Surrender

Netherland looked at Ashton as if he'd spoken a foreign language. She then stiffened her back and gave him a look that would have fried a lesser man's soul. “Your vision was wrong. I'm not marrying anyone ever again. And I definitely wouldn't think about marrying someone in the military.”

Ashton watched her, frowning. Evidently she didn't get it. It no longer mattered what she wanted. Their futures together were set. “We will marry, Netherland.” Upon seeing her anger increase he sighed deeply once again, thinking it was time to give her the facts. “According to my family's history, Netherland, my great-great-grandfathers from both my African-American side and my Native American side had tribal mystical powers to see into the future. These powers were passed down to various members of the family.”

The seriousness in both Ashton's tone and his eyes made Netherland uncomfortable. “Are you saying you can foresee the future?”

“No, but I have, on occasion, had visions that have turned out to be true.” He didn't want to tell her that with his first vision he hadn't acted quick enough and because of it he'd lost a good friend. It had been during one of his special military assignments as part of the marines' Force Recon Unit.

Ashton watched as Netherland shook her head and her manicured fingertips tapped slowly on the bar's countertop. He couldn't help but notice that the red of her nails matched the succulent coloring of her lips, and he immediately realized it was a definite turn-on. Not that he wasn't turned on by her already. As far as he was concerned, Netherland Brooms was in a class all by herself.

As he continued to watch her, getting even more turned on by the way she was nervously gnawing on her bottom lip, he knew that she was thinking about what he'd just said and trying to come up with a rebuttal. She finally met his gaze once again.

“Ashton?” Netherland said with what little patience she had left.

“Yes?”

She paused and took a deep breath. “I hear what you're saying but I'm not buying it. I can't. I don't discount that you may believe what you're saying, but I have to assure you that what you're proposing won't happen.”

Ashton nodded. “I understand,” he said sympathetically. He knew the understanding of mystical powers was hard for most people to understand and accept. He'd had a problem believing so himself until he'd been shown otherwise.

“And what do you understand, Ashton?”

“I understand how it would be hard to believe. But everything I've told you is true, Netherland. You and I will get married. You can't continue to fight what will be.”

“No.”

“Yes. I didn't want to break things to you this way. I wanted to court you properly, take you out and give us a chance to get to know each other. But you've made those plans difficult, near impossible. So the matter has now been taken out of your hands.” Ashton heard Netherland's sharply indrawn breath and saw her body tense.

“What do you mean?” she asked softly.

He leaned toward her. Twin dimples indented his bronze-colored features as a slow smile spread across his lips. “It means you should start planning a wedding. And I'll make plans for the wedding night,” he said softly.

Unexpected warmth rode up Netherland's legs, beginning at her toes, and settled in her center. She inhaled deeply. She had to pull herself together. Ashton Sinclair was almost too much for her to handle. The soft huskiness of his voice and the determined intensity in his eyes stirred something to life deep within her.

“You're wrong. There won't be a wedding,” Netherland finally said firmly, looking at Ashton with a deep frown on her face.

He stood. His gaze was intent. He reminded her of her brother Dakota when he was hell-bent on having his way. “Yes, there will. You can bet Sisters on it. Good night, Netherland.”

Netherland watched, barely breathing, as Ashton turned and walked out of the restaurant.

“Some people have all the luck. I wish some good-looking man would ask me to marry him.”

Netherland blew out an exasperated sigh. “Have you heard anything I've said, Rainey? Ashton Sinclair didn't ask me to marry him. He told me in no uncertain terms that we were getting married.”

“How romantic.”

“How ludicrous. Just who does he think he is anyway?”

Rainey smiled. “Evidently he thinks he's the man who will become your husband.” Rainey leaned closer to Netherland. She had quickly slid into the seat Ashton had vacated, dying to get the scoop. “Did he actually say he was going to plan the wedding night?” she whispered.

Netherland nodded. “Yes, can you imagine his nerve?”

Rainey giggled. “Umm, right now I'm too busy imagining other things.”

“Rainey!”

“Okay, okay, I'm back in check. I'll behave.” After a moment she said, “So, Nettie, what are you going to do? Go to the police?”

Netherland raised a brow. “The police?”

“Yes, if you think he's harassing you.”

Netherland shook her head. That thought was too ridiculous to think about. Ashton wasn't harassing her. He was just being a pain in the rear end. “He's not harassing me.”

“So you kind of like having him here checking you out every night,” Rainey quickly concluded. Too quickly for Netherland.

“I wouldn't say that. It's just that so far he's been harmless enough. Like you said earlier, he's been good for business. And now that I know where his mind is, I'll know how to handle him.”

Rainey lifted a brow and crossed her arms over her chest. “And how do you plan on handling him?”

Netherland shrugged. “I'm sure a good night's sleep will give me some answers.”

Chapter 3

Netherland didn't get a good night's sleep. Neither did she have any answers upon awakening the next morning. If it hadn't been for the fact that she had a ten o'clock appointment at the restaurant, she would have been tempted to stay in bed a while longer.

The wind tossed the dark curls around her face when she got out of her car. She recognized the Mercedes sports car parked in the space next to hers as belonging to Syneda Madaris. Netherland couldn't help but admire the gorgeous car the woman drove. It was real class—just like the woman herself. Although Syneda and her husband Clayton were prominent attorneys in Houston, Netherland had heard the car had been a gift to Syneda on her thirtieth birthday from her father, oil magnate Syntel Remington.

Netherland pushed the curls out of her face once more as she walked up the sidewalk to her restaurant. There was once a time when Clayton Madaris had been Houston's most eligible bachelor and a frequent customer of Sisters. Now Clayton was a happily married man and a father-in-waiting. Netherland smiled. Miracles never ceased to amaze her.

Rainey looked up from what she was doing the moment Netherland entered the building. “Syneda Madaris is here.”

Netherland nodded. “Has she been waiting long?”

“No, she just arrived. I told her it was okay to wait in your office.”

“Thanks, Rainey. Our meeting shouldn't last for more than an hour or so.”

Rainey nodded. “I'm dying to know if any answers came your way last night,” she said before Netherland could walk off.

Netherland shook her head, frowning. “No, not a one.” She quickly moved toward her office before Rainey could question her further. She hadn't missed her friend's smirky grin. Okay, so she hadn't come up with any answers yet. That didn't mean anything. It certainly didn't mean she was headed for the altar as Ashton Sinclair had claimed.

She found Syneda sitting in her office busy scribbling notes on a legal pad. Evidently Syneda had a court date sometime that day and was getting prepared. As usual, Netherland noted, the woman was dressed to the bone. Her melon-colored shoes were the exact shade of her two-piece business suit. Amazing, Netherland thought, coming into the room. Not everyone could wear a color that vibrant and get away with it. Syneda, with her light complexion and hair the color of golden bronze, was the epitome of style and sophistication in the outfit. “Sorry I'm late, Syneda.”

The other woman waved off her words. “Don't apologize. I was early. I let Clayton talk me into having breakfast with him at Barneys. He knows I have a weakness for their bagels.” She laughed. “He also knows I'm not a morning person—unless I'm tempted with a bagel from Barneys, or,” she said, curving her lips in a sheepish grin, “I'm tempted with one other thing…”

Netherland smiled as she sat behind her desk. It was evident that even after almost a year of marriage, Syneda and Clayton were very much in love. Anytime she saw them together, they were all into each other, probably even more so now that Syneda was expecting the couple's first child. “And how is Clayton doing these days?” she asked.

Syneda leaned back in her chair smiling. “Clayton is Clayton, what can I say? He's being difficult as usual.”

Netherland shook her head. “And what are you two disagreeing about now?” It was a long-standing joke with everyone that Syneda and Clayton rarely agreed on anything.

Syneda's smile widened. “The baby.”

“The baby's name?”

“No, we're in full agreement there, believe it or not. Boy or girl, our child will be named Remington.”

Netherland nodded. Since that was Syneda's father's last name, she could only assume the child was being named after him. Remington was a name Syneda never got to claim as her own while growing up, thanks to her grandfather's deceitful plan to keep her from her father. “What is it about the baby the two of you can't agree on?”

“Where he or she will be born. I want a home birth with a midwife. Clayton is adamant about me going to the hospital. This is an argument I intend to win even if I have to lock myself in the bathroom when the labor pain starts coming.”

Netherland chuckled. She'd really like to see that one. Clayton would be a basket case by the time that was over. She shook her head as she opened the file on her desk.

“You said in your phone call Tuesday that you had someone else for me.”

Syneda smiled excitedly. “Yes. Are you sure you can use the help?”

“Yes. Business is good and so far everyone you've recommended has worked out well for us.” Netherland thought about the increase in business lately. Although in part Rainey had been right, it was due to Ashton Sinclair's presence, she believed those people who were patronizing Sisters for the first time would enjoy themselves and return.

“That's good,” Syneda replied. Her expression indicated she was glad to hear that. She occasionally handled cases where the woman was an abused victim trying to get out of a hellish marriage. She worked closely with the local women's shelter by working behind the scenes whenever she could to find the women some sort of steady employment until they could get on their feet and become stable. The last thing an abused woman needed was to be made to feel that she was dependent on anyone for anything. The quicker they became productive and self-sufficient, and built up self-esteem about themselves, the better. Syneda had already recommended two others who were working out wonderfully. Both women had divorced their abusive husbands and were now in control of their lives. One of them had begun taking night classes at Texas Southern University.

“This one is a little touchier than the other two, Nettie. Not only am I representing her in a divorce case but charges were filed against her soon-to-be ex-husband for kidnapping. After she left him, he kidnapped her and took her to Louisiana. Luckily the authorities found out where he'd taken her. He had held her against her will, threatening to kill her for at least three days.”

“Oh, how awful that must have been for her.”

“Yes, it was.”

“How is she handling things now?”

“She's gotten some good counseling and is doing fine. She'll be better once the trial is over.”

“What's her name?”

“Jada Roberts.”

Netherland smiled. “How soon can she start working here?”

Syneda returned Netherland's smile as she placed one folder back in her briefcase and pulled out another. “Now that we've gotten that matter with Jada Roberts taken care of, we can move on to the issue of the Brothers Auction. I need to give you an update.”

Netherland nodded. Last year Syneda had come up with the idea of holding a Brothers Auction. The proceeds benefited the Children Home Society, which was badly in need of additional funds for a number of worthy causes to aid the children who lived there. The auction would be held at Sisters and was only two weeks away. Some predicted the event would again be one of the biggest highlights of the year. Single women would get the chance to bid on single, eligible men and all for a good cause. “Don't tell me you're still having men back out.”

“A number of them did when word got out that Angela Meadows plans to bid again this year.”

Netherland chuckled. Angela was a thirty-year-old man-hater of the third degree, after having been dumped by two fiancés just days before the weddings. She'd been the highest bidder last year. No man wanted to get bidden on by Angela for fear of what she might have in store for them. Going out on a date with her could very well be their last supper. The guy she'd bidden for last year had called it the date from hell. “Do you really think she plans to bid high again this year?”

Syneda giggled. “Word's out on the street that she's been saving half of her paychecks each week just for this event. She also plans to take out a loan with her bank.”

Netherland shook her head. “All for the sake of making some man's life miserable for an evening?”

“Yes. To her it would be well worth it, and that's what has Clayton's cousins and Alex Maxwell worried.” Syneda smiled. The cousins she was referring to were the grandsons of Clayton's uncles Milton and Luke. The twins, Blade and Slade Madaris, were twenty-seven, and Luke Madaris was only a few months behind at twenty-six. “I told them to relax since they were probably too young for Angela's taste anyway.” Syneda then frowned as she thought about twenty-nine-year-old Alexander Maxwell. “I can't seem to convince Alex of that though. He wants to withdraw his name.”

“Did you stress to him that all this is for fun, and the money is going to charity?”

“Yes, but Alex said it stopped being fun when Angela voiced her intentions, and that there's only so far a person should go to help charity. The possibility of putting your life on the line by going out on a date with Angela was going too far.”

Netherland tried to cover a laugh behind a cough and failed. She cleared her throat. “What about Sterling Hamilton coming that night?” Clayton's Uncle Jake's wife, movie actress Diamond Swain Madaris, was going to use her connections and get her friend, movie actor Sterling Hamilton, to make an appearance. He would definitely be a big draw.

Syneda shook her head. “I spoke to Diamond a few days ago and Sterling will be here, which is good news. The bad news is that our headliner, neurosurgeon Dr. Lloyd James, just got engaged, and his fiancée doesn't want him to participate. The Lord answered my prayers, and I was able to find someone at the last minute, thanks to a tip I received this week. It seems this man is hot in demand. I bet the bids for him will bring in a lot of money,” she said excitedly. “Women think he's sexy as all outdoors. I spoke with him last night, and he consented to do it. Some lucky sister will be spending a weekend with him in New Orleans.”

Netherland's interest was piqued. “Now you have me curious. Just who is this man who's so hot in demand?”

Syneda smiled. “Trevor's friend who's visiting him. Colonel Ashton Sinclair.”

Ashton inhaled deeply and silently counted to ten. A quick glance across the room indicated that his good friend Trevor Grant was doing likewise. They both watched the very pregnant woman in the center of the room tilt her head way back and look up at the ceiling.

“Are you sure there's no way the ceiling can get wallpapered today?” she asked, glancing first at her husband and then at Ashton.

As if on cue, Ashton and Trevor answered simultaneously, “Yes, we're sure.”

Corinthians Avery Grant lifted one dark brow as she stared at each man again. “I hope I didn't work you too hard today, but I don't have long before the baby gets here, and I want to make sure everything is perfect.”

“And things will be, honey.” Trevor walked over to his wife and pulled her into his arms. “But don't you think wallpapering the ceiling is a bit much?”

“I want Baby Grant to look up and see pretty things instead of a dull white ceiling.”

Trevor nodded, trying to understand her reasoning but failing miserably. “Then how about if Ashton and I paint it another color—a sunny yellow or something?”

She nodded as if considering his idea. “That might work.”

“But not today, sweetheart. Ashton and I are beat. You've already gotten your money's worth out of us. Is there any way we can take a break, relax and watch the basketball game?”

Corinthians nodded. “Yes, that's fine. I feel tired anyway.” Kissing her husband on the cheek and smiling gratefully at Ashton, she turned and waddled out of the room.

“Why is she tired, Trev? All she's been doing all day is standing in one spot giving orders.”

Trevor chuckled, knowing his friend was telling the truth. “Yeah, but she looked so beautiful while giving them, don't you think?”

Ashton shook his head, grinning. “I'll cut on the TV. You can grab the beer out of the fridge.” Both men quickly left the room before Corinthians had a change of heart and found something else for them to do.

A while later during a commercial break Trevor asked Ashton how he was doing with Nettie. “I finally had to level with her, man, and let her know that we're getting married.”

A grin covered Trevor's face. “I'm sure that went over well.”

Ashton chuckled. “I didn't stick around too long after that to find out just how well it did go.” He cast Trevor a determined look. “I thought seriously about kidnapping her. What do you think about that?”

“I'd rethink that plan if I were you. Last I heard kidnapping was still a federal offense. You'd be faced with a dishonorable discharge for sure.”

Ashton nodded. “I could seduce her into submission.”

Trevor grinned again. “That might work. There's nothing illegal about that. By the way, I heard you volunteered for the Brothers Auction. I wonder how Nettie is going to feel about that when she finds out.”

“I plan to make sure she's the one I take with me to New Orleans.”

“Then I strongly suggest that you have a very good plan in place. Rumor has it that Angela Meadows is going to be the one with all the money that night. No one will be able to outbid her.”

“Who's Angela Meadows?”

“Although she's a good-looking woman, she's every man's nightmare. A real man-hater.”

Ashton raised a brow. “If she hates men, then why go out with them?”

“To give them one night of pure hell. Two men dumped her at the altar so she's out for revenge. You should ask Clayton about her. He dated her once, and once was enough. The woman's crazy, man.”

The two men fell silent when the basketball game resumed.

Netherland angrily paced the floor of her office. “Can you believe him? I can't believe he would do such a thing!”

Rainey leaned back in her chair smiling. To say her friend was upset would be an understatement. “I still don't understand why you're in such a tiff, Nettie. It's a charity function, and the money is being raised for a good cause.”

Netherland waved off her words. “I'm well aware of that, Rainey. It's just that Ashton Sinclair agreed to do it on the same night he claimed he wanted me. He even had the nerve to mention a vision he had of marrying me.”

Rainey raised her eyes to the ceiling. “Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought you had no intentions of getting involved with him.”

“I don't.”

“Then why are you so upset?”

Netherland stopped pacing and gave Rainey her full attention. “It's the principle of the thing. No man claims he wants one woman then volunteers to be placed on an auction block to spend a weekend with another.”

Rainey smiled. “Maybe he's hoping that you'll be the highest bidder.”

“I don't know why he'd hope that. I've told him countless times that I won't go out with him.”

“Then what's the big deal, Nettie? Why are you wearing a hole in your carpet about it? Ashton must mean something to you for you to have gotten so upset about it.”

Netherland took a deep calming breath and perched her rear end on the edge of her desk, crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head. “I can't let him mean anything to me, Rainey, he's military,” she said softly.

Rainey heard the lack of conviction in Netherland's voice and decided to use another approach. “If Ashton wasn't military, would you go out with him?”

Netherland thought long and hard on the question before answering. “Yes.”

“Would you even go so far to think he's possibly husband material?”

Netherland thought about the dreams she'd had of him lately. “Yes, possibly. I wouldn't know the answer to that until I got to know him better. There are a few things I do like about him. Although he's persistent, he's never pushy, he's confident but never cocky, and he's assured but never arrogant.” She sighed deeply. “But none of that matters because he is military, Rainey.”

“Your ex-husband wasn't in the military, yet your marriage to him didn't work out, either, Nettie.”

Netherland met Rainey's gaze. She was one of the few people, other than her family, who knew the reason for her divorce. “No, he wasn't military, but Erik and I married young, and for all the wrong reasons. Then, there was the fact that I couldn't give him the very thing he wanted.”

“A child?”

“Yes, a child.” Netherland lowered her head and studied her left hand, specifically the finger where she'd worn a wedding band for all of ten months. She and Erik had begun dating at the beginning of their last year of high school. When her father's military orders had come for them to leave Camp Bullis, Texas, for some godforsaken country in the Middle East six months before graduation, she and Erik, both seventeen, had eloped one night and had gotten married. After that, her parents had had no choice but to leave her behind with her new husband when they left the country. She and Erik lived with his parents for the remainder of the school year. Her parents and brothers had returned for her high-school graduation, and it seemed everything was going great until she'd had a long talk with her mother. Her mother had told her something she should have been told years ago. A severe case of childhood mumps had left Netherland sterile. After telling Erik about it, he had begun acting as if her inability to conceive were some sort of disease. Soon after that, their storybook marriage began falling apart and eventually ended in a divorce. That had been nearly eleven years ago. Over the years she'd heard that Erik had remarried and had four kids, which hadn't surprised her. He'd always talked about having a large family someday.

Netherland was happy for him. Since then she had accepted the fact that she would never be anyone's mom unless she adopted a child. She was okay with that and hoped whatever man she eventually married would be okay with it, as well.

“Are you going to warn Ashton about Angela, Nettie?”

Netherland lifted a chin. “Why should I?”

“Because once she hears he's in the auction she'll save every penny she can get her hands on for him. What woman wouldn't?”

“I won't.”

“Only because of your hang-up about military men.”

Netherland looked at her friend. “What about you, Rainey? Are you going to bid for him?”

Rainey gave Netherland a smirky smile. “It would serve you right if I did. But at the moment, I have my sight on someone else.”