Read Online Whose Bed Is It Anyway? by Natalie Anderson - Free Book Online

the only Wolfe who helps out people in trouble,’ George answered.
    James paused as his pulse did a quickstep. Then he couldn’t resist asking, ‘She’s in trouble?’
    â€˜She’s had a rough time. So be nice and don’t make her life any harder than what it is.’
    Harder than what? James gritted his teeth. He knew there was something up. He should have asked her more. ‘Who is she? What happened?’ He held his breath, aware she was only a few feet away and probably awake and listening to every word.
    â€˜Why don’t you ask her? Actually talk to a person for a change.’ George laughed, clearly missing the tension stringing out James. ‘How are you both squeezing in there? I thought the refurb was going to take a few weeks.’
    â€˜Longer. But we’re managing,’ James hedged. ‘I’m only here for a day or two. Where are you?’
    â€˜The cottage.’
    At home ? ‘Really?’ The knowledge kicked him under the ribs. His twin was back. With his family.
    â€˜Uh-huh. And Mum’s coming. She’s going to want to talk to you—’
    â€˜George, no, don’t. Tell her I’m—’
    â€˜Tell her yourself.’
    â€˜Tell me what?’ A third, distant, voice echoed along the line.
    Damn . ‘Hey, Mum.’ James pressed his body into the rug and closed his eyes tight.
    â€˜James! You’re in New York?’ His mother sounded breathless in surprise. ‘When are you coming to see us?’
    There it was. No preamble. No niceties—no ‘how was your trip’. It was straight into the expectation. The demand. And it was fair enough—she was his mum after all.
    â€˜It’s been so long since we’ve seen you,’ she added.
    â€˜It’s been busy.’ He gripped the handset tightly.
    â€˜But not now?’
    â€˜No, still busy. I’m only in town a couple of days. I’m not going to have time to—’
    â€˜Months, James. It’s been months.’ She spoke quietly.
    He turned up to Thanksgiving, to Christmas, to his parents’ birthdays. Couldn’t that be enough? But it wasn’t. He knew his absence bothered them. But he couldn’t sit back and relax. He liked to stay busy. Needed to. James covered his closed eyes with his hand.
    â€˜Is a quick visit too much to ask?’ his mother asked.
    â€˜I’m sorry,’ James spoke briskly. ‘I’m only in New York another day.’
    â€˜Oh.’ There was a pause. Then she rallied. ‘Where are you going next?’
    â€˜Uh.’ He tried to think up something plausible. ‘Conference in Northern Japan.’
    â€˜Japan? Nice.’
    James winced at the disappointment his mother was trying so hard to hide. But if he showed up at home she’d only be more disappointed. Better to keep his visits quick, painless and rare. ‘It should be interesting.’
    â€˜Maybe we’ll see you when you get back.’
    He could hear his mother trying to smile.
    â€˜Maybe,’ he answered.
    The line went dead. James banged the receiver down and cursed. He should never have picked the bloody thing up.
    â€˜Well, well,’ a sultry voice commented slyly.
    James lifted his hand from his eyes and looked up from his awkward position on the floor. She was peering over the edge of the mattress, looking down at him like the cat who’d got the cream.
    â€˜Who’d ever have thought that James Wolfe was capable of lying to his loved ones?’ She inched forward so she hung a little further over the edge, a smile on her lips that spelled trouble. ‘Only another day in New York? Last night you told me you were on holiday for two weeks.’
    â€˜I’m tired.’ He shrugged. ‘I don’t want to spend more time travelling.’
    â€˜Diddums. First world problems.’ Her blue eyes were too alert and all-seeing for this time of the morning.
    â€˜Have you