by Force, Marie
“She’s so good.” Georgia, who would soon be eleven, had her mother’s long dark hair and Buddy’s wicked grin and was clearly besotted with the new addition to the family. Buddy and Taylor had mentored Kate since her earliest days in the business. Kate had considered them and their four children to be her Nashville family for years.
“Give Aunt Maggie a turn, Georgia,” Taylor said.
“No, that’s fine,” Maggie said. “I don’t want to disturb her.”
“We have to go soon anyway. School night.”
Georgia made a face at her mother. “It’s a special occasion.”
“Will you remember the special occasion at six o’clock tomorrow morning when I’m dragging your carcass out of bed?”
“She’s very abusive in the morning,” Georgia said.
Maggie and her sisters laughed.
“Our mother was, too,” Jill said. “We did not do mornings well in our house.”
“Glad it’s not just my kids,” Taylor said.
“Definitely not,” Maggie assured her.
“I want to be homeschooled,” Georgia said.
Taylor snorted with laughter. “Your daddy says you’d be the dumbest girl in Tennessee if we tried to homeschool you.”
“That’s true,” Georgia said, as the others lost it laughing again.
“I can say that about myself,” Taylor said, “but you…”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m not allowed to say you guys are too dumb to be my teachers. I get it.”
“Four kids, and the last one is going to kill me,” Taylor said, shaking her head as her eyes danced with amusement.
“You love me.”
“Someone has to.”
“Um, you guys,” Maggie said hesitantly. “I brought a friend with me tonight. He’d love to meet you and Poppy, Kate, if you’re up for it. I know it’s not the time, but somehow I found myself inviting him and, well…” She stopped talking when she noticed they were staring at her in fascination. “What?”
“You’re stammering over a guy,” Jill said.
“I am not! I’m stammering because I invited him without really thinking of all the reasons why tonight wasn’t the best night to bring him here…”
“Whoa,” Kate said to Jill. “This is huge. Go get him.”
“Never mind,” Maggie said. “You can meet him another time.”
“Are you going to make me get off this sofa?” Kate asked. “Because I will if I have to.”
Maggie rolled her eyes at her sister. “Drama queen. I’ll get him, but don’t make anything of it. He works for us, for crying out loud.”
“Um, we’re not the ones making something of it,” Jill said. “For the record.”
Sometimes Maggie couldn’t stand having older sisters who didn’t let her get away with anything. Her whole life, she’d felt like she was scrambling to catch up to them—one of them at the top of her Ivy League classes in college and law school, the other a crazy-talented musician, singer and songwriter. And when it came to busting balls, Maggie still felt like the underachieving little sister next to the two of them. They always saw right through her. Every time.
Resisting the temptation to get into a verbal sparring match with Jill that she would lose because, hello, lawyer, Maggie went into the kitchen, where Brayden had been given a beer. The men seemed to have immediately accepted him into their tight-knit tribe, which gave Maggie an odd feeling that she couldn’t quite describe.
“Do you want to meet Kate and Poppy?” she asked him.
“I’d love to.”
Filled with misgivings—what in the hell had she been thinking when she invited him here?—Maggie led him into the great room, where the others waited eagerly to meet the man whom Maggie had stammered over. Ugh. She hadn’t been thinking. After Ethan’s text earlier, her brain had been scrambled, leading her to confide in her new employee and invite him to a family event.
She really had no business trying to be anyone’s boss. Clearly, she sucked at it.
“Brayden, meet my sisters, Kate and Jill, as well as Taylor and her daughter, Georgia. And, of course, the star of the day, Miss Poppy Harrington Matthews.”
“Great to meet you all.” To Kate, he added, “Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” Kate said. “Great to meet you, too. We’ve heard wonderful things about your work.”
“That’s nice to hear.” Maggie could see him making an effort not to be starstruck while meeting two of the biggest names in the music business.
Of course, Kate and Taylor were used to people being bowled over by them. Maggie had been flummoxed the first time she met Buddy and Taylor, but by now, she was used to being around them.
He glanced at Poppy, still out cold in Georgia’s arms. “She’s gorgeous.”
“Thank you,” Kate said. “We’re madly in love.”
“I can see why.”
“How’re you feeling, Kate?” Maggie asked.
“Tired, sore, elated, relieved that it’s over and it all went well.”
“Ready to do it again?” Jill asked.
Kate groaned. “Shut your filthy mouth.”
“What?” Jill asked, laughing. “You said you were having two in two years because Reid is getting old.”
“I don’t want to talk about that tonight.”
“On that note, I think I’ll rejoin the guys in the kitchen,” Brayden said. “So nice to meet you all, and congratulations again.”
“Thank you, Brayden,” Kate said. “Nice to meet you, too. Happy to have you on the Matthews House team.”
“I’m very happy to be there. Thanks for the opportunity.”
“All thanks go to Maggie. Your program is all hers.”
“That’s what I heard.” Brayden gifted Maggie with a warm smile and returned to the kitchen.
For long moments after he walked away, the others were quiet, each of them giving Maggie inquisitive looks.
“So, um, that’s Brayden, the horse guy.”
“Uh-huh,” Kate said.
Another long silence.
“Isn’t anyone going to say it?” Georgia asked. “That guy is hot AF.”
“I’m almost afraid to ask what AF stands for,” Taylor said.
Georgia grinned. “Hot as—”
Taylor’s eyes went wide. “Stop! Not in front of Poppy.”
Georgia rolled her eyes at her mother. “Puhleeze. She’s not even a day old. We can still swear in front of her.”
“No, we can’t. I blame the older ones for ruining her.”
“Back to Brayden,” Georgia said. “Hot AF to the one millionth power.”
Maggie felt her face get very warm and probably very red, too, and wanted to swear in frustration. Rather than swear in front of the baby, though, she shrugged. “I hadn’t noticed.”
The other women dissolved into hysterics, even Georgia, that traitor.
“Like hell you didn’t notice,” Jill said between gasping laughs.
“Shut up,” Maggie hissed. “He’ll hear you.”
“Oh, relax,” Kate said. “He won’t know why we’re laughing.”
“Sure, he won’t. He leaves the room, and you lose it laughing. Why would he think that has anything to do with him?”
They made a pathetic attempt to pull themselves together.
“So, Mags,” Kate said. “That’s Brayden the horse whisperer.”
“I believe we’ve covered that already.”
“What we haven’t yet covered,” Jill said, slipping into lawyer mode, “is why he’s here with you.”
“I asked him if he wanted to come meet you guys. That’s all there is to it.”
“Huh,” Jill said. “Interesting.”
Maggie stood up. She’d hoped for a chance to hold Poppy, but she wasn’t sticking around for an inquisition. “Gotta run.”
“You just got here,” Kate said.
“Big day tomorrow. Lots going on.” Maggie ran her fingers over Poppy’s soft cheek, careful not to disturb her. “
She really is perfect.”
“Thanks, Mags. You don’t have to go. We won’t bust your chops. Too much.”
Maggie was torn between wanting to get out of there and wanting to hold the baby.
Taylor helped to make the decision for her when she told Georgia to turn Poppy over to Maggie because they needed to get going.
Maggie held out her arms, and Georgia reluctantly transferred the baby to her. She snuggled the baby into her chest while gazing down at the perfect little face, remembering other babies who’d come into her life—her baby twin cousins, Owen and Olivia, now twelve, and her identical twin brothers, John and Rob, who were turning eleven this year.
They’d grown up fast, and this little one would, too.
Gazing down at the baby’s perfect little face, Maggie was thankful she’d be close by for Poppy’s childhood, even if Poppy’s mother and aunt were a pain in Maggie’s ass.
Chapter 10
Brayden couldn’t believe he was standing in Kate Harrington’s kitchen having a beer with Buddy Longstreet. On the scale of surreal days, this one ranked right up at the top of the list, beginning with the conversation he’d had with Maggie earlier.
He couldn’t stop thinking about what she’d told him or how angry it had made him on her behalf.
“Have you worked with horses a long time, Brayden?” Ashton asked.
“All my life. My grandfather had a horse farm, and we lived on the property. I learned everything I know from him.”
“Maggie is excited about the equine therapy program,” Reid said.
“It can be hugely beneficial for children—and adults—who’ve suffered trauma or struggle with physical or emotional challenges.”
“That sounds amazing,” Buddy said. “Important work. Makes what I do seem stupid in comparison.”
“Your music brings pleasure to a lot of people,” Brayden said. “As I mentioned earlier—huge fan. Maggie told me I needed to behave around the stars, but I gotta say, that’s easier said than done.”
“You’re holding up admirably,” Ashton said, making the others laugh.
“Freaking out on the inside,” Brayden said.
“I knew Buddy before he was a big deal,” Reid said. “Trust me. He ain’t nothin’ special.”
“Thanks, brother,” Buddy said with a guffaw.
“You two are brothers?” Brayden asked.
“From another mother,” Buddy said. “My mama was his family’s housekeeper. Reid and I grew up together in the same house. He was the one with the silver spoon in his mouth.”
“You had a mouth full of bullshit,” Reid said. “Still do.”
Brayden laughed at their exchange.
“That may be true, but the silver spoon here financed my first demo,” Buddy said. “Gave me a huge leg up in the business. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.”
“Yes, you would,” Reid said. “Nothing could’ve held you back in those days. You were on fire with ambition.”
“He never wants to take credit for the role he played, but it was—and is—significant.”
“For what it’s worth,” Ashton said, grinning, “he’s my godfather, and I don’t think he’s any big deal, either.”
“Wow,” Buddy said. “I’m feeling the love tonight.”
“Our job is to keep you humble,” Reid said.
“Good luck with that,” Taylor said as she came into the kitchen with Georgia. “Buddy and humble are two words rarely spoken in the same sentence.”
“This is a rough crowd,” Brayden said, amused by them.
Buddy raised his beer in Brayden’s direction. “You see what I deal with? It’s not easy being me.”
“Oh puhleeze,” Taylor said. “Who has it better than you?”
Buddy put his arm around his wife. “Nobody on God’s green earth.”
“You know it, baby.”
Ashton made barfing noises.
“Oh, listen to you,” Buddy said. “Mr. Madly in Love and not afraid to show it.”
“You got that right, old man.”
Buddy scowled at Ashton. “Who you calling old?”
“Aw, my baby’s gonna be fifty-one soon.” Taylor caressed Buddy’s back. “He’s feeling a little sensitive.”
“He’s a big, fat baby,” Georgia said bluntly.
“I’m in the biggest fight with all of you people.” Buddy grabbed the black cowboy hat he wore all the time from where it hung on a chair and headed for the door. “Brayden, it was nice to meet you. Hope to see you again.”
“Same,” Brayden said, still dumbfounded by this entire evening.
“Great to meet you,” Taylor said. “Don’t mind us. We’re family. Family is mean.”
“It’s all good,” Brayden said, laughing.
“Let’s go home, Georgia Sue.”
“Don’t call me that!”
The door slammed shut behind them.
“Ah, the tween years,” Reid said.
“What’re you talking about?” Ashton asked. “You had it made in the shade with me. I bet little Poppy in there will be the one to give you a run for your money.”
“Don’t speak that way about your baby sister,” Reid said with a playful scowl for his son.
Ashton smiled. “You’ll be too old to do anything about it anyway.”
Brayden choked on a mouthful of beer.
“So rude,” Reid said, grinning. “I plan to live long enough to watch you chasing your teenagers.”
Ashton raised his bottle to his father. “We’ll be chasing them together.”
Reid touched his bottle to Ashton’s. “That we will. I’d better check on my baby mama and make sure she’s not overdoing it.”
After Reid left the room, Ashton turned his attention to Brayden, his friendly smile disappearing. “I’m an attorney. Do all the legal work for Matthews House.”
Brayden wasn’t sure why Ashton was telling him that. “Oh.”
“I did the background check on you before you were offered the job.”
He refused to squirm or otherwise show any reaction. “Okay.”
“Just thought I’d mention it.” Ashton pushed off the barstool he’d been sitting on and tossed his empty bottle into a recycling bin located under the countertop. He left the room without another word.
Brayden wondered why Ashton had felt the need to put him on notice. Maggie had already told him they knew he had a juvenile record. He was under no obligation to share the details of his sealed record with anyone. Those records were sealed for a reason—so kids wouldn’t be permanently penalized for childhood mistakes.
Not that he considered what he’d done a mistake. He’d done it on purpose and would do it again under the same circumstances, even knowing the consequences. Despite repeated efforts, he’d never been successful in getting his record expunged, due to the nature of his crime, or so he’d been told.
Ashton could watch him all he wanted. That was fine with Brayden. He had nothing to hide. He’d been hired to do a job, and he would do that job to the best of his considerable ability.
It might be a good idea, however, to curb his growing interest in the beautiful woman who’d hired him. If her brother-in-law had reservations about him, he’d probably expressed them to Maggie, too. So why had she hired him anyway?
As if he’d willed her, Maggie came into the kitchen, casting him an inquiring look. “Did they leave you all alone?”
“It’s fine. I don’t want to intrude on family time.”
“I’m ready to roll. Got an early morning.”
“I’m ready when you are.”
“Let’s say our goodbyes.”
He went with her into the enormous great room to say goodbye to the others. His gaze was drawn to the stone fireplace that was the focal point of the room. Somehow, the room managed to retain its coziness despite its size.
“You’ll be here tomorrow for dinner, right?” Kate asked.
Maggie nodded. “That’s the plan.”
“Br
ayden, you’re welcome to join us. The grandparents are coming to meet the baby.”
“Thanks for the invite, but I’m headed out of town late tomorrow. It was great to meet you all.”
“Likewise,” Jill said, speaking for the others. “Hope to see you again soon.”
“You, too.” He shook hands with Reid and Ashton and followed Maggie through the kitchen to the mudroom.
“Thanks for bringing me,” he said as Maggie drove them back to Matthews House. “It was nice to meet them all.”
“They liked you.”
“How could you tell?”
“They were themselves in front of you. If they aren’t comfortable around someone, they tend to clam up.”
“Yeah, they didn’t do that.”
“You can take that as a compliment,” she said.
“Buddy and Reid were telling me how they grew up together.”
“Right. Buddy is Ashton’s godfather and is like an uncle to him. Ashton handles all the legal work for Buddy’s company. Jill is working with him part-time now that Kate has decided to take a break from touring.”
“Will she go back to it?”
“I’m sure she will eventually. But right now, she wants to be home with Reid and Poppy. They’ll probably have another baby pretty quickly, not that she wants to talk about that today.”
“How many years between Reid and Kate?”
“Twenty-eight.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah, they first met when she was eighteen and he was forty-five. He was a friend of my dad’s from college, and he was supposed to ‘keep an eye on her’ while she tried to break into the music business.”
“Holy cow. Your dad must’ve freaked when he found out they were involved.”
“That’s putting it mildly. It was a really rough time. They ended up breaking up, but she never forgot him and vice versa. Ten years later, she went looking for him, and they’ve been back together ever since.”
“That’s quite a story.”
“Kate would tell you love is love, and age is just a number.”
“How old is Reid?”
“Fifty-six.”
“I never would’ve guessed that.”
“Buddy says he’s an ageless freak of nature.”
“They’re funny together.”