Finding Forever (Living Again #4) Read Online Free

no way he could go home.
    Evan’s voice became serious. “What happened?”
    Brant filled him in, trying hard not to allow his voice to crack. Everyone knew that men shouldn’t show emotion. Well, according to his dad, anyway. He left out the part about Lacey, saying only Dr. Russell. He wasn’t in the mood for an inquisition.
    “Want to meet for drinks? Sounds like you could use a few to take the edge off.”
    “I sure as hell don’t want to go home. Let’s say 7? I’m going to walk the river right now, pretend that Max is with me. And I have a shoot next week so I won’t be drinking the rest of the week to prepare.”
    “Okay, Cosmo. See you later. I’m glad Max is going to be okay, man. I hope the asshole that hit him is caught.”
    Brant ended the call, pulling the truck into the parking lot he had been to so many times he could come there with his eyes closed. There was something about the river that just calmed him, centered him. Usually, as soon as he would pull up, Max would start whining, ready to get out. He loved it here as much as Brant did, if not more. It felt wrong to be here without Max, but then again, it would be even worse at home. At least he was going to be okay. He prayed that nothing happened overnight.
     

     
    Brant walked along the edge of the river, stopping every once and a while to skip a rock along the water. His thoughts were consumed between that big teddy bear of a dog and the brown-haired doctor that was taking care of him. She looked young, around his age. She was probably fresh out of school. He found himself wondering if she grew up around here and what her story was. Growing up around tons of animals, people that loved animals were always top on his list. What had made her want to be a vet?
    He smiled as he realized he would see her tomorrow when he went to check on Max. Unless she wasn’t working for some reason. He hoped she was. He had no intention of starting anything serious with her, but she intrigued him, that was for sure.
    Checking his watch, he realized he had been there for over two hours and probably should get going if he had a chance in making it on time to meet Evan.
    Turning around to head back towards the truck, he stopped in his tracks. His eyes were playing tricks on him, right? He took two steps forward and then stopped again. It sure did look like her. Maybe he just wanted it to be her.
    A figure that looked a lot like Lacey was huddled next to the water. He couldn’t see her face, and she was now wearing a pair of jeans and a button down shirt, but she resembled her enough to make him start walking in her direction. And what exactly was he going to do if it was her? Ask her how Max was? Two hours after he left there? Make small talk? Ask her out?
    He had no idea, and felt that this might be a bad idea, but his feet kept moving anyway. If it wasn’t her; hell, even if it was, this could become awkward quickly. As he got closer, his eyes scanned her long brown hair, now braided in one single braid down her back. Her back was still to him, but all he knew was that he was being pulled by some force bigger than him to keep walking.
    Close enough now to smell the same flowery perfume that had lingered on him after he kissed her hand, his stomach clenched at the gasping cries that were coming from her mouth. She was huddled over, her shoulders shaking. The instinct he had to go wrap his arms around her shuddering shoulders almost overtook him before he stopped himself from moving forward. He felt frozen. He should leave, he knew that. He had no business being here, invading her personal moment.
    “Aubrey?” her wobbly voice called out, not turning around. He turned to look behind him, but saw nothing. Even if he walked away now, she would still see him if she turned around.
    “Lacey?” The second her name was out of his mouth, he regretted it. What was he doing?
    She scrambled up, wiping her eyes furiously. “W-what are you doing here?”
    Brant opened