Page 88 of And Then There Was Us
Hugh turned his back to the others and pulled a velvet bag from his pocket and handed it to Treat. “Cheapskate, my butt.”
Treat withdrew two rings from the velvet bag and admired them. “Emerald cut, three stones, what is that? About a carat?” He smirked.
“Two, you jackass. And I’ve got a matching wedding ring.”
“And the little one?” He put the tiny ring on the tip of his pinky.
“For Layla.”
“I figured since it has a diamond tiara on it. That’s sweet, Prince Hugh.” He elbowed Hugh and handed him back the rings.
“Bro.” Dane embraced Hugh. His thick dark hair was longer than it had been the last time they’d seen each other. As a shark tagger and marine researcher, he spent about as much time on or in the water as he did on land, and his copper skin was proof that nothing had changed. “You’re biting the couple bullet. I never thought I’d see the day.”
“Yeah, well, the best men finish last,” Hugh teased. Dane was six years older than Hugh and two years younger than Treat. He’d gotten engaged to Lacy a few weeks after Treat and Max’s wedding.
“Sorry we missed your race. You guys will have to come out and see us sometime.” Dane ran his hand through his hair.
“No, he should visit us more often,” Rex’s deep voice interrupted. He wrapped Hugh in his arms. “Missed you, Hugh.”
Hugh could barely get his arms around his brawny brother. Though Rex was the same height as him, he carried an additional thirty pounds of muscle from working on the ranch. Combined with cowboy-long hair that brushed his collar and his ever-present Stetson, Rex was the epitome of a Colorado rancher.
“You too, man.” Hugh felt the draw of family like he never had before. He wanted to be embraced by their warmth. He wanted to sit down and enjoy time with them and bring Brianna and Layla into their inner circle.
Jade Johnson, Rex’s fiancée, joined them. She kissed Hugh’s cheek. “I love Brianna and Layla. You’re a lucky man.” Jade’s jet-black hair lay straight and thick down her back, almost to her waist. Rex slung his arm over her shoulder. Rex and Jade’s relationship had ended a forty-year feud between their two families.
Hugh watched Rex place a kiss on the back of Jade’s neck and thought,Love really can conquer all.“Thanks, Jade. I feel pretty lucky,” Hugh said. “Let’s go into the living room before Josh and Riley have Brianna and Layla wearing New York City wardrobes.”
Josh and Riley were both clothing designers, and they lived in Manhattan near Savannah and Jack. Josh was the most reserved of the Braden men and every bit as handsome with his closely shorn black hair and perfectly sculpted physique. Josh embraced Hugh and patted him on the back.
“When are you coming back to New York?” Josh asked.
“I don’t know, but I’ll be a married man when I do.” Patience was never one of Hugh’s virtues, and his love for Brianna instilled a need to be closer to her. He glanced at Brianna and Layla.Tonight.Hugh couldn’t wait to become Brianna’s husband and Layla’s father.
Riley brushed her brown hair from her shoulder. She looked pretty in her skinny jeans and sweater. Riley had grown up in Weston, and Hugh had been happy when she and Josh had gotten together. They complemented each other well. Hugh opened his arms, and Riley stepped in.
“You look gorgeous as always,” Hugh said.
Hugh looked around the room and realized that he and each of his siblings had ended up with partners who seemed perfect for them.
The glass doors opened and Jack Remington, Savannah’s fiancé, and Hugh’s father, Hal, came into the room. Two formidable men wearing Levi’s and boots. Both had shoulders as wide as freight trains, and though Hal’s hair had gone a little more gray, he was still shockingly handsome with his dark, soulful eyes and pleasant smile.
“There’s my boy,” Hal said. He opened his arms as he crossed the hardwood floor. Hugh fell against him and held on tight.
“I’ve missed you, Dad.”
Hal put his hands on Hugh’s shoulders and stared into his eyes. “Yup. I see it now. You see that, Jack?”
Hugh shot a glance at Jack. “What?”
“Love, son. You’ve got it bad.” Hal crouched down and touched Layla’s nose.
She put her hands behind her back and twisted from side to side. “Hi.”
“Hi there.” Hal’s voice was so deep it seemed out of place following Layla’s. He stood and opened his arms, waiting for Brianna to step in. When she didn’t, he shifted his eyes to Hugh.
“You might as well step in there and hug him, Brianna, or he’ll wait all night,” Hugh said.
“Sorry,” she said with a smile. “Hi, Mr. Braden. I’m Brianna.”
