Runaway Heiress (13 page)

              “I’ll wait outside with your father,” Chad said. His entire body was on fire, and he knew he was going to have a difficult time walking, but she needed a few minutes to compose herself and get dressed. He’d been hoping to help her dress… after he’d gotten rid of the gown and sunk himself deep inside her.

              He tried to rid himself of those thoughts. It wasn’t helping his situation, and really not helping the pain in his lower body. He shifted as he stood awkwardly next to George. He really needed to get her alone – and in a bed.

              “We’ll be right outside, then,” George answered with a smile before stepping back out the door.

              “I don’t think it gets more embarrassing than that,” Bree said with a small laugh.

              “It could have if he’d been two minutes later,” Chad said. He laughed as he saw the horror dawn on her face. Then he stepped through the doors and leaned his head against the cool metal. He couldn’t seem to keep it together around her. He was beginning to think that wasn’t such a bad thing.

Chapter Nine

              “I don’t like it,” Trenton said with his arms folded across his chest. It seemed everyone was against him on the matter, though.

              “I think it’s safest. The doctor said she shouldn’t be forced into anything, plus this way Chad can still keep a watch on her,” George argued.

              “He doesn’t seem to be doing such a great job,” he snapped, instantly regretted his words because he knew Chad was eating himself up about Bree getting hurt. It wasn’t Chad’s fault Bree had been shot. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for,” he quickly added.

              “I understand,” Chad replied. He would’ve gladly taken that bullet, but they couldn’t dwell on it. They had no choice but to move forward, and at that moment they were discussing where Bree was going after her hospital release.

              “Look, she’s comfortable around me. I can look after her and my baby. Mark is only a couple miles away and you can camp in my back yard if you want,” Chad said. He wanted Bree with him and wasn’t compromising on the subject.

              “It’s not like he can get her any more pregnant,” Mark added with a chuckle. Trenton shot daggers at his cousin.

              “Like you’re a monk,” Alex added. Trenton felt they were teaming up against him. He didn’t like it one bit.

              “We’re not discussing me,” Trenton said, but he knew they were right. His sister wasn’t a teenager anymore. He figured the protective feelings just never went away. He felt like Chad was taking advantage of the situation.

              “Listen, I understand how you feel. But you have to realize at some point that Bree is an adult and she wasn’t hurt when she made the decision to sleep with me. She’s carrying my child. That means something to me. I plan on marrying her.”

              “Besides, her memory will come back, and if she’s at home when it happens, there’s going to be hell to pay. She’ll accuse us of taking advantage of the situation, then we could lose her permanently. I think she needs to stay with Chad for now. He’ll keep her safe,” Austin jumped in.

              Trenton reluctantly nodded his head but it was obvious he wasn’t happy about the situation.

              “Now that we got that settled, we should stop fighting before Bree turns the corner and wonders what it’s all about. It wouldn’t do her recovery any good to know she’s got a stalker,” George reminded them.

              Within a few minutes, Bree joined them in the waiting area. She had a tentative smile on her face as she glanced toward the door, obviously wanting to exit the hospital before the doctor changed his mind and told her she couldn’t leave.

              “Let’s get out of here, shall we?” Chad said, placing his arm around her back. She looked a bit lost, but was more than happy to follow him from the sterile room.

              “We haven’t discussed where I’m going. I don’t even know where I live,” Bree said, starting to feel her first stirrings of panic. It was disorienting to not know anything about her life.

              “We’re going home,” Chad simply answered.

              “Do we live together?”

              “Yes,” he answered somewhat truthfully. He had been staying with her so it wasn’t exactly a lie. He had a feeling it was going to come back and bite him later, but he’d deal with that then.

              “Okay,” she said, seeming unsure, but putting her trust in him, anyway.

              “We’ll meet you at the ranch,” George said before giving Bree a quick hug.

              “Don’t you think you all should wait a day or two before overwhelming her?” Chad asked. His question was ignored as everyone headed for their vehicles. They already had a welcome home party planned, and whether Bree was ready or not, she was about to be inundated with family.

              Chad helped Bree into his truck, then went around and climbed into the driver’s seat. He turned the radio to a country station and quietly started navigating the vehicle, letting her get used to the idea of finally being free from what she considered a prison.

              “How far away is the house?”

              “It’s about a half hour from the hospital.”

              “Do I like living in the country?”

              “I just bought this property. Before you went into the hospital, we were staying in a small house on the outskirts of town. I think you’ll really enjoy the ranch, though. We have horses, cows, chickens, goats, and a few other creatures running around,” he answered, his voice filled with excitement.

              Bree felt a stirring of familiarity at his words. Maybe she’d spent time on a ranch before. She started to feel excitement as they left the city and glided past fields of hay, gently blowing in the breeze.

              It didn’t seem like much time passed when Chad turned off the main road and started traveling down a long gravel driveway. Her head turned from side to side as she tried to take in everything around her. She looked out at the fruit trees and could practically feel the burst of flavor on her tongue. She knew she’d spent time climbing apple trees and plucking fruit from their branches. She just didn’t know when she’d done it.

              They turned a bend in the road and her eyes widened at the number of cars lined up in front of a huge three story home. She heard Chad curse and turned in his direction.

              “I told your family to take it easy and let you get adjusted first, but they don’t seem to listen. It was only supposed to be immediate family members but it looks like they brought the entire gang. If you want me to turn around and take you to a hotel for the night, I will,” he offered when he saw her frightened expression.

              “No, I’ll be okay. It’s obvious my family loves me, which is great. It’s better to be overwhelmed, than have nobody at all,” she answered. Chad would see if she still felt that way in a few hours.

              “You’re home. I’m so glad you’re okay,” Jennifer said as she rushed up and threw her arms around Bree as soon as she stepped from the vehicle.

              “Aunt Bree, I missed you,” Molly cried out as she ran up to them and joined in on the hub.

              “I missed you, too,” Bree automatically answered. She hugged both of them, though she still didn’t recognize anyone. She was then passed from one pair of arms to the next for several minutes. It brought tears to her eyes, all the love she was receiving. She seemed to be a very lucky person.

              “We have the steaks going, cousin. Come sit down and relax for a while,” Mark said when she finally made it into the house. She looked around the large entrance with sparse furnishings.

              “Come out back, Sweetie. We have a nice chair all set up for you,” Joseph called in a voice that made Bree jump. She knew he was her uncle, but the man was a bit intimidating. He was as huge as a mountain, with a voice that could easily command an army.

              “Joseph, you’re scaring the poor girl. Let her get settled,” Esther said as she came up and put her arm around Bree.

              “Nonsense. My niece would never be afraid of me,” Joseph protested.

              “Humph,” Esther replied before whisking Bree away. Bree had to admit she was grateful for the woman’s interference.

              “I’m sorry, this is all just a little overwhelming,” Bree admitted quietly to the kind woman leading her to a secluded space in the back yard.

              “It’s alright, dear. Your family means well, and they love you deeply, but sometimes they can be a bit much to handle,” Esther said with a knowing wink.

              “It seems that way.”

              “I’m Esther. I’ve worked for the Anderson’s for many years. I’m retired now but they’ve become so much a part of my family, that I can’t seem to stay away,” she said with a gentle laugh. Bree felt completely at ease with her.

              “It seems they wouldn’t let you go, even if you wanted to leave,” Bree said with wide eyes as she looked over the yard filled with people, young and old, all of them laughing and carrying on. She smiled as she saw a couple toddlers on one end of a see-saw and Chad on the other side. He was shooting them into the air, sending them into fits of contagious laughter.

              Bree felt a flash of memory register. She saw herself flying high on a swing with Jasmine next to her, both of them laughing. Bree smiled, then giggled, overcome with happiness at the small piece of her past. For the first time since waking from her coma, she felt like it really was her family.

              Chad looked over and their eyes connected, sending a bolt of electricity zipping through the air. Her stomach clenched with need so overwhelming she had to quickly sit because she didn’t think her legs would carry her weight any longer. When she saw the instant heat in Chad’s eyes, it caused her body to go from hot to smoldering. She instantly wished they were alone. Maybe when she was once again in his arms, it would flood her mind with her life before the accident. She suddenly wanted to have her memories back more than anything. It seemed she had a very fulfilled life.

              “Higher,” the kids on the see-saw called to him, impatient with his momentary pause. He jerked his gaze from hers and started playing with them again. Bree realized she’d stopped breathing and took in a fortifying breath of air.

***

              “Do you see the heat flying between those two?” George asked his brother with a satisfied smile.

              “I’m surprised the dry grass doesn’t ignite,” Joseph confirmed.

              “I hate that my daughter has been through so much, but I’m sure glad Chad was the one to step into her life. I think another wedding may be in the near future,” George beamed.

              “I’m happy for you, brother. You deserve joy in your life. Speaking of which, I think I’ve detected some sparks between you and Esther,” Joseph said with a twinkle in his eye.

              “Now, don’t you start matchmaking on me. Esther and I are only friends,” George said in a hushed tone as he looked around, making sure no one had overheard them. If his kids even suspected he had feelings for Esther, they’d be all over him. He knew they had their own suspicions about Joseph and him stepping into their children’s lives and matchmaking.

              “I’m just saying…” Joseph trailed off. He watched as George’s eyes sought out Esther every few minutes or so. It looked to him like his brother may have found a second chance of happiness in life. He deserved it. Losing his wife was devastating for him, and Esther was a good woman.

              “Well, don’t you be saying anything. And don’t even think about getting any fool idea’s in your head,” George said before he stomped off to speak to someone else. Joseph’s loud laughter followed him across the yard.

***

              “My Dad and Esther, huh? I would’ve never even imagined it,” Austin said to his cousin, Lucas.

              “Eavesdropping definitely has its benefits,” Lucas said as he watched his uncle stomp away.

              “He’s mourned for long enough. I think it would be great if he was able to find a slice of happiness again,” Austin said.

              “I just think it’s time he gets paid back. I can’t prove it, but I know Dad and Uncle George have been meddling in our lives. They think they’re so slick, but they start crying about grandkids and all of a sudden they have more than a houseful. That seems like more than just a coincidence to me,” Trenton mused.

              “Good thing I’m smarter than the rest of you,” Austin answered smugly.

              “Sure, Cuz, we’ll see how smart you are,” Trenton laughed. Austin glared at his cousin before walking away.

              “What are you two up to?” Jennifer asked as she came up and wrapped her arms around her husband.

              “Looks like Dad may be falling in love. We think it’s time to do some interfering of our own,” Trenton answered, quickly kissing his wife. He couldn’t seem to get enough of her, no matter how much time he spent at her side.

              “What do you mean?” she asked, looking confused.

              “I don’t know how the old men have done it, but I know they’ve been meddling in our love lives. Not that I’m complaining – it led me to you,” Trenton added. He loved his wife and wouldn’t change a thing between them.