Page 22 of Mail Order Bride for the Scrooge

I’ve been putting him off, but I think things were going down with whatever business he’s been doing for the club because he hasn’t reached out as much the last few days. I can only hope he’s safe, along with whoever else the club has out there doing whatever the hell it is they’re doing.

I fumble with my phone for a moment, my hand shaking, until Gannon takes the mug of cocoa out of my hand and sets it on the coffee table. With my phone gripped in both hands, I take a deep breath and answer.

“Nico,” I chirp, forced levity lining my voice in a way that almost makes me wince, “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, little sis,” he sounds exhausted and I’m instantly on high alert.

“Are you okay?”

He sighs and I can almost see him running his fingers through his hair. “I’m good. Everyone here with me is safe. It’s just been a long day. We’re wrapping things up in Tennessee and I’ll be heading home very soon,” there’s a warning in his voice I can’t ignore.

“I’m not in Seattle anymore, Nico. I told you that,” I keep my voice soft, not wanting to piss off the only family I have left and knowing this is going to be a hard change for him.

It’s not like we see each other every day or anything, but it was often enough. My heart clenches because I’m not going to see my brother as much anymore. We’ll still be able to talk, and I hope I can get him to come out and visit me. I’m more than willing to visit him in Seattle as well.

But if Gannon’s serious about starting our family right away—with my birth control long gone, it seems he is—traveling might become difficult for us.

I glance at my big mountain man teddy bear to find him watching me with concern in his dark blue eyes. I give him a watery smile, the reality of the situation hitting me hard. I’m not going to change my mind, and I certainly don’t regret making this change, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy either.

“So you said,” he grunts. “Now that I have a few minutes, I need you to tell me more about why you’re in Wyoming and what made you leave your life in Seattle. I thought you were happy,” his voice is filled with vulnerability I’m not used to hearing from my brother.

“Nico, I love you.” I think that’s the best place to start. “You’re the best big brother. I’m so grateful to you for all you’ve done for me. The way you’ve always protected me and made decisions with my happiness and needs in mind. You raised me, even though you were just a kid yourself most of that time.”

“I’d do anything for you, Lake, you know that,” his voice is thick. “I never wanted you to feel the sting of our parents not giving a shit. I was the only one there who could step up, so I did.”

He says it like it’s simple, like anyone would make the same decisions. Maybe for him it is black and white, but I know there is nothing simple about it. A lot of people wouldn’t have done half of what he did for me.

“I know you made a lot of sacrifices to make sure I had what I needed.” I hedge, “I wasn’t unhappy in Seattle, Nico.”

“But you weren’t happy either,” he sounds defeated.

“I didn’t feel like I had a place to belong. It’s hard to be yourself and feel comfortable in your own skin when you feel out of place.” I huff out a small laugh. “I hated my job. I hadn’t dated in years.”

Nico perks up, “Dated? Why the fuck did you need to date, Lake?”

I roll my eyes and try to push down the anger starting to rise inside of me. Now is not the time to fight with the man.

“Dating is part of life. It’s an important part,” I remind him.

Gannon lets out a growl and I look over to find his possessive gaze locked onto me. He’s clearly not happy with the thought of me dating anyone. I give him a pointed look and roll my eyes.

“What the fuck was that? Are you there with someone?” Nico sounds almost hysterical, “A man?”

“Yes, Nico,” my voice is gentle, “I am here with someone. Yes, a man.”

“You never did tell me how you chose where to go,” he sounds suspicious. “I thought you might have just really needed a vacation and you’d be back.”

I ignore the last part of his statement because I never said anything to give him that impression. I’m also not surprised he would think such a thing.

“I answered a personals ad,” I mumble the words, “and that’s how I came across Jasper Ridge. It’s how I met Gannon.”

I could have tried to come up with a lie, but my brother has always been good at knowing exactly when I’m not being completely honest with him. It’s only because he was out of town and doing something for the club that I’ve been able to get away with it for this long already.

“You what?” He roars the words so loud I pull the phone away from my ear. “Who the fuck is Gannon? What do you mean you answered a personals ad? What the fuck, Lake?”

“It’s exactly how it sounds, Nico,” sarcasm drips into my words even though I try and hold it back. “The funny thing is, when I got here, he had no idea anyone had put an ad out there for him.”

“He didn’t even know…,” Nico starts to mutter before his voice trails off. “I can’t fucking believe this. Went all the way to Wyoming because of a personals ad and didn’t turn right back around after finding out the guy had nothing to do with it,” he’s talking quietly, clearly more to himself than me.

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