Romancing My Love (Love in Bloom: The Bradens) Contemporary Romance by Melissa Foster Page A

familiar deep voice. People who knew them often wondered if they were competitive, since they were both in the resort business. Pierce’s standard answer was, Not with each other , while Treat’s standard answer was a hearty laugh. They, like all Bradens, were fiercely loyal to their families, and when properties came up for sale, they often consulted each other first, to ensure they weren’t bidding against family.
    “I forgot to turn the ringer on. Sorry about that. How’s Adriana?”
    “Cuter than hell. I swear, even at almost two, she can get anything she wants with a smile.” Treat laughed. “How are things with you? Are you making any headway with the Grand Casino?”
    “We’re scheduled to begin due diligence next week. The guy’s shady, at best. I can feel it in my bones.” Pierce and Treat had spent their early years as close as brothers, but after Pierce’s father left, his mother had moved their family to Trusty, where she and most of Pierce’s siblings still lived. He and Treat remained close despite the distance, and made a point of visiting each other as often as they were able.
    “Well, you know how to handle shady,” Treat said.
    “With laser-beam focus. I’ve got it covered.” Pierce checked his watch. He had a meeting at eight fifteen with the financial team handling the due diligence for the potential acquisition.
    “I heard that Luke’s engaged. Did you hear that Josh is finalizing his wedding plans?” Josh was one of Treat’s younger brothers, a world-renowned fashion designer. He was marrying his childhood crush and business partner, Riley Banks.
    “Man, Treat. Everyone’s heading down the aisle. Did Josh set a date yet?”
    “No, not yet. But they’re working on it. You know, Pierce, you’re getting older; you might consider settling down yourself sometime soon. I highly recommend it.” Like Pierce, Treat had been a workaholic and a bit of a player himself before meeting Max, but as with Wes and Luke, the right woman had come along and he couldn’t live without her.
    “You’re like a drug pusher, but with commitment.” Pierce laughed, but he was replaying the conversation with Kendra in his mind. He wondered if she and Treat could sense something different in him since he’d met Rebecca. He certainly felt different, and he was thinking differently. He supposed it was possible they’d pick up on something.
    “What can I say? Marrying Max was the smartest thing I’ve ever done. Speaking of my gorgeous wife, she has a meeting with a sponsor for the film festival next week out your way. I thought I’d join her and we could get together for dinner.”
    “Sure. Tell me when and I’ll clear my schedule. Are you bringing Adriana?”
    “Jade’s watching her. I think she’s getting itchy for marriage and a baby.” Jade Johnson was Treat’s younger brother Rex’s fiancée.
    “Adriana’s so damn cute, she could make me want a baby. I’d imagine Rex will be an easy sell. He’d do anything for Jade. They’ll be the next ones down the aisle. That’s my bet.”
    “Maybe I should bring Adriana so you start thinking about it.”
    “I’ll tell you what, Treat. Why don’t you start working on Ross?” Ross was a year younger than Pierce and was a veterinarian in Trusty, Colorado. His veterinary practice was so busy that he rarely had time to date. “He lives in the next town over from you. He’s an easy target. Hell, I’m sure you know a hundred women to set him up with.”
    Treat laughed again. “You know he’s on Jade and Max’s list of Men to Introduce to Single Women, right? If Jake lived in Colorado, he’d be on there, too.”
    “I don’t think either of them has a hard time finding women.” The Bradens had a running joke among themselves about the Braden curse . They were all tall, dark, and handsome, and the women were crazy beautiful, smart, and strong willed. They would be an intimidating group if they weren’t also down-to-earth and generous to a