The Wells Brothers: Aaron

by Angela Verdenius

  “Ignore him.” Mikki gave her fiancée an elbow in the side. “What’ll you have to drink, Stella? There’s Diet Coke, ordinary Coke, light beer, a jug of Aunt Lora’s homemade iced coffee with ice cream in it.”

  “Diet Coke, thanks.”

  “Aaron?”

  “Light beer, thanks.” He watched Jason call out to Cole standing beside Aunt Lora.

  When Cole answered, Jason flicked him the Frisbee. Catching it, Cole looked at Dog who was jumping around, tail wagging happily, eyes eager, tongue hanging out. With a laugh, he flicked it back to Jason, Dog leaping after it. Jason flicked it back and Cole moved to the area Jason was using to play with Dog.

  Shea moved up beside Aaron to survey the people gathered around the big, long wooden table under the tree he and his brothers had climbed and played in when kids.

  “Here you go.” Mikki appeared, handing a Diet Coke to Shea and a light beer to Aaron.

  After popping the tab on the tin, Aaron took her hand. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

  “I know some.” She walked down the steps beside him and along the cement pathway Luke had put in years ago.

  The cement wasn’t the best, the sides of the squares uneven, but his father had refused to change it. It had been a young teenaged Luke’s first effort at making a pathway and their father had been as proud of it then as he was now.

  Catching sight of Elspeth, Shea faltered but recovered quickly. “I didn’t know Elspeth was coming.”

  “She’s Mikki’s blood aunt, Izzy’s honorary aunt, and a good friend of the family.”

  “I see.”

  Something in her tone caught his attention but her profile gave nothing away. He certainly didn’t miss the way her hands started to lift, knew it was an automatic move to link her hands loosely in front of her waist in the gesture that her persona adopted, but Shea caught herself when the cold can of soft drink sloshed in her hand, while her other remained caught securely in his. She drew a deep breath, appearing contained, but he didn’t miss the way her knuckles whitened on the hand holding her drink, nor the twitch of her hand in his.

  Nothing Aaron could do about it. This was Shea’s play. He’d monitor her reaction though, and if needed divert attention from her.

  Almost as if Cole had felt his sister’s sudden unease, he appeared on her other side in silent support. By the time they got to the table Jason had strolled over and was standing behind Izzy’s chair, while Dog trotted to a water bowl his father kept filled for him and slurped loudly.

  His father and Jim got to their feet in automatic respect, something that had been ingrained in all the Wells boys, and Jason when he’d arrived.

  Aunt Lora smiled and waved a hand around. “Let’s do a quick intro then get down to the business of relaxing. Aaron’s father and my brother, Harris, Izzy and my son Jason - they’re married, Elspeth who I understand is a client of yours, my friend Jim, and Mikki and Luke who are engaged.” Aunt Lora beamed. “Long intro, and I know you’re acquainted with almost everyone, but at least now you have an idea where we all are in relation to each other. Everyone, this is Shea and Cole.”

  There was no missing the surprise in Luke, Mikki, Izzy and Jason’s eyes.

  There was no missing Elspeth’s slightly arched eyebrow.

  There was certainly no missing the sudden tension in Cole’s shoulders and the way Shea gripped Aaron’s hand tightly.

  Chapter 10

  He gave her hand a supportive squeeze.

  “My real name is Shea,” she told his family. “Stella is my work name.” She looked at Mikki and Izzy. “Sorry I didn’t say earlier, but I didn’t know you that well.”

  “I think that’s very wise,” Aunt Lora declared. “You must get all kinds coming to your place. A pseudonym can give you some protection.”

  “Like a pen name if you write raunchy books,” Elspeth said.

  “What about you?” Jim grinned at Cole. “You got another name as well?”

  “It’s just Cole.”

  “Well, okay.” Mikki shrugged. “Makes sense.”

  Aaron could feel Shea relax, her tight hold on his hand easing.

  “You three kids have a seat.” Mr Wells gestured to the chairs ranged down the side of the table to his right. “The barbie’s simmering down, we can cook on it soon.”

  “Luke had the flames that high I nearly singed my eyebrows off when I checked it.” Jason sat down beside Izzy, his arm along the back of her chair.

  Settling Shea and Cole each side of him, Aaron set the tin of light beer on the table and relaxed back in the wooden chair, the cushion on the seat giving a measure of comfort.

  “You need a fire to be hot enough to give good coals,” Luke told Jason.

  “Uncle Harris almost had to call the fire department.”

  “I think that’s a bit rich seeing as how you suggested using petrol to get it going.”

  “That was when I first came here years ago.”

  “Oh, now we’re nit-picking the subject, are we?”

  “You’re definitely the nit doing the picking.”

  “Did you hear that, Red? You just gonna sit there and let my idiot cousin insult your beloved man?”

  “Hey, don’t get me involved,” Mikki replied.

  “Fine.” Luke looked across the table at Cole. “What’s the best way to get good coals?”

  “Um…I kind of thought any fire produced coals.”

  “Oh, kid.” Luke looked pained. “I can see I’m going to have to educate you.”

  “Then you can come see me and I’ll teach you the correct way.” Jason saluted Cole with his can of icy Coke.

  Cole grinned.

  Knowing his brother and cousin were concentrating on setting at ease the only teenager in the company of a group of adults, Aaron left them to it, sipping on his drink and enjoying the camaraderie.

  “So how’s business, Shea?” Izzy asked.

  “It’s getting there.”

  “I hear one of your ginger cats reigns supreme in the shop.”

  “Ginger.”

  “Yeah, a ginger cat.”

  Shea laughed. “Actually, Ginger is his name. Original, huh?”

  “Nothing wrong with that name. Raymond was telling me about one of your cats getting into Aaron’s office not long after you arrived. Was that Ginger or one of the other two?”

  “Ginger. He’s the only one with attitude enough to actually walk in like he owns the place.”

  “I like a cat with attitude,” Mr Wells commented. “What about your other two?”

  “You know about them?” Cole was surprised.

  He nodded towards Aaron. “My son called in the other night with ginger fur on his jacket. He mentioned you had three.”

  Shea flicked Aaron a glance. He smiled slightly.

  “Holy crap,” Luke said. “Did your face hurt when you did that?”

  Aaron arched an eyebrow.

  “Two expressions in several seconds. That is some kind of record. Here.” Whipping out his mobile, he took a fast photo of Aaron’s stoic expression, tapped quickly on the keyboard and grinned while slipping it back into his pocket. “Gotta fill Blue in on that historic event.”

  Shea and Cole laughed.

  “I think you missed with the photo, sweetie,” Elspeth said.

  “Yeah. You’re right. But with Aaron you gotta work with what you’ve got.” Luke squinted at his brother. “Not much to work with, but oh well.”

  Shea turned in her chair to survey Aaron thoughtfully. “I don’t know. I kind of like what you have to work with.”

  “Cripes,” said Luke. “Didn’t take long for Aaron to really mess with your head, did it?” He made a sympathetic face.

  Aaron calmly sipped his beer.

  Mikki shook her head. “Don’t mind them, Shea. As long as I’ve known them, they’ve been the exactly the same.”

  “You grew up with them?” Shea asked.

  “Kind of. We went to different schools but I saw them around
, heard the stories about the wicked Wells brothers.”

  Luke grinned. “Yeah, I’m a real bad boy.”

  “No, you’re a debauched boy.”

  “I prefer ‘bad boy’. It has a much hotter ring to it.”

  About to reply, Mikki caught sight of Mr Wells’s face and stopped. “Um…anyway…”

  Mr Wells smiled gently at her.

  Amused, Aaron eyed his soon-to-be sister-in-law. The irrepressible redhead had a bit of a mouth on her but like almost everyone who met his father, she generally watched what she said. Not because anyone thought his father would get angry, he just had this presence around him of a man who was, well, respectable in a very nice, firm way.

  Luke was laughing, Jason grinning. Jim and Aunt Lora smiled at each other. Izzy and Elspeth watched in amusement as Mikki smacked Luke on his bicep, which made Luke lunge for her. Mikki shrieked, sprang up and took off, Luke in hot pursuit, Dog barking happily at their heels. The noisy trio disappeared around the side of the house.

  Mr Wells carried on talking to Elspeth as though nothing unusual had happened which, really, was completely true.

  Looking at his father, Aaron felt again the love he had for the man who had reared his three orphaned sons alone after his beloved wife, Aaron’s mother, had died. Aaron couldn’t have asked for a more loving home to have been reared in, and he was determined that if he had a family of his own one day he would strive to be like his father - kind, firm, and there for his family. The big old house was still home, and everyone regularly gathered here or dropped in to chat. It was home away from home.

  The only one missing was Blue. God knew where he was - Afghanistan, another eastern country, wherever the Army sent him. The letters came through at odd times, he’d Skype Aaron now and again, but mostly his letters went to their father and he filled his oldest and middle son in on what their youngest brother had written.

  It was never much, mostly light-hearted chit-chat. The family knew bad things happened over there, none of them knew exactly what.

  Having done security work in those countries, Aaron had the closest idea. He also knew because when Blue came home it was Aaron to whom he talked. The older brother who had cared for Blue growing up was his sounding board when things got too much. But even then Aaron knew there were some things that Blue never mentioned.

  Some things a man kept to himself. He just hoped it wouldn’t eat Blue up.

  “Hey, doofus.” A ball of tin foil hit him on the head.

  Roused from his thoughts, Aaron blinked to find Luke waving a pair of tongs at him.

  “You going to cook the snaggers or just sit there in dreamland?” Luke asked. “Or is it that you’re afraid I’ll embarrass you?”

  “You do a good enough job of that yourself,” Aaron drawled. “All the time, in fact.”

  Mikki laughed. Luke looked at her and snapped the tongs.

  Mikki looked at Aaron. “Don’t be messing with my man.”

  Luke smirked.

  “You were made to say that under duress,” Aaron observed calmly.

  “I’m too scared to disagree.”

  “I’ll remember that later, Red,” Luke said.

  “I am soooo scared.” Mikki faked a shiver.

  “That’s how you tame a woman.” Luke took a second look around the table as every female gaze fastened onto him. “Did I say that out loud?”

  Mr Wells shook his head at Aaron. “I tried, son, I tried.”

  “He is a little trying.”

  “Man, I’m getting bad vibes here.” Luke gestured to Cole. “Come on, I’ll show you what I mean about the coals and stuff.”

  “This ought to be good.” Jason followed them to the BBQ.

  Aaron got to his feet. “Guess I’d better do my duty.”

  Shea looked up at him and he was pleased to see that the wariness was gone from her eyes, her smile natural. He dropped her a quick wink and walked over to join his brother and cousin.

  Luke was taking Cole through his whole theory of fire and coals while Jason shook his head and added his own version. Leaving them to argue while Cole listened in rapt amusement, Aaron retrieved the tray of sausages and chops from the ‘fridge and headed back out. Within minutes the meat was sizzling on the hot plate, the scent filling the air.

  Jim and Mr Wells went into the house to start gathering the bowls of salad, bags of buttered rolls, plates and cutlery, leaving the women seated at the table.

  Discreetly checking on Shea now and again, he observed her chatting to all the women. They laughed, gestured, and the conversation became quite animated. He was glad she and Cole both appeared to be getting on with them, he loved his family including his in-laws, he liked Elspeth, and knowing Shea and Cole would slot quite happily into their midst was good.

  Flipping the chops and snaggers over, he listened to the spit and sizzle. Dog sat by his feet with his attention riveted on the BBQ so Aaron set aside a couple of half-cooked chops to cool for him.

  Becoming aware of a presence close by, he glanced sideways to find his father standing beside him.

  “Nice boy.” Mr Wells nodded towards Cole engrossed in conversation with Jason and Luke.

  “Good kid,” he agreed.

  Mr Wells’s gaze shifted to the women.

  Patiently Aaron waited for his father to formulate his thoughts. In this respect they were alike, both of them weighing their words, thinking before they spoke.

  “Nice girl.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  “I can see why you like her.”

  Aaron looked at his father.

  Mr Wells met his gaze steadily. “She sees you.”

  Aaron didn’t have to try and figure out what he meant. “Yes.”

  “She doesn’t back down from you.”

  “No.”

  His father nodded. Aaron knew what he was thinking, it was the same thing he himself knew. No woman had ever argued with him, they’d been in awe, sometimes even uneasy in his presence, none of them understanding his quietness.

  Shea wasn’t like that. She laughed with him, teased him, argued with him. Sometimes she mightn’t understand him but she wasn’t backward in demanding an explanation.

  “That’s good.”

  Nodding, Aaron tonged the sausages onto a big platter his father held.

  “Lady’s got some secrets.”

  “Yes.”

  “You know them.”

  “Yes.”

  “Got a young brother she’s bringing up.”

  “They’re a package deal.” Aaron glanced at Cole. “I know what I’m taking on.” And he truly didn’t mind.

  “Good.” Mr Wells squeezed his shoulder. “You know where I am if you need to talk.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  That was all that needed saying, the understanding between them cemented years ago when he was just a baby.

  “Don’t let the chops burn,” Mr Wells warned. “Your brother will be crowing for weeks.”

  Grinning, Aaron quickly put the chops onto the platter and Mr Wells walked back to the table bearing the meat.

  Placing the tongs aside, Aaron snapped his fingers at Dog. “Come on, then.”

  By the time he got back to the table Luke was already cutting up the half-cooked chops for Dog while animatedly discussing with Elspeth the garden beds that were doing so well at the Willock Mansion Hotel, and some of her newer ideas.

  Shea, Izzy and Mikki were chatting about books, disagreeing on the best authors for certain genres. Jason was just listening, his gaze thoughtful as he regarded Cole and Shea, but Aaron wasn’t worried. His cousin was thoughtful at the best of times, and when he caught Aaron’s eye, he nodded approval. Mr Wells was drawing Cole out on his future plans, listening with patient interest as the boy went into a serious discussion about his favourite topic, computers.

  As Aaron took a seat beside Shea, she leaned slightly towards him, her hand slipping over to rest on his thigh. He doubted she even realised she’d done it but it meant a
lot to him. That action spoke of trust and affection even if she didn’t consciously realise it, and she’d done it so naturally.

  It touched him deep down in his soul.

  Sitting there as evening drew in, sharing a meal and happy times with his family, Shea by his side, Aaron felt the most contented he’d ever felt.

  When they finally left it was dark.

  The back door security light came on when the SUV pulled up at the end of the driveway near the back of the shop.

  Cole jumped out, stuck his head back in. “Thanks Aaron. I had a great time.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  A cheeky grin flashed across Cole’s face. “I’ll just go in and leave you two alone. Just remember there’s an impressionable young teenager nearby.” With that parting shot, he bounded up the steps, unlocked the back door and disappeared inside.

  Rolling her eyes, Shea opened her door.

  Getting out, Aaron walked around, holding the door as she got out. Blocking her way with his body, he reached over her shoulder, pushed the door shut, then backed her up against the car.

  She grinned up at him as he fitted his hips against hers. “Impressionable teen, remember?”

  “He’s not looking.” Bracing his hands each side of her on the roof, Aaron leaned into her, dropped his mouth to her ear, breathed deep. “You smell good.”

  “Nothing like scent of barbecue. We should bottle it, we could make a fortune.” Her hands slid into the back pockets of his jeans.

  “You smell nothing like barbecue.” He inhaled, closed his eyes. “Flowers. You always smell like flowers.” He nuzzled her ear.

  Hunching her shoulders against the tickle, she shivered.

  He laughed, low, deep, pressed an open-mouthed kiss to her throat below her ear. God, she’s so beautiful, so soft, so perfect.

  He half expected her to say something. Instead she suddenly turned her head, caught his mouth with hers, kissed him hungrily.

  Every nerve instantly fired, heat surging through him, the contact of their hips a sweet torture.

  Removing his hands from the roof of the car, he cupped her cheeks, angled her head to allow him access to her mouth.

  God, her mouth was hot. Sweet. Moist decadence that had him plundering deep, drawing on her, pushing his hips into her as he claimed her mouth.