Hart Siblings Book 3: Falling for Sterling
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Meghann Crane
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Sterling is fighting his way back after a brutal accident leaves him hurting in more ways than one. He keeps the world at arm’s length, convinced distance is the only thing he can control. But Olivia refuses to let him disappear behind the walls he builds. With her steady patience and quiet strength, she nudges him toward healing, even when he pushes back. Slowly, laughter returns, trust softens the edges, and a pull neither of them expected begins to grow. Yet when shadows from Sterling’s past rise again, everything they’ve built is tested. Now they must decide if the connection forming between them is strong enough to face the storm ahead.
Chapter 1
Book 3: Falling for Sterling
STERLING
“This is fucking ridiculous. I’m fine and don’t need extra therapy,” I said.
“You of all people should know that you do.”
“I can do it at home.”
“I’m not only your doctor, but I’m your friend, and you are not progressing the way you’re supposed to.”
I’m tired of people telling me where I’m supposed to be in my recovery. I want to be left alone and do things my own way.
“You know I’m right, Sterling. You can barely walk without help, and it’s been months since your accident.”
“Recovery time is different for everyone.”
“True, but you are inhibiting yours. What is it going to take to get you to do what you need to do?”
“Let me do this at home, and don’t treat me like a patient.”
“If your family agrees to help, then I won’t have a problem with letting you do at-home physical therapy.”
“Deal.”
***
“I’m happy to see you here,” Reece said as he patted my back.
“I had no choice. Your wife wouldn’t take no for an answer,” I said
“You can’t hide in your house forever. You need to get out to help with your recovery.”
“I wish you weren’t so obsessed with my recovery. I’m not a baby and can be trusted,” I snapped.
“Did I just come in at the wrong time?” Olivia said as she came in.
“No. Sterling is just being a party pooper like always,” Reece replied.
Olivia smiled at me as she picked up Caroline and took a seat next to Etta. If I had known she would be here, I wouldn’t have come.
I don’t want to deal with anyone outside the family.
“How are you, Sterling?” Reece asked.
“Fine.”
“Sterling, be nice,” Etta said.
“He’s fine, Etta. If he doesn’t want to talk, he doesn’t have to.”
“When did I become the younger sibling?” I said, feeling annoyed.
“The moment you decided to say fuck you to the universe and started hating everything and everyone,” Beau cut in as he entered the room.
Is this how they felt growing up, when I was always pushing them or reprimanding them? If so, no wonder they hated me sometimes.
“Can we move on from this discussion?” I sighed.
“How about we discuss the annual Hart camping trip?” Etta offered.
“No, because it’s not going to happen this year.”
“Come on. You can’t ruin everything. It’s still going to happen; you are going, and we are inviting Olivia and Nadia to come this year.”
“I don’t have to be included, Etta. This is for family.”
“You are family. My children call you their aunt, so you are part of this family.”
I watched Olivia’s mouth move into a small smile. You could tell that Etta’s words made her happy.
From what I know, she doesn’t have family here anymore, so Etta tries to include her in a lot of things, and she is around almost as much as my siblings. But I don’t want her to see me as an invalid. I don’t want anyone to see me like that.
***
“Are you sure you don’t need help?”
“I’m sure, Winston. I’m a trained physical therapist and can do this on my own.”
“What if you fall? Who is going to help you up?”
“I’m not going to fall.” Mainly because I don’t plan on doing what the doctor prescribes. I’m going to do this my own way.
“Please don’t be stubborn and get hurt. You need to get over this, and I know it is easier said than done, but Julie and the accident are in the past. You need to start looking at the future. Etta has another child on the way, and I know you haven’t forgotten about Theo and how Nadia is due in the next couple of months. You don’t want to miss out on this, and I don’t want them to miss out on you.”
“You are the last one I thought would be sentimental and make me feel guilty.”
“It’s the truth. You deserve better, and you need to show everyone that you’re not giving up.”
“Fine, but I’m not hiring a home health nurse. They annoy me, and I only want someone around in case something happens. I don’t need them helping me or treating me like a child.”
I can’t believe I gave in to him like that. He played me like a fiddle, throwing the children in my face.
“Agreed. Olivia is free and would probably help you.”
“No. Not a chance,” I quickly replied.
“Why? You know she won’t steal, and she will do what is asked of her.”
“Because I don’t want a non-family member to insert their nose into my business.”
“Be reasonable, Sterling. None of us can be free on a whim. We all have jobs, and some of us have families.”
I let out a sigh and stared at my brother, not wanting to concede, but I need to.
“Fine, but the first time she annoys me, I’m firing her.”
“She has to agree to help you first, and with that attitude, she may say no.”
