The Sheriff's Mail-Order Bride (The Watson Brothers #2)(18)

“Why wouldn’t I? You guys mean everything to me.” Callie led Chance back to his chair and pushed him into it. She stood behind him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, resting her chin against his neck. “So does this one and, if you haven’t noticed, you can’t stop her saying what she wants.”

“Just telling it like it is.” She kissed his cheek.

“We never knew.” Rory looked at his brother, admiration replacing the anger from a moment ago.

“I didn’t do it to get brownie points. I did it so you guys could have a decent shot at life and I’d do it again. End of story.” Chance pulled Callie around and down onto his lap. She laughed and snuggled into him.

I need this again. The love, the companionship that he has. He looked over at Gina hovering in the doorway and wondered if this was his second chance and, if so, did he really want to get that involved where his heart was on the line?

*

Gina watched the emotions rolling over Rory’s face, her heart pounding at the sudden burst of anger that had stemmed from the two men. Was this what she wanted for her child? Life in San Francisco had been fraught with violence in the poorer district where they’d lived. She’d hoped that she wouldn’t have to face it here in Marietta where it was a lighter pace of life. Maybe she’d been wrong about Rory.

Gina kept to the stairs out of the way until things calmed down. Once they sorted out their differences, her heart slowed to a steady pace.

How special would it be to have a brother like Chance who put his own wants and needs aside for someone else. She sucked in a steadying breath, and plastered a smile on her face before walking into the room. “Right, let me get on to dinner now the munchkin is fast asleep. I swear that little boy has more energy than me some days.”

Callie laughed. “If he ever gets too much, send him my way. He is one gorgeous little bubba.”

Chance held her tight. “We could always have our own, you know.”

“I’m giving it serious thought after meeting Fisher, let me tell you. Can I do anything to help, Gina?”

“No, please let me do this. It’s the least I can do. I love to cook and this is an awfully nice kitchen to do it in. I’ve never had anything quite like this before.”

“Yeah, well, it’s wasted on me.” Callie laughed when Gina gave a shudder. “How about we open a bottle of wine? If I’m not mistaken, we have something to celebrate. Brothers back together at last.”

Gina breathed a sigh of relief. She thought for a moment that Callie was going to say something about her and Rory and the reason she was here. That would be a discussion for when the men weren’t present. She didn’t want to put any more of a damper on the evening than the heated argument already had.

Callie climbed off Chance’s lap and went into the pantry. She came out a few minutes later with a bottle of red wine. She held it up for inspection. “This do?”

Chance looked at the label and nodded his approval, then stood up to gather glasses. Rory finally moved from the spot beside the kitchen counter and stepped over to his brother, halting him on his way back to the counter. “I’m sorry. I can’t believe you did all that for us and the old man never said a word.”

Chance put down the glasses and hugged him, slapping Rory on the back. “I know if the wheels were turned, you’d do the same for us.”

“You think? I’m not as keen on pain as you are.”

“So why are you a sheriff’s deputy? Surely you cop a bit of agro every now and then.” Chance nudged him with his shoulder and took the bottle from Callie, unscrewing the top.

“Yeah, but I have a gun to hide behind if things get too rough.”

“You don’t look like the type to hide, to me.” Gina put a heavy skillet on the stove top and lit the gas before she turned back to the conversation. Her intended husband was built very nicely indeed. Broad shoulders, tall with a seductive swagger that she hadn’t picked up on before and a smile that would melt many a heart. “I bet criminals run and scatter when they see you coming.”

“Don’t be fooled by his large imposing nature, Gina, he’s a softie at heart. He has a pretty good arrest rate though, let me tell you. Things here in town might be a bit calmer than what he’s used to, which will probably suit him in his old age.” He placed a glass of wine beside the cutting board where she was working.

“How do you know?” Rory reached out and accepted a glass of his own.

Chance held a drink up to his wife and then picked up his own. “Because I kept an eye on you, that’s why. I knew what you were all up to, all the time. Every bit of trouble you got into, every commendation for service, I heard about it.”

Gina watched the play between the two men and smiled, letting the family bonding roll over her, desperate to be included in the circle. If things worked out for her and Fisher here at the ranch she would be a very lucky girl. The show of love between the two siblings warmed her heart and Callie appeared to fit into the mix just fine throwing her type of sass around. This was what she wanted for her baby boy. A family that was prepared to put others first and take care of them no matter what, just like Chance had done. She sent up a silent prayer that it would all work out, that she could do enough to make Rory so happy that he wouldn’t let her go.

“To my brother, Chance. For everything you did for us and the way you still manage to stick your nose in, whether it’s wanted or not.” Rory lifted his glass.