Breakaway

by Rochelle Alers

  “The man’s in love with you.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong, Nicky. Gavin may like me, but I know he’s not in love with me.”

  “Oh, because you say so?” Nicholas asked.

  “Because I know so,” Celia retorted.

  “That shows how much you know, Doc.”

  Nicholas and Celia turned at the same time to find Gavin standing barefoot under the entrance to the kitchen. A pair of jeans rode low on his hips and the T-shirt stretched over his broad chest appeared to be a size too small. Celia wanted to be anywhere but in the kitchen with Gavin glaring at her as if she’d defamed his character.

  Crossing muscular arms over his chest, Gavin leaned against the door frame. “What’s the matter, Celia? I’ve never known you to be at a loss for words,” he taunted, ignoring her gasp.

  Nicholas, feeling the tension rising in the kitchen like a hot breeze, stood up. “I’m going to leave you two to hash this out.”

  “Stay!” The command was crisp, sharp and Nicholas sat back down. “You need to hear this,” Gavin said, his voice calm and softer. “I didn’t propose to Celia out of some perverted sense of duty and honor, but because I’m in love with her. It wouldn’t have mattered if she had a problem pretending to be my wife, I still wouldn’t have agreed to make it legal. I know what she’s worth and I suggested a prenup because I don’t want or need her money.

  “Tell me now, Celia, if we’re going through with this. If not, then I’ll head back to North Carolina. I’ll pick up my stuff from your place and leave your keys with Daniel and Hannah.” He glanced at the clock on the microwave. “You have exactly one minute to give me your answer.”

  Celia closed her eyes and bit down on her lip to stop its trembling. “I…” Her words trailed off.

  Nicholas popped up. “Look, man, you’re not going to pressure my sister like that.”

  Gavin lowered his arms. “And what exactly are you going to do about it? This is between your sister and me. I’d asked you to stay because I want you to hear me out, not interfere.”

  “¡Bastante! Nicholas,” Celia screamed.

  “It’s not enough, Celia,” Nicholas countered.

  “Yes, it is. Gavin asked me a question and he has a right to get an answer.” Her eyelids fluttered wildly, matching the runaway pulse in her throat. She’d balked, refusing to set a wedding date with Yale, but she was determined not to make the mistake twice. A smile trembled over her quivering lips. “Yes, Gavin.”

  His eyebrows lifted a fraction. “Yes what, Celia?”

  Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “Yes, I will marry you.”

  Crossing his arms over his chest again, Gavin angled his head. “Why?”

  Rising to her feet, Celia walked over to Gavin and placed both palms over his heart. “Because not only do I love you, but I’m also in love with you. I want to go to bed and wake up with you beside me. And if you want a house full of babies I’m willing to push out as many as I can before I’m too old.”

  Gavin picked up Celia, fastening his mouth to hers as her arms went around his neck. He kissed her, silently communicating the depth of his love for her. “We can start as soon as we’re married,” he whispered against her moist parted lips.

  Nicholas stood up. “Come on, guys. Take that stuff upstairs.” He walked over to the couple still locked in a passionate embrace. He placed a hand on Gavin’s shoulder. “I only let you order me about in my home because of my sister. You need to remember that when you’re lord of your own castle and someone gets in your face.”

  “I don’t think so, Brother Thomas. Not too many men are crazy enough to get in my face.”

  “So, it’s like that, Mr. Elite Special Forces?”

  “You got that right, rubber ducky.”

  “Stop it!” Celia shouted, waving her arms above her head. “I’m not going to have my brother and my fiancé at each other’s throats because of some silly military competition.”

  Gavin and Nicholas bumped fists, and then pointed at Celia, while laughing uncontrollably. “Gotcha!” they chorused.

  At that moment Celia realized she’d been duped. “You guys are sick,” she spat out. She pulled away from Gavin, walked over to the countertop and picked up the printed pages and tore them into strips, then returned to throw them at Gavin. “That’s what I think of your freakin’ prenup. And I don’t want to get married in the courthouse.” She turned her angry glare on Nicholas. “I want you to find a minister to marry me and Gavin here at the house. I don’t care how much you have to bribe him to perform the ceremony, just make certain he’s here Thursday evening.”

  Nicholas waited until Celia stalked out of the kitchen to look at Gavin. “Are you certain you want to get hooked up with my sister?”

  Gavin smiled. “I’ve seen her worse.”

  “And you still want to marry her?”

  Gavin sobered. “When you find yourself in love with a woman you learn to ignore a lot. She’s funny, sensitive, kind and generous. I know you don’t want to hear this being that you’re her brother. But, the girl is sexy as hell.”

  “If you say so,” Nicholas drawled. He leaned in closer to Gavin. “I know who you are and what you do.”

  Gavin pretended ignorance. “What are you talking about?”

  “I have a cousin who works in Langley who called his friend at Quantico. And I don’t want to know what you’re doing in North Carolina.”

  “And I’m not going to tell you,” Gavin shot back.

  “Whatever it is, I don’t want my sister in the line of fire. She’s been through enough this past year.”

  “Don’t worry about Celia. The marshals are ready to step in at a moment’s notice.” Nicholas offered his hand, but Gavin ignored it and gave Nicholas a rough hug. “Do you think you can find a minister for Thursday?”

  “Blackstone Farms has a resident ordained minister, who I’m certain would be happy to officiate. I’ll call Reverend Jimmy Merrell and ask him. Maybe we can have a little something afterward to celebrate the happy occasion. I’m warning you in advance, that the Coles expect you to repeat your vows New Year’s Eve.”

  “Why New Year’s Eve?” Gavin asked.

  “It’s become a family tradition, dating back to when my great-grandfather married my great-grandmother in Havana, Cuba, that we marry on the last day of the year.”

  “It sounds like a wonderful way to welcome in a new year.”

  “The Coles tend to get a little raucous, but it’s all in good fun.”

  Gavin smiled. He was looking forward to meeting Celia’s family, but he knew that wouldn’t happen until after he was reunited with his brother.

  Chapter 18

  Celia discovered two hours after Nicholas picked up Peyton Blackstone at Blackstone Farms that it wasn’t a date but a business meeting. The first hint should’ve been that Peyton looked nothing like the women Nicholas had dated, and the other was she referred to Nicholas as Mr. Thomas. She stood in the powder room with Peyton at a Staunton steakhouse, reapplying a coat of lipstick.

  A pair of large smoky-gray eyes met hers in the mirror. “You thought I was your brother’s date.”

  Celia capped her lipstick. “I did until I heard you call him Mr. Thomas.”

  The petite woman removed a comb from her purse, pulling it through thick, blunt-cut, honey-blond, shoulder-length hair. “I want a position as an assistant veterinarian, and coming on to Nicholas Cole-Thomas will definitely not endear me to him.”

  Celia picked at her curls. “You like him?”

  Peyton blushed. “What’s there not to like?”

  “I’m biased, so I’m not the one to answer truthfully.” She felt sorry for the newly licensed veterinarian. Over dinner she’d discovered Peyton had graduated from Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatchewan, Canada, lived at Blackstone Farms, but decided she wanted to establish a reputation as a veterinarian without using the Blackstone name.

  “Have you applied to any of the other farms
in the area?”

  “Yes, but with no luck. I’m willing to work as a vet tech, but everyone claims they can’t afford to add another employee to their payroll.”

  “Has Nicholas said he couldn’t pay you?” Peyton shook her head. “Why don’t you offer to volunteer? Nicholas would be crazy to turn down free medical care for his horses.” Celia barely had time to react when the veterinarian hugged her.

  “That’s an ingenious idea, Celia.” She blew her an air kiss. “Thank you.” Peyton cut a dance step, and then stopped when she saw Celia looking at her in amusement. “What are you thinking, Celia? That I’m some horny chick who wants to lure your brother into the sack and kill two birds with one stone.”

  “I’m not thinking anything, Peyton. I only know what I see.”

  “And, that is?”

  “You’re in love with my brother and you’re frustrated because he acts like you don’t exist.”

  The tears Peyton had suppressed from the time Nicholas arrived at Blackstone Farms with his sister and her fiancé fell. She’d asked Nicholas to have dinner with her to discuss employment possibilities and find out whether his indifference was real or imagined. She had her answer. It was real.

  Celia felt completely helpless as she watched Peyton cry. It reminded her of the time when she’d come home sobbing into her pillow because her first boyfriend had cheated on her and didn’t care if she knew it. There was no one to console her, or dry her tears. No one to tell her that the cheating SOB wasn’t worth her tears. But it was different with Peyton. Nicholas had related to her as if she were a stranger, a face in the crowd of millions.

  She took a step, pulling Peyton into a comforting embrace. “I’m not one for matchmaking, but I’m going to try to help you out. Gavin and I are getting married Thursday afternoon. Nicholas has agreed to be our witness, but I’m going to need an attendant. I’m going shopping tomorrow for a dress. Will you come with me?”

  Peyton sniffled, then reached for a tissue from a box on the countertop and dabbed her eyes. “You’d do that for me?”

  “I’ve been where you are, Peyton, crying my eyes out over a man. Only the man I shed tears over wasn’t worth the gum that was stuck on the sole of my shoe. Nicky’s different. He’s one of the good guys. I’ve never known him to mess over a woman.”

  “But why me, Celia?”

  “It’s not so much you, but for sisterhood. Now, clean your face so we can tell the men that you’ve agreed to be my maid of honor.”

  Gavin and Nicholas stood up when Celia and Peyton returned to the table. Nicholas pulled out the chair for Peyton, seating her. “Are you all right?” he asked, noticing her red puffy eyes.

  “I’m okay now.”

  Nicholas leaned closer. “What happened?”

  Peyton fluttered moist spiky lashes. “Celia asked if I would stand in as her maid of honor, and I got a little emotional.”

  Resting an arm over the back of Peyton’s chair, Nicholas winked at Celia. “If Peyton’s going to be your maid of honor, then I guess that’ll make me Gavin’s best man.”

  “Peyton and I are going shopping for gowns after Gavin and I pick up our licenses.”

  Gavin ran a finger around the rim of his wineglass. “Well, if the ladies are going to get all dressed up, then that means we men have to step up. Nicholas, do you happen to have a tailor on speed dial?”

  Reaching into the breast pocket of his jacket, Nicholas took out a cell phone. “As a matter of fact, I do.”

  Three pairs of eyes were fixed on Nicholas when he told his personal tailor what he needed on very short notice. He ended the call and smiled. “Brother Faulkner, we have an appointment at one. Will that give you and Celia enough time to pick up a license?”

  “We plan to get to the courthouse when it opens.”

  Nicholas smiled at Peyton under lowered lids. “Dr. Blackstone, now that we’re going to be hanging out together for the next few days I’d like you to call me Nicholas.”

  “I will if you stop calling me Dr. Blackstone.”

  Reaching for his wineglass, he touched it to Peyton’s. “Hello, Peyton. Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Nicholas.”

  Picking up her glass, she nodded demurely. “It’s nice meeting you, Nicholas.”

  “I know what you’re up to, m’ija,” Gavin whispered in Celia’s ear.

  “Silencio, m’ijo,” she whispered. Reaching under the table, Celia placed her hand on Gavin’s thigh. She heard him suck in a breath when her fingers inched closer to his groin.

  “Okay, baby, okay,” he gasped.

  Celia kissed his ear. “I thought you’d see it my way.”

  Celia stared up at Gavin as she repeated her vows. When she’d walked down the garden path at Cole-Thom Farms, she’d nearly lost her composure when she saw Gavin waiting under the arch of climbing roses, breathtakingly handsome in a tuxedo, pale pink silk tie and matching rose boutonniere.

  She’d tried on a number of gowns before selecting one that didn’t have to be altered. It was a platinum silk sheath with embroidered tulle, a sweetheart neckline, short cap sleeves, beading, sheer back and a sweep train. A stylist had blown out her curls, pinning them into an elaborate chignon on the nape of her neck. Tiny pink rose buds tucked into the coil of hair took the place of a veil. Peyton was ravishing in a similar gown in a darker gray that matched her large eyes.

  Nicholas had invited two neighboring farms, and the owners and their employees were already in a party mood because of the upcoming weekend open house festivities. The owner of Cole-Thom Farms sister’s wedding was an unexpected prelude to what was billed as an inexhaustible supply of food, drink and music.

  There was an exchange of rings, a kiss sealing their troth and then it was over. Rev. Merrill had pronounced them husband and wife to the thundering applause of nearly two hundred guests who showered the newlyweds with birdseed and flower blossoms.

  Nicholas had hired a party planner who’d performed a minor miracle when she had dozens of white tents erected in a pasture on the south end of the property. A caterer—with a staff of more than fifty—was on hand to take orders, keep the liquid refreshment flowing and serve cook-to-order meals. The DJ had something for everyone, and even before Celia walked the garden path, people were up on their feet dancing.

  Celia held the train to her gown in her left hand. Then she placed her right in Gavin’s as he led her to the portable stage for their first dance as husband and wife. She was surprised when she recognized Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is” coming from speakers. As she listened to the lyrics she suddenly realized the depth of Gavin’s love for her.

  She rested her head on his shoulder. “Please tell me I’m not dreaming, Gavin.”

  He tightened his hold around her waist. “Believe me, you’re not dreaming, baby girl. And I’m going to prove that to you tonight. We’ll have a wedding to remember.”

  “Does that mean I’m going to have two wedding nights?”

  Pulling back, Gavin gave her a look of confusion. “What are you talking about?”

  “We’re going to have to do this again for our families. I know my father is going to go off when he finds out that he wasn’t given the honor of giving his only daughter away in marriage. And I’m certain your mother isn’t going to take kindly when you unexpectedly present her with a daughter-in-law.”

  “My mother will love you. She’s been haunting me and my brother relentlessly about grandchildren.”

  “Is your brother seeing someone exclusively?”

  “I never know with Orlando. He’ll see someone for a while, and then when I ask about her he’ll pretend he doesn’t know who I’m talking about.”

  “He probably adheres to out of sight, out of mind.”

  “That sounds like my brother.”

  Gavin stared out over Celia’s head. There wasn’t a day since he’d been called into the meeting—what now seemed so long ago—that he hadn’t thought about Orlando. The fact that there was a contract out on his
life frightened Gavin.

  He and Orlando seldom discussed their undercover assignments, preferring instead to talk about sports and politics. And as long as he hadn’t known what his brother was involved with or in, Gavin was able to make it through the day without the added burden of worrying about Orlando. He never asked his mother if she’d heard from her younger son because Malvina refused to broach the subject. It was as if she feared the worst, or she was waiting for agents to come to her door with the news that either one or both of her sons had sacrificed their lives serving their country.

  “When am I going to meet your mother and brother?”

  Celia was asking questions he wasn’t able to answer truthfully. “I’m not certain about my brother, but I’ll introduce you to my mother before the end of the summer.”

  “Is she retired?”

  “Yes. She retired earlier this year. She still has another year before she turns sixty-five, but she claims she’s burned out. I didn’t have the heart to tell her she was burned out twenty years ago, but Malvina Faulkner is one of those unrealistic social workers who believes she could change the world one client at a time.”

  “She’s probably more idealistic than unrealistic, Gavin.”

  “Same difference,” he drawled.

  Gavin felt a tap on his back. He spun Celia around to find Nicholas grinning at him. “I guess you want to dance with your sister?” He released Celia’s hand, bowed elegantly from the waist and extended his hand to Peyton Blackstone.

  Celia gave her brother a tender smile. She admired his close-cropped hair. He and Gavin had gone to a unisex salon where they had haircuts, facials and professional shaves. “I can’t believe you pulled this off with only two days’ notice.”

  “I hadn’t planned to host an open house this year, but you marrying Gavin gave me the perfect excuse to usurp the other breeders. With the exception of Sheldon Blackstone, the other owners consider me a brash upstart with an overblown ego.”

  “Why are they hatin’, Nicky?”

  Nicholas’s expression became a mask of stone. “It’s probably because they had to start from scratch to get to where they are today. I’d heard talk that I’d outbid someone for the property, so their plan was to gang up on the new guy in town. Then when I brought the Arabian stallion all hell broke loose, and there were rumors that someone was going to steal El Hajji. That’s when I hired added security, because I was negotiating the sale of an Arabian mare. This is private property, and if anyone attempts to trespass, then I’m not responsible for what happens to them.”