Head Over Heels for the Boss (Donovan Brothers) by Susan Meier

he was a busy person. Plus, his mom had trouble asking for things. His father had beaten her often enough that she’d become meek. The past three years she’d been getting over that. But she wasn’t entirely whole yet.
    Devon would not make her ask for money for one of her favorite causes. He’d already written two checks. One he’d mail to the ambulance association tomorrow morning. The other he would give to Bob before dinner, so there’d be no embarrassment. No business at the table. They’d just be family and a friend eating a nice meal.
    Stepping into the kitchen, he said, “So where are we eating?”
    His mother said, “Outside,” just as Ellie and Finn entered through the front door.
    Finn called, “We brought peach cobbler from O’Riley’s.”
    “Yum!” LuAnn said. She took the box from Ellie before she kissed Finn’s cheek. “So you two are looking happy.”
    Ellie rubbed her swollen tummy. “Three more weeks.”
    “And then I’ll have a granddaughter to add to the grandson I already have.”
    The front door opened again. Cade held one-month-old little Richie and LuAnn scooped him out of Cade’s arms. Devon leaned against the counter, feeling a pride that he probably didn’t have any right to feel. But his brothers’ lives would be very different if he hadn’t spared them the worst of his father’s fists. Now both were married and had plenty of time for family because he’d also taken the burden of managing the family fortune. Finn was an excellent businessman, but he had his own companies to run. Cade loved his ranch. The place made a small fortune, too, the way Finn’s businesses did. But just as Finn’s businesses were enough for him to handle, the ranch was enough for Cade.
    “So when are you guys going back to Montana?”
    Cade glanced over at Devon. “We were supposed to be leaving Sunday, after the wedding. Now we’re going to stay the three weeks until the baby,” he said, nudging his head in Ellie’s direction. “Because somebody doesn’t want to go.”
    Cade shook his head as Piper said, “Of course I don’t want to go! I’m getting a niece. I’m not missing a minute.”
    LuAnn laughed. “She’s going to be the most spoiled child in the world.”
    Good , Devon thought. Both of Ellie’s parents had passed, so the newest Donovan would have no maternal grandparents. Her paternal grandfather wouldn’t be allowed to get within two miles of the baby if the Donovan brothers had their say. The only grandparent Finn’s daughter would have was his mother. So, yeah. They’d all be getting involved with this baby.
    The doorbell rang.
    His mother’s face changed. Her eyes got bright. Her lips formed a grin. “That’s Bob.” She handed little Richie to Piper, whipped off her apron, and headed for the door.
    Devon pushed away from the counter as his mom entered walking hand-in-hand with Bob.
    Wait a minute. Hand-in-hand?
    But his mom was a hands-on person. She was always touching people, putting her arm across someone’s shoulders. Hadn’t she put her arm around Izzy?
    “You all remember Bob?”
    Finn said, “Who forgets the fire chief?” He held out his hand to shake Bob’s and Bob took it.
    Cade stepped forward. “Bob.” He also shook Bob’s hand.
    Everybody faced Devon. He stepped forward and shook Bob’s hand. “Nice to see you.”
    His mom said, “Great. What do you say we just get right to dinner? If I’m starving, I know Ellie’s probably about dying.”
    Ellie laughed. “I am.”
    LuAnn herded everyone to the French doors. “I set everything up on the table on the deck.”
    Carrying Richard Sean, Cade and Piper walked out to the back deck. Finn and Ellie followed them.
    Not wanting to make a scene or a big deal out of the check, especially since his brothers had already approved the sum, Devon stepped forward, stopping the chief, who was about to help his mom with the pot roast.
    He pulled the check from his suit coat pocket. “Chief, my brothers and