The Unexpected Bride [Brides for the Garrison Brothers 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic)

by Paige Cameron

  Devin put his arms around her, drawing her closer. “We can stop by my house on the way, and I’ll change. You can look the place over. Women always like to check out houses.”

  “I started to ask how you know so much about women, but it’s a silly question. I’m sure there’s been a few of them at your house.”

  He wiggled his hips against hers. “Are you jealous?”

  “If I was, I’d never tell you.” She put her hands around his head. “You have a big enough ego as it is.”

  Devin swatted her behind. “Warm those muffins, woman. I’m starved.” He grinned at her and strolled into the bathroom.

  Josie got the muffins out of the freezer. She’d defrost them in the oven. Then she got herself a cup of coffee and poured orange juice into a couple of small glasses.

  She was surprised to hear herself humming as she moved around the kitchen. It had been a long time since she’d felt safe, relaxed, and happy.

  “I like hearing you humming.” Devin hugged her from behind. “It smells good in here.” He walked to the percolator and poured his coffee.

  “Sit. It’s almost ready.” Josie bent down and pulled a small tray of blueberry muffins out of the oven. She sat them on a pot holder.

  “I baked these the other night and froze them for just such an occasion. But I thought it’d be Lacey and Hunter I’d be feeding.” She grabbed her cup off the counter, and sat.

  “Are you feeling all right?” Devin asked.

  Today, the shadows across her heart had been removed, at least temporarily. Her fingers touched his hand. “I’m not sad at all. At this moment, looking across at you, I feel joy.”

  He winked at her and picked up his glass of orange juice. “Let’s celebrate and not let these delicious-looking muffins get cold.”

  “Just like a man,” she teased, “always thinking about his stomach.”

  Devin surprised Josie when he helped clean off the table and insisted on helping with the dishes. She washed and he dried.

  “I hate wasting water on such a small amount of plates and utensils, but I also don’t like leaving them around for a week or more before the dishwasher is full,” Josie said.

  “Mom feels the same way. That’s how we all learned to wash and dry.”

  “Your mother is a wonderful lady.”

  “She is, but I had another mother before her.”

  “What happened to her?”

  “She and my dad died in a plane crash. The parents I have now were my aunt and uncle. They adopted me at three years old. Didn’t you know?”

  “No one mentioned it, not even Lacey. Have you been happy being part of this family?”

  “Sure. The family and whole town never saw me as adopted. I’m just another one of the Garrison brothers. I was lucky.”

  “Yes, you were. Was it a hard adjustment?”

  Devin told her about his anger and how his current mom and dad handled him. “They loved me and helped me through the worst part. What about you? Are you close to your parents?”

  “My mom is difficult to get close to. I love her, but she isn’t one to get all soft and emotional over you. My stepdad’s been wonderful to us, but again, he’s caught up in his career. He loves politics.”

  “I gathered that much from how he has talked to Hunter, trying to convince him to eventually try for a senate or house seat in Washington. What about your biological dad?”

  Josie explained how she and Lacey had just met him for the first time recently. “We had seen him only a few times after the divorce, and that was when we were young and still lived here. He wants to meet again.”

  “Perhaps you should. You might be surprised how supportive he’ll be if you have a problem.”

  She looked hard at Devin. “What’s makes you think he’d come around in times of trouble?”

  “I have to admit I’ve met him a few times when he was looking to buy a business, but then a store came up for sale closer to his ranch, and he grabbed it.”

  “You liked him?”

  “Yes. He’s come to see me ride a few times and brings the family. They’re all nice.”

  “I wish he’d paid as much attention to us.”

  “Some men have to grow older before they become responsible. It’s not an excuse, just an explanation.”

  “What about you, Devin. How old are you?” Josie asked with a grin on her face.

  “I’m thirty years young.”

  “Ah, well we’d never do because I’m thirty-three years old.”

  “You were old from the beginning. I remember a serious little girl who rarely smiled. She didn’t like to take chances either. And with me a woman would be taking a huge leap of faith.”

  Although he still had a slight smile on his face, Josie saw the hint of warning in his eyes. No, he wasn’t the one to lose her heart to, but it might be too late.

  Devin put away the last dish. “Let’s drive to my house. I’ll change clothes, and then show you around outside. You can explore the inside while I’m getting ready for mom’s Sunday dinner.”

  “I’ll touch up my makeup and be right with you.”

  “You look fine to me.”

  “Men like to say that to make women feel good.” She waved and went to her bedroom.

  * * * *

  He strolled around the small living room. She’d put out a few pictures. Devin picked up one of her mom and stepfather. They were smiling into the camera, but he noticed a small space between them. In the picture of Josie and her sisters, they were laughing at the camera and had their arms around each other.

  “That was taken about two years ago outside my parents’ home. It was Easter.”

  “It’s good of all three of you.”

  Josie’s smile faded. “It was before the bad things happened to Lacey and me.”

  Devin took long strides across the room and pulled her tight into his arms. “That’s behind you. No one is going to hurt you anymore. Not if I can help it.”

  She pushed at him and put distance between them. Josie blinked the tears from her eyes and tried to smile. “My knight in shining armor, as the old saying goes. But what if the other knights are stronger and don’t believe me?”

  “Hunter and I will convince them.” He put his arm around her. “Come on. We’re going to my house. Afterward we’ll have a happy dinner at Mom’s.”

  Devin watched her expressions as they rode down his long drive, which curved around several thickets of trees. At the end they came to a large opening with a circle drive.

  “My house was made with local river rock,” Devin said.

  “I like it. It looks sturdy and strong as though it would weather any storm,” Josie said, and got out of the car. Devin walked to her and took her hand.

  “I wanted privacy and a home that was all my own. My place to feel safe and secure.” His face went hot with embarrassment. He cursed under his breath.

  Why did I tell so much? I’ve not told Mom and Dad what I just said. I feel safe. I don’t need this house. And yet he knew he lied. He especially liked being inside by the fire when storms came up, or he felt uneasy and needed to clear his head. Damn, the woman’s making me more introspective.

  “How many acres do you have personally?” Josie asked.

  “We each were given ten acres of our own. I chose this spot. I have plenty of room for my barn, animals, and privacy. The house has the most acreage on the sides and back. I thought I made the entrance about as long as I could or people would turn around and give up.”

  “I thought that was the idea of privacy.”

  “I occasionally have a party. The townspeople know I like alone time. Neither they nor my family come without calling ahead.”

  “You can have all your girlfriends over without being interrupted,” Josie teased.

  “Right, dozens of them at a time,” he teased back. Then he unlocked the front door and led her inside.

  * * * *

  “Oh, it’s beautiful.” The walls were a light-tan color. He
had a large leather sofa and matching chairs on one side of the room. Two leather recliners sat in front of an enormous fireplace on the opposite side. The fireplace took up the majority of the wall. To the front of the room were two large windows facing the driveway. Cream-colored curtains hung at the windows. Josie glanced at him.

  “No, I didn’t do the decorating,” he said before she could ask. “Mom and her friend, Erma, are excellent at knowing how to decorate a room. I left the whole house up to them. They already knew what I did and didn’t like.”

  He motioned for her to go down the hallway to the right of the living room. “These are guest rooms for now. If, or when, I marry, I hope to have children sleeping in them.”

  Josie tilted her head at him. “I saw you as the consummate bachelor.”

  “I see myself that way, too. Or at least I have until recently. Seeing how happy Hunter and Lacey are makes me wonder if perhaps marriage isn’t so bad.”

  “You have three bedrooms, one bath connecting two rooms, and a bedroom on the back with an adjoining bath. Quite a lot of room for company or two boys and a girl.”

  Devin said, “Or two girls and a boy.”

  “Would you be devastated if you had all girls?”

  “Hell no. I want at least one girl, if not more.”

  “They can’t ride bulls.”

  “She’d learn to ride whatever she wanted. Do you have a problem with my idea?” There was an edge to his voice.

  “I don’t understand taking unnecessary risks. Yes, I’d have a problem with seeing a girl riding a bull.”

  “You must come to the next rodeo. Many young girls and women compete in various types of contests.” He leaned closer and stared straight into her eyes. “Why are you so scared?”

  “I’m not scared. I’m sensible.”

  “There’re times to be levelheaded and times to throw caution to the wind.”

  “I did once, and look what happened to me.”

  “Honey, the man you met was a good actor and knew as your boss you’d never expect he’d try to assault you. I’d bet it’s happened before.”

  “You think there are other women like me who were afraid to report him?”

  “Yes, he knows how to frighten and threaten. So far it’s worked for him. But when you and Hunter go to Washington tomorrow, I’d bet it’ll all crash down on his head.”

  “I hope so. You’d better hurry. We have twenty minutes to get to your folks’ house or be late.”

  “I won’t be long. Mom and Dad both expect punctuality. You can explore the house while I get dressed. Start in here with the master suite.”

  She softly sighed when she stepped inside. The colors were a light green and soft blue. There were paintings on the walls of oceans and other bodies of water. Josie breathed in and imagined she smelled a lake or an ocean, a breeze blowing through her hair. Off the glass doors was a private garden with numerous flowers growing and blooming. A small shade tree cast a shadow on the two chairs and small table.

  Josie didn’t realize how long she’d stood at the doors admiring the garden and small fountain until strong arms wrapped around her waist.

  “Do you like it?”

  “The room and this garden are amazing and so peaceful and wonderful.”

  “I sit and enjoy the music of the fountain and the birds coming to the bird feeder.”

  “I envy you having such a beautiful home.”

  “Very few people have seen this part, my family mostly.”

  “None of your special girlfriends?”

  “You are the first.”

  She jerked around in his arms. “Me?”

  “Didn’t you know you’re special?”

  She walked into the bedroom. “I’m too short, a little chubby, and three years older than you.”

  “You are the perfect height for me, not chubby, sexy as hell, and three years is no time at all.”

  Excitement and hope rushed through her body. “Are you saying you like me?”

  “I’m saying you are special to me. Where this goes, I’m not sure, but I’ve never wanted any other woman to see this private part of my house.” He cupped her face and gently kissed her. Then he checked his watch. “We have eight minutes to get there. As soon as I put on my shoes we’ll leave.”

  Josie wandered through the living room and dining room to the immaculate kitchen. It was a large country kitchen and she loved it.

  I mustn’t get my hopes up. I have problems to take care of before getting too fond of anyone. But when I look around this room and at Devin, I want them to be mine.

  Chapter Six

  Sunday dinner had been fun. All the brothers teased Devin when they arrived five minutes late. They’d have been on time if Devin hadn’t stopped before going out his doorway and thoroughly kissed Josie. She blushed at the teasing, and his mom said they were excused this one time, but not to make it a habit.

  On Monday, Josie went to the home place at seven. Their reservations were made to fly out of Cheyenne Regional airport at noon. It was a short twenty-minute flight to Denver. There they’d catch the two o’clock flight to Washington, DC.

  Josie, Hunter, Lacey, and Heath were going straight to the authorities as soon as they landed. Heath had bought tickets for a straight-through flight arriving in DC around 5:20. Josie had a knot in her stomach. Her gut said things would not go as easily as Heath and Hunter expected. She’d been glad Hunter suggested Lacey go with them. Josie sat her suitcase by the door when she went in the Garrison’s kitchen.

  “Mom has breakfast sandwiches made for us and coffee in a thermos. We’ll eat on our way,” Hunter said.

  “I doubt I can eat.”

  “At least say you’ll try, or Mom will take you by the ear and sit you down and make you eat before leaving,” Hunter said, grinning.

  Josie laughed. “Did she do that to you and your brothers?”

  “Only once for each of us. It was too embarrassing to repeat the behavior. Mom believes everything will be better on a full stomach.”

  Mrs. Garrison stood by the stove. “I understand she has a nervous stomach. Don’t make her eat.” She handed Josie some crackers. “These may help on the short flight. It’s not for the faint of heart.”

  “I’m going to check on one or two things and close my office,” Josie said. “Holler when Cort and Heath arrive.”

  * * * *

  She’d just disappeared down the hallway when a knock at the door had them all turning around. Two men in black suits stood outside the kitchen. Mrs. Garrison walked to the screen door.

  “May I help you?”

  “We’d like to speak with Josephine Donnelles. Is she here?”

  Hunter got up. “I’m her lawyer. How may I help?”

  “We have papers to arrest her and bring her back to Washington.”

  “What are the charges?”

  The man handed Hunter several official-looking papers. He quickly scanned them.

  “Miss Donnelles has left. She’s on her way to Washington to speak with the police. The man who is making these claims threatened her with this if she told anyone he’d been siphoning funds.”

  “She’ll have to explain to the judge. I’m here to see she goes back.” He squinted at Hunter. “You sure she’s headed to Washington?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then we’ll contact our office and someone will meet her at the plane in DC.” He glanced in the kitchen. “You sure she’s already left?”

  “That’s my understanding.”

  The man nodded, and he and his buddy went back to their car. Hunter waited until they’d driven off.

  “You lied,” his mother said.

  “Not exactly, Mom. She is headed to Washington, but just not on the plane yet.”

  “You take good care of her,” Mrs. Garrison told Hunter. She turned to Devin. “Are you flying with them?”

  Devin paled at her words. “I can’t.” He brushed by them and hurried to his vehicle.

  * * * *

&n
bsp; “I’m ready.” Josie stood in the doorway. “Did Devin leave?”

  “He had a call and hurried off,” Hunter lied again.

  “Heath and Cort are driving up now. We’ll run by my house real quick and get Lacey.”

  They walked out the door and Mrs. Garrison followed them to the car. “Don’t worry, Josie. Hunter is an excellent attorney. He’ll see to your legal needs, and Heath will talk with this man’s bosses. My boys will take care of you.”

  Hunter put the cooler of food on the floor in the backseat. “Thanks for the breakfast, Mom. See you soon.”

  Lacey was ready. She stood at the front door of her and Hunter’s house with her cases by her feet. Hunter jumped out and put the suitcases in the trunk. Then he got in backseat with the two women.

  Josie looked back at the house and wondered how long it would be before she could return to Pleasure Valley. She didn’t want to think how many years she’d be in prison if convicted for a crime she didn’t commit.

  The short plane ride was terrifying with the up and downs as the smaller plane went over the mountains. But they arrived on time and quickly were boarded on their flight to Washington.

  Josie didn’t talk. Hunter had explained about the men waiting to arrest her at the airport. Inside she trembled with fear. Lacey sat beside her and held her hand. Heath and Hunter sat in front of them and they heard them speaking, but were unable to make out what they said.

  As they got closer to Washington, Josie’s nerves got more rattled. “You have to call Mom for me,” Josie said. “I can’t handle her questions and hysteria.”

  “I’ll take care of talking with her and Alex. He’ll be supportive.”

  “This is my fault. If I’d been brave enough to go to the police at the time, they might have believed me. I doubt they will after all this time.”

  “Let Hunter worry about the police and court. You concentrate on keeping yourself together.”