Protector (The Brannock Siblings Book 4)

by Jessica Wilde

  Stop thinking about it!

  She took a deep breath and closed her eyes completely.

  Her mind wandered to the type of man she always imagined she would marry. A strong man, protective of the ones he loved, tender to her needs and dreams, bold when the time came to stand up for what was right. A man who could make her smile easily and would know her well enough to understand when she needed space or even when she didn't.

  The image formed behind her closed eyelids and she felt a smile pull on her lips. It wasn't long before she drifted off to sleep in the middle of a garden in Rathnew, Wicklow, Ireland. Never realizing that the man of her dreams was only a short walk away. That he would find her soon and her worries would melt away.

  ***

  It was late morning when Isabelle woke and her stomach grumbled violently. She was starved and still had a ways to walk before she could get a decent meal that she wouldn't have to make for herself. That could wait until dinner.

  She pulled herself up off the soft grass and walked out onto the narrow dirt road. Margaret told her to go south and within a mile or so, she would eventually run into her. A weight lifted off of Isabelle's shoulders as she walked. Until now, loneliness was a burden and a constant worry. Now it was a gift in some ways.

  It wasn't long before she found what she was looking for.

  A small stone structure that could probably fit inside the rental house was propped up on the side of the road. It was surrounded by massive trees and Isabelle could smell the aroma of flowers under the wafting sent of food. The stone was covered in a kind of ivy that she had never seen before. It looked like the walls were being held up by that very ivy.

  She instantly fell in love with the place.

  "I see ye've made yer way."

  Margaret was standing in the doorway pouring a pot of water out the side of the porch that ran across the front of the small building. Her red hair almost glowed in the sunlight and instead of being pinned so perfectly like it was the day before, she looked like she just didn't give a damn about it.

  Isabelle had immediately liked Margaret, but today she felt a little more connected with the woman. Especially when Margaret gave her that rigid look that told everyone she didn't care what they thought of her.

  "I was hungry," Isabelle smiled.

  Margaret chuckled, her still young looking face stretching with the smile. "Ye've come to the right place, then." She gestured for Isabelle to follow her inside. "Tis not a mansion, but yer gut will thank ye fer feedin' it my food."

  "Of that I have no doubt," Isabelle replied, smiling when she understood the words behind that sing song accent. "Thank you, Margaret."

  Margaret scoffed, "I'll not answer to Margaret so ye better start with Maggie if ye want any service, dear."

  She led Isabelle through the door with a wave while her eyebrows waggled.

  "Maggie it is, then."

  The windows were opened wide and the only light inside was from the rays of sunlight pouring through them. Isabelle took in the room, immediately noticing that there were no other people sitting to eat. There were several tables lining the walls of the dining room and what looked like a small bar set up in front of the kitchen. The stools were stained a deep cherry and the worn tops looked smooth as glass.

  Behind the bar was another woman who could be mistaken for Maggie if Isabelle didn't know she was standing right beside her. The only difference was that this woman's hair was cut short and she looked several years older with some lingering grey hairs at her temples. The woman looked up and smiled widely when she saw Isabelle. They were the same green eyes as Maggie, but the wicked light in them was more noticeable. Maybe Maggie was just better at hiding it.

  "Maggie, ye told me she was a fine thing, but ye did nah tell me she would take my breath away."

  "Aye, Aivy, I kept that to myself. Knowin' ye were gonna take her fer yerself, love. Ms. Moore, this is my dear sister, Aibhilin."

  Aibhilin's accent was thicker than Maggie's and Isabelle suddenly felt her hands sweat with nervousness. Isabelle stepped forward with a smile and held out her hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Evelyn."

  Aibhilin shook her hand and nodded, "Ah, I fergot ye were American. Evelyn will do," she said, pronouncing the name carefully, "but ye may call me Aivy if ye wish."

  "Aivy."

  "What is yer age?" Aivy asked with a quirk of her brow.

  "Aivy, ye daft duck. Of all people ye know better than to ask that dreadful question."

  Aivy laughed. "Aye, tis correct, but I've a feelin' bout this one, Maggie."

  "Aye, same," Maggie nodded with a sparkle in her eyes.

  Isabelle looked back and forth between the two women staring back at her with sly grins on their faces. She wasn't sure whether to laugh with them or run away. They looked like they knew something she didn't and although they were slightly shorter than Isabelle, it felt like they towered over her like everyone else did.

  "Ah, it doesna matter how old ye are, what matters is that yer hungry and yer here," Aivy winked.

  Isabelle smiled and sat down on one of the worn stools at the bar. Her nap had zapped her of energy and the walk didn't help much either. When her eyes drooped, Aivy snapped her fingers.

  "Maggie, get yer arse to the cooker or she'll waste away."

  Maggie scurried through a door and for the next few minutes, Isabelle could only see the top of her head through an open space in the wall.

  "So yer stayin' at the cottage?" Aivy asked.

  "Umm, if that is Maggie's house, then yes, I am."

  "That's wonderful. If ye ever need anything fixed or taken off yer shoulders ye just let us know and we'll send Liam yer way."

  The name reminded her of the questions she was unable to ask the day before. "Maggie mentioned him before."

  "Aye, he's our nephew. A good lad and a strong one. He takes care of all us old hags and our homes. Anything needs fixin', Liam can fix it. That or find a way to break it more so ye have to find a new one."

  A loud laugh sounded from the kitchen. "Aye, sister. Ye've pegged that one right."

  The way the women spoke of this Liam made Isabelle smile. It was obvious they adored the man.

  "Liam doesna do much of anything else these days," Aivy said. "The poor lad's boss is a nitwit and can never hold work for his men. That or there just isna any work to hold. In fact, Liam would be at yer beck and call if he knew ye were close by." She looked thoughtful as she spoke and that expression didn't seem to be a good thing coming from either of these women.

  Isabelle frowned, "I don't understand."

  Aivy waved her hand in the air dismissively, "No bother, I'm just blowin' smoke out my arse."

  Isabelle giggled and the two sisters started in on a new kind of banter. The words were lost on her, but she couldn't stop laughing at the way they kept badgering each other. Being an only child felt like a loss in that moment. She would have given anything to have a big family and siblings to tease and laugh with.

  Minutes later, Maggie exited the kitchen with a covered basket and shoved it into Isabelle's arms. "Here ye are, dear. Now get to the gardens and enjoy yer meal."

  The basket was seriously heavy, but when she tried to open the top, Maggie shooed her hand away and gently pushed her out the door. She almost dropped the basket on the way down the steps and tripped more than she would have liked in front of near strangers.

  "That path leads to the perfect place. Go on and enjoy yerself."

  Isabelle shrugged and followed the path Maggie pointed to until she came to a grove surrounded by flowers and trees. A small stone bench stood at the center.

  It certainly was perfect.

  She settled in and opened the basket to find enough food to feed her for a week. She shook her head and smiled. Maggie and Aivy were something else. She was happy to have found them and hoped she would have a chance to get to know them more during her stay.

  She needed to hurry and get used to the way they spoke, but she adored the
sound. It felt carefree and just... different.

  Isabelle found a small loaf of bread near the top of the heaping pile of food. It was still warm and her mouth watered before she took the first bite.

  Ireland was an excellent choice. She couldn't remember ever having a chance to sit in silence surrounded by beauty and just think.

  Her last conversation with her father had been on her mind during her flight, but she didn't dare to take the time to think about it since. Apparently, her parents were struggling with the company her father took over years before. He was not only desperate for this deal with the Hampton's, but he was desperate to do what it took to keep his family from falling apart. Or so Isabelle assumed.

  "I've gotten myself in quite the pickle. We'll lose everything without this deal."

  Isabelle informed him that money and things weren't the glue to hold their family together. Nicholas Moore had - for the first time ever - agreed with her completely. When Isabelle asked what the problem was then, he quickly changed the subject and never brought it up again.

  She wondered if that information he gave her was done so completely by mistake. Her father usually kept his business conversations away from his daughter, but Isabelle caught him with a Brandy in his hand.

  Amazing, the secrets revealed with a little bit of alcohol.

  Isabelle took a deep, cleansing breath. The scent of Orchids and Roses filled her nostrils and she closed her eyes. All the negative things she had endured quickly swarmed her mind, but she was determined to ignore them. This was a place to feel peace, not turmoil.

  Isabelle nibbled on the delicious food over the next twenty minutes and tried. She really did try, but it was too overwhelming. The thoughts came to her no matter how hard she fought them and it wasn't long before tears were falling down her cheeks and the beauty of the day no longer mattered.

  It was only darkness she would feel for the rest of her life.

  Chapter 4

  Liam

  Your being ridiculous.

  It was probably the hundredth time Liam had said those words in his mind. There was no reason for him to stop by the house that day, but the constant worry that the stones on the back porch would slip off at any moment, forced him to keep driving. It was only because he needed to do his job.

  Nothing else.

  He had to think about the beautiful woman that was staying in his aunt's house because it was his job. Not because he stayed up most of the night trying to think of any other way to run into her. By the time he got up that morning, he knew it was useless. He would just go and fix the step and maybe tinker around on a few other projects he planned for the future. If he saw her, great. If not... well, he just hoped he saw her.

  When his friend and coworker stopped by the house the night before and informed him that the jobs had completely dried up, he was at a loss. He had plenty to do, but none of it really made him any money. He saved quite a bit in the last year, but it wouldn't be enough and he considered just giving it all to his parents. They would get more use out of it right now than he would.

  He parked his truck off to the side of Maggie's rental house. He would have to make those decisions later. Today, he wanted to finally do something for him.

  The land around the beautiful home was generous and it made for a peaceful setting. The street could be seen from the front porch, but there were trees and vegetation that hugged you in and made you feel like you were the only person on earth. The back of the house was the complete opposite; wide open space and green grass for many meters before you reached the gardens.

  Liam stayed near the back of the house so he could be seen from a window if she was looking. She would see him coming and maybe end up curious enough to come out and speak to him. Surely Maggie had informed her that someone might be coming by on occasion.

  He carried his tools to the back porch and started working. Several minutes passed with no sign of her and Liam wondered if she was even around. He decided to knock and make some excuse about needing a glass of water.

  No answer.

  She was gone.

  "Well that puts a damper on your brilliant plans," he grumbled to himself.

  He finished up the steps, making a mental note to have Maggie tell the tenant to let them be for a day. He kept a vigilant eye on the roads, watching for anyone coming by. Had she taken a taxi somewhere? He couldn't imagine she would walk anywhere since she wasn't familiar with the town. Maybe Maggie had stopped by and given her a ride.

  Liam wouldn't know unless he asked. He threw his tools in the truck and headed for Maggie's thinking he could use an early lunch anyway.

  It wasn't hard to figure out that Maggie didn't give the girl a ride anywhere at all. She and Aivy were busy gabbing like a couple of ducks when he walked in. The women would have been there all morning .

  "Liam! Boyo, it's about time you showed your handsome face 'round here," Aivy shouted from the kitchen.

  He looked up to see her waving her spatula around like it was a magic wand. "Aye, Aunty. I'm starvin'."

  "We can't have that now can we?"

  She winked at him and he shook his head. His aunts were crazy but they were family and he loved them dearly. Aivy was married to a brute of a man so she spent her days with Maggie and tried not to think about the husband who didn't notice if she was missing or not. They didn't have any children and although Aivy wanted them, she'd told his mother several times that she was grateful she didn't have them. Liam was happy to play that role for her if she needed it and she did. She was like a third mother to Liam and his siblings and she relished it.

  Maggie walked out a moment later wiping her hands on her apron and Liam noticed a suspicious smile on her face when she looked his way. Almost as if she knew of something he didn't. Yet.

  "I need you to go check on the back gate for me, Liam. I caught a bunch of rabbits out in the grove this mornin' and I don't need them gobblin' up my poor flowers. If the back gate is not keepin' them out, nothing will."

  Liam leveled a pointed look at his aunt, but she didn't seem to be playing him like she usually did. He could usually tell when something was off. Today, she just seemed extra cheery.

  That was suspicious.

  He walked out the door, glancing back at his aunts once more. Both of them were smiling his way, waving and watching him like a bunch of hawks. He started toward the gardens feeling Maggie's eyes on his back until he was out of her view.

  It wasn't long before he came upon the grove, but his quest was soon forgotten.

  For the second time in his life, he was brought to a standstill by the beauty in front of him. He caught sight of that long brown hair flowing over a creamy shoulder... that was shaking.

  The air in Liam's lungs caught and he felt that tightness in his chest from before, when he heard a sniffle and saw the woman wipe under her eyes.

  She was crying. This stunning, flawless woman was sobbing and he felt that tightness twist and pull until he couldn't just stand and watch any longer. Liam looked around to see who had hurt her, but no one else was in the grove. He was angry for her and heartbroken that a woman like her would ever have a reason to cry like that.

  She was so wrapped up in her world that she never even heard him step into the grove. His footsteps on the grass were silent, but surely she would have heard him crashing through the trees. He watched her a moment longer, debating on whether to sneak away and leave her in peace or find out what was making her so sad and fix it for her.

  His mouth decided for him.

  "Tears don't belong on a face so beautiful."

  She startled and immediately stood and backed away from him. Smart woman, but it was still frustrating to see that it was out of wisdom, not instinct. She regarded him warily before looking around to find that they were completely alone. The trees surrounding the grove were covering them from anyone who might be watching.

  Liam normally wouldn't allow this type of situation to occur. He would have left her alone and gone to fetch M
aggie to help. But this wasn't a normal situation and Liam couldn't help but feel drawn to the woman standing before him, looking like she was about to run.

  "You don't need to be afraid of me, bird. I'll not harm you."

  Her shoulders sagged for a moment of brief relief before she lifted them straight and jutted out her chin. Her show of strength was impressive, but Liam could see the unease in her eyes so he stayed where he was and let her have her space.

  She cleared her throat and crossed her arms over her chest. "I am sorry if I am trespassing. Maggie told me to come here and it was just a beautiful place to sit and think."

  Her voice sent a jolt of electricity straight into his gut. A husky sound that vibrated all the way down his spine and he couldn't stop himself from studying her lips as she spoke.

  Good Lord, help me.

  She quickly wiped the tears from her face and sniffed a few times before gaining her composure and lifting her chin once more. Liam had been right the day before, she was stunning up close. Tear stains on her cheeks, eyes red rimmed, nose red, lips red. If she was this beautiful crying, he was doomed when she was smiling.

  The very idea of her was... impossible.

  Her yellow dress didn't cling to the curves he knew would be there, but it gave a hint of a graceful womanly figure and the exposed skin of her chest beckoned his eyes. His lips thinned, cursing himself for being disrespectful and he looked down at her legs.

  That didn't help at all.

  Eyes, Liam. Look at her eyes.

  After clearing his throat, he said, "You are not trespassing. It is a garden for the public, but no one comes in anymore."

  "Well, that's a shame. It's breath taking," she said and dropped down to the small bench to sit once more.

  Apparently she decided that he was harmless and he sighed with relief. Liam kept his distance, hoping he wouldn't startle her anymore than he already did. She turned her head to look at him with a sad grin.

  "This is a nice place to sit and think. Feels secluded even though it isn't."