Page 141 of Forbidden Hearts
The two men embrace, and Asher places his hand on my back. “This is Phoebe.”
“Welcome to the family, Phoebe.”
I smile and immediately like this man. He is two years younger than Asher and looks nothing like him. He has much lighter hair and an almost studious look. He’s tall, trim, and stands ramrod straight, and no one would have to tell me he was in the service for me to guess it.
“Thank you. Although, right now, I’m just an interloper.”
“Are not! We’ll keep you over that asshole,” Rowan yells, and I laugh.
“How are you settling back home?”
“He loves it here!” Brynn answers from practically across the yard. “Don’t let him fool you. He’s being fed and getting a break from daddy duty.”
Grady leans in. “She has freakishly good hearing. Watch what you say.”
“I heard that!”
He raises his brows as he tilts his head as though to say . . .see. “It’s weird being back, but I’m happy to be out of the navy and get the chance to raise Jett the way Lisa would’ve wanted it.”
“I’m really sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.” He turns to his brother. “So, another baby out of wedlock?”
Asher pulls me to his side, throwing his arm over my shoulder. “What can I say? The ladies love me.”
“Oh Jesus.”
Brynn waves her hand. “Hello! Anyone want to . . . you know . . . help?”
Asher and Grady head that way, but Rowan stays seated, grinning at his brothers as they pass. I stand beside him, and he hands me a soda. “Thanks. You’re not helping?”
“I’ve learned the secret to life, young Phoebe. One must wait to see if you’re needed.”
“Oh, and are you not needed?”
Rowan jerks his head over to where Asher and Grady are fighting for the plate. “Do you want to go over there because I don’t.”
“Nope, I think you’re the smarter Whitlock today.”
“Stick with me, and I’ll teach you my ways.”
I laugh and sit in the rocking chair beside him. “How is the farming going?”
“Good. Cows moo, milk is made, all in a day’s work. I love what I do, and I’ll do it until I can’t anymore.”
“Why wouldn’t you be able to do it?”
Rowan takes a long drain of his beer. “It’s farming, which is hard and makes very little money. I do it because that’s what my grandpa wanted. This farm, this land, was his dream. The only other sibling who loves this place like I do is Brynn, but we know she’s not stomping through cowpies.”
“No, definitely not,” I say, not even able to imagine that.
“Asher loves the land, but he sure as hell isn’t going near the animals. By the way, if he ever mentions any kind of animal, just say no. Trust me, the man shouldn’t be allowed near them.”
I have a feeling there’s a story there, but I just nod. “Got it.”
He sighs heavily. “I’m sorry for what you went through with Jonathan.”
I stop rocking, knowing that this family has been deeply wounded by him. “I’ll be okay.”
