Page 122 of Crossed Wires: The Complete Series

Andrew followed Amy into the house, watching as she dropped her souvenir bags on a chair in the foyer. He was probably the worst kidnapper in history. His far too willing captive still wouldn’t tell him where his sister was, and after spending most of yesterday in bed, alternating between sleep and sex, Amy had roused him early this morning, insisting that he take her sightseeing.

He’d grumbled about playing tourist in his hometown, but he’d eventually given in, gotten dressed and taken her around the city. His little Australian handful was slowly wrapping him around her little finger, something no woman—with the exception of Harper—had ever been able to do.

He’d anticipated being bored all day, but seeing Chicago through Amy’s awestruck eyes had rejuvenated his love for the place. Her interest in the history of the city was genuine and he’d actually learned a few things he didn’t know. She hadn’t lied about doing her homework prior to traveling. Several times during the day, she’d consulted her list, checking off different sights after their visit. Her efficiency was mind-boggling.

Her enthusiasm as she explored Chicago made him realize he’d become jaded lately. He used to feel the same rush Amy had every time he stepped off the plane in a new country, but that passion had been absent on the past few trips. He was currently in contract negotiations with the cable company that produced his show and he’d spent several sleepless nights in the last month trying to decide if he wanted to continue.

One day exploring a city he knew better than the back of his hand with Amy had given him the kick in the pants he’d needed, proven to him he still possessed that same sense of wonder. He wasn’t ready to retire yet.

Andrew glanced at the grandfather clock. It was nearly nine. Damn. Talk about making a day of it. They’d boarded the train, heading into the city at eight this morning. Amy had been tireless, practically bouncing from one landmark to the next. He couldn’t understand it. She had to be suffering from serious jet lag like him.

“How old are you?” he asked.

She gave him a funny look. “Where did that question come from?”

He shrugged. “No idea. Just dawned on me that I don’t know.”

“I’m twenty-five, same as Harper. And you’re thirty-five, ten years older.”

He grimaced. “You seem to know more about me than I do about you.”

Amy slipped off her shoes. She’d only been in his childhood home two days, but it already felt like she belonged here. He suspected she was one of those people who were at ease anywhere. “Harper talks about you all the time. Didn’t she ever mention me?”

Andrew gave her a guilty look. “She talked about you quite a bit. I just wasn’t as good at paying attention as you were. Truth be told, I never anticipated meeting you.”

Amy laughed. “Typical male. Only listen if it directly pertains to you. Keith and Marc are exactly the same. I swear I have to repeat myself three or four times before anything sinks into their thick skulls.”

“Keith and Marc?” He’d heard her mention the same men earlier in the day as she’d searched for souvenirs.

“My mates back home. They’re the ones looking after Harper right now.”

He scowled.

“Don’t worry, Shaw. They’ll takereallygood care of her.” She threw a little too much emphasis into her reassurance. Damn Aussie enjoyed trying to get a rise out of him.

“Yeah, well, you’d better hope for their sake they take care of her just enough, but not too much.”

“Actually, I have a little bit of a confession to make.”

He narrowed his gaze. “About your friends?”

“No,” she said, giggling. “About you. I used to pump Harper for information about you all the time.”

“Why?”

She lifted one shoulder. “At first I wanted to hear about your adventures at work, the places you were going, stuff like that. But she always added in extra details without realizing it, personality things.”

“What sort of things?”

“Like how you’re overprotective of her. How you call her almost every single day to check up on her.”

He sighed. “I haven’t spoken to my sister in three days.”

“I know, but I truly believe you need to give Harper this time, this space.”

“Why?”

She bit her lower lip. “I don’t know why exactly. I just know that Harper was looking forward to escaping her real life for a little while. It’s not that she doesn’t love you. Honest. She adores you. I don’t have a brother, but I always used to think that if I did, I’d want him to be just like you.”