“I’m pregnant,” Kaitlyn whispered.
No one knew what to say. They knew about Kaitlyn’s husband. How he cheated on her with his mistress. They knew, without being told, he wouldn’t be happy about the pregnancy.
“I want the baby. It’s not that I’m sad about it, it’s just Kevin will think I did it on purpose, even though…” Katie stopped and shook her head.
“For what reason? You stay with him in spite of his cheating,” Olivia said.
“Olivia Rene Roberts.” Becca chastised her friend.
Olivia shrugged. “I’m sure you were all thinking the same thing. I just happen to have the balls to say it.”
Kaitlyn laughed softly. “Leave it to Liv. She’s right, though. He’ll want me to have an abortion. He doesn’t want kids. I always have.” She shook her head. “Before we got married, he said he wanted children then when I brought it up on our year anniversary he told me he changed his mind. I was devastated.” Her hand ran over her still flat stomach. “I want this baby and I don’t care what Kevin says and the fact it wasn’t conceived in love doesn’t matter to me.”
“Good for you,” Becca said.
They dug into their food, laughing and talking when they heard the front bell ring, announcing a customer. When Kaitlyn started to rise, Madilyn told her she’d get them. She walked into the front of the shop and came to a stop when she saw Sam standing there.
“Sam? Is something wrong?” She prayed there wasn’t.
“Not with Brody. I need to speak with my sister.”
Madilyn knew by the look on his face it wasn’t good news. “She’s in the break room.” She turned to lead Sam back. She took her seat at the table while Sam hovered in the doorway.
“Katie, we need to go to your office. I need to speak with you.”
Kaitlyn stood. “What is it Sam? Is it Mom or Dad?”
Sam shook his head. “Just come with me, please.” He held his hand out to her. Kaitlyn put her hand in his and after giving the women a nod, Sam led her to the office.
“What’s that all about?” Emma muttered.
Madilyn shook her head. “No clue.”
“I know this isn’t the time to say it but damn, Sam Garrett is so fucking hot.” Olivia sighed. The women glared at her. She shrugged. “Just sayin’.”
A few minutes later, Sam stood in the doorway. They gazed up at him. “Katie could use you girls for a while. Kevin’s been killed in a car accident. Along with his mistress,” the last he said through clenched teeth. “Katie took it a lot better than I thought, but it could be shock. She’s in her office.” He left them all staring at the door then they jumped up and ran to the back office. Kaitlyn sat at the desk, staring into space. She glanced over to them but didn’t say anything. Madilyn crouched down beside her.
“Katie? Are you all right?”
“Kevin’s dead.”
“We know. Sam told us. Do you need us to do anything for you? One of us could take you home.”
“The day after I find out I’m pregnant I lose my husband who wouldn’t have wanted the baby. How ironic is that?”
“Come on, Katie. We’ll take you home.” Becca helped her up.
“I’ll take care of the shop, Katie, and I’ll be over after work if you want me to.”
“I’d love it, Madilyn. I don’t want to be alone too much. I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.”
Becca wrapped her arm around Kaitlyn’s shoulders and led her away. Madilyn cried. Not for Kevin, he didn’t deserve the tears, but for her friend who was hurting. She’d go stay with Kaitlyn for a few days. It’s what friends did.
* * * *
Three days later, almost the entire town was at the cemetery. They weren’t there for Kevin, they were there to support Kaitlyn. Sam stood on one side of her while their parents stood on the other. Madilyn stood beside Sam and let her gaze roam the crowd until she spotted Brody. He was staring at her. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. No matter what he’d told her, she loved him, and she wanted him in her life. She’d take whatever time she could get with him. He’d been telling the truth, she knew it now. He’d never, knowingly, fool around with a married woman. It wasn’t his style. There were too many single women out there. Why would he chance something like that? No, she mentally shook her head, he’d told her the truth, and the thing is, he really didn’t have to tell her anything. He did because he loved her and wanted all the past behind them. She smiled sadly, as she looked across the gravesite at him. He smiled back.
When the service broke up, Sam led Kaitlyn away, and Madilyn moved toward Brody. He stood in one spot waiting for her. She stopped in front of him and gazed up at him.
“Is Katie all right?” Brody asked.
“Yes. I stayed with her the past few nights. I think she’s glad it’s over.”
Brody nodded, and glanced away from her then back. “He was an ass.”
“Everyone thought the same thing. Katie just didn’t want to see it.” Madilyn shook her head. “I don’t know what she’s going to do now though. She’s pregnant.”
Brody’s eyebrows rose. “She was still sleeping with him? Even though he was screwing around?”
Madilyn chewed on her bottom lip and shook her head. “He raped her last month. She told me the other night when I was staying with her.”
“Son of a bitch!” Brody roared. Several people turned to glare at him but he didn’t care. “Does Sam know?” he whispered.
“Not yet. Katie hasn’t told him she’s pregnant yet.”
“All I can say is it’s a damn good thing the bastard’s dead or Sam would kill him.”
“I know. She said she’d tell him tonight. She’s staying at the ranch with him for a while.”
“Is she telling him about the pregnancy or rape?”
“Both.” Madilyn reached for his hand. “I’m sorry about what I said, Brody. I know you were telling the truth about the married woman.”
He nodded. “I was hoping you’d eventually realize it.”
“I’m sorry—”
“It’s all right. I’m sure it was hard to believe but it was the truth. I’ve never lied to you before, I won’t start now.” Brody interrupted her.
“I know. I guess jealousy reared its ugly head.”
Brody snorted. “Tell me about it.”
They started walking across the cemetery together when Brody halted and quickly glanced around. Shaking his head, he took her elbow and continued.
“What was that for?” Madilyn whispered, as they got closer to other people.
“Nothing. Just a feeling.”
Madilyn glanced at him. “What kind of feeling?”
“Never mind.” Brody shook his head.
“All right.”
They got into their separate cars and drove to Sam’s ranch where everyone was meeting after the funeral. When they entered the back door, Kaitlyn came toward them, and took Madilyn’s hand.
“Can I talk to you?”
Madilyn glanced at Brody. “Of course you can, Katie.”
Kaitlyn nodded and led her through the house to a back bedroom. Once inside, they sat together on the bed. She took a deep breath and looked at Madilyn.
“I want you to be with me when I tell my parents and Sam about my pregnancy. I can’t do it alone.”
Madilyn stared at her in shock but Kaitlyn was her friend. “All right. Is that all you’re going to tell them?”
Kaitlyn smiled sadly. “They’ll want to know why I slept with Kevin when he was screwing around on me. Sam’s never understood how or why I stayed with Kevin. He was always telling me to leave him. I told him I believed in my vows but mostly it was because I had nowhere to go and I couldn’t support myself. You and I both know the shop doesn’t pay much. Knowing Sam, he would have made me live here with him, and there was no way I’d do it. Sam needs his privacy.”
“I know, Katie. I’m here for you. When do you want to do this?”
“Once everyone leaves. I’m still stayin
g here. I can’t be alone in the house right now.”
Madilyn wrapped her arms around her. She hadn’t seen Kaitlyn shed one tear for Kevin. Of course, Madilyn wouldn’t either if a man treated her in such a way. No one cried for Kevin. Everyone in town felt nothing but disdain for the man. He blatantly belittled his wife by his behavior. Both women jerked when the door opened, and Sam poked his head in.
“Is everything all right?”
Madilyn smiled. “Yes. Just a little alone time.”
“All right. Take your time.” He closed the door.
“I’m so scared to tell him. Knowing Sam, he’ll dig Kevin up just to kick the shit out of him.” Kaitlyn snorted then started to giggle.
Madilyn couldn’t stop the laugh from erupting. “Oh, God. He so would.” They laughed until tears rolled down their cheeks.
* * * *
Brody stood in the living room sipping on iced tea. He hated these things. Who didn’t? He never knew what to do or say so he always stayed back from the other people. He saw Jake Stone moving toward him.
“Brody, it’s been a while. Too bad we had to meet up again for a funeral.” Jake stuck his hand out.
Brody grinned and shook his hand. “How are you, Jake? I couldn’t believe it when Sam told me you and Gabe are both married now.”
Jake chuckled. “A redhead stole my heart. What can I say?” He glanced over to his wife, and smiled.
“She’s a beauty, that’s for sure.” Brody teased.
Jake laughed. “I know, and you teasing me doesn’t bother me in the least. I know she loves me.”
Gabe Stone joined them, and stuck his hand out to Brody. “How the hell are you, Morgan?”
“I’m good, Gabe. What about you? I can’t believe you married Emma Conner.”
“Have you seen Emma?” Gabe joked. “Our daughter is the image of her momma.”
Brody shook his head. “I haven’t seen Emma in five years.” He gazed around the room. “That is not Emma Conner.”
Gabe looked over his shoulder, and smiled. “Yep. That’s my wife.”
“Damn, you two are lucky men. Is Wyatt married too?”
Jake snorted. “No. He came damned close but Stephanie Taylor broke his heart three years ago. He’s sworn off marriage now.”
Brody chuckled. “I’m sure that makes a lot of women happy.”
The men laughed until Becca narrowed her eyes at them. Jake cleared his throat, and Gabe glanced away. Brody chuckled.
“I see who the boss is,” Brody teased.
Jake grinned. “I don’t deny it.”
Gabe chuckled. “I don’t either. All Emma has to do is give me that look all women know, and I know I’d better straighten up.”
“Who’s the beauty talking with Ryder?”
“Becca’s best friend, Olivia Roberts. She could make a sailor blush, but we all love her,” Jake said.
“Except for Wyatt. He steers clear of her,” Gabe added.
“Wyatt steers clear of a beautiful woman?” Brody was shocked.
“He’s skittish. Liv wants him, and doesn’t care if he knows it or not. She’s made her intentions clear.” Jake shook his head. “She’ll get him too. Of that I have no doubt.”
Brody grinned. “Might be fun to watch.”
The men laughed again until Becca headed toward them. She glared up at Jake. “In case you all haven’t noticed, we’re here for Katie. She just buried her husband. This isn’t a party.” She bit her lip. “Although it should be.”
Brody burst out laughing and looked at Jake. “I like her.”
Jake pulled Becca toward him. “Yeah, I kind of like her too. Red, this is Brody Morgan. Brody, my wife, Becca.”
Brody shook her hand and grinned at her. “Nice to meet you, Becca.”
“I’ve heard all about you, Brody Morgan. You hurt Madilyn again, and you’re dead meat.”
Brody raised his eyebrows and glanced at Jake and Gabe, who were both trying not to laugh. “I won’t hurt her again, Becca.”
Becca nodded. Olivia and Emma stepped up beside her. Olivia looked him up and down and it took every ounce of his willpower not to squirm.
“So. You’re Brody, huh? I’m Olivia Roberts. Liv to my friends. I’m really someone you don’t want to piss off, so be good to Madilyn.” She grinned at him.
Brody ran his hand over his mouth. “Holy shit.” He looked at Jake. “She’s serious.”
“Liv tells it like it is. I’d tread lightly if I were you.” Jake grinned.
Ryder Wolfe laughed. “It’s good to see you again, Brody. It’s been awhile.”
“You too, Ryder.” Brody smiled at another of his old friends. Ryder Wolfe owned a lucrative American Paint horse ranch. He’d been one of Brody’s childhood friends, along with the Stone brothers, Riley Madison, Trick Dillon, and of course, Sam.
“Brody? It’s good to see you again.” Wyatt Stone stuck his hand out as he elbowed Ryder out of the way and shook Brody’s hand.
“Damn, Wyatt, you’re still as ugly as ever.”
Wyatt grinned. “Jealous?”
“Hell yes. Between you, Sam, and Trick, the rest of us were rebounds.”
Olivia snickered. Brody watched as Wyatt narrowed his eyes at her. “Did you say something?”
Brody watched as she fluttered her eyelashes at him. Wyatt’s jaw clenched and he gave Brody a nod and stalked away. Brody glanced at Jake and Gabe. They were both grinning. He shook his head. “He doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell.” He turned to Ryder. “Do you and Wyatt have a problem with each other?”
Ryder chuckled. “Only that he thinks Olivia and I are an item.” Ryder shook his head. “We’re just friends. Hell, if Wyatt wants her, I’m not standing in the way. I just don’t know what his problem with her is.”
Brody smiled at Ryder and then Olivia. “Like I said, snowball’s chance in hell.”
Olivia grinned at him. “Okay, now you can call me Liv.” Then she, Becca, and Emma moved back toward the table to help serve the people eating.
Trick Dillon strode toward him and stuck out a hand. “Brody, it’s been way too long.”
Brody smiled at him. “I see you haven’t aged well at all, Dillon.” He laughed since it was far from the truth. Trick Dillon was as tall as he was, with black hair and black eyes. He demanded attention anywhere he went. Women loved him but his heart belonged to his wife, Kaylee.
Trick grinned at him. “I feel like I haven’t some days, that’s for sure.”
“Where’s Kaylee?” Brody glanced around.
Trick peered over his shoulder. “In the kitchen, I think. You know how she is. She’d do all the cleaning up if we’d let her.”
As they talked, a beautiful woman with blonde hair and dark green eyes strolled up to them and slipped her arm through Trick’s arm. She smiled at both men.
“It’s good to see you, Brody,” Kaylee Dillon said.
“You still look amazing, Kaylee.” Brody chuckled when she blushed. “I still don’t understand why you’re with this ugly guy.” He jerked his head toward Trick.
“I felt sorry for him. No one else wanted him.” Kaylee laughed softly when Trick growled at her.
“I’m glad no one else wanted me.” Trick chuckled.
“We need to get going. You have a client coming later this afternoon, Patrick.”
“I know. Let’s go say our goodbyes.” He stuck his hand out to Brody again. “Don’t be a stranger. Come out to the ranch sometime. We’ll all go for a ride.”
“Sounds good.” Brody shook Trick’s hand and kissed Kaylee on her cheek. He watched them walk away together and leave.
Brody smiled when he saw Madilyn and Kaitlyn enter the room. Kaitlyn stood by Sam and their parents. Madilyn headed toward Brody.
“Hi, Jake, Gabe.” She smiled.
“Madilyn. How’s Katie?” Gabe asked.
Madilyn shrugged. “She’s fine. I don’t think she loved him anymore anyway.”
“Who could love that prick?�
� Gabe muttered. “He treated Katie like dirt and she’s the sweetest woman around.”
Brody agreed. Since he’d been friends with Sam growing up, he knew Katie very well. “I remember Sam telling me about her getting married. I was invited to the wedding but I was on assignment and couldn’t make it. Sam didn’t want her to marry him, but there wasn’t anything he could do about it. I don’t even think their parents approved of Parker. But Katie was in love.”
“I know. I attended the wedding and Sam scowled the entire day,” Madilyn told them.
Brody shrugged. “Sam has great instincts about people.”
“Well, he was certainly right about Parker,” Jake said. “I wonder what she’ll do now.”
Madilyn’s eyes met Brody’s. He shook his head. “Who knows? She still has her job at the shop but I don’t think she makes enough to make the house payments.” Brody shrugged. “I wonder if Parker had life insurance.”
Jake grunted. “If he did, who was the beneficiary?”
Brody saw Madilyn frown. “Katie never mentioned it so I doubt it.”
Everyone fell silent with their own thoughts. Brody glanced over to see Katie still standing beside Sam as people started leaving and giving their condolences. Jake and Gabe strolled away to gather up their wives and hug Kaitlyn before they left. Eventually, the only guests left were Madilyn and Brody.
“I’d better go. I don’t want Sam knowing I know anything about this. He’d be pissed I know before he does,” Brody whispered to Madilyn.
“All right. I’ll walk you out.”
Brody hugged Kaitlyn, shook Sam’s hand, and then hugged their parents. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Sam. Katie, if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Kaitlyn smiled at him. “Thank you, Brody.”
“I’ll be right back,” Madilyn told her. “I’m going to walk Brody out.”
They walked out to Brody’s truck. He pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips to hers. His lips moved across her cheek to her neck. “Come to the house after you leave here.”
“All right. I’ll be there as soon as I can. I’ll have to go home and pick up some clothes to change into.”
He kissed her quickly. “Good luck in there.” He gave her a grin, hopped into his truck and pulled out.
Brody Page 8
