“Let’s talk. It’s not what you think,” he said as he held a hand out to her like she was a frightened puppy.

“It sounds like you need to find a wife to get a bunch of money,” she said.

Tightness constricted his chest. He’d been so worried about not allowing a woman to use him for his money and here she was infuriated that he’d kept the inheritance a secret from her. How wrong could he have been? Apparently, he was a fool.

But there was a light inside him in the midst of all of this because she was unlike any woman he’d ever been around. She was fresh and pure, and there was nothing even remotely conniving or greedy about her.

“Well, yes and no. I get my inheritance if I marry, but that’s not why I was thinking of proposing,” he told her. He was fumbling this badly. He wasn’t doing well being put on the spot.

“You aren’t who I thought you were, Cooper,” she said, her tears drying as she glared at him.

“I’ve never pretended to be anyone other than who I am with you, Stormy,” he told her. It was so true.

“Find another bride to get your inheritance.”

She turned and ran from the hangar.

“Ouch. You screwed that one up,” Nick said.

“You screwed it up. Hell!” Cooper thundered. “I’ll go talk to her.”

He took a step forward to catch her and fell flat on his face.

“What the hell?” Sharp pain shot through his ankle as he looked down to the jack he’d tripped over.

“Ouch,” Nick said with another laugh.

“Dammit, Nick. I don’t have time for this. I really must go talk to her,” Cooper said as he slowly stood and tried to put weight on the ankle. Pain clouded his vision.

“Ha. I don’t think you’re going anywhere but the doctor to get that foot looked at,” Nick told him.

“When in the hell are you going to learn to put your things away,” Cooper growled, knowing his brother was right.

“Hey, don’t try to change me, man,” Nick said. “Let’s get out of here. You can grovel with your woman later.”

Cooper reluctantly agreed as he limped behind his brother toward his old, filthy truck. “Why in the world are you still driving this piece of shit?” Cooper grumbled.

“Because I love old Bitsy. She’s been good to me,” Nick said before his grin widened. “Besides, when the big EMP strike hits, your and Mav’s fancy electronic cars won’t be nothing but pretty lawn ornaments, while this beast will be hauling your asses around.”

“It’s okay. If it hits, I’ll most likely be up in the air, falling to the ground.”

“Well, that’s a positive way to look at things,” Nick said with a roll of his eyes.

The truck roared to life, and they headed from the parking lot in the direction of the urgent care center, where the staff knew the Armstrong brothers by name. Injuries tended to happen when you were adrenaline junkies.

When his brother stopped talking, Cooper reached into his pocket and pulled out the velvet box he’d been holding on to for three days.

Unexpectedly, he had fallen in love with Stormy. And though she was upset with him right now, when she was calm and the two of them were talking in a reasonable manner, they could get on with their lives.

That improved his mood. Why wouldn’t it work out?

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

What was she going to do? Stormy was so flustered she couldn’t even think. Instead of even trying, she hurried back to the house and called a cab. She had a few items to grab; the rest she didn’t care about. She needed time to come to terms with the situation and she needed to do it away from Cooper.

They were going to talk again, but she couldn’t even imagine looking at his face right now. Had this all been his way of getting money? Didn’t he have enough? How much did one person need?

She walked into the house, then rushed to her room and packed what she would need for the next couple weeks. She’d send a friend for the rest later.

Stepping into the kitchen, she pulled out a pen and paper and jotted down a quick note. She then took the picture of the ultrasound out of her purse. He had a right to know, even if she didn’t want to share this joy with him.

Just as she stood up, she heard the front door slam, and her heart lodged in her throat. No! This wasn’t happening.

“Stormy!”

A sigh of relief washed through her. Though she didn’t want to face any of the Armstrong brothers right now, she’d rather deal with Nick than Cooper.

She stayed quiet, hoping he wouldn’t think she was there. When she thought she heard him go up the stairs, she left the note and picture and then rushed to the front door.

“Stormy? What’s up with the bag?” Nick asked, blocking her escape.

“Hey, Nick. I . . . um . . . I’ve got to go,” she said, trying to decide if she could rush him to get past.

“Go where?” He wasn’t budging.

“I just have to go,” she told him.

“Stormy . . .” He seemed at a loss for words.

“Please . . .” Her voice choked. “No!” She pushed past him, and in his surprise he let her go.

She rushed out to the waiting cab, nearly weeping again, she was so grateful it was there. Getting into the backseat, she told the driver to just go. He was confused a moment, but then he pulled out onto the street, not asking any questions.

She told him the address of where they were going after he was a couple blocks away from the house. She leaned back, grateful to have gotten away in one piece.