Page 34 of A Love So Sweet
One of the men stepped forward and said, “Hi. I’m Dane.”
Dane? The one who slept with Treat’s girlfriend?Max already didn’t care for him, though he had a kind face and an easy nature.
“We’re Treat’s brothers,” Dane said, pointing to each of the others. “This is Rex and Hugh. Too bad Josh isn’t here. You could have met the whole crew.”
Each of the men stepped forward and shook her hand with a ready smile that lit up their handsome faces. She’d thought Treat was big, but Rex was enormous, rivaling a professional bodybuilder. He wore a dark cowboy hat, and his thick black hair brushed his collar. He had guarded eyes and an edge about him that the others didn’t seem to. Hugh reminded her of Patrick Dempsey, with his cocky smile and amused eyes. Even with their good looks and fine physiques, none of them struck the same fluttery chord in her heart as Treat had. Where was he?
“I’m sorry,” Max said. “I didn’t realize everyone was in town.”
“We just got in today,” Hugh said. “I’m between races and Dane missed me.”
Dane scoffed.
“It’s just coincidental,” Savannah explained. “I’m getting together with my cousins from Trusty this weekend, and Dane had a glitch in his schedule.”
The older man stepped forward and said, “Max, it’s a pleasure to meet you, darlin’. I’m Hal, Treat’s father. Welcome to the Braden ranch.” He drew her into a warm embrace.
“Oh, um…” She put her arms around him, feeling awkward and strangely comforted at the same time.
“We were just going to barbecue and have an early lunch. I hope you’ll join us,” Hal said as he put his arm around Max, guiding her toward the backyard before she could say a word. She didn’t miss the coy smiles and nods from the others as she was shuttled away.
“Thank you, sir. I actually—”
“Hal.There are nosirson the Braden ranch unless you’re here to piss one of us off.” Hal smiled and continued walking toward the backyard, as if Max were an invited guest.
“Thank you. Hal, I actually came to see Treat. Is he here?” She caught Dane sneaking glances in her direction as he and Hugh made their way to the barbecue pit.
“Treat was called away,” Hal said.
“Called away?” she asked, wondering if he’d left for the Cape already or was simply attending to something else. “Do you know when he’ll be back?”
Hal was already on his way to Rex’s side. He slung an arm around his son’s shoulder in an easy, comfortable fashion and said something Max couldn’t hear. Savannah came out of the house carrying a plate and took Max’s hand, dragging her to the table, while chatting about the after-party. Hugh headed back inside and reappeared a minute later with a beer in his hand.
“Did you get one for our guest?” Savannah asked with a nip of irritation.
“No, really—” Max interrupted, but Hugh was already on his way back inside.
He came back with an ice-cold beer. “Here you are, Max.”
“Thank you, but I really shouldn’t stay,” she said.
“Nonsense. You don’t have to eat if you’re not hungry,” Hal said just as her stomach growled. “But then again…”
Why do I keep forgetting to eat?
The family moved so quickly that Max was a little overwhelmed, which seemed to happen a lot around the Braden men. She should be helping, organizing, doing something other than standing around with her jaw hanging open. Instead she was letting them guide her from one place to the next. She was itching to get out of there in case Treat had already gone to the Cape, but before she had a chance to make her feet and mind work in unison, she had a plate full of food in front of her and was laughing at a joke Dane had made.
“How did you and Treat meet?” Hugh asked.
“I can answer that,” Dane said.
Savannah nudged him. “Let her speak.”
Hugh reached across the table in front of Max for the ketchup, and Savannah narrowed her eyes at him. After a moment of confusion, Hugh took the hint and said, “Excuse me,” as he withdrew his arm from in front of Max.
“That’s okay,” Max said, noting how Savannah had jumped in just as a mother might have. It struck her how different each of Treat’s brothers were. Treat had impeccable manners, and he’d never sneak glances at anyone—at least she couldn’t imagine him doing so. When they’d met, he’d kept a steady gaze locked on her, like he had nothing to hide, and that openness hadn’t changed.
“How do you know Treat?” Hugh asked again.
