NEVER ENOUGH
Apr
15
2012

The Brown Siblings: NEVER ENOUGH by LAUREN DANE
Copyright 2011, Lauren Dane
All Rights Reserved, The Berkley Publishing Group

Erin knew when she saw the woman had dug herself into a place and built a life. Knew a woman like this wasn’t the type to be looking to con her brother into a payoff to keep her quiet. A family lived in this house and had for a long time.

There were lawyers involved now. They’d built a moat around Adrian, which Erin approved of. Her brother was a good-hearted man, and she wanted him to be protected.

At the same time, Erin felt like the process was spinning out of control, into acrimony where perhaps none was needed.

So she’d left Alexander with Ben and Todd, who had finally relented to let her go see Gillian after they’d gone over her background check once more. And she’d gotten on the ferry and set about seeing Gillian for herself.

From the other side of the door Erin heard Kings of Leon and smiled despite herself. One of Adrian’s favorite bands. A sign perhaps.

Erin knocked and heard the sound of someone moving toward the front door.

And that was the first time Erin clapped eyes on Gillian Forrester.

Pretty. Dark hair. Bangs that fringed big brown eyes. Her lips drew into a bow, complete with dimple at the far corner of her mouth. Petite, she wore flats and a pair of ridiculously adorable skinny-legged pants with a lovely cream-colored sweater.

Her smile was warm for several moments. “Yes?”

“I’m Erin Brown. Adrian’s sister.”

The easy smile went away, replaced by a calm façade. “Why are you here? You’re not supposed to contact me. Your brother made sure I knew this when he had his lawyers inform me so. In writing. Served by my attorney. It was a lovely memory.”

Erin knew she deserved this anger on one level. Adrian was so nervous and thrown off balance by this he’d pulled away from everyone and had been writing music nonstop. Erin and Brody had agreed to let him until they got the answers they needed. But this woman, if she was telling the truth, had taken a huge risk and had received nothing but grief in return.

“I wanted to see you myself. Wanted to see if perhaps I couldn’t smooth the way a little should the test come back positive. May I come in? He’s not here, is he? I checked the middle school schedule and he’s not due home until after three. That really sounds stalkery of me. I just wanted to be sure . . . well, naturally I’d love to meet him, but I wouldn’t do it without arranging it with you in advance.”

“He’s not here, no. He has math club after school today so I have to run to pick him up later on.”

Erin took a step into the house and saw them. Pictures of the boy all over the walls. It was a punch to the gut, just how much he looked like Alexander. And Adrian. A sense of longing to know him and give him the Brown love he’d been missing.

But also the realization that if Erin was in this woman’s place, she’d be freaked the fuck out.

“And I can see the test will come back positive. Christ.” She dug in her bag and pulled out a small photo album. “This is my son, Alexander.”

Gillian leaned forward and her eyes widened a little. “He’s beautiful. Is this recent?”

“This one was just two weeks ago. Miles is clearly my nephew. One only has to look at him to see it. My god. He looks so much like Brody here.” She moved to one where the boy must have been eight or nine, holding a cat, grinning at the camera.

“That’s Fat Lucy, she’s only one of his strays. We have four cats he’s picked up along the way. A turtle. We had a dog but he passed on two years ago.”

In that face, Erin saw love. So much love she felt a deep affinity for the woman. This was a mother and Erin wanted her to know she wouldn’t threaten that.

“He brings home stray animals?”

Gillian’s smile was back. “Yeah. He’s hopeless and I am weak against it. He’s just got so much love to give.” She focused on Erin, intent. “This is why I went to your brother. How can I keep him all to myself?”

Erin ached for her, at the same time being very grateful the woman loved that child so much she’d risk a great deal by bringing him to his father. Who then yelled in her face multiple times.

“Can I come in? Have a cup of coffee? I want to know you. I want to hear about Miles. Please.”

“Come in. I’ll put on a pot of tea.” Gillian turned and led the way through the sunny house toward the kitchen. Erin got the chance to devour every detail of the place. Pictures on the walls. Most of mom and son, some of others Erin gathered were extended family or friends.

A grand piano dominated the family room. Music played through the in-house speaker system.

The kitchen had a large table in the nook space. “Have a seat, I’ll get the kettle on.” She began to bustle around. “Or I can make coffee if you like.”

“Tea would be lovely, thank you.”

Gillian sat across from Erin, putting a plate with assorted cookies and crackers out. “Biscuits. Erm, cookies.” She laughed.

“We lived in London for two months once. Way back at the beginning. Enough for me to get a craving for real malt vinegar crisps every once in a while.” Erin took a cookie but didn’t eat it. “Tell me about him.”

Gillian’s smile was back, warm and a little shy. “Miles just turned thirteen and he’s often on the tussle between acting forty and sometimes, infuriatingly thirteen. Surly. Sullen. Snappy.” Gillian rolled her eyes, amused affection on her face. “He’s a great kid. Smart, though he can be lazy and I have to be on him to get his homework turned in. Musical. Which isn’t a surprise really. He’s rather sweet. There are three girls who call here all the time and he doesn’t seem to know what to do with all the female attention.”

Gillian poured out as she spoke.

“Works hard, especially on things he loves like music or animals. Rarely gives me a problem except he grows out of his shoes every few months. He started walking late. Liked to snuggle in next to me and found no reason to get up and go anywhere.”

Erin sipped, liking this woman more by the moment. Charmed by the way she spoke about Miles. So totally in love with the boy.

“Gentle. Not very athletic, I’m afraid. He tried for a while and then found computers and games more to his liking. Reading. Writing stories. Music. He’s in a band, you know. With his friends. They’re quite earnest and sometimes they’re even good.”

“Yeah? We started early too. I was seventeen when we started Mud Bay. We played music together for years before that. Brody raised us, you know.”

Gillian shook her head. “No, I didn’t know. I’m aware Adrian believes I am some sort of petty thief out to steal from him in an elaborate game wherein I get his money without actually asking for it. But I don’t know a lot about you and your family.”

Erin cringed, wishing she could explain all the shit Adrian had to shovel and why it made him so suspicious of strangers. “He doesn’t really think that. Brody, well, let me tell you the story and then I’ll fill in the other details.

“My parents died when Brody was seventeen. He’d been pretty much raising us as it was. He’s the one I have all the big childhood memories with. Anyway, our parents died when I was fourteen and Adrian was eleven. We had some distant family who’d agreed to take us. But only one each. Brody gave up his place at art school, stepped in and took over. He’s my big brother, yes, but in a very real sense, he’s my father. He’s definitely Adrian’s. They have a complicated relationship, but Brody runs a tight ship and Brody has been on your side since day one. Adrian listened to Brody and now we’re here. He’ll be glad he did; Brody is rarely wrong. Which’d be annoying if he wasn’t such an all-around great guy.”

Because he understood, perhaps, what it meant to be a parent, no matter how it came to you.

“Anyway, Adrian really doesn’t believe all the stupid stuff he’s said. I think he’s afraid this isn’t real. Afraid to get his hopes up and then find out Miles isn’t his after all. You really don’t know how glad I’m going to be to tell him how utterly certain I am that is not the case. I hope you’ll give us a chance, even with the rocky beginnings. I know we might look out of the ordinary, but past the funky hair and the tattoos, we’re just like many other families. We love each other and we want to love Miles too.”

“You have a lot of money. And a lot of power. I don’t have either. I’m trying to do what’s right for my child, but it scares me senseless that Adrian has the ability to tie me up in court and try to take my son.”

Erin nodded. She reached out and squeezed Gillian’s hand. Just a brief, reassuring touch. “I’d be freaked out too, in your place. I can’t take all that fear away. I hope that’ll happen once Miles and Adrian meet and you get to know us better. But we’re not the bad guys. I can’t say I’m thrilled about your sister not telling anyone for so long. But you can’t own other people’s mistakes. I’ve learned that one, big time.”

Gillian found it easy to talk to Erin . It was, well, it was lovely that this woman wanted to know Miles. Her reassurances did indeed help too.

She began to loosen up for the first time since she’d opened the door. She talked about Miles. Told stories about his life as Erin began to unfurl her own, and through that, Adrian’s too.

It was simply impossible not to like Erin Brown.

Today’s prize is a signed copy of NEVER ENOUGH. I’ll choose the winner from the comments to this post and announce it tomorrow, Monday April 16.

36 comments to “NEVER ENOUGH”

  1. Tracey D
    April 15th, 2012 at 5:22 am · Link

    Well, this excerpt has certainly grabbed my attention.

    I’ve heard nothing but great things about this series. It’s time for me to start buying and reading.



  2. Aurore
    April 15th, 2012 at 5:57 am · Link

    I just loved Never Enough!
    Gillian is a wonderful character. She took a difficult decision when she told Adrian about Miles but she did it anyway. There are so many books where the woman refuses to tell a man he has a child and I can’t stand it. I was really happy to find your novel with an intelligent and courageous heroine like Gillian!
    Adrian, of course, was just a perfect man! 😉



  3. Amy Kathryn
    April 15th, 2012 at 5:58 am · Link

    Life got in the way and I never have picked up this book to finish out the Brown siblings. I need to rectify that.



  4. Virginia C
    April 15th, 2012 at 7:08 am · Link

    “Never Enough” is one of my most coveted wish list books–and a signed copy–oh, my! What great female characters–such a compelling excerpt! The story line for “Never Enough” is very intense. Raw and emotional and involving. Adrian and Gillian–a full-force “rock the house down” romance! I’d love to win : )



  5. Janet K
    April 15th, 2012 at 8:06 am · Link

    The Brown Siblings have been excellent reads. Thanks so very much for your continued superb writing. “Rock On”!



  6. Ashley Vande Hoef
    April 15th, 2012 at 8:14 am · Link

    I absolutely love the Brown Siblings Series. They are an amazing family and always have each others backs, as you can see in this excerpt. I thought that Never Enough was definitely an excellent way to have wrapped up the series.



  7. azteclady
    April 15th, 2012 at 8:29 am · Link

    The cover is so good. I love the composition and the body language.

    And of course, the Brown siblings 😀



  8. StacieD
    April 15th, 2012 at 9:48 am · Link

    I loved this first meeting between Erin and Gillian. Erin really helped smooth the way and get Miles and his mom welcomed into the family.



  9. Cathy M
    April 15th, 2012 at 9:57 am · Link

    I’ve really come to love this family, though Adrian, is probably the one I know the least. I would love a chance to read his story.

    caity_mack at yahoo dot com



  10. Collette
    April 15th, 2012 at 10:03 am · Link

    I actually can’t believe that I don’t have this. I thought I did as an ebook…

    How about the fact that just the excerpt made me cry? You do know how to write families, Miss Lauren.



  11. Pamk
    April 15th, 2012 at 10:10 am · Link

    surprizingly this is a series of yours i’ve not read. Would love to read this one.



  12. Hailey
    April 15th, 2012 at 11:09 am · Link

    I love this series!



  13. Viki S.
    April 15th, 2012 at 11:24 am · Link

    I love this book! Thanks for the excerpt :).



  14. Blanche
    April 15th, 2012 at 11:25 am · Link

    I absolutely adore this series, LOVE the Brown’s!!!!!



  15. IP
    April 15th, 2012 at 11:57 am · Link

    Have all your Brown siblings books and love them dearly. Am looking forward to the spin offs and to Laid Open!!! 🙂



  16. IP
    April 15th, 2012 at 12:01 pm · Link

    Had problems posting my first comment! Hope it works now!! All the Brown books are great ans so I am eagerly waiting for Laid Open and the spin offs!!! 🙂



  17. Mariann with Belle's Book Bag
    April 15th, 2012 at 12:15 pm · Link

    LOVE LOVE LOVE this series and I LOVE Adrian and Gillian together!! Thanks for the chance to win!! Have a great day! 😉



  18. Erin
    April 15th, 2012 at 12:22 pm · Link

    [sigh] Great excerpt. I love this book. I think it’s time for a re-read.



  19. Jordan H
    April 15th, 2012 at 12:35 pm · Link

    I love this series!!! Definitely one of the best I have ever read.



  20. Kimh
    April 15th, 2012 at 12:38 pm · Link

    Great excerpt would love to read the rest thanks
    😀



  21. Louise
    April 15th, 2012 at 12:41 pm · Link

    Finally got around to reading this series recently (in 2 days). So awesome. The Browns are good people. 🙂



  22. elaing8
    April 15th, 2012 at 12:55 pm · Link

    Loved this book.Thanks for the chance to win a signed copy.



  23. Diane
    April 15th, 2012 at 1:20 pm · Link

    I haven’t got this book and it sounds like a tearjerker!!!



  24. Lin
    April 15th, 2012 at 1:36 pm · Link

    I love the Browns and the Copelands and their S.O.s….looking forward to reading the Erin, Todd and Ben novella.



  25. Jane
    April 15th, 2012 at 1:54 pm · Link

    Can’t not love the Brown siblings.



  26. Na S.
    April 15th, 2012 at 2:08 pm · Link

    I want to meet the Browns! Thanks for chance Lauren 🙂



  27. Michelle Bledsoe
    April 15th, 2012 at 3:05 pm · Link

    I thought Never Enough was such a great story. It was so hot yet heartwarming. Thank you for another great book.



  28. Pamiam
    April 15th, 2012 at 3:36 pm · Link

    I loved the Chase brothers and me thinks the Browns are going to rank right up there with them.



  29. Jen B.
    April 15th, 2012 at 4:44 pm · Link

    Sigh….so sad the series had to end but I am so glad that Adrian got his HEA. I think Erin is the most amazing sister. I can hardly wait for the next little installment in the story of Erin, Ben and Todd.



  30. Lori T
    April 15th, 2012 at 4:49 pm · Link

    I would love to win this! I have the rest of the Brown siblings and I really really want this one!!



  31. Christine
    April 15th, 2012 at 5:06 pm · Link

    Love this series. have to agree it’s definitely time for a reread.



  32. Melissa Lamb
    April 15th, 2012 at 5:31 pm · Link

    I LOVED this book!!! I have read the whole series but this one was my favorite! My emotions was all over the place… one minute I was happy then I was near tears then a few chapters later I was mad then I had to take a breather cause the story was so hot it set the pages on fire!! Now that is my type of story!!



  33. bn100
    April 15th, 2012 at 7:54 pm · Link

    Really nice excerpt. The book sounds good.



  34. Linda G
    April 15th, 2012 at 8:01 pm · Link

    Reading this snippet brings it all back. I love this book.



  35. Alaina
    April 15th, 2012 at 8:25 pm · Link

    ohh this book sounds awesome!! thanks for the chance to win! i admit, i havent read this one yet!



  36. Jet
    April 15th, 2012 at 11:53 pm · Link

    I just love that cover! and of course the excerpt 🙂



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