His Brother's Bride-To-Be

“Well, here you all are.”

All three turned at the sound of Caroline’s voice.

“I didn’t know you were having drinks,” she continued with a frown.

“We’ve just started,” Elliott said. “Join us. What would you like? And Jill? What can I get you?”

“Um, a glass of white wine?” Jill said.

“I want something stronger,” Caroline said.

Although it was clear to Stephen that Caroline was not going to make much of an attempt to be pleasant, he welcomed her addition to the group. Knowing Caroline, she would dominate the conversation, taking the pressure off him.

Elliott walked over to the bar, and Caroline followed him. Jill, whose gaze flicked to Stephen, then quickly away, looked as if she wanted to be anywhere but there.

My God, she was beautiful with that cloud of golden-brown hair and those unbelievable tawny eyes with their thick eyelashes. Stephen couldn’t take his eyes off of her. No wonder Elliott was so smitten. She still had that light dusting of freckles across her nose, he saw. He’d been entranced by those freckles.

Looking at her profile, he remembered how, after they’d made love, he would trace the lines of her face. Her skin had been incredibly soft and warm, and she’d always smelled like fresh flowers.

He swallowed. This situation was going to be impossible. How was he going to wipe those memories out of his mind when he was around her? How was he going to treat her the way he knew Elliott would want him to treat her?

“Here you go, darling,” Elliott said, walking over and handing Jill her wine.

“Thank you.” She smiled up at him.

Caroline rejoined them, a martini in hand. Eyes on Jill, she took a large swallow. “Are you feeling better now?” she asked.

“Thanks for asking, but I wasn’t feeling bad. I guess I was just tired. I had a nap.”

Caroline’s expression was filled with disdain. “I don’t believe in sleeping during the day.”

Stephen looked at Elliott, whose own expression had hardened.

“Normally, I don’t, either,” Jill said pleasantly. “In fact, I couldn’t believe how long I slept.”

Before Caroline could answer, Tyler and another, smaller boy burst into the room.

“Mom, we’re hungry!” Tyler said.

“You don’t have to shout, Tyler,” Caroline said, but there was no sting in her words. She adored and indulged her son who, in Stephen’s opinion, was abominably spoiled.

“But we’re starving, Mom,” he said petulantly. “When’re we gonna eat?”

Stephen looked curiously at the other boy, who hung back. He belatedly remembered that Caroline had told him Jill had a son. The boy was good-looking, with clear blue eyes and brownish-gold hair the same shade as his mother’s. He smiled shyly when his gaze met Stephen’s.

“Hi,” Stephen said.

“Hi.”

“This is Jordan, Jill’s boy,” Elliott said.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Stephen said. He stuck out his hand, and the boy took it. They shook gravely.

“Why don’t you ask Marisol to give you a snack?” Elliott said to Tyler. “Tell her I said it was okay. Because it’ll be another hour before dinner.”

“Okay, Grandpa,” Tyler said. “C’mon, Jordan. Let’s go find Marisol.”

Stephen noticed that Jordan looked to his mother before complying. When Jill nodded her okay, he took off after Tyler. Well behaved, then.

As the boys left the room, Stephen’s gaze moved back to Jill. What was she thinking? he wondered, unable to fathom the expression in her eyes. Shaken, he looked away. Why hadn’t he said something about knowing her? Now it was too late. Now if he said something, Elliott would wonder why he hadn’t before.

And yet…

Stephen didn’t like keeping something this important from Elliott. He had almost decided to try for a casual tone and say something like, You know, Jill, you look familiar. Have we met before?

But then Caroline said, “When did you meet Daddy?” Again the question was addressed to Jill.

By now Jill and Elliott were seated side by side on the large sofa that faced the fireplace, and Stephen had taken one of the side chairs. Caroline appropriated the rocking chair that had been her mother’s favorite.

Smiling up at Elliott, Jill said, “Actually, we met because he came into the gallery where I worked to buy a birthday present for you, Caroline.”

“This past birthday?” Caroline said sharply.

Stephen almost laughed at the myriad expressions that flitted across Caroline’s face. He remembered how pleased she’d been with the painting. In fact, he’d heard her on the phone one day, bragging to one of her friends about the “good taste my father has.” He could imagine what would happen to the painting now. It would probably soon adorn the nearest Dumpster.

“Jill’s an art teacher and a wonderful artist,” Elliott said. Once again, his voice rang with pride.

“So you just met in February?”

“Actually, it was in January,” Elliott said.

Stephen wondered which was worse in Caroline’s mind. The fact Elliott had only known Jill six months…or the fact that Adele had been dead only eight months when they’d met.

“The moment I set eyes on her I knew it was meant to be,” Elliott said softly, turning his attention back to Jill.

Stephen couldn’t look at Caroline. He knew exactly what she must be thinking now.

For a long moment, no one said anything. The grandfather clock, which had belonged to Elliott’s paternal grandfather, chimed the hour. The chimes sounded ominous to Stephen.

He wished Caroline were different. Maybe if she were happy, she would be more inclined to want her father to be happy. Unfortunately, what happiness she did have seemed to be all wrapped up in filling her mother’s role in Elliott’s life. She reveled in playing hostess and in running his home. Now that role would be taken over by Jill.

He hoped Caroline would eventually come to terms with Elliott’s coming marriage. That one of these days, she’d accept Jill, maybe even become friends with her.

But Stephen knew it was highly unlikely.

Poor Elliott. Whether he liked it or not, eventually he would have to choose between his daughter and Jill.

Realizing just what his brother had in store for him, Stephen knew he couldn’t add to Elliott’s worries or give Caroline any more ammunition to use against Jill. Best to keep pretending this was the first time he’d ever seen her.