Page 37 of Brooke's Bliss
Yep.He was feeling cornered.This was not about where thecheese could be found.What did he do?He glanced around but Laura had turneddown the aisle with baking mixes and spices.Little Sierra snuck a box ofcookies into her cart and did not care that he might be dealing with real-lifesexual harassment.The bell jingled at the front of the store, and he wonderedwho’d walked in and if they might be willing to help a brother out.
Where were all the horny dudes when a girl needed one?Notthat he wasn’t horny.It had been a real challenge to slip out of that bed andnot wake Brooke up.She’d been curled around him with Bay at her back.She’dbeen so stunning in the early morning light, with her hair caressing her cheeksand her skin all warm and inviting.
They never slept with a woman.They were always up and outbefore dawn so no one saw them.
That was what Brooke had wanted, too.At least she’dintimated that was what she wanted.
Would she think the same if it was only Bay in her bed?Baywas the talented one, the legitimate one.Bay’s birth hadn’t ever beendescribed as an affront to the natural order of things.He still didn’tunderstand how it wasn’t natural to have a baby when two people screwed likebunnies without protection.No matter their marital status.
“Uhm, yes, ma’am.I do have a brother.His name is Bay, andhe is waiting back at our girlfriend’s place for this bacon.”There.That washow he got away.He had a girlfriend.Well, she didn’t know it, but he wasgoing to behave like a good boyfriend, and that meant chucking her right outthere any time a strange woman came onto him.
“Girlfriend?”She looked at him skeptically.“I don’t knowmany cowhands who can keep a girlfriend.Not that you’re not good for a girl.No offense.Just you’re not usually boyfriend material.Does she live with you?Are you screwing the rancher’s daughter?”
“Uhm, Miranda is five.Brooke has her own place out on theHarper Stables.”It was time to move on.“And I need to get back there.I’mmaking her some breakfast.”
“Mr.Kent, what are you making?I like breakfast,” a softvoice said.
He glanced down and saw something way scarier than thesexually aggressive chick.
Poppy Flanders.She was three or four, and she obviously hadinherited her parents’ intelligence and their deep belief in protestinganything they felt harmed the environment or impugned on the rights of thehumans and creatures they shared that same earth with.
He gave the girl a smile and tried to hide his basket.“Heythere, Poppy.Where’s your momma?”
“I’m right here.”Nell walked up, a hand on her belly.Shewas wearing a sunny yellow dress that showed off how close she was to givingPoppy a sibling.She looked at the other woman and then back to Shane.“Can Ihelp you, Miss?Shane here is in a hurry to get back to his fiancée.”
Shane nodded and then stopped.“What?”
Nell gave him a smile.“You probably should check yourmessages.Apparently Max and Rye went by Brooke’s tiny house, and now you’regetting married.It’s okay.Happens all the time here in Bliss.”
“I thought she was only a girlfriend,” the young woman saidwith a frown.
He pulled his cell out and sure enough, there was a messagefrom Brooke’s phone.
Hey, you’re kind of needed back here.Forget aboutbreakfast.I need help moving out and finding a place to stay, and alsoapparently we’re doing this fake fiancé thing because I lost it with mybrothers, so if you don’t mind… Also, I could use some ofTeeny’smuffins if she has any left.
There were a bunch of emojis.A couple of hearts.Someprayer hands.A muffin.Oh, and a bagel.He should get some bagels, too.
What had happened?
And how did she know his name?The half-dressed chick.NotBrooke.He’d made certain Brooke knew his name.
The young woman looking for bacon had clearly called himShane, and they hadn’t exchanged names.He looked back up and she was gone.
“Where did she go?”Shane asked, glancing around.
Nell frowned.“Oh, I’m sorry.I thought you had the look ofa man who didn’t know how to get himself out of an uncomfortable position.If Iwas wrong, I apologize.I thought with the news…”
“Why was he talking to that lady if he’s supposed to marryPaige’s aunt?”Poppy asked.
The Flanders women could do judgment.
“Look, I’m not sure how we ended up engaged, but I’m happyabout it, though you should know Brooke’s not going to be.Not now.However, Iwill use this time to prove we can be good for her,” Shane announced.
Nell’s expression went bright.“Oh, I would bet Max and Ryecaught her with your brother and they were obnoxious, and she decided to showthem.It’s a good start.Good trope.I approve of everything except the oddwoman hitting on you.”
“I didn’t realize she was hitting on me.”He heard the belljingle again and knew it was her.She was gone.“She knew my name.”
“Everyone does,” Nell agreed.“You’re settling in nicely.Did I thank you for helping Henry with the fencing?I never thought we wouldfence in any of our property, but it’s safer for the goats we’re rescuing.Ithink the idea of a home for abused and abandoned animals is so beautiful.”
