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His Brother’s Bride
by Amy Vastine
CHAPTER ONE
“MARRY ME.”
Sadie Chapman stared down at the ring nestled in the black ring box. That emerald-cut diamond had to be at least three carats and was surrounded by a halo of diamonds. It was gorgeous and exactly what she’d dreamed of being offered someday by the man she loved.
Owen Bradley was charming and sweet, but they had been dating barely two months. Sadie wouldn’t commit long term to a movie-streaming service without spending a couple of weeks carefully evaluating her usage during her free trial month. How could she possibly answer this kind of question without some time to think about it?
Time was in short supply, however. At least according to Sadie’s mom. Her mother loved to mention how at Sadie’s age, she’d been happily married for years and already had both of her children.
“I know it seems sudden,” he said, kneeling in front of her on his kitchen floor. He had invited her over for a relaxing night in and had even cooked her dinner. She was ready to do dishes, not accept a proposal. She had on black leggings and an oversize Goodman Elementary School T-shirt for Pete’s sake! This was not engagement-night attire. She had expected him to pop open a bottle of wine, not pop the question.
“We haven’t been together long,” he continued. “But I can’t remember ever feeling this way about anyone. I think about you when we aren’t together. I hate saying good-night when our dates are over. You’re an amazing woman and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Well, he seemed quite certain. The thumping in her chest was distracting. Sadie needed her brain to work as hard as her heart. What did she want in a husband, and did Owen meet those requirements? Owen was a professional golfer and successful enough to afford this big house, his fancy car and that enormous diamond ring. He was funny and had never been anything but respectful. He had good taste in food, fashion and diamond rings. Based on the little she knew about him, he certainly had the potential to be a good husband.
“Marry me, Sadie.”
As she stared into his big blue eyes, she heard the door open behind her.
“Do you know one of your garage doors is open?” someone shouted from the mudroom. “Riley, hit the button to close the garage.”
Sadie turned her head and watched as a man in a Boston College sweatshirt and a face that hadn’t seen a razor in a few days set a large blue duffel bag down. He made eye contact with Sadie first before turning his gaze on Owen.
“Oh my gosh. I didn’t... I know I said we’d be here tomorrow, but we decided to drive straight through. Are you? You are. I am so sorry.” He spun around with the horror of his embarrassment written all over his face. “Back to the car, Riley.”
“I’m tired!” a little voice whined from the mudroom.
“Uncle Owen needs a minute.”
“Uncle Owen only needs an answer.” Owen touched Sadie’s hand to regain her attention.
Sadie had so many questions that she had forgotten her answer. She closed her eyes. Why were his brother and niece here? Did he have any other siblings? She knew he was close to his parents, but she had never met them. Shouldn’t they have at least met each other’s families before they got engaged?
A thousand thoughts zipped through her head in a few seconds. There was only one that mattered, though. Did she want to marry Owen?
Sadie had hoped to be married before she was thirty, but thirty had come and gone. Teaching was her passion and she’d thrown herself into her work instead of searching for a life partner. She loved her students but dreamed of raising a family of her own someday. She’d been a bridesmaid in so many weddings and had been a guest at plenty of baby showers. Maybe it was her turn to be the guest of honor at one of those things.
Owen was exactly the kind of man she pictured herself falling in love with. Successful. Charismatic. Good-looking. Getting engaged would also get her mom off her back. That was perhaps the cherry on top of this diamond sundae.
“Yes,” she answered, opening her eyes. The grin on his face made her feel like she’d won the lottery. Owen hopped up and wrapped his arms around her, lifting her feet off the ground.
“She said yes! Did you hear that, Riley? Jonathan?”
“Congratulations.” A chagrined Jonathan came back into the kitchen hand in hand with a little girl with dark hair and a bright pink backpack.
“I’m tired,” Riley repeated, leaning against her dad.
Owen set Sadie back down. “Sadie, this is my brother, Jonathan, and his daughter, Riley. Jonathan and Riley, this is my fiancée, Sadie.”
Jonathan had eyes the same shade of blue as Owen’s. “Nice to meet you, Sadie. We’re really sorry about interrupting the big moment.”
“No apology needed. It’s nice to meet both of you. You look about the same age as the students in my third-grade class,” she said to Riley.
The little girl pressed against her dad’s side and said nothing.
“I think the endless hours in the car have taken a toll on this one.” He smiled down at his daughter. “She just finished third grade and is usually much more talkative than this.”
Owen took Sadie by the hand. “Can we get this ring on before you change your mind?” His nerves caused him to shake. Sadie found that endearing. Owen placed the engagement ring on her finger.
An engagement ring.
Sadie was not expecting to leave tonight wearing an engagement ring. Her mother would be ecstatic. Her friends at school would never believe it. They had heard about Owen, but no one would believe he had proposed already. They all had said he sounded like a catch. Sadie decided to add that to the list of reasons why saying yes
