Chapter 49

Elle

Elle’s eyes grew wider and wider as Forrester drove her through the Californian mountains and down toward the coast.

“This is so beautiful, Forrester.”

He put his hand on her lap and smiled at her.

“You’re not nervous, are you?” he said, reassuringly.

She shook her head. She should have been nervous, but the truth was, Forrester was so protective of her and so attentive, that she felt perfectly comfortable.

“I had no idea you were from such a nice place,” she said.

“Well, I’m from Stone Peak. But this is where I learned how to be a man, thanks to Lacey and her father and the rest of the Brotherhood.”

Elle smiled. “Forrester,” she said, “what exactly is the Brotherhood.”

“Well,” Forrester said, “I know that’s a question that I’ve been dancing around for the past few weeks, and I know it’s something that you need to know about, but I want Jackson to be the one to tell you about it.”

“Why Jackson?”

“Because his path crossed with yours once before. Not that either of you knew it. But he and Faith were once involved in something that I think you’d be interested to hear about. They’re going to be the best people to explain the Brotherhood to you.”

Elle nodded. It was all very mysterious but she didn’t mind. She trusted Forrester. She knew he was a good man. He wasn’t an angel, and she had no illusion that the Brotherhood was something sweet and innocent, but she could tell it wasn’t something she needed to worry about.

When the truck came to the crest of the mountain pass and she saw for the first time, the immense and startling beauty of the Pacific Ocean in front of her, it took her breath away.

“Forrester, this is beautiful,” she said.

“It’s all yours if you want it,” he said.

She had to take a deep breath. She knew Forrester had family there, and she just had a job as a waitress back in Stone Peak, so she wasn’t opposed to the idea of settling in the Socorro Valley. She still hadn’t made up her mind, though. She’d have to see the place first. And what about Kelly and Grace? One thing made it all very easy for her. Forrester had made it amply clear that they would live where she wanted, and would raise their family in the way she felt was best, so she knew she wouldn’t be pressured into anything. She just had to see the place, meet the Brotherhood, and make up her own mind.

She felt excited as they wound their way down into the mountain valleys. For the first time in weeks, she felt warm. It was a lot warmer along the California coast than the Rocky Mountains had been. She took off her jacket and nestled into Forrester, who had a habit of driving his truck with one arm around her shoulders, which she loved.

When they pulled down the driveway of his house, she again had her breath taken away.

“Forrester, you never told me you were rich.”

Forrester shrugged and said simply, “You have no idea, sweet heart.”

She shook her head. The house at the end of the road was a Spanish style, colonial mansion, surrounded by gently sloping hills that were covered in fine vineyards. In front of the mansion was a huge fountain, and she could see the edge of a pool off to the back. In the courtyard were old pickup trucks, but also some vintage looking ones, as well as motorcycles, expensive luxury cars, and sports cars. There was no doubt that the Brotherhood had money.

“You’re the most eligible bachelor I’ve ever met,” she gasped.

“I’m not just a bachelor, sweet heart, I’m your fiancé, and your baby daddy. You’ve got me for life.”

“Most eligible baby daddy,” she said, and laughed. “I like the sound of that.”

“Come on,” he said, parking the truck. “I can’t wait to introduce you to the gang.”

Elle was touched by how excited he was. It really was a dream come true. She felt like a princess in a fairy tale. Here she was, being brought to what was essentially a castle, by a man who was essentially a prince, and she was having his baby and getting married to him. It was something any girl would kill for. And it was all happening to her, the girl who’d come from nothing, the girl who’d believed that no one on earth would ever love her, the girl who’d been sold by her own mother.

“I’m so lucky,” she said, as Forrester helped her out of the truck.

“I’m the lucky one,” he said, and then pulled her out of the truck and into his arms.

“What are you doing?” she gasped.

“I’m bringing you across the threshold. You’re not my wife yet, but this is my home, and I’ll be damned if I let you walk in.”

Elle felt like she would have swooned if she’d been on her own feet. As it was, she clung to Forrester, nestling her face into his beautiful neck.

“Whoa,” someone said from the direction of the mansion. “Look who’s here.”

When Elle looked up, she saw that his entire family was standing on the front steps, waiting to greet her. It made her heart flutter to see how welcoming they all looked.

“Hey,” Forrester said, seeing them for the first time in over a month.

“Family, this is my fiancée and future mother of my baby, Elle Barclay.”

They all spoke up in greeting.

“And Elle, this is my family, or should I say, our family.”