Billionaire Bachelors 8 : Unexpected Treasure(56)

The way this larger-than-life man instantly accepted a new family as his own was humbling. How many years had Crew taken family for granted? How many times had he gone off and not once thought of calling his siblings? It had been only after his father's ultimatum that he'd pulled himself together - finally seeing what he had to lose.

Not the money. Sure, at first, that had been the worst of it, but when he and his siblings had sat down to plot against their old man, something else had happened. They'd bonded again - a bond that had been stretched thin over the years, but never broken. Now, they spoke at least once a week. They knew what was happening in each other's lives. They were a family again, leaning on each other for moral support during the difficult undertaking of transforming troubled businesses.

Now, they had even more family, and Crew wanted to meet them all.

"When is the soonest we can do this?"

"I want everyone there for Thanksgiving. It's my favorite holiday because that's when I get to look around an abundant table and count my blessings. I hope you'll plan on it," Joseph replied.

"Yes, of course," Crew responded.

"There's an extra setting for your spitfire girlfriend, too," Joseph said, sending Richard a wink.

Crew looked incredulously from Joseph to his father and then burst out laughing. Despite being apart their entire lives, the men were more alike than seemed possible. Was matchmaking in the family genes? Next Joseph would be yammering on about grandbabies... No. Not likely. No one could be as bad as his dad was when it came to pushiness for the next generation to be born.

"I will consider that," he said, refusing to satisfy the old meddlers' obvious curiosity. Let them sweat. Yes, he was in love with Haley, but she was still frightened. He was waiting for the right moment to tell her she was never escaping him. She could run and she could hide, but he would never let her get away.

"Stubborn. That's definitely Anderson blood," George grumbled.

Crew sat back smugly, pulled out a cigar and lit it.





 

 
"Well, don't be selfish there, boy. Offer your uncles one, too," Joseph bellowed. With a laugh Crew handed over cigars to all three men.

"Disgusting habit," Brielle said as she moved her chair away from the smoke.

"You don't know what you're missing out on, Brielle. These are magnificent, came to me all the way from Colombia."

"I'm done with this testosterone-filled room. I think I'll find your girlfriend, Crew, and see what dirt I can get on you. I have a few stories to tell her, too."

Crew considered trying to stop her, but knew he'd be wasting his time or worse. His sister was a force of nature, and when she went after something, it was dangerous to stand in her way.

Instead, he sat back and whipped his head to and fro, listening to the three brothers bantering together as if they'd never spent a day apart. His father wouldn't be lonely ever again.

*****

Brielle took her time exploring her brother's resort. She couldn't deny feeling a bit of jealousy that his project was a luxury hotel, while she was stuck on a ranch.

Then she smiled, for there was nothing at all to pout about. She wouldn't trade places with Crew if she could. She'd never admit that ranch life was suiting her, but her incredibly hot neighbor was certainly a plus in keeping her in the wilds of Montana.

She'd let her neighbor come milk her … cows anytime!

As she passed the bar, a curious sound caught her attention. Inching the door open, she slipped inside the dimly lit room, then stood by the back wall as she watched Haley in the corner of the room with her long fingers stroking the keys of the piano.

The poor woman was doing a terrible job of playing, but the man behind the bar didn't seem to mind in the least. When he spotted Brielle, he walked over.

"Sorry, we aren't open for another two hours," he said kindly as he motioned for the door.

"I'm here to see Haley," Brielle said.

The man's eyes narrowed protectively, which had Brielle's curiosity piqued. Who was this woman who had the men in her life so ready to spring to her defense? Brielle was determined to figure it out.

"What business do you have with Ms. Sutherland?"

"I promise you it's nothing bad. Let me introduce myself before you call for the bouncers. My name's Brielle Storm - Crew's baby sister." She stuck out her hand, and after a moment's pause, the man's shoulders relaxed.

"Marlin. It's good to meet you."

"You don't have a last name, Marlin?" Brielle asked with a low chuckle.

"Yeah, but I don't like it. Just call me Marlin. I'll leave you ladies for a few minutes. I have to run to the back anyway to let the guys know what to bring out." With that, the man slipped out the door. Haley hadn't noticed their exchange as she continued to fumble with the chords on the piano.