Take the Bride (The Knight Brothers 1.5)

While in the lobby, he looked into the resort’s offerings for things to do while they were in the Poconos. The hotel and its neighboring resort events were booked thanks to it being the end of May and the beginning of the late spring-early summer season. But there was a small bay trip that had been booked by a couple who had apparently had an argument and abruptly canceled their reservation.

Ryder was able to order a picnic basket filled with lunch and Prosecco, a golf cart that he could use to drive them to their destination, and thanks to the fact that the water rides were open and full, they might even find time and space to be alone.

He was walking back to the room when his cell rang. He pulled it out of his pocket and glanced at the screen, hitting answer.

“Sebastian.” He wasn’t shocked to hear from Sierra’s brother.

The man might be Ryder’s best friend, but his first concern was always going to be his sister. As it should be, Ryder thought. He had no doubt Sebastian was making the call because he was the closest to Ryder, but Ethan and Parker were probably right there, breathing down his neck, waiting for answers.

“Hey, man. Everything okay?” Sebastian asked.

“Everything’s fine. Sierra’s okay,” Ryder said, reassuring his friend. He stopped by a tree outside and spoke quietly and in private.

“Is she? Because she was supposed to be married and on her way to her honeymoon right now.”

He glanced up at the blue sky. “She left with me willingly. I didn’t kidnap her or anything. We’re… working through things.” Ryder blew out a breath, knowing he had to tread carefully.

His personal relationship and what he did with Sierra was none of her brothers’ business, even if her well-being was.

“Can I talk to her?” Sebastian asked.

“I’m not in the room right now, but I’ll let her know you called, and if she wants to get in touch, she will.”

A few beats passed before Sebastian spoke again. “You hurt her badly once. I know you had your reasons and I was torn by what you did, but I understood it. But if you aren’t in this for keeps, Ryder, bring her the hell home now.”

“I’m in it deep.” He just wasn’t sure whether or not she was. “Have you heard from Jason?” He forced out the name because he needed to know if the man had had a change of heart, wanting to find and talk to his almost-bride.

“No.”

Ryder heard the anger in that one word, and though the news came as a relief to him, he knew it was going to hurt Sierra to know the man hadn’t come after her. Unless she asked, he had no intention of telling her and rubbing salt in an open wound. One Ryder, himself, had created.

“I didn’t handle it well but I know what I’m doing,” he said to his friend. He was trying to win the girl.

“I hope so,” Sebastian said. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Yeah.” He disconnected the call and Ryder shoved his phone back into his pocket, pushing away thoughts of Sierra’s groom.

He clearly had no place in her life.

But Ryder wasn’t ready to think about what the future held for them. After coming together in the shower, they’d silently agreed to drop the heavy conversation and just enjoy the time they had here. He could tell from her change in mood and how she’d relaxed that she wasn’t dwelling on yesterday, the wedding, or anything they’d discussed about the past.

The time would come when they’d have to deal with leaving here and whatever the future held. But while he had the chance, he had every intention of finding his way back into her heart.

He arrived back at the room, bags in hand, to find Sierra sitting with the hotel robe wrapped around her, thumbing through a resort magazine.

She glanced up as he walked in the door, excitement in her expression as she eyed the packages. “What did you get?” she asked, tossing the magazine onto the other side of the bed.

“A lot of clothing with Paradise Cove logos on it.” He tossed the white plastic bags onto the mattress. “But the good news is, we have plans for today. A picnic on a small bay near a lake.”

She raised her eyebrows at that. “And what are we wearing there?”

“Bathing suits.”

She narrowed her gaze. “Oh, really? And how did you know my size for that?”

“Guesswork based on how you fill my hands,” he muttered. “It’ll be fine. We should be alone. Let’s just get changed.” He opened one bag, then another, pulling out his shorts so he could change.

Knowing he was in for it when she saw her bathing suit, he grabbed his clothes and headed for the bathroom, closing the door as she yelled.