LITMIR.BIZ

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home,” Kendall said, following him inside.

      Shaman washed his hands at the sink, his mind on the condition of the farmhouse roof. It had occurred to him that if Jonas was going to hire a contractor who would subcontract out the roofs for the outbuildings, maybe getting this one replaced at the same time would be financially expedient. In his opinion, it was badly needed.

      “I’m sorry. What did you say?” He looked at his sister.

      Kendall sat on the old leather-topped stool in front of the counter. “Mom wants you to come home.”

      “Because?”

      “Because you can do this kind of work there. She says you spent enough years away in the military.” His sister’s face softened as she looked at him. “We miss you.”

      “I miss you, too, but this is my job.”

      “You have a job. It’s called Gil Phillips, Inc.,” she reminded him.

      “This is a paying job, something not all of my friends have been able to find once they got back to the States. Besides, haven’t you heard you can never go home?”

      Kendall gave him a look of disgust. “That’s for other people. Our home represents our livelihood.”

      Shaman smiled at her. “Not mine.”

      “You’re being difficult, Shaman. What is it about this place that has you and Gage so obsessed?” She glanced around the airy kitchen. “Really, it’s kind of a dump.”

      “It’s actually pretty nice.” He thought the farmhouse was quiet and cheerful. Mostly it was quiet, and that he needed.

      “I do not understand.” Kendall shrugged delicately. “This place could use a decorator.”

      “I’ll put your name into the hat for Jonas Callahan.”

      “Don’t you dare.” She slid off the stool, walking around the kitchen. “You need to come home. Xav’s decided to get married.”

      Shaman blinked. “To whom?”

      “To some gold digger. Mom is up in arms.”

      “What does that have to do with me?” He tossed the dish towel he’d used onto the counter. “Xav’s life is his own.”

      “Mom wants you to talk sense into him.”

      Shaman shook his head. “Not me. I leave all the gold digger talks in your capable hands.” If Xav’s sweetie wasn’t appropriate in some way, he figured Kendall would have her wrapped up in so much legal tape she’d barely be able to move.

      “Mom thinks it would be better coming from you. Older, wiser brother.”

      “No, what might have helped is if Xav had ever been able to get out from under your and Mom’s hands. And purse strings. Seeing the world doesn’t hurt a man.” Although sometimes it had hurt him, Shaman amended silently. Sometimes it had hurt a lot. But he was tougher for it, too.

      Kendall gave him a look that was distinctly displeased. “Shaman, Xav looks up to you—”

      A knocking at the door stopped her words, for which Shaman was glad. The last thing he was going to do was get involved in a family issue. He opened the door, his whole day brightening at the sight of Tempest on his porch. “Hi, Cupertino.”

      “Hi.”

      He didn’t open the door wider, but noted that she had her picnic basket, so dinner was about to be served. And maybe dessert as well. This was good. Lately, he had a sense of unease that everything in their relationship was about to change. She’d seemed a bit distant somehow, and he’d been bracing himself.

      It felt great just to look at her, and know she’d come back one more time.

      “Your niece came by to see me,” Tempest said.

      “Oh?” Shaman didn’t open the door any farther, trying to keep Tempest and his sister apart as long as possible, reluctant for his two worlds to collide.

      “Yeah. She thinks I should have a baby,” Tempest said, clearly teasing. From behind him, Shaman heard, “Oh, great, just great,” from Kendall.

      “Do you have company?” Tempest tried to look around him. “I saw the car, but I thought it was—”

      “It’s mine.” Kendall glanced around Shaman’s shoulder, then gave him a little shove to get him out of her way. She was nothing if not determined. “Is there a baby in that basket? Or are you just looking for a husband?”

      “Kendall,” Shaman said, “back off, sister, dear. Come in, Tempest. Join the dysfunctional family.”

      Kendall sniffed, checking her out as Tempest entered. Both women were blonde and gorgeous, but there was no doubt that Tempest was taller and more statuesque. Still, neither of them would look bad on a magazine cover.

      “Girls, girls, there’s no need to fight. Kendall wants me to go home, and you want to have a baby. Can’t we work things out?”

      Tempest put her basket on the counter and began pulling things from it. “Doesn’t sound like it. However, I just happened to bring enough for three.” She looked at Kendall, who was still bristling. “You can join us. That is, if you eat.”

      “I eat.” She came over to check out Tempest’s menu. “Is that Brie?”

      “It is. And this is a light, crisp white wine, if you drink that. Also, this is sliced avocado on wheat, if you eat avocado. Some caviar, if you know what that is.”

      “I do,” Kendall snapped. She took a plate from Tempest and helped herself to the repast. “I guess if you’re stalking a man for a baby, at least you bring decent bait.”

      Shaman laughed. “Kendall, you haven’t changed a bit.”

      “Oh?” Tempest looked up from making a plate for him. “She doesn’t get out of her cage often?”

      He couldn’t help laughing harder. The outraged look on Kendall’s face was too perfect. “Be sweet to my overprotective sister, Tempest. She means well.” He kissed Kendall’s cheek, then Tempest’s. “Now you girls make up, because I say so. And I appear to be the rooster in the henhouse today.”

      “Whatever,” Kendall said. “She just has unusual opening lines.”

      “You have a big mouth,” Tempest said pleasantly. “I could probably recommend a voice coach for you.”

      Shaman happily ate the grub Tempest had brought him. “So, we’re going to have to work some things out. One, I’m not going home, Kendall, no matter what’s happening at the old haunt. And two, I’m not interested in having a baby, Cupertino.” He gazed at both of them, deciding he was a lucky guy to have two ladies that cared about him, sort of. “So what else did our niece have on her mind?”

      Tempest shook her head. “Cat is happy as can be.”

      “Come on,” Kendall said, munching on the avocado-laden toast. “Don’t hold back just because of me.”

      “She said Gage had come over to pound the stuffing out of you,” Tempest admitted to Shaman. “I thought I better check on you and make sure you weren’t incapacitated.”

      Both siblings laughed.

      “Gage wishes he could pound the stuffing out of you?” Kendall looked at her brother. “What’s got him out of sorts, anyway?”

      “I don’t know. This job, I guess.” Shaman didn’t care right now. “Are you staying, Kendall?”

      She glanced at Tempest. “No.”

      “Don’t go because of me,” Tempest said.

      Kendall gave her a sour look. “I’m off to Rancho Diablo to check on my other brother, the one who isn’t in hiding out here in the middle of

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