Accidental Mail Order Bride by J. S. Cooper

Chapter Seven

The cerulean skyfilled the expansive horizon. The Montana Rockies and Bitterroot River provided a majestic backdrop to an environment I’d never seen before. As I stood on the back porch of the house studying at the map Amelia had given me, I wondered how big the ranch was. This was the first time since my mother had died that I’d felt truly at peace. A bald eagle soared overhead, and several elk and bison made their way through the valley to the left of the property.

I had changed and was now wearing a pair of blue jeans with a grey sweatshirt and some sneakers. I felt much more comfortable. My hair was up in a ponytail and I felt like I fit in so much more already. I walked back to the rocking chair and sat down. I hadn’t seen any of the brothers since I’d met Beau and Wyatt in the kitchen and was excited for dinner. I’d tried calling Olivia but she’d texted to say her boss had her eye on her and that she’d call me back later. I rocked back and forth, suddenly feeling overwhelmed. I wanted to call my mom to tell her all about my adventure. My mom would be nervous and worried, but she’d want to hear every single detail. She had loved her life and lived it on her own terms. She’d taught me to be independent and to march to the beat of my own drum. I missed her.

I grabbed my phone and played one of her old voicemails just so I could hear her voice. I could feel my eyes welling up at the message, “Hey Lucy, it’s Mom. I just found an old diamond ring that I think you’ll love and bought it for you. Can’t wait for you to see it. Call me back.” I was about to play it again when I heard footsteps. I looked up and saw Beau standing there, a glass in his hand.

“Hi, sorry, I’m not interrupting you, am I?”

“No, not at all.” I put my phone back into my handbag and forced a smile on my face as he walked towards me. I’d been so close to tears that I hoped my mascara wasn’t smudged.

“My mom thought you might want another drink.” He held the glass out towards me.

“Oh, thank you, that was so thoughtful.”

“Yeah, she’s a keeper.” He nodded, his blue eyes shining.

I took the glass gratefully and took a sip of the iced tea. Trying not to be too obvious, I studied him. His hair was still wet from the shower and it looked darker now. His blue eyes were almost the same color as the sky and his face was a deep tan. He was wearing a navy shirt and long shorts and I couldn’t help noticing his muscular legs. Beau Hamilton was definitely in shape.

Beau sat down on the chair next to me and looked at me. “So, Lucy Kensington, what are you doing here in Montana?”

I gave him a small smile, not really sure what to say. He obviously wasn’t going to let it go. “You remember my full name?”

“Well, of course,” he laughed. “Who would forget your name? You’re beautiful.”

“Wow, thank you.” I was surprised at the compliment.

“I’m sure you know you’re beautiful, especially if you’re from New York City.”

“Well, why do you say that”?

“I just mean that even in a city as big as New York City, I’m sure you’re considered beautiful. What brought you out here to Montana?” he asked again.

“Wow, you really want to know badly.”

“I guess we just don’t get many visitors, and I’ve never heard of you before.” He shrugged. “I’m just curious.”

“I’m an old friend of your mom’s,” I didn’t like lying, but I couldn’t really say, I’m actually here to marry you. How’d you feel about that?

“Oh, I thought I knew all my mom’s friends.” He looked surprised. “How do you guys know each other?”

“Oh, well we go way back.” And if “way back” meant one month, then so be it.

“Way back, huh? Don’t tell me you’re my mom’s age, and you just had really good plastic surgery or something?”

“Well, hey, I didn’t want to say.” I laughed. “So, you think I look young, huh?”

“Well, you certainly don’t look my mom’s age.”

“No, I’m not your mom’s age, obviously. I’m just a younger friend of hers.”

“Hmm, do you have friends who are younger?”

“Do I have friends that are younger than me? Yeah.”

“When I say they’re younger than you, I mean, by a couple of years, not by a couple of decades.”

“Well, I don’t like to be ageist or anything.”

“What’s your story, Lucy Kensington?”

“I don’t have a story. I don’t even know what you mean.”

“You’re giving me that innocent little face, aren’t you?” He shook his head. “I’m going to get the story out of you one way or another. I know, there’s more to this than you’re letting on.”

“I don’t know what you mean. I mean, I’m just …” And then I paused because I heard more voices and they didn’t sound familiar. “Oh, I think maybe some of your other brothers are home now.”

“Probably. You know, there are seven of us, right?”

“Of course, Amelia told me.” Five minutes ago, I was thinking in my head.

“So what did she tell you about us?”

“Well, I know you’re the oldest, Beau, and I know that you’re single and …”

“Did she tell you that? I like to mingle.” He wiggled his eyebrows, and I laughed.

“No, she didn’t tell me that.”

“Oh yeah. I’m single and I like to mingle. What about you?”

“Oh well, I’m single too, and I can … mingle if I have to.” I silently groaned at myself. My flirting was atrocious.

“So, you were in New York City?”

“Brooklyn, actually. Born and bred. My mom’s family moved there when she was young, and it’s the only place I’ve ever lived.”

“And yet you find yourself now in Montana?” He raised an eyebrow.” Big change.” He really wanted answers. I wasn’t sure why he was pushing it so much.

“It certainly is a big change,” I agreed, “but it’s beautiful here. I was just looking at the mountains and the river. Is this all family property?”

“Well, it’s my parents’ property, but I guess it is a family ranch.” He looked out into the distance. “I’ll take over it one day. And then my sons after that and their sons after that.” He shrugged. “Family legacy and all that. It’s been in our family for four generations.”

“Wow …” I wondered if it would be my sons that took over this ranch.

I certainly wasn’t going to say that in front of him because I didn’t want him to think I was absolutely crazy.

And then I heard a deep familiar voice, and I froze as two men walked onto the patio. I recognized both of them. To the left was Wyatt, who was looking at me with a saucy smile on his face.

To the right was Austin.

Had he come to tell the brothers what I’d said? Maybe he’d come to warn them. Shit, why hadn’t I kept my big mouth shut? Maybe he was best friends with Beau or something. Oh man, this was my worst nightmare.

“Hey, Wyatt. Hey, Austin.” Beau nodded. “This is mom’s new friend.”

“Hi,” I said weakly.

“You’ve met Wyatt. This is my other brother, Austin”.

Brother? They were brothers?

My gaze locked on Austin, who had a wide smirk on his face. His eyes were laughing at me, and I could feel the blood draining from my face.

Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!

What in the hell was I gonna do now?