Page 205 of Crossed Wires: The Complete Series

“Holy shit,” Marc whispered.

There was a loud yap and Jett shot past them, bounding toward Amy, who was bounding towardthem, her smile so wide, for a second Keith didn’t know what to do.

His friend was home.

He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“Holy shit,” Marc said. “It’sWesson.”

The sound of Amy’s name kicked him into gear. He met her halfway, scooping her up in a hug. “What the hell are you doing home already?”

“Spill.” Marc nudged her with his shoulder. “We thought you’d need to be kicked out of Chicago, not home early.”

Amy grinned at them. A typical Amy smile, cheeky and naughty. Except it didn’t reach her eyes. Keith frowned.

Then he heard Harper call Amy’s name behind them.

Amy turned, her stare locking on her best friend. And suddenly she was stumbling forward, collapsing into Harper’s arms, crying.

No, not crying,sobbing. Heart-wrenching sobs that stunned everyone.

“What the hell?” Marc stared at the two women.

Keith shook his head. “No bloody idea, mate.”

They crossed to where Harper was holding Amy, the American murmuring something to the Farpoint teacher Keith couldn’t hear.

Amy laughed, her tears glistening on her cheeks. “He didn’t do anything.”

Confusion pulled at Harper’s eyebrows. “Then why are you crying?”

“Because I fell in love with the stupid man,” Amy burst out, fresh tears spilling down her face again. “And now he’s back at work and I’m here and…God, I’m such an idiot.”

Keith’s gut knotted. He shot Marc a sideways glance. Amy had fallen in love with an American? Christ, what was it with Aussies falling for Yanks?

“You fell in love? With mybrother?” Harper’s stunned question yanked Keith’s attention back to the two women.

Harper’s shoulders drooped, her forehead brushing Amy’s. She closed her eyes, her lips moving with words Keith couldn’t hear.

Whatever she said, Amy disagreed. She shook her head, straightening in Harper’s arms, uttering words as quiet as Harper’s.

“What the hell is going on?” Marc muttered. “I don’t know who to hug.”

“Amy! You’re home!”

Annie’s arrival prevented Keith from thumping his fist into Marc’s shoulder.

“We weren’t expecting you until next weekend.” Annie beamed at her.

Amy shrugged, smiling back. Keith wasn’t convinced, and by the slight frown creasing Annie’s forehead, neither was she. “I got a little homesick.”

“Hazel will be thrilled to see you,” Annie said, glancing at Harper, Keith and then Marc. “She’s mentioned several times how much she’s missed your spirit around this place.”

“Andrew is inlovewith you?” Harper burst out, her stare locked on Amy.

Amy’s cheeks, still wet with tears, turned a faint pink. “I don’t know that for sure. He never said he did. I just?—”

“Of course he fell in love with you.” Marc’s interjection was indignant. “I figure an American boy doesn’t stand a fighting chance against our Amy.”