If Only In My Dreams (Seven Brides Seven Brothers Book 5) Read online

  “I see a little of Lionel in AJ,” Brandon mused. “They both have wide open hearts and an adventurous spirit. I still miss him like crazy.”

  “It sounds like you honor Lionel with the memories the two of you shared,” Rose said. “That’s a beautiful thing.”

  “Thanks for letting me share Lionel with you. I don’t talk about him often, so it says something about you that I opened up that part of my life to you.” He reached across the table and took her hand. She squeezed Brandon’s hand, trying to let him know without saying a word that she felt a similar connection with him.

  Music began to drift towards them from the main hall. As far as Rose could tell, the upbeat rhythms emanating toward them sounded like a live band. Although she’d never been this bold in her life, Rose knew there was no time like the present. She stood up and held out her hand to Brandon. “Would you like to dance?”

  Brandon grinned and stood up from the table, placing his hand in hers. “I’d love to,” he said as they walked back toward the pleasant sounds of the music. Couples were gathered on a makeshift dance floor as the band played one of her favorite love songs. She began to softly sing along. As Brandon took her in his arms and led her around the dance floor, she wondered if he could feel the thump of her heart as he held her close against his chest. This was a moment she would remember for the rest of her days, because it was the moment she fell right off the edge and head over heels in love with Brandon.

  “It’s always darkest before the dawn. But when dawn comes, it’s the most glorious sight in the world.” Alec Donahue

  Chapter Nine

  The next two weeks flew by, with Christmas barreling towards them at record speed. Rose and AJ had spent more time with the Donahue clan, sharing in the holiday festivities and the excitement of a Christmas Eve double wedding. Brandon saw the anticipation both Remy and Ryder were feeling about marrying Gabi and Tess. It was written all over their faces and Brandon couldn’t have been happier for them. Seeing four of his brothers settling down gave him hope that one day soon it might happen for him. His relationship with Rose was making him dream of things he’d never aspired to with any other woman. God had opened his eyes and led him towards a woman who could offer him everything he’d ever dreamed of or wanted in a woman.

  But was this all happening too fast? How could you fall in love with a person in a matter of weeks and have it last? He thought of his parents. Hadn’t that been their story? They’d met at Christmas-time and had been married a few weeks later. And here they were, forty years later…still madly in love.

  As he pulled his car into the parking lot of Sully’s Tavern for the weekly Boys’ Night Out with his brothers, he made a mental note to talk to Nick about the subject. He’d first met Layla over the course of one summer and fallen deeply in love with her. Ten years later, that love hadn’t gone away. As he got out of his car and locked up he noticed a few familiar cars already parked in the lot. Just as he was at the door, a female voice called out to him.

  Turning around he came face to face with Layla. Immediately, he felt uncomfortable. His guilt still hadn’t gone away, making for awkward encounters whenever they were in the same area. “Hey, Layla. You looking for Nick?” He tried to make his voice sound casual despite his discomfort.

  Layla wasn’t smiling. In fact her features appeared tense and she seemed to be chewing on the inside of her lip. “No, Brandon. Nick is inside. He has no idea I’m here.”

  “Oh,” he said, fumbling for something else to say. “You want me to go inside and get him?”

  She huffed out an impatient breath. “I’m not here to see Nick. I’m here to see you. I waited in the lot until I saw you pull up.”

  “What’s going on? Do you need something?” he asked, immediately going into worry-mode.

  Her eyes moistened and she seemed to be fighting back the tears. “Have I done something to make you not like me?”

  The question sat out there for a second like a live grenade. Brandon couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Layla thought he didn’t like her?

  He ran a weary hand over his face. “Not like you! Where in the world did you get that idea from? Of course I like you, Layla.”

  “Every time we’re together you head in the opposite direction. You barely talk to me. And I’ve noticed you talk up a storm with Sarah, Gabi and Tess. I know how close you are to Nick and it kills me to think there’s something I’ve said or done to make you not like me or accept me in the family.” Layla’s voice cracked and she covered her mouth with a shaking hand.

  “Oh, Layla. You’ve completely misunderstood.” He locked gazes with her, immediately seeing her vulnerability and confusion. It was well past time they cleared the air. “I guess I do avoid you.” Layla winced at his words. “But it’s because I feel guilty. It’s about me, not about you or anything you’ve done. I think you’re wonderful.”

  “Guilty? About what?” she asked, bewilderment infused in her tone.

  “About Nick ending the relationship all those years ago. I was the big brother doling out romantic advice like it was going out of style. I told him not to run off with you and to continue his education. If it weren’t for me and my two bit advice, the two of you would have been married ages ago.” He hung his head, not wanting to see the look in her eyes. “And you wouldn’t have had to contend with an abusive husband.”

  “Brandon! I don’t blame you for any of it. Nick made choices then and so did I. Yes, of course I was annoyed when Nick told me you were against our relationship and that you were very vocal about it, but I’ve never laid any of it at your feet. A relationship is between two people, and if someone can convince someone else not to be in it, then it had fault lines in the foundation.”

  “But you guys were so in love,” Brandon protested.

  “We were,” Layla agreed. “But we were young…and who’s to say we would have lasted if we’d gotten married back then? Sometimes those things tend to peter out. And coming back together with Nick was God’s way of showing us that we could have a second chance with one another, if we worked toward forgiveness. That’s the key, Brandon. Forgiveness. I’ve had to forgive myself for some of the choices I’ve made. I think it’s time you did the same.”

  Brandon heaved a huge sigh of relief. He pressed a hand across his chest. “Thank you, Layla. For being so willing to forgive and to let the past stay in the past. It really humbles me to know you don’t see me as the villain.”

  Layla reached out and hugged him. “I could never see you that way, Brandon. Nick thinks you hung the moon. He’s told me all the wonderful things you’ve done for him. The way you taught him not to be ashamed of his dyslexia. How you tutored him in high school and pushed him to apply to the top schools and get scholarships. He said you were the first investor in his restaurant. It’s quite clear you’ve always wanted the best for Nick. And I love you for it.”

  “I love you too, sis. And I couldn’t be more proud of the life the two of you have built together. Nick and the restaurant. You and the dance studio. I think it’s terrific,” Brandon said. All of his brothers had chosen their lady loves wisely. The love that flowed between them

  “Well, I’m glad we talked this out,” Layla said with a grin. “I better let you get inside. I know you’re celebrating Remy and Ryder’s last few days of freedom,” she teased. “And then there were three.”

  Brandon laughed, knowing he was in store for some ribbing tonight about being one of the last three Donahue boys still unattached. “Maybe they’ll focus on Mac and Wyatt instead of me,” he said, walked towards the entrance with a parting wave in Layla’s direction.

  The moment he entered Sully’s Tavern he spotted his brothers sitting at a large table filled with food and cups of ale. In the center of the table was a big ball, complete with a heavy chain. It didn’t take him two guesses to figure out who was responsible for the centerpiece. Wyatt prided himself on his gags and sense of humor. A cry of welcome went up as soon as they spotted him coming to
wards them.

  “We were about to send out a search party for you,” Remy said. “What took you so long?”

  “I had to settle something very important,” Brandon said, shrugging off his jacket and taking a seat at the table. “What did I miss?”

  “Wyatt was just telling us how he’s never going to settle down,” Blue said with an amused expression etched on his face.

  Wyatt was sitting back in his chair with his arms folded across his chest. “No offense, guys, but I think one of us needs to stay strong.”

  Ryder scoffed. “Being with Tess makes me stronger, thank you very much.”

  “When you know you’ve met the right one, that’s all she wrote,” Nick said, shaking his head mournfully at Wyatt. “One of these days it’ll hit you over the head when you least expect it.”

  Hit over the head. That was how he felt about Rose. As if someone had hit him smack on the head with the knowledge that this woman—this wonderful, radiant, soulful woman—was his other half. He swallowed, overwhelmed by the realization that Rose might be the one. Although he’d always wanted love in his life, he’d never thought far enough ahead to imagine how it would all play out. How it would feel as if his heart was no longer his own.

  “Hey, are you okay?” Nick whispered, leaning in towards him and speaking in a low tone. “You’re zoning out.”

  “I’m fine,” he answered. “Just trying to process a few things.”

  Nick raised an eyebrow. “Does this have anything to do with Rose?”

  “Why would you ask me that?” He met Nick’s even stare, trying not to show his hand. How could he share his feelings when he hadn’t even processed them himself?

  Nick shrugged as a hint of a smirk rested on his lips. “Oh, I don’t know. Call me crazy but you have the same dazed expression on your face that I was walking around with when Layla came back to town.”

  “Give it a rest, Nick,” he said, squirming in his chair uncomfortably. “Let’s just focus on Remy and Ryder. Four Donahue brothers in love should be enough for now.”

  Just then Mac stood up. With his height and impeccable physical condition, Mac drew stares wherever he went. Strangers always mistook him for an athlete or a pro wrestler, which made Mac frown while the rest of the Donahue boys chuckled.

  “Everyone raise a cup,” Mac instructed. As each of the brothers complied and raised their cups up in the air, Mac continued. “To Remy and Ryder, my two favorite brothers.” Remy and Ryder clapped while the rest of the brothers groaned loudly. Mac chuckled. “May the two of you continue to walk in love with Gabi and Tess for the rest of your days. God has blessed both of you with two of the most loving and special women I’ve ever known. They couldn’t have picked better husbands.”

  Loud cheers went up as Remy and Ryder each hugged Mac. They all knew that Mac was a man of few words, so to hear him give such a moving speech was extraordinary. Although they joked and ribbed each other a majority of the time, there was no question regarding the depth and scope of the love the seven brothers felt for one another. It sat heavily in the air tonight, a reminder of God’s grace in putting them together as a family all those years ago.

  As he looked around the table at all his brothers, he said a prayer of thanks for all he’d been given.

  **

  Rose looked in the mirror at her sleek new hairdo. A few hours at the beauty salon had left her with a sleek, dark bob that was way more fashionable than any other hairstyle she’d had in the last decade. Maybe ever, she realized. She’d also stopped at the nail salon for a manicure and pedicure. Brandon had swung by this morning and picked up AJ for a tubing adventure at Nottingham Woods. It was boys-only event, which suited Rose just fine. It gave her an afternoon of pampering, which felt slightly decadent.

  Brandon and AJ. They were quite a pair, she thought with a chuckle. Birds of a feather. Life really did throw surprises at a person. A few weeks ago she’d judged Brandon as stiff and arrogant and uncaring. Through the grace of God she’d been granted an opportunity to see the real Brandon, the one who was joyful and family oriented and generous to a fault. She still had doubts about whether or not they would make it as a couple. With his financial success, fame and status, he could have anyone he wanted. Why would he settle for someone like her? Ugh. She hated the voice of doubt that buzzed in her ear, but, try as she might it was there, firmly settled on her shoulder. Her past relationship with AJ’s father had scarred her, leaving her to doubt whether she’d ever be enough for a man. And Brandon wasn’t just any man.

  It wasn’t fair to Brandon to let her doubts harm their relationship. So far he’d done everything possible to show her that he was serious about her. Fear was now standing in the way of her future with Brandon. Fear of being hurt by him and dread about what could potentially happen I their budding relationship crashed and burned. AJ would be heartbroken. Just the thought of it tore her up inside.

  The peal of her doorbell drew her out of her thoughts. She wasn’t expecting Brandon and AJ back this early, but maybe Delilah had swung bye to check in on her. She turned the knob on her front door and pulled it open, a guttural noise coming from her throat as she laid eyes on the last person she would ever have expected to grace her doorstep. Suddenly, it felt as if the bottom had fallen out of her world.

  “What are you doing here?” She couldn’t believe her eyes. Davis Montague, the man who’d walked out of her life right before she gave birth to their son, was standing at her door.

  “May I come in?” Still, after all these years, Davis was acting as if he was the refined boy next door. All proper manners and false charm. Thankfully, she’d learned her lesson six years ago about Davis Montague. He was as cold as ice and a man of low moral fiber. Still and all, her heart was beating a wild rhythm in her chest. It was thumping like crazy. It was like seeing a ghost standing at her door.

  “Why are you here?” she asked through gritted teeth. Her mind was whirling in a dozen different directions. Although she didn’t know for certain why he’d showed up at her doorstep, every instinct she possessed told her that the purpose of his visit wasn’t a pleasant one.

  “For my son, of course,” he said smoothly.

  She let out a gasp. “Your son? The one you walked out on? The one you’ve never seen once in his whole life?”

  “Things change, Rose. My wife, Yvette, we found out that she can’t have kids. So, it looks like AJ is the only child I’ll ever have. My family wants a political dynasty and I’m going to deliver AJ to them to foster those hopes and aspirations.”

  “You told them about AJ?” Her throat was as dry as a desert. This was her worst fear come to life. They were trying to take AJ away from her and make him into a Montague.

  “Not yet. They don’t even know he exists. I didn’t want to get their hopes up until I tracked you down. And I wanted to make sure we had our stories straight.”

  “What story? What are you talking about?” It felt like Davis was speaking in a language she couldn’t understand.

  “About the reason I haven’t been in my son’s life for the past six years.” He let out a sigh. “So here it is. You ran away before giving birth and I’ve spent the better part of six years trying to track you down.”

  “That’s a lie!” Rose spit out. “You bailed on us, Davis. You didn’t even come by the hospital. You never even saw our son.”

  Davis stepped toward her, his expression mutinous. “That’s not a story you’ll ever tell, Rose. Not if you know what’s good for you…and our son,” he said through clenched teeth.

  “You can’t stop me from telling the truth!” she said in a raised voice. “I won’t lie for you.”

  “Rose. Dear, sweet Rose. Who do you think people will believe? I’m Davis Montague of the well connected Montague family and you’re Rose Maddock, a nobody with zero family connections. My family has enough money to hire the best lawyers in the country. Do yourself a favor and play nice. I’ll make sure you get a few weeks a year of visitation. Maybe the whole
summer if you don’t make any waves for me.”

  She felt dizzy. Her hands were clammy. “Y-you’re a devil! You’ve never had the slightest interest in AJ.”

  He reached out and ran a finger down her cheek. “You always were a shy little mouse, Rose. Let’s not get all righteous with me. I want our son in my life. And I usually get what I want.”

  “You want to use him for political gain. It’s nothing more than that.”

  Davis leaned in toward her, his handsome face turning lethal. An ugly green vein thrummed on his forehead. His teeth were clenched. “I am Davis Montague. I can make all kinds of things happen.” His upper lip was curled. “And if you fight me on this, I can make it so you lose custody of AJ. You’ll never see him again.”

  Pain exploded inside her. His words were chilling. She knew all too well the way rich, entitled people could manipulate the court system. Even though she knew she could go head to head with Davis in any court in America, there was a chance he might win the lawsuit. “Why are you doing this, Davis? I loved you once. You said that you loved me. We made a child together. Doesn’t that count for something?”

  Davis rolled his eyes. “Don’t get sentimental. You should know from your past that life gives us bumps and bruises. This is just another bump in the road.” He turned back toward her as he headed toward the door. “You better put your seat belt on.” With a slam of her front door he was gone. And he’d taken every ounce of her self-confidence with her. How could she fight against the Montague family name?

  She sank down onto the floor and wrapped her arms around her chest. Strange sounds came flying out of her mouth. Moans of despair. And she couldn’t stop shaking. Why was this happening? Davis didn’t care about AJ. He hadn’t inquired about him in six years. Not once. And now he was threatening to take him from her. AJ was the only solid thing she had in her life. He was her everything.