Neither brother spoke for a few moments. They seemed to understand he was trying to figure things out in his own head.
"You know things didn't start out so well for Amy and me either, little brother," Lucas finally said. "I fought hard against my attraction to her. I, in no way wanted to be in a relationship. On the other hand I'd never wanted a woman like I wanted her. She would walk into the room and I was on instant alert. I tried to tell myself it was just some weird hormonal imbalance but even though I was fighting it I knew it was a losing battle," he finished.
"Everyone can see you and Amy were meant to be together. Things may have started out rocky for you but you're disgustingly in love now. There isn't a woman out there who could love you like she does. It's the only reason she puts up with your ugly hide," Alex finished and punched Lucas in the arm.
"Yeah, it sounds to me as if the both of you are just love sick. Thank the Lord it will never happen to me," Mark added with a cocky smile.
Lucas and Alex looked at each other and smiled. They knew their brother would go down kicking and screaming but they knew he would go down. It would be immensely pleasurable for them both to watch.
"I may not be in love like Lucas but it's nice to have something to come home too," Alex said. He felt a twinge of pain as he said the words. He figured he was lying to himself, saying he wasn't in love but it was better than the alternative of being vulnerable.
"Yeah, I think you're fooling yourself little bro. I've seen the way you look at Jessica. It's more than just lust. You look at her the way I look at Amy. The sooner you accept that fact and enjoy being married, the sooner you can stop hurting all the time. Man, when I finally just let myself open up, my whole world changed. Seriously, if something were to ever happen to Amy, I couldn't survive it," Lucas finished.
He then pulled his phone out for the millionth and one time to see if he'd missed a call from his very pregnant wife.
"Give it a break bro; your wife will call you if she goes into labor. Your phone will not miraculously miss a call and if one or either of these things did happen, someone would come running to find you and rush you into the hospital," Mark said.
"I know, I know but wait until you're the one in my position. There's nothing greater than your wife giving birth. It's amazing and beautiful and at the same time terrifying. I'd gladly take her every pain if I could. It kills me to just stand by, only holding her hand. But then there's this beautiful child resting in her arms and she's smiling at you with this radiant joy showing on her face. There's nothing like it in the world," Lucas finished.
Alex sat there quietly, listening to Lucas talk. He was jealous of his brother, which was very unusual. He wished so much he could've been there for the birth of his son. He was still angry Jessica had taken that from him. He should've been there for his son's first cry. He should've been there to be able to protect them both.
"That sounds like heartache I don't want to deal with," Mark laughed. The joke brought Alex back to the present. He laughed but it was forced. Thankfully his brothers let it go.
"Well, we better get back to work. Everyone should be here in a couple of hours. We don't want them to realize we play out here more than we work," Lucas said. He got up and headed over to get back on his horse.
They all finished up with the cows and headed into the barn to brush down their horses.
"It's about time you boys quit playing around and got back here," came the booming voice of their father, Joseph.
"Hey Dad," all three boys said in unison and then went up and gave their father a big hug.
"You have a house full of people all waiting on you three," he said good naturedly.
"Well, that's because they all know I'm doing the grilling," Alex smiled.
"I think it's because they know your mama and your beautiful brides have been busy making everything else," Joseph answered back.
"Mmm, I hope Mom made her famous chicken salad," Lucas said.
"Well you should know your mom still spoils you boys rotten. I try and tell her you're all grown up and don't need her spoiling but she won't listen to me," Joseph said. The three boys looked at each other and rolled their eyes. They knew their father was the biggest softie of them all.
"Sure Dad, Mom's the only one who spoils us," Mark said, while smacking his dad on the back. "Let's head on in so we can get some of Mom's salad and Alex can get those steaks on the grill," he continued. His mouth was starting to water just thinking about it.
"Did you lose again," Joseph turned his attention towards Alex.
"Ah Dad, you know they cheated because I'm the only one who can cook worth a lick," Alex said.
They had a laugh and walked comfortably up towards the house. They could hear people laughing and talking, even from the barn. Mark loved having his family and friends at the ranch. He was a lucky man. There was no need for a woman in his life, he thought. He was surprised by the slight pang that struck his gut. He decided to push it right out of his mind.
"So Mark, when are you gonna settle down like your brothers and give your poor mama some grandbabies. You know she's not getting any younger and she cries at night from the heartbreak of a son intent on living alone," Joseph said.
Mark sighed before he spoke. "You know none of that's true, Dad. You're the one who wants all those grandbabies running around. I think Lucas and Alex are doing just fine at giving you a bunch of little Andersons," he said. "And if Mom heard you say she was old, you'd be in for a world of hurt," he added with a wicked grin.
"Now don't talk back boy. Of course it's your mama who's worried about you," he repeated. "And if you dare tell your mom what I said, you'll be the one in a world of hurt," he threatened.
"Ok Dad, you can let her know I'm staying a confirmed bachelor. There are far too many hearts that would be broken if I decided to tie the knot. I don't want to be responsible for all that heartbreak," he said with a chuckle.
"You know he'll fall just like we did," Lucas added his two cents.
"You stay out of this Lucas," Mark said with a bit of a grumble.
"Don't worry about it bro, married life isn't all that bad and its way cool to be a father. Speaking of fatherhood, where's my boy?" Alex asked his dad.
"He was playing with his cousin when I headed down here," Joseph smiled fondly, while speaking about his grandkids.
Alex and Lucas both picked up their pace so they could see their kids. Mark shook his head, thinking his brothers had it bad. At least he liked their wives and those kids were pretty dang adorable.
Jessica stalled at the sight of Alex walking around the corner of the house. The man was stunning every day but in skin tight wranglers, boots and a worn hat he was the sexiest thing she'd every laid eyes on.
As if Alex felt her eyes on him, he looked up and they stared across the yard at each other. She forgot there was anyone else even there as he neared her. He smelled like a hard working man and she was practically drooling.
Without saying a word, he pulled her into his arms and crushed her lips to his. Her arms wrapped around his neck to pull him even closer. Her heart was racing and fireworks were shooting off, all over her body. His hands started rubbing up and down her back and she was ready to start taking off his clothes.
"Uh um, Alex those steaks should get started," Mark interrupted them.
Jessica jumped back like lightening had just struck them both. She'd been so focused on Alex she'd forgotten anyone else was there. She could feel her face turning many dark shades of red.
Alex looked at Mark and growled. Jessica did a double take at her husband. She couldn't believe he'd actually growled. Her mouth was gaping open in shock.
Mark laughed and pulled Alex away. "Come on bro, you have all night to be with your beautiful bride," he said. Mark turned and gave Jessica a wink, which made her blush even more.
"Woo girl, that was enough steam I'm surprised my water didn't burst right then." Amy was laughing as she walked up to Jessica.
Unbelievably Jessica's blush deepened even more. "I'm a bit mortified right now," she managed to say.
"Don't ever be embarrassed for desiring your husband. He's a sexy, vibrant man and you guys are newlyweds. I can't wait for this beautiful baby to make his entrance into the world so I can rub up against my husband again. Right now he has to try and make his way around my whale like body," she smiled sheepishly.
"You're the most beautiful pregnant woman I've ever been around," Jessica said, meaning what she spoke.
"Thank you but I feel like I not only swallowed one watermelon but about ten of them." She spoke the words, while rubbing her stomach. There was real pride in her eyes and voice. She may have been complaining about her baby bump but she obviously already loved her unborn child.