Sweet, Sexy Heart – the Bradens & Montgomerys (Pleasant Hill – Oak Falls)

by Melissa Foster

  “I love your smile. How do you feel? Are you tired? Was the flight okay?”

  “I feel good, and you were right about first class. It’s a good thing I’m not a world traveler, because I’d be broke.”

  “I just might make a world traveler of you yet, wild thing. But don’t worry. I’ve got pretty deep pockets.”

  They retrieved her luggage and talked the whole way to Port Hudson. As they drove through town, Amber said, “I missed this place. I was so scared when I first came here. The day my parents dropped me off, I was sure I’d made the biggest mistake of my life.”

  He squeezed her hand. “You love your hometown so much. Why did you decide to go away to school?”

  “Grace and Pepper convinced me. They said I needed to experience the real world. They’d never misguided me before, and in the long run, they were right. It’s good that I have someplace to compare to home. But I got really homesick at first, and then my RA suggested I connect with the LWW sisterhood. That’s where I met Charlotte Sterling and Aubrey Stewart. They were seniors when I was a freshman, but they were great. They introduced me to other LWW girls. We weren’t all alike or anything like that, but there were enough bookworms who preferred low-key activities that I fit in, which was exactly what I needed. Being part of LWW made everything better.”

  “Wait a second. You know Aubrey Stewart and Charlotte Sterling?”

  “Yes. Why? Do you know them? Aubrey’s engaged to Graham’s business partner, Knox Bentley, and Char is married to Graham’s brother Beau.”

  “Yes, I know them. They grew up here. I don’t know Char as well as I know Aubrey, but they were best friends. The Stewarts are my mom’s neighbors. Mrs. Stewart is the one who watched my sisters, and Aubrey’s older brothers, Troy and Joey, are two of my closest friends. Troy and I played together for the Giants.” He glanced at her with amusement in his eyes. “I had a crush on Aubrey when I was about sixteen. She was a pretty little sass-mouthed tomboy.”

  “I can’t believe you know them. Please tell me you didn’t sleep with Aubrey because that could be awkward.”

  “I didn’t. My crush lasted about as long as it took for her to tell off a guy two years older than her for checking her out, which was just long enough for me to realize two things. A, she’d never give me the time of day and B, I had a type, and it definitely wasn’t tomboys.” He reached over and squeezed her hand. “You can breathe now.”

  She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, and they both laughed. They talked the rest of the way, and when they pulled up in front of his mother’s modest two-story house, there were four vehicles in the driveway and two more parked at the curb. Her nerves flared to life.

  Dash cut the engine and turned toward her, taking her hand. “Nervous?”

  “A little.” She looked down at her rust-colored sweater, skinny jeans, and suede ankle boots, wondering if she should have worn a dress.

  He lifted her chin with a reassuring gaze. “I love you, and they’ll love you, too. You’ve already gotten through the hard part. You’ve met everyone except Damon and my grandparents.”

  “Your grandparents are here?” Oh boy. No pressure or anything.

  “Do you think I’d bring you home and not introduce you to the most important man in my life and the woman who taught me about acorns?” He pulled her in for a kiss and slid a hand to the nape of her neck, keeping her close. “I know one way to help you relax.”

  He pressed his lips to hers, kissing the nervousness right out of her and leaving her breathless. She sighed. “If I get nervous again, just drag me into a dark corner and do that.”

  “THAT WILL NOT be a problem.” He gave her another quick kiss and came around to help her and Reno out of the car. He was relieved her flight had gone well. After learning her seizure had been caused by stress and sleep deprivation, he’d made a few modifications to their plans for tomorrow, so as not to wear her out.

  She took Reno’s leash and immediately reached down to pet him.

  Dash put his hand on her back. “If it makes you feel any better, I’m nervous, too.”

  “Why? It’s your family.”

  “I’m meeting my mother’s boyfriend, and I don’t know how I’m going to keep my hands off you all evening.” He lowered his lips to hers, kissing her one last time.

  “Are you going to smooch Amber all day, or let the rest of us meet her?” Dawn’s voice startled them apart.

  They looked up and saw her heading across the yard toward them, her golden hair flouncing over the shoulders of her forest-green sweater.

  “Great first impression,” Amber whispered.

  Andi appeared in the doorway, “Mom, they’re here!” and ran after Dawn.

  Dash took Amber’s face in his hands, relieved to see her smiling. “We’re coming off twelve long, lonely days, and we have fourteen more to endure after Sunday, so buckle up, sweetheart. We’re just getting started.”

  He kissed her softly as his mother hurried down the porch steps, pretty in jeans and a black-and-white sweater, holding the hand of a dark-haired man who had to be her boyfriend. Dash had expected to feel strange seeing his mother with a man, but even from that distance, he saw a difference in his mother. She looked happier, younger even, leaving no room for him to feel anything but happy for her.

  “I see how tonight’s gonna go,” Dawn teased as she hugged Dash. “Between Mom and Mitch and you two, I’m going to need a cold shower.”

  Amber’s cheeks pinked up.

  “Ignore her. We’re really glad you’re here.” Andi embraced Amber.

  “I’m glad she’s here,” Dawn said, swapping places with Andi to hug Amber. “We’re going to have so much fun tonight.”

  His animal-loving sisters looked longingly at Reno. Hawk had mentioned Amber’s seizure to their family, and when they’d called Dash to check on her, he’d given them the rundown on Reno, too.

  “This must be Reno,” Andi said. “He’s beautiful. I know we’re not supposed to pet him, but I wish we could.”

  “It’s okay. You can,” Amber said. “Reno, visit.”

  Reno’s tail wagged, and the girls loved him up as their mother came to Dash’s side and hugged him, bringing with her the scents of home. “It’s good to see you, honey.”

  “Hi, Mom.” He reached for Amber’s hand. “Mom, you remember Amber.”

  “Of course I do. It’s lovely to see you again.” She embraced Amber.

  “You, too,” Amber said. “Thanks for letting me join your family today.”

  “We’re glad you could make it,” his mother said. “When Dash told me he was seeing you, it brought back lots of good memories.”

  “Yeah, Mom’s been acting like you’re her long-lost daughter.” Dawn leaned closer and lowered her voice. “She’s jealous that you were an LWW girl.”

  “She tried to get us to join,” Andi added. “But Dawn was too rowdy and despises writing anything longer than a tweet, and I’m not much for group activities. But I think Mom would have fit right in.”

  “Thanks, sweetie,” his mother said. “I would have loved to have been part of that group. But before we get into that conversation, I want to introduce Amber and Dash to Mitch.” His mother gazed warmly at the man beside her. “Mitch, this is my son Dash and his girlfriend, Amber.”

  Mitch extended his hand to Dash. “Your mother has told me a lot about you. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He was a handsome man with a kind face and dark hair that was graying at the temples, like an older Clark Kent. His black-framed glasses and blue-and-white checked dress shirt buttoned all the way up gave him a professorial look.

  Dash shook his hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you, too. I look forward to getting to know you.”

  “Likewise.” Mitch smiled familiarly at Amber. “Amber Montgomery, it is a joy to see you again.”

  “Thank you, Professor. I miss our talks. What a small world.”

  “Indeed. Call me Mitch, please.”

  “Okay.” A
mber looked at Dash. “Prof—Mitch—was my favorite English teacher. I never wanted his classes to end.”

  “I guess that means you have Amber’s stamp of approval.” Dash took her hand as his mother and Mitch greeted Reno.

  “That’s faster than I got your mother’s.” Mitch reached for their mother’s hand. “It took me about twenty coffee dates before she agreed to go on a real date with me.”

  Their mother looked adoringly at him. “That’s because we’d become such good friends, and you were so supportive when I took on the teaching position, I didn’t want to take a chance of ruining it.”

  “I, on the other hand, never had any doubt that we’d be great together.”

  “That’s it,” Dawn said. “I need a boyfriend.”

  As they all laughed, Dash spotted his grandmother coming down the porch steps. She’d worn her hair short and layered for as long as he could remember, and she exuded an air of ladylike elegance, which showed in her smart white blouse beneath a charcoal cardigan and dark slacks. Dash waved to her, and noticed Hawk standing by the side of the house, taking pictures of them. “There’s Hawk and Grandma.”

  Hawk lowered his camera, waved, and went to take their grandmother’s arm.

  “Why don’t we finish introducing Amber to the family,” his mother suggested. “Damon and Grandpa are out back, probably arguing over the barbecue.”

  “Reno, come,” Amber said, and Reno trotted to her side as they made their way across the lawn.

  “Can you train a guy like that for me?” Dawn asked.

  “I bet my mother could,” Amber said. “She trains service dogs, and she trained Reno.”

  Dawn smirked. “I need to get her number.”

  Dash shook his head.

  “I got some great pictures,” Hawk said as they met in the yard. “Great to see you again, Amber.” He embraced her.

  “You, too,” Amber said. “I’m sorry we missed dinner with you and Shea after the signing.”

  “No worries,” Hawk said. “I’m glad you were okay. Your sisters and their husbands were great company.”

  Dash put his hand on Amber’s back. “Babe, this is my grandmother, Harriet. Grandma, this is my girlfriend, Amber.”

  Amber’s expression softened. “I’m so happy to meet you. I understand we share a love of acorns.”

  “It’s even more lovely to meet you now that I know that.” His grandmother embraced her, eyeing Dash. “You didn’t tell me she was a fan of acorns.”

  Dash hugged her. “Actually, Gram, if it weren’t for acorns, I might never have gotten a first date with Amber.”

  “Really?” Andi asked.

  “It’s true. I thought Dash was very different from who he turned out to be.” Amber reached for his hand, holding his gaze with no pink cheeks in sight. “The acorns might have opened the door, but it was his big ol’ heart that won him the first date, and every date thereafter.”

  “Aw,” his sisters said in unison.

  He pulled her in for a hug. “I’m going to plant a forest full of oak trees just to keep her around. Did I tell you guys she sent me a card at every stop on my tour? Instead of dreading each new hotel, I had something to look forward to.”

  “I didn’t want you to feel alone,” Amber said softly.

  Hawk nudged Dash. “If you let her get away, I’ll be hot on her path.”

  “Yeah, like that’s going to happen,” Dash said as they went around the side of the house. The backyard still looked as it had when they were kids. The wooden playset with a rock-climbing wall and a fireman pole had seen better days, but the thick rope swing still hung like a massive snake from a branch, and the old metal shed anchored the far-left corner of the yard. Damon and their grandfather were tending the barbecue on the patio, their hearty laughter and the savory smell of their grandfather’s famous ribs hung in the air. It was a damn good sight. “What kind of trouble are you all getting into back here?”

  Damon looked over. His black Henley and scruff made his chiseled features look sharper, and his brown eyes—which were currently locked on Amber—even darker. He shifted a challenging smirk to Dash. “We were just making bets on how long it would take Amber to drop your ugly ass for me.”

  Their grandfather, a fairly large man in his early seventies, with snow-white hair, kind dark eyes, and the best business sense of anyone Dash had ever met, scoffed. “With the number of women you’re juggling, Big D, I think you’ve got all you can handle.” He looked at Dash and Amber, hiking a thumb at Damon. “Can you believe one woman actually calls him that?” His grandfather closed the distance between them, sporting his usual dress pants and a blue sweater, and pulled Dash into a manly embrace. “Good to see you, son.”

  “You too, Gramps. Thanks for having my back.” He put his arm around Amber. “Amber, this is my grandfather, George, and my brother, Damon.”

  “It’s nice to meet the romantic man who taught Dash how to light up people’s lives,” Amber said.

  Before his grandfather could respond, Damon said, “What can I say? I’m a romantic guy,” and rolled his shoulders back, flashing an arrogant grin.

  Amber tilted her head, smiling sweetly. “Really? Who’s the last person you set up romantic lights for?”

  “Himself,” Dawn said, sparking a litany of jokes.

  “Does the bedroom count?” Damon smirked.

  Amber glanced at Dash. “Yes, but what happens outside the bedroom counts more.”

  Everyone laughed.

  “I can see you’ll fit right in.” Their grandfather embraced Amber.

  Amber looked at Damon and said, “I’m sure you’re romantic in your own way. No hard feelings?”

  “It takes a lot more than that to hurt my feelings.” Damon pulled her in for a hug, mouthing, She’s too hot for you, to Dash.

  Dash shook his head. “Dinner smells good.”

  “It’ll be ready in about half an hour,” his mother said. “I have a few things to finish up in the kitchen. Can I get you or Amber something to drink? Or a bowl of water for Reno?”

  “I’m fine, Mom, thanks.”

  “None for me, thank you, but I would appreciate water for Reno. Would you like me to help?” Amber asked.

  “No, sweetheart. Relax and enjoy yourself.” His mother and grandmother headed inside.

  Amber looked around. “So this is where the mayhem took place.”

  “If by mayhem you mean ninja obstacle courses run by a drill sergeant, then yes,” Hawk answered.

  “You told her about that?” Damon asked.

  “Yeah, why not?” Dash was sure they’d give her an earful.

  “Did you tell her how you used to chase us up the rock wall, yelling”—Andi lowered her voice an octave—“Go, go, go! You can’t slow down until you can beat me!”

  “No, he did not.” Amber looked imploringly at Dash. “That’s a little harsh.”

  “That’s not harsh, babe. That’s just one example she picked out of a hat. More often they heard about how great they were doing. I had to motivate them.”

  “He always praised us.” Dawn put her hands around her mouth and yelled, “Great job! You’re a backyard winner! Now be an Olympian!”

  Amber laughed.

  “He was tough on them sometimes, but he made these kids what they are today,” his grandfather said.

  Dawn arched a brow. “Neurotic?”

  “Come on, you guys.” Dash raked a hand through his hair. “We had fun sometimes.”

  They all started talking at once.

  “Fun is not the word I’d use,” Hawk said.

  “It was more like torture, with a dose of therapy,” Andi agreed. “All I wanted to do was to be left alone.”

  “That’s why I did it. You needed to get out of your own heads,” Dash explained.

  “My head has always been a great place to visit,” Damon said.

  “For a circus,” Hawk teased.

  Dawn crossed her arms, lifting her chin defiantly. “I bet I could beat you
now, Dash.”

  “Hell, we all could,” Damon said.

  “Sounds to me like someone is throwing down a challenge,” Mitch said.

  They all exchanged grins and glances.

  “Mom still has all the stuff in the shed,” Andi reminded them.

  Damon eyed Dash. “You up to it, old man?”

  “Blowing you away?” Dash scoffed. “Hell yes.”

  “Game on!” Damon said, and took off with Dawn and Hawk for the shed. Dash touched Amber’s hand. “Will you be okay for a few minutes?”

  Andi took Amber’s arm. “What are you talking about? She’s joining us. Right, Amber?”

  “I’m not very athletic,” Amber said as the others began rolling tires out of the shed. “But it sounds like fun.”

  “It is fun.” Dash leaned closer. “But if you’d rather not join in, it’s okay.”

  “I’d like to,” she reassured him. “But I don’t have sneakers.”

  “I’ll get you some!” Andi exclaimed. “This will be so fun. But you might want to keep Reno away from the madness.”

  “He can stay with me,” Mitch offered.

  They helped set up tires to run through, flagpoles to weave around, and balls to throw into buckets. Their mother lent Amber a pair of sneakers, and she and their grandmother came outside to watch the fun.

  “All right, this is how it’s going to work,” Dash announced. “There’ll be two teams, and two people will go at once, starting on opposite ends of the course. Team one will start at the tires, then weave around the flags, climb the rope, scale the rock wall, slide down the pole, and end by tossing three balls into the buckets. Team two will start with the buckets and work backward.”

  “Girls against boys!” Dawn hollered. “You have to wait until the person before you finishes the first obstacle before the next person goes. That way we won’t run into each other.”

  Amber leaned closer to Dash, talking quietly. “We have to climb the rope and scale the rock wall?”

  Dash pulled her closer and kissed her temple. “I’ll help you—don’t worry.”

  She didn’t look convinced. “I’ve never done either, and we’re on opposite teams.”

  “I’m always on your team, babe. I’ve got your back. Trust me.” He kissed her again, then clapped his hands. “Let’s go! Gramps, you want to get us started?”