"He's going to ask what a beautiful girl like you is doing, being single," Grace said.
Kelly blushed. She was shy. Forrester felt bad for embarrassing her. "You don't have to answer," he said.
"No," she said. "It's fine, it's just, it's complicated. It's a very long story, Forrester. I'm not sure I could get into it tonight."
"I totally understand," he said.
"Maybe one day, when we have more time, I can tell you my whole story."
"I'd like that," Forrester said.
Elle smiled. Forrester was pretty sure he'd just put his foot in it. There was more to Kelly's situation than he'd realized. It was painfully obvious to him that all three of the women knew far more about it than he ever would.
Elle came to his rescue, dispelling the awkwardness he'd created.
"So, Forrester, husband to be?"
He smiled when she said that. It made his heart beat harder. It also made his cock stiffen for her.
"When are you going to take me to meet your family?"
"Really?" Forrester said in surprise.
He wanted nothing more than to take her back to the Socorro Valley, but he'd been afraid she wouldn't want to go. He wasn't sure why he'd thought that. Maybe because Elle seemed so happy at the diner.
"You really want to go meet them."
"Silly, I'm dying to meet them. They're going to be my new family."
"Yes they are," Forrester said, and put his arms around her and pulled her in close.
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."
Chapter 50
Elle
FROM THE MOMENT ELLE SET foot in the mansion, she loved the place. She felt welcomed and safe there in a way that she'd never felt in her entire life. Every single member of Forrester's family had generously welcomed her into their life.
Lacey had been the first, hugging her so tightly she felt like a long lost family member. Lacey also kissed her cheeks and Elle felt a pang at her heartstrings when she saw that Lacey was crying. Faith was also crying.
"You're so beautiful," Lacey said.
Elle didn't know what to say when Faith pulled her close to her and gave her the warmest, most welcoming hug she'd ever felt.
"Thank you," Elle managed.
"You've made Forrester so happy," Lacey said. "Even just through the phone I can tell. It's like night and day."
"Really?" Elle said, flattered that they thought so highly of her already.
"Oh yes," Faith said. "You're exactly the thing that man needed. He was like a wild animal when he left. Now, all I have to do is look at him to see the difference."
Elle looked at Forrester. He was hugging his brothers, Jackson, Grant and Grady, and Elle smiled. She hadn't realized she'd had such a noticeable impact on him. She thought back to the day she'd first seen him.
Was he really that different then from how he was now?
Jackson was the first of the men to greet her. He lifted her up into his powerful arms and hugged her tightly. Without even letting her feet touch the ground, Grant took her from Jackson and hugged her. Finally Grady, who was younger and a little shyer, gave her a slightly more timid hug, although it was still very warm.
The women were both holding babies and Elle kissed them both and hugged Sam, who was Faith and Jackson's son.
"You're pretty," Sam said to her.
Elle blushed, although she felt a little silly being so sensitive to the compliments of a twelve year old.
"She sure is," Grady said.