“Then why did you marry him?” Sarah asked, genuinely curious.
“Oh, because that big idiot has been after me for years now, and I guess he just wore me down.”
“Don’t you love him?”
“Oh yeah, with all my heart, but when he acts like a child I have real reservations about the whole situation. I really hate being the only adult in the relationship. Just you wait. This is nothing. Wait until they are all out at Rachael’s Ranch. These boys are nuts,” she advised. Sarah didn’t have time to respond, for the boys walked back in and each took his turn congratulating her on her wonderful condition.
She watched them all over the next hour as they all goofed around, laughed, and poked fun at each other. She watched as Mark and Mitchell finished each other’s sentences, how the others would roll their eyes, and once she witnessed Matthew throw a pillow at them to get them to stop it. She also watched how Mitchell, even acting like a small child, was very attentive to Bridget. Every time she would go to sit, he would be there to hold the chair for her. When she would stand, he would also. He knew when her tension would rise, and he would lovingly walk over and start to massage her shoulders, and when no one was looking she would smile lovingly at him, and he would kiss her.
Growing up, she had always wondered what it would be like to have had brothers or sisters. To have a big family that she could count on, to have around when needed to laugh away the worries. The Armstrongs were a vocal, boisterous family, but she knew at any moment all of them would come running if they were needed.
She felt exhausted watching them. They had more energy than the universe should allow. Overwhelmed, she lowered her head to the table and closed her eyes. The medicine she had taken must be kicking in, and she was too tired to get up and walk to the bedroom.
Mark didn’t have to look at her to know. He just quietly got up and carried her into the bedroom and laid her down on the bed. He knew she had overdone it, and he blamed himself. He should have been more protective. As he covered her up, she whispered, “Thank you.”
“Get some sleep, baby. I’ll wake you in time to leave for the stadium.” He smiled and closed the doors behind him.
They were all waiting on him when he walked back into the living room.
* * * *
For the next two hours, they all sat around and watched old play reels of the opposing team so Mark could be prepared for any move he might have missed. Bridget continued to talk on her phone, gathering all the information she could, while Mitchell reached out to all of his friends for any assistance. Everyone was on board and was eager to help keep Sarah safe and free of the media. Her safety was his number one concern, and Mark didn’t want any problems.
He knew once the media found out about the marriage and the pregnancy, accusations and derogatory remarks would flood the airwaves. Old acquaintances from his past would come forward, causing trouble and trailing havoc in their wake. He never once regretted his past, but the moment he said, “I do,” he was not the only person in his universe. His world revolved around Sarah and their well-hidden bundle. His job was now loving her and seeing to it that she was taken care of.
As the time began to drift away, Mark grew anxious, but not for the reason everyone thought. Looking at his watch, and then at the clock, he worried that the crew he had hired were going to be late, but when there was a loud knock at the door, he just stood and smiled.
He watched as his brother Mason, who was closest to the door, went to answer. Knowing what was about to happen, Mark just stood next to his father and Mikie and watched.
The moment the door swung open, Mason cursed long and loud. “Fuck a duck! Oh, fuck no! Who the fuck called you? What the fuck are you guys doing here? I don’t need your fucking help. Go back to whatever fucking rock you crawled out of and get the fuck out of here.”
“Well, do ya hear that, Fish? Good ol’ Cap’ is really happy to see us. You keepin’ count of those F-bombs he’s droppin’?” a man with flaming-red hair said. Standing about six foot five and weighing a solid two hundred and fifty pounds of pure muscle, the man smiled at his friend.
“Sure I am, Gunny. Apparently Captain Ungrateful here thinks we are here for him,” the man with shoulder-length blond hair replied. Standing closer to six foot six and towering over Mason by a couple of inches, the blond man called Fish grinned at Mason.
Before Mason could respond, Sarah walked into the room, and the bickering men stopped instantly and stood straight.
Mark couldn’t help but smile, for he, too, stopped and smiled when she walked into a room. She just commanded that presence that very few were capable of doing, and she did it all unknowingly. Walking over to his wife, he kissed her forehead. “Sleep well?”
“Yes, thank you,” she whispered, wrapping her arm around his waist.
“Come on over here. I want you to meet your new security team,” Mark said.
* * * *
“I still don’t understand.” Sarah laughed as she sat next to Michael and Matthew in the large star suite that was reserved for her and guests.
“Oh for Christ’s sake. Once the ball is thrown, the opposing team is not allowed to tackle the quarterback. It’s called roughing the quarterback. The refs throw the little yellow flag, and then the other team is penalized five or fifteen yards,” Mitchell explained once more.
“But if it’s wrong, why do they do it?” Sarah asked.
“Jesus Christ! Mikie, you explain it!” Mitch huffed and walked into the kitchen to grab another beer.
“Sarah, they do it to try to get the ball before it’s thrown, or to sack the quarterback.” Michael smiled.
“But won’t Mark get hurt if he is tackled?”
“Hell no! That boy can handle a lot more than what those pussies are dishing out!” Mitchell shouted from the kitchen.
“Mitch! Watch your mouth,” Matthew ordered.
“Sorry, Sarah. Sorry, Bridget,” he apologized.
“Don’t worry about me. I have heard it all and more.” Bridget smiled and kissed her husband.
“Touchdown!” Michael and Matthew jumped up, yelling and giving each other high fives.
“Is that good?” Sarah asked, still very confused.
“Hell yeah! The Rebels just got six points!” Marcus said excitedly.
“But I thought you said a touchdown was worth seven points?”
“Oh my God! Mark better hurry up and win this damn game. If she asks another question, I am going to strangle her!” Mitchell yelled.
“I’m sorry. I just don’t understand the logistics of this game. It makes no sense,” she replied softly. Matthew sat back down beside her and put his arm around her. “Look, Sarah, how about you just watch Mark, okay. You sit here and count how many times he misses a throw. And when he gets back, you can tell him exactly how many times he failed to get the ball into his receiver’s hands. He will like that.” Matthew grinned.
“Well, he has missed five times already,” she offered.
“Good girl. You just keep a running tally, Okay. And don’t forget to mention it to him,” Matthew said, kissing her forehead. He got up and walked into the kitchen, grabbing another beer.
“You know he is going to kill you when he finds out you told her do that,” Bridget whispered to him.
“Yeah, but it is sure gonna be fun to watch his face.” Mattie laughed.
“Yes! Interception!” Marcus shouted happily.
“What does that mean?” she asked, looking at him.
“It’s the Rebels’ ball again,” Marcus offered as he sat down next to her.
“Do you think she will ever learn this game?” Bridget asked Mitchell.
“Hell no!”
“He missed again!”
Everyone just laughed.
A few minutes later, Sarah turned and asked, “What does halftime mean?”
For the next two hours, everyone laughed and enjoyed the rest of the game. Sarah relaxed and actually started to enjoy herself. Everyone all enj
oyed it when she would shout, “Mark missed again,” and by the end of the game, everyone was on the edges of their sets. The score was tied at twenty-seven, and the Rebels had the ball.
With thirty-two seconds left, the ball was snapped.
They watched Mark step back and let the ball go.
Epilogue
It was time.
Mark couldn’t contain his excitement and worry. Though he put on a happy, supportive face for Sarah, somewhere deep inside him he prayed that everything would turn out okay.
Looking back over the last year, he was amazed he survived it without a scratch.
Talk about a whirlwind.
After winning the championship game, Mark insisted they all leave for the ranch in Cedar Creek. Sarah had never been there, and Mark was eager to show her the beauty of the open range, that and he wanted to avoid the press.
He had kept his word to Sarah.
So far, they lived a very private life. Purchasing the land next to Rachael’s from Michael, Mark built Sarah a large home, one where she could live far away from the public’s eyes. With Cedar Creek quickly becoming a home away from home for most of the Armstrong family, the town welcomed him and Sarah, even helping in deterring the occasional paparazzi.
Life was wonderful.
Mark didn’t regret leaving football. In fact, he was looking forward to his next venture, fatherhood. Mark’s family understood and supported his decision, against the argumentative mouth of Bridget, who was the only one against it.
He smiled, remembering when he told his brothers that he wanted to be a stay-at-home dad. The females in the family thought it was a great idea, but it didn’t stop his brothers from ribbing him every chance they got.
The most significant change was when Mark made peace with his father. After twenty-seven years of anger, Mark decided to let it all go. He and his father had formed a new friendship, one of acceptance and understanding. Though they both shared a similar instance in their lives, they both chose not to dwell it. Instead, they moved forward, and now were on an equal footing.
Looking at his wife now, her flushed face, sweating, she was still the most beautiful woman in the world. He loved her more today than the day he married her, if that was even possible. She still loved him, and Mark relished that every day, never taking anything for granted.
“Come on, sweetheart. Just one more,” Mark said, encouraging her. Holding her against his chest, he gave her the support she needed as she pushed her body to the brink.
Finally, after all the waiting, it was over.
Looking up, Mark smiled then leaned down to kiss his beautiful wife.
“Guess you better get out there and tell them. They must be tearing the place apart,” Sarah whispered. “I’ll be fine. Just come back as soon as you can.”
Removing himself from the bed, he kissed her once more and left the room. Walking down the long hallway, the smile on his face said it all. As he pushed his way through the double doors, he stood before his whole family, who waited as patiently as any Armstrong could.
His parents had arrived a week earlier and were standing holding Abby. Rachael and Michael stood next to Henry, who was holding his new niece, six-month-old Savannah Marie. Then there was Mason, Marcus, and Mattie, who stood with Mitchell and Bridget.
All of them were here, his whole family, and he loved every one of them.
“Well?” his mother asked, anxious.
“Twins!” Mark shouted happily. “I have twin boys!”
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rebecca Joyce is your typical housewife and mother. The daughter of a retired military service member, Rebecca tries to incorporate the sights, smells, and adventures of her travels, but mainly she writes of the buff, gorgeous men she drooled after in her teen years!There is just somethin’ about a man in uniform…WOW!
Growing up in the military, Rebecca Joyce, along with her family, moved from state to state, enjoying the never-ending game of “Where are we moving to next?”…which happened every two to three years! After high school, Rebecca met and married her own military service member and now devotes her time to her husband and children.
Her ‘spawns,’ as she lovingly calls them, demand and expect a lot of her attention. When she is not catering to the whims of her family, Rebecca spends her quiet time reading or writing.
As an avid reader from an early age, Rebecca decided to try her hand at writing while her husband was away on a deployment to pass the time. Since then, she finds time in her hectic day to scribble her hopes, wishes, and dreams.
Though herreallife sometimes interferes with herimaginativelife, Rebecca tries to balance each with wit, sarcasm, and humor…“Screwing up takes practice…I think I’m well rehearsed!”
Rebecca Joyce currently lives in the United States with her husband of eighteen years and their three children.
For all titles by Rebecca Joyce, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/rebecca-joyce
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Epilogue
About the Author
The Texas Rebel [The Armstrong Brothers of Cedar Creek 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 24