Faith (A Next Generation Carter Brother Novel Book 1)

by Lisa Helen Gray

  Maggie’s house is just the same, except a few of her windows are cracked and filthy. You can see she hasn’t lived there for a while.

  I park in front of the garage, surprised at how big it is. When I look up, I see the extension on top, with stairs to the side leading up to a door.

  I’m still reeling over how my brother managed to snag this place when the front door opens and an elderly lady steps out. She’s wearing a pair of black leggings and a white T-shirt with ‘Do not disturb’ written in black letters.

  She’s nothing how I imagined. I was picturing a frail old lady who needed taking care of, but from the looks of it, this woman is as healthy as a horse and fit as a fiddle.

  I get out of the car as she’s removing her yellow dish-washing gloves. I wave hello and give her a smile before grabbing my bag and cat basket out of the back seat.

  “Hi, I’m Faith, Aiden’s big sister.”

  She beams at me. “I’m Margaret, but please, call me Maggie. It’s lovely to meet you. Your brother said you’re the best vet around.”

  I’m so going to tease Aiden with that when I see him tomorrow.

  “I wouldn’t say that, but I know what I’m doing. It’s nice of you to let Aiden come live here.”

  She opens the door and gestures me in before answering, “To be honest with you, I had just about given up hope when he showed up at the door. Even though I can tell he’s been in trouble a few times, there was trust and kindness in his eyes. Not an ounce of hate in that boy. It didn’t hurt that he looks like he can carry his own, and I need that around here. Did he tell you what happened?”

  I wince. “Yeah. I’m sorry it happened to you.”

  She nods. “This home has been in my family for generations. But when my daughter moved to Cyprus to live with her husband, it felt too empty. I moved over there a year later, so I’ve been gone for four years. It’s bad because the man I hired to housekeep never put the alarm back in. Most of my belongings were in storage anyway, but what was left here has been taken or trashed.”

  “And you’ve been staying here?” I ask, completely shocked.

  “I was staying in a hotel until a month ago. I arranged for a plumber and electrician to be here and fix everything while I was there, then worked on getting the bedroom done up. After that, I’ve been slowly trying to clean the place up. There’s a lot of work and painting to be done. After painting my bedroom, I knew I’d never be able to do it alone. Your brother should be here soon to start fixing up the guest house. It’s not as bad as the main house but it still needs cleaning. He told me he’d bring along some family to help out.”

  I give her a warm smile. “I’m sure he did. He didn’t like the fact someone did this to you. Plus, he’s moving out of our parents’ home, he’d do anything.”

  She laughs at that. “Follow me upstairs. They are good cats, not once hissed or scratched. After spending some time with them, I think I might keep them all. It will be nice to have the company.”

  Now I love this lady a little bit more. “It would be great if you did. Homing animals is harder than people realise.”

  She gives me a cheeky grin. “I just don’t want to pull them away from their mama.”

  Ah, so flipping adorable.

  For the first time since arriving, I take my eyes away from the older lady to look around what once was a lavish home, and gulp back a gasp.

  The walls are covered in graffiti, the wallpaper peeling away, and stains cover what used to be cream carpet.

  “They really did a number on your home. I’m so sorry this happened to you,” I tell Maggie when we reach the top of the stairs.

  She gives me a small smile, her eyes filled with sadness. “I’m just glad anything of value or meaningful to me was either brought with me or kept in a storage compartment not far from here. It was my sister who suggested it, since I didn’t want anyone living here. I’m glad I listened.”

  “Me too.”

  Her smile brightens as she heads down the hallway, coming to the boiler. The door is no longer intact, so the kittens and mother are the first things I see.

  The mother looks up at me warily, moving to sit further on her babies so I can’t see them. I let out a tiny chuckle and bend down to the dirty floor, not caring about my jeans.

  “Hello, I’m Faith. I’m here to check you and your babies over,” I tell her gently, reaching out so she can stiff my hand. She sniffs, curious as to who I am, before flopping her head back down. She moves a little, so I can see the three tiny kittens, enough for me to tell they are far too young to be separated.

  I gaze up at Maggie who is smiling down at them. Yep, she’s totally keeping them. I see this all the time in my line of work.

  “I can tell you they are too young to be moved, Maggie. If I were to guess, I’d say they were only three weeks old, if that. I’m not going to mess with them as the mother seems protective, which is normal. They seem to be healthy and feeding right.”

  “Is there anything I can do or should be doing? The mother seems so skinny.”

  “It’s because of the birth and feeding her young. If you can get some kitten milk, not cat milk, it will help her enormously. It has vitamins in that will help Mummy.” My gaze turns to the right to find a litter tray and food. She already has the basics covered. “Add some wet food to her biscuits.”

  I finish checking Mummy’s gums and pupils before getting up.

  “They’re okay then?”

  I smile at her worry. “Yes, Mummy is doing beautifully. If she were having trouble feeding, she wouldn’t be letting them suckle. Letting them whilst she was dry would only cause her pain and discomfort.”

  “Thank you so much for coming out of your way to check on them. Your brother seemed to think they were ready to be rehomed.”

  I scoff, looking down at the beautiful sight. I’m about to answer when the door opens downstairs.

  “Maggie, I’m here. I’ve brought some people for you to meet,” Aiden shouts.

  “We’re up here,” she yells down, turning back to me.

  I bend down when Mummy moves to let the kittens have better access, and quickly look them over, making sure to keep a safe distance.

  Loud footsteps stomp up the stairs as I stand back up, and then Aiden, my uncle Max, Mark and Liam are walking towards us.

  “Hey.” I wave at my uncle.

  “Maggie, this is my uncle Max, my brother Mark and cousin Liam. My sister and other cousins are here too. The girls are in the room above the garage getting a start on the cleaning whilst we get rid of the carpet and other stuff. We’ve brought two skips.”

  Maggie looks startled and close to crying. I rub her shoulder, hoping she’s okay with us all being in her home.

  “Oh, Aiden, you are such a good boy.”

  “You won’t be saying that after spending more than an hour in his presence. I’m Max, the better uncle.” Max winks as he holds his hand out to Maggie.

  She gasps, one hand going to her chest and one to shake his hand. “My, are you all good-looking?”

  I laugh at her abruptness. She’s my kind of people.

  “No, just me,” Max laughs. “Um, what the hell is that?”

  He steps back, looking over to Mummy and her kittens, making me laugh. “What’s the matter, uncle Max? Afraid your allergies will play up?”

  “Oh, my, I’m sorry. I didn’t know anyone would be allergic,” Maggie gasps.

  I roll my eyes. “Don’t worry, Maggie, my uncle is a big fat fibber.”

  Max holds his hands up. “Look, you don’t understand.”

  “Understand? What, that you’ve been lying to me for years? You could have taken in stray animals, Max.”

  “I have nightmares!” he yells, throwing his hands up in the air. “That cat, that animal—it was, it was… It was the devil,” he whispers, turning pale. I’d laugh at his expression, but he’d probably throttle me.

  “It was a cat, Max.”

  He shakes his head in denial. “No, i
t wasn’t. That thing was possessed. I tried every day of its life for him to like me. He’d act all sweet and innocent when the girls were around, even approachable. But I learnt my lesson after the first time. He bit me.” He points to his chest hard, and I bite back a laugh.

  “It still doesn’t give you the right to lie to me.”

  He looks down at his hands, most likely picturing scratches from a cat in the past. “My college teachers thought I was self-harming. I’d walk into college each day and have fresh cuts on my wrists. When I told her, it was my girlfriend’s cat, she didn’t believe me. She even referred me to the college councillor.”

  “Oh, God,” I groan. He is unbelievable. He’s making the cat sound like a psychotic killer. I’ve seen pictures of him; he’s adorable.

  “I’m not lying. One night—god… One night, I was asleep and felt something crawling up my body. At first, I thought your aunt Lake was just copping a feel, but then I noticed his paws. I screamed, ready for his attack, and tried to block him. He slit my bloody throat. I’m surprised I don’t have scars.”

  “Dad, you’re being dramatic again. Mum said you scared him and he reacted. He was only after a fuss.” Hayden walks to join our group, rolling her eyes at her dad before turning to Maggie. “Hi, I’m Hayden. Pleased to meet you.”

  “Maggie.” Maggie’s voice is still stunned, and she’s looking at my uncle in horror. She’s probably regretting letting Aiden move in now she knows how crazy our family is.

  I don’t blame her.

  “Ignore his dramatics. You have to get used to the men in our family, otherwise they’ll drive you insane.”

  “No, the girls are the nutty ones,” Liam grunts, eyeing his sister.

  She narrows her eyes at Liam before turning to her dad. “Why did you have to give me a brother?”

  “Why did you have to give me a sister?” Liam bites back.

  “Because I didn’t have any condoms?” Max answers.

  Maggie giggles at that, whereas I bite back a groan of embarrassment. “Since there are so many of you here, I’ll pop out and go and get everyone some breakfast sandwiches.”

  “You don’t need to do that,” Hayden and I say.

  “Sounds awesome, we’re starved,” comes from the boys.

  “So, go yourself,” Hayden tells him.

  “Well then, I’ll go do that. I need to pick up some more cleaning supplies anyway. I ran out last night.”

  “Last night?” Aiden asks.

  “I tried to finish cleaning the bathroom but I’m afraid it will all need replacing. I couldn’t get the graffiti off it. Plus, I have to admit, I’m apprehensive about using it when strangers have done gods know what in here.”

  “Tell you what, my brother Mason owns a construction business and my other brother fixes houses up. I bet, between the two of them, we can get you a great deal on a new bathroom set. In fact, I’m pretty sure Maverick had someone over order on bathroom items. Want me to call him?”

  Her eyes light up as her shoulders sag. “Would you mind?”

  “Not at all. They can help is install them too. They’re good at that stuff.”

  As I eye Maggie, I notice she looks a little pink in the cheeks and hesitant about something, so I speak up before Max pushes himself further into everything.

  “Are you sure that’s okay with you?”

  She nods, but bites her lip. “Yes, but, um, are you sure they won’t mind? It’s going to cost a fortune to replace everything.”

  Ah, seeing where this is going, my uncle steps forwards. “What happened to you, Maggie, was unfair and wrong. You have—well, had—a beautiful home. We would be helping you even if you weren’t taking this one off our hands.” He ruffles Aiden’s hair like a little kid, grinning. “And as for cost, don’t worry about it. My brother is good at getting good prices and he’ll probably give you the bathroom stuff for free, just to get rid of it. They won’t mind, I swear.”

  Her eyes water as she looks at the group of us. “I knew as soon as I met you you’d be good to have here. Thank you, all of you, from the bottom of my heart.”

  “Ah, don’t go making me cry.” Max sighs dramatically, wiping under his eye.

  She giggles. “Let’s get to business then.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  “I’m going to pop to the surgery and grab a house bed for the cats. With all the noise and people, it might startle the mum. Do you have a door you can pop on it until everyone has gone?”

  Maggie seems to think about it for a moment. “If we can clear the room at the end today, we can put their bed in the walk-in wardrobe. It’s bigger than where they are and still dark. Plus, we could shut the door to the room after so they won’t be sleeping on top of the litter tray.”

  She really was listening when I spoke to her. I beam at her for thinking of something fantastic. “Okay, that’s sounds awesome.” I turn to my brother. “Can you clear that room first and be quiet walking past them?”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  “And stay away from them, uncle Max.”

  He gives me a ‘are you kidding’ look. “I’m not going anywhere near them. If there’s anything I’ve learned from mothers, it’s that you never mess with their young. Trust me, your aunt Lake just about had my balls when I tried to take the kids to give her a rest.”

  Laughing, I shake my head and start down the stairs, Maggie on my heels. “Would you like me to take you on your errands?” I ask her.

  “I’m sure you have other things you’d like to be doing.”

  “Not until tonight.”

  Her eyes sparkle with interest. “And what happens tonight, Faith?”

  This time, it’s my turn to beam as I fill her in on everything that is Beau.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Butterflies swirl in my stomach as I wait for Beau to pick me up. I’d decided to dress in black, metallic leggings, which look like they’ve been painted to my skin, paired with a black, long-sleeved top that has a half-open back. My red blazer with gold buckles completes the outfit. It matches my red stilettos with gold beads around the ankle strap.

  I’ve left my hair down for once, letting the natural wave give it volume and character. I look hot, even if I do say so myself.

  My makeup, as always, has been left simple. It’s something I’ll never get used to. I hate the feel of it on my face. A little concealer, blush and lipstick, and I’m ready.

  He texted me a little while ago to say he was going to shower and change round his, then meet me at mine.

  I’m not going to lie, I’ve been a nervous wreck all day. I want tonight to be special. Life is too short to sit around and wait for things to happen, and I’ve waited long enough. I want Beau, more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.

  “Do you think this will seduce him?” I ask Buster and Roxy, doing a twirl. Sat side by side, they both bark and stare up at me. “Yeah, I hope so too.”

  I’m not nervous about the act itself; my heart is made up on the matter. Speaking with Maggie about Beau today just made me realise we were waiting for nothing. I already know how I feel, and I’m ready. No more waiting around.

  But the thought of rejection and him not being ready plagues my mind. I want this with him, badly. He drives me wild with every touch, every kiss and caress. He lights something inside me that burns brighter every time we’re together.

  I’m also worried I won’t be good enough for him. If he doesn’t enjoy it and then decides to break up with me, I’ll be devastated. More than that, I’ll be broken-hearted.

  I nearly jump out of my skin when there’s a knock on the door.

  “Oh, my God, he’s here,” I whisper yell, looking around the room frantically. My gaze continues to dart around until another knock raps at the door, and I wonder what the hell I’m searching for.

  I shake my head with a nervous laugh and head towards the door. I practically skipping I’m that giddy.

  I greet Beau with a bright smile. “Hey.”

&n
bsp; In a pair of dark jeans, and blue shirt, Beau looks picture perfect. His tattoos creep out his short sleeves, giving him a badass vibe. He looks hot. So hot, in fact, I’m wondering if we should forgo dinner and go straight to dessert.

  “Faith,” Beau says, amusement in his voice.

  I shake out of my ogling, and my gaze reaches his eyes. “Sorry, did you say something?”

  He laughs, pulling me against him. “You look sexy as hell.”

  My cheeks heat as I wrap my arms around his neck. “Thank you, you don’t look so bad yourself.”

  His eyes twinkle as his head descends. “Yeah?”

  A giggle escapes as I move in closer. “Definitely.”

  His lips meet mine softly. I’m getting lost in the kiss when he pulls away, smiling at me. “I have a surprise for you.”

  “What’s the surprise?”

  He raises his eyebrow. “Um, you do know the meaning of a surprise, right?”

  I giggle, leaning my head back. “Of course, I do. Am I wearing the appropriate clothes?”

  His gaze runs down my body, slowly, appraisingly, making me tingle all over. “Oh, yeah.”

  I smack his chest with a laugh when he grabs my arse. “Be serious. I thought we were going for dinner and a movie.”

  He throws his hands up in front of him, still giving me that sexy as hell grin. “Okay, okay. You need to pack an overnight bag and grab a coat.”

  Now my interest is more than piqued, it’s intrigued. With a giddy squeal, I wrap my arms around his neck and peck him on the lips.

  “Wait, what about the dogs? I can’t leave them here alone.”

  “Already sorted. Aiden is coming over to watch them.”

  “You are the best.”

  I run to my bedroom, my smile hurting my cheeks. I never expected a night away, but with what I have planned, the timing couldn’t be more perfect.

  *** *** ***

  Half an hour later we’re driving uphill, on a spiralling road. We’re near the beach; I can smell the salt in the air. It’s beautiful, refreshing.