still in Sweden. She won’t be back until Saturday afternoon.”
“If she’s not too tired, bring her out Saturday night, then. I thought I’d have a small party to introduce Jill to our friends.”
“Okay. What time do you want me tonight?”
“Dinner’s at eight. But come to the house early. We’ll have drinks and talk.”
“I’m looking forward to it. I have to admit, I was surprised about your engagement. You’re a sly fox. You never said a word.”
“I know. I’m sorry. But I…Well, I wasn’t sure about Jill and I wanted to wait until I was.”
“Oh?” So Elliott had his own doubts about the woman. That doesn’t sound good.
“No, it’s not what you think. I was always sure about my feelings for her. What I wasn’t sure about were hers for me. And I didn’t want anyone feeling sorry for me if she said no when I asked her to marry me.”
“I see.”
“Listen, when you meet her, you’ll understand.” His voice softened. “She’s wonderful, Stephen. I keep pinching myself. I still can’t believe she loves me.”
She’d better love you. She’d better not be the kind of woman Caroline thinks she is. “Tell me about her. How’d you meet her? And when?”
“It was on a trip to Austin in January. I—” Abruptly, he broke off. “What are you doing now?”
“I was thinking about taking a shower.”
“How about if I take a run into town? I’d rather talk to you in person.”
“Sounds good.”
Stephen took a quick shower and by the time he’d changed into khakis and a dark blue shirt, Elliott had arrived. The brothers hugged—something they did whether they’d been apart months or just days.
“Want a beer?” Stephen asked, heading for his small kitchen.
“Sure.” Elliott sat on one end of the black leather sectional sofa that took up the major part of Stephen’s living room.
Rejoining him a few seconds later, Stephen handed him a cold Dos Equis and sat across from him. “Now, tell me all about her.”
Elliott’s smile lit his entire face. “She’s special, Stephen. Really special. You’ll see. The moment I set eyes on her, I knew it.”
It gave Stephen pause to see how happy his brother looked. He hadn’t looked this happy since before Adele got sick. Jesus, he would kill this Jill if she hurt Elliott.
Stephen listened quietly as Elliott told him how he’d been walking from his hotel to a nearby restaurant during one of his business trips to Austin and how he’d spied this watercolor painting in the window of a gallery and how it had immediately caught his eye. “You know, the one I gave Caroline for her birthday. The mission.”
Stephen nodded. He did remember. He’d really liked the painting himself.
“It’s Jill’s painting,” Elliott said proudly. “When I went into the gallery to inquire about it, she was working there. She sold it to me.”
“So she’s an artist?”
“Among other things. She also teaches art at several elementary schools—well, she did. She gave her notice last week. She’s really talented.”
For some reason, that information made Stephen feel better about the unknown Jill. Although he knew a teacher could be just as devious as anyone else, at least she’d been working in a respectable profession.
“Anyway, she’s wonderful. I never believed in love at first sight, but that’s exactly what happened.” Elliott smiled sheepishly. “You probably think it’s ridiculous…a man of my age acting like a lovesick kid.”
“Of course it’s not ridiculous. And what do you mean, a man of my age? Hell, you’re in the prime of your life, Elliott.”
Elliott hesitated. “She’s a lot younger than I am.” His voice turned defensive. “She’s only thirty.”
“I know.”
“You do?”
“Caroline also told me that.”
Elliott’s expression changed. He sighed. “Caroline.”
“She’s not happy.”
“I know she’s not, but she’ll have to get over it,” Elliott said firmly. “Because Jill is here and I intend to marry her. We’re planning a September wedding.”
Stephen wanted to ask what they were waiting for if this Jill had already quit her job, but he decided he’d better not look a gift horse in the mouth. After all, if he determined the woman was bad news, at least he’d have some time. To do what, he wasn’t sure. All he knew was that he’d do whatever it took to keep his brother from being hurt.
A knock woke Jill, who had stretched out for a nap after unpacking. Rubbing her eyes, she glanced at the clock on the bedside table. Six-thirty! Jumping up, she walked out to the living room and opened the door.
“I was just about to call out the cavalry,” Elliott said, grinning. “I knocked a couple of times.” He looked fresh—he’d obviously showered—and had changed into gray dress slacks and an open-necked white shirt. His salt-and-pepper hair was still wet and his blue eyes shone with love as he studied her.
Jill made a face. “I fell asleep.” She pushed a strand of hair away from her face. She could just imagine how rumpled and messy she looked.
“You must have needed it. I just came to tell you that after you’ve had a chance to freshen up, you should come over to the main house. We’ll have a drink and you can meet Stephen.”
“Stephen? I thought you said he wasn’t coming home until tomorrow.”
“He finished his business early, so he flew home this afternoon. He’s looking forward to meeting you.”
I’ll just bet he is…As soon as the thought formed, Jill was ashamed of herself. She had no right to judge Elliott’s brother before she’d even met him. Just because Caroline had behaved as if Jill were a viper didn’t mean he would.
“You’ll like him, sweetheart.”
Jill smiled gratefully. Elliott was such a dear. “I’m sure I will.”
Elliott gave her a shoulder hug. “Now, go on. Get ready.”
“Before I do, do you know where Jordan is?” She felt guilty for completely abandoning him.
“He’s fine, Jill. Quit worrying. He and Tyler are playing a video game. And before you ask, I showed him all over the parts of the ranch within walking distance—warned him what might be dangerous, what
