“We’ll have a prenup drawn up.”
“We will not. What’s mine is yours. Now stop talking about paperwork and set your mind to thinking about engagement rings instead.”
His eyes softened. “I like the sound of Ivy Lockhart, don’t you?”
“Very much. I can hardly wait.”
He kissed me and walked me to the diner door before heading back to his office. When I walked in and saw Margie staring up at Springer on the TV screen, I walked behind the counter and pulled her close in a big hug.
“What’s this for?” she asked, hugging me back.
“Just for being you.”
“Can you believe this guy?” She nodded up at the TV. “Got three different women pregnant in a month. Why would any of those bimbos want him? I’d kick him to the curb.”
I took a pastry from the cabinet and bit into it. “Margie, what would you do if you won the lottery?”
She laughed and shook her head. “No chance of that happening. I don’t even play.”
“But if you did . . . what would you do?”
“I’d pay for Noah’s college. Buy you and him a nice little house with a yard. Replace the roof on our house. And buy Gene a new grill for the kitchen here.”
“You wouldn’t want to travel somewhere amazing? Or buy a yacht?”
She waved a hand. “We’re simple people. Lovely’s our home. If we had all those things I mentioned, life would be just about perfect.”
I smiled, now knowing the first things I’d do when I got the money. Being able to help the people I loved was an amazing gift in itself. Once again, Walter proved to be the wisest person I’d ever known.
As I sat at the counter eating my pastry I thought about my life. I had so much to be thankful for. Four years ago I never would have dreamed that my life would turn out the way it had. But I was still Ivy Gleason and the things that mattered to me then, still mattered to me now. I had grown and matured and I was proud of everything I had accomplished and knowing that Reed and Margie and Gene and Walter felt the same way about me made my heart full. I was one lucky girl.
I COULD HEAR IVY’S footsteps as she walked down the open wooden staircase of the vacant downtown Lovely house we’d just toured. It was a gem–a renovated century old home with nearly four thousand square feet and five bedrooms. It sat on a nice piece of property and it was a bit of a Lovely landmark.
“It’s beautiful, I love it,” she said as she walked through the foyer. “But it’s awfully big—”
“I was hoping we could fill it up with some more kids,” I said. “Noah would make a great big brother. But first you’ll need to marry me. What do you say, Beauty?” I was standing in front of the fireplace in the great room, holding a blue Tiffany ring box.
I held my breath as she covered the space between us.
“Yes,” she said softly. “I say yes.”
Noah ran into the room as I was sliding the ring onto her finger.
“It’s shiny!” he cried.
“He’s already seen it,” I explained to Ivy. “We had a long talk about this.”
“Oh, you did, huh?”
“He accepted my proposal to be his Dad. Didn’t you, big guy?”
Noah threw his arms around my legs and I felt a swell of love in my heart. Ivy kissed me and then held her hand out to admire the ring.
“It’s spectacular,” she said.
I’d known the square-cut solitaire with sapphires on the sides was the one as soon as I saw it. The blue stones reminded me of Ivy’s eyes.
“I was thinking we could get married this summer,” I said, loving the way her hand looked with my ring on it.
“But that’s just a couple months away. Can we pull a wedding together so fast?”
“My mom’s a miracle worker with these kinds of things.”
“This summer, then.” She smiled and ruffled Noah’s hair. “Do you want this to be our new home, Noah?”
“Yeah!” he cried, breaking away from my legs and doing a lap around the room.
I pulled Ivy into my arms, marveling that I’d been lucky enough to find her and Noah. And, what’s more, lucky enough that they loved me, too.
Life was good. And I had a feeling it would only get better from here on out.
REED HOISTED NOAH UP on his shoulders so Noah could set the star on top of the Christmas tree. There was a chorus of ‘aww’ and scattered applause as my son grinned down at us and plopped the star onto the tree.
“Yay!” he cried, throwing his arms in the air.
This was the second Christmas tree we’d decorated today. Reed had chopped both of them down in true lumberjack form, wearing the brown canvas coat I still appreciated seeing him in.
The other tree was sparkling in the front window of our home. This one adorned the front window of Grieves House, the venture I’d thrown my heart and soul into for the past few months.
We’d done all the smart things Reed had suggested when we got the money from Walter’s estate. Having investments and a college fund and trust for Noah helped my husband sleep at night, and I loved that about him.
It had been a thrill when we’d bought Gene’s new commercial range and grill, along with new ovens for the diner. He’d grinned for days after they were installed. We’d also had a new roof put on Margie and Gene’s house, as well as a sunroom. They were over the moon.
Once we’d taken care of those things, I approached Reed about an idea I’d been thinking about. I wanted to create a safe haven for pregnant teenagers who might not have anywhere else to go. It would be a safe place without judgment. We’d help them get prenatal care, learn how to take care of a baby, and help them get on their feet. From my own experience, I knew how much a young girl, pregnant and alone, needed love and support and encouragement.
With Margie and Gene’s blessing I’d quit my job at the diner to start Grieves House, and now I was living a dream. Every time a new girl arrived I knew I’d found my calling.
“When’s our new house mom arriving?” Reed asked as he lifted Noah from his shoulders, settling him on his hip. Noah gazed up at him happily.
“April’s planning on getting here the day after Christmas,” I said. “She’s got plans with her family for the holiday but she’s anxious to get here and start as soon as she can.”
“I can’t wait to meet her.”
I smiled as I thought about my friend, who’d pulled me up when I needed it most. She’d never felt truly settled in Seattle, and when I’d told her I was looking for a house mom to live at Grieves House, she’d jumped at the chance.
Everything had fallen into place. April was the last member of the new family I’d made for myself, and she was moving to Lovely. She was one of the few people I knew I could trust to help me run Grieves House. My father had pleaded guilty to sexual assault charges in a deal that kept him from prison but meant he’d never work as a police officer again. The prosecutor had approached me about it, and I’d told him I was satisfied. My father had admitted what he did and he wasn’t in a position to victimize anyone else through his job. I’d been surprised to get an apologetic email from Levi after the story hit the papers in Lexington. When I’d written back, I’d told him I had no hard feelings, which was true.
Over four years ago I’d been sure my faith in the goodness of people was gone forever. But I’d since learned that while not everyone was inherently good, there were other people whose goodness was so strong it outshone the bad. And I was grateful to be surrounded by that goodness.
Reed wrapped me in his free arm, still holding Noah with his other. I closed my eyes and took in the scents of his cologne and the sweet frosting from the Christmas cookies I’d decorated with Noah this morning. The scents that told me no matter where the three of us were standing right now, we were home.
THE END
Pre-order Brenda’s next standalone release
Barely Breathing
People see what they want to see. A burly guy with tats and a permanent scow
l is probably a criminal and an asshole, right? And I can’t fault ‘em, because in my case, they’re right. My world revolves around righting the wrongs of my past. Atoning for my selfish stupidity. And it’s enough.
Until I meet Viv – a woman who sees right through me. She’s not scared or intimidated. A woman like her is way too good for a man like me. But life as I knew it won’t be enough anymore. I realize now that before I met her, I wasn’t really living. Hell, I was barely breathing.
Thank you so much for reading Deep Down. If you enjoyed it, I’d greatly appreciate a review at the site of the retailer you purchased it from.
I initially planned this story as a standalone, but my smart and supportive group of three early readers let me know I’d gotten it wrong. They wanted more of the Lockhart brothers, and when they each mentioned it, I got excited about the idea. I look forward to bringing you Mason Lockhart’s story next.
Mason Lockhart’s story In Deep is available now.
Turn the page to read Chapter One from In Deep
THE MOMENT I SAW her, my gut should’ve told me that I was looking at a truly exceptional woman. That behind her frumpy façade was a smart, sexy gem I’d be damned lucky to even have a chance with. But I didn’t get it. There was no gut feeling, no magnetic pull, so I blew her off and graced her with my usual dismissive, arrogant self. And damn, would I regret that later.
MY BROTHER REED GRINNED at me with amusement as I set an unwieldy moving box on the ground.
“That one too heavy for you, princess?” he asked. “Need me to get it?”
“Fuck off,” I growled. “I was just losing my grip.”
I picked up the box again and followed him through a side entrance of Grieves House, the old Victorian mansion Reed and his wife Ivy had bought last year and renovated into a home for pregnant teenagers. They’d done a spectacular job and right now we were moving the belongings of Ivy’s friend, April, who was to be the new house mom for the girls.
“This one says ‘miscellaneous odds and ends’,” I said, lowering my brows as I read the neat, feminine print on the box. “Who spends time labeling everything when they’re moving? I just throw my shit in boxes and then dig through ‘em when I need something. Eventually, they all get unpacked.”
“Just set it by the closet in her bedroom. Her room’s downstairs,” Reed said. “April and Ivy will be back soon and we can ask her if she wants anything moved.”
I grunted and headed for the door to the basement. “Where’d they go anyway?”
“To the diner. Ivy was anxious to introduce April to Margie and Gene.” He opened the basement door for me. “You’ve met April, right?”
I headed down the stairs with Reed behind me, answering him when we’d made it to the largest bedroom in the recently finished basement.
“I saw her at your wedding, but I never spoke to her.”
Reed rolled his eyes in disapproval. “That’s because you were too busy with Marcie Lawson. Only you would bring a date in a skin-tight leopard print dress and hot pink heels to our wedding.”
“Is that what she was wearing?” I scrunched my face in thought. “Huh. I don’t even remember getting her out of that dress after the reception, but I know I did.”
“That’s because you were drunk.”
I arched my brows at him. “You know what I didn’t get her out of? The shoes. That, I remember.”
“Jesus, man, you need to up your game. April’s most definitely in a classier league than Marcie. She’s a great person. Pretty, and smart, too. You guys should go on a double date with me and Ivy.”
I made a low sound of doubt in my throat. “She’s not my type, man. I wouldn’t want to hurt her feelings.”
“Your type’s a whore, Mason. And you’re thirty years old. When are you gonna grow up?”
I shrugged. “Since when do I have to answer to you and Austin and Kyle? You’re all just jealous because you’re married with kids. Besides, Mom and Dad got the grandkids they wanted.”
“Don’t bring Mom and Dad into this. You’d be surprised how great it is to date a woman you can actually have an intelligent conversation with.”
“Look, I’m sure April’s very nice,” I said, running a hand through my hair. “And maybe I could stand to choose a woman with . . . a little more substance. But I have to feel a strong attraction to a woman, you know? And, April’s . . . I don’t know, kinda mousy. With the glasses and cardigan and long skirt. She looks like a librarian for fuck’s sake. You know how I am. I’d run over her before she even saw me coming.”
Reed nodded slightly in acknowledgement, at the same time looking disgusted. “She’s actually quite pretty. You’d know that for yourself if you’d paid attention to anyone other than Marcie at our wedding. But I guess you’re right. The last thing Ivy and I would want is you using April.”
My skin tingled with defensiveness. “Hey, I’ve never used a woman who didn’t want to be used,” I said with a smirk.
My brother groaned and gave me a dirty look and we silently agreed to disagree. The older we got, the less often we came to blows over our differences. But I missed the old days, when we always settled things with our fists.
I PRESSED MY LIPS together, silencing my indignation. Mousy? Librarian? Who the hell did Mason Lockhart think he was?
If only I was the kind of woman who’d fly out from behind the corner I was hiding around and defend myself. Poke a finger against his chest and show him just how unmousy I was.
But I wasn’t that kind of woman. His words hurt because of the spark of truth they held. My cheeks were flaming with embarrassment as I managed to sneak into another room to hide from view so they wouldn’t see me. I’d die of shame if Reed and Mason saw me, or if they knew I’d accidentally overheard their conversation.
I’d been waiting to meet Mason and thank him for helping move my stuff in. Ivy and I got back early and I had headed down to my room to start unpacking. But I heard the brothers talking as they headed to my room and I didn’t want to interrupt so I managed to make myself scarce. But I still heard every word of their conversation. Fat lot of good that had done me. Now I knew Reed’s brother thought I was a frumpy, mousy bore.
But, seriously, did Mason Lockhart think people got dressed up for moving day? I’d just pulled a U-Haul truck from Seattle to Lovely, Missouri, stopping at motels on the way. Today I’d completed the last leg of the journey and judging by the dark skies it looked as if I arrived in the nick of time. I’d be willing to guess that snow was in the forecast. This morning, after I’d showered and looked through my stuff for my hair dryer and clean clothes, I hadn’t been able to find exactly what I wanted.
And that was why my long curly hair was wound into a bun and I was wearing a random, longish skirt. But the cardigan? That was totally on purpose because it was soft and warm. Mason Lockhart could piss off if he didn’t like it.
I’d seen him at Ivy and Reed’s summer wedding. The Lockhart brothers were pretty much impossible to miss. They were the quintessential tall, dark and handsome man—times five. Other than Reed, I didn’t know any of them. Except, possibly, Mason. I doubted I’d ever forget his name now.
“April?” Ivy called as she came down the stairs to the basement. I cringed and rushed out from the empty room I was standing in.
“Hey, I just got down here,” I said, hoping it sounded believable. “I was hoping to say a quick hello to Mason.”
“Did you get a chance to meet him at the wedding?”
“No, not formally. You pointed him out to me, though.”
At that moment Reed and Mason walked out of my bedroom and I lit up with a smile as I looked at Reed.
“Thanks again for moving my stuff in,” I said to him.
“Glad to help out. You already know how happy we are to have you here.”
A moment of silence passed and I knew I was expected to acknowledge Mason, as well, but, stubbornly, I just looked at Ivy instead.
Reed cleared this throat. “April, t
his is my brother Mason.”
He clapped his dark-haired brother on the shoulder. I turned and gave him a once over.
“So this is your little brother?” I said. “Great to meet you, Mason.”
“You too. And I’m actually older than Reed.”
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t know that. I guess I just assumed you were younger because you’re smaller—in the physical sense.”
Mason’s eyes bulged. “I’m not littler than Reed.”
“Well, unless I need glasses, you do look shorter than him.”
Mason scoffed and scowled at the same time. “By an inch. And I’ve got ten pounds of muscle on him.”
“Mason,” Reed said, glaring at his brother, “let’s go get the rest of the stuff.”
They left the room and Ivy took my arm.
“Don’t mind Mason,” she said. “He can be confusing. He goes back and forth between being brooding and lighthearted so much I can’t keep track.”
I was eager for a change of subject.
“This house is incredible. I had no idea, Ivy, the scope of the work you put into this place until I saw it with my own eyes.”
“It is pretty cool, isn’t it? We got really lucky. This place was built a hundred years ago by a railroad magnate who was originally from Lovely. We bought it from a real estate investor in New York.”
I glanced around my basement bedroom, which had creamy yellow walls and plush, brand new beige carpet. Sun filtered in through blinds on a window set in a large window well.
“This doesn’t feel like a basement in a hundred-year-old house,” I said.
Ivy laughed as she led the way out of the room. “I’ll have to show you a picture of the basement from before the remodel. The contractor lowered the floor and completely renovated everything.”
“It turned out beautifully.”
“Thanks. Wait ‘til you see the old parts we were able to preserve. The entire third story is a ballroom.”
[Lockhart Brothers 01.0] Deep Down Page 20