The Best Bride

by Susan Mallery

  Nick moved close to Hannah and dropped a kiss on her nose. “She’s right, honey. I know the thrill is still there for me.”

  Hannah wanted to punch him. She settled on a tight smile. “Me, too, darling.”

  Louise nodded. “It’s really perfect. Sandy redid the entire apartment just a couple of months ago. You’ll love it.”

  Hannah doubted that. “A hotel is really fine with us. We don’t want to be any trouble.”

  Louise touched her arm. “You’re not trouble. You’re family. We like taking care of each other. That’s the best part of being together. Now, there’ll be no more talk of staying at a hotel.”

  Hannah looked at each of their faces. They seemed genuinely glad to meet her and Nick. They’d welcomed them with open arms, no questions asked.

  “You’re very gracious,” Nick said. “We’d love to stay at the apartment.”

  It took a couple of minutes for Sandy and Kyle to round up their children. Everyone walked them to the car. Hannah and Nick were to follow the minivan to their temporary home.

  Louise hugged Hannah. “Thank you for coming back to me. I know you have a lot of questions about what happened all those years ago and what’s happened since. I’ll tell you everything I can.” She blinked, then brushed away a tear that slipped down her cheek. “I’m so happy.”

  Emotions tightened Hannah’s throat. She managed to whisper, “Me, too,” then hugged the older woman back. Louise wasn’t “Mom” yet, but a connection had been established. In time, it would become stronger.

  Hannah found herself passed from person to person, hugged, kissed, squeezed and generally made to feel like a favorite rag doll. Nick got some attention of his own, with a few slaps on the back from the men.

  She sank into the passenger seat, then waved as Travis shut the door. For a moment, there was only silence.

  “Pretty amazing, huh?” Nick said and winked. “I especially like the hugging and kissing at the end.”

  “You would.”

  “And the one-bedroom apartment sounds really attractive.”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Honey, you don’t have to talk about it. After all, we’re going to live in it.”

  Chapter Five

  Nick waited for the minivan to pull out into the street. Hannah was quiet beside him. He was still shell-shocked from all that had happened in the past couple of hours. She must feel as if she’d been swept into another dimension.

  “You did well,” he said.

  Hannah glanced at him. Despite the dark interior of the car and the fact that he couldn’t read her expression, he knew what she was thinking. Should she go with the compliment or should she berate him for presuming to pass judgment on her performance? He suspected it was a battle of principles and exhaustion. Exhaustion won.

  “Thanks,” she murmured. “I still can’t believe it. Brothers. I have four brothers.”

  “Cops, too. That makes the whole thing interesting.”

  The minivan backed out of the driveway and headed down the road. Nick followed. It was nearly 10:00 p.m. and the residential streets were quiet.

  “Interesting isn’t the word I’d use,” she said. “Do you know what will happen if they find out the truth?”

  “No.”

  She sighed and sagged against the seat. “Me, neither, but I’m sure it won’t be good. I should have thought this through better. I should have—oh, I don’t know. Something. Maybe they won’t find out.”

  “They won’t. Not until you tell them. By then, they’ll adore you so much, they won’t mind that you fudged on a detail or two.”

  “We come from very different worlds. To you this might be fudging details, but where I’m from, and I suspect where they’re from, too, lying about being married is more than a detail. I should have come clean from the beginning.”

  He was glad she hadn’t. If Hannah hadn’t needed a temporary husband, she wouldn’t have hired him. Instead of sharing this time with her, he would have been trapped in some casino in Las Vegas.

  Undercover work was a hell of a lot more difficult than most people realized. Every reference, every thought about a former life had to be suppressed. He was required to live, eat and breathe the job. Nick Archer wouldn’t think twice about “fudging details.” He had to remember that. He had to focus on who he was supposed to be and not what he wanted to be. But for a brief moment, less than a heartbeat, he wished he could just be himself.

  “It’s funny how the five of you look so much alike,” he said.

  “I agree. Wow. I sure wasn’t expecting that. It’s so odd to think I have brothers. They’ve been walking around for all these years and I never knew. And the way we resemble one another…well, it takes some getting used to.”

  “Several of your nieces and nephews have the ‘Haynes’ look, too.”

  Hannah chuckled. “There were so many children. Don’t these people believe in birth control?”

  The van in front slowed for a stop sign. Nick stepped on the brake. “The kids are great. Don’t you want any?”

  “I haven’t really thought about it. I sort of assumed I wouldn’t have any.” She paused for a second. “I don’t think I’m very maternal. You can’t tell me you want children.”

  “Of course. Dozens.”

  She laughed. “No way.”

  “All right. Maybe just two or three. But I do want children.”

  “You?”

  Her surprised, slightly patronizing tone got under his skin. “What’s so strange about that?” he asked.

  “Nothing. Only I wouldn’t have pictured you as the type.”

  “I would be a great dad.” He would do exactly the opposite of what his father had done to him. It was a simple formula for success. “I love children.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  She was still laughing when they pulled into a long driveway. As the main house came into view, her laughter turned into a strangled cough. This house was just as big as Jordan’s. Three stories, peaked roofs, a porch wide enough to host a dance.

  “Cops make a lot more money up here than they do in Southport Beach,” she murmured.

  “Hell, if I’d known the money was this good, I would have joined the force. What’s the name of this town?”

  “Glenwood. This is amazing.”

  Nick slowed the car and stared out the windshield. There was no way either brother could afford their homes on city salaries. There had to be another income source. For a half second he wondered if the family was into something dirty. Then he dismissed the thought. It had to be something else.

  “Maybe an inheritance,” he said, thinking aloud.

  “Or someone married money.”

  “There’s a plan.”

  She shot him an impatient look.

  He raised his hands in surrender. “It’s not like you’re going to keep me around for long, dollface.”

  “Just try to keep your libido on hold until the weekend is over.”

  The minivan stopped in front of a small gatehouse. Nick looked at it and wondered if Hannah would be willing to work off some more of her debt in trade. He thought about suggesting it, then figured she would object. He wouldn’t mind the verbal or even physical wrestling match sure to follow, but he would prefer either to be in private.

  Kyle and Sandy got out of the van. Sandy approached the passenger side of Nick’s Mercedes, and Hannah rolled down the window.

  “I’m going to get the kids in bed,” Sandy said. “Kyle will show you where everything is.” She reached in and squeezed Hannah’s arm. “I’m so glad you’re here. Welcome to the family.”

  “Thanks.”

  Kyle motioned to a spot next to the gatehouse. As Nick pulled in, Sandy got in the driver’s side of the minivan and headed for the main house.

  Kyle waited at the rear of the car. When Nick opened the trunk, Kyle reached in for the luggage. With Hannah carrying the smallest bag, they made it to the front door in one trip.

 
; “I’ve got the key right here,” Kyle said, pulling a set of keys out of his khaki trousers. He slipped one off and used it to open the front door. “We were going to use this as a rental,” he explained as everyone stepped inside. “Sandy just finished redecorating the inside, but we haven’t had a chance to run an ad in the paper. Great timing, huh?”

  “We really hate to put you out,” Hannah said.

  Kyle set down the suitcases and reached for a switch by the front door. Light flooded the room. A long hunter green sofa sat across from a television. The end tables were oak, as was the floor. There were two large windows and even a fireplace.

  Kyle took them on a quick tour. The kitchen was small but adequate, with refinished cabinets and an eating area. They continued into the bedroom, which had a king-size bed. Two people could be very comfortable there, Nick imagined, then figured he would never get the chance to test the firmness of the mattress.

  They returned to the living room. “Would you like to sit for a minute?” Hannah asked Kyle.

  “Sure.”

  Kyle settled on one end of the sofa. Hannah took the cream-and-green-flecked easy chair. Nick sat on the other end of the sofa and figured Hannah would want to keep Kyle around for as long as possible. Not only to get information about her family, but to avoid being alone with her pretend husband.

  Kyle stared at Hannah for several seconds, then laughed. “Sorry. I’ve known about you for a few months now, but it’s strange to actually have you here.”

  “It feels weird to be here,” she said and clasped her hands together. “I have so many questions, but I don’t know where to start.”

  Kyle shrugged. “Start wherever. We don’t have any secrets.”

  Hannah’s body stiffened at that remark. Nick knew she was thinking about her own secrets—about him and their so-called marriage. If she’d chosen to sit on the sofa instead of the easy chair, he could have moved close and offered support. But she was too far away for him to touch her. No doubt she’d planned that deliberately, not wanting to give in to weakness.

  He liked her strength and her stubbornness nearly as much as he liked the softness she kept hidden from the rest of the world. If he ever told her that, she would either assume he was trying to make fun of her, or haul off and slug him. Nothing about Hannah was easy, but he suspected she was worth the effort. Too bad his stay in her life was only temporary.

  “What about my—our—father?” she asked, her voice low and uncertain. “You never see him?”

  “No.” Kyle leaned back on the sofa and crossed one ankle over his opposite knee. “None of us has gone to visit him since he moved to Florida and he hasn’t been back. Sometimes he sends one of us a card, but that’s about it.”

  “You don’t mind?”

  Kyle’s features tightened. His mouth pulled into a straight line. “No. We don’t mind. Earl Haynes isn’t exactly a model father. I wish I could tell you he was a kind man, or a loving husband, but none of it’s true. He never cared about anyone but himself. He was a real—”

  He stopped abruptly and glanced at her. “I’ll mention this to my brothers and the five of us can talk about him together. We can get out the photo albums if you want to see what he looks like. I’m sure there are some good memories.”

  Hannah didn’t wear much makeup and what she’d applied that morning had long since worn off. Nick could see the shadows under her eyes. Pale skin made the irises appear even darker brown. A single strand of hair had dared to escape her neat braid. It was the first time he’d ever seen that happen. The strand fluttered around her neck.

  Nick looked from half brother to half sister. He could see the similarities in eye and hair color, in the shape of their mouths, the straight noses, the set of their shoulders. Hannah was a beautiful, feminine version of her brothers.

  “I’m sure Louise will be happy to talk about Earl, too,” Kyle said.

  “They weren’t married, were they?”

  “No. If they had been, she wouldn’t have had to give you up.”

  Hannah nodded.

  Kyle dropped his foot to the floor and leaned toward her. “Don’t judge Louise. She was very young and very much in love with my father. He had a way of charming women. We don’t blame her, and you shouldn’t, either.”

  “I don’t,” Hannah said, but Nick wasn’t sure she was telling the truth. The brothers were enjoying having a new sister in the family. Hannah had to deal with the fact that her own mother had given her away. Understanding the past and trying to forgive were going to be long and difficult tasks.

  Kyle rose to his feet. “I don’t want to keep you two up any longer.”

  Hannah stood. “Oh, it’s fine. You don’t have to go. Really.”

  Nick heard the note of panic in her voice.

  Kyle grinned. “We’ll have plenty of time to catch up.” He came over and gave her a hug. “Welcome to the family.” Then he kissed her cheek.

  Nick saw him to the door. “Thanks for everything,” he said. “The house is terrific.”

  “Let us know if you need anything,” Kyle said. “We’re right up the driveway.”

  Nick waved, then closed the door and returned to the living room. Hannah had sunk back in her chair.

  “It’s been a hell of a day,” he said.

  She nodded. “I feel as if I’ve been through a war.”

  “I’ve got just the thing to make you feel better.”

  She eyed him suspiciously. “Like I believe that.”

  “Would your own husband lie to you?”

  “In a heartbeat.”

  He walked over to the pile of luggage still by the door and opened his small bag. When he pulled out a fifth of Scotch, he said, “Sarcastic people don’t get a drink.”

  The corners of her mouth tilted up. “I take it all back. Every word. You’re a prince without equal.”

  “Better. Much better. Say something about being good-looking. Guys always like that.”

  But instead of giving him a quick retort, she flushed slightly and glanced away. Interesting, Nick thought, strangely pleased by her reticence. He liked making her nervous. Keeping her off guard evened the playing field.

  In the kitchen, the cabinet above the dishwasher yielded octagonal-shaped glasses. He snagged two and carried them back into the living room. After opening the bottle and pouring them each an inch of amber liquid, he handed her a glass, then raised his.

  “To family found,” he said.

  She nodded and took a sip. A small shudder rippled through her. She closed her eyes for a second, then exhaled. “Here I was expecting a lonely old woman and I found the Waltons.”

  “Four John-boys for the price of one.”

  “I wonder if I’ve made a mistake.”

  “Coming up here?” he asked, leaning back against the sofa.

  “All of it. Coming up here, getting involved with them and their lives.”

  “Don’t you want to be a part of this family?” He tried not to think about the fact that he didn’t belong anywhere himself. His old man had passed away about ten years ago. Most of the time, Nick didn’t give him more than a passing thought, but occasionally he wondered about all he’d missed when he was growing up. When he considered raising a family, there was always a large group involved. It was, he acknowledged, a stupid fantasy for a man who never stayed long enough to get involved. Relationships required a commitment, and that was where his plan broke down. He’d been burned enough to know he wasn’t going to give anyone the chance to get close again.

  “I’m not sure what I want,” she said.

  “Are you angry at Louise?”

  She raised her eyebrows. “Just when I get used to thinking of you as a selfish, myopic jerk, you go and say something perceptive.”

  “Hey, I’m an amazing guy.”

  She pulled her feet up, shifted and tucked her legs under her. “I think I might have a little anger toward the woman who gave me up for adoption. Yet I came willingly when she invited me. I suppose I�
�m wrestling with ambivalence.”

  “Did you tell her about losing your adoptive parents?”

  “No. She doesn’t know.”

  So Louise didn’t know about Hannah’s being raised in foster homes. The woman was going to be heartsick and blame herself when she found out the truth.

  Hannah leaned back in the chair. “Every orphan dreams about her birth parents coming back to rescue her. I had the same fantasy about my parents. But they never came to get me. In some ways, it was worse knowing they were alive and didn’t care.”

  “Your father probably didn’t know about you.”

  “I assumed that from what everyone said.” She took another sip. “You think he’s as bad as they say?”

  “Yes.”

  Her gaze met his. “How do you know?”

  “I’ve seen the results of parents who didn’t care. I’ve learned to recognize the scars.” He didn’t bother mentioning he had a few of his own.

  “Louise isn’t anything like I thought she’d be,” Hannah said. “What happened to the frail old woman?”

  “You’re twenty-seven, right?”

  She nodded.

  “Most women in their forties don’t have to give up children for adoption,” he said. “She was a kid when you were born.”

  Abruptly, Hannah rose to her feet. She set the glass on the end table and started to pace the length of the room. When she reached the fireplace, she turned and walked to the hallway, only to repeat the circuit again.

  “I want to ask why she did it,” she said. “I just don’t know how.”

  “Say the words. I’m sure the story is pretty simple. Teenager gets involved with a married man, then gets pregnant. Glenwood is a small town. If she’d stayed, she would have caused a scandal.”

  “I suppose you’re right.” She raised her hands and covered her eyes. “Why did I think coming here would be easy?”

  “You never thought that. You knew it would be tough, but worth it. That’s what you have to remember.”