Page 113 of Bragg's Match

“It’d be nice if you showed it once in a while instead of treating me like a baby.”

“I don’t know. If treating you like a baby lit a fire under your ass to create a multi-million dollar company before you hit thirty, then maybe we should call you baby more often,” Elder says.

He clears his throat. “How does a woman make a man a millionaire?” He grins. “She marries a billionaire.”

“You’re not funny,” I tell him.

“I’m confused. You’re our little brother, the silly prankster,” Riley says and I elbow him.

“You’re two minutes older than me. The little brother jokes aren’t funny anymore.”

He holds up his hands. “Still a prankster.”

I shrug. “No one took me seriously. You get told something often enough and you start to believe it.”

“If you’re worried Soleil thinks you’re a failure, you should show her your bank account,” Elder suggests, and Miller grunts in agreement.

“I don’t want her to be with me because of my money.”

Peace chuckles. “She was willing to sleep with you when she thought you were penniless. She’s clearly not after your money.”

Riley rubs his hands together. “We need to come up with a plan for you to get Soleil back. Suggestions, anyone?”

“Not a dinner,” Miller grumbles.

“Yeah, big guy. I figured that out for myself.”

“This is easy,” Peace says. “All he has to do is reveal the pottery shed all ready to be used and they’ll be married with two kids in no time.”

I don’t know about revealing the shed idea, but the idea of being married and having children with Soleil is appealing, very appealing. She’s going to be the best mom. And she’ll keep me on the straight and narrow when I screw up.

“Ah, look at Brody with the silly smile on his face. It must be love.”

I punch Riley before he can duck.

“Ow! Since when does Brody know how to throw a punch?”

I ignore him and the rest of my brothers as they talk trash. I’ve got plans to make and a woman to win back.

Chapter 36

I’m offering a fifty-dollar reward for anyone who confiscates the binoculars from the gossip gals. ~ Message from Peace on the Winter Falls Facebook page

“Hold on,” I say to the insurance agent.

I drop the phone from my ear to enter my house where no one is cooking dinner or cleaning or playing silly videogames while lounging on the sofa. It feels empty in here. Probably because it is.

My stomach clenches and I rub my hand over it. I can’t help smiling. A baby. I’m having a baby. I frown. I need to tell the baby’s daddy about his existence.

My phone vibrates in my hand. Oops. I kind of forgot all about the phone call.

“Ms. Hawk. Are you listening to me?” The insurance agent asks.

“I’m sorry. Can you repeat what you said?”

“I’m sorry, Ms. Hawk, but we won’t be honoring your claim for the pottery shed.”

“What? Why not? I’m paid up on all my insurance premiums.”

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