Chapter 1

He was bone weary, Harvey realized as he dragged the dirty T-shirt over his head and dumped it into the hamper inside his room. Missing its mark, it landed a few inches away, due no doubt to the overflowing content of the basket.

He was going to have to do laundry soon, or he would run the peril of running out of underwear. Either that, or he could pick some up on his way to the work site tomorrow.

Stripping off the faded denim, caked with mud, he left it where it was and entered the shower. Closing his eyes, he ducked his head under the lukewarm water and allowed it to beat down on him.

Blindly reaching for the shower gel, he poured it over his head and lathered it into his thick ink ink-black hair. He had contemplated cutting the long strands that almost reached his back several times but decided against it.

Turning off the tap, he passed his hands over his hair and stepped out of the shower. Reaching for the towel, he wrapped it over his head and strolled into the bedroom, stopping short and hissing out a frustrated breath when he saw the man sitting on the only chair.

Completely unashamed of his nudity, he made his way to the chest of drawers and yanked out the second drawer.

"This is becoming a damn habit, and before you admonish me about swearing, let me remind you this is my fricking place." Picking out a well-worn pair of sweats, he put it on and turned to face his brother.

"I brought you food."

"I ate at the job site, and you are not my damned servant." Biting off a sigh as Silas continued to stare at him, he sat on the edge of the bed and took the proffered dish.

"Antoine made duck, and I know it's your favorite. And Mom told you she will send someone to do some cleaning." Silas' light green eyes glimmered in amusement at the look on his face.

Both men were brothers, but as unalike as two people could ever be, and it was not just in looks; they were as different as night and day. Unsurprisingly, Harvey was adopted into the family when he was six years old after the Blackwoods gave up all hope of ever having children.

Two years after the adoption, they discovered that they would have a baby. But they loved Harvey as if he were their biological son. Harvey had long black hair and silver eyes. He was six feet three inches tall, with bulging muscles and tanned skin that indicated he spent most of his time outdoors.

Silas was seemingly unassuming, with ash-blonde hair and light green eyes. He was three inches shorter than his brother and did not have the smoldering sexuality that emanated from Harvey in waves.

Both men had chosen paths that had taken their parents a long time to accept. Harvey did not care about the multi-billion-dollar fortune. Instead of going into the corporate office, he worked on housing projects in the various areas acquired by Blackwood Housing Corporation. He slung hammers and drilled walls with the rest of the team.

Silas had chosen to go into ministry and was soon to be a full-fledged priest of the local congregation.

"I will talk to her."

"That's not going to make a difference, and you know it."

Dipping the fork into the tender meat, he took an appreciative bite and eyed his brother.

"What brings you here?"

"My ceremony is in two weeks."

"I am aware. Why?"

"I would like your word that you will be there." Leaning forward, Silas propped his elbows on his knees and gave him an entreating look. "I know you think you don't believe in God- "

"I don't think I know," Harvey stated. "Nonetheless, it's important to you so that I will show."

"And stay for the entire thing? It's important to me that you do."

"You ask a hell of a lot."

"You are my brother," Silas told him simply.

Harvey felt the familiar lurch of his heart. For the first few years, he had waited for the couple who adopted him to send him back and had preempted them by doing everything in his power to make them change their minds.

When he discovered they would have their baby, he doubled his efforts, but no matter what he did or how atrocious his behavior was. They had patiently shown him they were his parents; nothing he did would change that. Silas had been drawn to him since birth and had followed him around like a lost puppy.

Nothing he did had turned him off, and Harvey finally discovered that he was as much a part of the family as the son who had been born into it. He had been sent to the best schools and had graduated at the top of his class at Yale without putting much effort into his studies.

His parents had discovered that he had a natural intelligence that had astounded them and made them incredibly proud. He was excellent at figures and had a swift head that could grasp anything. He could have been a banker or a lawyer but had chosen to work on the various sites for which they were responsible.

Nothing his parents said had made a difference, and they had dented his resolve and left him to his own devices. He had also moved out of the manor and was living in a trailer on the grounds because he wanted to come and go as he pleased. He had bluntly told his parents that he was not uncomfortable with a vast amount of wealth.

He was also thirty-two and showed no signs of settling down. His looks, cynicism, and wealth made him a magnet for women, and his reputation made his parents desperate for him to settle down and give them grandchildren.

After finishing the meal, he handed Silas the container and went to the small fridge to take out a six-pack.

"Beer?" He asked, one thick brow lifted in amusement.

"Just one, thanks."

Tossing the can to him, he straddled a chair from the kitchen. "How is the old man?"

"You will find that out for yourself if you bother to come to the house," Silas told him. "They miss you, Harv."

"I was there two weeks ago. The job has been pressuring. We are two months behind schedule, and the prospective residents are crying breach of contract. It does not matter a damn to them that we have been experiencing a hell of a lot of bad weather.

Too much rain, and with fall already here, it's as cold as bitch." He grinned at his brother's wince at his constant use of profanities. "You should be accustomed to my way of speaking."

"You would think that after knowing you for so many years, one would think that."

"So, how is he?"

"The cough is still there, but Jeff said it was nothing to worry about. They want you over for Sunday dinner."

"If I am now working- "

"Mom said to tell you that's not negotiable."

He swore ripe and loudly, chugging down beer, the irritation ripe on his handsome face.

"I have a date."

"Break it," Silas said with steely determination as he sipped his beer. "Family happens to be more important than some tail you are chasing."

Harvey stared at him before he burst out laughing. "There is hope for you yet."

His brother inclined his head, a smile tugging at his lips. "I have learned from the best."

Finishing the beer, he rose and tossed the can into the recycle bin. "They are not the only ones who miss you, Harv. I got used to popping into your room and just chatting."

"There is such a thing as the telephone." He walked his brother out. "And I live on the damn property."

"You don't answer your phone and never return missed calls. Not to mention the fact that you are never home. I was watching for your jeep from my window, and that's how I realized you were home."

Harvey followed him along the winding path that led towards the pool and the arbor with the bowers of flowers that were their mother's pride and joy.

Blackwood Manor was a lovely two-story mansion that sat on several hundred acres of land and boasted a basketball court, a tennis court, and two pools. Harvey took advantage of the pool and spent time swimming whenever the weather permitted.

"This is where we part ways." He stopped at the lake and felt the chill permeating the thin sweater he had donned before leaving home.

"I have your promise that you will be there Sunday?" Silas was determined to get his word and knew that his parents would ask him first whether he was successful.

"You are like a nagging wife," Harvey growled.

"Your word, Harv."

"Dammit, yes. Now go before I change my mind."

"I love you."

He went still at that. It was something he had had to get used to over the years, the open affection and the fact that they were not afraid to say it to them. He never said it back, of course, because, for some reason, the words could not pass his throat. But they never seemed to mind, and they never stopped saying it.

"Yeah, well." Clearing his throat, he dragged his fingers through his tangled hair and looked at the palm trees waving in the stiff breeze.

"You are not wearing a jacket," he continued in a rough, tender voice. "And we both know what weak constitution you possess, and the parents will have my head if you get sick."

Silas hid a smile at his discomfiture and decided to let it go. "I am as strong as an ox. I was not the one who had pneumonia at sixteen and had to miss his prom."

"Who said I was that ill?" Harvey asked with a grin.

"I knew you were faking it!"

"I think our parents knew as well. Now get out of here; I will see you Sunday."

Harvey watched him leave, a slight smile on his face. Silas was the kind of person one could never be upset with, at least not for a long stretch.

The boy had followed him around as soon as he could walk and had forced his way into this heart. Harvey had tried not to care, but he had been so insistent and innocently caring that he had been unable to help himself.

He would barge into Harvey's room without knocking and want to find out what was happening. It was he who had taught Silas how to play touch football and how to score at basketball.

He had also taught him how to drive when he was only twelve, frightening their parents. Harvey had wrecked two vehicles by the time he was seventeen and had been banned from driving for six months.

But after seeing how greatly affected they had been, he had promised to be more cautious and kept his word. Feeling the chill biting through the thin sweater, he turned and returned home. It was going over the blueprint again for him and then off to bed. He had promised the contractor that he would be there early enough to start on the porch.

*****

"How is he?" His mother had silently materialized from the yellow salon and gave him a start.

"Mother." Shaking his head, Silas strode forward to take her delicate hands in his. Julia was in her mid-sixties and had been forty-two when he was born. She had told Silas that the Lord had blessed her considerably; after spending years yearning for a child, he had graced her with two very handsome sons.

"Harvey is fine. He ate everything I brought over to him." Squeezing her hands, he led her into the salon and waited until she was seated before taking a seat across from her. "And he will be here for supper on Sunday."

"Thanks, darling." She gave him a fond look out of bright green eyes. She longed to have grandchildren to cradle in her arms, but neither of her sons showed any signs of settling down. But she was a praying woman and had been doubling up on her prayer requests as of late.

"How is Dad?"

"Still coughing. I gave him some more of the medicine Jeff prescribed. How does he look?"

Back to Harvey again, he thought wryly, not in the least bit threatened. Harvey was difficult to love, and they knew he would walk through fire for them even though he had never said the words. "He looks as if he has been working hard."

Julia shook her head with a sigh. "We hope to persuade him to come to the office for Monday's board meeting." She glanced at her younger son. "That means you as well, darling."

"I will be there." Silas rose and came to kneel in front of her. "I hope the day won't come when you are disappointed in me."

Her eyes flared. Lifting her hand, she smoothed back his ash-blonde hair, her exact shade. "Never. You have chosen to go where the Lord has pointed, and I cannot have a say against that." Sliding her hand down, she patted his cheek.

"Go on up and say goodnight to your Dad. He will be waiting to hear news about our Harvey. I have some things to take care of before I turn in. The fall charity ball is coming up, and I promised to give them my input."

Rising, he leaned over and kissed her cheek before leaving the room. Her smile faded as she rose and went to the window. From her vantage point, she could barely see the light from where her son calls home. They had argued about him leaving the manor some three years ago, but he had told her bluntly that it was time to let him go.

"It's not like I am moving out of state or even taking up residence at one of the apartments. I am staying within reach. I just need my own space."

"You have an entire suite of your own." She had protested.

"With servants underfoot all the time. When it's not Silas barging in, you and Dad want to seek my opinion on some triviality. Enough is enough now, so don't try to make me feel guilty. I am leaving."

She had stopped trying to persuade him to stay, afraid she would drive him away. Absently, her fingers stroked the heavy maroon curtain as she recalled how many years he had taken to accept them as his parents.

He had been abandoned at the group home when he was three years old and passed over for adoption so many times that he had started to feel rejected all over again.

As soon as she had seen the untidy, ink-black-haired boy with tired-looking silver eyes, she had told her husband that he was the one. And she had loved him since she had eyes on him, which had never changed.

Watching as the light went off, indicating he had turned in for the night, she turned away and went to respond to her correspondences. First thing tomorrow, she will send a maid over there to do central cleaning and laundry.

*****

Kendra flitted around the space, righting the upturned pots and sweeping off the soil her customers had displaced during the day. She adored this time of reflection and silence. She had not even bothered to turn on the speaker, preferring to work silently.

Her two employees had left half an hour ago, and she securely locked the door and turned the closed sign around. She had also turned off the leading lights and secured the alarm. She lived and worked in a very peaceful and quiet neighborhood, but she was a young woman who had been warned not to take chances.

Her tiny apartment was upstairs, and whenever she finished her routine, she would go up, take a much-needed warm bath, and make a cup of tea.

But that was going to have to wait. She had paperwork to tend to, and as much as she was not looking forward to its tedium, she could not afford a full-time accountant, so the bookkeeping was left up to her.

Never mind that it was fall and the weather was getting cold and uncertain, with rain in the forecast, her services were still needed.

The next day, there was a massive order of chrysanthemums, geraniums, bluebells, and daffodils for the mayor's luncheon and hybrid tea roses for Mrs. Anderson's afternoon tea. She would get a head start on the orders by doing some of the packaging tonight.

Picking up the apron, she tied it around her narrow waist and set to work. She had just started on the mayor's order when her phone rang. Biting an impatient sigh, she dusted off her hands and dug the phone out of her pocket, her eyes lighting up when she saw the name.

"Don't tell me you are stuck on the sermon for Sunday."

"I just wanted to hear your sweet voice to nudge me."

"Silas Blackwood, your flattery will not sway me into giving that speech at the women's ministry on Sunday. I already told you I will have a busy afternoon. Gracie's wedding, and I must rush straight from services to take care of the order."

"You could always get some of the ladies from the ministry to help out."

"Oh, I intend to. But it will take me all afternoon to take care of that particular order. Blame yourself," she admonished him with a smile as she plucked a dead leaf from the hydrangea plant. "It's because of your steady persuasion and announcements in services that I have been getting so many orders."

"So, in other words, I shot myself in the foot." He teased.

"Something like that." She sighed softly. "I will see what I can do."

"That's all I am asking. You have a way with these women. I think it's your beauty combined with how soft-spoken you are."

"Flattery again. Aren't you supposed to know better?"

"Who said anything about flattery? I know you are probably making floral arrangements and must finish my sermon. I will see you on Sunday."

"If not before. You are also required to be at the mayor's luncheon."

"Don't remind me." He groaned.

"He is hoping to ingratiate himself with the Blackwood family. Rumor has it he is aspiring to be governor to make his way slowly and steadily to the White House. Rumor also has it that your family is on a first-name basis with the President."

"Much rumor going around." He rejoined with a chuckle. "I will leave you to it then."

Hanging up, she put her phone away with a smile. She liked Silas Blackwood. When she first met him, she thought he was another rich kid bored with all his resources and dabbling in ministry.

But over the years, he had proven genuine, a person one can relate to. His parents were surprisingly charming people as well, except that brother of his. It had not surprised her to learn that he had been adopted.

He was as different from the rest of the family as night was from day. She had seen him several times when he stopped by to see his brother and thought him rude and far too worldly. She asked Silas one day why he had never attended services, and he smiled gently, nonjudgmentally.

"Harve is a law unto himself. I pray for him daily, but he does not believe in God. When I asked him why, he simply told me that a so-called good God would never sit back and allow all these atrocities to happen in the world. I am afraid I had no answer for him then."

Shaking her head, she returned to work, mindful of the time marching by.