Catch a Falling Star by Beth K. Vogt Page A

the guy Ian needs you to be.
    Staying was not an option.
    He followed the MA down the hall, standing outside the room while she took Ian’s blood pressure and temperature. Once she left the room, he sat in a chair. Silence shrouded the room.
    â€œIan.”
    The teen stared at the wall. What was he doing, memorizing the words on one of Kendall Haynes’s framed certificates?
    â€œIan, I’m . . . sorry.”
    He was rusty at saying those words. It felt as if he was coughing up boulders. Griffin swiped a hand across his face, stared up at the ceiling. What more should he say? “I miss them. Mom and Dad.” He shook his head, the familiar sense of unreality filling his mind. “I still expect a phone call, you know?”
    â€œYeah.” His brother’s reply was choked. Guttural.
    â€œI didn’t get home often. But I always knew . . . they were there.” He huffed out a breath.
    A knock rapped against the door. As it opened a few seconds later, Griffin thanked God, knowing he was too much of a coward to continue the conversation.

    What had she walked into?
    Kendall cast a covert glance at the Walkers as she took the clipboard from Ian. He sat on the exam table, the white paperbunched up beneath him, his eyes hidden by a ball cap. Griffin sat ramrod straight in the chair, watching his brother. He looked ready to walk out the door. If he was so unhappy about being here, why had he come back?
    â€œIan. Good to see you.” She turned to his brother. “You too . . . Griffin.”
    After rescuing him from the side of I-25, Kendall figured she could risk going the informal route with him. Maybe put him at ease.
    Griffin’s lips thinned, his jaw clenching.
    Then again, maybe not.
    â€œSo, Ian, let’s focus on you today, shall we?” Maybe she could at least establish a good relationship with one of the Walkers. Besides, Ian was her main concern. All she wanted from Griffin Walker was for him to understand how serious food allergies could be.
    â€œSure.”
    â€œThanks for filling out your medical history more completely. You confirm your allergy to avocados, as well as bananas and latex rubber, and seasonal allergies. And you were also diagnosed with asthma when you were six?” From the shift in Griffin’s body language, she could tell this was new information to him.
    â€œYeah, but that’s no big deal. I don’t need to use an inhaler.”
    â€œWell, that may have been true at sea level, but it may change now that you’re living in this climate.” Kendall leaned against the counter, trying to ignore the tension radiating off the elder Walker. “I need to listen to your lungs again and ask a few questions. It’s important you answer me honestly.”
    â€œSure.”
    She positioned her stethoscope around her neck, warming it against her palm. Resting one hand on his shoulder, she stood beside Ian. “I can see you’re going to be as tall as your brother.”
    â€œHe’s not my real brother.”
    Okay, then.
    â€œJust because you were adopted doesn’t stop you from being a real family, Ian.” Kendall patted his back just above his shoulder blade. “I’m going to raise your T-shirt just a bit. As I recall, I didn’t see any tattoos the last time.”
    Ian’s snort of laughter diffused some of the tension. “No, but Griffin’s got one.”
    â€œReally?” She listened to both of his lungs, and then dared to make eye contact with Griffin. Oops. Not laughing. “Well, seeing as I probably won’t be your brother’s physician, I doubt that I’ll be seeing his tattoo anytime soon.”
    â€œIt’s on his—”
    â€œIan!” Griffin growled a warning.
    â€œWhy don’t you just tell me what the tattoo is, Griffin?”
    Griffin’s growl was now directed at her. “Why don’t you concern yourself with my