Chapter 1
Emmerson Kirby lifted the family’s newest addition and pressed his lips against her chubby cheeks. He blew a big fat raspberry. God, he loved babies. They smelled like innocence and looked at you like you had all the answers.
Six-month-old Siggy laughed. And laughed. This wild belly laugh filled his heart and soul with more love than he knew what to do with.
Damn, his brother’s little girl had stolen his heart.
All his nieces and nephews had done that.
And he didn’t play favorites, but Siggy was his goddaughter and he’d developed a special bond with her.
“You’re too stinking cute.” He kissed her nose. “And you are stinky. But Uncle Emmerson doesn’t do dirty diapers. Not even for you.” He handed Siggy back to Rhett. “She’s all yours, man.”
“You know, her uncle Chris does diaper duty.” Rhett waved to Shelby, pointing to the little girl in his lap, who chewed on his thumb. “And I seem to remember you changing all of Seth and Nathan’s kids when they were little.”
“I was young and stupid. Now I’m old and have learned to give them back to their parents.” Emmerson smiled.
Shelby stood by the deep end of his mother and stepfather’s pool. It was still strange to call Steve his stepfather, but it made his mother insanely happy, so he went with it.
But what was weirder was the fact that Steve was his little brother’s biological father. Jameson didn’t call Steve Dad. At least not most of the time. The few times it slipped out, no one said a word about it. Not even his mother. But everyone caught the emotion laced in her tearful eyes.
Jameson had no idea Steve was his father until a few years ago and it rocked the very foundation of the Kirby family. Jameson still refused his mother’s wish to take Steve’s name and he never would.
Steve had told Jameson that while he’d love nothing more, he respected and valued the man who had raised him and preferred Jameson to keep the family name. The ones his brothers had.
And that was the name he’d given his children.
Today, things were steady as she goes.
“Besides, you’re pawning her off on your wife.” Emmerson laughed.
“She has the diaper bag and the breasts that feed this kid. In about ten minutes, she’ll be screaming bloody murder, and my boobs don’t produce milk.”
“You do have nice breasts.” Emmerson reached out and massaged his brother’s pec. “You filled out that dress real nice.”
“You’re an asshole.” Rhett batted his hand away.
“How’s my little princess?” Shelby lifted Siggy out of Rhett’s lap, before leaning over and kissing her husband. “Why the sourpuss face?”
“I’m never going to live down putting on that damn dress for you. Why did you have to go and show my family? That was just mean.”
Shelby hiked the little girl on her hip. “Not mean. Funny as hell and I swear, you looked better in that bridesmaid dress than I did.”
“That’s the last time I do a favor like that. Besides, it was a joke and only meant for you and me.” Rhett shook his head. “Next time, I’ll lay the dress on the bed with the jewelry and shoes to see how they look.”
“I still can’t believe you put it on.” Shelby ran her fingers through Rhett’s long hair. “Can’t wait to see you play dress-up with this one.”
“This next one better be a boy,” Rhett muttered. “I need some testosterone in my home.”
“Next one?” Emmerson arched a brow. “Why, Shelby, are you pregnant already?”
“I’m not getting any younger, and my brother’s still butt hurt over you being this one’s godfather. We had to have another one.” Shelby laughed. “Besides, your brother has it in his head he wants four kids.” She wiggled her fingers. “But that ain’t happening. I’m too old for that shit. Depending on how this pregnancy goes, I might give him a third, but that’s a big might.”
“Congratulations. I’m really happy for both of you. Now with the woman carrying Trinity and Emmett’s little one, it will have a cousin about the same age to play with. I love that.” Emmerson was one of seven boys. Of the seven, five were married with kids and the pressure of him and Miles to settle down and get married was astronomical.
And not just from his mother, who was relentless.
But his father, his stepfather, his siblings, and their wives had all joined in. Even his fourteen- and eleven-year-old nephews had tried setting him up. He could find his own dates. Although, at forty-two, he was stuck in his ways and finding a woman to put up with his quirks was becoming a chore he didn’t enjoy.
He wasn’t unhappy with his life. He loved his career as a police officer and detective for the Lighthouse Cove Police Department. Sometimes working for his mother could be a royal pain in the ass and he couldn’t wait for her to retire.
She threatened to all the time, but never did.
But when that happened, he’d end up working for his brother, Nathan. That wouldn’t be so bad. They had similar opinions and butted heads a lot less.
“Thanks,” Shelby said. “I better go get this little sweetie changed and fed so I can put her down for a nap.” She turned on her heel and strolled toward the sliding glass doors that led to the massive kitchen.
Emmerson’s mother was loaded. Well, she wasn’t, but her husband had millions. Emmerson had no idea how much, but the house—if he were to sell it—could get him at least twenty million.
It had to be the finest piece of property in all of Lighthouse Cove, Florida.
He turned his head and stared out toward the ocean. It was a good walk to get there and he could barely see the sand. But he could see the pretty blue waves rolling in. It was rare that the entire family could ever get together, so it was nice to see all his brothers in one place.
Jameson was in the pool with his two kids. Nathan was with him, while his two older kids splashed and played with some of their younger cousins.
Their wives huddled on lounge chairs, deep in conversation.
Emmett and Miles were leaning against the bar, staring up at the baseball game on the television.
Trinity, Emmett’s wife, looped her arm around her husband, watching, acting as if she cared. She was good that way, but Emmerson also knew this was the second time they were trying to adopt a baby. The first birth mother backed out two months into the process and Trinity was beyond nervous the second time.
Seth sat on the edge of the pool next to their father, the two lawyers in the family. His wife and Emmerson’s mother were somewhere in the house.
His mom had taken to being wealthy better than anyone could have expected. She’d been frugal his entire childhood. Now, she spent like she had deep pockets and didn’t have a care in the world.
Okay, not entirely true, but she didn’t worry anymore.
And she’d catered the family party.
Three waitresses strolled around with trays, one of which had more than caught his attention, but only because he’d seen her twice in town in the last three days.
There was one bartender. A chef to man the grill. And a chef inside.
Afterward, his mom would have a cleaning service.
But all this made his mother happy, something she hadn’t been the last few years she’d been married to his father, and the first year Steve had come back into her life.
The waitress, Rumor, the one he hadn’t been able to keep his eyes off, strolled by. “Would you boys like a couple of cheeseburger sliders?” She leaned over, holding the tray close to the table. “They’re fresh. Just got them from the chef.”
“They smell delicious.” Emmerson took the small plate she offered and snagged three. “Thanks,” he said. “Aren’t you the girl who served me breakfast yesterday? Rumor, is it?”
“That’s me.” She gave him the same bright smile she had when she’d served him in the Safe Harbor Café. “You commented on my name being the same as Bruce Willis’ daughter.”
Emmerson waggled his finger. “And you told me you were named after the Fleetwood Mac album.”
“Glad you remember the conversation.” Her long dark hair was pulled back at the nape of her neck in a messy bun. She wore a standard white button-down blouse, but he could see a tattoo peeking out from her wrist. He didn’t know what it was, but it intrigued him.
She intrigued him.
Her eyes were the color of a bright shiny emerald. It was an intoxicating look and he found himself staring. Her complexion was fair, but it had been kissed by the sun.
There was something about this girl that had crawled under his skin. He’d gone back to Safe Harbor Café this morning, but she hadn’t been there. He’d gone as far as to inquire about her with the owners, Lucy Ann and Phil. They informed him that she had just started working, but his mother snatched her up for this party.
Lucy Ann and Phil would do anything for his mother, including releasing one or two of their staff when his mom and Steve catered a party.
“You are definitely memorable and it’s good to see you again,” Emmerson said. “Have you met my brother, Rhett?”
“Not officially, but isn’t everyone here a brother? When your mom was briefing me for the job, she said she has seven sons.”
Rhett laughed. “I think she kept trying for a girl and finally gave up after Jameson was born, but yeah, we’re all brothers.”
“The family resemblance is a little disturbing.” She stood taller. “Can I get you anything else? Fresh beers?”
“We can get those on our own,” Emmerson said.
“That’s what I’m here for.” She nodded. “I’ll be right back.”
He cocked his head as she walked away, her hips swaying in her black shorts. He sucked in a deep breath and let it slowly.
“Stare much?” Rhett asked.
“Just trying to make out the tattoo on her ankle.” So far, Emmerson had counted four tats. Three on her ankles, and the one on her wrist. He couldn’t help but wonder if there were more.
And he wasn’t a tattoo man.
Even if he did have one.
“Watch this, Uncle Emmerson. Uncle Rhett,” Ally, Seth’s youngest, yelled from the diving board. She ran toward the end and flipped.
When she popped up, Emmerson stuck his thumb and finger between his lips, whistling loudly. “Woot. Woot. That’s a ten.”
“Great job, kiddo.” Rhett gave her a thumbs-up.
“This family’s pumping out babies like it’s hurricane season.” Emmerson lifted his beer and swigged. “Ten and counting.”
Rhett laughed. “Now you’re changing the subject.”
“From what?”
“The cute chick who served you the cheeseburgers.” Rhett reached over and snatched one up, plopping it in his mouth. “I’ve been watching you eye her all day.”
“I have not.” Emmerson nibbled on one of the burgers. He’d been eating all day but kept missing the trays that Rumor had been passing around. All he wanted was five minutes to say hello.
“Then how did you know she had tats, because I didn’t until you pointed them out.” Rhett cocked his head.
“I’m curious about the new person in town. She’s working at Safe Harbor Café and I spend a lot of time there.”
“Is she now.” Rhett cocked a brow before lifting his beer. “What else have you found out about… what’s her name?”
“Rumor and nothing, really. Other than she moved to town last week and she asked Lucy Ann about affordable short-term rentals in the area.” Emmerson rubbed his jaw.
“You’re seriously not thinking about renting her your pool house, are you?”
“I was going to list it anyway.”
“No. You talked about it, and you keep changing your mind, stating you’re not sure you want a stranger living that close, using your backyard and all the hassles that go with being a landlord.”
“Yeah, but sometimes things fall in your lap.”
“Oh my God. I think you want her to fall in your lap.”
“Shut the fuck up.” Emmerson took a napkin and tossed it at his brother. “She’s too young.”
“How old do you think she is?”
“I know she’s thirty-three.”
“How the hell do you know that?” Rhett asked.
“Lucy Ann told me.” Emmerson cringed. “And before you go reading too much into that, I was only asking because that’s when I got the idea I might rent to her. Lucy Ann said Rumor had mentioned she had looked at a few places, but they were all out of her price range. Lucy Ann thinks this girl might be down on her luck. Or maybe going through a tough time. Either way, my pool house is basically a studio. It’s only about four hundred square feet, which is tiny.”
“Yeah. But it’s on the fucking water. Right in your backyard, facing your brand-new million-dollar home, with new pool and all the perks that go with living in an upscale neighborhood. You could get top dollar, even if it is small.”
“Why do you care if I rent it out or not?”
Rhett chuckled. “I don’t. But I’ve only seen that look in your eyes a couple of times. First time was with?—”
“Don’t you dare bring her up,” Emmerson said behind a tight jaw. He lifted the last burger and shoved it in his mouth. He couldn’t believe Edwina had moved back to Lighthouse Cove. It was like pouring salt on an open wound.
Worse, she fucking flirted with him like she hadn’t ripped his heart out and stomped on it with her three-inch heels.
“Fucking woman is making me crazy.” Emmerson lifted his beer and finished the last drop.
Rumor strolled across the pool patio with two fresh beers.
He locked gazes with her. It settled his nerves, but it amped up other emotions, something he wasn’t prepared for nor expected. Being attracted to a person didn’t mean anything.
But now he wanted to act.
He needed to tread lightly.
“Here you go, boys.” She set the drinks on the table. “If you need anything else, just let me know.”
“Will do. Thanks.” Emmerson smiled.
She went about making her rounds with the rest of the family. What a nice cushy job and her mother would pay really well. That should help her get her feet on the ground.
Rhett leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “Look. I know Edwina is a sore subject. I get it. I was there. I know what she did. I also know that you have no love in your heart for her.”
“When she came back, Mom was terrified I would somehow magically forgive Edwina.” Emmerson chuckled. “Funny things is, I have. When I first saw her, there wasn’t even a pang of hatred or resentment. There was nothing. It was like when you read a book and it’s neither great nor horrible. It’s a shrug of the shoulders, and then you forget it, never to think of it again.”
“I get that,” Rhett said. “But you loved her once.”
“A really long time ago.”
“I have to ask. What has you so pissed off now?”
Emmerson hadn’t told anyone about Edwina’s antics. Why bother. She’d give up, eventually. Hopefully. He reached across the table and turned his cell over, tapping the screen, finding the texts. “You can read them for yourself, noting I only responded to the first one, telling her that I wished her well, but I would not be taking her out, ever again.”
“As in on a date? A romantic one?” Rhett held the phone in his hand with an arched brow. “You’ve got to be kidding me. After what she did? She’s lucky she didn’t go to jail, thanks to you and Mom.”
“And I’m lucky I don’t have half a dozen sexually transmitted diseases.” Emmerson let out a long breath. Talk about being made a fool of. His fiancée had been a madam. She’d been doing it right under his nose. Him. A cop. His mother, the chief of police.
What a shit show that had been.
“She left town eighteen years ago, and she’s sending you texts like this?” Rhett tapped the screen. “Hey, Emmerson. Meet me for a drink? Like old times? I’ve missed you. I want to catch up. Make up for all the mistakes. Start fresh.”
“It gets worse. In one of the texts she talks about how compatible we once were in bed. She went into a little too much detail.”
“She’s a fucking whack job.” Rhett set the phone on the table. “Do you think she’s changed?”
Emmerson nodded. “I didn’t do this because I’m even remotely interested. I did it for the safety of young college students and bored housewives in town. I had one of Mom’s contacts with the FBI do a full background on Edwina. She’s clean. When she left here, she finished her degree and has been working in finance ever since. She landed a job with a local car dealership as their finance manager.”
“How you and Mom managed to keep what she’d been doing a secret is beyond me.”
“People know and they whisper, but that’s not the point. I don’t know if this falls under the category of good news or not, but Edwina had only been involved in the sex trafficking ring for six months. She gave Mom details, names, dates. Enough to bust the ring. Mom got the ADA to cut her a deal and she walked. Probably more so out of respect for me and my situation. But at the end of the day, I’m glad for her sake she put it behind her.”
“Yeah, but to think you’d take her back after that kind of betrayal and almost twenty years, that’s just fucking crazy talk.”
“I really don’t know if that’s what she wants.”
“I just read the texts, man. That’s what it looks like to me and she hasn’t let go of that history.”
“There’s a big part of me that isn’t sure that at twenty I even knew what love was. I thought I did and I gave Edwina two years of my life. Looking back, I think I loved the idea of her. But I was young and stupid. I look at our life growing up. Being one of seven, as nuts as it was at times, was fantastic. I thought I wanted all that.”
“Are you saying you don’t want a family at all now?”
“I’m almost forty-three years old. I think that ship has sailed.”
“Jesus Christ. Have you forgotten you’re talking to your older brother. I’m forty-five. My wife is in her early forties. We’re seven months away from having a second child.” He jerked his head toward Rumor, who leaned against the bar, tugging at her bun. “The reason I brought up Edwina is she’s the first woman to put that spark of life in your eyes.” He held up his hand. “Since then, outside of Tessa, all you’ve had are a string of one-night stands, short romances?—”
“I’m not a dirty dog.”
“I’m not saying you are,” Rhett said. “But in the last eighteen years you’ve had maybe three real relationships. Ones where we all thought you might have learned to trust again and be vulnerable. But as soon as the shit got real, you got out. Didn’t matter that your eyes danced with the promise of something bigger, you chose to let fear rule you. You and I shared that trait.”
Emmerson wouldn’t deny that fact. “Okay. I hear you. Edwina fucked with my head.” He shrugged. “I have serious trust issues with women. Outside of Seth and Nathan, we all did, thanks to Mom or some other chick who broke our hearts and trust. What does that have to do with Rumor or me renting my pool house to her?”
“We are our mother’s sons and we jump in with two feet and our eyes closed and I can already see the writing on the wall.”
“I’m not interested in Rumor like that. I don’t even know her. Besides, she’s too young.”
“That’s an excuse you’re trying to sell yourself. It’s not a big deal and trust me, little brother. I’m not blind. I’ve been sitting here with you for the last hour and you can’t take your eyes off her.”
Emmerson didn’t have the energy to argue. Rhett was right. Emmerson wanted to get to know Rumor. He wanted to know what possessed her to get tattoos. What they meant. Were they special? Why did she move to Lighthouse Cove? What was her history?
He had a million questions and they had plagued him all night.
“I’ll admit she’s gorgeous and there’s something about her that has held my curiosity for more than five seconds. But you know me, I don’t act until I know more. Not unless I’m being a dog.” He arched a brow.
“I doubt she’s the type of girl who does one-night stands.” Rhett laughed. “Look. You always overthink things. You’re the cop, I’m the private dick. So let me do what I do best. I’ll do the background check for the pool house. I’ll do a little research into her past. If there are any red flags, I’ll bring them to you. Otherwise, I’ll keep what I find to myself.”
Emmerson arched a brow. “I don’t like you knowing more about her than I do.”
“The point is for you to get to know her the old-fashioned way. You know, take her out on a date. Ask questions. Tell her things about yourself. If at any point you really feel the need to see what I’ve learned, we can talk. But if you do it up front, you’ll never go out with her to begin with, because if she even has one unpaid parking ticket, you’ll run for the fucking hills.”
Emmerson shifted his gaze. Rumor had moved from the bar, carrying another tray, this time filled with shrimp on a stick. She stopped briefly to admire Axel, Nathan’s one-year-old, and his new toy truck. It had been six months since Emmerson had been out on a real date. Two years since he had a girlfriend who lasted more than a month. He didn’t consider himself a lonely man. He was content in his life. He had friends, and he had his family.
But he had to admit, having a companion to share his life with would be nice. But his track record with women had to be the worst.
Although, if he were being honest, he hadn’t given anyone a real chance since Tessa and that was ten years ago.
“What do you say, little brother? Are you going to ask out Rumor and let me do the digging?”
“Yeah.” He took his beer and stood.
“You’re going to do this now? At Mom’s party?”
He stared at his big brother and lowered his chin. “Mother has already been on me to ask her out.”
“You asshole. You let me give that speech and you were going to do it anyway?”
Emmerson shrugged. “With Mom, it felt more like I was doing it for her.” He squeezed Rhett’s shoulder. “At least your little pep talk had my best interests at heart and wasn’t all about my sperm and the Kirby last name.”