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couple of days after he’d returned from Iraq, when he’d still been jet-lagged and trying to decompress. “I heard about the broken leg, and she mentioned some internal injuries. I chewed her out for not telling me sooner, but she claimed I was overreacting and said she was doing fine. When I pressed for more information, the best I could get was a promise of more details when I got back to St. Louis. She was much more interested in talking about her new puppy.”
    “That’s what I figured.” Cole raked his fingers through his hair. “Look, I agreed—under duress—not to say much until she has a chance to see you. But the truth is, she’s not doing fine. She was hurt a lot worse than she implied.”
    A knot formed in Jake’s stomach. “How much worse?”
    Several beats of silence ticked by as Cole regarded his brother. “We weren’t sure she was going to make it.”
    A jolt of shock ricocheted through him, followed by a surge of white-hot anger. “And no one told me?”
    “Alison’s orders. She didn’t want you worrying.”
    “I’m her big brother. That’s my job.”
    “Don’t let her hear you say that. Her independent streak is wider than ever. And much as she loves you, she has mixed feelings about you coming home. She’s afraid her accident is one of the reasons you suddenly decided to move back to St. Louis.”
    “It is. It was a wake-up call that I need to spend more time with my family. To be here for you guys.”
    “A word of warning—keep that tidbit to yourself if you want to preserve the peace. Alison even sent Mom packing back to Chicago, amid much maternal protest.”
    “Okay. So you tell me how’s she doing, since she obviously gave me the sanitized version.”
    “She’s made progress. But she still goes to therapy twice a week. The fractures in her leg are healing. I’m not so certain about the one in her heart.”
    Jake frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    Sticking his hands in his pockets, Cole blew out a breath. “I’m getting in way too deep here. Alison will be furious if she finds out I spilled all this before she had a chance to talk to you.”
    “You’re in too far to back out now. Let’s have it.”
    “I take it she didn’t tell you about David.”
    “What about David?” Last he’d heard, things were heating up between his sister and the up-and-coming Legal Aid attorney she’d been dating. He’d assumed an engagement announcement was imminent.
    “He dumped her.”
    “What! Why?”
    “Because as a result of those internal injuries she casually mentioned to you, she can’t have children. And he wanted a family.”
    As he worked through that latest piece of news, Jake’s lips settled into a grim line. “What kind of man walks away from a woman because a drunk driver robbed her of the ability to have children?”
    “A jerk?”
    “I have a stronger word in mind. But better she saw his true character now than before they tied the knot.”
    “I’m sure she agrees with that assessment. In theory. Anyway, you might want to give her a call when you have five minutes.”
    “Like that’s going to happen anytime soon.” Jake shoved his fingers through his hair. “You know, I expected things to be quieter in St. Louis.”
    True to form, his brother had a smart comeback. “Maybe trouble just follows you around.” With a mock salute, he strolled toward the hall. “One of your guys made a coffee run. I think I’ll help myself. And when you talk to Alison, do me a favor. Don’t mention this conversation.”
    As Cole headed toward the muffled voices in the kitchen, Jake toyed with the idea of calling his sister now. But he’d rather be focused on her when they talked. And at the moment, he was preoccupied with the safety of a certain judge.
    Once Liz was ensconced in the condo and he was satisfied with the security measures, he’d go home for a few hours. Shower. Eat. Sleep. Then, after he was rested and thinking clearly, he’d call his sister.