Page 57 of Bragg's Match

“You certain you can afford to do this on your own?” Riley asks.

I grit my teeth. I hate how my brothers treat me like a baby. Even Riley who’s barely two minutes older than me.

“I’m certain.”

Elder grins. “Please say we can at least watch.”

“I don’t care what you do as long as you don’t tell Soleil about the shed.”

“How are you going to keep it a secret?” Miller asks.

“I’m going to tell her there’s an ongoing arson investigation and she isn’t allowed near the site.”

Peace nods. “Good idea. I’ll spread the word around town.”

“Thanks, half-Bragg. You’re not half bad.”

“Don’t make me change my mind.”

I bat my eyelashes. “I wouldn’t dare.”

“Where’s your list of tools?” Riley asks.

I smile as I hand it to him.

“You need to promise you’ll let me know if you get in over your head.”

I don’t hesitate. “I promise.”

I’m not an idiot. I may want to build this shed on my own, but I also want Soleil to have a shed she can use. If I need my brothers, I know they’ll be there. They’ll razz me the whole time, but they’ll be there.

Chapter 20

Who stole my bat? ~ Message from Soleil on the Winter Falls Facebook page

Thump!

My eyes fly open at the sound of a thud. Is someone in the house? Do I have a burglar? I reach across the bed to nudge Brody awake but he’s not there. He hasn’t been there since the morning after we had sex.

It’s as it should be. Brody sleeping in the same bed as me will lead to us doing other things – sexy, sweaty things – in this bed. Which is wrong. I would be using him since I have no plans to be in a relationship with him.

Someone groans. Oh no. Is Brody hurt? Has he been attacked?

I jump out of bed and rush to the door.Hold on, Soleil. Grab a weapon first. I reach for my baseball bat but it’s not there. Shit. What else can I use as a weapon? I scan the room but there’s nothing here. I can hardly defend myself from an attacker with a pillow.

I pick up the one thing that could possibly help. A lamp. I yank on the cord until the plug comes out of the wall.Okay, Soleil. Here we go.

I open the door and sneak out of my room with the lamp raised. I creep down the hallway while listening for an intruder but I don’t hear anything other than Brody’s light moan.

I reach the living room and scan the area. A light flips on and I scream.

“I’ve got a weapon and I know how to use it!”

Brody raises his hands in surrender. “I’m unarmed.”

“Where’s the intruder?”

“What intruder?”

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