His Brother's Bride-To-Be

For the rest of the uneventful flight, Stephen thought about Elliott and how much he owed him. Stephen had been only five years old when his parents—his and Elliott’s mother, Felicia, and her second husband, Stephen Alexander Wells, for whom Stephen had been named—had been killed in an automobile accident while on vacation in England where they’d been visiting friends. Elliott and Adele had taken Stephen in, and made him feel loved and secure.

Caroline had even been happy; she’d been six, and although she was spoiled, she liked having Stephen to boss around and play with. It had only been later, when she decided her father was spending too much time with Stephen, that he might even prefer Stephen over her, that she’d become so possessive and contentious.

Most of the time, Stephen ignored her. He let her comments roll right off him. Sticks and stones, he’d told himself. Besides, going into battle with her would only have upset Elliott and wouldn’t have changed a thing.

But today, thinking about the past twenty-eight years, Stephen made a vow. If he saw that this new intended wife of Elliott’s was the real deal and that his brother was truly happy, he would do everything possible to make sure Caroline didn’t spoil things. If, on the other hand, Caroline was right and the fiancée really was a gold digger, then he might have to join forces with Caroline to drive the woman off.

It was almost four-thirty before he landed, a half hour later than he’d hoped to arrive. Torn between going to his house first so he could have a quick shower and a change of clothes before dinner, and seeing Elliott first, he decided he’d go home and simply give Elliott a call telling him he was there.

“Stephen!” Elliott said. “I thought you weren’t coming back till tomorrow.”

“I finished up early.” Stephen gave his brother a quick rundown on his trip, then said, “Caroline told me your news.”

“I’m sure she did.” Then Elliott’s voice lightened. “I can’t wait for you to meet Jill. Were you planning to come out for dinner?”

“If you want me.” Jill. So that’s her name.

“Of course I want you. Bring Emily, too.” Stephen had been dating Emily Lindstrom, who owned a dance studio in High Creek, for the past year.

“Emily’s still in Sweden. She won’t be back until Saturday afternoon.”

“If she’s not too tired, bring her out Saturday night, then. I thought I’d have a small party to introduce Jill to our friends.”

“Okay. What time do you want me tonight?”

“Dinner’s at eight. But come to the house early. We’ll have drinks and talk.”

“I’m looking forward to it. I have to admit, I was surprised about your engagement. You’re a sly fox. You never said a word.”

“I know. I’m sorry. But I…Well, I wasn’t sure about Jill and I wanted to wait until I was.”

“Oh?” So Elliott had his own doubts about the woman. That doesn’t sound good.

“No, it’s not what you think. I was always sure about my feelings for her. What I wasn’t sure about were hers for me. And I didn’t want anyone feeling sorry for me if she said no when I asked her to marry me.”

“I see.”

“Listen, when you meet her, you’ll understand.” His voice softened. “She’s wonderful, Stephen. I keep pinching myself. I still can’t believe she loves me.”

She’d better love you. She’d better not be the kind of woman Caroline thinks she is. “Tell me about her. How’d you meet her? And when?”

“It was on a trip to Austin in January. I—” Abruptly, he broke off. “What are you doing now?”

“I was thinking about taking a shower.”

“How about if I take a run into town? I’d rather talk to you in person.”

“Sounds good.”

Stephen took a quick shower and by the time he’d changed into khakis and a dark blue shirt, Elliott had arrived. The brothers hugged—something they did whether they’d been apart months or just days.

“Want a beer?” Stephen asked, heading for his small kitchen.

“Sure.” Elliott sat on one end of the black leather sectional sofa that took up the major part of Stephen’s living room.

Rejoining him a few seconds later, Stephen handed him a cold Dos Equis and sat across from him. “Now, tell me all about her.”

Elliott’s smile lit his entire face. “She’s special, Stephen. Really special. You’ll see. The moment I set eyes on her, I knew it.”

It gave Stephen pause to see how happy his brother looked. He hadn’t looked this happy since before Adele got sick. Jesus, he would kill this Jill if she hurt Elliott.

Stephen listened quietly as Elliott told him how he’d been walking from his hotel to a nearby restaurant during one of his business trips to Austin and how he’d spied this watercolor painting in the window of a gallery and how it had immediately caught his eye. “You know, the one I gave Caroline for her birthday. The mission.”

Stephen nodded. He did remember. He’d really liked the painting himself.

“It’s Jill’s painting,” Elliott said proudly. “When I went into the gallery to inquire about it, she was working there. She sold it to me.”

“So she’s an artist?”

“Among other things. She also teaches art at several elementary schools—well, she did. She gave her notice last week. She’s really talented.”

For some reason, that information made Stephen feel better about the unknown Jill. Although he knew a teacher could be just as devious as anyone else, at least she’d been working in a respectable profession.

“Anyway, she’s wonderful. I never believed in love at first sight, but that’s exactly what happened.” Elliott smiled sheepishly. “You probably think it’s ridiculous…a man of my age acting like a lovesick kid.”

“Of course it’s not ridiculous. And what do you mean, a man of my age? Hell, you’re in the prime of your life, Elliott.”

Elliott hesitated. “She’s a lot younger than I am.” His voice turned defensive. “She’s only thirty.”

“I know.”

“You do?”

“Caroline also told me that.”

Elliott’s expression changed. He sighed. “Caroline.”

“She’s not happy.”

“I know she’s not, but she’ll have to get over it,” Elliott said firmly. “Because Jill is here and I intend to marry her. We’re planning a September wedding.”

Stephen wanted to ask what they were waiting for if this Jill had already quit her job, but he decided he’d better not look a gift horse in the mouth. After all, if he determined the woman was bad news, at least he’d have some time. To do what, he wasn’t sure. All he knew was that he’d do whatever it took to keep his brother from being hurt.

A knock woke Jill, who had stretched out for a nap after unpacking. Rubbing her eyes, she glanced at the clock on the bedside table. Six-thirty! Jumping up, she walked out to the living room and opened the door.

“I was just about to call out the cavalry,” Elliott said, grinning. “I knocked a couple of times.” He looked fresh—he’d obviously showered—and had changed into gray dress slacks and an open-necked white shirt. His salt-and-pepper hair was still wet and his blue eyes shone with love as he studied her.

Jill made a face. “I fell asleep.” She pushed a strand of hair away from her face. She could just imagine how rumpled and messy she looked.