She started to walk.
“Finish another project?” he asked.
She nodded and they crossed the street together. He opened the post office door for her and she saw there was a little bit of a line.
“Selling to a gallery or was it an eBay order?” he asked.
She looked at him wondering why he even cared. He was just being polite.
“eBay order.”
“Your work is exceptional, Alicia. You should be selling pieces in galleries and specialty stores. Hell, you should open your own store.”
“Yeah right,” she said and exhaled under her breath. The package was getting heavy, plus it was an awkward shape. She should pick his brain right now. Funny that you say such a thing. It’s something I’ve been contemplating. Any advice, Caldwell? Yeah right.
She bit her tongue and leaned the package on her hip. It’s so heavy.
“Don’t sell yourself short. You should consider it.”
“I have considered it. I’ve even thought of opening up something small in town, but my eBay earnings change from month to month. I need consistency before I make an investment like that.”
“Well, maybe someone could back your investment. You know, like a business partner?”
She shook her head.
“I don’t think so. I like to handle things on my own.”
Thanks but no thanks. Been there, done that, and still trying to recover from the actions of my ex. The asshole. Never mind my own brother. The lazy man was always looking for the easy way out, and he thought she was it. Hell, Alvin still thinks that I’m going to take care of him by supporting him financially so he won’t have to do shit. God forbid Alvin work a legitimate job and earn his own keep. No, instead he puts the pressure on me and cries about not finding work or getting hired and how I’m his sister and I should help him.
She felt guilty. Why should she feel guilty? She didn’t do anything wrong. God, I’m so screwed up. She felt the tears hit her eyes and she quickly coughed, trying to cover up any indication that she was being emotional. Caldwell squinted at her. Had he seen the emotion in her eyes? Great, he would think something was wrong with her. Well, she was better off. He was out of her league in more ways than one.
She wouldn’t tell Caldwell about Tony. After all it had been her insecurities, her lack of self-confidence and innocence that got her screwed, in more ways than just sexually. She lost her damn virginity to Tony. At least she didn’t entirely regret that. Boy did Tony hold that over her head to this day. When she saw him last he even asked her if she were seeing anyone. God, she needed to gain a backbone when it came to Tony. Hell, when it came to men.
“I wouldn’t write it off so quickly. A lot of people love your work and think you have a unique talent. You just need some marketing help, and maybe some promotional help, too.”
It was her turn at the counter. She smiled at him. Ask him for some advice. I’m safe here in the post office. Go ahead and ask him.
“I’ll think about it.”
* * * *
Caldwell Gordon couldn’t take his eyes off of Alicia. She was stunning and petite. Her head barely made it to his upper chest. Her femininity, shyness, and near insecurity made him have an instant protectiveness over her. God only knew what she would say or do if she knew that him and his brothers were planning on staking a permanent claim over her. Having to watch over her for the week a couple of months back had solidified their attraction to her, but she seemed unaffected. Perhaps she was just so shy she needed some persuading, but how could they persuade her to explore an attraction, if they couldn’t get time alone to spend with her? He needed to think hard and come up with something good.
She looked so sad today. Every time he saw her he got this feeling that she wanted to say something to him but then she didn’t. He could see the flash of emotion across her eyes and then a blank expression. She even opened her mouth to say something and then coughed or pretended to. What was she afraid of? Did he intimidate her? God, I hope not.
As he watched her process her newest order he thought about her craft, her unique ability to create such gorgeous colors and designs with stained glass pieces. Their new wine cellar was nearly complete in their own basement at home, but there was a large window that sat in the middle of the room that could use something unique. The thought hit him quickly. He could ask Alicia to take a look at it and see if she could design and work on the window at their home. That could give them a chance to get to know her and to make her feel more comfortable with them. It was worth the try. Especially staring at her back right now, looking over her sexy figure, her long brown hair, and listening to her sweet, quiet voice as she spoke with Lenny behind the counter.
He needed to make a move.
“So it should get to California by Friday. Is that good enough?” Lenny asked.
“Oh that’s great. The customer hadn’t expected it until almost a week later but I had time to complete it. Thanks, Lenny. Have a great day.”
“You, too, Alicia,” Lenny said, and Caldwell could see the man’s cheeks turning a shade of pink as he winked at their woman. She was their woman, whether she knew it yet or not.
Alicia turned around and headed toward the door and right past him.
“Alicia. Could you hold up a minute? I wanted to run something by you,” Caldwell said. He acted all businesslike and he knew his tone grabbed her attention as she nodded and stood there looking intimidated. She was sweet. He could only imagine how submissive she would be in the bedroom as he asked her to touch him, kiss him, plant her pussy over his face as he devoured her sweet cream. God, the fantasies he had about her were beginning to feel real, but he knew they weren’t. Hell, she could turn him and his brothers down flat. If that happened he would never be the same again. He adored her. She was everything he wanted in a woman, a wife. His brothers believed so, too. He needed to make her feel safe and comfortable. The attraction was there. It had to be.
He gave Lenny the small package and some letters that needed to go out. Lenny gave him an odd expression but Caldwell ignored him. If the man liked Alicia and thought he had a chance with her, he would make sure he realized right now that Alicia was off limits.
Caldwell wrapped an arm over Alicia’s shoulder as he walked her out.
“We’ll talk outside. It’s a gorgeous day out,” he told her and felt her stiffen up as he touched her. They walked outside and she sidestepped out of his hold. He squinted at her and she shyly turned away. His cock hardened. God, she’s irresistible. Please let her be attracted to my brothers and me. We can’t get her out of our heads.
“What’s going on, Caldwell?” she asked him and he crossed his arms in front of his chest and took in the sight of her. She smelled so good and looked so pretty in her skirt and blouse. How he would love to explore her skin.
“I was wondering if you could help me out with something.”
She looked at him and nodded.
“My brothers and I just finished putting in a wine cellar, in the basement, and there is this big beautiful window in the center of the room and we were thinking of doing something to it to lessen the amount of sunlight entering the room but also enhance the feeling of being in a wine-tasting room. Do you think you could come by and take a look at it and perhaps create something in stained glass to enhance the room?”
Her cheeks turned a shade of red and she stared at him.
“I don’t know. I usually don’t do such large pieces.”
“Well, there’s a first time for everything and you are pretty talented. We’d pay you of course.”
“So like a private job?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know what I would charge you for it, Caldwell. It would depend on the size and exactly what you were looking for in the design.”
“I know. That’s why it would be great if you could stop over. Do you think sometime this week, maybe in the afternoon so that you could see how much sun comes through?”
“Can I t
“I won’t take no for an answer. I know how talented you are. I won’t hire anyone else to come in. I would really like you to come up with something.”
She hesitated a few seconds and then said okay. He wanted to leap for joy. This was going to work out perfectly. They’d get her to their place, get her to accept the job, and then make sure each of them visited her and talked to her as she worked so she would be more comfortable with them. They could probably talk her into staying for dinner or sharing lunch? This was a great plan. His brothers would be thanking him. Big time.
“So how about tomorrow afternoon? Maybe around one?”
“Sounds good to me.”
“Do you know where we live?”
“Of course I do.”
He raised one of his eyebrows up at her. Did she already have feelings for them? Did she drive by their place to catch a glimpse of them? God he hoped so.
“It’s the one with the very elaborate entryway built up with stone pillars. There’s no other place like it around Chance,” she said, bursting his pleasure bubble, but he recovered quickly. The sight of her hazel eyes alone did wonders to him.
“Great. So I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She said good-bye and then she walked toward the diner. He would call his brothers immediately and let them know his plan. They would be thanking him for this for a very long time.
* * * *
“Are you serious? He just asked you that?” Marlena asked her as Mercedes and Adele smiled wide.
“Yes. I was shocked. I guess there’s a first time for everything. I’ve never done such a huge job before, and it sounds huge.”
“You’ll be working in their home. That means they’ll be watching you, talking to you, and trying to make a move,” Adele said.
“No. It’s strictly business if I even take it. I want to feel them out.”
“You want to do more to them than that. Why are you denying this opportunity?” Mercedes asked.
“It’s not professional to like a client. It should remain businesslike.”
“Yeah like that’s going to happen. Caldwell, Monroe, and the sheriff have had their eyes on you since you moved here. What makes you think that you can keep this all business?” Marlena asked her.
“I need to. I would never mix personal life with business. I learned the hard way where that leads. Now that Caldwell asked me to do something at his home professionally I need to keep that line drawn. Besides, I don’t want to get involved with another man. I want to build up my confidence and start establishing my own goals and achieve them.”
“So let me get this straight. If they ask you out or want to pursue a relationship after you’re working for them, you’ll decline?” Mercedes asked her.
“Of course I will. I was taken advantage of once before. I won’t let a man get in the way of my future and what I find happiness in. Monroe, Caldwell, and the sheriff are used to being in charge and running things. I’m not going to take any chances. It’s business and that’s it.”
“Well good luck with that, Alicia. With those men, you’re going to need it to resist their good looks, their superior personalities, and their sexy bodies,” Adele told her.
“Thanks a lot. I appreciate the support,” Alicia replied.
“Don’t get all insulted. We’re here to support you in everything you do. No sweat,” Marlena said.
“Oh she’ll be sweating. The moment one of the Gordon brothers shows up in the basement half-dressed and ready to taste more than the wine,” Adele teased, and Marlena and Mercedes chuckled, but Alicia felt the sense of anxiety as crazy thoughts scattered in her head.
Could the Gordon men be up to something? Did they think she was weak, vulnerable, and easily manipulated? She felt her anger surge and then came a calmness that warned her that things could get intense. Especially since she was attracted to all three brothers already.
But they didn’t share that same attraction. They just wanted to hire her to create the stained glass window, and nothing more. She could do that.
“Hey, don’t freak out. I’m certain Caldwell’s intentions are noble. Just take each day one at a time. Who knows, maybe this idea of yours to keep things strictly business will fail because you’re so attracted to them,” Marlena said to her.
Alicia shook her head. “Tony called me this morning.”
“Damn, Alicia, why didn’t you say something sooner? No wonder you’re so down on yourself and the Gordon brother situation. What did that jerk say to you? Why did he call?” Mercedes asked.
“To tell me to call my brother. I haven’t returned any of Alvin’s calls.”
“Why not?” Adele asked her.
Alicia ran her finger over the rim of the iced tea glass. “Because when I talk to him he tells me all about Tony’s successes and how I screwed up. He then tells me how he’s low on money and that if I got involved with Tony again that Tony could help him out financially.”
“That’s ridiculous. What does he want you to do, sleep with Tony so he can get some money? That’s screwed up, Alicia. You know that, right?” Mercedes asked.
“Yes, I know it is, but then Alvin starts in on our parents being dead and how he took such good care of me and raised me hoping that I would marry Tony so that I would be taken care of.”
“And him, too, apparently. Your brother still messing around with fast payoff jobs?” Adele asked.
“I don’t know. I don’t want to know. I just want to be left alone so I can try and do what I want and what makes me happy,” Alicia told them.
“Then being alone, being afraid to like another man or men is silly. Perhaps if things work out and you meet someone else, maybe that will finally send a message to Tony and your brother that you’re no longer their little puppet? That you’ve moved on and are making your own decisions with your own life,” Mercedes added.
“Maybe, but when I think about letting my guard down, I panic and that’s no way to win a man’s love. Trust needs to be proven first. I don’t think I have the strength to be bothered.”
“I think you do. I just think it will take the right man or men to help you realize you’re special and that they are willing to do whatever you need for them to prove they love you and aren’t going to hurt you. But you also need to take that chance. How else are you going to succeed in business and in your personal life? Don’t sell yourself short. You’re amazing. As soon as you realize that, then maybe you can achieve your goals and the happiness you’re looking for,” Marlena told her and she nodded her head.
Marlena was right, but it was easy for her to say. She’d landed three amazing men that adored her. Alicia didn’t think she could be so lucky. Not with all the baggage, and her ex still in her life along with her controlling brother.
Chapter 1
“So things are going smoothly and we should be ready to pour concrete in another week,” Richie Ray told Monroe Gordon.
“That’s right on schedule. Excellent. Hopefully within the next few weeks my brother and I will have every storefront sold,” Monroe replied as he looked around the new construction site on the edge of town in Chance. It was going to be sensational and people would love the cobblestone lined walkways, the lighted lampposts and all the little gardens that lined the walkways between store fronts. There were even going to be places to sit and rest, grab a coffee, some ice cream or other specialty foods from the local storefronts. It was like an additional shopping strip to Chance with unique stores.
“There’s no doubt in my mind about that, Monroe. You and Caldwell have the ability to sell anything. Plus this site is perfect just like you said months ago. Chance is going to be growing in leaps and bounds,” Richie Ray replied.
“It will grow as fast as the sheriff and the town board allow it to.”
“Well having your brother as the sheriff must help. Besides, what you and Caldwell are doing is really admirable. To give fifty percent of the sale price to the local veterans in need will be a great help. A lot of our friends and their families are suffering.”
“You don’t have to tell me. I see it all the time.”
“And that’s also why you hired Ferguson construction for the brunt of the work here. Will, Leo, and Hank went through hell only a few years back.”
“Indeed. They’re good men and they do excellent work. So keep me abreast of the progress. I’ll have a few business people interested in investing in some of the storefronts coming by next week. Seeing the foundation is a lot more appealing than piles of dirt and debris being pushed around.”
Richie chuckled. “No problem. Talk to you soon.”
Monroe disconnected the call and took a sip from his coffee cup. Things were going according to schedule so that was perfect. He had a few different buyers confirming contracts and playing out their designs for their stores. A florist, a clothing boutique, a pizza place, an ice cream and sweets parlor, a salon, and even a small organic grocer and vitamin shop. They just needed something special, something unique that could draw more people to shop there and to be a highlight of Chance.
His phone rang, interrupting his thoughts.
“Hey, bro, what’s up?” Monroe asked Caldwell.
“A lot. You’ll never guess who I bumped into in town.”
“Who?”
“Alicia.”
Monroe felt his chest tighten as he sat forward in his chair to listen to his brother. Months ago, when she first arrived in Chance, they each caught sight of her at separate times and were interested. A couple of months back they had to provide precautionary protection for her because her friend Marlena had some trouble. In that week he and his brothers felt even more of an attraction, but Alicia wasn’t responsive. She was shy, petite, quiet, and seemed a bit on edge. That just seemed to interest them more.
“So did you actually speak to her?”
“I did better than that. I had a great idea. You know how we have been debating about what to do with that large window downstairs, and you know how Alicia creates those one-of-a-kind stained glass mosaics and scenes? Well I thought—”
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