Read Online Going Down by Shelli Stevens - Free Book Online Page A

outside.
    But their friendly exchange faded from her mind as she gave a wistful sigh. What a great house—a comfy layout, with plush furniture and cream-painted walls.
    Pictures covered most of those walls. Pictures from twenty years ago, when the brothers were obviously kids, wedding pictures from Tyson’s parents, and current photos.
    Ellie picked up a framed picture of Sharon and a man she assumed to be Tyson’s dad. They were in a fishing boat, arms around each other, smiling, and holding up a salmon they’d caught.
    So sweet. Something she’d never had…but, God, wouldn’t it be nice to find some day? For a moment, the image of her and Tyson flickered through her mind, but she snuffed it out, her stomach clenching.
    “Damn. I can see why Ty staked his claim on you.”
    She dropped the picture with a startled gasp, then fumbled to pick it up again as she cast a glance over her shoulder.
    Another ridiculously hot male stood behind her, arms folded across his wide chest as he glanced her over with an appreciative smile.
    One of Tyson’s brothers, without a doubt. His T-shirt with the firefighter logo gave that away. Not to mention he had the same hard, chiseled face and body as Tyson’s, but darker coloring. His hair was brown, almost black, and his eyes a rich chocolate.
    Oh, yeah. She knew without a doubt by his words and his appearance alone that this guy must have a trail of broken hearts a mile long.
    “Have I been claimed?” she asked lightly, turning fully to face him with a smile. “Because that would be news to me. I’m Ellie.”
    “I’ve heard. Todd Wyatt.”
    “Nice to meet you.” She held out her hand for him to shake, and then immediately wondered if he would try to hug her like his mom had.
    Instead, Todd caught her hand between his two, and lifted it to his lips to brush a kiss across her knuckles.
    “I see you’ve managed to corner the one single woman in the vicinity,” Tyson’s amused voice drawled from behind her, but there was the faintest hint of warning in his tone.
    She felt the heat of Tyson’s body just behind her, before his hand settled possessively on her lower back.
    Todd’s grin widened. “Are you surprised?”
    “Not at all.” Tyson stepped forward again to hug his brother, pounding him on the back with a closed fist. “I think I’ve got you pretty much figured out by now.”
    “Jeez, you boys are going to scare her off.” Sharon swept through with an exasperated sigh and caught her arm, pulling her away from the two. “Come on, honey, you’ve still got two more to meet.”
    Two more. Well, at least that meant the extended family hadn’t shown up today. Ellie gave a small laugh of relief and let Sharon lead her out of the house into the backyard.

Chapter Nine
    The smell of wood chips and barbeque hit her first and her stomach growled, even though they’d eaten the treats from Kate’s Cakes not too long ago.
    With the glare of the sun, Ellie couldn’t see much as they stepped out onto the patio. But then a few more steps led them to a shady tree and, once again, the details of the backyard came into perspective—folding chairs, lots of green lawn.
    “There they are,” Sharon murmured. “The other two men in my life.”
    The two men in question were standing by the grill, deep in discussion. Everyone was tall, she realized, the entire family.
    She approached as they finally glanced up and noticed her.
    The older of the two was still quite handsome, with his full head of white hair, twinkling blue eyes, and big smile on his face. He was exactly what Tyson would look like in forty years, she thought.
    “You must be Ellie!” he called, coming around the barbeque. “Glad to meet you. I’m Dan.”
    “Nice to meet you, Dan.” And he did shake her hand. No hugs, no knuckle kissing.
    Not sure what to expect from the last member of the Wyatt’s family, she turned her gaze to the man who could only be Tyson’s older brother.
    He looked similar to Todd, with