*****

Lucas wouldn’t admit to her how he’d wanted to smash his brother in the face for daring to kiss his woman. He also wouldn’t admit how jealous he was at that moment that she hadn’t slapped Alex in the face after he’d kissed her.

He made himself calm down because he knew Alex was just trying to get a rise out of him.

It had worked.

When they reached the passenger side of his car, Amy suddenly hesitated. “Wait a minute. Where’s all my stuff going? I don’t even know where I’m going yet. This happened so fast, I haven’t had time to think about what happens next.”

Lucas could see she was starting to panic. “Amy, you’re all right. I’m going to take you to my parents’ house for now. Alex told my father what was happening, and Dad wanted to talk to you.” She started to shake her head no when he looked into her eyes. “Amy, it’s not wise to tell my father no.”

Amy’s eyes were wide as she tried to swallow the rising panic in her. She said nothing further as she climbed into the vehicle and buckled her seat belt. Lucas chuckled as he walked around the car. He knew how she was feeling. When his father beckoned, you came. You didn’t come because he was the head of the family. You came because the man earned respect. You obeyed because he was the type of man you’d bend over backwards for.

He’d been an exceptional father, never placing work ahead of his family, and he was always the first one any of the kids came to with a problem, or with good news, for that matter. He was already aware of Amy’s situation because the family always told him everything.

Lucas and Amy didn’t speak on the ride to the family mansion. He knew she needed time to compose herself. She’d been through a lot the last few hours and he was happy to know he wasn’t the bad guy in the current situation.

Amy needed time to gear herself up because she was about to be thrust into the chaos of his family. Everyone was at the manor this weekend for his mother’s birthday. Any holiday was cause for the family to celebrate together, but his mother’s birthday was a huge bash.

His father always said his wife’s birth was a great cause for celebration. She was the light of his life and his world would’ve been empty without her. He felt her birthday should be a national holiday. Amy interrupted Lucas’s thoughts when she finally spoke as they approached the house.

“Mr. Anderson, it looks like you have company right now. This probably isn’t the best time for me to be here. Will you please just let me use your phone so I can call a cab and get out of your hands?” She spoke barely above a whisper.

“Not a chance,” was his only reply.

Amy looked down at herself and then back up at him. “I’m wearing old jeans,” she pleaded. “Please don’t make me go in there looking like this.”

He just laughed at the panicked look on her face and her horrified voice. His family had been blessed with more than most, but they weren’t who she thought they were. They’d never treat someone badly because of the way they were dressed, or because they didn’t have as much money.

“Amy, you act like we’re a bunch of snobs. We’re normal people, like anyone else. So what if we like nice things? You’re the one being a snob right now, judging my family on what we have,” he said.

His words worked like a charm. Her eyes widened as she thought about what he said, then the fire he liked seeing entered her eyes. Good. He liked her defenses up, her confidence in place. He didn’t want a mouse of a woman sitting next to him. He wanted a strong, stubborn woman who challenged him and fired up his blood. One thing Amy needed to learn about him was that he always got what he wanted, and at that moment he wanted her with him. Lucas came around the car and helped her out. He placed her arm in his and half-dragged her up the walk.

She’d come to the mansion for her job interview, so at least she didn’t have to be quite as intimidated now. Even though she’d been there before, he noticed how her breath was taken away by the beauty of it all. He was used to his childhood home, but he knew what it looked like to a stranger. It was stunning.

Lucas led her through the foyer and into the back where laughter could be heard down the halls, carried on the background music. As he continued down the hallway with Amy by his side, Lucas felt the last of his tension ease. He liked being with her, even though he knew he shouldn’t. It didn’t matter, though, he was home and Amy was safe. He was feeling pretty good.

“You finally made it. What did you do, take the scenic route? I’ve been here for a half hour already, and I wasn’t the one driving the race car.” Alex came up and nudged his brother in the ribs. “All is forgiven, though, since you brought my beautiful future bride. How are you doing, gorgeous? We’ve been apart for too long already. Do you want to run away with me to Vegas and get married?” he joked. He threw his arm around her and dragged her across the room for a drink.

Lucas shook his head while rolling his eyes. He knew his brother was even more afraid of marriage than he was himself. He was still going to keep an eye on her, though, because if anyone could change his brother from committed playboy to a happily married man, it would be Amy.

He was going to make sure and stake his claim, so both his brothers knew that Amy wasn’t on the market. He was amazed at the jealousy coursing through him. He’d never felt that way about any other woman he’d dated. If someone he was dating wanted to run off with one of his brothers, he would’ve gladly said goodbye.

It never would’ve been an issue, though, as neither of his brothers would ever trespass on the others’ women. They had a code between them and would never break it. You just didn’t try and steal your brother’s girl. On the other hand, making one of said brothers jealous was a whole other issue, and each of the guys loved to push buttons.

He started to walk over to take his woman … um, employee … back, when Esther saved him from doing just that.

“Alex, you leave this girl alone. You’re flirting shamelessly and embarrassing her. How are you doing, Amy?”

“I’m great. I’m really getting that computer program down, and I don’t think I’ll have to call you at all on Monday. Today is just another speed bump. Nothing to worry about,” Amy told Esther with a brave face.

Lucas could see that Amy wasn’t used to having people worry about her, or love her, for that matter. She’d have to get used to both. Employees of the Andersons were considered family. They took care of their people. Her days of bearing the weight of the world on her own shoulders had ended.