brides for brothers 03 - cowboy groom (8 page)

B
RETT HURRIED
up the stairs after Sylvia. He didn’t want to talk to her right now, but he had no choice. Only a jerk would leave her alone. She’d closed the bedroom door behind her, and he rapped before opening it.

“Sylvia?” Expecting her to be on the bed, crying, he was surprised when she stepped from behind the door and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Automatically his arms came around her, but he didn’t tighten the embrace. “Sylvia,” he protested as she almost choked him.

“I’m so sorry, Brett. Please forgive me. I was only trying to help, to build us a brilliant future. I thought you’d be so proud of me.”

Brett took her shoulders and pushed her away from him so he could see her face. She certainly sounded upset, but he noticed she hadn’t shed any tears.

“Look, Sylvia—” he began, almost ready to voice the feeling that had been growing in him all day. She would call him fickle, but whatever emotion had led him to accept her proposal, it wasn’t there now.

She pressed her hand across his mouth. “Please forgive me, lover. I’ll agree to whatever you want. I only want you to be happy!” Then she leaned into him again, her lips covering his.

Again Brett held her at arm’s length. Things were growing more awkward by the moment. How could he bring up his indecision when she was being so self-sacrificing? “Look, Sylvia, maybe we’d better—”

“Make love to me, Brett. Take me in your arms and make me forget everything. I promise to make you happy!” She pushed against his hold, reaching out for him.

“Now? Sylvia, the entire family is waiting downstairs, wondering what’s going to happen. We can’t—”

“Let them wait.
We’re
more important right now. We’re going to become one, to form a family, to have children. Don’t you see, Brett?”

Brett had thought a number of times about having children, like his brothers, but this was the first time Sylvia had ever mentioned that possibility.

“You want children?”

“Of course! Don’t you?”

“Yes, but—but I have to go downstairs right now. I can’t leave them all thinking I’m moving to Casper.”

“I know you’d like it there, Brett, if only you’d—”

“No. That’s not going to happen, Sylvia.”

“Whatever you say, lover,” she said, uncommonly docile as she laid her head against his chest.

Brett stared across the room, confusion in his head. Finally he broke free from her. “I’m going downstairs.”

“But you’ll come back later? I want you so!”

He reached the door before she could grab him again and tried to leave with a noncommittal answer.

Sylvia had one last question, however. “I don’t even know where your bedroom is, Brett.”

It struck him as revealing that he didn’t want to tell her. That was stupid. “The second on the left in the other wing.”

Closing the door behind him, he headed down the hall to his bedroom. He needed to do a little thinking before he faced the others.

A
N UNEASY SILENCE
took over as everyone concentrated on dinner. Finally Chad asked Jake a question about the branding, and others picked up the strand of conversation. Anna, however, said nothing. All she could think about was the conversation taking place upstairs.

After the apple pie had been served, without the appearance of Brett and Sylvia, Megan and Janie offered to clean up. They were immediately joined by B.J. and Anna.

Once the kitchen was cleared of guests and family, Janie turned a triumphant face to the other three. “See? Already we’ve won! I bet Brett takes her back to Casper tomorrow.”

“Do you think so?” B.J. asked in surprise.

“Yes! We didn’t think they’d be compatible. Anna had the idea of asking her to come here so Brett would discover it for himself, and it worked. You’re brilliant, Anna!”

Anna didn’t feel too brilliant. She found herself wanting Brett happy, even if it meant he married Sylvia. He deserved happiness. And it wasn’t as if Brett’s decision affected her, she hastily reminded herself.

“Anna?” Megan questioned, watching her, “Is anything wrong?”

“No, of course not. I’m not sure—maybe they’ll work it out.”

“Could be,” B.J. contributed. “After all, you other two ladies went through some hard patches with Chad and Pete.”

“Surely you’re not hoping they’ll marry?” Janie demanded. “B.J., can’t you see she’s all wrong for us? I mean, look at the way she’s treated Red…and Mildred.”

Anna saw B.J.’s shoulders stiffen. Like the Randalls, B.J. protected her own, and she loved Mildred dearly. “I don’t like Sylvia, Janie, but Brett isn’t going to choose his bride based on my likes or yours.”

Anna carried a high stack of dishes to the sink. The sooner they finished the chore, the sooner she could retreat to her bedroom. She didn’t want to be involved in this discussion.

Megan began rinsing the plates, and Janie started putting away the leftover food. B.J. joined Anna in her job.

“I know he’s not going to choose his wife because of us, but you could see how upset he was.”

“She did apologize,” Anna murmured in spite of herself.

“Anna! You’re not supposed to be on her side.”

With a sigh, Megan turned from the sink. “I don’t like it, but Anna’s right. We shouldn’t be taking sides. This is Brett’s decision. But we’re not doing anything wrong, B.J. All we’re doing is trying to help Brett make an
informed
decision.”

B.J. nodded. “And if he still chooses to marry her, you’ll welcome her into the family?”

“Of course,” Megan said. Janie nodded, and Anna grabbed another plate.

Just as she turned toward the sink, Anna heard footsteps coming to the kitchen. The door opened, and Brett stood staring at them. “Where are the others? Is dinner over?”

“Yes, but we saved you some apple pie,” Megan assured him, smiling.

“Thanks, but, uh, Sylvia wants me to apologize for her. She didn’t realize how set I was on living here at the ranch. She’s agreed that we’ll start our married life here.”

“Oh…that’s good,” Janie said. Her enthusiasm sounded hollow, but Brett didn’t seem to notice.

Anna hoped no one noticed her reaction, either. It wasn’t that she expected Brett to turn to her if he broke his engagement with Sylvia. Of course she didn’t. It was just that she wanted what was best for Brett.

Which, of course, didn’t explain the depression that filled her.

Brett didn’t seem any happier than the rest of them. With a dismal look on his face, he said, “Yeah. Well, I’ve got to find Jake.” He backed out of the door, letting it swing shut behind him.

J
AKE LAY IN HIS BED
, his hands behind his head. It had been a long day, but he had a lot to think about. He’d had his doubts about Sylvia Sanders when Brett had announced his engagement. Her behavior tonight had done nothing to improve his opinion of her.

But if Brett loved her, wanted her, he’d support him to his dying day.

If what Brett said was true, that Sylvia had apologized and sworn she’d be happy living on the ranch, then who was he, Brett’s brother, to complain? And she’d apologized to Red, too. After all, she was used to servants. He supposed her mistake at dinner was a natural one.

But somehow Jake wasn’t reassured.

With a sigh, he settled down against his pillow. The sun rose early in the morning. He couldn’t lie awake all night worrying about his brother’s love life.

A few minutes later, just as he was drifting off, the turning of his doorknob roused him. But he figured if one of his brothers needed him, he’d make a more strenuous effort to awaken him. In the silence, he again sank into slumber.

Until cold, slender fingers ran up his back.

And warm lips traced his spine.

Man, he was having some kind of vivid hallucination, he thought with a smile. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had such a dream.

A warm body, ripe and voluptuous, rubbed against him, sending an alert signal all over his body. He was just considering turning over, to really enjoy his dream, when a sexy voice whispered in his ear.

“Brett? Why didn’t you come? I’ve been waiting for—”

Jake almost landed on the floor beside his bed. He wasn’t having a dream. Instead, he had a misguided visitor.

He reached for the bedside lamp.

“Uh, Sylvia? I think you’ve made a mistake.”

Sylvia was on her knees on his bed, staring at him in shock.

Man, she was loaded for bear.
Jake couldn’t help staring at her. Her robe was hanging open, revealing one of those black lace teddies he’d seen in the stores. Her breasts were barely covered, and the sides were cut up to her waist.

“Jake!” Sylvia half screamed.

“I think you’ve come to the wrong room,” he said, hoping that was the explanation.

“But—but I counted! He said the second door on the left!”

Jake blew out his breath and wished she’d cover herself. He didn’t like looking at his future sister-in-law in such disarray. “I imagine he forgot to mention the linen closet. He’s in the second bedroom, but the third door.”

“Ooh!” Sylvia exclaimed, frustration filling her voice. She scooted from the bed and wrapped her robe around her, then turned to stomp from the room.

Jake, now that he was alone and thoroughly awake, shoved back the covers and crossed over to close the door. He couldn’t help looking out into the hallway to see Sylvia stomping down it in the direction of her room, not Brett’s.

He guessed Sylvia wasn’t the only one who’d be frustrated tonight if Brett was expecting a visit from his fiancée.

S
YLVIA DIDN’T APPEAR
at breakfast the next morning. Anna didn’t think anyone was surprised. After all, she was pretty sure Sylvia’s daily schedule didn’t include breakfast at sunrise.

Brett, as he was leaving with the other men, asked Janie and Megan if they would entertain Sylvia today. They both agreed, false smiles on their faces. Brett didn’t seem to suspect how little they were looking forward to that task. But Anna did.

Pete signaled for Anna to follow him to the door.

“Janie didn’t sleep well last night,” he whispered after she stepped outside.

“Thanks for telling me. I’ll keep an eye on her today.”

Brett turned back. “Hey, Pete, you flirting with Anna? I don’t think Janie would approve.”

Pete growled at his brother’s teasing and leapt off the porch to head for the barns.

“You know that wasn’t what he was doing,” Anna scolded.

“I don’t know. You’re pretty hard to resist, little Anna.”

The grin he shot in her direction had her heart turning flips. She gave herself a stern warning. “You’d better be careful yourself. Sylvia might be down to breakfast anytime now. She wouldn’t take too kindly to your flirting, either.”

“I’m safe. Sylvia won’t be up for hours. I know her well.”

He’d probably spent a few of those morning hours with Sylvia, Anna reminded herself. All the more reason to keep her own response to the cowboy under control. “Isn’t Jake waiting for you?”

“You trying to get rid of me?”

“I’m trying to keep you out of trouble.”

His hand came up to cup her chin. “Then we have a little problem, Anna, because I don’t think about behavin’ when I’m around you.”

Her breathing sped up, and she scowled at him. “You’re a terrible flirt, Brett Randall. Someone should warn Sylvia.”

He stared at her, a wry look on his face. Finally he turned her loose and straightened. “Yeah. See you this evening.”

Before she could steady her heart, he was on his way to the barn. Thank goodness he hadn’t hung around. She’d have melted at his feet in no time.

She returned to the kitchen, trying to focus on the reason she was there, not on Brett Randall.

“Pete’s hovering again, isn’t he?” Janie asked.

“He’s being a good husband.” With that remark, she turned her attention to the breakfast she’d abandoned when Pete had summoned her.

“Little lady, you haven’t eaten your eggs this morning,” Red noted a few minutes later. “Are you feelin’ poorly?”

Anna jerked her head up at Red’s comment. “Oh. No, not at all, Red. I was just…thinking about my day.”

“Got a busy one?”

“Well, I have a couple of calls to make. Not too bad, actually.” She seemed to be going through a light caseload, with only five patients right now. Which left her too much time to stew about Brett and his fiancée.

“Well, whatever is ruining your appetite must be affectin’ Janie, too,” Red commented with a frown.

Anna whipped her head around to stare at Janie, sitting down the table from her. How could she have gotten so distracted by Brett that she hadn’t noticed Janie’s pale face?

It didn’t take long to determine that Janie should spend the morning in bed. Anna felt guilty for having left her alone the day before to go into Casper with Brett.

The fact that Janie wasn’t protesting going to bed told Anna that she was in need of rest. Janie usually fought any pampering.

When Anna got back to the kitchen, Megan asked the question she’d been holding back, afraid Janie might hear.

“Is she all right? Is it time?”

“Her blood pressure is a little high, that’s all. I’ll check in with Doc, but I don’t think she’ll deliver yet.” Anna crossed her fingers that she was right. The babies weren’t due for another four weeks. The longer Janie could carry them, the healthier they would be.

She crossed to the phone and dialed Doc Jacoby’s home. Though he held office hours every other Saturday, it was too early for either him or the nurse, Mrs. Priddy, to be there.

After a brief conversation, Anna hung up the phone. “Doc agrees with me. She probably just needs rest. We’ll keep her in bed all day today.”

“Will you be making your calls?” Megan asked.

“No, Doc will make them. I’ll stay here with Janie.”

“Does that mean she’s in more trouble than you’re telling me?” Megan sounded anxious.

Anna smiled. “No. It means that neither Doc nor I want to take any chances with Janie. Or any of our patients. We’re just playing it safe.”

“I’m so glad you’re here.” Megan hugged her.

“Me too, Anna,” Red added. “I don’t know what we’d do without you.”