Lumber and Lace

Lumber and Lace

By L. R. Wards

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2011, 2013

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or if it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to smashwords and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

PROLOGUE

I don’t know, Cara, said Brianne, brushing a delinquent curl that had escaped her loosely made chignon off her face. I don’t want to impose.

Impose? Cara raised her delicate eyebrows. Are you kidding? You’ve carried me through this semester. I’d never have made it without you—and you’re stuck with me for the next year and a half, so let me help you. She reached over and touched her friend’s arm. I can’t possibly let you go back to an empty apartment and a summer of checking groceries.

Brianne’s apartment had been in a run-down area of town, but she was used to living there. She couldn’t afford anything better while trying to save money for college. Cara had offered her a different solution: work for her family for the summer. It would be cheap room and board, and then they could spend time together.

Initially, Brianne agreed to go work for Cara’s brothers—she’d even given up her job and apartment—but now she had reservations. She’d felt brave at the time, but now that it was time to go, she was scared. She hadn’t known that Cara had four brothers. One, maybe two, she could deal with…but four? Even if she had the preconceived notion that they were as sweet as Cara said, she wanted to turn her friend down. Unfortunately, she’d already agreed to Cara’s plan.

She and Cara had met when they ended up as dorm roommates, and they instantly hit it off. Although Cara was extremely outgoing, Brianne wasn’t. They’d had completely different upbringings, but opposites must attract, because Brianne thought the world of Cara.

"But I don’t know anything about being a secretary," she protested, not only feeling like she was imposing, but insecure about meeting Cara’s older brothers.

She talked about them nonstop, and in her eyes, they were perfect. What if she did something to offend them? It worried her that she might put her friendship at risk, because she’d never met anyone who showed her such consideration before in her life.

I’ll teach you. We’ll keep it simple in the beginning. It’ll take you a week or so to catch on to entering accounts into the computer and such, and I’ll do the rest—Don’t look so worried. That alone is a full-time job. My brothers have two full-time and two part-time secretaries, but during the summer, business triples. She gave her friend a generous smile that showed even white teeth. Bree, trust me, you’ll be doing them a favor. This way, they don’t have to advertise. She used her friend’s nickname endearingly, hoping that would help persuade her.

What’s wrong with that? she asked.

Cara groaned and rolled her eyes. You have no idea about how many women would strut through the office trying to gain the attention of any of my brothers, especially Rem or Gabe. They’re outrageous flirts, and Jeb ends up getting more and more unapproachable when he has to interview so many women, especially those who make no attempt to hide their intentions. He won’t let my other brothers do it, because they’d hire any woman with— She made a crude gesture with her hands in front of her chest, and Brianne burst out laughing —so he has to do it, and he really hates it. So you see, you’ll be doing them a big favor, especially Jeb, because he won’t have to deal with it.

I don’t know, she said apprehensively.

Please, Cara begged, her large blue eyes twinkling.

I suppose that look works on them too. She pinched her lips together to keep from grinning.

Of course. The blond-haired woman beamed and blinked dramatically, fluttering her long eyelashes.

After a moment of contemplation, Brianne rolled her eyes. Who could say no to you? She got a generous hug for her capitulation.

I’m so excited! Cara said as she released her. Why, we’ll be able to spend the whole summer together! I’ll teach you how to ride horses, we’ll go fishing—

Okay, okay! It actually sounded like fun. She’d never been on a horse in her life, but she’d always wanted one when she was a little girl.

—And, her friend continued, I’ll have an actual friend, not all those women who try to butter me up to get close to my brothers.

That’s awful, she admitted.

Cara was a wonderful person and very likable. It was obvious that she was outrageously spoiled from the amount of phone calls and spending money she got from her brothers. As for Brianne buttering her up, that was out of the question. She wasn’t interested in a man—not any man, she was terrified of them. Her father was an alcoholic and used to beat her until cirrhosis of the liver claimed his life when she was six. Her mother had taken off years before that and she didn’t know her at all. Since then, she’d been shifted from foster home to foster home, and her experiences in those gave her nightmares. Literally.

Also, she added, breaking Brianne’s train of thought, if they don’t have to interview a hundred husband hunters for this job they’re giving you, that will make them twice as happy. Her eyes widened slightly. I bet even Jeb will be happy about that!

He’s the oldest, right? she asked, trying not to laugh at the ‘husband hunter’ comment. Of course, Cara would think her brothers were handsome—she adored them more than anything else in her life. However, Brianne couldn’t imagine that any man was worth that much praise. Then again, her experiences with men had a negative impact on her life and on her opinion of them.

Yes, he’s the one that took shrapnel in the leg overseas in the war. Her face became solemn. I should tell you to avoid him, Bree. He’s not an easy person to get to know, and I’m afraid that he’ll frighten you with what you’ve told me about your childhood. I mean, he’s not cruel or anything. He’s just a little…aggressive.

Bree’s eyes widened. Does he have temper? She suppressed the shudder that went through her. Every man in her life who’d displayed a temper also had violent tendencies. She was sure she had experienced more broken bones than a stunt man in her young life.

Cara shook her head and waved her hands to try to dispel Brianne’s worries. No, nothing like that. At least, he’s never used it on a woman. I just think his demeanor will be intimidating to you. He’s not very warm to strangers. I could tell you not to be afraid of him until I’m blue in the face, but you will because he’s an assertive man, and he can be very blunt and unyielding. I don’t blame him. He looks after four younger siblings. She laughed. And my brothers are a handful at the best of times, except maybe Glen. He’s kind of a saint.

Saint? Brianne laughed. To her, ‘saint’ and a man’s name didn’t belong in the same sentence.

You’ll understand when you meet him, she explained. Unlike Jeb, he never raises his voice at anyone.

Well, from the stories you’ve told me, I can see where he’s coming from. I’ll remember your warning, though. She studied her friend’s expression for a moment. She had no worries. It was obvious that she’d been raised with a lot of love, and Brianne envied her because she’d never known that type of affection.

Even though she was nervous about meeting Cara’s family, she was excited, too. They did such a good job raising Cara that they couldn’t be as rough as the stories she’d heard about them. However, Jeb already intimidated her, and she hadn’t met him yet. Cara had told her that he was a war hero, but he didn’t talk about the things he’d done overseas. It also seemed like he was the only one without a sense of humor.

As she’d remembered, he was the oldest of the five, so maybe his seriousness was well-founded. Cara had told her that her parents died in a car crash when she was ten, and Jeb had instantly become the head of the family. By then, he was home from the war with a wrecked leg. Not only did he have to rear four younger siblings, he had to take over his father’s business as well. She had to admit that the man must be admirable to do all that and not lose his mind.

Cara continued to talk about her oldest brother. He was part of an elite group of soldiers used for special missions. Her voice dropped. I don’t know much, because like I told you before, he doesn’t talk about it…but apparently, out of eight of them, he and only one other man survived. He still deals with some pain in that leg too, so it tends to leave him seeming a little cranky. He uses a cane most times, but he doesn’t like it. She smiled slightly. But he rides a horse like the wind, so at least he doesn’t let his injury slow him down. He also works alongside the other three like he was born to it. She smiled with pride.

I envy you to have someone love you so much. Brianne meant it.

They’ll love you too, just wait, Cara told her, her voice still laced with excitement. I need to call them and let them know you finally caved. She pulled out her mobile phone and dialed her brother’s house. Start packing, she said, putting the phone to her ear.

It rang a few times before someone answered. Durant residence, answered an older feminine voice.

Hi, Lucinda, is anyone around?

Oh, Miss Cara! came the excited voice. Mr. Gabriel is out by the pool. We miss your lovely face around here.

I miss you too. She really did. Lucinda had been their housekeeper ever since she could remember, and she’d been like a surrogate mother to Cara since hers had died ten years ago. She was stern, but kind. Although she didn’t manage to keep the boys in line as well as she wanted, they listened to her up to a point.

Cara was sure she’d come close to quitting a few times over the antics they pulled. When Gabriel was fourteen, he put a mouse that he found in the stables in the flour tin. Lucinda screamed all the way out of the house. Anyone would think he’d stop doing those things after Jeb took him out back and knocked some sense into him, but it only made him wiser about not being caught.

After a moment, she could hear a deep, masculine voice in distant conversation as Lucinda told him who was on the phone.

Hey, Mouse!

She grinned at the sound of her nickname. They all called her Mouse, because of her small size as compared to them. Gabriel, could you let Jeb know that I’m bringing a friend home to help out for the summer?

She finally agreed, huh? He chuckled. Who said you weren’t persuasive?

"It took some convincing." She winked at Brianne, who shook her head in defeat at her friend’s teasing while pulling out her suitcase.

What does she look like? Is she single? Better yet, what’s she wearing? he asked teasingly.

She’s too sweet for you, she said defensively, and seeing Brianne’s eyes widen at her words added, and yes, and none of your business!

Sweet? I like sweet!

Cara was worried about that. Her brothers were bachelors, and they liked women—beautiful women, shapely women, smart woman, well, pretty much all women. And Brianne was definitely beautiful, smart and shapely. She couldn’t help but be concerned about her brothers hitting on her friend. When they teased, it was flirtatious and harmless, but Brianne’s experience with men would make her fearful of them. She didn’t have to worry about Jeb or Glen, but Rem and Gabriel were another story. Their looks and charisma could make just about any woman, including one as beautiful as Brianne, fall in love with them.

Cara stood up and casually walked over to the window to put some distance between her and Brianne, who had returned her attention to packing and hopefully didn’t know they were still talking about her. She didn’t want her friend to hear what she was going to say next. Her tone grew serious and lowered to a whisper. You leave her alone Gabe, she’s been through too much, okay?

Like what?

I’ll fill you guys in on a little more when I get home, but please don’t tease her too much. She’s very shy of men.

After a brief pause, he sighed. Well, that’s going to be tough. That’s all we do around here, and there’s a house full of us, but I’ll let the others know. We’ll do it for you, honey. He grinned while crossing his fingers.

I love you. Thanks.

Me too, Mouse. I’ve got to go, Glen wanted me on site an hour ago. Can’t wait to see you on Sunday! he said before he hung up.

CHAPTER ONE

That evening, the four Durant brothers sat down to dinner. As the oldest, Jeb sat at the head of the table, and he asked Remington to say grace before they started eating. It was usually a time for an informal board meeting between all of them so they could discuss business, because they were usually at different construction sites during the day.

Gabriel told the other three men that Cara had called earlier. They usually spoke to her several times a week to check up on her. It was hard for all of them to let her go to a ballet school in Boston, but she’d flashed those gorgeous blue eyes at them, and Jeb finally relented and gave her permission to go. However, it had taken her nearly two months of that before he gave in.

Once Jeb made up his mind, nothing short of a miracle could change it. Of course, he put several strict rules in place before she left. She wasn’t allowed to date—not at all. He used the excuse that if he was sending her to an expensive school, she needed to devote all of her time to her classes.

The other three knew exactly why he told her that, because they felt the same way. Cara was gullible and pretty, and she’d more than likely fall for the first man who flattered her. If she wanted to date someone, they wanted to be standing behind her when the guy picked her up, so they could let the guy know what would happen if he hurt her. They indulged her because she was the only woman in a house full of men, but also because she was precious to them.

How’s she sound? asked Glen.

Like she’s enjoying herself too much, Gabe answered with a mouthful of food.

Who’s going to get Cara and her friend? asked Remington.

I am, said Jeb, or JC to everyone except for Cara, who still referred to him as Jeb. Don’t talk with your mouth full, Gabe, he added, giving his youngest brother a stern look.

Gabe looked sheepish in return and swallowed hard before he spoke again. Are you taking the Cessna?

Why? Jeb asked, looking at Gabriel suspiciously.

Well, I was thinking about flying to Greensboro, because there’s this sweet little—

Jeb held up his hand, cutting him off. I don’t need to hear about your love life, Gabe. Just take the Cessna. I’ll call the pilot and take the Lear.

I wouldn’t mind hearing about it, said Remington with mock seriousness. She got a sister?

This got a round of deep laughter from everyone except Jeb, who just shook his head. Things at the dinner table were usually this crazy. Poor Lucinda usually didn’t eat with them because of their behavior, saying they needed to spend more time in church, so they could pray for forgiveness for the amount of drinking and womanizing they did. She’s probably right, Jeb thought, with an internal smile.

He, however, wasn’t as much of a drinker or womanizer as his youngest two brothers were. Well, not so much anymore, at least. His brothers worked as hard as they played, so he didn’t mind how they behaved as long as he didn’t have to bail them out of jail and they showed up for work the next day. The two youngest brothers and Cara were actually his half siblings, but they were closer than most families. Remington, Gabe, and Cara had blond hair and blue eyes, while he and Glen had their father’s black hair and dark eyes.

That reminds me, Gabe said, and then he relayed what Cara told him about her friend’s aversion to men.

A dancer who’s shy of men, that’s new. Remington grinned. "I know a