Brides and Brothers by Anneka R. Walker
Chapter 18
Camille
Aiden was up before Camille the next morning, saying he needed to crunch some numbers before a conference call. His long hours hadn’t decreased after harvest had ended. She sighed as she poured oatmeal pancake batter onto the griddle.
“Cade, help yourself to some more. There’s plenty.” Camille pushed the plate of pancakes toward him and then pointed to Easton. “Why don’t you let me iron your shirt for you before class?” She stood to carry the empty batter bowl to the sink before throwing out her last instruction. “Benson, don’t leave before I pack your lunch. I know you have to get the machinery cleaned up after harvest, but I don’t like the idea of you skipping meals.”
She turned her back to them as the men chimed, “Yes, Mother.”
Camille whirled around to face them again, her cheeks flaming. “Sorry.”
Their grins lessened the offense.
“We don’t mind.” Benson swallowed another bite.
Easton squeezed Benson’s shoulder. “No one is going to complain about clean laundry and good food.”
Returning their smiles the best she could, Camille ignored the dishes and retreated to her and Aiden’s room. She shut the door and sat down on the edge of the bed. What was she doing? She wasn’t their mother. A month ago she hadn’t even known they existed. She’d only meant to catch up on the household jobs until a schedule could be put in place for the men to follow, but helping out had become a habit.
She flopped back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Her marriage to Aiden was so wonderful, and while she hadn’t initially wanted to invite his brothers into her life, she actually enjoyed playing mother hen. The difference between them and her roommates was one thing: family. Having a family meant worrying over them, loving them, desiring to help them, and wanting the best for them. And she did.
She rolled over and slid off the bed onto her knees. She thanked the Lord for letting her be Aiden’s wife and have a good relationship with his brothers over the last month. Then she requested patience with Aiden’s hours, and finally, she asked for forgiveness; as much as she enjoyed interacting with her new brothers, she still wanted to get rid of them. She was still learning to trust in God’s plan, which was far greater than one she could have imagined for herself.
Camille’s phone rang with Daisha’s ringtone then, and she quickly pulled it from her back pocket and answered.
“Nice setup last night. I’m so glad I canceled with Derek for a girls’ night.” Daisha’s sarcasm was thick, barely masking her anger.
“Yeah, well, I couldn’t very well kick them out of their own house,” Camille said, propping her elbows up on the edge of her bed.
“We could have met somewhere else.”
Camille searched for a counterargument. “But everyone loves my homemade ice cream.”
“Yeah, just everyone,” Daisha said.
Daisha was definitely mad. Time to apologize. “I’m sorry. I had this crazy idea, and I shouldn’t have done that to everyone.”
“You aren’t sorry.”
Camille sighed. “I’m sorry you’re mad. I just wanted everyone to meet my family.”
Daisha laughed into the phone. “You wanted us to date your family, you mean. Potato farming? Seriously?”
Camille hit her head with her hand. “I know. I was desperate. It was the only thing I could think of on the spot. You didn’t talk about it all night, though, did you?”
“Oh yes we did.”
“No.” Camille truly felt sorry now. “The whole time?”
“Benson is a lot more interested in those suckers than he is in girls. You should buy him a Mrs. Potato Head if you want to make him happy.”
“I’m so, so, so sorry!”
“Well, if it makes you feel any better, it wasn’t the most miserable thing I’ve ever experienced. It wasn’t like we were on a date or anything. And he is pretty cute.”
“Yeah, I’m pretty proud of my good-lookin’ family,” Camille said.
Daisha busted up. “Because you had something to do with that fact?”
“Hey, at least I can take credit for their good-smelling clothes.”
“I didn’t notice Benson’s smell. Next time, I’ll lean close and let you know what I think.”
Camille eyebrows lurched upward. “Next time?”
“You mean you’re never going to have me over to your house ever again? Come on. It’s pretty likely I’ll see your brothers-in-law again.”
“Tonight?” Camille asked hopefully. “Because Aiden is working on a big project, and he said I should make plans without him. What about some basketball in the barn? I promise I won’t invite any boys.”
“I don’t know. Derek will freak out if I ditch him again. If you’re lonely, I bet Macey and Raina would come over. But they wouldn’t agree unless you promised you would invite the boys.”
“Well, call me if you change your mind.”
That night Camille didn’t know what to do with herself. She was starting to feel like the needy wife. She had to keep herself from making excuses to go check on Aiden. Earlier he’d acted a little stressed, and she wanted to let him have his space. After finishing working on her class, she found herself folding clothes while watching football with Benson and Easton. It wasn’t exactly an ideal Friday night.
“Hey, you guys don’t have to hang around here on my account,” Camille joked. Neither laughed. Daegan and Cade joined them a few minutes later. By the time Camille had folded another load, Flynn sauntered in.
Camille gasped. “Flynn!” He had shaved his beard!
And he was one handsome man. His strong jaw was angular and boxy, his smile wide. Camille’s shriek caused the others to turn and stare. Their surprise mirrored hers. Flynn had not only shaved his face but trimmed his hair. It was chin-length now and was contained with a little gel. His black button-up dress shirt and matching black slacks added to his newly refined look. He held up two neckties. “I’ve got a date with Sage tonight. What do you think, Camille? Silver or dark purple?”
Camille’s swallow lodged in her throat. Flynn was very, very handsome. Sage had no idea what was coming. “Uh, silver?”
Flynn tossed the purple tie onto the couch and started tying the silver one around his neck. “Sage is going to watch me perform. Any ideas of a place to go afterward?”
“It’ll be late, right? What about hot chocolate?” Camille suggested. “The weather is perfect for it.”
Flynn rubbed his hands together. “Sounds great. Wish me luck.”
After Flynn left, Benson pointed the remote at the TV and turned it off. He sat up from his reclined position and stared at Camille intently. “I haven’t seen Flynn clean-shaven since he was too young to grow hair.”
Camille shrugged. “He must really like Sage. Hard to believe he’s only met her once.”
Benson kept staring. “What would you change about me?”
She choked. “Uh . . .”
“No fair,” Easton interjected. “I don’t want Flynn, my younger brother, getting married before me. I want to solicit advice first. It is free, isn’t it?”
Daegan started thumping his chest. “If anyone is going to take advantage of Camille’s womanly expertise, I vote the time is spent on setting Cade and me up with Raina and Macey.”
Cade threw a wad of paper at Daegan’s head. “Speak for yourself. I can get my own date.”
“You can?” Daegan asked, disbelief written all over his face.
“As soon as Camille gives me her number and tells me what to say.”
Someone laughed behind her, and Camille turned to see Aiden shaking his head from the doorway. “My family room has been turned into a business for Camille’s matchmaking services. Camille, when you’re done here, come distract me from my work.”
Camille had waited all day to spend time with Aiden, but she didn’t want to miss this opportunity to bond with her new family. She shooed him from the room and turned back to her brothers-in-law. “Daegan, Cade, don’t worry. A double date with Macey and Raina will be easy to set up. I’ll ask permission to give you their numbers, and you can make the arrangements. You’ll score more points that way than if I arrange it.”
“Women like that, huh? I heard they prefer to be the ones asking guys out these days.” Cade’s sincere question surprised her.
“I’m no relationship expert, but I do know a thing or two about women, and the old-fashioned rules still stand.” Camille held out her fingers and checked them off as she talked. “They like to be asked out on formal dates. They like the guy to pay. They like to be complimented. They like to have the doors opened for them. They like to be listened to. Wow, I suddenly realize how high-maintenance women are. But take my word for it: somewhere along the way, dating took a wrong turn toward ‘hanging out.’ The easiest way to get a girl is to ask her out, with no games. Otherwise both parties sit around wondering if the other person is even interested.” She looked at Daegan. “And, uh, no dating cards.”
Benson scratched his head. “When you say they like to be listened to, what do you mean by that? I like to be listened to. Am I supposed to stare at them and nod?”
Camille shook her head. “Your job is to ask the right questions. Get her talking. Feel free to share about yourself, but don’t make it all about you. Figure out what’s important to her and what she likes to do.”
Easton held up his hand. “Wait, from my experience, girls can’t stop talking. The question we should be asking is how to cut them off!”
Camille giggled. “Start staring at another girl, and trust me, your date will be over!”
“What about holding a girl’s hand? Are you still supposed to do that before kissing?” Daegan asked.
This comment caught Camille off guard. She knew these guys had dated minimally, but they were asking her to lay out the how-to as if she were a legitimate expert. She wasn’t, but she wanted to build a relationship with her family, so she’d willingly share her opinion if they asked. “You might have to trust your instincts on that. I’ve never believed in throwing away kisses like free candy. If you get the go-ahead, and you’re feeling ready to take the next step, then you can kiss her.”
The boys digested that for a moment, seeming to agree.
Benson ran his hand through his hair, making the sides stick up. “Daisha probably thought I was a real piece of work. I finally had a woman’s attention, and I let her have it. My mouth did more yacking than it had in probably a year’s time.”
Easton chuckled. “As long as it wasn’t about your precious potatoes, because if it was, it’s all over for you.”
Benson’s skin turned a shade of green.
It was too painful to watch. Camille couldn’t resist trying to smooth things over for the guy. “First impressions aren’t everything. I’d say a second chance is still available for you, Benson. You’ll see Daisha again, guaranteed. We’re practically sisters, she and I.”
It worked. The lines on Benson’s forehead smoothed. “One more question,” he said. “How do you feel about dating someone simply because you have an end goal? Or do you feel like love is the only reason to pursue some-one?”
Camille hesitated. She hadn’t really thought about it. Her desire to be married had prepared her for when the time came. But there was no question about it—she loved Aiden. “You want to get married only once if you can help it. I’d say the safest bet for happiness is that you marry someone you love.”
“Like you and Aiden,” Benson suggested.
Why did his statement sound more like a question? Camille wondered where this was going. “Of course.”
No one spoke for a minute. Easton cleared his throat and in a very feminine voice said, “Session two of Millie’s Matchmaking Services will be held next Tuesday, same time, same place. Everyone comes with a story of their most recent female encounter for Camille to analyze. Now, give her a hand, gentlemen.”
The brothers clapped, more in a patronizing fashion than a genuine one. Camille stood and bowed before retreating to find Aiden.
At least her husband would be happy she was fitting in with her new brothers. Though, what she really wanted was time with him.
Aiden
Aiden punched some numbers into Excel, then rubbed his tired eyes. He was working as hard as he could to seal the offer he’d received for his software. It wasn’t that he didn’t like Camille’s plan to marry off his brothers—in fact, it mirrored his own goals—but love was a matter of chance. He’d been lucky to find Camille, but he couldn’t count on luck to work for his brothers too. Instead, he’d rely on numbers. His software was run by complicated algorithms outputting consistent, dependable results, and it would be that same software that would line up his bank numbers and save the day. He’d blindsided Camille with a houseful of men after the wedding, and it would be money, not love, that would help soften the blow when he told his brothers to move out.
“Hey there.” Camille walked into the office and sat on the corner of his desk.
Those were all the words he needed to convince him to be done for the night. He shut his computer and crossed over to wrap his arms around her. His kiss was a little wimpy, but it was all he had the energy for. He pulled back and studied her. “Have you married off my brothers yet?”
Camille smirked. “All in good time, computer boy. We’d better get you to bed before you fall asleep in this room. It’s starting to look like your man cave in here. I don’t know how you stand the seclusion day after day.”
Aiden shrugged. “It’s all for you, baby. I’m earning us an incredible honey-moon and possibly an early retirement.”
She gave him a bored look.
“No need to thank me.”
Camille laughed and laid her head on Aiden’s chest. “If it’s important to you, then it’s important to me.”
Aiden ran his hand down her soft hair. How could he explain that she was more important than his work? He couldn’t comprehend how his life could change so completely in two short months, but that was love. “Thanks,” he finally replied. “When we’re rich, I’ll build six new houses. We’ll put a brother in each one so we can have this one all to ourselves like you want. Now, pull me to bed. I can barely keep my eyes open.”
“Never mind!” Camille pushed him back toward his seat. “Go back to work. I like the idea of a house all to ourselves.”
With a chuckle, he tucked her under his shoulder and steered her away from his office. His feet dragged until he reached their bed. He flopped onto the mattress, and Camille slipped into the bathroom to brush her teeth.
“You know I don’t care about being rich, right?” Her words slurred around her toothbrush.
Aiden mumbled an affirmative.
“Oh,” Camille said, her voice carrying to him. “You’ll never guess what your brothers said after you left tonight.”
He wanted to know. Really, he did. But he closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, it was morning.