Page 28 of For the Promise (The Raider Brothers #2)

“Wait a minute. Those people aren’t smugglers.” ~ Blossom

Blossom

T he doorbell rings and I yell, “Coming!”

I rush to the front door while putting on my shoe. I fling it open and smile at Jaxon. “Hi.”

He shoves a bunch of flowers into my arms. “These are for you.”

I lift the bouquet to my nose and inhale their scent. They smell of spring and new beginnings. “Thank you. I thought tulips were out of season.”

“I ordered them.”

“But shouldn’t they take a week to get here?”

He shrugs. “I did a rush order.”

I can only imagine how much a rush order would cost. I slap him with the flowers – gently, I’m not ruining these beauties. “No more spending ridiculous amounts of money on me.”

“I’m trying to woo you.”

I start to laugh but sober when I realize he’s serious. Jaxon Raider wants to woo me? Who am I to stand in his way?

I quickly put the flowers in water and Jaxon leads me outside. When we pass his Mustang, I stop.

“Aren’t we driving? We can hardly steal a Smuggler’s Hideaway mascot without a car.”

He frowns. “Steal a mascot?”

“Rhett took Dakota to steal the parrot mascot from Pirate’s Perch on their first date.”

Each town on Smuggler’s Hideaway has a live mascot. Smuggler’s Rest has Viking – the cutest otter ever. Pirate’s Perch has Plank – the dirty-mouthed parrot. And Rogue’s Landing has Rogue – the chaos-causing raccoon.

His frown deepens. “Is that what you want to do? Steal Plank?”

“You need to do something. You’re losing the prank war.”

“How do you know I’m in a prank war with my brothers?”

“Dakota told me.”

“I haven’t thought of a prank yet.”

I wrap my arm around his bicep. “No need to think any further. We could steal Viking. I know where he is.”

“Everyone on the island knows Parker has the otter. We usually rotate who’s watching the mascot, but Parker refuses to give him up.”

“I can’t blame her. Otters are adorable. And Viking is so cute. He gives cuddles for cookies.”

He sighs. “I thought Dakota was the otter lover.”

I shrug. “He’s too cute not to love. ”

“I made a reservation at Smuggler’s Cove but I can cancel it and we can go steal Viking instead.”

I bounce on my toes. “No way. It’s the Smuggler’s Reenactment Dinner week. I’ve been dying to go, but the tickets were sold out before I even moved to the island.”

He smirks. “Good thing I have connections.”

“Why are you dragging your feet?” I say when he doesn’t quicken his steps to match mine.

“Why are you in such a hurry? I thought we’d have a nice stroll before dinner.”

I wrinkle my nose. “Is this part of the wooing thing?”

He grunts. “I’m trying to be romantic.”

I push up on my toes and kiss his cheek. “You bought tickets to an event I’ve wanted to attend since I learned about it. You’re getting straight As for this date thus far.”

He blows out a breath. “Good. I want you to have fun.”

I frown. I was joking, but he’s obviously not.

“I’m having fun because I’m with you.” The doubt in his blue eyes slays me. “I’m serious, nerd boy. I enjoy your company.”

He meets my gaze for a long moment. “What did I say about calling me nerd boy?”

“You can punish me later.” I wink.

“You’re trouble, Petal.”

“I’m not the one who wasted a good bottle of champagne.”

“You thoroughly enjoyed the champagne.”

I shiver at the deep tone of his voice. I certainly did enjoy myself as he licked the champagne off my naked body. I should add champagne to my shopping list .

We arrive at Smuggler’s Cove and he opens the door for me.

“I like the chivalrous act.”

“Not an act.”

I smile up at him. “Even better.”

He places a hand on my lower back and leads me to the hostess. “Hello, Hazel. We have a reservation.”

“Oh, hi Jaxon. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

He squeezes my hip. “Blossom wanted to come.”

She offers me her hand. “I’m Hazel. Good on you for snagging the one remaining Raider brother.”

My brow furrows. “There are three other single Raider brothers.”

She rolls her eyes. “Miles, Zane, and Kai are children. Especially Miles,” she mutters. “Let me show you to your table.”

“No menu?” I ask once we’re seated in the middle of the restaurant.

“It’s a set menu,” she says before walking off to help another customer.

I lean over the table. “You have to tell me what the deal is.”

Jaxon pushes his glasses up his nose. “The deal?”

“Why Hazel hates Miles.”

“Oh. That deal. Hazel and Miles used to date. He dumped her before he flew off for a surfing competition in Hawaii.”

“What an asshole! Sorry.” I immediately backpedal. “He’s your brother. I shouldn’t be saying he’s an asshole.” I throw my fist in the air. “Go Raider brothers!”

He chuckles as he catches my hand. “You can make fun of Miles as much as you want. ”

I narrow my eyes. “Really? Or is this a trick?”

“What kind of trick would this be?”

I forgot Jaxon doesn’t play games. “Never mind.”

The door to the restaurant bangs open and someone shouts, “The bootleggers are here!”

“Oh, goodie.” I rub my hands together. “The show is about to begin.”

A woman rushes into the restaurant and a man chases after her. They aren’t dressed as bootleggers, but maybe the whole point is bootleggers were everyday people? I don’t know.

“Those aren’t bootleggers,” Jaxon whispers.

“You know who they are?”

He doesn’t have a chance to answer before the man and woman arrive at our table.

“Jaxon Raider! How could you!” The woman yells before bursting into tears.

What is going on? Who is this woman? And why is she mad at Jaxon? She can’t possibly be dating him. She’s old enough to be his mother. His mother? Hold on. Is this his mom?

Jaxon stands. “Do we have to do this now?”

“Did you get married and not tell your mom?” The man’s question confirms my suspicions. These people are his parents. I am not ready to meet the parents, but I don’t run away from my problems either.

I stand next to Jaxon. “I’m Blossom.”

Hazel hurries to us. “There’s a private dining room you can use. Unless you want everyone in the restaurant to eavesdrop on your private business. ”

We follow her to the back of the restaurant. Everyone stares at us as we make our way past the tables. I wave to them. Let them think we’re part of the entertainment.

“Mom,” Jaxon pleads once we’re shut behind a closed door in a private room. “Let me explain.”

“No, I’ll explain. This is my fault.”

His mom’s eyes widen before her gaze drops to my belly. “Am I going to be a grandmother? How exciting. Your child and Eli’s child will grow up together.”

“Eli’s child?” Jaxon asks.

“Oops. I’m not supposed to tell anyone.”

His father chuckles. “Except you just told Jaxon and his wife that Paisley’s pregnant.”

“Hold on!” I raise a hand. “Paisley’s pregnant? No way. She would have told me. I’m her assistant. I need to prepare for her absence.”

Jaxon’s mom gasps as she reaches for my hand. “It’s true. You are married. This is a beautiful ring.” She smiles at Jaxon. “Good job, son.”

My nose wrinkles. “You don’t think the ring is too big? It’s a bit ostentatious, isn’t it?”

She giggles. “I love her already.”

I’m confused. “What did I say?”

“There have been some issues with women throwing themselves at Eli for his money,” Jaxon explains.

I narrow my eyes on his parents. “I don’t mean any disrespect but Paisley loves Eli. She is not with him for his money. ”

His mom claps. “You’re wonderful. Welcome to the family.”

She opens her arms as if to hug me but Jaxon growls. “Don’t scare her.”

“Why would a hug scare me? I’m a strong woman. I can handle a hug.”

Jaxon fiddles with his glasses. “I just thought… since you lost your mom… and the crying…”

I throw my arms around him. “You better stop being sweet, nerd boy, or I am never letting you go.”

“Who said I wanted you to let me go?” he whispers into my ear and I melt into him. This man I’m falling for doesn’t want to let me go. Maybe he’ll choose me after all.

“Son,” his father grumbles. “Properly introduce us to your wife.”

“And then explain why we weren’t invited to the wedding.”

I release Jaxon but he wraps an arm around my waist to keep me near. Protecting me again. I want to argue I don’t need protecting, but I’m enjoying his warmth too much to care about asserting my independence.

“Mom, Stuart, this is Blossom.”

“Stuart?” I ask. “You call your dad by his name?”

“Stuart is my step-dad.”

“Step-dad?”

“My biological father left when I was fourteen.”

No wonder Jaxon never mentions his father. I have at least a million questions about what happened but I’m not asking them in front of his parents.

“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Raider and Stuart.”

“You can call me Jessica. Or Mom if you prefer.”

“Mom,” Jaxon growls.

I pat his arm. “It’s okay.”

“I’m still waiting to hear why you got married without your mom in attendance,” Jessica pushes.

Jaxon sighs. “It’s Blossom’s personal business.”

“It’s okay.” I blow out a breath. “In short, my ex is trying to steal half of the inheritance I received when my parents died.”

“What?” Stuart booms his question loud enough for all of the people in the restaurant to hear. Closed doors be damned.

“You lost your parents?” Jessica asks as she wipes tears from her eyes.

“Two years ago.”

“I don’t understand how marrying Jaxon can help your situation but if Jaxon married you to help, it’ll help. All of my boys are saviors.”

“We should let the kids have their dinner,” Stuart says.

“But I have more questions,” Jessica complains. Stuart stares at her until she huffs. “Fine. But I expect to see you at Sunday dinners since you’re part of the family now.”

“The marriage isn’t real,” I remind her.

She rolls her eyes. “I’ll see you soon.”

Stuart escorts her out of the room and I stare after them. Jessica accepted me into the family without a second thought. No games. No tests. Just acceptance.

My chest warms. Family. I haven’t had one of those in a while. I hope I can keep this one.