Chapter 11

With a sigh Sam pushed himself off the couch and wandered into the entryway. A glance across the street confirmed his brother was home. Without stopping to put on shoes, Sam locked his house, sprinted across the cold pavement and up the front steps, and walked straight into the house that was the mirror image of his own.

“Hey, guys. It’s me,” he called as he shut the door behind him.

“Sam.” Derek’s greeting was as warm as his eyes, and he gave Sam a tight hug. “You hungry?”

Sam grinned. “Always.”

Derek laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. “Great. I’m making curry vindaloo.”

“Am I going to like that?” Sam scrunched his nose.

With a cocked eyebrow, Derek shot him a look. “Have I ever made anything you didn’tlike?”

Sam pretended to think about it. Then he laughed and dodged a playful punch. “Of course not.”

“That’s settled then. Your brother is upstairs.” Derek walked toward the kitchen, but called up in his deep, booming voice, “B! Baby, Sam’s here.”