4

Chapter 15: Kate

Chapter 16: Jealousy

Chapter 17: Fight for Me

Chapter 18: The “Morning-after Talk”

Chapter 19: The Wedding

Chapter 20: Devastation

Chapter 21: Pain

Chapter 22: Better Times

Chapter 23: Mr Turner

Chapter 24: Goodbye

Chapter 25: Return

Chapter 26 (Epilogue): Their Happily-ever After

 5

Chapter 1: The Martinson Brothers

Harper slammed her hand on her alarm clock for the
hundredth time. If it rang one more time, she was going to chuck
it out the window. She’d stayed up late last night talking to her
brother who’d just returned from a tour in Afghanistan. She
smiled at the memory of when he’d walked up the driveway and
she’d flung herself into his arms. The alarm clock went off
again. She sat up and yanked it off her desk, intending to chuck
it out the window, when she saw the time. “8:30!” she
screeched. She threw it onto the floor and picked up her phone;
it was Monday. She jumped out of bed and ran around like a
madwoman getting ready for school. School started an hour ago!
She was so screwed.

She got to school at 8:50- record timing. She didn’t have

time to do her hair so she’d thrown it up into a bun. She’d
thrown on some sweatpants and a crop top. When she walked
into her first class, all eyes turned to her. “Miss. Turner, you’re
late” the teacher, Ms.Patson, said, pointing out the obvious.
Harper hung her head, “I’m sorry. My brother got back last
 7

When the bell rang, Harper gathered up her books and

turned to leave, only to come face to face with all three brothers.
“Ugh,” she muttered under her breath. “I heard that,” Conner
said. She rolled her eyes, “What do you three want?” “Welcome
to the group,” Caden said with a smile. She blinked: he has
pretty blue eyes. Were they always that pretty? She glanced at
Conner and Chase; well shit, they all had pretty blue eyes.
“Yeah...thanks, I need to get to my next class.” Chase nodded,
“We’ll meet after school and discuss what each of us are going
to do.” For egoistic flirts, they seemed responsible. “Sounds
good,” she said. Caden moved out of the way so she could go
by. When passing him, her arm brushed his chest and she
shivered in response. He was pure muscle beneath that lucky tee.

It didn’t take long for the entire school to know that Harper
was working on a group project with the Martinson brothers.
“You’re so lucky!” her best friend, Paige, said. “Am I? All day
girls have been friendly with me.” Paige grinned, “They want
you to hook them up with a brother.” “I know, don’t remind
me.” Paige grinned, “So...how do you feel?” “Awkward,”
 8

Harper confessed as she looked over at their table. Caden looked

up and caught her eye. She glanced away.

After school, she went out front to wait for Caden, Chase,
and Conner. “Hey beautiful,” Caden said, walking over. She
found a smile begin to form on her lips before she wiped it
away, “Caden. Where are the other two?” “Coming.” “Harper!”
a voice called. Harper grinned and turned around as her brother
Harvey walked up. He wrapped his arms around her and glared
at Caden, “Hey.” “Harvey, what are you doing here?” “Well, I
simply couldn’t stay away from you.” She laughed, “Who
would?” Chase and Conner walked up. Chase raised an
eyebrow. “Clearly you are popular with the men,” Harvey said,
giving each of them a glare. Harper laughed, “Harvey, this is
Caden, Chase, and Conner Martinson; we’re working on a group
project. Chase, Conner, Caden, this is Harvey: one of the two
men in my life.” Harper watched something like jealousy flash
through Caden’s eyes before it was gone. Harvey chuckled,
“Nice to meet you all.” Conner extended a hand, “Likewise.”
Harvey let Harper go and shook his hand, “Conner, right?”
“Yeah.” “I expect you’ll be doing project work and not hitting
 9

on my sister.” Chase and Caden’s eyebrows went up then Caden

shook his head. Harper grinned, “Did I forget to mention that
Harvey is my brother?” “The one in the army?” Chase asked. “I
didn’t know I was famous here,” Harvey said. Harper rolled her
eyes, “Far from it.” “Well, I’ll leave you four be to work. I’ll see
you at home Harp.” Harper nodded, “See you.” He left.
“Well...uh...let’s get to work,” Caden said.