Engaging Brooke by Dara Girard

Author:Dara Girard [Girard, Dara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, General, Contemporary, Western
ISBN: 9780373863532
Google: q94XAwAAQBAJ
Amazon: B00GPDUZ1K
Publisher: Kimani Press
Published: 2014-04-15T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

The summons came right on schedule. Jameson looked at Cecelia as he sat behind his desk in his study.

“You said tonight?” Jameson asked, annoyed.

Cecelia nodded. “She said she was afraid if she told you sooner, you’d come up with an excuse not to go.”

His mother was right. Dinner at the main house with family wasn’t high on his list of priorities. “I already had plans for tonight.”

Cecelia looked alarmed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see anything on your calendar.”

“Private plans,” Jameson corrected.

“Oh,” Cecelia said. “Your mother expects you both to dress your best because it will be Brooke’s first dinner as a Broward.”

Jameson rubbed his chin. “I guess it can’t be avoided.”

“I think it will be good for Mrs. Broward.”

Brooke was just as disappointed as Jameson by their change in plans, but she knew it was an opportunity to stay in the Browards’ good graces. “Do you think they’ll talk about Samara’s upcoming press conference?” she asked as they drove to the main house.

“It’s likely. Everyone in town is talking about it. I wonder what Samara’s going to say.”

“Some locals believe she’s going to announce she’s filming a movie in town. Others hope she is going to open a movie studio here.”

“That’s a scary thought.”

* * *

Dinner that evening consisted of braised asparagus, stuffed mushrooms, oven-roasted potatoes, barbecue pulled pork and rice pilaf. Everything was cooked to perfection, but Brooke could hardly taste a thing. She felt like a fraud. All she could see was how false her relationship with Jameson was compared to the others. Wes and Lydia had postponed going back on vacation and as they sat at the table it was clear how much in love they were. And Gwendolyn and Steven had been in love for years. Grandpa Charles had loved and seemed open to falling in love again. In the glaring light of all this, Brooke knew that all she and Jameson had was a great sex life.

“You’ve hardly touched a thing,” Gwendolyn said, looking at Brooke’s plate.

“It’s so delicious, I’m trying to savor every bite,” Brooke said quickly. “I really enjoy being here with you all.”

“Get used to it,” Steven said. “We’re a family that likes to get together.”

“And that’s an order,” Jameson added.

Gwendolyn shook her head. “Brooke, I don’t know what you saw in this surly cowboy.”

“He has his own special charm,” Brooke said.

“And he also happens to be sitting right here,” Jameson said.

“I’m just glad he was finally ready to settle down,” Gwendolyn said, ignoring him. “I can’t tell you how happy Steven and I are to have you as part of our family.”

Jameson pushed his chair back and stood. “I’ll get us some more wine.”

* * *

Jameson was coming up from the wine cellar when he saw Grandpa Charles coming in the opposite direction.

“What’s bothering you?” he said with a serious blue gaze.

“Nothing,” Jameson said, startled by the question. “I mean, I’ve been thinking about the Samara woman but—” He stopped when his grandfather shook his head.

“No, something besides that. Something besides Granger and the ranch.

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