The expression on his face as he processed my question was priceless, just the reaction I’d been hoping to see. As fast as I could, I lifted the camera and snapped a series of quick pictures.
“Slick move, lady.” His cheeks had gone a lovely shade of red. “Was that just for the sake of getting a—what did you call it? An amazingly genuine reaction?”
I slid my arm around his waist and let my hand wander over that very fine, firm ass. “The picture was an added bonus. The question was real.” I stood on my toes and pressed a kiss to his neck, where I could feel the drumming of his pulse under my lips. “I want you, Owen. I want more than just kisses and making out on my brother’s sofa or in your parked car. I want a whole night with you, where we can do whatever we want.”
He combed his fingers through my hair. “I want that, too. I didn’t want to push, but I think ... I have an idea. Is there any chance you could keep next Saturday night and Sunday open? Do Kade and Leah need you over next weekend?”
I leaned into his strong body, considering. “Leah has a Saturday class, but it’s over by one in the afternoon. I have a feeling that if I tell her what’s going on, she’ll run interference for me so Kade doesn’t come up with a reason why I’m desperately needed there. And if I don’t say anything to my brother about my plans, maybe he won’t try to keep me home.”
“Cool. So mum’s the word.” Owen nodded. “I’ll keep quiet on my end, too. Not that Kade and I hang out so much anymore.”
I grimaced. “I hate that he’s letting this get in the way of your friendship. I’m about ready to knock some sense into his head.”
Owen shrugged. “I’m not worried. I figure once he realizes that I’m not just after you for a quickie, once he knows I’m planning to stay around for the long-term, he’ll feel better and things will get back to normal.”
I hoped he was right and was about to say that when an older lady paused next to us, beaming down at Emma.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but I’ve been sitting over there with my friends, and we were watching you three. May I just say how sweet and precious it is to see a couple like you, so clearly in love, and with such an adorable baby?” Her Virginia accent was deep as she lay her hand over her heart. “It so warms my heart. And young man, I can see that you’re one of our military boys, aren’t you? Thank you for your service to our country.”
Owen flushed all over again. “I appreciate that, ma’am. I just do my job, like we all do.”
The woman shook her head. “No, y’all put your lives on the line for us ... and your families make tremendous sacrifices, too. All too often the wives and children pay a high price without anyone realizing it. I didn’t want to miss this chance to thank you.” She patted Owen’s arm. “Y’all are in my prayers. God bless.”
Owen and I were both quiet as the woman ambled away. I wondered if he was panicking that the lady had assumed I was his wife and Emma wasourbaby. He hadn’t corrected her, but she hadn’t exactly let either of us get a word in edgewise.
Before I could say anything about it, he tugged me closer and kissed the top of my head. “Would it freak you out if I said I kind of liked that? Not the lady thanking me,” he hastened to add. “The part where she was thinking we were a family. I don’t want you to think I’m rushing things, but the idea of you and me, together for the long haul ... it feels right. I can see it, you know? The two of us, and maybe some little ones.” He reached down to tickle Emma’s chin. “As long as they were as cute as the princess here.”
I schooled my face to be completely serious. “I don’t know, Owen. I mean, you’re super hot, for sure ...” I affected an exaggerated SoCal speech pattern. “And I like you. A lot. But I just don’t see how I could commit to a life time with a man who doesn’t understand that Sam Winchester is the real hero ofSupernatural.”
Owen’s lips twitched, and I caught the gleam in his eyes. “Thatisa tough issue to get around, but I’m confident we can make it work ... as long as you agree to raise the children my way. You can believe anything you want.”
I giggled. “We could always let them decide for themselves once they’re old enough.” I nodded. “That seems to be the best way.”
He bent to hoist Emma from the swing, holding her between us as he leaned to kiss me lightly on the lips. “Yeah, I think that’s the way to do it. I’m willing to compromise on that, because the truth is ... I’m completely crazy for you, Jacey Braggs.”
With that, Owen claimed the last remaining piece of my heart for his own. “I’m happy to hear it, Owen Hughes, because I’m kind of gone on you, too.”
* * *
Over the following week, I felt a little like a secret agent. Owen maintained a deliberately low profile by not coming over to the house in the evenings, and I made a point of avoiding any mention of him when I was with Kade. I’d managed to have a long talk with my sister-in-law on Monday morning, after Kade had left for work, and she’d been more than happy to play her part.
“You know, Jacey, it’s not that Kade is doing this maliciously,” she’d sighed when I’d pointed out how often my brother had interfered with my dating life. “I understand that he’s being a pain in the ass. I know it’s ridiculous. But he just can’t seem to get it through his head that you’re a grown up. To him, you’re still the little girl he needs to protect at all costs.”
“I know that.” I bounced Emma on my lap. “He’s going to have to get over it, though. The more time I spend with Owen, the more sure I am ...” I hesitated. “I think I’m falling in love with him, Leah. I know it’s crazy-fast, and maybe you’ll think I’m being stupid.”
She shook her head. “No, you’re not. I’ve been around the two of you. I see how Owen looks at you, and the way you look right back at him. It reminds me of how Kade and I feel about each other. Sometimes, love builds slow and steady. Sometimes it’s fast and forever.” She swiped her baby from my arms and blew a raspberry into her neck. “And sometimes, it takes a surprise baby to make you see who’s the one meant for you.” She smiled at me over her daughter’s fair head. “None of us fall in love the same way, Jacey. But no one way is better than another. We can’t judge others’ lives because their way is different from our own. I’ll never forget that when Kade called up you and your mom and told you both about me, that he and I were about to have a baby, neither of you made me feel guilty or wrong. You welcomed me into your family from the first time we spoke. If Owen is the man for you, if you love him, I’ll stand by you, no matter what. And don’t worry about your brother. He’ll come around.”
I hoped she was right, but on that Saturday as I packed the small overnight bag Owen had instructed me to bring with us, I still wasn’t sure how Kade was going to react. Leah had come home from her morning class at the college and announced that it was such a beautiful day, she was in the mood for a family hike. Kade had agreed, and now they were getting ready to take the baby over to the Petersburg Battlefield to tromp around in the sunshine.
Kade had invited me, but I’d told him that I didn’t feel like it, suggesting that they needed some family time without me hanging around. With any luck, they’d be out of the house before Owen showed up to get me.
And they were. I’d watched surreptitiously from behind the curtain in my room as their car pulled out of the driveway and down the street before I texted Owen.
Jacey:The coast is clear.
It felt more than a little wrong to be sneaking around like this, behind my brother’s back, but I reminded myself that it was his actions and attitude that had put me in this position. He was the one acting like a child. Once he realized that I was going to insist on living my own life, on my terms, he’d settle down ... I hoped.
All thoughts of Kade and his irritating behavior fled from my mind when I saw Owen’s car slide up to the curb. With a happy little skip in my step, I slung my small bag over one arm and headed down to meet him at the door.
