All Fired Up

by Lori Foster

  Such an awesome thought, home. In the two months since Newman was arrested, everything had changed.

  The necessary updates were done to his house to allow for a business, he’d made terrific contacts, and he had plenty of work lined up. Using Jack and Brodie as references, finding customers hadn’t been difficult at all.

  The best part? Charlotte had stayed over the night Newman attacked her—her decision, not that he had a single complaint—and she’d rarely gone home since, other to get a few things here and there.

  Overall, she’d moved in with him.

  The funny part? Elliott had never moved out of Ros’s house. He was still there and they seemed to get along.

  It surprised everyone that he hadn’t taken off yet. Mitch hoped he never did. He liked having them all nearby. Knowing them, he felt a part of something bigger: family.

  In his pocket, he had a modest ring. He’d shower, shave, and then the big plan was to propose. He didn’t really have any doubts about Charlotte saying yes, but he’d still rest easier once he had her tied to him.

  When he pulled down his long drive, he found it lined with cars—Jack’s, Brodie’s, Elliott’s, but also an official police car, which meant Grant was visiting again.

  Though things had fizzled out with Ros, Grant had remained friends with the family...which included Mitch. Whenever possible, he shared updates on Newman, Lee and Ritchie. It was a courteous, respectful thing to do, Grant said.

  Friends with a cop. What a kicker. When he’d started this odyssey, not once had he seen that coming.

  But then, he hadn’t seen Charlotte in the equation either, and she was now the most important part.

  How the hell could he propose with everyone here?

  They were all outside, dogs playing, Jack and Brodie manning the grill, Mary and Ronnie sitting on the porch steps with Peanut the cat, Ros setting the picnic table where Elliott and Grant seemed in deep conversation.

  He sat there, his car idling, his thoughts roiling even as he appreciated the sight they made. Family. Home.

  The only thing missing was Charlotte.

  He no sooner thought it than he saw her.

  Coming quickly down the steps between Mary and Ronnie, Charlotte waved. She detoured to the picnic table to set down a bowl and then ran toward him.

  Her wild hair danced out behind her and her smile made his world complete.

  He turned off the car and got out, catching her when she jumped against him laughing.

  Hugging her off her feet, kissing her warmly, Mitch cherished the moment. He looked forward to many more days just like this. “Hell of a welcome,” he murmured. “I like it.”

  “I’m so glad you’re home.”

  With her around, anywhere could be home—including the tent. Twice they’d camped out “just for fun,” though overall he hadn’t used it much, not since she’d moved in with him.

  How could a room feel small and restrictive with Charlotte there, bursting with energy and lighting it up with her smile?

  “I have some fun news.”

  “Yeah?” He looked toward the group in his yard. They were trying not to stare, but subtlety wasn’t a Crews strong suit. “What’s up?”

  “Newman and his goons are toast. Finally, they’ll get what they deserve.”

  His gaze automatically sought Grant’s, and he got his nod. He dropped back to lean on his truck. “No kidding?”

  “Grant wanted to tell you, but I insisted. He can give you all the legal details, but the gist of it is that the seriousness of Ritchie’s situation really hit home. Apparently, he got offered a plea deal and the words just started pouring out. Did you know they were staying at Mrs. Goodrich’s house?”

  Since he’d never heard of her, Mitch shook his head.

  “She retired from working the elementary school cafeteria. A very sweet lady, but she’d gone out of town and they just set up house, living there like it was their own. Ritchie said if she’d have come back early, Newman would have killed her.”

  “She didn’t?”

  Charlotte shook her head. “No, she wasn’t hurt, and when she’d reported the damage, no one put it together until Ritchie shared.”

  “Anything else?”

  “According to Grant, career criminals always get busted for more than one thing, and that seems true for Newman. As of right now, they’re tied to a murder, a rape and a whole host of drug charges.” She bit her lip. “Did you know Newman had drugs hidden in the walls of your mother’s house?”

  “No, but it doesn’t surprise me.” One of the reasons he’d taken off from there so long ago was because Newman used the house for his drug deals.

  “I wish I could have seen his face when he found the house leveled, the drugs lost.”

  Mitch whistled. “Guess that explains why he came after me.”

  “Ritchie said he wanted the money from the sale of the house—and revenge against you because, according to him, Newman considered it your fault.”

  So many times in his life Newman had blamed him, just to have an excuse for cruelty. Never again. “I hope he rots in prison.” From the experience he’d had, rotting seemed a real possibility.

  “Even with his deal, Ritchie is looking at twenty years, so I suspect Newman will be gone for much longer.”

  Charlotte hugged him, her head on his shoulder. “Understand that I feel terrible for the people they hurt, but I can’t help being thrilled to know it’s truly over.”

  “So that you and I, as a couple, can now begin?”

  She went still. Casually, as if she hadn’t started jiggling, she asked, “What exactly does that mean?”

  “I was going to ask you tonight, but this seems like as good a time as any.” He pulled out the ring. “Will you—”

  Snatching the box from his hand, Charlotte squealed loud enough to bring all three dogs running, ready for some play. “Yes! Yes, yes, yes.”

  Before Charlotte, he’d never laughed this much. “Love your enthusiasm.”

  Holding the little jeweler’s box in the air, she turned to the group and shouted, “We’re getting married!”

  Cheers erupted, making Mitch laugh more. “Don’t you want to see the ring?”

  “It could be made of clover and I’d still be thrilled.”

  “Well, I hope you like it.” He took the box from her, opened it, and took out the ring.

  “Oh, Mitch.” Eyes going liquid, she studied the small round diamond surrounded by tinier diamonds. “It’s perfect.”

  Heat crawled up his neck. The damn thing wasn’t near grand enough for her. “Now that the business is going I can save more money. Later, if you wanted, we could upgrade—”

  She clutched the box to her heart. “We will not. I love this one.”

  Like a sucker punch to the heart, she constantly devastated him—in all the very best ways. Putting a kiss to the end of her nose, he said, “God, I love you.”

  Suddenly they were surrounded, not just with dogs, but family too. Urged forward by congratulations, Mitch found himself seated at the picnic table, Charlotte at his side, while food and colas got passed around in celebration.

  After loudly clearing his throat, Elliott said, “Well, Ros. Here’s something you can do with the money. It’d make a grand wedding, don’t you think?”

  She choked, and both Elliott and Grant tried to pat her back. Behind her back, Elliott mean-mugged Grant until, hands in the air, he backed off, all the while grinning.

  Now stroking her back, Elliott said, “I gave her a check for a hundred and twenty thousand bucks.” He frowned. “She hasn’t done anything with it yet.”

  Everyone gaped.

  Brodie asked, “What the hell. Did you rob a bank?”

  “Exactly what your mother asked me.” That seemed to amuse him. “Actually, to make a long story much sh
orter, I became friends with this old gal. I’d help her around the house, she’d cook me meals. A nice trade-off. She was all alone in the world, no family to care for her, so we got close. When she died, she left her house to me. It didn’t bring in that much, but in her garage she had a ’68 Shelby GT500—and it sold at auction for a hundred and twenty grand.”

  Mitch tilted back to stare at him. “You scored that much money, and you’re still driving an old beat-up truck?”

  “You’ve always driven Mustangs,” Jack said, almost like an accusation.

  Brodie waved that off. “You’re planning to buy one with whatever cash you got for the house, right?” Then he reconsidered. “Though from what you’ve said, you’ve had more than enough time to—”

  “Yeah...” Elliott gave Ros a small one-armed hug. “Always loved those cars. And you’re right, Brodie, I did mean to get another. Except...” He shrugged. “I don’t know. It doesn’t seem all that important anymore.”

  Ros leaned away in disbelief. “Oh my God. Did you finally grow up?”

  “Who knows?” He took her hand. “What I do know is that I’d rather help my boys work on their cars than get one of my own. And I’d rather not end up spending my last years alone.”

  With a roll of her eyes, Ros said, “You’re in your prime.”

  “Thank you for noticing.” He sent a smug look at Grant, who only snorted. “But I know I’ve burned bridges, plenty of them. I’m just hoping it’s not too late for me.”

  Everyone fell silent—and it strained Mitch. Should he speak up? God knew, he wanted to.

  Ros stole the moment, saying, “I still don’t want your money.”

  “Not even for a big wedding?”

  Appalled by the idea of anything that extravagant, Mitch said, “No,” at the same time Charlotte said, “I only just got a ring!”

  Elliott smiled at her. “Did you want a big wedding, honey?”

  “We haven’t even set a date.” She lifted her hand to admire the glint of small diamonds in the sunlight. “But when we do, I’d prefer something simple.”

  Thank God, Mitch thought, though he didn’t say it out loud. He’d be in for whatever made Charlotte happiest.

  Jack sat forward, his arms folded on the picnic table, his probing gaze zeroed in on Elliott. “When you leave, maybe you’ll need the money for yourself.”

  As if it didn’t matter, Elliott said offhand, “Who says I’m leaving?”

  Almost in unison, Jack, Brodie and Ros said, “I do.” They looked at each other and laughed.

  Mitch didn’t, not with the expression on Elliott’s face. “You’re saying you plan to stay here, in Red Oak?”

  Picking up a chip, Elliott nodded. “I’d like to, yeah.” His gaze flicked around at the table. “If none of you mind—and Grant, your opinion doesn’t count.”

  Grant shut his mouth, quietly laughing.

  The silence wore on and again, it bothered Mitch. He wasn’t an outsider anymore. He could speak his mind, same as the others. And he felt strongly about this.

  When he felt Charlotte leaning into his side, he knew she was smiling, and that was all the push he needed. “I’d like it if you stuck around.”

  Everyone looked at Mitch.

  “Yeah?” Elliott’s face brightened. “Thanks, son.”

  “I owe you,” Ronnie added softly. “So if it helps, you get my vote.”

  Elliott’s expression softened. “You don’t owe me, honey, but thank you.”

  Brodie rubbed his mouth. “How long do you plan to stay?”

  “I wanted to settle here actually.” His gaze shifted to Ros and away. “I’ve been looking for a job. Figured as long as I have a work truck, I may as well use it.”

  Charlotte coasted her hand up and down Mitch’s arm. “His business is growing faster than he can keep up.”

  Very true. “If you don’t mind that type of labor—”

  “Love it.” Elliott held his gaze—then he exhaled. “But I wouldn’t want to impose.”

  “Elliott’s not afraid of hard work.”

  When everyone looked at her, Ros shrugged. “Well, it’s true. I’ve never seen him shun work. It’s just a steady job that scares him off. The permanence and responsibility, you know. Gives him hives or something.”

  “Not anymore.” Elliott winced after saying that so quickly, sent an aggrieved frown at Grant, and tried a smile for Ros. “I’m staying. For good.” He flinched again. “That is, if you don’t mind?”

  “Not my business,” she said loftily, standing to carry her empty plate into the kitchen.

  Elliott stared after her.

  Grant groaned—and pushed to his feet. “That’s my cue to go.” With a pat on Elliott’s shoulder, he said, “She’s worth whatever it takes for you to win her over. Again.”

  His gaze never leaving the kitchen window, Elliott nodded. “I know.”

  “If you’re sure you do, then...good luck.”

  Soon as he left, Elliott stood too. “Will you boys help me out?”

  Caution won out. Mitch wanted to support Elliott, but Ros could make her own decisions without anyone trying to sway her. Since no one else asked it, he did. “Help how?”

  “Take some money. Divvy it up however you like.” He looked first at Brodie. “I know Mary has wealthy contacts, but there’s probably something you’d like to do to your house, right?”

  “Well...” Brodie shrugged. “Yeah, sure.”

  “And Jack, I know you’re remodeling your house top to bottom.”

  “True.” Jack gave it some thought. “We’ve also been discussing updates to the office.”

  “There you go!” Excited now, Elliott smiled at Mitch. “I love this place, son. You’ve done amazing things with it.”

  “With Jack’s and Brodie’s help.”

  He nodded. “How about an addition off the back? Add a bathroom to the bedroom? That’d be nice, right?”

  Glancing at Charlotte, Mitch asked, “What do you think?”

  “I think your father desperately wants to give you a gift, and you should graciously accept it.”

  “Damn.” Elliott puffed up. “Always did love you, Charlotte.”

  “Thank you, Elliott.”

  Mitch laughed. “Yeah, sure. Count me in.”

  “Perfect! You’re all, each and every one of you, perfect and whether I have the right or not, I couldn’t be more proud.” He headed for the kitchen. “Now for the real battle.”

  They all watched him go.

  Shaking his head, Jack said, “Do you think he means it?”

  “Means it, yes. Will he actually follow through? Who knows?”

  Jack rubbed his face. “The last two months, he has been different.”

  “It’s a little unnerving,” Brodie said. “It’s like he’s Dad, but an improved version.”

  “Almost losing his life might have really changed him.” Mary sighed. “I imagine that could shift the priorities of anyone.”

  “Maybe it’s you, Mitch, that brought about the change.” Ronnie tilted her head, studying him. “Against some big odds, you came home, so now he sees it’s possible.”

  I came home. Yes, in so many ways, that’s what it felt like.

  Smiling, Mitch said, “Honestly, guys? I think it’s just that Ros is so incredibly awesome. Who could resist her?”

  “He resisted her before just fine,” Jack pointed out.

  “Yeah, but like fine wine, she’s only gotten better.” Charlotte snickered. “She’s extra-potent now.” That sentiment got everyone else snickering too.

  Pretty soon they were all laughing—together, as a family.

  In Charlotte’s ear, Mitch whispered, “Can it be a short engagement?”

  “Silly man,” she said. “I fell in love with you that first night. If you’d asked, I p
robably would have married you then.”

  From inside the house, he heard Ros’s raised voice, then a protest, and finally a giggling, girlish laugh—followed by silence.

  Brodie and Jack went wide-eyed, knowing what that silence likely meant and a little shell-shocked by it. The wives thought it was hilarious, and went about kissing on their husbands, just to make sure they understood what was happening inside. With their mother—but also their father.

  Charlotte hugged Mitch. “It’s fun, right? Ros deserves to be happy, and for whatever reason, Elliott’s always been the one for her.”

  Just as Charlotte was the one for him.

  With his heart feeling crazy-full, he pulled her into his lap and kissed her, ignoring the catcalls from his brothers and the “aawwws” from Ronnie and Mary.

  Even without Elliott’s gift, he had a nice enough house—made better with Charlotte in it.

  He had a growing business, and soon his father would work with him.

  Brute was happier than he’d ever been, currently napping in the shade of a big tree with Buster and Howler in a tangle of legs, necks and tails.

  He had a home. He had family.

  And he had Charlotte.

  Life had taught him not to expect much, but meeting Charlotte had changed all that—and now he had more than he’d ever thought possible.

  With her in his life, he had it all.

  * * *

  Read on for a sneak peek at The Somerset Girls, New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster’s next heartwarming story about two sisters who couldn’t be more different, the familial ties that bind—sometimes a little too closely—and a brand-new love that’s just where you least expect it!

  The Somerset Girls

  by Lori Foster

  CHAPTER ONE

  A REFRESHING SHOWER, ice cream and the book she was reading.

  As Autumn Somerset got the unhappy pigs into the back of her truck, she repeatedly recited the awards that awaited her at the end of her day.

  A day that should have ended...oh, about three hours ago.

  As an interior designer, she’d wrapped up appointments promptly at five o’clock. Yes, she’d been thinking about that tub of carrot cake ice cream in her fridge even then. In fact, she’d thought about it since it had arrived a few days ago. Being a dedicated member of an ice cream club had its perks, like new flavors every month. Her efforts at healthier eating meant she only consumed ice cream on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and holidays.