The Wanted Bride (A Contemporary Romance)

by Sylvia McDaniel

  And Yanuk jeans were not cheap.

  So, why had she decided to stay? And why had she arrived on the bus? She appeared more the BMW convertible type than someone who used public transportation.

  Fran stopped at his table. “Why aren’t you in the big city defending some criminal?”

  “I’m not a criminal lawyer. And I don’t have to travel to Denver until next week,” Matt responded.

  “Well, aren’t I just lucky that you came by then?”

  “Yep, I see your rot-gut food didn’t kill our out-of-town guest.” He watched Valerie carrying plates of food. “So what made you decide to hire her?”

  “I needed a waitress and she needed a job. Simple case of supply and demand.”

  “She doesn’t look like the kind of woman who works as a waitress,” he commented, staring as she moved efficiently through the restaurant, her arms loaded with dirty dishes.

  “Even city girls have to eat.”

  “I thought she was headed out of town,” he asked, trying to understand what had happened between the time Valerie fainted and when he left the café.

  “She changed her mind,” Fran responded. “A woman has that right.”

  “It just seems odd. She gets off the bus, faints, and now she’s working in your café.”

  “Leave it alone, Jordan. I’ve got a new employee.”

  Matt couldn’t get enough of the young woman. God, she was nice to look at. Her full lips and high cheekbones were model worthy. His gaze swept down past her neck to her high breasts, and a stirring he’d ignored for the past year sprang to life.

  “Matthew Jordan, don’t ogle my hired help. It’s not polite,” Fran reminded him.

  He smiled at the lady he’d grown fond of. “It may not be polite, but she’s a damn pretty sight.”

  “That she is, and I’m a mite protective of her. She doesn’t seem to have anyone looking after her.” Fran crossed her arms over her chest and stared down at him. “Back off. I think she’s a little fragile right now.”

  “If that’s fragile, I’d hate to see her at full strength.”

  “Some people can hide their emotions well.”

  “What makes you think she’s fragile?” he questioned, wondering if that was the reason she’d fainted.

  “Woman’s intuition, I guess. She almost seems afraid.”

  He gazed at the young woman carrying a plate to a customer and sighed. “I can only handle one emotional woman at a time.”

  “Speaking of McKenzie, have you spoken to her today?”

  “Briefly. Austin’s sick. I’m on my way over there to stay with Ashley while McKenzie takes Austin to the doctor.”

  “Did she tell you about—”

  “Fran, I need you in the kitchen!” the cook yelled from the back.

  The waitress dropped her arms and spun towards the kitchen. “Gotta run.”

  As Fran hurried away, Matt watched the new pretty waitress. Valerie Brown’s looks had his male hormones spiking his libido into overdrive. Yesterday in his arms she’d felt soft and vulnerable. Yet today she appeared determined to tackle the world and any hungry customer who ventured in the Mountain Chalet Café.

  Why Fran thought Valerie was fragile, he didn’t know, but he didn’t have the time to investigate. The welfare of his sister, niece, and nephew were his top priority.

  Chapter Three

  Matt opened the door to his sister’s house, and Mrs. Graham, her neighbor, held a finger to her mouth. “Ashley’s asleep in the playpen.”

  “Where’s McKenzie?”

  “The doctor’s office called and said they had a cancellation, so she left earlier than expected.”

  “She should have called me. I could have come immediately.”

  The elderly woman smiled. “I was here when they called, so I told her I would stay with Ashley until you arrived. It’s been less than an hour ago. I expect her back anytime now.”

  “Thanks, Mrs. Graham, I can take it from here.”

  “Yes, I should be going. If you need me, I’m right across the road.”

  “Be careful walking home.”

  “Bye, dear.”

  Matt watched her leave and then sank down into a chair. He hated just sitting. He checked Ashley, who lay curled on her side, sleeping, unaware that her Mommy had left.

  Every time one of the kids got the sniffles, Matt worried. What if Austin was coming down with something serious? He’d promised his brother-in-law, John, he would protect McKenzie and their family. And though his promise seemed easy at the time of John’s death, Matt worried about McKenzie and the children.

  His sister was a strong, vibrant, tough woman. But sometimes the sadness etched on her face left him aching for her. She missed John.

  In the few short years they were married, John had made McKenzie happy, and for the first time since their parents’ messy divorce, Matt began to believe in marriage once again.

  Watching the love between John and McKenzie had made him realize the depths of his own loneliness and for the first time reconsider bachelorhood.

  Now when he was ready to experience for himself a loving relationship, it wasn’t forthcoming. There wasn’t even a blip on his radar of finding someone to share his life with. He had the time, the money, and he hoped the skills needed to provide his wife a good home. But no matter how much he searched for the perfect woman, she was as elusive as an insurance company admitting guilt.

  Unable to sit any longer, he tucked the blanket around Ashley and ran his hand over her smooth skin. She looked so sweet and innocent, and he loved both of the twins more than he thought possible. He grabbed the baby monitor. He’d feed the horses and make sure they had plenty of water while Ashley slept. If she awoke, he could hear her on the radio.

  Safely tucked in her crib, Ashley would be all right until he returned.

  #

  After a long day at the café, Valerie wanted nothing more than to return to the house, peel off her clothes, and crawl into bed. She had a new appreciation for working women and longed to soak in a hot tub. But before she could reach the door, the sound of a child’s cries echoed from the house.

  She swung open the back door and ran through the mudroom only to find Ashley standing in the playpen, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her cries were loud enough to wake the dead two counties over. Valerie hurried to the crib. Why hadn’t McKenzie responded to the child’s tears?

  “Hey, sweetheart, what’s wrong?” she asked as Ashley sobbed. No one responded to Valerie’s voice, and Ashley continued to exercise her lungs.

  Why is the baby alone?

  “McKenzie?”

  Silence greeted her. Valerie reached into the playpen to pick Ashley up to comfort her and encountered one of the child’s problems. The toddler was soaked.

  “Baby, I’d cry, too. Come on, I’ll change you, and we’ll go find your mommy.”

  She lifted Ashley out of the crib and carried the baby upstairs to the nursery, where she placed her on the changing table. Though she’d never been around children much, she knew enough to change a diaper. The toddler’s cries slowed, though small hiccups emitted from her.

  “Momma?” she asked.

  “We’ll find her,” Valerie promised, trying to soothe Ashley’s fears. One wrong move and the child’s lungs and Valerie’s ears would get another workout.

  Quickly, she removed the soaked diaper, swiped Ashley with a wipe, powdered her, and put on a fresh diaper. Curiosity darkened the depths of the baby’s big blue eyes.

  “Now you’re all set. Let’s go find your mommy. She can’t be far.”

  The back door opened, and a loud male voice cursed. “Ashley!”

  Valerie stepped to the nursery door at the top of the stairs to see Matt frantically searching the living room. “Mr. Jordan?”

  He gazed up at her, an odd expression on his face. “What are you doing with Ashley?”

  Valerie walked down the stairs. “She was crying, so I changed her.”

  Ash
ley held out her arms to him, and he took the baby from Valerie. “What are you doing here?”

  “Maybe I should ask you the same question. What are you doing here?” she asked, trying to keep the defensive tone from her voice. She was dead-dog tired, and here was the one man she wanted to avoid at all costs.

  “This is my sister’s home and I’m babysitting.”

  “McKenzie is your sister?” she asked, shocked.

  “Yes.”

  “And you left your niece alone?”

  “I was gone five minutes to the barn to feed McKenzie’s horses and make sure everything was okay while Ashley slept. I took the baby monitor.”

  “Did you turn it on?” she questioned, her voice stern.

  He glanced at the monitor in his hands. “Ah, let me see.” He hit the switch and they could hear the sound of their breathing on the device in his hand.

  “It’s useless without power,” Valerie said, her voice echoing in the radio.

  “Well, I meant to,” he responded, his gaze flickering to the child. “Why are you here?”

  Valerie gazed at the big man holding Ashley and bouncing the child in his arms.

  “McKenzie didn’t tell you?” Valerie asked.

  “Tell me what?”

  “I’m her new roommate.”

  His forehead creased in a frown, and his brows drew together. For a moment he didn’t say anything. “She would have told me if she had let you move in.”

  “It was late last night.”

  “She would have said something today.”

  “Well, where is she? Why don’t you ask her why she didn’t tell you I was living with her now.

  “She had to take Austin to the doctor.”

  “Obviously, she had more important things on her mind than telling you I had moved in.”

  He glanced at her empty hands. “How long have you been here?”

  “Long enough to change the baby’s diaper and steal McKenzie’s jewels,” Valerie all but snapped.

  “I didn’t accuse you.”

  “You didn’t have to. I could see what you were thinking. The trashy waitress is going to steal your sister blind.” She clenched her jaw to hold back the retort she so wanted to fling at him. She had enough money in her trust fund to take care of anything she needed. But he’d never believe her. “You’re holding her most prized possession!”

  “That’s not what I was thinking! I was concerned about my niece,” he said, his voice rising.

  “Check out the guest room. You’ll find I’ve moved in.”Valerie was too tired. Her feet hurt, her back ached, and she felt numb from the week’s events. Her nerves were stretched, screaming for release, and another lawyer was giving her crap. Screaming might just be the release she needed if he didn’t back off.

  “Again, I didn’t say anything about you stealing. You’re the one who brought up the subject. It surprised me to find a stranger in McKenzie’s home holding her child.”

  Valerie strode to Matt and poked him in the chest with her finger. “No one should go off and leave a baby alone, even when she’s asleep. You should be a little more responsible.”

  “I…I was gone for five minutes,” he said defensively. “I went to the barn to take care of her horses. I was trying to help.”

  “Well, in less than five minutes Ashley woke up and was crying. What if the house had caught on fire?”

  For a moment he stared at her as if she were a green goblin. Ashley pushed against his chest, wanting down. He set her on the floor, and when he stood, Valerie could see the wheels in his brain turning from the expression on his face.

  “Wait a minute. You’ve switched the conversation. You tell me you’re living here, yet McKenzie hasn’t confirmed that information. I don’t know who the hell you are.”

  “Watch your language, Mr. Hotshot Attorney. There’s a child present,” Valerie said quietly, her voice calm.

  All attorneys should be loaded into a boat and dumped in the ocean. They were all jerks! Even her father, and most especially Carter.

  Ashley stared at the adults, her face screwed up, and she began to wail.

  “Now you’ve done it. You made her cry,” Valerie said. She leaned down and picked the child up and sank into a nearby rocker, where she soothed the toddler.

  “There, there, baby, its okay,” she said patting her back.

  Matt opened his mouth to speak but only stared at her, frustration evident in his posture. God, it felt good to make an attorney speechless. Even if he was the wrong one.

  A car pulled into the driveway and saved her from his response. “McKenzie’s here, and she can confirm that I now occupy the upstairs bedroom her mother-in-law once occupied. Should I tell her how you left Ashley alone?”

  “No! Don’t give her anything else to worry about. She’s got enough to deal with,” he said, his voice stern.

  Well, she’d certainly found a subject the lawyer was touchy about. Ashley snuggled in close as Valerie rocked her, her sweet baby smell oddly soothing.

  McKenzie struggled through the door, her arms loaded with a sleeping Austin. She glanced around the room. “Hi. I see you two have met.”

  Ashley squealed with delight at the sight of her mother. She hoped off Valerie’s lap to run to McKenzie. “Just a minute, baby. Let me get your brother in bed. Go see Uncle Matt.”

  The little girl glanced at her uncle and proceeded to climb onto Valerie’s lap.

  “Hey, I’m the uncle,” he exclaimed to Ashley, who turned and buried her head against Valerie’s chest, ignoring him.

  McKenzie hurried up the stairs with Austin.

  Matt moved across the room and rested his arm against the fireplace mantel, tension evident in the way he stood. Valerie ignored him as she rocked and crooned to Ashley. A grandfather clock ticked the seconds like a time bomb echoing in the room. A time bomb with Valerie as the fuse.

  Ten minutes later a tired, worried-looking McKenzie came downstairs, obviously not needing a confrontation.

  “Anyone want a cup of tea?” she asked, walking into the kitchen, where she filled a kettle with water.

  “No. How’s Austin?” Matt asked, his voice sharp.

  “He has an ear infection. But the doctor said we caught it early.”

  “Poor little guy,” Matt replied. “How can I help you?”

  McKenzie glanced between the two of them, sensing the obvious strain. “Staying with Ashley was a huge relief. She would have been a handful in the waiting room.”

  He tilted his head toward Valerie, and his forehead drew into a frown. “Did you rent a bedroom to her?”

  “Yes,” she responded nonchalantly as she placed the kettle on the stove.

  Matt strode over to his sister and said quietly, “I told you I would help you. If you need money, let me know.”

  McKenzie sighed and gazed at her brother. “Thank you for the offer, but I can’t spend the rest of my life depending on you.”

  Appearing to dismiss him, she turned to the cabinet and pulled out cups and bags of tea.

  “But you know nothing about her. You could be putting yourself or the kids in danger,” he said, his voice barely a whisper.

  “This is why I hadn’t told you,” McKenzie said.

  Valerie wanted to throw something at the attorney. She snapped, “Yeah, I’m definitely the criminal type. I wear Jimmy Choo shoes, have a Rolex watch, used to drive a Corvette—”

  He whirled around to face Valerie, frustration evident on his handsome face. “You said the key phrase there. Used to. So what happened? Too much cocaine, or did you spend all of Daddy’s money and now you’re on the run?”

  Valerie bit back the response she wanted to shout at him. For the first time in her life, words slapped her with the truth. Oh, she’d never done drugs, but Daddy’s money had always supported her. And now she was on the run, but that didn’t make her a criminal did it? Well…technically…

  “Look, your sister needs help, and I needed a place to stay. We worked out a dea
l. I could never hurt or harm anyone intentionally.”

  Yet she had hurt her fiancé or at least his prized possession. But he’d deserved what she’d done. Now…well, maybe it hadn’t been her most rational moment. A simple case of temporary insanity brought on by extreme emotional distress. A simple case of temporary insanity brought on by a cheating groom and her best friend.

  Matt stared at her as if he were looking deep in her soul, and while normally she would have met his gaze head-on, she somehow felt a little ashamed of her actions. She didn’t regret them, but most definitely she’d missed the high road and taken the revenge bypass. Sooner or later she would have to confront her actions, but not yet. She needed time to gain some perspective and to let her wounds heal before dealing with Carter.

  “Matt, we’ll be fine. You have no reason to worry,” McKenzie said to her brother. “You’ve helped me more in the last year than any sister has the right to expect.”

  He ignored McKenzie, his eyes riveted on Valerie. “Tell me why you decided to stay in Springtown when I overheard you say in the café last night that you were headed to Denver.”

  She returned his stare. “Simple. Snow. Last night you said it yourself—the weather was going to get bad. It did and I stayed.”

  “It’s okay, Matt,” McKenzie repeated to her brother, this time a little stronger.

  “The storm has passed, and yet here you are working in the café. Why?”

  “The storm passed and I liked this town so much I decided to just hang out for a while.”

  His emerald gaze pierced her for a few moments, silently contemplating her. Giving her probably one of his best lawyer faces, only he didn’t realize she was immune to the authoritative expressions. Immune to the prosecution and the defense manipulation of her emotions. They no longer fazed her, as she’d grown up with them.

  “You’re lying. I don’t know why, but I’m not buying your answers.”

  “Maybe. Maybe not,” she admitted, refusing to back down, not offering any additional information. It was none of his business, and indifference had always driven her daddy crazy.