Somebody's Lover: The Jackson Brothers, Book 1

Evelyn was certainly the only real mother Taylor had ever known.
    She wouldn’t risk hurting either Evelyn or Arthur.
    Still, she found herself staring at Jace. At his rear end actually, in those jeans. She remembered last night, the taste of him in her mouth, the feel of him against her breasts. And she knew she was in trouble.
    “You know, girls, we’re outnumbered. Look at all those males, and one teeny-tiny girl. We need to get David married.” New daughters-in-law and new grandkids were fine for Evelyn.
    A new boyfriend for her son’s widow wouldn’t be, Taylor was almost sure.
    “David’s too mopey to find a wife,” Connie snorted.
    “David does not mope, Connie.”
    “What’s he doing right now, then?”
    They all looked. David, the second boy, now the eldest. He’d never been the happy-go-lucky kind, but since Lou’s death, he’d become downright standoffish. Even now, he stood back, arms folded over his chest, watching, not participating. He always came to the barbecues, that was Evelyn’s rule, but he hadn’t seemed a part of them for a long time.
    “He’s fine,” Evelyn said, but a frown puckered her brow. She knew as well as anybody that David was not exactly fine.
    “What about marrying off Jace?” Connie suggested.
    Taylor wanted to kick her under the picnic table.
    “That boy is not done sowing his wild oats.”
    Taylor’s stomach did a little heave-ho. Jace’s wild oats and wilder women had never bothered her before. Besides, he didn’t flaunt his women anymore. He was actually pretty circumspect, probably out of respect for being the boys’ little league coach.
    So why did his wild oats bother her now?
    Because she’d tasted him, and she’d loved the way he tasted. That kiss had changed the way she thought of him. For a woman who professed she didn’t want change in her life, she’d brought on a doozy last night.
    He’d probably been intending to pick up a woman at the Saddle-n-Spurs.
    Instead, Taylor had picked him up. Sort of.
    Connie twirled her fork around her plate. “What if I were to tell you your wish might come true?”
    Evelyn practically beamed like a ray of sun. “You found a wife for David?”
    “No-oh.” Connie frowned. “I meant another little girl.”
    “Don’t tell me.” Evelyn’s brow frown deepened.
    “I’m late,” Connie said. “Very late. Don’t tell Mitch.”
    Evelyn was silent a second too long. “Honey, you have to tell Mitch. You should have told him before you told us.”
    “You know how he is.” Connie sighed. “He’ll start running numbers in his calculator and freak out about not knowing where to come up with the money for diapers and clothes and stuff.”
    Not to mention medical bills, insurance, and on and on. A new baby was very expensive. Taylor didn’t voice the thought. Connie was sweet, loved her kids more than anything in the world, and was the best mom, but she could be a bit unrealistic at times. She’d probably invented rose-colored glasses.
    “Because Mitch worries is exactly why you have to tell him,” Evelyn insisted. “Have you been to the doctor yet?”
    “No. I wanted to wait another week or so.”
    “Have you at least peed on the stick?” Which was Evelyn’s euphemism for home pregnancy tests.
    “I don’t need to. I can feel the changes. I didn’t need the stick to know Rina was coming along.”
    “Heavens, girl, you better tell Mitch soon.”
    Connie’s usually perky lower lip trembled. “I thought you’d be happy. I think it’s another girl.”
    “I am happy.” But the laughter had faded from Evelyn’s eyes. “But that boy’s the worry wart in this family, always trying to keep up with his brothers as if thinks he’s got something to prove.” She sighed, gazing across the yard. “And I don’t like keeping secrets from my boys. So promise you’re going to tell him.”
    Connie nodded. “I promise. As soon as I get a test. There isn’t any sense in worrying him before I’m positive.”
    “There’s a good girl.” Evelyn patted her hand.
    They sat in silence for a few moments, watching the game’s progress. Childish laughter and whooping rang out across the yard as Brian made a perfect throw. Jace, always wonderful with her boys, gave him a high five.
    “Jace is looking mighty fine today.”
    Taylor shot Connie a look. The younger woman sat with her chin propped on her hand, her gaze on the very part of Jace’s anatomy Taylor herself had been watching too much that