Bluegrass Undercover (Bluegrass Brothers)

story, but to her it was the only thing she knew.
    “No family! Oh, bless your heart ! Everyone should have a family. No father, or grandparents?” Marcy exclaimed as she placed her delicate hand over her heart.
    “I don’t know who my father was. I don’t think my mother knew either. My grandparents are dead. I have, or had, an aunt in Louisville, but haven’t heard from her since she refused to take me after my mother died. I heard from a cousin , Chrystal Sharp, but I’m not too keen on family who only want me to fill out a family tree.” She took a deep breath and plastered on her ‘I’m okay with it’ smile. “That’s why I didn’t realize Thanksgiving was this week.”
    “Well then, you will simply join us for Thanksgiving. Cade, you pick her up at noon. We’ll be your family and that’s that.”
    “Marcy, you don’t….” Annie started to say she didn’t have to do that. It hardly bothered her anymore to be alone on holidays.
    “Enough. You’re coming. You’re family. Now, Marshall, what’s this business about your wanting to run for sheriff?”
    Annie hid her smile behind her napkin. The table had shifted all of its attention away from her and to Marshall. Marshall in return stared at his mother in disbelief.
    “How did you know that? I didn’t tell anyone.”
    “Mothers always know these things. Just like I knew every time one of you snuck out of the house. So, tell us about your decision to leave the private security practice and going into public service.”
    “I haven’t decided yet. I just found myself wanting something different. I am getting tired of doing the same thing day after day- installing security systems, providing protection for celebrities coming to town, and so on.”
    “Well, you sure don’t have my vote.”
    “Miles!” Marcy gasped.
    “I was just kidding, Ma. I think it would be a wonderful thing. The sheriff is getting rather old and has been pretty sick recently. Some new blood never hurts. And think of all the potential women he could get when wearing his uniform.”
    “That’s it, Miles Jackson Davies. No dessert!” Marcy reached over and grabbed the slice of pumpkin pie sitting in front of him. Annie watched in disbelief that this big, serious, tough guy hung his head and pouted when his mother took his dessert away. Marcy might not look like it, but she was a force to be reckoned with.
     
    Annie loved when she stayed at Cade’s house. His king-size bed was so much better than her little twin one. She pulled the sheets up to cover herself as she curled up against Cade’s warm body.
    “About Thanksgiving,” Cade started.
    “Yes?”
    “Well, my parents eat pretty early, and Dani and Mo are having an open house party that evening. I know it would be a long day, but I would love it if you came with me to their house after dinner with my family.”
    “Sure, that sounds like fun,” she agreed as he turned off the light and wrapped her up in his arms. After a couple of minutes she heard his breathing slow and she knew he was asleep.
    The bed on her side dipped and Justin crawled over to her. He rested his head near her pillow, gave her a wet kiss, and wagged his tail. Her two boys. Her family. The thought rocked her to her core. She had lived most of her life thinking she never wanted a family, never needed a family, but not after tonight. Tonight showed her what she could have: a loving husband, interfering in-laws, brothers, sisters, children and even a dog.
    She could see herself in this house filled with noise and love. She had lived in silence too long. She finally knew what she wanted in life. She wanted the dream, and she wanted it with Cade Davies. Damn, what was she going to do now?

Chapter Nineteen
     
    Annie looked in wonder at the mansion in front of them. There were BMW’s parked alongside pick-up trucks and Buicks that were older than she was. All the wings of the mansion were lit up and it looked like something out of a fairytale.
    “Wow!” Annie couldn’t think of any other word to describe it.
    “I know. But, after you meet Mo it won’t look nearly so ostentatious. He’s really laid back unless he needs to cut some red tape.”
    “I only met him for a second, but he seemed really nice.” Annie thought back to her first week in Keeneston and snickered. “Actually, the Roses wanted to set me up with Ahmed when I first moved here.”
    “Really? Well, I know who we’re avoiding tonight,” Cade said as he parked the