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said, her voice dripping disbelief. “You agreed, and all the while your little heart was going pitter-patter because you still—”
    â€œI do not,” Lisa interrupted, desperate not to hear the rest of that statement spoken aloud. “And my heart is supposed to be beating all the time. I’d be dead if it didn’t.”
    Senada sighed. “You really seem to like that not-quite-civilized, ruler-of-his-own-destiny type.” She narrowed her eyes and paused, then her lips tilted in a slow smile. “I think I may have the perfect man for you.”
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    The perfect man was out of town for the next few weeks, so Lisa accepted a few other recommendations Senada made. Between the spring wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, graduation parties and dates with a purpose, though, Lisa felt burned out enough to accept an invitation from Brick to attend a fair in Beulah County.
    She told herself it was to prove that they were indeed friends. The “lover” part of their relationship was passed, finished, completely done, never to be repeated. If she felt a twinge of regret at the thought, she ignored it. She also told herself she wasn’t the least bit curious about Brick’s family.
    At the fair, however, she stared at the sight of all those Pendletons as they crowded outside Brick’s car.
    Four tall men of varying ages with dark hair and Brick’s violet eyes stood with three women, two of whom appeared to be pregnant. When Lisa noticed the differences between Brick and his brothers, she saw that Brick was the tallest, his hair was slightly lighter and he exhibited a subtle masculine power that translated to pure sex appeal.
    The pull was so strong that even with all these people around she had to force her attention away from him. It took a moment, but Lisa recognized the feminine version of the Pendletons as the young, slim woman who was not pregnant.
    Brick instinctively put his hand at Lisa’s back as he made the introductions. “This is Lisa Ransom. She’s—” What? The woman who’d wrecked his mental health. The woman who’d left him because he couldn’t make a commitment. The woman who was planning to marry anyone but him as soon as possible. He began to sweat.
    â€œI’m a friend,” Lisa said, giving Brick a meaningful smile. “I’m glad to meet you.”
    He clenched his jaw briefly, then smiled and gestured with his hand. “Daniel and his wife, Sara.”
    Lisa shook hands as he continued. “Garth and Erin, Jarod, Troy and Carly.”
    A little boy wiggled between Garth and Erin. “Hey, I’m a Pendleton now too!”
    â€œThat’s right,” Brick said with a chuckle. “This is Luke, Garth and Erin’s son.”
    â€œLucky them.” Lisa took one look at the bright-eyed boy with a cowlick on the crown of his head and smudges on his chin, and she fell in love. “And it looks like more Pendletons are on the way, so I guess congratulations are in order. When are you due?”
    â€œSeptember for us,” said Erin, patting her stomach.
    â€œOurs is due in November,” Daniel said, taking Sara’s hand.
    Lisa sensed the love that flowed between them and felt a twinge of envy. She brushed it aside, though, and focused on getting a fix on the different personalities of Brick’s family. Daniel was extremely solicitous of his wife, Sara, but she supposed the same could be said of Garth and Erin. Jarod seemed to observe in silence, while Troy was loud.
    â€œAre we overwhelming you?” Carly asked.
    â€œNot really. When Brick told me how many brothers he had, I imagined six ‘Bricks.’”
    â€œHeaven help us all,” Carly said, rolling her eyes.
    Lisa laughed. “Now I see that one’s taller, one’s quiet, one cracks jokes.”
    â€œWell, if you forget any names, don’t feel bad. Just ask me and I’ll be glad to give you a prompt.