Romance: Yes, Stepbrother!

by Annie Valentine

  “Well you and she will sleep when you need it. She is sleeping now and I think it will do you good to be there for her when she wakes. I can stay as long as you need me too.” Jake pushed the drink away and stood.

  “That is ok. Thank you, but we live close enough if we need you we will send someone. I am sure Leah and I will need you, but for now you can go home.” Jake was the sort of guy who would always prefer to handle things on his own so she understood. She was that way as well.

  “Ok but do not hesitate if you need me for anything. I mean anything.”

  “Thank you Amanda, it is good to know you are available and we will let you know, I promise.” So she went home and had the drink he passed on. Several in fact and she learned that it doesn't really help.

  Chapter Five

  She was halfway through winter when Amanda was presented with a choice. She was sitting in her living room looking out at the snow covered fields. The sheep were being looked after by Hernandez and the smaller winter crew she kept. It was a difficult decision she had to make, the first time any decision involving her sister had been difficult.

  Leah had had three miscarriages and the last one, a few weeks earlier, had almost killed her. The doctor had said the damage had been severe and she was no longer capable of conceiving. So Leah had asked her sister to do it for her and her husband. Amanda shook her head in confusion for the hundredth time it seemed. She would have to have sex with Jake multiple times to make sure it happened, and it was not unheard of, but it felt so strange. The very idea seemed alien to her and she did not know what to do. She tried to break the whole thing down to its basics, so she would be able to make the right decision.

  Her sister had been completely crushed with the news. She kept saying one of her joys had been smashed and there was a hole that couldn't be filled. Jake only wanted the best for Leah so anything she wanted, he would do, although he seemed to find the idea strange as well. Amanda and Jake were friends but that was all it had ever been. In a way it was like having intercourse with a brother. Well, a brother-in-law.

  Amanda sighed. Something else she had done a lot of recently.

  What it came down to, she decided, is that her sister was broken and would this fix her? That was all that mattered and Amanda did not know if it would. Leah believed it would and Jake seemed pretty sure about that aspect anyway. So, Amanda told herself firmly, that is all that matters. The weight was gone so she went to tell her sister and brother in law what her decision was.

  “This is a little odd.” Jake told her as he began un-buttoning his shirt. Amanda was wearing a dress, one of the few times he had seen her in one. This was the third night they were going to be together and Amanda had been nervous the first few times but now she was actually looking forward to it.

  Jake was a great lover, even though didn't love her, as he made clear up front. She had agreed, this was for Leah alone. Amanda smiled for him and lay back on the bed. Her hair was loose and her bodice cinched in a way to highlight her larger chest and rounder curves. He did seem to like that.

  He got into bed with her and began undoing her clothes, helping her. According to the doctor, Amanda was quite ready to conceive.

  Amanda was coming to love his hands and as they brushed her body, undressing her as she shivered. As her skirt was undone she trembled slightly and as she felt his hand on her bare body she moaned softly, feeling herself become wet between her waiting thighs. He kissed her and as her desire grew so did her urgency so she held him tight panting as she ran her hands over his hard muscled back and then chest, tauntingly running her hands down thighs to what was between them.

  He was squeezing her breasts and kissing her neck and that set her off in a long sultry moan she could not stop. He was an amazing lover and she had never felt anything like it. She was going to miss this, she thought in her passion filled brain. She had a deeper desire to possess this feeling for ever as he rose above her and plunged into her eagerly awaiting. It was an explosion of feelings that roared through her from her toes to the top of her head as she moaned her desire and passion with each explosive wave of pleasure. When his movements slowed, she wished he would lay with her, if only for a while. Cuddle with her and relax.

  But as usual he quickly got dressed and softly thanked her for her efforts leaving quietly. She had never known this feeling of passion before and it was a little over whelming. She had to remind herself it was temporary. A few more days and then they would wait and see if she could conceive.

  The doctor had told them there was a chance that she would have the same problem Leah had. Oddly neither of them believed that, in fact, everyone thought she could do it. As it turned out they were all right.

  Chapter Six

  Amanda was miserable and it wasn't just from being pregnant. She was two months away from delivery. Her house dresses were now tight over her turgid frame. She knew she had been eating more than the doctor had said was good but she was also depressed because she thought she had fallen in love with her sister’s husband. She could not get those nights of passion that had started this life growing within her. He pretended he did not feel any differently toward her and she had not said anything. On top of all of that the sheep killings had picked up again and Hernandez was furious and swearing he was going to end it one way or another.

  Amanda could not seem to care and everyone noticed. She thought they were chalking it up to being pregnant. Maybe it was, but she could not believe that. She loved Jake and that was that. She knew her sister would be coming down to check on her soon so she waddled her way over to dress in clean clothes and make herself as presentable as her new size allowed. Once dressed she looked herself with disgust, as if my breasts had not been big enough, she thought to herself. She was well and truly fat.

  When the door opened she smiled for her sister and was surprised that it was Jake instead.

  “Uh hi Jake, I thought Leah was coming over.” She told him

  “She had some shopping she wanted to do. Now that the storm has passed she hustled off to town to make sure we have everything we need for the baby.” He gestured at her round belly. It was a reminder that soon Jake would not need her. She turned and lowered herself to her chair. He took a seat across the table from her.

  “So what is the matter with you? I can tell something is wrong. Leah can too and will probably buy something to try and cheer you up but you have not been good since the pregnancy began. So tell me, what is it? You are supposed to be avoiding all stress.”

  She looked at him and it felt like her heart was breaking. She shook her head mutely, unable to speak as tears welled up in her eyes.

  “Amanda? What’s wrong, do I need to get the doctor?” Jake asked on the beginning of panic. Amanda waved her hand.

  “No, don't, it is just… I love you Jake!” There, she thought, I said it. Let the chips fall where they may.

  “What?” he asked quietly in shock.

  “I love you,” She began and found herself unable to stop. “I can't stop thinking of those nights. I know you felt it too, when we were making this child. Stay with me Jake, Leah will understand and we can.”

  “No!” He shouted surging to his feet with anger.

  “But Jake…” She tried to continue.

  “No Amanda! You are my sister in law and that’s it! I felt nothing but a desire to give a child to my wife and I. You agreed and swore it would be a problem. Are you delirious Amanda? For God sakes, listen to yourself!” She saw repulsion shining in his eyes for her and she sobbed.

  “Jake, please, I can't help it. You have been so good to me and so caring, you must see.”

  “No!” He shouted for the last time.

  “I will never ever dishonor your sister in deed or thought. You used to believe that. I have no desire for anyone but your sister. I am leaving and I do not want to see you for some time. At least until you get your thoughts in order because I believe you have gone crazy!”

  He stormed out in fury leaving Amanda s
obbing in her chair. Soon her exhaustion and grief had her asleep with the loss and grief following her into her dreams. It was a slamming of a door that woke her up.

  Amanda jerked upright in her chair and blinking saw Leah standing in front of her. Leah was more furious than she had ever seen. Her brain just registered that Leah's palm slapped Amanda's cheek with a greater force than she would have given her sister credit for. Her head rocked to the side and another hard slap rocked it to the other.

  “How dare you Amanda?” She hissed with furry.

  “Leah.”

  “Not a word. I do not want a word from you. Jake told me what you did and I am here to tell you never again. I will not have you destroy what I am trying to build with your selfishness. I am blessed that Jake is an honorable man because you have no honor!”

  That one hurt. Somehow she had managed to make her sister hate her. Her beloved little sister despised her.

  “Jake does not want to come anywhere near you and frankly neither do I. But my child depends on me making sure you are alright so that I will do and then we will part ways. There is nothing you can say to change this so just shut up. When our baby is born I will not want to look at you again!”

  She turned and stormed out. Amanda could not believe how much she had destroyed in one short day.

  What have I done, she whispered to herself pitifully.

  Chapter Seven

  Amanda was sitting in her chair facing the front door. That was where she sat most days now. She was less than a month away from delivery and had never been so miserable in her life. She sat there to be able to see her sister when she came in, hoping the look of disgust had gone. It had lessened some, but it was not gone and Amanda was beginning to believe it never would. She had thrown away her sister’s love. She could not get past her stupidly and it was eating her up.

  She began sobbing, thinking of all the great times she had had with Leah growing up and rocked back and forth with one arm over her big belly. Back and forth seemed to be soothing as she cried. She did not hear Leah enter.

  “Amanda, honey, are you all right. What’s wrong?” There was panic in her voice and Amanda sat up shaking her head. She had a hard time speaking at first through her sobs.

  “No, I am fine; just stupid.” Leah sighed.

  “Oh is that all. You should be used to that.” She was trying to make her feel better with jokes. Even after what Amanda had done, Leah was trying to make her feel better! That got her crying harder and she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up.

  “Is it because you love Jake so much?”

  Amanda shook her head.

  “I love you so much and made you hate me.” She lowered her head again and felt her sister put her arms around her and rock her. Amanda could feel her love despite everything and it was release for her that no matter what happened she might be able to cope.

  “I am so sorry,” she said into her ear. “I don't know why I did what I did, but I am so sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I was proud to take care of you when daddy died. I am so sorry.”

  “I don't hate you.”

  Amanda raised her head. Leah's eyes were wet and she could tell she meant it.

  “But the stupid things.”

  “Oh they were beyond stupid and I am still mad about it. I know, however, you have no chance with my husband and I have always known you would realize what you had said. It was just going to take time.” Amanda lowered her head to her sister shoulders with more relieve than she had ever felt.

  “I forgive you but if it happens again I will have to kill you.”

  Amanda chuckle and sat up again. Leah was smiling but Amanda was fairly sure she had been serious. A she had every right to be.

  “Not only will it never happen again, once this baby is born you can take him or her away. I know the doctor said some women have a hard time giving it up, but I can promise, with no reservations, it is all yours!”

  They both laughed knowing she was quite serious. Being a parent was so far down on Amanda's list of things to do you couldn't find it.

  “Ok Amanda let me get you some water and a cloth. You are all blotched from crying and it will help you feel better.”

  She bustled out of the room down the hall into the kitchen area. So she wasn't there when Mallard Johnson entered through the front door. Holding a gun.

  “As expected, here alone. Not so tough now that you can't get along without help. You have killed quite a few of my men. That is not nice.”

  Amanda realized whatever Hernandez had done had got someone’s attention. She pushed herself up, her mind clear for the first time in her whole pregnancy. Danger did that to her, she could feel her blood pounding and a determination she had not felt in a long time as well. Unfortunately, she was much heavier than before and not that quick.

  “So, you are the one trying to run me off of my land. What took you so long boy.” He snarled as she insulted him. She wanted to keep him off balance while trying to keep her own.

  “Your man Hernandez is getting a bit too close. So I sent my man to take care of him.”

  Amanda felt a little worry, but knew Hernandez was no push over.

  “You mean Rodney, yeah I have known for while what he is. You know you can't trust a traitor, right? Next he will be after you.”

  “You are right, which is why he won't last much longer than you will. Rodney was going slow, but now that I am one step closer to what I want, I don't have to be shy.” He said seriously.

  “Really, what do you think Blackrock is going to do? Hand over the land to you because I am dead?”

  “Not voluntarily. Like I said, this is just a step. I am sure with the death of you, and their baby, the Blackrock's will be quite grief stricken. Since I have made sure they are looking to other neighbors as the real culprits behind you troubles they won't have a problem letting me oversee your lands for them and then I will end up owning it.”

  Amanda felt furry like she had never felt before.

  “Within six months there will be an accident and I will have the land as my own, Blackrock too I should imagine. Less than two years and ahead of schedule.”

  Amanda heard herself growl, she was almost blind with rage and started to move forward.

  “You can try girl, but there is no way you can make it to your daddy’s gun. In fact, it would be amusing if I shot you with that, but I won't bother.” He said smiling, raising his gun.

  “Then I will!” A voice said as a huge explosion rocked the room followed by a crash and Johnson flying backward hitting the door and then the floor with a wet crunch.

  Amanda looked to her side and saw her sister on the floor against the wall and a few feet in front of her was her father’s old blunderbuss. A very big, very powerful black powder gun. The cloud of smoke it had belched made her cough. Leah pushed herself up carefully, coughing as well and Amanda was pretty sure the gun had knocked her down when she fired it.

  “Nice shot Leah!” Amanda told her. There was a moment of silence and they both started laughing uncontrollably. Amanda heard the back door fly open.

  “Leah, Amanda, are you here, are you ok?” Jake ran into the room with both of his pistols drawn and skidded to a stop.

  Both women were laughing and the body by the door had a sizable blood pool spreading around it. Leah had blown a hole through his chest. Amanda got her laughter down to a giggle and wiped her eyes. Jake looked at them both a moment and then walked over to the body and turned it with his foot. He nodded once and then spotted the gun. He looked at Amanda.

  “Nice shot.”

  “Wrong again, Leah shot this one.” She told him proudly.

  He glanced over at his wife and she shrugged.

  “Trust me Jake, you don't want to mess with that woman’s family.” That got Leah and her laughing again and after a moment, so was Jake. Until Hernandez showed up.

  “Senorita Amanda!” The door opened a foot and ran up against the dead body. With a curse he shoved and slid the body ba
ck and hopped over the blood. He took a look at the whole room and bowed to Leah. Obviously deducing who had pulled the trigger. He then looked at Jake.

  “You received my message then?” Jake smiled.

  “I did and the Sheriff is on his way now. You have the proof.?” Hernandez pulled a folder out of the back of his pants and handed them over.

  “It seems Rodney was keeping track of all of Johnson transactions. That way if things went wrong, he could deflect it back on his real boss. He did not want to give them up, but I persuaded him to.”

  “Where is he now?” Leah asked.

  “He will not bother anyone again Senorita Leah.”

  She just nodded. Amanda's little sister had toughened up.

  “I will go wait for the Sheriff now.” Hernandez said and left the house.

  “I received his message explaining the plot and who was behind it. He was too far away to get here and was worried Johnson might feel rushed. So I sent for the sheriff then came here directly.”

  Jake pointed at the dead man. “He almost had me convinced the villains were Marsten or Elkland.”

  “My apologies Jake. Call it crazy or stupid or pregnancy, but what I put you two through will not happen again, that I can promise.”

  He seemed relieved that she had said that and he seemed to guess she and Leah had talked too.

  “Good, then can we please, at least for a while, have some peace and quiet.” he asked. They all agreed to that.

  “No matter what happens between us, we are still family.” Leah said calmly.

  Epilogue

  Amanda rode off from Blackrock Ranch smiling. The sun was just about to come up and everything was right with the world. There was peace in the family again and she was going off on her own. All interests in Morgan ranch had been sold to Jake, so that was good. Amanda had transferred some of her money ahead, so she didn't have to worry about carrying a large amount with her. She was wealthy now with the price Jake gave her and she wanted to see more of the world.