Read Online McKettricks of Texas: Austin by Linda Lael Miller - Free Book Online

circumstances, too, but Paige saw no reason to point that out. “I was supposed to replace one of the nurses at Blue River Clinic—Alice was planning on enlisting in the Navy. There was some kind of hitch, though, and it will be another few months before she starts her training.”
    The expression in Garrett’s McKettrick-blue eyes was kind.
    He and Tate, Paige realized with a start, would be the brothers she’d never had. They had already accepted her as part of the family, and they would look out for her, if only because they loved her sisters.
    Her throat ached with an emotion she was glad she didn’t have to define, because there were no words for it.
    Garrett gave her a few moments to recover before he tried to continue. He said his younger brother’s name, hoarsely, and then faltered.
    â€œGo on,” Paige said very quietly.
    â€œAustin—needs help. He’s never going to admit that, though.”
    Paige nodded, waited. She knew Austin better than most people did, and nothing Garrett had said so far surprised her.
    Garrett sighed again, thrust a hand through his dark-blond hair. “We—Tate and I, that is—think there oughtto be somebody around to sort of keep an eye on Austin when none of us are around, just in case—”
    She didn’t speak, hoping the conclusion she’d just jumped to was wrong.
    â€œAustin needs a nurse,” Garrett finally said, and his tone was decisive.
    â€œA nurse,” Paige repeated dully. “Garrett, tell me you’re not suggesting that I—”
    Garrett merely smiled and raised one eyebrow ever so slightly.
    Paige swallowed. “Don’t you think that would be a little—well— awkward? ”
    â€œAwkward?” Garrett, the skilled political spin doctor, was probably playing her, but he sure sounded confused. “It’s not as if you would have to bathe him or anything intimate like that.”
    She met his gaze and held it. “What is Austin’s diagnosis, exactly?”
    â€œHe has a herniated disc,” Garrett answered, his tone genuinely grave now.
    â€œWill he need surgery?” The question was rhetorical; Paige was thinking out loud. Processing the implications of an injury all too common to athletes, no matter what their sport.
    Garrett rubbed his attractively stubbled chin with one hand as he considered his answer. “That depends,” he finally replied. “If he stays away from the rodeo, gives himself a chance to heal, there’s a good chance he can avoid having an operation.”
    Paige felt faintly sick to her stomach. “You don’t think Austin will actually go along with the idea, do you? I mean, he and I are making an effort to get along—for obvious reasons—but things are still pretty rocky—”
    â€œTate and I aren’t planning on giving Austin a choice in the matter,” Garrett said firmly.
    â€œAnd you want me to…babysit.”
    A slow grin settled over Garrett’s sensual mouth. “That’s about the size of it,” he said with a little nod.
    â€œThere are a lot of private nurses in the world,” Paige said. “Why me?”
    Austin could be heard at the top of the stairs, talking to the dog.
    Paige lowered her voice and added, “You know I infuriate him.”
    Garrett folded his arms, and if they’d been playing poker, Paige would have thrown in any hand short of a royal flush when she saw the flicker of triumph in his eyes. He leaned in and said in a stage whisper, “That’s the idea. We’d make it worth your while.”
    Paige widened her eyes, but before she could say anything in response to Garrett’s remark, Austin was back.
    He’d pulled on jeans and a raggedy T-shirt and his damp hair showed comb ridges, though he hadn’t shaved. That practiced smile flashed across both Paige and Garrett like the sweep of a searchlight, dazzlingly bright, but