by Lea Hart
***
Lilly and Poppy sat at one of the tables that lined the back wall of the pub and waited for their dinner to arrive. Poppy drained half of her Coke and twisted her hair into a ponytail. “Here comes the youngest Landry.”
Lilly saw Brody walking in their direction. “That one is the heartbreaker of the family.”
“True,” Poppy replied. “We have a new rider at the stables and she fell for that boy hook, line, and sinker. It took her a couple of months to realize that what he said is what he meant. For some reason, she thought she was going to be the exception.”
Brody approached and blessed them with a smile that had broken hearts across the parish. “Ladies, can I join you?”
“Why are you askin’? Your butt was plastered in a chair at my mama’s kitchen table as often as mine was. We’re practically family,” Lilly responded.
Sliding into the booth next to Poppy, he winked. “I thought I’d show off some of the good manners your mama insisted on.”
“Appreciated.” Lilly asked after she drained her drink, “How’s the house going—are you on schedule?”
“If Mother Nature cooperates, then yes. It’s the biggest project my company has taken on, and we mean to stake our reputation on it. God bless people with more money than sense.”
“Is that the house for the tech billionaire?” Poppy asked as she waved the waitress over.
“Sure is. The man is building his wife’s dream house in her home state with no expense spared. Apparently, the woman was the Natchitoches Queen of Meat Pies, and the house is meant to memorialize that road to glory. If the meat-pie queen wants it, then her rich geek husband is going to get it for her.”
Lilly snorted and then started laughing. Of course, that was the moment that Brock chose to walk up to the table. Lifting a napkin, she covered her face and tried to stop. He shook his head and slid in next to her. So much for avoiding him and his cranky ways.
The waitress approached. Poppy ordered them more drinks, and the boys added their order. It was just enough time for Lilly to stop laughing. She waved the napkin in front of her face and smiled. “Sorry. I have no idea why that was so funny.” Wiping her eyes, she asked, “What happened with the accident?”
“No fatalities,” Brock responded. “What made you laugh so hard?”
“The Queen of Meat Pies,” Poppy said as she shrugged. “Do you all remember when I was crowned the Queen of Contraband Days?” Smoothing her long braid, she graced the table with her beauty queen smile. “I consider it a highlight of my life.”
Lilly snorted. “You do not. Your mama made you do it, and you complained about it for the better part of three years.”
“I like my version a lot better than yours,” Poppy said, as the waitress dropped off their po’ boys and drinks for the table.
Brody’s eyes bounced between the women. “Where were you two before you got here?”
“We were painting at the place across the street. We’re artists.”
Brody shook his head. “That explains it. You’re both half in the bag. Wine and painting…who the hell invented that?”
“A genius,” Lilly answered before she took a healthy bite of her sandwich.
Brock slid the Tabasco sauce in her direction and then took a gulp of his beer. “Genius? I doubt it.”
Lilly mouthed something to herself silently as she doused her sandwich. Cutting it in half, she held it out to Brock. “Clearly you’re hangry. Eat this until your food comes.” She watched him hold the sandwich for a second before he took a bite. “Better?”
He swallowed and then wiped his mouth. “Yeah, thanks.”
Lilly watched Poppy and Brody exchange glances and wondered what they were up to. Raising her eyebrows, she stared at her friend and waited. When Poppy shook her head, she knew she would have to wait. “Brody, tell us exactly what meat-pie queen dreams look like.”
“A lot of bad taste,” Brody replied.
“Bless her heart,” Lilly and Poppy said in unison.
“The curse of a Southern woman,” Brock said as the waitress delivered their food.
“Pff. What do you know about Southern women?” Poppy asked as she finished her sandwich.
“More than I should,” Brock said as he dug into his food.
Lilly smirked. “What you know could fit inside a bottle cap.”
Poppy elbowed Brody and winked. “When do you think those two are going to give up the fighting and get to the loving?”
Lilly kicked her friend under the table. “Why are you stirring the pot?”
“’Cause I’m tired of watching the two of you avoid the truth,” she replied with enough sweetness to kill a diabetic.
“Maybe you should focus on your own avoidance.” Raising her eyebrows, she watched her friend’s face scrunch up in distaste. “I believe there’s a certain horse breeder who aggravates you every time you two are within a foot of each other.”
Brody leaned in and crossed his arms. “So exactly what’s happening out at the farm, Poppy? You got some man all hot and bothered?”
“I’ll have you know that Rowan is the vilest man that I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. He is overbearing, rude, and sanctimonious. I’ll never let any of my horses near his.”
“Is that a euphemism or are we talking about your actual horses?” Brody asked.
Poppy slammed her elbow into his side and snorted. “Horses.”
“I think he’s offering himself up for stud services along with his horses,” Lilly said, clapping her hands. “He’s a good-looking man, that is for damn sure. He’d make a fine option for a baby daddy. He’s also smart and doesn’t back down from a challenge.”
“If you like him so much, why don’t you date him?” Poppy asked sharply.
“’Cause he’s lusting after you.” Leaning across the table, she squeezed Poppy’s hand. “He’s gonna get you, one way or another. Or die trying.” Seeing Poppy close her eyes let her know that Poppy understood but wasn’t ready to accept it. “Unless, of course, you’re really waiting for Brady to find his way back home.”
Poppy let out an aggravated huff and swirled the straw in her soda. “Brady and I have been over since college. There is no waiting for either one of us.”
Brody finished his sandwich and laughed. “It might never be over between the two of you. Did you hear he was injured on the last rescue he and his team were on? He may end up at home while he heals.”
“He called me right after it happened,” Poppy replied. “I can’t believe he’s lasted as long as he has on HRT without a serious injury.”
“The FBI usually plays it safe and doesn’t send in the Hostage Rescue Team unless they think they’ll succeed,” Brock added. “As the middle brother, he tries to make his mark, and unfortunately that means taking more risks than he should.”
“Hello, pot, have you met kettle?” Lilly commented. “Not sure what eight years with MARSOC says about you.”
“Not what you’re thinking, that’s for sure,” Brock replied.
“Whatever,” Lilly said on a laugh. “Poppy, let’s play a game of pool before we go home. I think one of those boys over there might be a good candidate for monkey sex. We need a closer look, though.”
“Sounds good to me. I could use a change of scenery,” Poppy replied as she wiped her hands. Lifting her drink, she shoved her hip against Brody. “Move that cute butt of yours and let me out. Lilly and I are going to show those boys over there what a Southern woman is capable of and find someone for her to have relations with.”
Brody slid out of the seat and swept his hand up. “You need backup, just wave.”
Lilly lifted her drink and shoved her hip into Brock the same way. “Let me out.”
“Cool your jets, woman.” He slid her a long look and crossed his arms. “Any particular reason you’re in the market for a man?”
“Women don’t need a particular reason. We have needs just the same as you all.” Bumping his hip again, she winked. “
Let me out. I have some research to do.”
“Give me a second to slide out of the seat.”
Lilly gave him a sweet smile and waited for him to move his mass out of her way. Once he did, she followed Poppy. “Let’s put some money on this game,” she called out to her friend.
***
Brock looked at his youngest brother and lifted his shoulders. “What?”
“Don’t you think it’s about time you did something about your decade-long crush? If you don’t, then one of those guys is going to be enjoying Lilly’s charms, not you.”
“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
“Denial. Yeah…that’s not working.” Brody laughed in response.
The brothers turned toward the pool table that sat in the middle of the pub, and Brock narrowed his eyes. Lilly was bending over, getting ready to break. God damn, she was every Southern man’s dream…an ass full enough for two hands, long legs, and enough sass to keep things interesting.
“That’s biscuits and gravy she’s got going on there. That’s a long, slow good time,” Brody remarked.
“Fuck you. Don’t talk about Lilly that way. You’ve known her since you were five years old.”
“I’d say the same thing to her face and she would laugh right along with me. You’re the only one who has a stick up your ass. It’s ’cause you’re denying the thing you’ve felt since you were eighteen. Do something about it or leave her the hell alone.”
“Baby brother, when did you become the expert on women?”
“Don’t you listen to the gossip around town? I’m the freaking love doctor.”
“Going through women faster than you go through socks doesn’t make you the doctor of anything.”
Brody ignored his brother and went on. “You’re thirty and you should settle down. Maybe if you had a good woman in your life, you’d be less cranky.”
“I’m not cranky.” Brock watched his baby brother give him a get-real look and guessed he had a lot more to say. Most of which he probably didn’t want to hear.
“You’ve been home for a year and I’d say it’s about time.” Wiggling his eyebrows, he pointed to Lilly. “I double-dog dare you to take Lilly Bertrand out on a date. Put your money where your mouth is and show me how it’s done. Woo her and win her and then I’ll start listening to you. If you don’t then you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”
Brock swiveled in his seat and watched Lilly lean against the brick wall. The lighting over the pool table picked up the honey highlights in her hair. His stupid brother was right. If she had needs, then he was going to be the one to fill them. And then some.
A man sidled up next to Lilly, and she graced him with a big, easy smile. That wasn’t a smile that any man needed to see…except him. As they started chatting, Brock felt his muscles tense. The first thing he’d like to do is punch the asshole in the face. After that, he’d sling Lilly over his shoulder and take her home. Which proved his brother had a point. God damn, he hated when that happened.
CHAPTER THREE
Sunday
Brock stood in front of Lilly’s door and contemplated how big of an idiot he was. He’d resisted her for most of his adult life, and he couldn’t figure out why it had taken his baby brother’s double-dog dare to make him act. Truth be told, it was the jerk at the pub who lit the fire. If she was on the hunt for companionship, then he was going to make himself available. Scrubbing his hand down his face, he knocked resolutely and waited.
Loud barks could be heard from inside the house, and he knew Popcorn was on duty. Through the glass panes of the front door, he saw her walking toward him. The pleasure of seeing her never diminished. When she cocked her head and frowned, he worried their habit of arguing might prove to be a bigger obstacle than he imagined. When she opened the door, he saw her Australian shepherd wag his tail. At least the dog was happy to see him. “Hey, Lilly.”
“I don’t see you a dozen times in the last year and now you’re everywhere. Are you here to arrest me?”
“No plans to arrest you, but if you want to play with my handcuffs, I’m game.” When she didn’t smile, he realized it sounded much better in his head. “Are you going to invite me in?”
“Wasn’t planning on it, but the handcuff comment has me curious.” Stepping back, she made room for him to enter. “Are you into bondage?”
Coughing out a response, he managed to say, “No.”
“That’s too bad. I was thinking of spicing up the book I’m working on, and bondage could be the answer.”
The dog stepped forward and pressed into his leg, so he decided to love on him until he could get his mind working. A picture of Lilly spread out on her bed with her hands tied over her head with a pink silk ribbon filled his head. After that, a slide show of fantasies he’d had about her played across his mind. Clearing his throat, he gave her a smile. “Want to go get something to eat?”
“Have you received a fatal prognosis? Are you dying?”
He pushed his hands into his pockets. “Wanting to eat with someone doesn’t mean that I’m on my deathbed.”
“But wanting to do it with me makes me question your grip on reality.” Lilly’s eyes lowered and she shook her head. “My guard dog is licking your boots and sitting on your feet.”
“Popcorn loves me. Always has.”
“Well, thank you for the invitation, but I’m going to have to decline. Pete is coming over and I’m making him dinner. He’s going to brainstorm with me and expects to be fed.”
“Why didn’t you want me to help the other day? I’ll brainstorm with you anytime.”
Lilly turned, walked down the hall, and called for her dog. Popcorn slowly rose, gave him a long look, and then followed Lilly into the kitchen. Closing the door, Brock examined his surroundings. He’d been to her townhome only once and hadn’t had a chance to look around. He figured that she settled in this part of town because of the neighborhood shops and walking trails. The Village at River Ranch sat south of the Vermillion River and was known for attracting younger residents. Made sense that’s what she surrounded herself with.
As he walked down the hall, he noticed the walls were painted a warm caramel color and filled with photographs. Taking his time, he studied a few. There were a lot of family photos as well as some impressive shots of Lake Martin. He noticed Lucy’s signature at the bottom and wondered when the youngest Bertrand sister had become such an accomplished photographer.
Walking into the great room, he saw Lilly standing at the stove. “The lack of response suggests that you’re not interested in my help. Which makes no sense. Pete isn’t that creative. I probably have a lot more ideas than he does.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Pete has been a fountain of information. He was the one who helped me out with the murder scene in my last book. That book was a New York Times bestseller.”
Sliding into a chair at the island, he shrugged. “So, what’s happening in book twenty-one? The usual mayhem and murder?”
Giving him a side-eye, she smirked. “What do you know about my books?”
“I’ve read every single one, some twice. I hate to admit how much I enjoyed your early romantic suspense ones. Those were some steaming hot scenes you wrote, and I enjoyed the hell out of them when I was deployed. A lot of the men I worked with did too. You were kind of a celebrity among the MARSOC guys.”
Setting her spoon down, she came over and sat down next to him. She put her chin in her palm and grinned. “A bunch of Marines read my books. I’m kind of giddy.”
Gazing into her sparkling eyes gave him a little shot of adrenaline. “Darlin’, half the guys in my unit were in love with you.”
“Oh, my goodness, that’s so sweet.” Sitting back, she smoothed out her T-shirt. “Are any of them around now? I haven’t dated in a while, and I think it’s time I got back out there.”
“No!”
Lilly pushed her hand into his leg and laughed. “You’re always trying to spoil my fu
n. It’s been true since the moment I met you.” She stood, went over to the stove and stirred the grits. “There’s tea in the fridge. Help yourself.”
Stepping around Popcorn, he walked over, pulled the pitcher out and filled two glasses. What Lilly had said was true. She had been a wild child growing up, and he’d always felt that he had to protect her. Her adventurous nature had gotten her into more scrapes than he cared to remember. She was a daredevil at heart, and there wasn’t a double-dog dare that she wouldn’t accept. Once the neighborhood kids had figured it out, they were constantly coming up with things for her to do. Had he not kept a close eye on her, God knows what would’ve happened. “I wasn’t trying to spoil anything for you. I just wanted to make sure you lived to see another birthday.”
Moving the grits off the heat, she gave him a small smile. “I liked to jump out of trees and stuff. It was all harmless.”
“How many times did I catch you when you climbed like a monkey to the tallest branch in that old oak at the park?” Crossing his arms, he watched a small smile lift the corners of her mouth. When she was nine, she climbed that tree at least twice a week and he’d instantly assigned himself her protector. He knew the more times he caught her, the more times she would jump.
Even back then they were inextricably tied. What neither of them knew was that it would never end. No matter how long they ignored it. Standing in her warm kitchen with the late afternoon sun filling the room, he accepted the truth and vowed to do something about it.
“You caught me maybe once a week for the better part of two years. I loved the feeling of flying out of those branches and the way the breeze rushed against my ears.” Leaning against the counter, she shrugged. “I was fearless ’cause I knew you’d be standing there, ready to catch me. Always my protector.
“When you told me that you were joining the Marines out of college, I wasn’t surprised. You’d been protecting everyone for years. Then when Brady told me you decided to join MARSOC, I knew you’d found something that made sense for you. There was no way that you wouldn’t pick one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.”