“Can we talk to you?” Summer’s gaze flicked to me and back to her sister. “In private. With Wynter. Maybe we can call Junie.”
“Junie will be the only one to congratulate me,” Autumn said primly.
“There’s nothing to congratulate!” Teller flung his arm toward me. “He’s using you.”
Autumn rolled her eyes, and damn, I liked when her inner firecracker sparked. “Your faith in me is so appreciated.”
I could’ve snickered. They had no idea how their sister had cornered me just as I was leading her into my web.
“You don’t know guys like him. We do.” Tate poked the center of his chest.
Autumn wiggled and her back went ramrod straight. I could’ve done without her hips bumping against mine in front of her brothers. “You’ve said what you needed to say?—”
“The hell we have,” Teller snapped. He looked the most similar to Tate, with dark hair. His beard was trimmed shorter. He paced in the small living room, his hands on his hips. He was dirty, like he’d been yanked out of doing chores. “What were you thinking? Were you even thinking? Or did you think a guy like this would really?—”
“You’d be smart to shut your mouth right goddamn now.” I bit back a growl. “No one talks to my wife like that.”
Teller stopped, stunned. Tate narrowed his eyes on me. Summer blinked, then exchanged a look with Wynter. Myles appeared from the hallway, and it was the baby’s turn to stare at me.
I didn’t look at the little girl with her frilly pants and potbelly. The way she blinked those big, innocent eyes at me was like she was asking if I was ready for something like her. Would I get Autumn pregnant, get my land, and then go back to Vegas and pretend I was single?
A sour taste spread across my tongue. I was ready for everyone to leave. Especially that kid. “We’ve told youthe news. My father’s invited you all out for a celebratory dinner. I expect nothing but the same respect you’ve shown him so far.”
“He’s still selling?” Tenor asked. Of the three Bailey brothers, he was the most even-keeled. He wore black, thick-framed glasses, had lighter brown hair than his brothers, and didn’t sport a beard. He hunched, like he was hyperaware his size might intimidate, or he thought this house was suffocating. And it was, with all of them crowding the living room. He was easily the least hostile of the crew, but I wouldn’t put it past him to run me down if he thought I’d hurt Autumn. At least if he did it, I would probably deserve it. Tenor thought before he acted or spoke.
“That remains to be seen.” I should get a damn award for keeping the arrogance out of my answer.
Autumn cleared her throat. “Are you guys coming or not?”
Teller still had his hands on his hips, but he was glaring at my hand entwined with Autumn’s. Tate had adopted the same stance. Wynter took the baby from Myles and watched us like her siblings.
“I have a question.” Summer folded her arms. “What are you going to tell Mama?”
Autumn
I wanted to squeeze my eyes shut and bury my head in Gideon’s strong shoulder. Mama.
I’d been so worried about mybrothers and their reactions. Even concerned over what Summer would say. Wynter and Junie didn’t butt in like the rest. But Mama.
She’d be delighted I was married. She’d be just as devastated to think this relationship was fake. She’d be appalled I’d negotiated for a baby.
“I’m going to talk to her.” I wanted to clutch Gideon’s hand to my chest. Mama had been so accepting of me and my sisters from the start. The last thing I wanted was to feel like I was betraying her trust. I never lied to her. Likewise, I always hid how irritated I could get at my brothers’ bossiness.
“And tell her what?” Teller added in a gentler tone than he’d been using. I had Gideon to thank for that. When he’d defended me, he’d forged our partnership. He wasn’t some casino god and I wasn’t just the mousy teacher. We were a team.
I lifted my chin. “That’s between us and Mama. I’d appreciate it if you let me and Gideon tell her.”
Wynter bounced from side to side with Elsa. “You’ll need to talk to her soon. No offense, Gideon, but your dad loves to share what makes him happy, and if this announcement got him excited, he’ll probably tell everyone about this new daughter-in-law.”
Hank seemed like a guy who loved to share what delighted him. If he’d been like that when Gideon was growing up, I wouldn’t be here right now with a brooding man who was as stiff as a barn door.
I peeked at Gideon and went into instant infatuation mode. Strong jaw. Long, straight nose. Sharp eyes. He’d shaved this morning, but a dark shadow was already dusting his jaw. What would the stubble feel like under my fingers?
I couldn’t believe I was sitting so close to him or thatour hands were connected again. I was getting used to touching him, to sitting butted up against him, but at the same time, I’d never get used to it.
But this moment was more than that. He wasn’t just some good-looking guy. He had a lot of feelings about his family. His tension around his dad wasn’t normal and the comment this morning about learning to cook or go hungry said a whole lot.
Gideon felt deeply. Had anyone witnessed his emotions other than me?
