Page 5 of The Mountain Man's Unexpected Bride
I owe it to Archie, though, because he kept my dad in check when I was in college so that he didn't pull me away from my studies. I stand in front of him and face him head-on.
"You are asking a lot of me, Archie."
"I know. It's the only way, though."
"I want my lawyer to confirm this loophole in dad's will, before I do anything."
"You have to go choose your bride in a week."
"Then you'd best hope he works weekends."
I walk away from my uncle and go to the bar to serve myself some hard liquor. I'm going to need it.
Chapter 3
Brock
Being back in Chicago feels weird. I studied medicine here, and back then, I felt like I belonged, but now I belong on my mountain. I look at myself in the mirror one last time and know that I cannot chicken out of this. I made a promise.
There's a car waiting for me when I exit the hotel, and the bellhop opens the door for me. I slide right in and make myself comfortable. It takes about thirty minutes to get to what looks like a very wealthy part of town.
I watch house after house, almost hypnotized. I need to get through this for my uncle's sake. We finally arrive at a Victorian cottage that seems to be worse for wear. I’m starting to understand a little better why this family needs me so badly.
The gate opens for the car, and the driver pulls up to the entrance. I cringe as I watch three women standing there and waving at me from the doorway. They are loud not only in their manner but also in their dress, and I start mentally backing out of here.
I made a promise, though.
"Mr. Masters, we've been waiting for you," they yell as soon as I step out of the car.
Immediately, their hands are on my arms, pulling me inside the house. My driver told me he would wait for me, so at least I have a means of escape. These three women surrounding me are getting on my nerves, though.
"Sit down here in our place of honor, Mr. Masters."
"You can call me Brock."
They push me down in the middle of a huge couch with a horrible pattern on it, and the two girls sit on either side of me, trapping me.
"Brock, these are my daughters, Dima and Masha, and I'm Veronika."
Not knowing what to say to that, I stay silent and just nod.
"My daughters are both smart and savvy and know how to run a household. You won't be disappointed no matter who you choose."
She picks up a bell and starts ringing it loudly. I'm waiting for a butler to appear from somewhere, but instead, a striking woman dressed in ragged clothes comes into the parlor with a tray of beverages. I'm immediately drawn to her shy demeanor.
I see her trembling and catch her tray before it falls to the floor.
"Here, let me help you."
Placing the tray on the coffee table, I get a chance to see her face. She's got beautiful sapphire eyes that light up when she looks at me discreetly. In the background, I hear Veronika saysome nasty words, and I catch something that interests me. She said something like 'your sisters'.
Is this beauty another sister? Why is she not here, sitting in the parlor with me? I'm already smitten and want to talk to her, but at Veronika's harsh words, she scurries out of the room, and I've lost my chance.
"So sorry about that, Brock. It's so difficult to get good help these days."
I sit back down, but my mind is wherever this beautiful creature is hiding in this house. Veronika makes small talk, and her daughters giggle as they grab my arms, one on each side. I feel trapped, to be honest, and when I can't hear one more story about Birkin or Hermes, I excuse myself to go to the bathroom.
As soon as I leave the room, I crash into the person I was hoping to find. She must have been eavesdropping. Good for her. I grab her so she doesn't run away from me.
