Swept Away: A Small Town Romance (The Moore Brothers Book 3) Read online

  Swept Away

  Abby Brooks

  Contents

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Connect With Abby Brooks

  Also by Abby Brooks

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Copyright © 2016 by Abby Brooks

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  For my Family

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  Also by Abby Brooks

  Blown Away

  Carried Away

  Swept Away

  1

  Willow Tamran snapped the ends off a green bean and threw it into a strainer, smiling across a gleaming granite countertop and two half-full glasses of wine at Juliet, her best friend since forever. The best friend Willow missed like crazy now that they had over seven hundred miles of the east coast separating them every day. Through the window over Juliet’s shoulder, Willow watched the ocean lap up onto the beach underneath a sky painted a brilliant blue and dotted with white clouds. Sunlight streamed into the kitchen and danced across the tile floor in Juliet’s monstrous kitchen.

  It was so different here in Bliss, South Carolina from what Willow was used to in New York City, what with the wide open spaces and the silence and the fresh air and the whole knowing everything about everybody because you’ve known them you’re whole life and all that small town stuff. On one hand, she totally got why Juliet loved it here, and on the other, Willow kind of thought she might lose her mind to the vast expanses of blue upon blue, the constant rhythmic companion of the waves rolling up onto the shore, and the persistent possibility of becoming the talk of the town every time you went through a major life event.

  Ian—Juliet’s fiancé—slid his arms around Juliet’s waist. Pulled her close. Kissed his way across her jawline to her lips. Pressed his forehead to hers and took her hands in his and stroked her knuckles with his thumbs. Willow considered looking away. Even went so far as to consider leaving the room. The moment between them seemed so intimate. So precious. So completely designed for just Juliet and Ian that Willow felt like an intruder even though all her stuff was in the guest room upstairs.

  “You girls have fun,” said Ian as Lulu—their little Yorkshire Terrier—propped her front paws up on his legs. “I’ll be back before my family gets here.”

  “Promise?” Juliet looked up at Ian, her eyes trained on his.

  “Juliet Lane,” Ian said in the same tone a parent typically reserved for an errant child. “You will be my wife in a week. Are you telling me you don’t think you can handle being alone with my family?”

  “No, silly. I just can’t stand being separated from you.” Juliet slid her hands into Ian’s back pockets and leaned into him.

  Willow wanted to roll her eyes, but covered the reaction by taking her attention off her friend and studying the bright November day on the other side of the window. At home in New York, she would be bundled up in blankets and extra socks. Here, it was hovering around seventy degrees outside and Willow had considered wearing shorts, much to the chagrin of the Bliss natives. Ian swept Juliet up in a kiss, his hands roving the topography of her back, twining in her hair and finally—finally— he managed to say his goodbyes. It reminded Willow of watching a man leave his wife behind on his way to war, not just to go to the store.

  After Ian closed the front door behind him, Juliet put a hand to her heart and sighed. “I’m so fucking in love with him.”

  “It’s pretty clear he’s like, way fucking in love with you, too.”

  “Oh yeah, how can you tell?” The expression on Juliet’s face said that she already knew Ian was crazy about her, she just wanted to hear Willow say it. She scooped Lulu up and rubbed behind her ears.

  “By the way he touches you,” Willow said. “You can tell a lot about a man by the way he puts his hands on you.”

  Juliet kissed Lulu and put her down before she swung her long brown hair over her shoulder and plopped onto a stool next to Willow. “Oh, right. I forgot that all your years as a ballerina have given you so much experience with men putting their hands on you that you’re practically an expert.”

  “Actually, they have.” Willow shrugged. “Think of all the times I’ve had to take a man’s hand in rehearsal. Or on the stage. And think how many times I’ve had a man’s hands on my waist. Or on my hips. Or on my …” Willow widened her eyes and made a face that said you know what I’m talking about. “Modesty isn’t a thing in my career. It can’t be. I’ve had so many hands on so many places on my body. Can you just imagine if I had a whole modesty thing going on?”

  “I always said you were a floozy.” Julz grabbed a green bean out of Willow’s pile and snapped the ends off, giving Willow a devilish look as she tossed it in the strainer before grabbing a handful for herself. “So do tell, oh wise one. What does the way Ian touches me say about him?”

  “It says he loves you more than anything. That you are the thing he cherishes most in his life.”

  Juliet beamed at Willow, her love for her fiancé shining in her eyes. “You think so?”

  Willow nodded. “For sure. I’ve never seen a man touch a woman like that. So reverent. He’s so careful and tender with you, but it’s all charged with so much passion that it makes me feel like an intruder on your moment. When he puts his hands on you, he claims you and he protects you at the same time.” Willow shrugged and ran a finger around the rim of her wine glass. “It’s super romantic. Totally beautiful. And I’m studying it like crazy so I can explain it to whoever ends up dancing the part of Romeo when we do Romeo and Juliet in February.”

  And, she thought, because I wouldn’t mind having someone touch me like that some day.

  Juliet just about exploded with happiness. “Ian is pretty amazing.”

  “He better be. To deserve someone like you.” Willow threw a green bean into the strainer and took a long drink of wine.

  Juliet watched her thoughtfully. “Do you think you’ll get to dance Juliet?”

  Willow’s heart surged with excitement and anxiety. She wanted—no, she needed—to be cast as Juliet. Romeo and Juliet was her absolute most favorite ballet ever.

  Of all time.

  Period.

  The end.

  The music moved her to tears, stopped her in her tracks whenever she heard it. The minute she recognized the melody, she would freeze. Close her eyes and br
eathe it in and wonder how in the world anyone could do anything but listen. And the movement? The choreography was sublime. Sure, the actual story was a little silly. Falling in love like that in less than a week. Absolutely preposterous! But the story didn’t matter as much as the movement and the music.

  “I don’t know.” Willow swallowed. “I hope so.”

  Juliet’s jaw hit the floor. “You hope so? Come on, Willie. When we met, you told me you knew we were destined to be friends because of my name. You actually said that the fact that I had the same name as your favorite character in your favorite ballet was the biggest sign ever and that I was sure to be your best friend of all time.”

  Willow giggled. “I wasn’t wrong, was I? Look at us now.” Willow snapped an end off a green bean and threw it at Julz. “Signs are everywhere. You just gotta be open and pay attention to see them.”

  Juliet rolled her eyes and folded her arms on the counter. “So, dear friend, mistress of signs. Let’s try this again without all the nonchalance.” Juliet arched an eyebrow and waited for Willow to stop giggling. “Do you think you’ll be cast as Juliet?”

  Willow let out a long breath and forgot about playing it cool. “Oh, Julz, I really fucking hope so. I’ve been working so hard. Showing up early. Staying late. I’m in better shape than I’ve ever been in for my entire career. I’ve done all I can short of begging the director or offering up some sort of sacrifice to the gods.”

  Juliet rolled her eyes. “I’ll say you’ve done everything you can. Tell me again. Why am I getting married on December second?” She tapped a finger against her chin and pursed her lips. “There was a reason. I just can’t quite remember it…”

  Willow dropped a green bean in the strainer and leaned forward, her elbows digging into the counter. “You know I can’t take time off work. Even when I’m not trying to get the most important role of my entire career, taking a week off class and rehearsal is a no go.” She took Juliet’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “But, in case I haven’t said it before, I’m really super, uber thankful that you planned your wedding during my break so I can be here and be your maid of honor. Besides, since I’m the one who actually got you and Ian together, I’d be righteously offended if you left me out.”

  “How in the world do you think you get credit for getting us together?”

  “Who did you call when you weren’t sure if you should go out with him or not?”

  “You.” Juliet hopped off her stool and peered into the oven, checking on the chicken.

  Willow refilled her wine glass, making herself a promise to slow down after this one. The last thing she needed was drink too much, end up on the wrong side of tipsy, and embarrass herself in front of Juliet’s new family. “And what did I tell you to do?”

  “If I remember correctly, you said fuck it. Sleep with him.”

  “Exactly.” Willow flared her hands and looked around the gorgeous kitchen with the view of the private beach. “And see, right there. This is all totally because of my stellar advice to you that day.”

  They finished de-stringing the green beans and Juliet threw them into a pan with a little butter and got them started on the stove. “Have you had anyone putting their hands on you lately?” she asked over her shoulder.

  Willow swirled the wine in her glass and smiled at Julz. Took a sip and put it down with the light clink of glass on granite. “Every day. Many hands. All over me. For hours at a time.”

  Juliet’s eyes widened in shock and then understanding set her laughing. “I’m not talking about work. I get it. You get touched by a lot of men at American City Ballet. But, you know damn well that’s not what I’m talking about.”

  “Eh,” Willow dropped her eyes to her hands. “ACB is my boyfriend, you know that.”

  Not that she wouldn’t like to have an honest to goodness boyfriend. Wouldn’t mind that at all. The fact of the matter was that there just simply wasn’t time, what with the rehearsals and the classes and the performing. Oh yeah. And the sleep. Although Willow would be the first to admit that if they figured out how to do away with sleep, she would be all over that shit.

  Juliet shook her head, her face somehow sad. “How many times have I heard that? American City Ballet, this, ACB, that....”

  “Well, then, you really didn’t need to ask, did you?”

  “Can’t help it if I worry about you.” That comment was so out of character for Juliet. She had always been so understanding about the sacrifices Willow had to make for her career.

  “There’s no need to worry. I love what I do. And I won’t be able to do it forever. There’ll be time for real love after my career is over.”

  Juliet’s face went all mushy. She had to be thinking about Ian again. “In my experience, when it’s time for love, you don’t really have a choice in the matter.”

  Juliet had moved to Bliss, South Carolina in the spring, had stumbled upon Ian Moore, and fallen madly, head over heels, crazy in love with the guy. The proposal had come within a few months, so apparently the feeling had been mutual. Not as fast as the real Romeo and Juliet, but pretty damn fast given that this was real life and all.

  “I’m really happy for you, Julz,” Willow said. “I’ve never seen you happier. And this house!” She made a sweeping motion with her hand. “Ian really is the best thing that ever happened to you.”

  “Well, the second best thing that ever happened to me. You were number one.”

  “And don’t you forget it!” Willow started washing veggies for a salad while Juliet checked on the chicken. “Okay, so tell me. What kind of craziness am I in for once his family shows up? There are what? Six Moores, plus a girlfriend?” Willow surveyed the ingredients in front of her. “I’m gonna need a bigger salad, aren’t I?”

  “You’re gonna be fine. They’ll love you.”

  “Of course I’ll be fine. Socializing is what I do best.” Willow rolled her eyes at her own sarcasm. She was much better at listening than talking. “Just give me the basics so I have a starting place for conversation,” she said as Juliet busied herself with the chicken.

  “Oh, don’t worry, there won’t be any awkward silences at the table tonight.”

  “Okay, vivacious bunch. Check. What else?”

  Juliet leaned against the counter next to Willow. “Well, there’s James—Ian’s younger brother—and his girlfriend Ellie who is recovering from a really bad car accident. Two broken arms. A concussion. A bunch of lacerations. Plus, she’s pregnant. Double plus, she runs her own business. So James has his hands full taking care of her, which is why Ian chose Harry, the youngest Moore brother, to be his best man.”

  Willow grimaced. “Yikes! Two broken arms and a pregnancy? Sounds like dating one of the Moore brothers isn’t always like winning the lottery.”

  “Just wait until you see them together,” Juliet said, dipping her head towards her shoulder.

  “I’m just saying, you got the house and the ring and the happily ever after. She got the morning sickness and what? Eight weeks without the use of her arms?” Willow shook her head. “Poor thing.” She couldn’t think of anything worse than being injured.

  “Like I said, just wait. You’ll see. She got her happily ever after, just like me.”

  “If you say so” Willow looked down at Lulu who was busy looking absolutely adorable. “What about the parents?”

  “Frank and Diane? If I could have chosen my own parents when it was time to come into this world, I would have chosen them. They’re absolutely wonderful.”

  Willow turned her lips down in a frown. “That would have made this whole wedding thing a little awkward.”

  Juliet pointed a finger at Willow and lifted her eyebrows. “That’s a good point.”

  “That’s the only kind I make, my friend.” Willow eyed her wine, trying to gauge her level of tipsiness. Could she handle another glass before dinner? “What about this Harry? What’s the dish on him?”

  “Funny you should say that.” Juliet laughed. “Harry went to culin
ary school to be a chef, but decided he didn’t want to spend his days in the hot kitchen, throwing orders at other, less fortunate culinary school grads. So he opened his own restaurant and is pretty much married to his job like you.”

  “Okay, so he sounds like he’s got it all together, too. Is this, like, the most perfect family in the whole wide world? That’s really creepy, Julz. And not actually possible.” Even the best meaning families had skeletons in their closet.

  “Oh…” Juliet widened her eyes. “We haven’t gotten to Lilah yet.”

  “Aha!” Willow went ahead and took another drink of wine. “Now we’re getting somewhere! Spill the beans!”

  Juliet bit her lip and shook her head. “Lilah is very sure of everything she does. Very. Very. Sure.”

  Willow opened her mouth to ask a question but the doorbell interrupted her. Juliet pursed her eyebrows together in confusion and checked the time. “I don’t know who that could be. They’re not supposed to show up for another hour at least.”

  She wandered out of the kitchen and Willow went ahead and took another drink of her wine. So what if she was a little light headed when she met the Moores? She was totally prepared to wow this family, tipsy or not. They were sure to have some questions about her life as a professional ballerina, but experience had taught Willow that normal, non-ballet people typically didn’t understand the devotion and sacrifice that her career required of her. It wasn’t worth getting into too much detail as it inevitably ended in glazed eyes and dismissive nods. All she had to do was answer a few questions with a couple well-practiced answers and then ask a handful of her own. Keep the focus on them.

  Footsteps and the murmur of conversation in the hallway alerted Willow to Juliet’s return. She sat up straight and squared her shoulders. Leaned forward and placed her elbows on the table and cupped her chin lightly in her hands, naturally framing her face with her long fingers.