Make it Rain (The Montclair Brothers)

by Terri Marie

  Make It Rain

  The Montclair Brothers

  Book1

  By Terri Marie

  Copyright © 2013 by Terri Marie

  This novel is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real people, dead or alive, is strictly a matter of coincidence. Places and events depicted in these pages are from the author’s imagination.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher.

  Published by Gossamer Publishing, LLC

  Author contact:

  Terri Marie

  PO Box 972309

  Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197

  Cover art by:

  StanzAloneDesign

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  From the Author

  BOOKS BY TERRI MARIE:

  Where to find me

  Dedication

  This Series is dedicated to my Beauties,

  with love.

  A Special Thank you:

  To my amazing editor, Angelique Luzader, you are my partner in crime, my sanity at crunch time, and an invaluable part of my journey.

  I love you!!

  Chapter 1

  (Thirty-four years ago)

  The first woman Sebastian Montclair had ever indulged in was Natalie Griffin. The night began with music and dancing in Castle Lake, Michigan, during the town's Fourth of July party. She was pretty in a simple way, and he was tall with a seductive smile, but it was the alcohol that helped to lower any inhibitions.

  Sebastian didn't start out the evening looking for a woman, especially one in the lower class. He was from old money, while Natalie's family struggled to make ends meet. The two were complete opposites, and Sebastian knew his parents would pick out his future bride when the time came, so meeting a woman without prior approval never crossed his mind.

  He spotted Natalie standing by herself next to an empty table. She was the only girl who wasn't dancing. Sebastian watched her pick up and pour abandoned glasses of scotch down her throat, the same thing he'd been doing since the party started. He walked over, gently took her hand, and escorted her to the dance floor. Sebastian held her close so she wouldn't stumble and alert her parents to her intoxicated state. Natalie's scent, the way the worn, white dress clung to her curves, her dark hair, which felt like silk against his cheek, and her milky blue eyes, immediately aroused him.

  Neither of them expected the swaying to end up in a reckless, awkward, romp in the woods. As the guests laughed and celebrated, Sebastian and Natalie lost their virginity. A couple of minutes later, they scrambled to collect their clothes and rejoin the festivities before they were missed.

  Garrett and Florence Montclair wouldn't have approved of young Natalie Griffin, and Sebastian was well aware of this. He'd been preached at many times about finding a worthy woman, but he wasn't thinking about that at all when Natalie willingly disappeared into the trees with him. After all, Sebastian wasn't looking for a relationship and his parents weren't in sight.

  When the night ended, Sebastian smiled at Natalie from across the makeshift dance floor, knowing he'd probably never see her again. Not that he cared. He was a man now, and Garrett and Florence Montclair didn't have any say in what they didn't know. Besides, fighting with his controlling parents was exhausting. He could only imagine how upset they'd be if they knew about his indiscretion with the young Griffin girl.

  Sebastian wasn't allowed to go to the poor side of Castle Lake where Natalie had told him she lived. It angered him that his parents cared more about what other people thought then they did about what their only child wanted, and what he was interested in was finding more women where his parents didn't mingle. Once a year they threw these parties at the Montclair Estate and invited the underprivileged families for free food and booze; which was the only reason he came in contact with Natalie. His parents told everyone it was their charity work, but Sebastian knew their only motive was to show off.

  As fall rolled around, his parents sent him off to Harvard to pursue a medical degree. Sebastian moved into a small apartment, leaving Castle Lake, and his memories of Natalie, far behind. For the first time in his life, he could do whatever he wanted. Sebastian was quickly making new friends, and his favorite, by far, was Angelique Barns. She had long blonde hair, a smile which could light up a room, and was beautiful both inside and out. It didn't take long for the two of them to begin a wonderful courtship. She was shy and conservative, quick witted, and she rejected every one of Sebastian's attempts at seducing her into his bed. Angelique let him know, in no uncertain terms, that she was waiting for marriage.

  A letter arrived one afternoon, after Sebastian's lunch break. Just as he was getting ready to walk out the door, he decided to stop and open the envelope. Inside was a simple message: "Call me at the sheriff's office this Sunday at noon." It was signed by Mrs. Griffin, Natalie's mother. What does she want from me?

  Sebastian thought about disregarding the message, but his curiosity got the best of him. At the designated time on Sunday, he went to the campus office and dialed the number. An officer answered and abruptly handed Natalie's mother the phone, which made plenty of static noise in Sebastian's ear. It irritated him.

  "Is this Sebastian Montclair?" she asked.

  "I don't understand why you went to the sheriff's office to phone me. Are you in some kind of trouble, Mrs. Griffin? I can assure you, you're wasting your time." Sebastian had no tolerance for anyone who took time out of his busy schedule, especially someone he didn't even know.

  "You've impregnated my daughter. You'll marry her, or I'll ruin the Montclair name with rumors of rape. Are you understanding me, Sebastian?" Mrs. Griffin spoke calmly, as if she were discussing a play.

  "Certainly she'd rather marry someone she loves. We were both drunk and…it just happened." Sebastian's face went white. There was no way his parents would allow him to disgrace the family. "I'm in love with someone else. Surely you can—" His pleading was interrupted,

  "You are to marry her in a private ceremony in one week. That gives you plenty of time to arrange your travels. She'll be coming with you when you return to Cambridge. We're not rich like you, so we don't have telephones. Don't bother trying to call me to change my mind. This marriage is not up for discussion." Mrs. Griffin was just now starting to raise her voice. Her disdain was evident.

  "My mother and father are not going to agree to this union. They'll put a stop to it, I can assure you." The rich comment stuck in his head and he cringed. "Is it money you want?" Sebastian couldn't believe what Mrs. Griffin was forcing him into. If he married Natalie his life would be ruined.

  "One week, Sebastian, or I'll go to the press!" Mrs. Griffin yelled, despite her surroundings.

  Sebastian listened as the loud click echoed in his hea
d. He sat down on the wooden chair by the door and wiped the sweat from his face. Because his father was a distant man, and his mother was overly formal, there wouldn't be a chance of talking this out. They'd be appalled, force him to marry the girl to save face, and then have nothing else to do with him.

  Sebastian respected his parents out of duty, but there was never any affection under the Montclair roof. Although he wasn't shown love from them, he knew what it was, and he didn't love Natalie, nor did he have any desire to make her his wife. The repercussions for not making an honest woman out of her, and for getting her pregnant in the first place, would be huge. Sebastian wasn't sure if he could handle them. Garrett and Florence Montclair would instantly pull their financial support from underneath him as punishment, and any chance at becoming a doctor would be gone. I'll marry her, and they'll never know, thought Sebastian as relief flowed through him.

  He sent a letter to Mrs. Griffin along with money for a train ticket to Cambridge for Natalie. He'd marry the girl and stay far away from Castle Lake until this situation was taken care of. When Sebastian's education was finished, he'd figure out how to end the marriage without his parents or their friends finding out. He'd yet to speak with Natalie to find out what she thought of this whole mess. Maybe she'll agree to a divorce if I promise to provide for her and the child. Sebastian smiled at his quick thinking.

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  The wedding took place in front of a judge, with two strangers standing in as witnesses. Natalie was a little more plump than he remembered, but still pretty. When Sebastian put the small, gold-plated band on her finger, his mind was completely on Angelique. When they were pronounced husband and wife, Natalie smiled widely, but Sebastian walked out of the court house feeling nothing but anger and dread.

  As the weeks flew by and her stomach grew, so did Sebastian's resentment. Natalie was a good wife, but he didn't love her. She kept the apartment clean, cooked for him and did his laundry, but they didn't speak other than simple acknowledgements. She didn't seem bitter about the marriage, just the opposite. Natalie was more than happy to be Sebastian's wife, and she'd said so numerous times, even to the point of flirting with him. Though she slept next to Sebastian in the bed, the only one available in the small apartment, he made sure to keep his distance.

  Sebastian was still tempted by Angelique on a daily basis, and he was completely in love with her. He couldn't bring himself to tell her he was a married man and was going to be a father. He knew the moment he told her, she'd disappear, and his heart would be forever broken.

  As the months went by, Sebastian had planned on avoiding the local hospital where Angelique worked, and have Natalie give birth at a facility farther away. His plan fell to pieces one Sunday, when he drove up to the hospital in Cambridge and escorted a hunched over Natalie through the front doors.

  "Two weeks early!" he angrily recited, and he didn't give a damn who heard him.

  She was quickly rolled away to the delivery room and Sebastian began to pace the floor. A baby boy was born nearly twelve hours later, and instead of rejoicing, Sebastian was overflowing with fear. Just as he was told he could visit his newborn and wife, he slowly turned around to go to Natalie's room. Sebastian was full of despair. His world completely shattered when, three feet behind him, stood Angelique in her work uniform. The anger and hurt in her eyes spoke volumes. His guilt and shame were equally as loud. Before he could tell her how sorry he was, explain the forced marriage, and profess his love to her, she stormed off.

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Tyler Sebastian Montclair was the smallest thing the young father had ever held in his arms. Sebastian cradled Tyler the way the nurse demonstrated, but he remained fearful of hurting the infant. The long labor had tired Natalie, so he was handed his son frequently after feedings. Over the next couple of days, Sebastian was able to quiet the child on his own, and when Tyler's tiny hand grabbed hold of his finger, the greatest love he'd ever known flowed through him. How his own parents were able to be so cold toward their child was baffling. If anything, Sebastian found himself overjoyed at the thought of having more children; a family of his own.

  After Angelique stormed out of the hospital, she left Harvard without a word to Sebastian. He was quite sad and sulked for weeks, but eventually he realized it was for the best. As his love grew for his son, and Angelique remained out of sight, Sebastian was certain he'd be able to keep her out of his mind and focus on having children with his wife; he wanted a large family. No distractions, he reassured himself, confident in his ability to stay focused on his future.

  As the months passed, Sebastian was relieved that Natalie was a good mother, and she continued to be an obedient wife. She never complained or asked him for anything, other than money for the baby and household supplies. He complimented her for being frugal, taking care of his son so well, and not bothering him so he could study.

  The only breaks Sebastian took from his studies were to play with the baby. Despite the poor examples Garrett and Florence had provided for him, he decided he was, and would continue to be, a good father. Like normal, his parents wouldn't speak to him for weeks at a time, and then, only about trivial matters. The calls would literally last about three minutes, which was just fine with Sebastian. At least their decision to stay so distant, also kept them far removed from his secret life.

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Three months after Tyler was born, Sebastian listened as Natalie read a letter from the Sheriff of Castle Lake, regarding the death of her parents. After leaving the church to drive home in a blizzard, their car went off a cliff. Sebastian knew the area well and could just picture their old car being tossed into Lake Superior like a toy. When Natalie broke down in sobs, she threw herself at him, so he opened his arms to her. He knew she had no one left but him and their son. He felt a pull on his heartstrings and sympathy for his grieving wife. Maybe he could learn to love her after all.

  Sebastian provided a proper burial for the Griffins by using money he'd saved from his allowance. He'd made sure to quickly escape Castle Lake right after the small gathering, without being noticed. The people who came to the funeral were folks who lived in the little white houses, people who didn't associate with the Montclairs. He had grown a small beard, wore glasses now, and looked nothing like the young man who appeared at Montclair parties in his earlier years. To be safe, he asked Natalie not to introduce him in any way, to anyone, and she complied without complaint. Sebastian had hired a nurse to care for the baby until they returned from Castle Lake.

  On the way back to Cambridge, in a very sad voice, Natalie told Sebastian how she knew that her mother had trapped him into marrying her.

  "My parents are dead Sebastian. They can no longer threaten you. If you'd like a divorce, I'll agree. I don't want to be married to a man who doesn't want me."

  Sebastian thought about her offer, but he couldn't stomach the thought of his son being raised without a father. Besides, he couldn't ask for a better mother for Tyler than Natalie. They'd stay together, he'd said, and grow their family.

  That night, Sebastian curled up with his wife and pulled her to him. It wasn't a foreign gesture, as he would also lay close to her when he had to have his needs met. But on this night, right after the funeral for her parents, Sebastian knew he had to lift her mood and calm her. He knew that Natalie could only be a good mother if she stayed content.

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  When Tyler was three, Natalie gave birth to twin boys; Jacob Ryan and Sean William. The apartment was no longer big enough since there were now five of them. Sebastian would have to get a job while he finished up his education. Asking his parents for extra money would do nothing but raise their curiosity, and besides, he hadn't bothered to visit them since he left, nor had he been invited. They had no idea they had a daughter-in-law and three grandsons; just the way Sebastian wanted it. Garrett and Florence were incapable of loving a child, let alone a woman from the poor side of Castle Lake.

  There was a small d
rug manufacturing company nearby, which Sebastian applied to, and he was hired on the spot after the quick interview. He found himself fascinated by the process of developing and making medicines available that could help people. He went to the administration office at Harvard, and geared his studies toward pharmacology and chemistry, and soon rose up through the ranks in the company.

  After a year of practicing no birth control, Natalie gave birth to another baby boy, Vincent Kyle. This delivery went poorly, and instead of a natural birth, the baby was delivered by cesarean section. Her physician hurried to the lobby, informing Sebastian that the bleeding and complications left him no option. He'd have to give Natalie a complete hysterectomy. She was hospitalized for two weeks, and Sebastian had to hire a sitter through an agency to care for his other sons.

  When the sitter arrived, Sebastian watched as she walked up to the doorstep of the new modest home they'd moved into. When she lifted her head to ring the bell, he saw her face…her beautiful, beautiful face. Angelique stared at him with a shocked look on her face when he flung open the door. After all these years of forcing himself to close off all thoughts of her, they came rushing back to him like a tidal wave.

  Chapter 2

  After Angelique walked out on her shift that fateful day at the university hospital in Cambridge, they fired her, and she knew they wouldn't hire her back. She didn't even bother to explain the situation to her boss, nor did she want to speak the horrible truth of what happened. Discovering Sebastian was married, and had just had a child, crushed her in a way that she'd never experienced. She wanted to curl up in her bed and never move again, but she had to immediately look for another job. The only other hospital was in Manchester, over sixty miles away, which wasn't an option. She quickly found work as a secretary, but sitting behind a desk and clicking away at a typewriter wasn't making her happy. Angelique continued to miss her old job. She loved working on the wards, especially when she got to work with children. She'd been studying to become a teacher before she'd dropped out of Harvard. Once she exhausted her efforts to find the kind of work she wanted to do, and was ready to give up, she saw an advertisement from an agency that wanted women to sign up to be nannies. Thankfully, they hired her.