“It’s all yours if you want it,” he said.
She had to take a deep breath. She knew Forrester had family there, and she just had a job as a waitress back in Stone Peak, so she wasn’t opposed to the idea of settling in the Socorro Valley. She still hadn’t made up her mind, though. She’d have to see the place first. And what about Kelly and Grace? One thing made it all very easy for her. Forrester had made it amply clear that they would live where she wanted, and would raise their family in the way she felt was best, so she knew she wouldn’t be pressured into anything. She just had to see the place, meet the Brotherhood, and make up her own mind.
She felt excited as they wound their way down into the mountain valleys. For the first time in weeks, she felt warm. It was a lot warmer along the California coast than the Rocky Mountains had been. She took off her jacket and nestled into Forrester, who had a habit of driving his truck with one arm around her shoulders, which she loved.
When they pulled down the driveway of his house, she again had her breath taken away.
“Forrester, you never told me you were rich.”
Forrester shrugged and said simply, “You have no idea, sweet heart.”
She shook her head. The house at the end of the road was a Spanish style, colonial mansion, surrounded by gently sloping hills that were covered in fine vineyards. In front of the mansion was a huge fountain, and she could see the edge of a pool off to the back. In the courtyard were old pickup trucks, but also some vintage looking ones, as well as motorcycles, expensive luxury cars, and sports cars. There was no doubt that the Brotherhood had money.
“You’re the most eligible bachelor I’ve ever met,” she gasped.
“I’m not just a bachelor, sweet heart, I’m your fiancé, and your baby daddy. You’ve got me for life.”
“Most eligible baby daddy,” she said, and laughed. “I like the sound of that.”
“Come on,” he said, parking the truck. “I can’t wait to introduce you to the gang.”
Elle was touched by how excited he was. It really was a dream come true. She felt like a princess in a fairy tale. Here she was, being brought to what was essentially a castle, by a man who was essentially a prince, and she was having his baby and getting married to him. It was something any girl would kill for. And it was all happening to her, the girl who’d come from nothing, the girl who’d believed that no one on earth would ever love her, the girl who’d been sold by her own mother.
“I’m so lucky,” she said, as Forrester helped her out of the truck.
“I’m the lucky one,” he said, and then pulled her out of the truck and into his arms.
“What are you doing?” she gasped.
“I’m bringing you across the threshold. You’re not my wife yet, but this is my home, and I’ll be damned if I let you walk in.”
Elle felt like she would have swooned if she’d been on her own feet. As it was, she clung to Forrester, nestling her face into his beautiful neck.
“Whoa,” someone said from the direction of the mansion. “Look who’s here.”
When Elle looked up, she saw that his entire family was standing on the front steps, waiting to greet her. It made her heart flutter to see how welcoming they all looked.
“Hey,” Forrester said, seeing them for the first time in over a month.
“Family, this is my fiancée and future mother of my baby, Elle Barclay.”
They all spoke up in greeting.
“And Elle, this is my family, or should I say, our family.”
Chapter 50
Elle
FROM THE MOMENT ELLE SET foot in the mansion, she loved the place. She felt welcomed and safe there in a way that she’d never felt in her entire life. Every single member of Forrester’s family had generously welcomed her into their life.
Lacey had been the first, hugging her so tightly she felt like a long lost family member. Lacey also kissed her cheeks and Elle felt a pang at her heartstrings when she saw that Lacey was crying. Faith was also crying.
“You’re so beautiful,” Lacey said.
Elle didn’t know what to say when Faith pulled her close to her and gave her the warmest, most welcoming hug she’d ever felt.
“Thank you,” Elle managed.
“You’ve made Forrester so happy,” Lacey said. “Even just through the phone I can tell. It’s like night and day.”
“Really?” Elle said, flattered that they thought so highly of her already.
“Oh yes,” Faith said. “You’re exactly the thing that man needed. He was like a wild animal when he left. Now, all I have to do is look at him to see the difference.”
Elle looked at Forrester. He was hugging his brothers, Jackson, Grant and Grady, and Elle smiled. She hadn’t realized she’d had such a noticeable impact on him. She thought back to the day she’d first seen him.