On A Night Like This (Callaways #1)

but if it is, that's only going to make me more determined to track this firebug down. You don't need to worry about me, Burke. I can take care of myself."
    "I don't know why I try to help any of you," Burke muttered as he stood up. "You're all so damned stubborn and always think you're right."
    "Just like you," Emma retorted. "It's the Callaway way."
    "I'll see you guys at the hospital later," Burke said. "I have a few things to do first."
    As Burke left, Nicole also rose. "I won't get to the hospital tonight, but I'll see Grandma tomorrow." She smiled at Aiden. "Ryan said you came by the other night and played with Brandon. I appreciate that."
    "He's my nephew. I plan to spend a lot more time with him in the future."
    "Good. He needs as much help as he can get."
    "Don't be afraid to ask for help yourself, Nicole," he said. "I'm here."
    "For how long?" she asked.
    "I don't know, but whatever I do, wherever I go, I plan to stay in better touch."
    Nicole gave him a quick hug. When she left the kitchen, it was just Emma and him. He could see she was itching to ask him a question, and he had a feeling he knew who that question would be about.
    "So what's up with you and Sara?" Emma asked. "Is my friend still in one piece?"
    "Sara is fine. She's an amazing woman."
    "I know that. I've always known that. It's about time you realized it." Emma paused, tilting her head to one side. "Why did you guys run off without a word? I can't believe it was just to hook up away from here. It was too sudden. Something happened.
    "You need to ask Sara that question."
    Emma frowned. "Why all the secret-keeping, Aiden?"
    "Because they're not my secrets to tell. Maybe give Sara a day before you grill her."
    "Do I have a day? When is Sara going back to New York?"
    "She's supposed to leave tomorrow," he answered, feeling the same stabbing sense of loss that he'd felt earlier that day.
    "And you'll just let her go?" Emma queried. "When are you going to realize that you're in love with her, Aiden?"
    Emma's words struck home, words he hadn't allowed himself to speak out loud, much less to anyone else. But he didn't do love—did he?
    Emma got up from her chair and crossed the room, stopping right in front of him. He towered over her small frame, but he could still feel the force of her personality.
    "Sara is my friend," she said. "And I know you hurt her when we were teenagers. She never gave me the details, but she had this crazy crush on you, and while I couldn't imagine why that was, she seemed to have really strong feelings for you. Something tells me you haven't discouraged those feelings on this trip. If you care for her at all, Aiden, you need to be up front with her."
    "I've always been up front with her. I'm not a relationship guy."
    "Aren't you? You care more about your family and friends than most of the guys I know. Those are relationships, too."
    "That's different."
    "That's true. But you have a tremendous capacity for love, and I hate to see it going to waste. I also do not want to see two people who are perfect for each other giving up without a fight. You have to be the one who goes all in first, Aiden," Emma added. "You owe her that. You broke her heart once. She's not going to be able to put herself out there for you."
    Emma was right. It was his turn.
    "Don't you dare let her leave without telling her how you really feel," Emma continued.
    "This really isn't your business," he said.
    "You're my brother, and Sara is my friend. This is totally my business," Emma snapped. "I know you like to play the bachelor, but you have a woman who is worth a long-term commitment, and if you let her go, you are out of your mind. You will not find anyone better than Sara."

    * * *
    Sara walked into her father's hospital room feeling strangely calm and oddly confident. For the first time in her entire life, she felt like they were equals. In fact, to be honest, she felt like she was better than him. He couldn't intimidate her any more. He couldn't manipulate her by withholding love. She no longer cared what he thought about her. She only cared about the truth.
    He set down the newspaper, his expression growing wary as she approached.
    "I thought you'd gone home," he said.
    "I was going to, but before I left I wanted to go through the box I found in the basement a few days ago – the one you were probably trying to get when you ran down the stairs and broke your leg."
    Her father's face paled, and his lips tightened. "You had no business going