Thank You For Loving Me

by Lori Ryan

  Maggie raced toward the door, excitement in her voice. “It must be the girls. Holly and Ivy got in this morning.” She pulled open the door and the noise of what sounded like hyenas being slaughtered erupted in the entryway. Devlin slammed her hands over her ears. She wasn’t used to this girly shit.

  Before she could pull down her hands, five women piled into the entryway, each squeezing Maggie like she was their long-lost sister.

  A pang of jealousy hit Devlin like an arrow to the heart. In less than two days these women would be Maggie’s family. They’d be cousins by marriage, as close as sisters in this family. Devlin tried to convince herself that she wouldn’t lose her best friend, but she couldn’t help feel alone in a room filled with people.

  Maggie dragged the group into the living room. “Kayleigh, Devlin, this is Ivy, Holly, and Daisy.” She pointed to three girls who looked similar and yet uniquely different. “And you already know Elle, Lily, and Mia,” she added.

  Maggie turned to the other women. “Devlin’s dad was transferred to a base in Texas when she was in fifth grade.”

  “I thought there were six of you,” Devlin said.

  “Abbie’s plane was delayed in L.A.” Lily shrugged. “Who knew. She should be here later this evening.”

  “I’m Ivy.” A tall, slender woman walked toward Devlin, extending her hand.

  “You’re the chef,” Devlin said, taking her hand.

  “Well, according to Emmett last night, my sisters tell me I’m a cook now.”

  All the girls laughed.

  “She makes the best food,” Lily said. “I do wish I could talk her into coming here to cook for the barn events.”

  Ivy laughed but Devlin noted she didn’t say no like Mia had.

  She studied Ivy from head to toe. She didn’t look a lot like Sally but she was still gorgeous with medium length dark brown hair, light brown eyes and a splattering of freckles across her nose.

  “Well,” Devlin said, “you must not eat much of what you cook. You have an amazing body.”

  “She’s a runner,” Mia said. “Seven miles a day, rain or shine.”

  God, Devlin couldn’t think of anything she was that committed to, other than Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.

  A tall woman with long, strawberry blonde hair stepped forward. She had the body of Marilyn Monroe and eyes that looked like emeralds under the Caribbean ocean. Devlin was mesmerized by her beauty.

  “Hi, I’m Daisy,” she said cheerfully, “it’s nice to meet you.” She had a welcoming smile that would warm any heart and Devlin couldn’t help but be instantly drawn to her.

  Devlin stepped toward her. “It’s nice to meet you, Daisy.”

  “And this is Holly,” Maggie said, pushing forward another sister.

  Holly was petite, like her mother, with honey blonde hair that was pulled back in a high ponytail. Her gaze was intense, her dark blue eyes studying Devlin. She was dressed impeccably in tailor-made pants and a peasant-style top that hung off one shoulder. She looked like she’d just stepped out of a fashion magazine, not a hair or thread out of place.

  “She’s the fashion designer from New York I told you about,” Maggie added.

  Well of course she was, Devlin thought.

  “Not really designer,” Holly corrected, “I’m more of a—”

  “Stop, Holly.” Mia cut her off. “You work for a witch. That woman steals your designs and calls you a seamstress.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with being a seamstress,” Holly said.

  “No, not if that’s what you’re doing,” Lily butted in. “But you’re not. You single-handedly designed her entire spring collection. And she’s taken credit for it.”

  “Twice!” Mia added, holding up two fingers.

  “Okay, so anyway.” Holly turned from her sisters and smiled at Devlin. “I hear we have a bit of dress crisis on our hands.”

  And with that, Holly whisked Devlin away.

  “Thank you for saving me,” Devlin whispered to her.

  “No, thank you.” Holly laughed.

  Devlin smiled when she realized she’d made another friend. With a Sumner. In Canyon Creek of all places.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Max watched as Ben steadied himself on the window sill of Maggie’s home. It was dark now and a damp coolness hung in the air.

  “What can you see?” Jake asked.

  Max and his brothers were standing outside, acting like voyeurs. It was official. They were idiots.

  “It’s Devlin,” Ben said, lifting higher. “She’s wearing a dress and Holly is messing with it.”

  “Devlin?” Max asked, suddenly becoming an active participant in this crime.

  “Uh-huh,” Ben said.

  “With our cousin, Holly?” Aaron asked.

  “Yeah, I think it’s her. Maggie put up those stupid cotton gauze curtain panels a month ago and I can’t see shit.”

  Emmett chuckled. “Cotton gauze curtain panels? When the hell did you become Nate Berkus?”

  When Emmett had discovered Elle would be at Maggie’s tonight, he’d quickly volunteered to help them bust up the slumber party.

  Ben hopped off the ledge, dusting his hands on his jeans. “Who the fuck is Nate Berkus?”

  “Forget it, you idiots.” Max gritted his teeth. “What’s the plan?”

  “Someone’s excited about seeing his sweetie.” Jake blew kisses in the air.

  “Piss off, douchebag,” Max grunted.

  “I say we storm the front,” Ben said. “Surprise attack. I kidnap Maggie.”

  “Where are you going to take her? Ma’s house?” Emmett asked.

  Ben rubbed his head and nodded. “Good point. Okay, new plan. We bust in and you guys herd everyone else out and I’ll take Maggie to the bedroom and lock her inside until the wedding.”

  Aaron, Jake, and Emmett laughed in response.

  Ben and Max shared a look. Max clapped his hands. “Sounds like a great plan. I’ll grab Devlin. You guys get the rest.”

  “Wait!” Aaron shouted. “Where are we supposed to take the girls?”

  “Who’s in there?” Emmett asked, stepping up onto the ledge.

  “Kayleigh and Devlin for sure,” Ben answered.

  “Elle, too,” Emmett added. “And I think all of Sally’s daughters, except Abbie. She hasn’t gotten here yet.”

  Aaron counted on his fingers. “Okay so there’s…”

  “Need a minute to take off your shoes to add it all up, Einstein?” Max laughed.

  Aaron slapped Max’s head. “Fuck you, do you want to see Devlin or not?”

  Max held up his hand in surrender. “As you were.”

  “Excluding Maggie, there are eight subjects inside the dwelling.” Aaron held up his fingers as if still unsure.

  “Subjects inside the dwelling?” Jake wrinkled his brow. “Dude, volunteering for Junior ROTC in high school totally messed with your head. Are you a fucking Navy Seal now?”

  Aaron flipped him the bird. “Obviously you idiots need some discipline. Is anyone else going to lead this little clusterfuck?”

  They all looked at one another and shook their heads.

  “I didn’t think so,” Aaron said. “I say we go Stormin’ Norman on their asses. They won’t know what hit them.”

  All the boys nodded. “Sounds good,” Ben mumbled.

  Aaron turned to Ben. “You take Maggie and secure her in the bedroom until the house is cleared.”

  Ben saluted his brother.

  “Good, God,” Emmett groaned.

  Aaron ignored him. “Max, you grab Devlin and take my car.” Aaron tossed him the keys to his rental car.

  “Where should I take her?”

  “Christ on a cracker, man, do I have to do everything?” Aaron sighed, raking a hand through his hair. “Max, take Devlin to the old B and B. Kayleigh is staying in town tonight at her clinic.”

  “How do you know where Kayleigh is staying tonight?” Jake asked, narrowing his eyes.

  Aa
ron shook his head. “Irrelevant. Emmett, you take Elle to her place. Jake and I will wrangle the cousins. We’ll take some of the girls to Aunt Sally’s, the rest can go to Ma’s.”

  “Well, whoever ends up in Ben’s room needs to wash the sheets first,” Emmett said. “Wet dreams and all.”

  Aaron shushed them. “Everyone, man your stations.”

  All five men squatted down as if preparing to start a race.

  “Where the hell is Grant?” Jake asked.

  “He’s a wimp. Wasn’t man enough for the mission,” Emmett said.

  “Everyone ready?” Aaron asked.

  The men nodded.

  “Go!” Aaron yelled.

  His brothers all raced toward the front door, but Max stayed by the window. He had a different plan for Devlin. He knew she’d fight him if he plowed inside there like a caveman, so he changed tactics. He’d need to take his time, convincing her first, and he knew the best place for that to happen was in the bedroom.

  Max stood on the brick ledge and wiggled the window until it slid open. He needed to talk to Ben about putting locks on these windows. It was Canyon Creek, but still.

  His cousin’s voice floated into the night.

  “I can totally fix this,” Holly said. “I’ll take out the zipper since it won’t close and add a corset closure to lace up the back.”

  “Oh, God, Holly. Thank you so much.” Devlin’s relief was plain, but there was a twinge of something underlying it. Something like guilt, which was strange since it wasn’t her fault the dress shop had messed up her measurements.

  Max pushed back the curtain and looked at the two women now standing in a tight embrace, with Devlin holding her dress together at the back with one hand.

  “Sorry about this,” Devlin said quietly.

  Holly walked over to the bed to sit. “It’s okay. I’ll fix it and the dress will look even better than the original. Just take it off and leave it on the bed. I’ll work on it tonight at my mom’s house. We still have two days before the wedding. That should be plenty of time.”

  Devlin sagged in relief before turning toward the window.

  Max ducked to the side of the window, hoping she hadn’t seen him. He needed her alone before he attacked.

  “Thanks again, Holly. I really appreciate it.”

  “You okay, Devlin?”

  Max thought back to Devlin’s appearance earlier in the day. She looked drained. He’d noticed her somber mood last night at dinner but thanks to his soon-to-be sister-in-law whisking her off last night, he hadn’t been able to talk to her.

  He didn’t think it could be from the pressures of her best friend’s wedding, either. That wouldn’t explain how run down she’d looked. Even the stomach virus she’d had probably wouldn’t leave her so worn out.

  “Yeah, I’m good,” Devlin said in an unconvincing tone. “I’ll be better now that you can fix the dress.”

  “Leave it to me. No worries.” Holly patted Devlin’s bare shoulder. “Well, at least no more worries about the dress.”

  Holly moved toward the door but turned just as her hand landed on the knob. She faced Devlin. “You know, when we were little my mom used to say ‘No amount of sleep in this world can cure the tiredness I feel.’”

  Devlin sighed as if she understood.

  “Of course, she also used to say, ‘You can’t trust a man farther than you can throw him.’” Holly giggled. “My dad was a big man.”

  Devlin laughed and for the first time since she walked through his mother’s door that night for dinner, Max saw the sparkle in her eyes and the tiny dimple at the corner of her lips. Her smile made something in his heart swell. He wanted to wipe away the dark circles under her eyes and hold her as she slept, until whatever was chasing her let her rest.

  “It will all be okay in the end.”

  Devlin nodded, her face grim again. “Thanks.”

  Without another word, Holly slipped out of the door.

  Devlin turned toward the mirror of the dresser. “What the fuck are you going to do, girl?” she whispered to herself.

  “You could try talking to me,” Max offered as he hoisted himself through the window, falling to floor with a thud.

  Devlin screamed.

  Max popped to his feet and grabbed her around the waist with one hand, his other pressing against her mouth. “Be quiet and no one gets hurt,” he whispered in her ear, hoping if he could bring back some of the lightness their conversations usually held, he could get her to talk to him.

  She mumbled something unintelligible just before her elbow connected with his stomach.

  Max let out a humph and fell to his knees. “Jeez, Devlin.”

  “What the hell are you doing?” She seethed, fire in her eyes, her hands fisted on her hips, dress sagging just below her naked breasts.

  A devious smile spread across his face.

  “What?” she asked, finally glancing down at her chest. “Oh, shit.”

  She moved to raise the dress but Max was on her in a second, holding her arms by her side.

  “Max!” she yelled. “Let me go.”

  He couldn’t help himself, he was starved for her. He lowered his head and took one puckered nipple in his mouth.

  “Oh,” Devlin moaned, arching her back.

  Max laved her breasts, keeping her hands locked at her sides, afraid of what other body parts she might strike.

  She seemed to shake herself out of the fog, but only halfway, as she pressed her chest further toward him. “What…what are you doing here?”

  She struggled against his hands, but not much.

  “I’m taking you hostage.” He pulled away from her breasts and stood to look at her.

  Her eyes fluttered open. “Why?”

  “Because I haven’t tasted you in days.”

  Her eyes widened in understanding. “Oh.” She smiled and moved closer. “Okay.”

  A raucous noise outside the bedroom pulled her attention from him.

  “Take ’em down!” someone yelled. Emmett was so dramatic, Max thought. He should have been the actor.

  “What the hell is going on?” Devlin stepped back, racing toward the door.

  “Your dress,” Max nodded toward her bare chest.

  “Oh, shit” she squeaked again, bring the material up to cover her breasts with one hand, grabbing the door with the other. “What’s going on out there?”

  He caught her wrist. “Ben is here to storm his castle.”

  She looked up at him. “Storm his castle?”

  “Yeah, capture his maiden.”

  Devlin raised a perfectly arched brow and curled one side of her lip in a delicious smile. “Are you calling Maggie a maiden?”

  Max moved closer. “Maybe.”

  Women shrieking and men barking orders echoed through the door, but there was a lot of laughter accompanying it.

  Devlin glanced at him in confusion. “Who’s here?”

  “The Cavalry.” Max bent as if to scoop Devlin up, but she backed away, holding out a hand.

  “No, way. I’m not going with you.”

  “Why? A minute ago, you were all for it.” She hadn’t said as much but he’d been sure of it. Max cocked his head, genuinely disappointed.

  “I have to leave the dress. Holly is going to fix it.”

  Max took in her petite form. “Take it off.”

  “What?”

  “Take it off. Where are your clothes?” He searched the small master bedroom.

  “They’re in the bathroom in the hall.”

  He shrugged off his shirt and held it out.

  Devlin’s eyes raked over his chest and Max felt a surge of desire race straight to his dick. She did things to him no other woman could. He both hated her effect on him and loved it at the same time.

  “Take off the dress and put on my shirt. We’re going out the window.”

  “What part of ‘I’m not going with you’ did you not understand, soldier?” She pointed toward the drapes now blowing in the cool b
reeze. “And there’s no freaking way I’m going out the window.”

  Max shrugged. “Suit yourself.” He bent and hefted Devlin over his shoulder in a fireman’s hold.

  “Max!” she screamed, beating him on his back. He hesitated but heard laughter in her voice. “Put me down!”

  “You can come willingly or not, princess, but either way, I’m taking you with me.” So much for his plan to be more suave than a caveman.

  “I’m not the fair maiden in the castle, you dipshit. It’s Maggie you want.”

  “No. Ben wants Maggie, but he’s on his own. It’s you I want. And you I’ll have.”

  “Oh, my God, you sound like a Shakespearean tragedy.”

  “Come, fair wench.” He slapped her on the ass.

  She beat his back. “Put me down, Maxwell Sumner or I will kick you in the—”

  His laughter cut off the rest of her plan.

  “Maxwell?” Max chuckled. “You sound like my mother.”

  “I’m going to tell your mother and then you’re going to be in a lot of trouble.” She laughed as if realizing how her threat sounded.

  Max stalked toward the window.

  “You’ll never get us both out at one time.”

  He could hear the fight leave her voice, replaced with desire. She was changing her mind. She wanted to come with him.

  “And you have to let me take off this dress,” she said.

  “Okay.” Max had to agree, there was no way he could get them both out without ruining the dress. “I’m going to set you down. You take off the dress, let me ogle you a bit, then I’ll put my shirt over you and we’ll get out of here.”

  Hearing no arguments to his directive, Max let Devlin slide down his chest, not trying to hide his ever growing erection. Hell, what this woman did to him.

  She stepped back, pushing her long black hair away from her face. “Stay back,” she warned, one hand held up toward his face before she spun, unzipping the dress the rest of the way, and wiggling out.

  Max watched, slack-jawed and dry-mouthed as Devlin stood before him in nothing but a purple lace thong. He didn’t know how he’d get her out of here and home in the condition she was putting him in.