brides for brothers 03 - cowboy groom (2 page)

“Engaged?” Jake repeated, his voice disbelieving. “What are you talking about? Who are you engaged to?”

“Yeah! I thought you weren’t ready for marriage.” Chad slapped his brother on the shoulder. The others crowded around him, offering warm words.

Anna stood back and watched his family congratulate Brett Randall. She wasn’t surprised some lucky female had grabbed him. He was handsome as sin, he and his family had one of the largest ranches in Wyoming and she expected he was as nice as his brothers.

She’d been hesitant to move to the Randall ranch, even though her stay should be less than a month. Having been raised on the “wrong side of the tracks,” Anna had always felt uneasy around the wealthy. Living in their midst would be even worse, she’d felt sure.

To the contrary, she found life with the Randalls a delight. Their life-style didn’t shout wealth, they all worked hard, and then shared their lives with her as if she’d been born there.

The pang of regret she felt for hearing Brett had been taken was ridiculous, of course. She would never have had a chance at one of the Randalls. Now she felt like one of Cinderella’s ugly stepsisters at the ball.

“I was beginning to think your catching my bouquet wasn’t working,” Janie said to Brett with a tired chuckle as she leaned against her husband, Pete.

“Well, aren’t you going to tell us who she is?” Chad asked. “This isn’t some whirlwind romance with a stranger, is it?”

“Like you’d known Megan for a lifetime before you married her,” Brett chided.

Anna had heard the story of Chad and Megan’s romance, learning they’d married after only two weeks.

“Well, who is she?” Jake insisted, ignoring his brothers’ argument.

“Sylvia Sanders.”

The name had no significance for Anna, but it apparently did for the rest of the people in the kitchen.

“Senator Sanders’s daughter?” There was astonishment in Jake’s voice.

“Yeah. What’s the matter?” Brett asked, edginess tinting his question.

“Nothing,” Megan assured him. “She’s a beautiful young woman. Congratulations, Brett.” She kissed his cheek, then stepped back beside her husband and elbowed him.

“Uh, yeah, congratulations, brother,” Chad said. “She’s a real looker.”

Everyone else crowded around Brett to offer their praises for his choice and to wish him well. Anna wondered if she was imagining their reluctance.

“Thanks. It got leaked to the papers, and I wanted to tell you before you read it like everyone else.”

“So, when’s the wedding?” Pete asked.

“Hey, don’t rush me! I’m not diving into marriage like you two did,” Brett assured Pete and Chad.

Somehow Anna got the impression Brett wasn’t as sold on the idea of marriage to Sylvia as he wanted his family to believe.

Or maybe it was just wishful thinking.

“I
CAN’T BELIEVE
he—Oh! Good morning, Anna.” Janie’s expression turned guilty as Anna opened the kitchen door later that morning.

“Do I need to make myself scarce? I can catch breakfast in town if—”

“No, of course not,” Janie said, waving her in. “Red left you a plate on the back of the stove.”

“I could take it back to my room to eat,” Anna suggested, still feeling as if she were intruding.

“Don’t be silly, Anna.” Megan shot her a smile. “Janie just feels guilty because you caught her gossiping. And if she doesn’t finish what she started, I’m going to wring her neck.”

After dramatically looking over each shoulder, Janie leaned closer to Megan and Anna as she sat down. “I was saying that I can’t believe Brett is going to marry Sylvia Sanders. She is such a snob!”

“You know her?” Anna asked. The closest she’d ever come to seeing any of Wyoming’s politicians or their families was on television.

“Sure. Last year Daddy insisted we go to a dinner at the governor’s mansion. But she attended Kansas University the same time I did. We weren’t friends, of course. She was too important.”

“Maybe she was shy,” Anna suggested.

Megan chuckled. “You have such a good heart, Anna. But in this case, you’re wrong. I met her once. She virtually ignored me until someone mentioned that my mother’s fifth husband has a title. As if that mattered.”

“Fifth?” Anna asked, distracted by that detail. “Your mother’s been married five times?”

Megan rolled her eyes. “Yeah. And if this marriage ends soon, as I think it will, I’m sure I’ll get daddy number six. Lucky me.”

“And Miss Sanders was impressed that your stepfather has a title?”

“Boy, was she. The only thing that impresses Sylvia more than a title is money. And Brett has money.”

Anna blinked several times. “You don’t think she’s marrying Brett because he’s rich, do you?” Anna wasn’t so naive as to not believe a woman would marry for money. But there was so much more to Brett Randall—as far as she could tell.

She didn’t really know him, but based on what she’d seen—felt—this morning, he was a great physical specimen. And if he was anything like his brothers, then he was a prize package.

“Money and power. The Randall men have a lot of influence in this state,” Janie said proudly.

“Maybe, but those are added benefits to having fallen in love with him,” Anna offered. For some ridiculous reason, it hurt to think of Brett’s fiancée not appreciating him.

Janie shook her head glumly. “I don’t think Sylvia is capable of falling in love.”

“For Brett’s sake, I hope you’re wrong,” Megan said. “But I tend to agree with you.”

Anna ate her scrambled eggs and watched the other women as their expressions grew even more gloomy.

“Will they live here with everyone?” Anna had found the family togetherness charming, unheard-of in nineties America.

Janie gasped. “Good Lord, I hadn’t thought of that!”

“We’ll be miserable,” Megan moaned.

“Why?”

“Because Miss High and Mighty will expect to be waited on hand and foot. She’d never lift a hand to help someone else. And we’ll all feel bad for Brett. He’s such a good guy.” Janie drummed her fingers on the table, frowning.

“Yeah, he doesn’t deserve Sylvia. She’ll ruin his sense of humor.” Megan turned to Anna. “Brett can always make us laugh when things get tough.”

“And he’s always on our side of any argument. He tells our husbands they’re crazy to argue with us,” Janie added with a chuckle.

“You wouldn’t expect a bachelor to be so sympathetic with pregnancy, either. But he and Jake are both terrific about that.”

“So, girls, what are we going to do?” Janie continued.

“About what?” Anna asked.

“To break them up, of course!”

B
RETT HAD A BIG GRIN
on his face in spite of the sweat beading on his forehead. July in Wyoming wasn’t always comfortable, but he loved it.

“Feeling a little rusty?” Jake asked as he stepped up on the porch beside his brother.

“Nah. Nothing to it. Feels good to be back.”

“Yeah. But we needed you to plead our case on that land-use bill. Think you made any headway?”

“Maybe. Since the senior senator is going to be my father-in-law, I think I might be able to persuade him.”

Jake pulled him to a halt before he could open the back door. “Wait a minute. You didn’t ask Sylvia to marry you to persuade her father, did you?”

Brett stared at his brother before laughing. “Do I look stupid? Of course not. Sylvia is beautiful, elegant, a lot of fun.” He blew out a long breath before revealing a secret to Jake. “You know, we were all against marriage after your divorce from Chloe, but watching Pete and Chad with their wives, I—I was beginning to feel lonesome.”

Jake put his arm around Brett. “Okay, little brother, as long as Sylvia makes you happy, I’m happy. I’ve been telling you you should get married like the others.”

“Yeah. You’ve been telling me nonstop. Ever since Pete’s marriage.”

“Well, you did catch the bridal bouquet,” Jake teased.

“That was a mistake. Janie was half-asleep. She didn’t even look where she threw it.”

“Looks like it worked anyway. One more marriage, and we’ll have everyone taken care of.” Jake grinned at his brother as he opened the door and gestured for Brett to precede him.

The rest of the family was already gathered around the table. The rest of the family and the little midwife, Brett noted sourly. Just what he needed, a reminder of his humiliation last night.

Jake took his normal place at the head of the table, leaving Brett one seat—beside the redhead.

As soon as grace was finished, Janie called for his attention.

“Yeah, Janie? When are you going to hatch?”

“Hey!” Pete protested. “That’s my wife you’re talking to.”

“I hope so, ‘cause I think she’s pregnant,” Brett teased.

“I don’t want to discuss me,” Janie protested. “I want to know when you’re bringing Sylvia to meet all of us.”

Brett looked at her in surprise. “I assumed it would be best to wait until after you’ve had the babies, Janie. I don’t want the visit to be a strain for you.”

Pete nodded in approval.

Janie, however, didn’t seem to appreciate his consideration. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“Because it may be six months before I feel halfway decent once these babies are born. I won’t get any sleep, and I won’t have an excuse to be fat any longer. I think she should come for a visit at once.”

“Yes,” Megan chimed in. “You want her to come now, when the ranch is beautiful. In winter, she might not like it as much.”

“Megan, she’s a Wyoming girl,” Brett protested.

“Maybe so, but she’s spent a lot of time in Washington, D.C.”

Jake looked at Megan sharply before turning to Brett. “Megan’s got a point. Have you two discussed where you’ll live after the wedding?”

Brett’s head shot up. “Aren’t we welcome here?”

“Of course you are!” Jake returned. “You know you are. But I got worried that Sylvia wouldn’t want—She’s used to a more—more exciting life.”

“Sylvia knows I want to live here.”

“Then call and invite her,” Janie insisted. “Tell her we’re all anxious to welcome her into the family. We’ll give a party to introduce her to the neighbors.”

“You sure you’re up to all that activity?” Brett asked Janie. He wouldn’t want to do anything to interfere with the safe delivery of his first nieces and nephews.

“Tell him, Anna,” Janie ordered.

Brett reluctantly turned to the one person at the table he’d been trying to ignore. He didn’t want to be reminded of last night.

“I’ll make sure Janie doesn’t overdo it. And I can help Red with things around here.”

Staring into big blue eyes that reminded him of the Wyoming sky in summer, Brett almost forgot what they were discussing. Those eyes must be the biggest part of her, he decided. Except for those red curls that seemed to have a life of their own.

“Brett? Are you going to telephone Sylvia?” Jake prodded, calling him to attention.

He reluctantly drew his gaze away from Anna. “What? Oh. Oh, yeah. I’ll go call her right away.” He turned back to look at Anna again. What was wrong with him? Why was he suddenly reluctant to talk to Sylvia? He was going to marry her. Wasn’t he?

Chapter Two

“Hi, lover.”

Her sexy voice reassured him. Of what, he wasn’t sure, but Brett had been uneasy until she spoke.

“I miss you already,” Sylvia went on. “When will you be back? No, Maria, put that over here.”

Brett waited impatiently until he had her attention again. “I’ve got a better idea. Why don’t you come here? The family wants you to come visit. We’ll have a party to introduce you to the neighbors.”

He began to wonder if he’d lost the connection because silence was his only answer. Finally Sylvia said, “I’d love to, angel, but as Daddy’s hostess, you know I need to be here.”

“I’m sure he can spare you for a week or two, Sylvia. After all, he’ll have to get used to me coming first, won’t he?” Brett chuckled. Several times his brothers had pointed out how much things changed with marriage.

Sylvia didn’t laugh with him. “Of course, Brett, but—Maria! I told you I wanted lemonade with my lunch. Sorry, Brett. The woman can’t get anything right. I suppose I could spare a week. Daddy’s visiting with his constituents right now, nothing important. When shall I come?”

“The sooner the better. Tomorrow?”

“Darling, I can’t be packed in such a short time.”

“All you’ll need are jeans and a party dress. We’re pretty casual around here.”

As if he’d never spoken, she continued, “I suppose I could leave Friday. You’ll come pick me up?”

Brett never hesitated, though Casper was a two-hour drive. It suddenly seemed important that he see her again. “Of course. I’ll be there about nine, and we can be back at the ranch for lunch.”

“I won’t be ready until about three. Daddy’s having a luncheon on Friday, and I need to be here.”

“Okay. We’ll get back in time for dinner.”

“Yes, of course. Please assure everyone I’m looking forward to my visit.”

“You’ll love it here, Sylvia. We’re going to be very happy.”

“Of course we are, lover. Bye-bye.”

With a frown, he replaced the receiver. He didn’t feel as satisfied as he’d thought he would. Sylvia hadn’t sounded as enthusiastic as she had when he left her, either. And it seemed as if she had more important things to do than chat with him.

Of course, as her father’s hostess, she lead a busy life. But things would change once they were married. Then she could be busy on the ranch.

He was smiling again by the time he reached the kitchen. Sylvia could be in charge of all the parties they might want to give. And help Red around the house. And they could start a family.

“Is Sylvia coming?” Jake asked.

Brett was surprised to discover the kitchen empty except for his brother and Red, the old cowboy who’d taken care of them for a quarter of a century.

“Yeah. Where is everyone?”

“Janie and Megan take a nap after lunch every day. Anna had visits to make, and your brothers are out saddling up.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to take so long.” He was looking forward to working this afternoon. There was something so straightforward about ranch work, unlike the political scene where he’d just spent the past two weeks.