Page 39 of Brides and Brothers
“What?” Aiden balked. “You can’t be serious!”
“I know! It would be too perfect. But Daisha and Derek aren’t meant to be. Derek is too domineering for her. Daisha is normally independent, strong, and opinionated. She doesn’t need her spirit crushed; she needs someone like Benson, whose quiet strength would rein her in without breaking her. Underneath her tough exterior, she’s super fragile.”
“Benson? No, Benson is not ready for the likes of Daisha. He’s hardly ever dated and doesn’t even know how to talk to women. She would chew him up and spit him out.” Aiden shook his head. “Does Daisha even know she’s coming here to meet someone even though she already has a serious boyfriend?”
Some questions were better left unanswered. Camille put her hand on Aiden’s arm, ready to plead her case. “Benson is ready but doesn’t know it. And hecantalk to women. He talks to me every day. As far as Daisha is concerned, she’s searching for an out. She’s ready to move on but is too afraid to take the next step.”
Aiden wasn’t buying it. “You have high expectations. Don’t be disappointed when your plans don’t work out. I know you want Daisha to be happy, and I’m glad you’re watching out for Benson’s interests too, but they don’t need us to interfere. The Lord will take care of them like He did us.”
“Everyone needs a little push. If Amy hadn’t given me your number, where would we be?” Camille shook her head. “Besides, it’s not just about Daisha and Benson. It’s about all of them. Who’s to say this idea isn’t divinely inspired?”
Aiden whistled. “There is a lot of hope in that heart of yours. Listen, I’m not against a little social time. Heaven knows my brothers need it. Now that potato harvest is over, I’ll be working on securing this deal for my software. I’m going to be busy the next few weeks, and a project might be good for you.” He pushed away from the counter. “I’m going to sneak in a bit of office time since you obviously have enough to occupy your thoughts.”
Camille was about to whine and beg for him to stay, but her grown-up self smothered her feelings. “I’ll bring you some ice cream later,” she said, giving him a smile. She drummed her fingers on the table. Her scheme was far-fetched, but her intentions were well-placed. Whether it worked out or not, Aiden was right that they all needed a little socializing. She’d do her part and pray for the rest.
The boys poured into the kitchen for their ice cream right when the doorbell rang. Camille bolted to the door. “I’ll get it!”
She pushed past Flynn, who she wished would have trimmed his beard. She winked at Aiden through the open office door before she reached for the front door. She pulled it open to reveal several familiar faces.
“Hello!” Camille said. “Wait! Where’s Amy?”
Daisha walked in first. “She’s got a big chem test in the morning.”
“Perfect!” Camille said. Amy had already attached herself to Grant and wasn’t needed for tonight’s occasion for everything to work.
“Perfect?” Sage asked. “She’s your sister, remember?”
Camille’s mouth dropped. “Oh, I meantperfectas in I’m glad she’s taking her studies seriously. I know how much the nursing program means to her.”
“Wow! This place is incredible,” Raina gushed as the girls entered the living room.
Camille had left the doors in the hall open on purpose. “I know the house is the real reason you all showed up. Everyone wanted to see if I had been embellishing about this place. I’ve earned bragging rights, don’t you think?”
“Definitely,” Daisha agreed, “because anyone who marries seven men—”
Camille used her hip to bump into Daisha and silence her. “The kitchen, my personal favorite room in the house, is right around the corner.” Camille led the way, and the other girls trailed behind her.
When Camille entered with her horde of friends, there were faces of equal surprise and discomfort among all the brothers. The men were already lined up in front of the ice cream and had been serving themselves.
“Wait!” Camille cried. “These ladies brought some mix-ins and toppings. I don’t want anyone to miss out.”
Daisha frowned and grudgingly handed over her donation of raspberries. In contrast, Raina’s and Macey’s long curls bounced as they enthusiastically pushed their way through the men to put their candy bars on the counter themselves. Camille almost snorted with laughter.
After a matter of minutes, everyone had dished their ice cream, but Camille had a tough time keeping them in the kitchen. She raced to the double doors and bravely sealed off the doorway before Benson could retreat to watch TV.
“Benson, I need you to explain potato farming to my friend. Come sit over here.” Breathlessly, she led him by the arm to sit next to Daisha.
“Daisha, Benson is going to extinguish that curiosity you’ve had lately about potato farming.”
Daisha smirked. “Potato farming?”
Camille gave her an exaggerated nod. “Remember earlier, when we were talking about... never mind. Flynn is sneaking off; I’ll be right back.” Camille left Benson and Daisha alone and ran to cut off Flynn. “Flynn! You don’t have band practice tonight, do you?”
“No, why?” He shoved his free hand into his pocket and gave her a calculated look.
“I think Sage has heard you perform before. Let’s ask her.” Camille knew her attempt at matchmaking was crazy. She had no idea who was Flynn’s type, and Sage was a wildcard, but the girl was always blaring music when she was home, and when she wasn’t home, she was attending movies and concerts and, well, dating in general. It was completely possible she had heard Flynn’s band. That is, if the band had actually performed anywhere. Camille had meant to ask him about that.
“Sage!” Camille hollered across the noisy kitchen. Sage was in the process of cutting a banana into her ice cream. Camille nudged Flynn in her direction. “Sage, have you heard Flynn’s band before?”
