by Force, Marie
Things had gotten a little… boring. It was too easy. The thrill was gone. He hated to think he might be growing up—horrors—but it had happened to his older brothers. It being maturity. Lucas usually hated that word and everything that went along with it—responsibility, commitment, adulthood.
Watching his younger brother, Max, dedicate himself to single fatherhood had been sobering, and Lucas knew that Landon agreed. They couldn’t have Max making them look bad. That wouldn’t do.
Lucas had been thinking for a while that he needed to expand his playground, so to speak, beyond the local women who’d kept him and Landon—and Max, once upon a time—entertained in recent years. They were all nice people. Well, most of them were, but none of them presented much of a challenge.
He could walk into any bar in the Northeast Kingdom, strike up a conversation with a pretty woman, and be warming her bed within an hour, if that was what he wanted. He wasn’t necessarily proud of his track record where women were concerned and would never deny that he’d had more than his share of fun with women.
But that was all that it had ever been. Fun. Watching his siblings with their life partners had him wondering if maybe there wasn’t something beyond fun that might be worth exploring. That wasn’t to say he was ready to settle down with one woman for the rest of his life, but it might be fun to have… a girlfriend.
There. He’d said it. Or rather, he’d allowed himself to think it, which was a huge first step for a guy who’d made a career out of avoiding that word and everything that went with it. Many had tried to get him to take on the title of boyfriend, but none had succeeded. Why commit to one woman when there were so many to choose from?
That had been his philosophy, and Landon’s, since they were old enough to understand that women liked them. A lot.
Maybe it was time to try something new. Not that Amanda would be the something new. No, she was in town for only a week or so, and then she’d be moving on to her next assignment. This date would be about “practice.” It wasn’t about scoring or any of the usual games. It was about taking a nice, attractive woman who interested him to dinner.
He could do that. Just because he hadn’t done anything like it since his senior prom didn’t mean he was incapable.
As he zipped up his coat and stepped into his boots, he decided he was perfectly capable and he would prove that to himself tonight. He drove into town thinking about Amanda’s presentation and the way she’d talked about subjects that would turn other women into silly, giggling fools. She’d been the consummate professional, taking questions and offering answers with practiced ease.
What was all new to them was routine to her. She’d probably done that presentation a few hundred times, so it was no big deal.
Lucas was fascinated by her career choice and had a lot of questions he hoped she would answer for him tonight. He parked at the inn and walked on snow that crunched under his feet to the front door, where he kicked the snow off his boots. At the front desk, Mrs. Hendricks lit up at the sight of him.
“This is a nice surprise,” she said. “Landon?”
He shook his head. “Lucas.”
“I never guess right with you two.”
“No worries. Hardly anyone but our mom gets it right every time.”
“It helped when you had the beard.”
“I’ll grow it back just for you.”
She smiled and flushed. “Such a charmer. What can I do for you tonight, hon?”
“I’m here to see a guest. Amanda.” Lucas realized he had no idea what her last name was.
Luckily, Mrs. Hendricks knew. “Amanda Pressley. I’ll ring her room for you.”
Amanda Pressley.
It was a good name, a strong name. Amanda Pressley.
Mrs. Hendricks hung up the phone. “She’ll be down in just a minute.”
“Thank you. We have reservations for seven in the dining room.”
“Your brother Wade and his new missus reserved a table at the same time.” Mrs. Hendricks leaned on the counter. “What’s she like? His new wife?”
Lucas didn’t let on that he was annoyed that Wade and Mia would be spying on him and Amanda. “She seems really nice.”
“Is it true that none of you knew her before he married her?”
“Wade knew her. That’s what matters, right?” He was saved from contributing further to the Butler gossip machine by Amanda’s appearance. She wore a sweater he recognized from the store, along with jeans and black leather boots that showcased a great pair of legs. Her dark hair was shiny and smooth, her smile warm and welcoming.
“Hi there,” she said.
“Hey.”
“Your beard is gone.”
“Good luck figuring out which one is Lucas and which one is Landon without the beard,” Mrs. Hendricks said.
“I’ll make sure she knows the difference,” Lucas said. He offered his arm to Amanda. “Shall we?”
Amanda tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “Yes, please.”
“You two have a nice dinner,” Mrs. Hendricks said.
“Oh, we will,” Lucas assured her.
Chapter 22
“With an eye made quiet by the power of harmony, and the deep power of joy, we see into the life of things.” —William Wordsworth
Wade had told Mia to dress for the weather. Everything in Butler was casual, even the dining room at the Admiral Frances Butler Inn, the one place that had rooms for rent in their tiny town.
She came out of the bedroom wearing jeans that hugged her sexy curves and a sparkly top that she’d paired with a soft black sweater. “Is it safe to wear leather boots, or am I better off with the rubber ones?”
Wade was so busy staring at her that he didn’t hear the question.
She waved her hand in front of his face. “Earth to Wade.”
“Hmm? What did you say?”
“Leather boots or rubber?”
“Rubber. I wouldn’t want the leather ones to get ruined in the slush.” He slid his arms around her and buried his face in the crook of her neck, breathing her in. “I still can’t believe I can do this whenever I want to.”
Her hand curled around his neck, her fingers toying with the ends of his hair. “That’s the best part of being married, isn’t it?”
“There are so many good parts of being married that I’d hate to single one out as the best.” Moving his hands down, he cupped her ass and gave it a squeeze. “I wouldn’t want the other parts to get their feelings hurt.”
Her soft laughter delighted him. After everything she’d been through, hearing her laugh was the sweetest music he’d ever heard.
“Let’s get going before I forget that I’m supposed to be taking my wife on our first official date tonight.”
“If you don’t want to go out, we don’t have to.”
“I want to go, and we do have to. I wouldn’t want you to think I’m only after one thing from my lovely wife—although that one thing is rather spectacular.”
“It is rather spectacular, isn’t it?” she replied, flashing a saucy grin.
“The most spectacular I’ve ever had.”
“Me, too.”
When she looked at him that way, she made him feel like king of the world, or maybe just king of her world, which was more than fine with him. He held her coat for her and followed her to the truck. His motion-sensitive lights illuminated the way for them and lit up the yard. Wade took a good look around as he held the door for her and waited for her to get settled.
It would be so easy, he thought, for someone to walk right onto his property, even with cops watching the place, and he’d never know until it was too late. The thought sent chills down his spine that had nothing to do with the cold. He recalled the things people had said about Mia online and how he couldn’t be with her around the clock, as much as he might want to be.
Maybe he should show her how to use the pistol he kept under lock and key. Just in case she ever needed it. Although the thought of her need
ing to defend herself in their home threatened his sanity. He would keep her safe no matter what he had to do.
“What’s wrong?” she asked when they were on their way into town.
The state cop positioned at the end of the driveway pulled out behind them. They’d gotten used to being followed and barely noticed the cops anymore, but Wade was damned glad they were there.
“Nothing. Why?”
“You’re tense. What happened since we left the house?”
“I was thinking…”
“About?”
“Security at home.”
“What about it?”
“We need more of it.” He glanced at her. “Do you know how to shoot a gun?”
“God, no. I’ve never even touched one.”
“I want to teach you. Just in case you ever need it.”
“You have a gun?”
“I do, but only for protection. Thankfully, I’ve never needed it.”
“I don’t think I could do it.”
“If it came down to your life or an intruder’s life, you bet your ass you could do it.”
“It freaks me out to talk about guns and shooting people.”
“I’m worried because people who support Brody know where you are now. If they blame you for what happened to him, it's not outside the realm of possibility that they could come looking for you.”
“They’d never find me. Your place is so far off the main drag.”
“Babe, all they’d have to do is ask around in town. People know where I live.” He reached across the center console for her hand. “I’m not saying this to scare you. I only want you to be safe and aware and able to defend yourself if need be.”
“It scares the hell out of me to think I might ever have to defend myself with a gun. I hate them.”
“I’m not a big fan of them either. I only have one because I live in the middle of nowhere, and I’d rather be safe than sorry. I’ve never needed it.”
“Until I came along and brought criminals into your life.”
“Those are your words, not mine.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “I’ll show you where the gun is and how to use it, and then we’ll forget about it, okay?”
“If you really think it’s necessary.”
“I hope it’ll never be necessary, but I’ll feel better about leaving you home alone if I know you can take care of yourself if you have to.” He pulled into the parking lot and noticed that Lucas’s truck was already there. After killing the engine, he turned to Mia, who had her bottom lip between her teeth. “I don’t want this to ruin our night.” He tapped on her abused lip, and she released it.
“It’s not going to ruin our night.”
“What’re you thinking?”
“I want to be free of all this, you know? Brody and the case and… All of it. I want it to go away and leave us in peace.”
“I love the way you say us.”
“My situation affects you, too, and I hate that most of all. I feel like I was really selfish to come here and involve you, but I didn’t know what else to do when he said he was going to force me to marry him. I was afraid he would kill me if I refused again.”
“You did exactly what you should’ve done, and you’ve made me very happy.”
“It wasn’t just about escaping Brody. I hope you know that.”
“I do. I get it. It was about us getting what we both wanted at the same time.”
She nodded. “I did want you. So badly. I was afraid to even think about how badly I wanted you when I was still with him.”
“All that matters now is that you’re here, we’re together, we’re married and we’re going to make it work. No matter what.” He cupped her cheek and ran his thumb over her soft skin. “Now I’m going to take my wife out to dinner for the very first time. No more talk of anything that isn’t about us and the future and all the things we have to look forward to, okay?”
“And spying on Lucas.”
Wade laughed. “That, too. Especially that. Wait for me. I’ll come around for you.” When he got out of the truck, frigid air brought tears to his eyes and had him moving fast to collect her and get inside as quickly as possible. Inside the door, they took a second to catch their breath. Wade blew warm air into his hands. “Whose big idea was it to go out tonight?”
“I believe it was mine. Not the best idea I ever had.”
Wade put his arm around her and kept her close to him as they walked toward the lobby. “Our first date is long overdue. Despite the cold, I’m glad we’re getting that taken care of.”
“So we can rejoin the honeymoon already in progress after dinner?”
“I do like the way you think, Mrs. Abbott.”
“I do like when you call me that, Mr. Abbott.”
He squeezed her shoulder and marveled at how he, who’d craved solitude his entire life, suddenly couldn’t imagine not having her by his side, in his bed or firmly entrenched in his heart. Wade’s dad had always told them that when the right one came along, they’d know it—and he’d known right away that if he couldn’t have her, he wouldn’t want anyone else.
Mrs. Hendricks was working the front desk when they came into the lobby. “It’s the newlyweds!” She came around the desk to greet them. “I’m so glad to meet you.” She hugged Mia, who was startled by the gesture. “Welcome to Butler!”
Wade gently extricated his wife from the older woman’s embrace.
“And you,” she said to Wade. “Keeping such big secrets.” Leaning in toward Mia, she added, “It’s always the quiet ones you have to watch out for. They’re the sneaky ones.”
“Are you sneaky, Wade?” Mia asked, clearly amused.
“Um, not really.”
“Oh, come now! You pulled off the story of the year in this town, showing up with a new wife no one had ever met. If that’s not sneaky, I don’t know what is.”
“Well, I wasn’t intending to be sneaky,” he said, trying not to squirm. “I’m just kind of private. That’s all.”
“What did your mama have to say about you getting married?” Mrs. Hendricks asked, settling in for a full inquisition.
“She was very happy for us,” Mia said. “All the Abbotts were, especially when they found out how long Wade and I have known each other.” She gave a tug on Wade’s hand. “Don’t we have a reservation, honey? We ought to get going.”
Hearing her call him “honey” did weird things to his overly taxed heart. Just when he thought this day couldn’t get any better, she’d called him honey. “We sure do,” he said. “Nice to see you, Mrs. Hendricks.”
“You, too. And congratulations. Everyone is so happy for you both.”
“Thank you.” When they had walked away, he said, “This town. Ugh. Sorry about that.”
“No need to apologize. It was very entertaining.”
“I’m glad you thought so. People around here don’t have much to do, especially this time of year, so they tend to get a little too involved in other people’s business. Just ask Cameron what it was like when she hit Fred on the way into town. It’s all people talked about for weeks, until they caught wind of Hannah dating Nolan.”
“Typical small town.”
While they waited at the hostess desk, Wade scanned the room and saw Lucas tucked into a corner with Amanda, the two of them engrossed in conversation. When the hostess returned, he gave his name. “We’d like to sit close to them,” he said, pointing to his brother.
“No problem,” the hostess said. “Right this way.”
The look on Lucas’s face when he saw them coming was nothing short of priceless. Wade had to fight through the urge to laugh—hard—at his brother’s dismay. “Don’t mind us,” he said.
Lucas scowled at him. “I don’t need a babysitter tonight, big brother.”
Wade held Mia’s chair for her. “Who said anything about babysitting?”
“Go away and sit somewhere else.”
“We like it here, close to the fire. Mia is cold.”
&n
bsp; She shivered dramatically.
Lucas rolled his eyes at them before returning his attention to Amanda.
“Well played, love,” Wade said. “You’re going to be an awesome sister-in-law.”
“You really think so?”
“You already fit in like you’ve always been here.”
“I guess.”
“You don’t think so?” he asked, surprised to hear that.
“I do… Everyone has been so nice, but I’m sure they’re privately reserving final judgment until I prove myself to them.”
“You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone. The only ones who matter in this equation are you and me.”
“That’s sweet of you to say, but it’s not realistic. We live in Butler, surrounded by your huge, loving family that closes ranks when one of their own is threatened.”
“Mia, honey, where is this coming from? I don’t feel threatened, and no one in my family thinks I’m being threatened. They can see how happy I am with you.”
“They’ll be paying very close attention to me and how I treat you, which is totally understandable.” She reached across the table and placed her hand on top of his. “They’re looking out for you.”
“I don’t need anyone looking out for me,” he said. “Except for you, of course.”
“I’ll always look out for you, and if I keep doing that, then they’ll know my motives are pure and my intentions toward you are honorable.” She picked up the menu and opened it. “What’s good here?”
“Mia.” Wade waited until she put the menu aside to look at him. “You’re not on an audition here. I don’t want you to think that.”
“You’re sweet to say so, but I am on an audition with your family. Don’t worry, though. I’ll win them over. Now, what do you feel like eating?”
Wade let her change the subject, but he remained troubled by what she’d said. He wanted her to feel welcomed and embraced by his family, but he supposed he needed to be realistic and acknowledge that wouldn’t happen overnight.