The MacBrides

by J. L. Petersen

  As they got closer, Logan couldn’t see anything in the illuminated area, but heard the sounds of struggles just off to the side of the vehicle in the darkness. When he saw RJ on the ground fighting with Merle, who was on top of her, his vision clouded with anger. He couldn’t get to her before another fist made contact, but was able to tackle Merle from behind.

  RJ barely felt the punch as her face was already numb. She continued to try and dislodge him but was losing energy. Then suddenly he was gone.

  Scrambling backwards she quickly tried to stand and figure out where he went. She saw two figures rolling around and realized one was Logan. Strong hands came around her waist lending support. Turning she saw Clay holding on to her.

  Logan was out to kill. He’d never known such a haze of anger. He had Merle under him and threw several punches before he felt his brothers trying to pull him off. Jacob grabbed Logan and yanked him off Merle, but Brand was there to pick up the piece of shit. As soon as Logan knew Brand had him under control, he turned to look for RJ.

  He saw her standing next to the UV with Clay’s arms around her. She looked a mess and was crying quietly. He rushed to her and took her in his arms. “Hush, baby. You’re safe now.”

  RJ wrapped her arms tightly around Logan’s waist and cried into his chest. “I was so scared.”

  Logan rocked her for a few moments before pulling back to look at her. He couldn’t see very well, but knew she was hurting. “Let’s get you over to mom’s. She’s an expert at patching people up,” he said lightly.

  “No, please. Take me to Sandy,” RJ cried.

  “Okay. It’s closer and we can see what you need,” Logan swiftly agreed. He looked over at his brothers. “Can you deal with him?”

  Brand and Jacob nodded. But Clay’s harsh voice gave another command. “Get him, them, off our property tonight. I want them gone before sunrise.”

  “My mom?” RJ hiccupped.

  “We’ll deal with it, RJ. Just go take care of yourself,” Brand told her.

  Logan picked RJ up and got into the UV with her on his lap. Clay hopped in, turned the vehicle around and got them back to his house quickly. He gave a quick, curt call to Sandy telling her that RJ had been hurt and they’d be there shortly.

  When they got to the house, Sandy was already on the porch. When she saw Logan carrying RJ into the house she started to cry. “What happened?”

  Clay came up the steps and wrapped his arm around her. “Merle attacked her. She’s pretty shaken up and I suspect he got in a few punches.”

  “Oh, my God!” Running after them she told Logan to put RJ in the guest bedroom. Screaming over her shoulder at Clay, “Get rid of them.”

  Logan put RJ down on the bed and finally took a good look at her. Her hair was a tangled mess. Her clothes were dirty, askew and torn in a couple of places. But seeing the dirt and bruises starting to form on her face and neck had him itching to go find that piece of shit again and get a few more punches in. He went to grab her hands but saw they, too, were scraped and dirty.

  “Do I look that bad?” RJ asked. The look on Logan’s face already gave her the answer.

  “Oh, RJ,” Sandy cried as she came running in with Clay on her heels. The look on Logan’s face scared her a bit but she knew it wasn’t directed at her. Seeing RJ trying hard to keep her composure gave Sandy the strength to be strong and help her sister. “Sounds like the MacBrides are taking care of Merle. Let’s take a look at you.”

  “I’m sorry, Sandy. But I heard them say they were going to tell the family to leave tonight.”

  “Well, if they didn’t I sure would. Looks like I’ll have to schedule you another manicure tomorrow. You went and ruined this one.”

  RJ tried to laugh but found her jaw to be too sore. Turning her attention back to Logan who sat there quietly staring at her, she reached out to him. “I’ll be okay.”

  Logan groaned and gently wrapped her in his arms. “I was so scared.”

  “Me, too,” she whispered back.

  Clay cleared his throat to get their attention. “What happened?”

  “We’ll get the details later. Right now, let’s get you cleaned up and put some medication on those scrapes. I think we’ll need to ice your jaw also. You guys shoo while I help RJ shower.”

  Logan was having none of that. “I’ll help her.”

  Sandy paused and looked to RJ for guidance. At her nod, she capitulated. “I’ll leave the robe you used earlier on the bed, as well as the first aid kit. We’ll be in the kitchen, with some hot cocoa and an ice bag.”

  “Thank you,” Logan said. Grateful, he didn’t have to fight her on this.

  When they were alone, Logan tried to get control of his rampant emotions. Knowing she needed to clean up, he stood and gently helped her out of her clothes before taking her into the bathroom. He started the shower to warm the water up. Watching her, he saw the exhaustion start to take hold. Making a decision, he stripped.

  “Um, Logan. I’m not sure I’m up for shower sex,” RJ teased tiredly as she watched him remove his clothes.

  “I’m always up for sex with you, Rizz, but right now you can barely stand so my goal is to help you so you don’t fall.”

  When the water reached the right temperature he stepped in and pulled her in behind him. He paid homage to her by gently washing her hair and cleaning all her scrapes. She’d kept her weight against him, leaning on his strength. As he ran his hands over her body he could feel her relax. He wanted to take care of her. Love her. Be her everything. Because she was his everything.

  “Logan,” she whispered with a moan. “I was wrong.”

  Breathing heavily as desire ran through in his system, he asked, “Wrong?”

  Turning in his arms so she could loop her arms around his neck. “Yeah. I think I’m up for a little shower sex.”

  Logan wanted to swallow her whole but he was conscious of how sore and stiff she was. He reigned in his passion and kissed her gently. Then turning her in his arms, he held her tightly so that her back was up against his chest. One hand caressed and teased her breast while the other moved deliberately southward.

  RJ arched into his hands and relished the slow pleasure he was giving her. He continued with the gentle movements bringing her close to climax. Groaning, she placed her hand over his as he stroked her faster and with a hard pinch of her nipple she went over the edge.

  Logan ached, his need to join with her was strong. Willing to deny himself, he started to pull back, but RJ wouldn’t let him. She grabbed his hands and with a strong grip placed them on her hips. Then she bent over and braced herself against the shower wall. Looking over her shoulder at him she gave a devilish grin and wiggled her rear. “Please.”

  Logan’s good intentions flew out the window at her blatant invitation. Leaning forward he ran kisses down her spine and reached around to grab her breasts. “Are you sure?”

  “Mm… hmm.”

  Unable to restrain himself, Logan took her then, quick and hard. It was if he was assuring himself that she was there, and his. The sounds of their groans joined the rush of the cascading water. His hands sought her most sensitive areas driving her up to join him as he drove both to a soul shattering climax.

  Once they stopped quivering, he reached out and turned the water off. Grabbing towel, he rubbed her hair free of excess water before wrapping the towel around her head. Taking another towel, he carefully patted her skin dry. Quickly inspecting and treating her injuries, he wrapped her in the warm robe. Other than the scrapes on her elbows and hands, it was mostly the bruising along her jaw line.

  Inspecting her face, he raised his eyes to capture hers. “I love you, Rizz. Please don’t scare me like this again.”

  “I love you, too.”

  A knock on the door interrupted what she planned to say next. “Hey, you two. Let’s get some ice on that jaw.”

  Logan smiled at RJ. “I guess we’d better head downstairs.”

  Standing, RJ put her hand in his as they wen
t to join her sister.

  Logan wouldn’t let her get too far away from him. When they got to the kitchen, he sat down and pulled her into his lap. Looking at her and daring her to object. RJ didn’t want to be anywhere else. To convey that, she gave him a quick kiss, wiggled a bit to get comfortable then sighed. They both then endured the raised eyebrows and smirks of their respective siblings.

  Logan smiled as he held her and accepted the ice pack from Clay. Holding it to her jaw, he gave her a squeeze.

  “Can you tell us what happened with Merle?” Clay asked as he sat down and copied his brother pulling Sandy on his lap. Causing her to slap playfully at him.

  RJ told them what happened. “I don’t understand him. He acts like he’s responsible for making sure Chrissy gets what she wants.”

  Sandy shook her head. “I think he’s in love with her. Warped way of showing it. But he’d beat up boys that talked bad about Chrissy. Don’t you remember that one time when Bud Johnson showed up with two black eyes after dissing on Chrissy at a game?”

  “Yeah, I remember. But I figured he was just protective of her because they’re cousins.”

  “Oh, he is. But he never acted that way with us.”

  RJ took a moment to think about that then shivered. “Yuck.”

  Logan and Clay just smiled at the sisters. Both had the women they loved sitting right where they wanted them.

  “I think it’s time we headed home. RJ needs some sleep. I suspect she’s going to be stiff and sore tomorrow,” Logan said as he stood up with her in his arms before slowly lowering her to her feet.

  “She is sure you’re right.” RJ interjected, to let him know she could speak for herself. “Maybe I should have a complete redo tomorrow with both a manicure and massage.”

  “I’ll arrange it.” Sandy hugged RJ. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

  Later, when Logan joined her in bed and wrapped her in his arms RJ whispered, “Thank you for taking care of me, for being there for me.”

  “I’ll always be here for you. Don’t you know that yet?”

  Rolling to her side so she could look at him she took a deep breath. “What would you think about me relocating up here? I’ve been thinking I could move to Grand Junction and build a new clientele.” She nervously licked her lips. “It’d give us more time together.”

  RJ became nervous at Logan’s continued silence. And even more afraid when he suddenly got up out of bed. He grabbed the blanket at the foot of the bed and signaled for her to stand. She slowly complied and became mortified that he was kicking her out of bed. He wrapped her in the blanket then lifted her in his arms and carried her through the house and out onto the back deck.

  Angry now, she started to squirm. “Put me down. There’s no need to literally throw me out of your house. A simple not interested would be fine.”

  Logan acted stunned at her words and lowered her so she stood before him. “Who’s throwing you out?”

  Confused, she frowned. “Well, what’s all this about then?”

  “It’s about setting.”

  “What?”

  Logan lowered his voice. “See that moon? Hear the quiet with just the sound of crickets?”

  RJ was confused now. “Yes. So?”

  Smiling now, Logan said, “So, that’s my setting.”

  RJ’s mouth dropped open when he dropped to one knee. “I don’t have the ring yet, but I know my heart. Rizz, I love you. I think I have from the moment we met. I was afraid to push you too hard or too fast knowing you found it hard to trust. But your wanting to move up here and continue to be a part of my life tells me it’s not too soon. Marry me?”

  Tears streamed down RJ’s face. Joy unlike anything she’d ever experienced in her life busted forth. “Oh, Logan. I love you so much. Yes, yes I would like very much to marry you.”

  With a whoop, Logan stood and embraced RJ before sealing her promise with a kiss.

  23

  RJ had snuggled back into her pillow when Logan got up at his usual time. He’d whispered for her to get more sleep while he took care of some ranch business but that he would be back in time to take her over for the family brunch and rehearsal. After the events of last night, she had no problem following his dictate.

  Her phone began blowing up with texts around eight-thirty, waking her up from a deep, restorative sleep. Flipping over onto her back she smiled and stretched while looking out the window next to the bed. It was a beautiful morning. Then last night came flooding back. She tested her jaw and although sore it wasn’t as stiff as she feared. Her other cuts and bruises were bothersome but nothing major.

  Then, she remembered Logan’s proposal. Her heart soared with happiness. Oh, how she wished Logan was there. She wanted to be in his arms and just feel him envelop her. They hadn’t spoken about telling the family so she held off calling Sandy until they could discuss it. Reaching for her phone she looked at the text messages that had come in.

  All of them were from family. Yep, she got to call the MacBrides family now. And that made her happy. Apparently, they all knew about what happened with Merle last night and were checking up on her. Sandy’s included information that she was scheduled for a manicure and massage at nine and the technician was coming to Logan’s house. RJ yelped at the time and quickly shot off a group text letting everyone know she was doing fine and would see them at brunch.

  Two hours later, with nails whipped back into shape and muscles loosened up again, RJ came strolling out of the bedroom with her hair done up in a loose, casual pony tail and a pretty green sundress on. She’d been shocked at the bruising on her jaw but a little makeup took it down a notch or two so it wasn’t so colorful.

  Logan came in through the kitchen door and stopped when he saw her. They stood there grinning at each other for a few moments before RJ cleared her throat. “You’d better hurry or we’ll be late.”

  Logan seemed to come out of his trance and strode towards her and gently cradled her face. “How are you feeling this morning?”

  “Good, I got my massage this morning and it helped. The bruising looks worse than it feels.”

  He gathered her in his arms and kissed her. Gently at first and then deeper as if to fuse them together. Lifting his head, he smiled. He’d never been so happy. Slowly, he released her. Reaching into his back pocket his pulled something out and then dropped to his knee again.

  “I was missing this last night and wanted to do this right.” He held out a silver ring with a square cut diamond set low into the band. “Marry me, Rizz?”

  Nodding her head, with tears pooling in her eyes she held out her hand. “Oh, yes.”

  Logan stood and kissed her again. “I’ve spoken with Clay. He’s good with us announcing our engagement at brunch today.”

  Excitement shone in RJ’s eyes. “Would you mind if I called Sandy and told her first?”

  “Not at all. Why don’t you do that while I grab a quick shower. I’ll be ready to go in fifteen minutes.”

  RJ watched Logan stride into the bedroom whistling. Pulling her phone out of her hidden pocket she called Sandy.

  “I’m getting married.” She recited the same words Sandy threw at her almost two months ago.

  Sandy squealed on the other end of the line. “I knew it!”

  “Logan said Clay didn’t mind us announcing it at brunch today. But I wanted to check with you first. This is your weekend.”

  “And, how much better it’s going to be with you and Logan announcing your engagement. And, of course, that means you’ll be living up here where we can see each other every day. We’ll both be part of this wonderful family.”

  A short time later, Logan and RJ walked into the main house already full of family. Entering the kitchen, she was surprised to see her mom sitting at the table. When her mom saw her, she stood and walked over to RJ. She raised a hand and gently touched the bruised jaw.

  “I’m sorry, baby. I’m so sorry. I’ll be dealing with Merle when I get home.”

  “Where
are they?” she asked.

  “They left last night. It was that or Brand said he’d be calling the sheriff. They offered to let me stay and fly me home on Sunday.”

  Relief that Chrissy and Merle were gone washed through her. Her mother, on her own, was easy to deal with. “I’m glad you stayed,” she offered, earning her a smile from her mom.

  Logan came up behind her and wrapped his arm around her waist. RJ lifted her gaze to his and realized it was quiet in the kitchen. Looking around she noticed everyone had been watching. Logan gave her waist a squeeze.

  “I think this is a good time to tell you all that Rizz has agreed to be my wife.”

  Pandemonium broke out as everyone rushed in to hug and offer congratulations. Bea stood next to Opal and hugged her. “You’ve two fine girls there, Opal. I’m so glad they’ve made my sons so happy.”

  Opal nodded and cried. She never appreciated her girls before, and now they were truly leaving her.

  Bea finally clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “I say we open some of that champagne and have a little celebration before we get down to the business of getting ready for our first wedding.”

  Epilogue

  The day of the wedding was picture perfect. The weather was warm with a slight cool breeze and hardly a cloud in the sky. Hannah had risen early to gather fresh lavender to wrap into Sandy’s bouquet. As she strolled through her lavender field she laid a hand on her flat stomach. At least it was flat for the moment, she thought. How in the world was she going to tell her family she was pregnant and no husband in the picture?

  She knew there was a price to pay for her recklessness in Paris. But at the time, nothing seemed to matter but being with the man who rocked her world. The pain of his betrayal still hurt beyond words. But she was coping and learning to come to terms with her new reality. She’d be showing soon and would have no choice but to tell her family, but not today. Today was for her brother Clay and her soon to be sister, Sandy.