Trace grinned. “No, I wasn’t ever one to act out, but I had needed a strong male role model. Living here, I had two in Grant and Andrew Jessop. So I thought it would be best all-around if I had a separate place to live, not just for my privacy but to offer a sanctuary for my siblings—neutral ground, if you will.”
“Danielle is in college in Abilene, isn’t she?” Kate asked. “Pursuing early childhood education?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Trace said. “She graduates in May.”
“My mom was a little disappointed when I told her I wouldn’t be moving in,” Brandon said, “but…” Hell, he didn’t want to say that her Doms had stepped in to straighten her out. Neither did he want to communicate anything about the initial hope he’d had for the privacy to be able to invite someone female over for a sleepover with the two of them, occasionally.
That was still true, in essence, but he was almost positive the “someone female” had already become a specific female. He caught sight of Rachel taking a tray of food to a table in the back of the dining room near the bookstore. The light caught her sable-brown hair in such a way as to lend it a richness. She had it in a knot at the top of her head, and he wondered how long it was. When he’d first met her gaze, her full lips had begged for him to nibble on them, and the effect had gone straight to his…toes.
She had a lush womanly body, one he wanted very much to get his hands on. He didn’t know why she appealed to him so instantly and so completely.
Bernice arrived with their meals and a fresh pot of tea for Grandma Kate and left, taking the empty salad bowls with her.
Brandon picked up his sandwich and bit in. The rich flavor of barbecued pork sent a message of nirvana to his taste buds.
And then Grandma Kate completely blew his mind.
“Oh, I imagine Robert saw to it Jillian understood there would be certain advantages to not having her grown son in residence, even if that residence was going to be only on the weekends. He’s a very firm-minded Dom when he wants to be is Robert.” Kate’s eyes twinkled in merriment.
Brandon felt his face color. Trace, damn him, was laughing right out loud.
Brandon coughed and cleared his throat. A sip of the sweet tea helped. “I did tell her that I would be happy to babysit my little sister on a Friday or Saturday night whenever they wanted to go to Houston or just enjoy their privacy at home.”
“You’re both very good sons. I’m proud of you.”
In Brandon’s life, until his mother relocated here to Lusty, there had been only two people to say that to him, and that had been his mom—and his Aunt Shirley.
But then he began hanging around this amazing small town, and not only had his stepdads let him know they were proud of him but so had his new grandparents, numerous aunts and uncles, and, of course, Grandma Kate.
He was reasonably certain his biological father was proud of him, too, but Neil Gillespie was a man like so many he’d met since he’d joined the Corps—men who believed being a real man and acknowledging emotion and having a tender side were opposing and mutually exclusive ideals.
“Thank you, Grandma Kate. That means a lot to me.”
“It does mean a lot, Grandma Kate,” Trace said. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Now, gentlemen.” Kate sat back and folded her hands. She looked beside her at Brandon and then she looked at Trace.
They’d somehow, both of them, cleared their plates. Brandon understood the rhythm of this town. The serious conversation began after the meal had been eaten. He didn’t know if he should brace himself, or not.
Once more, Grandma Kate proved that she was the most insightful and observant woman he’d ever met.
“I’m not one to gossip,” the nonagenarian said quietly. “Oh, they like to tease that I’m a matchmaker, that I somehow arrange for people to get together and weddings and commitment ceremonies are the result. I won’t say I’ve never done such a thing, because that would be a lie, and I don’t lie.
“Having said all that, I must tell you that I experienced a moment of absolute joy when I saw how the two of you reacted to Rachel—and how she reacted to you. I have a feeling that you could be good for her, and that she, of course, could be good for you, as well.
“But that’s up to the three of you to figure out. The only comment I’m going to make is this. Rachel and her daughter, Elizabeth, have had a tough row to hoe the last few years. So, look deep and hard within yourselves. Get to know the lady a little bit before you make a decision or a move—or before you accept the decision your inner selves may make without your conscious permission.
“And if you decide that Rachel and Elizabeth are what you want, then don’t ever, ever give up. Nothing worth having in this life comes free or easy, and it’s one of life’s truths that, sometimes, you have to fight tooth and nail just to do what your heart tells you is right.”
She gave them each a smile and reached for her purse. He and Trace got to their feet, and Brandon automatically reached out to move her chair as she stood up. Grandma Kate laid a hand on his cheek and then on Trace’s. “I’m so glad you’ve both come back home.”
They watched Grandma Kate walk out, offering a wave to everyone who called out to her. She made her way down the street toward the museum.
“I hope I’m as active as she is when I’m her age,” Trace said. Then he resumed his seat.
“Yeah.” Brandon sat back down and faced his best friend—the man he’d truly come to think of as his brother.
