Douglas’ direction and instruction, and still loved him deeply, as he did her. They kept in frequent contact and still saw each other on occasion. On a whim, she picked up the phone and dialed, “Hi Doug, it’s Suz. Got some time to catch up? I got some news for you. I met someone and wanted your input…”
Chapter Three
“How old’s your sister?” Kristina asked after Bryon got an earful from Cassie regarding not wanting to wait to go grocery shopping until he got home. He had come by Denny’s to visit Kristina during her break, rose in hand, to congratulate her for accepting Suzanne’s offer to write for her.
“She’ll be 21 next month. She’s a brat, but I adore her.”
“I bet you’re a great big brother,” Kristina commented.
Bryon chuckled, shrugging. “I person ally think I ’m the best, but Cassie says I’m too over-protective. I might be a little . More coffee?”
“Yes, please. So, you two have a pretty big difference in age,” Kristina observed.
“We’re about twelve years apart. Her mom and my dad married when she was eight.”
“Oh, so she’s your step-sister!”
“Yeah, and still a little brat. How about you? Any brothers?”
“None. I have three older sisters who walk on water. I was an ‘accident’ post-vastectomy. My parents are older and didn’t have the energy to deal with another little kid,” she said casually with a hint of sorrow.
“But you’re so cute,” Bryon frowned. “How could they not want to play with you? Man, if it was me, I’d play with you all the time and drive you nuts.”
“Now you sound like a big brother. You are just too sweet. Nah, I was an inconvience and they let me know it. Do you have any other siblings?”
“Middle child. Rob’s one year older and Glenn’s 11 years younger. I have a great family and my dad was always active and attentive in our lives. He met Margie a year after our mother took off and they got married a few months later. She was a great step-mom, too, especially for Glenn. She passed over a year ago.”
“I’m sorry. That must have been terrible. Was it expected?”
“No, it came about suddenly. It was hardest for Cass; but she had us to help. Having a housefull of big, strong men can be a bit overwhelming, but also very comforting, for a scared little girl.”
“She’s lucky,” Kristina said quietly. There was a moment of silence as Bryon studied her. She looked sad.
“Hey, if you ever need to be overwhelmed, you are more than welcome to join us. We are loud, obnoxious and the whole family is a total pain in the ass. Especially when we watch a game. It’s fun,” he squeezed her hand. She didn’t pull away that time.
“I might take you up on that one day,” Kristina smiled sweetly.
Bryon frowned. “I hope so. I’m being serious. I’m not just your teacher and a friend; if you ever need a big brother or a daddy fix, you better call. Hear me, young lady?”
“Yes, I hear you. I need to get back to work and you have shopping to do ,” Kristina said nervously, feeling something tremble deep inside of her, starting in her stomach. His tone, his look, and his words sent a thrill of excitement raging through her body.
“Do you mind if I sit here and work a while ? I hate grocery shopping. Please?” Bryon asked with a cheesy grin .
“Be my guest. It’s quiet and the boss doesn’t mind. More pie?”
“ Are you kidding? I might spoil my dinner and give Cass another reason to yell at me . What do you think?” Bryon held out his empty pl ate.
After another very late evening of working, talking and drinking coffee with Bryon during her breaks, Kristina sat on her bed, laptop in hand. Pausing, she began to write….
‘If you ever need a big brother or daddy fix, you just call. He ar me, young lady?’ These words awakened something inside of me that I did not know existed. A desire, no, a need to feel protected and c a red
Chapter Three
“How old’s your sister?” Kristina asked after Bryon got an earful from Cassie regarding not wanting to wait to go grocery shopping until he got home. He had come by Denny’s to visit Kristina during her break, rose in hand, to congratulate her for accepting Suzanne’s offer to write for her.
“She’ll be 21 next month. She’s a brat, but I adore her.”
“I bet you’re a great big brother,” Kristina commented.
Bryon chuckled, shrugging. “I person ally think I ’m the best, but Cassie says I’m too over-protective. I might be a little . More coffee?”
“Yes, please. So, you two have a pretty big difference in age,” Kristina observed.
“We’re about twelve years apart. Her mom and my dad married when she was eight.”
“Oh, so she’s your step-sister!”
“Yeah, and still a little brat. How about you? Any brothers?”
“None. I have three older sisters who walk on water. I was an ‘accident’ post-vastectomy. My parents are older and didn’t have the energy to deal with another little kid,” she said casually with a hint of sorrow.
“But you’re so cute,” Bryon frowned. “How could they not want to play with you? Man, if it was me, I’d play with you all the time and drive you nuts.”
“Now you sound like a big brother. You are just too sweet. Nah, I was an inconvience and they let me know it. Do you have any other siblings?”
“Middle child. Rob’s one year older and Glenn’s 11 years younger. I have a great family and my dad was always active and attentive in our lives. He met Margie a year after our mother took off and they got married a few months later. She was a great step-mom, too, especially for Glenn. She passed over a year ago.”
“I’m sorry. That must have been terrible. Was it expected?”
“No, it came about suddenly. It was hardest for Cass; but she had us to help. Having a housefull of big, strong men can be a bit overwhelming, but also very comforting, for a scared little girl.”
“She’s lucky,” Kristina said quietly. There was a moment of silence as Bryon studied her. She looked sad.
“Hey, if you ever need to be overwhelmed, you are more than welcome to join us. We are loud, obnoxious and the whole family is a total pain in the ass. Especially when we watch a game. It’s fun,” he squeezed her hand. She didn’t pull away that time.
“I might take you up on that one day,” Kristina smiled sweetly.
Bryon frowned. “I hope so. I’m being serious. I’m not just your teacher and a friend; if you ever need a big brother or a daddy fix, you better call. Hear me, young lady?”
“Yes, I hear you. I need to get back to work and you have shopping to do ,” Kristina said nervously, feeling something tremble deep inside of her, starting in her stomach. His tone, his look, and his words sent a thrill of excitement raging through her body.
“Do you mind if I sit here and work a while ? I hate grocery shopping. Please?” Bryon asked with a cheesy grin .
“Be my guest. It’s quiet and the boss doesn’t mind. More pie?”
“ Are you kidding? I might spoil my dinner and give Cass another reason to yell at me . What do you think?” Bryon held out his empty pl ate.
After another very late evening of working, talking and drinking coffee with Bryon during her breaks, Kristina sat on her bed, laptop in hand. Pausing, she began to write….
‘If you ever need a big brother or daddy fix, you just call. He ar me, young lady?’ These words awakened something inside of me that I did not know existed. A desire, no, a need to feel protected and c a red
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