your neighborhood is so nice. What the hell is the world coming to?”

Brody squeezed her hand. “Baby girl, I’m fine. Some bruising, a bump on my head, but nothing broken. I’m pissy, I’m hungry, and I feel like someone ran over me with a car. I want to go home. I want to eat and take a few more of these very fine painkillers, and I want to watch The Matrix in bed.”

“Adrian is on his way back. I told him to stay in New York but he said bad words to me.”

Brody barked a laugh as he signed the release papers. “You gonna want me to kick his butt? You’re on your own there. The two of you are the exact same. Full of shit. It’s a wonder all my hair didn’t go gray after seeing you through teenagerdom. Now, let’s get me home. I want to stop at Red Mill.”

That was a good sign. “If you want to eat burgers, you must be feeling better.”

Carefully they helped him into the shirt Ben had been smart enough to bring along and led him to the car.

Despite the official okay to leave, Erin worried. She kept at his side, her hand tucked in his even as they drove back. She didn’t plan to let him out of her sight for the time being. The scent of the hospital had been bad enough. If he hadn’t been holding her hand, it would have been shaking.

He brushed his lips over the top of her head. “You all right? I know how much you hate hospitals.”

Being understood that way made her love him even more. This man who, at seventeen, had stepped in to raise his younger siblings. A man who never complained about giving up his dreams to make sure theirs came true. And here he was, bruised and damaged from being hit by a car, and he was worried about her feelings.

“I’m fine. You’re here. Thank God you’re here and okay.” How very blessed she was to have so many wonderful people who loved her.

He sighed and pulled her close. “I sure do love you.”

“Back atcha. By the way—Elise? Your neighbor who called? She sounds really cute. What’s she like?”

Ben burst out laughing. “Honey, let the man get his stitches out before you start trying to play matchmaker, why don’t you?”

Erin blew raspberries at Ben. “What? She seemed very nice. She has one of those soft, gentle voices, but she must have her shit together enough to deal with some stranger covered in ink and blood. I like that. Who’s to say she’s not hot? And looking for a nice man? Sheesh. You have to grab opportunity with both hands when it comes.”

Brody just shook his head and groaned when a wave of dizziness hit. “I’m not looking for a nice woman. I’m not looking for a woman, period. I think she’s got a kid anyway. Probably a husband too. I don’t do married women.”

“Leave him alone, gorgeous.” Todd chuckled, and Erin made a snuffling sound. Brody knew his sister; she did what she wanted to do, accident or not. God knew he was helpless against her most of the time.

“Thank God, we’re home.” Good thing, before his sister had him engaged and choosing silverware patterns with the woman across the street.