Chapter 12
It had been a long time since Tobias was on a horse, and though he was all for riding today, he didn’t expect to be working also. Amelia was having a barbeque today and had invited the whole family, along with Grace and Elizabeth. Tobias didn’t let it bother him that his lovely and caring sister-in-law somehow forgot to mention his name in the invite, but he forgave her. He also didn’t mention the shocked and dismayed surprise when he showed up with Grace and Elizabeth. However, he was concerned with the chilly surprise he received from his brothers. If looks could kill he would be a dead man walking. Only he didn’t know why or what he’d done. He’d only been in Tennessee for three weeks, there was no way he could have screwed up already!
“So, are we going to ignore the problem or are we going to get to the root of it, because my ass is already hurting?” Timothy said clearly for all the brothers to hear as he shifted again on his horse.
“I was waiting on Truman to say something,” Taylor replied.
“You’ll be waiting all damn day,” Truman replied. “Besides, I waiting to see if he fesses up.”
“It will be a cold day in hell, Tru, just saying,” Theodore chuckled.
“What’s going on? Who’s in trouble now,” Tobias asked, wanting to know who he got to beat the crap out of. It had been a long time since he and all his brothers banded together for some specific reason, and a general ass beating was just the right thing to liven up their sour moods.
“Really?” Thomas said looking directly at him. Tobias didn’t know what was going on, but it didn’t take a genius that he was about to be the one getting his ass beat. Pulling on the reins, Tobias sighed and asked, “What did I do now?”
“Tobias, we all know that your mind is generally closed off to any forms of emotion, so please understand that I say this with great concern for your life…You fucked up!” Theodore clearly.
“Seriously, couldn’t you have gone somewhere else?” Thomas added.
“If I wasn’t about to get married, I would beat your ass right now,” Truman grinned.
“Damn, really man. Why?” Taylor said shaking his head.
“What, you have nothing to add, Tim,” Tobias asked angrily, looking at his other brother.
“Nope, I’m just hungry and wondering how long I will need an ice-pack for my balls. Damn, Thomas did we have to do this on horseback? Couldn’t we have just taken him behind the barn?” Timothy complained, shifting in his saddle, again.
Tobias didn’t understand why all his brothers were angry with him, again. They all knew his plans for expanding his company and moving to Tennessee. Hell, the jobs alone he provided for the community and surrounding areas should have been enough to at least garner some support, but apparently not. Hell, maybe he should have stayed in California. At least he knew he was appreciated there.
“It’s too late to change things now. Everyone is just going to have to get used to the idea, so suck it up. I’m not moving.”
“Who said anything about you moving?” Thomas asked.
“Yeah, we’re talking about Grace, you idiot!” Theodore chimed in.
“Grace?” Tobias said. “What does Grace have to do with me moving the company to Tennessee?”
“We’re not talking about Blue Jacket Industries Jackass, we’re talking about you fucking the nanny!” Truman shouted.
“You were given one rule Tobias, stay the fuck away from Grace. But did you listen, no.” Thomas informed seriously.
“Seriously dude, she was off limits.” Taylor grinned.
“How is my personal life any of your business? Besides, how the fuck do you guys know I am fucking Grace?” Tobias questioned, really wanting to know the answer. He knew Grace would never say a word. Hell, she’d take it to her grave before she ratted him out to these ingrates.
“Really?” Theodore grinned. “You really have to ask, how I, of all people know when you are getting your freak on. Man, I live less than a mile from you. My wife is pregnant again, thank you very much, by the way!”
“That is not my fault!” Tobias shouted angrily, even though what Theo said did make sense. He too had found himself a little more ardent lately.
“When it comes to your daughter and the woman who is raising her, she becomes our business especially if you are dipping your tiny dick into her!” Thomas said stopping his horse and looking at him directly. Tobias knew Thomas was being serious, and technically he did remember his family specifically saying, ‘Do Not Fuck the Nanny’, but his relationship with Grace was none of their business.
“I’m not talking about this with you.”
“Oh yes, you are because Amelia, Gabriella, Annalise, and Mom are eventually going to find out and when they do, all hell is going to break loose. I swear Tobias if you’ve corrupted Grace in any way, I will shoot you myself.” Thomas added.
“I did not corrupt Grace. She loves me.”
“And I love Wonder Woman, but that doesn’t mean I can fuck her!” Theodore shouted.
“Well, technically you did. Remember Katie Moran’s birthday party. You were dressed as Superman, and well, she was Wonder Woman, so technically, you did fuck Wonder Woman.” Tobias replied.
“She was not Wonder Woman, she was Little Bo Peep,” Timothy added.
“That’s right, Margaret Hansen was Wonder Woman. Then who fucked her? Taylor said.
“Jackass!” All the brothers said at the same time.
“Look, Tobias,” Thomas started. “All we are saying is that we all like Grace, even Mom, and Dad. She is a remarkable woman, good for Elizabeth and was specifically hand-picked by your dead wife. So, if you fuck this up in anyway. If Grace comes crying to anyone of us because you broke her heart, we will all hunt you down, hog tie you and cut off your balls. Are we perfectly clear?”
Tobias grinned knowing his family cared.
They really did. In their own way.
Grace found herself sitting at the kitchen table shucking corn while listening to the Shenandoah women talk. Since moving to Tennessee, she had to admit that she felt more at home in the South than she did in California. Though she loved the experience, the ocean and all that went with living in a major city, there was just something about being in a quiet country setting that seemed to settle her nerves. She was already stressing a very big problem, and she had no desire to compound it with any more drama. Because the Shenandoah family was notorious for family drama. Besides, she wasn’t sure how she was going to broach the subject, let alone muster the courage to see if her calculations were correct.
The fact was, she was late. Not for a date, late on her monthly visitor, and it was freaking her out. She didn’t know how to talk to anyone about this and the one woman she desperately wanted to talk to, she couldn’t because she didn’t want to disappoint her. Either way, Grace knew before she stressed herself into the hospital, she needed to take a small little test.
“Are you sure Gabby?” Annalise asked, smiling.
“Yeah, I’m sure,” Gabriella Shenandoah, the wife of Theodore said. “Since Tobias has returned, my husband has been extremely amorous, more so than before. I knew those two had some kind of weird connection to each other, but to be on the receiving end of it, well, it’s fun and nuts.”
“At least you can blame this one on Tobias,” Amelia laughed.
“Blame Tobias for what?” Grace asked genuinely concerned that it seemed no matter what problem was going on, it always ended up being Tobias’s fault.
“I’m pregnant,” Gabriella sighed. “Again.”
“I don’t see how Tobias had anything to do with that?” Grace replied pragmatically.
“It’s hard to explain.” Annalise chuckled.
“No, it’s not,” Gabriella laughed. “Theo and Tobias are twins. They shared the same womb, the same cord, everything. Well, there have been studies that prove that in cases like Theo and Tobias, when one gets hurt, the other feels it. In rare cases, the twins can feel and sometimes think what the other is feeling or thinking. In my case, I married the other half of sexually charged gigolo who apparently since moving to Tennessee, can’t keep his dick in his pants. So, therefore, I’m pregnant and it’s Tobias’s fault.”
“Huh?”
“You see Grace because Tobias moved just close enough to Theo, every time Tobias gets horney, Theo does too, and well, you know the rest,” Gabriella said.
“Are you telling me that every time Tobias has sex, Theodore does too?”
“And vice versa.” Amelia giggled.
“But how do you know it’s Tobias? Maybe your husband is just wanting some attention?” Grace asked, trying to deflect the attention off Tobias. It wasn’t Tobias’s fault Gabby was pregnant, that was all Theodore. As for Tobias, Grace wasn’t so sure she liked the women talking about Tobias’s sexual desires. It was none of their business who Tobias slept with, or how often. He was a young, handsome, virile man, in the prime of his life.
When all three women stopped to stare at her, Grace blushed and went back to shucking corn. She didn’t mean to deflect the attention on her, she was just asking an honest question that had merit.
“Grace,” Amelia said clearly. “Is everything going okay with you and Tobias?”
“Tobias hasn’t done anything inappropriate, has he?” Annalise asked, concerned.
“He’s been a perfect gentleman,” Grace replied honestly. Well, it was the truth. Tobias was perfectly amiable with her. They talked, laughed, did things together, and had lots of hot steamy sex, which she would never get enough of, but she was going to keep that to herself.
Grace understood that the Shenandoah family believed that she was just the nanny, and she was good with that because she was. Tobias had made her no promises, and currently, they were taking things slow. Well, slow except in the bedroom. In that regard, they were damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead.
Grace looked up as Amelia was about to say something with Mrs. Shenandoah walked in. “Hello, girls. How is everything.”
“We’re good here Sarah,” Amelia said still looking at Grace. Out of all the women in the Shenandoah family, Grace had learned through Bridget’s letters, that nothing got passed, Amelia. The woman was a true bloodhound and could smell a lie a mile away.
“What are we talking about?” Sarah asked, taking a seat. Grace smiled at the older woman and said, “We were just talking about Gabby’s pregnancy.”
“I know, I am so happy to be having another grandbaby.” Sarah gushed.
Needing some space, Grace quietly stood, pushing the large bowl towards the center of the table. “I need some air. If you ladies will excuse me, please.” With that, she walked out the back door and prayed no one followed her.
Grace found herself walking around the ranch. It was a beautiful place with corrals and horses frolicking in the warm sun. Out in the distance, she could see cattle roaming free, as men on horseback watched leisurely. It was a beautiful day, and yet she felt sick because she had just lied to Amelia and the rest of them. She wanted to tell them that she had fallen in love with Tobias. That she adored him and wanted to be with him, but mainly she wanted to tell them her suspicions and ask them for advice on how to tell Tobias.
Deep down she already knew the answer. She knew she was pregnant. The signs were there. She’d studied enough in college to know that much. But she ignored them, not wanting to admit it to herself, let alone Tobias. He had been so happy since the move, full of energy and excitement. He was even calmer, more relaxed. The move was good for him. She didn’t want to mess that up for him. Besides, he was just getting the hang of taking care of Elizabeth, she didn’t want to burden him with another child, possibly one he didn’t want.
She knew that’s what it all boiled down to. Bridget had told her that Tobias was less than cordial when she told him about her pregnancy, that he didn’t bother with any of her appointments, basically leaving everything up to her. Grace didn’t believe it at first, but seeing him after Bridget’s death, she knew her cousin had told her the truth and that scared Grace. If Tobias could be so callous with his first child, she had no idea what he would do with his second.
She needed to talk to someone, someone who would understand her and know Tobias. The list wasn’t long, but there were a few people whom she could trust. Grabbing her phone, she dialed a number, listening to it ring.
“Hey beautiful, how’s Tennessee.”
“Hi Seth, you have a minute to talk?” She asked.
“For you, always. What’s up?”
Grace spent the next hour talking with Seth, listening to his advice and stories about Tobias. Seth had known Tobias the longest, besides his own brothers, and well, Seth was around when Tobias and Bridget were married. She wasn’t shocked when Seth informed her that Bridget wasn’t received well. Bridget could be a difficult person at times, but she did have a heart and Grace knew she loved her daughter. Yet, listening to how their marriage was perceived, Grace wondered why Tobias and Bridget ever got married in the first place. Neither could have been truly happy.
“Grace, you need to tell him. Tobias may be a bastard when it comes to work. He is a hard man to deal with, I know, but I also know he loves you. Everyone can see it. You two belong together. Just tell him and go from there.”
“He’s never said he loves me.”
“He’s called Jackass for a reason, Gracie. Don’t get me wrong, I love the idiot like a brother, would do anything for him, but Tobias is selfish and when it comes to relationships, he really falls short. It’s time to burst the bubble and find out where you stand. The only way to do that is to tell him.”
Grace knew Seth was right. She just had to find the right time and place, and at his family’s barbeque was not it.
“I’ll tell Tobias. I promise.”
“Good. Let me know if you want a plane ticket back to California. You are always welcome to stay with me.”
Laughing, Grace said, “Bye,” and disconnected the line.
“Tell me what?” Grace heard Tobias say, and spun around to find him standing right behind her. God, he looked good with his jeans and simple white t-shirt on. She liked seeing him without a suit on. He looked more relaxed, comfortable in his own skin.
“Nothing,” Grace smiled. “How was your ride?”
“Enlightening,” Tobias replied sarcastically. “Why are you out here instead of with the girls in the kitchen.
“I just needed some air.”
“Probably got tired of all that damn baby talk. God, Gabby is going to be hard to live with. I don’t know how Theo is going to handle it with two young boys already and I only have one. Well, better him than me, I guess. Anyway, I want to show you something. Up for a quick adventure?” Tobias grinned wickedly.
Smiling, Grace nodded when Tobias reached for her hand, pulling her towards one of the barns. Yet what she really wanted to do was ask him what he meant by his previous statement.