The Plan (The Hillers of Barratt County #4)

Chapter 10

10

He was both grateful for Genesis’s interference, and irritated with the kid. But she had managed to get Veronica to relax a little. And at least get up on the porch.

They followed his sister inside—Veronica cooperating because he had her by the hand. He knew she was shy. And nervous. A rush of protectiveness had him pulling her close enough to hook his arm around her waist.

He barely resisted slipping his hand around her and cupping her stomach. Seeing if there had been any changes in her body yet.

He felt pretty damned possessive at the moment.

Maybe he was the caveman his sisters had always accused him of being. At least where Veronica was concerned.

His parents were inside, at the dining room table that had been in the Hiller family for generations.

His child would sit at that table someday.

Damn it, that had meaning. More than he ever could have imagined. Hell, it almost made a man want to cry.

They looked up at him, then their eyes widened slightly, seeing the beautiful woman at his side.

His brothers were all quiet, for once, too. They smiled their best smiles at her. George pushed his hackles down. She brought out the beast in him, no doubt about that. A very possessive beast, at that.

“You’ve brought a guest,” his mom said, standing. She smiled at Veronica with welcome.

He felt Veronica tense. His hand rose to cup her shoulder. “Mom, Dad, this is Veronica. I’m sure you’ve heard me talk about her before.”

“Of course, we remember Veronica. Hello, honey, how are you?” his mom asked, curiosity on her face.

“I’m a bit… perturbed, actually. Your son was supposed to be driving me home, Mrs. Hiller. He brought me here, instead.” Veronica shot him an irritated look. “He seems to think he’s still my boss or something.”

His mother sent a surprised look at him. “George, care to add anything?”

“Veronica and I have something to discuss with everyone. After we discuss whatever it is you’ve requested we be here for.”

“First, as soon as Giavonna and Gene get here, we’ll eat dinner. We can discuss what your father and I want then.” His mother was a no-nonsense woman. One of her sons showing up with a random young woman wasn’t something that would shake her at all. But she was definitely curious now. Her eyes settled on the hand he still had on Veronica, then narrowed. Yes. His mother was a smart woman. She would figure out how he felt soon enough.

“They’re pulling in now,” Greer said, from where she was sprawled over a lounge chair in the nearby living room. George almost flinched at what his youngest sister looked like tonight. It almost always changed lately. Genesis said Greer was still trying to find herself. Greer rolled her eyes, the same hazel as his own, like all his siblings’, and smirked. “Relax, Georgie, the dye washes out. I haven’t gone completely over to the dark side yet.”

At thirteen, she was definitely a brat. But he loved her and Genesis and Giavonna anyway. Having sisters so much younger than he was had always been an adventure. And he adored them—all three of them. They’d almost lost Greer when she’d been nine. He would never forget the fear.

“Veronica, please, have a seat. The rest of you, dinner is ready,” his mother said, as Gene and Giavonna came in, bickering. “Would you like something to drink? We have soda, and water, and tea, and milk…”

“Some water would be fine,” Veronica said, quietly.

The rest of his brothers stood and headed for the table. “Once everyone is seated, George can introduce his guest.”

“Hi, Ronnie. What are you doing here?” Giavonna asked. “I thought you escaped Georgie months ago.”

“Your brother brought me. Against my will, I might add—so apparently no escape this time.”

“I’d be happy to rescue you.” Gene took one look at her, and appreciation filled his eyes. He was almost four years younger than George—and had that wild shagginess that far too many women found appealing.

Gene was a bit of a cad where women were concerned, George’s mother had said before.

George fought the urge to slug his brother just for looking at her that way. He bared his teeth at his brother, over Veronica’s head, and glared.

Gene just snorted, and raised his hands. “I… need to go wash my hands. I look forward to getting to know you better, Veronica.”

“Please, it’s Ronnie. Only George uses Veronica. It’s very irritating, actually.”

Well, Veronica was definitely still angry. She looked up at him, and that was clear.

Still, George had her almost right where he wanted her.