Anything For Love

by Melissa Foster

  She splayed her hand protectively over her belly and took a deep breath. “I can’t even think clearly enough to pull it all together. It seems like we’re heading into a storm of unknown factors, and—”

  Josh touched his lips to hers, silencing her fast-streaming words. Then he flashed that sexy, confident smile that made her insides flutter. “Babe, we will figure this out. We’ll talk with Treat and Max, and Savannah and Jack, and the others. Look at Hugh and Brianna. They travel all the time with two children. And Dane and Lacy live on a boat. They’re never in one place for more than a few weeks. If my siblings can maintain more than one household with children in tow, we can make it work, too.” Of Josh’s five siblings, only his brother Rex, and Rex’s wife, Jade—Riley’s best friend—had made Weston their only home.

  “But their businesses are different and—”

  He pressed his lips to hers again. “Shh, baby. Slow your brilliant mind for a second. Mia has been my assistant forever, and you know she can handle the office and coordinate schedules. It’s not like we’ll be in a third-world country with no Internet or phones. We can speak with her daily and fly back when necessary.”

  She clung to him, acutely aware of the seconds ticking by and Hugh and Jack waiting for them. Josh was her rock, and had been her calming influence during the craziest of times. He had the innate ability to see past chaos to the eye of the storm and diffuse it effortlessly. He was also the most accommodating man she’d ever met, and that knowledge came with responsibility. What if their business suffered because they weren’t on site to oversee the production of the designs? What if schedules were problematic and caused issues with last-minute meetings like the ones they were always pulled in to? She didn’t want to be the cause of making a mistake where their design firm was concerned.

  “I’m still thinking about everything. Can you imagine how protective I’ll be over our baby if we stay in the city? I’d probably get thrown in jail for clocking a photographer, or end up like Michael Jackson, covering our baby’s face in veils so it’s not put on the cover of every rag magazine. My claws still come out over the rest of the world wanting a piece of you.” She wrung her hands together, unable to believe she’d just admitted something so juvenile.

  He chuckled, and the enticing, low rumble gave her goose bumps. They’d been together for years, and she still found everything about him as exciting as she had on their very first date. He ran his hands over her hips, keeping her close—her favorite place—and brushed his lips over hers.

  “They want a piece of us,” he whispered. “You and I are one. And I know how much you hate the attention. I hate it, too, and I’d be the one in jail, because there’s nothing I won’t do to protect our family.”

  Ever since they’d gotten together, the media had begun snapping pictures of her when she was out doing the most mundane things—going for a walk or grocery shopping—and Josh had become more possessive than ever.

  “But we have months to figure all of this out. And right now”—his gaze turned sinful—“you look so hot and sexy worrying about our baby. I want a piece of us, too.”

  He sealed his lips over hers, taking her in a heart-pounding kiss. She melted into the warmth and security of his arms, and her worries began to fade away. He clutched her ass, pressing her tighter against his growing arousal, and they both groaned.

  “God I love you,” he said hastily between kisses. His hands traveled up her back as he deepened the kiss.

  “Christ, you two.”

  She startled at the sound of Hugh’s deep voice, but when she tried to pull away, Josh intensified the kiss, leaving her no choice but to give in to his scintillating demands.

  “For crying out loud,” Hugh complained, though Riley could hear the smile in his voice. “You can make out in the car.”

  Ignoring Hugh’s complaint, Josh’s eyes turned serious. “Let me worry about the future. Think of nothing but our beautiful…” A silent “baby” passed between them. “Wedding. Okay?”

  “Christ,” Hugh grumbled. “Yeah, she gets it. We’ve got to get moving.” He put a hand on Riley’s back and guided her out of the alley. Like all the Braden men, Hugh and Josh shared their father’s dark hair and eyes and his tall, broad stature. Only their sister, Savannah, had gotten their mother’s auburn hair and eyes that hovered between green and hazel.

  “We need to hurry,” Hugh urged. “Jake just called and said the photogs are scrambling because someone thought they spotted Riley heading into town. They might have gotten wind of your escape.”

  “Hands off my woman, little brother.” Josh’s tone was only half teasing as his hand replaced Hugh’s on Riley’s back. With his mouth beside Riley’s ear, he said, “You’re my pretty mama.”

  A little thrill ran through her at his secret endearment and his staking claim—even if he had no reason to do so around his very married, very faithful, father-of-two brother.

  “They didn’t get wind of us,” she assured them as they rushed across an empty street, following Hugh toward an off-road vehicle. “There was a last-minute addition to the plan. Your cousin Emily and a few of the girls headed toward town after we left to distract any lingering photographers. We thought it would help. The girls probably forgot to clue Jake in.”

  Hugh unlocked the doors as he called Jake and filled him in. Josh climbed into the backseat beside Riley, and she snuggled against him.

  “Are you ready to ride off into the wild blue yonder and stop living in sin?” She read the answer in his eyes before he said a word. After watching Josh’s five siblings and her best friend, Jade, marry and begin their families, she could hardly believe it was finally their turn.

  Lacing her fingers with his, she imagined the adorable dark-haired baby they’d have. A baby with Josh’s handsome features and easygoing nature and her spark of country-girl rebellion. A hint of fear and what if tiptoed in. She hated that the fear of losing the baby was never far behind her happier thoughts of what it would be like to love and cherish their child. As she’d been doing since the day she found out she was pregnant, she relied on that leap of faith her mother had told her about when she’d fallen in love with Josh, remembering their conversation as if it were yesterday. “All you can be certain of is the here and now…It’s all a leap of faith.”

  “I’ve been ready for years. How about you?” He leaned closer and whispered, “Ready to make little, sweet hazel-eyed Rileys who wrap me around their tiny fingers and baby Joshes who are more interested in helping us design their birthday outfits than in riding ponies?”

  Josh’s voice pulled her from one memory to the next. She remembered the evening he’d proposed to her in Christos. At the time she’d thought that would be the biggest, most important event of her life other than the day they actually got married. But now she knew how very wrong she’d been. Each and every day they were together she experienced moments that felt bigger than any that came before them: When he climbed into the shower with her, hot and sweaty from his morning runs, hungry for her and only her. The way he gazed at her across the room when they were at fashion events, the electricity between them stronger than ever. And the loving words he whispered on a daily basis—none of which were sweet nothings. They were sweet everythings.

  “Yes,” she said, a little breathless. “I’ll follow you anywhere your heart desires.”

  He nuzzled against her neck as Hugh sped down the dark, deserted roads, his breath warming her skin. “Being with you, babe, that’s what I desire. Always and forever.”

  JOSH AWOKE AS the plane keeled toward the small private landing strip, giving him a bird’s-eye view of the Sterling House. Sunlight spread like a misty blanket over the mountain peaks and the roof of the ancient inn, reflecting off the heart-shaped lake and reminding Josh of the reason they’d chosen to marry there. He’d lost his mother, Adriana, to cancer when he was just four years old, leaving his father, Hal, to raise him and his siblings on their family ranch. During the weeks when he and Riley were selecti
ng a wedding venue, his mother had come to him in a dream. She had looked beautiful and young in her white wedding gown, standing before that very same lake, her long auburn hair blowing in a gentle breeze as she beckoned him with one hand. Josh was sure he had conjured up his mother’s image out of sheer longing, wishing she could experience this momentous time with them. Truth be told, he had always been a little envious of his older siblings for having memories of their mother to draw upon, while he’d been too young to retain any. When he’d mentioned the dream to Riley, she’d been sure it was a sign. Until that dream, Josh wasn’t so sure he believed in signs or spiritual connections, but his future wife did, and that was reason enough for him to agree—and to hope she was right.

  “It’s pretty cool that you chose to get married here,” Hugh said softly, eyeing Riley, fast asleep beside Josh. “Do you think Mom and Dad knew when they married that they’d have six kids?” Hugh had been three when they’d lost their mother, and like Josh, he hadn’t retained his memories of her. Treat was nine when their mother first became ill, and eleven when she died. He’d shared his treasured memories with each of them. Though Josh carried a little emptiness inside him for not having his own memories to draw from, he would forever be thankful to his family for helping him keep their mother’s spirit alive.

  Josh faced Hugh, thinking not of the question he’d asked, but of the unspoken one that lingered heavily between them. Do you think they had any idea Mom would die so young? Hugh watched him with a thoughtful expression. There had been a time when Hugh was all about chasing the next thrill, and there had been no place in his life for deep thoughts or serious relationships. He’d changed so much since falling in love with his wife, Brianna. Josh had a hard time imagining the responsible father of two Hugh had become as the wild child he’d grown up with.

  With everything he’d been told about their spiritually connected mother, Josh was pretty sure she’d have had an inkling about how many children she’d have and about her life being cut short. But he kept the latter to himself.

  “Dad said they always wanted a big family. Mom’s been on my mind a lot lately,” Josh admitted. “I wish she were here, you know? Not just for me, but for Dad.” Their father swore he still communicated with their mother through Hope, the horse he’d given her when she first got sick. Some people thought that was a little crazy, but ever since Josh’s dream, which had seemed so real, he was no longer sure.

  Hugh nodded. “She is, bro. She’s everywhere. When Christian was born I felt like she was right there with us.” His little boy, Christian, was a handful, like Hugh had been as a curious, active child. Hugh had adopted Brianna’s daughter, Layla, and the sweet, beautiful girl called him Daddy or Prince Hugh (an inside joke from her princess stage), and adored him just as much as Hugh adored her.

  Josh couldn’t wait to have his own family, and raise them with the love of his life. He had the same concerns Riley did about raising a family in the city, living in two locations, and traipsing all over the world for their fashion shows with, hopefully, more than one child in tow. He’d grown up with the benefit of strong family roots, in a small town where neighbors were always willing to lend a hand and everyone knew each other’s business. That grapevine could be annoying, but there was comfort in it, too. His father still lived in their childhood home, and even after all these years, it brought a sense of security when he visited. And there was no denying that when he was back in Weston he felt closest to the mother he never had a chance to know. If only the answer to where they should live was as easy as falling in love with Riley had been. Once he fell, there was no turning back.

  The plane descended and Riley stirred beside him. Thinking of his mother, a heavy feeling came over him. He loved Riley so immensely the thought of spending a single day without her pained him. How had his father survived without the woman he loved for all these years? How had he held his shit together when he had six grieving children relying on him? If anything ever happened to Riley, Josh wasn’t sure he was strong enough to carry on with the fortitude his father had.

  He kissed her temple, sending a silent prayer up to the heavens that he would never have to test his strength. “Hey, babe. We’re landing.”

  She smiled up at him as the plane touched down. Glancing toward the front of the plane, where Jack was focused on piloting them to safety, she said, “We owe so much to your family for doing all of this. Poor Jack has been flying all night, and Hugh”—she looked at his brother—“thank you for helping us get to the plane and giving up a night with your family.”

  “It was my pleasure. It’s about time my brother made an honest woman out of you,” Hugh teased.

  Riley snuggled closer to Josh. “He’s been trying for years, but there was always something going on at work standing in our way. But we’re here now, and we’re more than ready. Did you guys get any sleep?”

  “A little, but we’re fine,” Josh answered.

  “We’ll crash early tonight,” Hugh added. “It’s not like we’ll have anything better to do. Bree and Savannah have already put their feet down about you two not sleeping together the night before your wedding, and apparently that means all of us need to spend the night apart from our wives due to some kind of sisterly solidarity.”

  Riley laughed. “I love my future sisters-in-law.”

  “We might have to break that torturous rule.” Josh stole a kiss from her.

  “It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding,” Riley said with knitted brows.

  “That’s an old wives’ tale,” Hugh said. “It’s bad luck not to make love to your bride-to-be the night before your wedding.”

  “I’ll buy into that.” Josh brought Riley’s hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “I have no interest in sleeping apart from you anytime. Especially not when we’re at a romantic, secluded inn.”

  Chapter Two

  HE DRIVE FROM the airstrip to the resort was a rough one. Thick branches arched over tire-rutted grass and dirt. Thankfully, Jack was used to navigating rarely traveled mountain roads. Not only was he a bush pilot, ex–Special Forces, and the director of a survival training program, but he and Savannah owned a remote cabin in these very mountains. Riley trusted him completely.

  When the resort finally came into view, it was even more stunning than she remembered from their visit with Charlotte, the owner. Charlotte was an erotic-romance writer who had inherited the inn and had made it—or rather, one wing of it—her home. Hal had been close to Charlotte’s parents, and he’d known Charlotte since she was born. Luckily, like everyone else who knew Hal, she adored him, and when he inquired about having their wedding there, she was happy to open her doors for it.

  Riley leaned closer to the window to get a better look. Three gorgeous stories of glass, stone, and cedar with grand terraces overlooked the lake, sprawling meadows, and picturesque mountains. She loved everything about the Big Apple, save for the media vultures, but nothing compared to the crisp mountain air and the scenic views of Colorado. It never failed to surprise her how just being in Colorado for a few minutes could make her long for her small-town roots—and her best friend. As an only child, Jade had been like the sister Riley had never had growing up. And since she’d come together with Josh, his sister and sisters-in-law had also warmly brought her into their close-knit circle, creating more sisterly bonds than she could ever have hoped for. They didn’t all live in Colorado, but they made time for family often—something she and Josh had missed out on a little too frequently lately due to work commitments. Yet another reason to move closer to home for at least part of the year.

  “Jack,” Riley said, stepping from the SUV. “I can’t thank you and Hugh enough for getting us here.” She hugged him. At well over six rugged feet, Jack, like Josh’s brother Rex, was built like a lumberjack, with impossibly wide shoulders, bulbous muscles sprouting on top of muscles, and thick, powerful legs. She preferred her fiancé’s sleeker, perfectly defined body. Josh kept in prime shape through
running rather than hard physical labor, like Jack and Rex. But she knew their wives loved their physiques just as much as she loved Josh’s.

  “Anything for you guys.” Jack opened the trunk of the SUV, grabbed a duffel bag, and tossed it to Hugh, then hoisted a leather bag over his shoulder.

  Josh and Riley’s bags had been shipped to Rex and Jade weeks earlier so as not to call any attention to their plan, along with the wedding dress she and Josh had designed together.

  “Besides, it gave me and Hugh a chance to pick up a few things for our kids while we were in the Bahamas. What did you pick up?” Jack nodded to the box she was carrying.

  “Elisabeth made me brownies.” Elisabeth was Josh’s cousin Ross’s fiancée. She and Ross were getting married this weekend in the Bahamas. Elisabeth owned a mobile bakery in Trusty, Colorado, and everything she baked was delicious.

  “That box doesn’t look nearly big enough for all the girls and the kids, and I’m not sure Bree will want Christian hopped up on brownies while the wedding preparations are taking place. You know how hyper he gets.” Hugh held out a hand with a glint of mischief in his eyes. “I’ll take care of them for you.”

  Riley clutched the box against her chest. “Not a chance, buster. But you have a good point. It would be hard to tell any of the kids they can’t have some.”

  Josh shrugged off his jacket and wrapped it around the box. “I’ll put it in our room for you and the girls.”