Bluegrass Undercover (30 page)
Read Bluegrass Undercover Online
Authors: Kathleen Brooks
Tags: #romance suspense keeneston bluegrass kentucky romantic suspense mystery southern small town
* * *
Annie came downstairs early the next morning. She and Chrystal were going to go shopping together later today before Chrystal had to get back to college on Monday. She opened the sliding glass door and called for Justin.
She heard him run down the stairs. She heard when he slid around the corner, his feet clawing madly to get traction on the hardwood floor. He appeared then, hair blown back as he sped toward the door. Annie could see the instant he remembered that last time he had done this he went head first into the glass door. Justin tried to back pedal, but when that didn’t work he sat down. His hair slid across the polished hardwood floor, and his eyes grew round as he neared the door. He ducked his head in preparation for impact but went sailing through the open door and stopped on the patio. Annie shook her head and laughed as Justin stared at the now closed door in confusion.
“
You have a sick sense of humor. You realize since you closed the door so fast he now thinks he just slid through glass.” Cade leaned against the kitchen island in nothing but some low hung jeans. “What got you up early?”
“
I got a phone call this morning from Noodle,” she told him.
“
Noodle?”
“
It seems that the sheriff is on medical leave and they need more help. He offered me a job as a deputy and the head of the rural drug education program. Twice a week I would have office hours at the high school.”
“
What did you tell him?”
“
That I could start in two weeks,” she said as she smiled.
“
Are you sure?” She could hear Cade trying to contain his excitement at the idea of having her working in Keeneston.
“
I’m positive. I don’t want to do undercover work anymore. I loved working with the kids, and maybe I can make a difference in some of their lives. I want to be near you, to have the kind of family I never thought I would have.” Annie ran her hand up his bare chest and wrapped her fingers around his neck, bringing his head down for a kiss.
The doorbell rang and Annie reluctantly pulled away. Justin jumped onto the sliding glass door and fell sideways, opening the door enough for him to nuzzle it open and slip through. He ran ahead of her to the front door and barked.
Annie opened the door and was surprised to see Chrystal, Paige, Marcy, Kenna and Danielle standing there. “Um, not to sound rude, but what is everyone doing here?”
Marcy stepped forward, “I talked to Chrystal some after the game, and we thought it would be fun to do some wedding shopping. Well, I told Paige.…”
“
And I insisted I come too. You’re going to be my sister after all,” Paige cut in.
Kenna walked forward with her rounded belly and Danielle by her side, “And when Paige told us what you all were up to, we also invited ourselves.”
“
But, we come bearing gifts.” Danielle handed over two binders to Annie who stared at them in awe. “That’s right. All the wedding planning details, names, colors, locations, you could ever imagine. I had to steal it from the royal wedding committee to make a copy. I like keeping those folks on their toes.”
“
So, I thought it would be fun for us to all get together and start planning your wedding,” Chrystal said.
“Have you all decided on a date? If not, can I suggest April?” Kenna asked with a grin. Annie rolled her eyes. God, she loved this town.
Epilogue
Annie set the patio table with the china she had received for her wedding three months ago to the day. She and Cade had a beautiful ceremony at St. Francis the week after Valentine’s Day. Cade had told everyone it was her birthday, and there would be a party at the farm that afternoon. Birthday invitations had gone out to the whole town. The Rose sisters were in charge of keeping it a surprise.
While the Rose sisters and others were putting final touches on cakes, gifts, and so on, she and Cade had quietly gotten married with just their family present. Marcy had cried alongside Chrystal, whom she had become very close to in the last six months. Paige had been her maid of honor while Marshall had been Cade’s best man. Justin had looked very handsome in his black tuxedo and tie as he walked her down the aisle. She had worn a beautiful white lace dress that had belonged to Marcy. Paige had added a red satin sash that flowed down the train. It had been perfect. Kenna and Will were even able to attend with their perfect, two-week-old baby girl Sienna. Will and Kenna were beaming with pride as they showed off the cute baby with strawberry blonde hair. With her chubby cheeks and her mommy’s mischievous glint to her eye, Sienna was the life of the party.
Cy even made a brief appearance to welcome her to the family. She had been taken aback by the similarities in all the brothers, but the cold, fierce distance behind Cy’s eyes had her feeling an instant connection to him. After all, she had once been like that. Although no one seemed to realize it, Miles had the same look. He just hid it better. They were determined to conquer some enemy in their past, and if she was a betting woman, she’d put her money on them.
After the ceremony, they had entered the “surprise” birthday party and surprised their guests instead. The Rose sisters cried and hugged them after playfully hitting Cade for fooling them. Trey had stared at them in awe as he pulled out a little piece of paper from his pocket.
Put $50 on February 21st for the Cade/Annie wedding. The winnings should cover the gap in tuition and scholarship you received from Miami of Ohio.
Annie lifted her finger to her lips and gave him a wink from across the room. Trey was the only person in town to bet on the correct month and day. He won the pot of over $5,000.00 and could now afford to attend his first choice college.
Annie smiled to herself as she filled the glasses with sweet tea. She had another secret, but this one she’d share with the family. After all, the new deputy sheriff shouldn’t be accused of rigging illegal gambling pools. It just wouldn’t look right.
“
Cuz?”
“
Back here, Chrystal!” Her little cousin had just graduated from the University of Louisville and was moving to Lexington to start her first job.
“
Look at all this food. Did Marcy come over again?”
“
Nope. She cooked it all by herself,” Marcy answered as she came out of the kitchen with a platter of food.
Within minutes, her family was around her, talking, laughing, and teasing. Her cousin had been adopted by the whole family and was being interrogated by Miles about her latest boyfriend. Cade stood behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. He nuzzled her neck and whispered something dirty in her ear that had her laughing out loud.
Cole and Paige came around the house and joined the party. They had just returned from their honeymoon. They had been married on some large rocks, in the middle of a stream, in the woods on her parents’ property. Wild flowers had surrounded the natural alter as most of the town formed a semi-circle around the couple on the banks of the stream.
“
Hello, everyone!” Paige bounded up the stairs as Cole hurried after her. He looked slightly ill. His face was pale and he looked nervous. “I know it’s Annie’s dinner, and thank you for hosting it tonight, but I just can’t wait until after dinner to make an announcement.”
Annie watched as Paige clasped Cole’s hand, and by the way she was glowing and the way Marcy was tearing up, there was no doubt what the announcement was going to be.
“
We’re going to have a baby!” Paige couldn’t contain the smile on her face. Her mother started crying and even Jake got misty eyed when he hugged her. Cole started looking better the longer they were there, but he still looked terrified until Jake gave him a hug. When he had gotten Jake’s approval, he visibly relaxed.
“
Oh! A grandchild, oh Jake, we’re going to have a grandchild.” Marcy hugged her husband as tears trickled down her face.
“
Ma, I’m sorry to tell you, but you’re not going to have a grandchild.” At Cade’s statement, the patio went quiet. “You’re going to have grand
children
.” The patio remained silent as they stared at Cade, trying to figure out his meaning.
Cade squeezed her hand and took in the moment. Justin came bounding up with his yellow bow pulling back the hair from his eyes and stopped before Annie. He placed his nose on her belly and thumped his tail. Marcy gasped and pulled Paige and her into a tight hug.
“
My daughters are having babies together. Jake, I can die now.”
“
Why don’t you wait to die until after you meet the babies? You may then wish to re-evaluate the time of your death, dear.”
“
Congratulations, brother!” Cade shook Marshall’s hand and gave him a hug.
“
You better be careful. You might be next,” he teased.
“
I wouldn’t bet on that.” Even as Marshall said it, the unwelcome picture of a tall, angry, blonde crossed his mind.
Cade caught Annie’s eye and they shared a secret smile. She was pretty sure they’d be taking Marshall up on that bet. They’d visit the Blossom Café tomorrow to do just that.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathleen Brooks is the bestselling author of the Bluegrass Series. She has garnered attention as a new voice in romance with a warm Southern feel. Her books feature quirky small town characters you’ll feel like you’ve known forever, romance, humor, and mystery all mixed into one perfect glass of sweet tea.
Kathleen is an animal lover who supports rescue organizations and other non-profit organizations whose goals are to protect and save our four-legged family members.
Kathleen lives in Central Kentucky with her husband, daughter, two dogs, and a cat who thinks he’s a dog. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached at [email protected]
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Bluegrass Series News
Love Keeneston? Don’t want to say good-bye? Then don’t! The next book in the Bluegrass Brothers Series will be Marshall’s story. All of Keeneston will make an appearance and you can once again slip into the story of the town we all love.
So, make a pitcher of special iced tea, cut a slice of pecan pie, and get ready for some more Southern charm from your favorite town!
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See you real soon!
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