Brody (30 page)
Authors: Emma Lang
Caleb appreciated the fact that he had a good family and a place to call home. But he wanted, no, he
needed
more.
“I know. I’ll do what’s right.”
After Caleb walked away, Brody looked around at the guests, noting a few neighbors he’d met while investigating, and of course the Graham clan and the Vasquez brothers. Rebecca, Elizabeth and Catherine had picked wildflowers, decorating everything they could reach. Caleb, Matt and Nicholas had strung up the flower chains behind the house, creating a wonderland for the event.
Reverend Beechum drove up to the ranch accompanied by Frederick Stinson, who appeared twenty years older than he had six months ago. Beechum’s round belly told stories about just how often he liked to visit ranches and sample the rich foods folks would make for him. This was no exception. Eva had been cooking for two days and the house was fairly bursting with delicious scents and sights.
Brody stood beneath the huge tree, his stomach in a knot that had nothing to do with marrying Olivia. He couldn’t wait to call her his wife.
The knot was there because of who wasn’t at his wedding. No parents, no brothers, nobody. He had been alone in the world for a long time, even when his family was alive.
He stood apart, watching the smiles, the handshakes and the conversation. Caleb had talked to him for a bit, but only to ask about rangering. He sure hoped the boy didn’t go down that path. It was a hard road to follow, especially for someone used to a big family, lots of love and a regular place to hang his hat. Brody didn’t think Caleb was ranger material, but he had a feeling the boy would do it anyway. It was hard being the younger brother of such a strong, capable man as Matt. Brody knew that feeling all too well.
“What are you doing over here by yourself?” Catherine appeared beside him, her smocked yellow dress already smudged with dirt and leaves. She put her small hand inside his and tugged. “You can’t hide by the tree anymore, silly.”
Brody couldn’t remember the last time anyone had called him “silly.” The youngest Graham present was a force to be reckoned with already. She pulled him toward the cluster of men standing around and chatting. At the center of the circle stood Matt. He nodded to Brody.
“I told him he couldn’t hide anymore.” Catherine squeezed his hand. “He’s too big anyway.”
“Thought you were changing your mind over there.” Matt’s gaze was questioning.
Brody’s smile was an easy one. “No, just trying to be patient.”
The man laughed and slapped him on the back. Matt shook his hand, genuine affection in his expression.
“Welcome to the family, Brody.”
For the first time in a very long time, Brody Armstrong felt like he was truly part of a family. He couldn’t imagine a more precious gift, until he spotted Olivia standing by the corner of the house, waiting.
She took his breath away.
Olivia’s stomach hopped and skipped like Catherine after she had some peppermints. She’d never been so nervous in all her life and all for what? The man she loved wanted to marry her, have babies with her and spend their time looking for Benjy. It was perfect, she couldn’t want for anything more.
Yet she was jittery and fidgety. She stood at the corner of the house, noting the menfolk standing around jawing, like they always did. Eva stood beside her, fussing with her hair. Catherine had presented her with a crown of wildflowers to wear. It was a little crooked and a good third of the petals were missing, but Olivia wore it anyway.
The men separated and she saw Brody. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight. He was spiffed up, shaved, with his hair combed too. The black hat was missing, thank God. He smiled at her and she felt it touch her from twenty feet away.
Matt stepped toward her, smiling. When he reached her, he held out his arm. “Ready, Liv?”
“More than you know.”
He chuckled. “Your man there is a little nervous, I think.”
“Me too.”
“That’s normal.” Hannah appeared on the other side of Olivia. “I thought I would lose my breakfast the day we got married.”
Matt made a face. “Glad I didn’t know about that.”
She swatted at his arm. “Stop it, Matthew. Now, are you ready to give your sister away?”
“More than you know.”
This time it was Olivia who swatted him.
“I’m fooling with you, Liv.” Matt took her hand in his. “I am very proud of you. You’re courageous, smart and have more honor than most men I know. Love you, sis.” When he kissed her cheek, Olivia couldn’t stop the tears that spilled from her eyes.
The Grahams loved each other, but to hear the words from Matt meant the world to her. Hannah squeaked and whipped out a handkerchief to dab at Olivia’s eyes.
After getting herself back under control, Olivia took her brother’s arm again.
“I’m ready.”
She looked ahead at the preacher standing under the tree with his Bible, at her family and her neighbors. Each one held a place in her heart. Then she moved her gaze to Brody, who waited for her beneath the flowers.
The nervousness blew away on the breeze like dandelion fluff, and Olivia felt nothing but joy and love. As she walked toward the man who held her heart, Olivia smiled.
Today was the first day of the rest of her life.
Have you read MATTHEW, the first in the Circle Eight series?
It is a vast spread in the eastern wilds of the newly independent Republic of Texas, the ranch their parents fought for ... and died for. To the eight Graham siblings, no matter how much hard work or hard love it takes, life is unthinkable without it....
In the wake of his parents’ murder, Matthew Graham must take the reins at the Circle Eight. He also needs to find a wife in just thirty days, or risk losing it all. Plain but practical, Hannah Foley seems the perfect bride for him ... until after the wedding night. Their marriage may make all the sense in the world, but neither one anticipates the jealousies that will result, the treacherous danger they’re walking into, or the wildfire of attraction that will sweep over them, changing their lives forever... .
Praise for Emma Lang and her novels
“A sweet and sensual western in which the heroine discovers her inner strength with the help of a delightfully sexy hero.”
—Angela Knight,
New York Times
bestselling author
“With a fresh voice and engaging characters, Emma Lang’s
Restless Heart
kept me reading late into the night.”
—Tina Leonard, bestselling author
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Copyright © 2012 Emma Lang
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ISBN: 978-0-7582-7912-5