His Last Crush: Regan Brothers

By S. D. Wells

Garret Regan is nearing his thirtieth birthday and after watching five of his bothers find love he begins to question his life. He was certain he didn't want that lifestyle or the responsibilities that came with having a family. That is until the day she reentered his life.

Millie Webber is a divorced mother of one and starting a new life. After coming to live with her mother things seem to be going well until her one time crush comes back into her life.

Their first meeting as adults is explosive and the couple will find themselves questioning their life every step of the way. Millie is determined to stay single while Garret is determined to win her heart. Can this lonely feed store owner succeed in winning the girl? Can Millie get past her insecurities to allow love in her heart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sandra Wells
• Release date: Jun 12, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393512103

S. D. Wells

I am married with 3 grown children. I was raised in Dallas, Texas and have always loved to read and write. I have been married since April of 2001 to my best freind. I have experince loss of my own in my past. My eldest child died in 2006. I am a Christan and am strong in my faith. To me family is important as are freinds and God.

Book preview

ONE

January 21, 2002 ~ Toledo, Ohio

Doris Henson covered her granddaughter before kissing her forehead. She was in Ohio to talk her daughter into moving back to Wisconsin with her. Now that her deadbeat husband was out of the picture, Millie had no reason to stay. Taking a deep breath, she looked at her phone and prayed that all was well back home.

She only hoped that Conor and Heather would forgive her for her deceit. However, like the rest of her group, she knew they belonged together. Aiden, Brendan, Dillon and Frank had each found their own happiness and The Bridge Club was determined to make sure the rest of the Regan boys found their happiness as well. No doubt that Hayden would be the hardest but Margie was sure she knew what to do with him. As for Garret they had yet to find him a mate but Doris had an idea who would be perfect for him. Was it too soon or could Garret be the answer they all needed to get Millie away from the mess she was in? Was it wrong? Maybe, but what choice did any of them have?

Mom, is she asleep?

She is. Let’s go in the other room and talk. Doris could hear the groan coming from her daughter and she knew the argument was coming. In the living room they each took their seats and Doris watched Millie fiddle with the throw pillows before looking at her.

I know what you are going to say but I can’t.

You can’t what?

Leave Ohio. How can I move Livy to another state? Her friends are here, her school......

What do you plan to do now that you got your divorce? Bobby has too many friends....

I will figure it out mom but leaving Toledo is not going to happen. Sighing, Doris nodded and watched her daughter walk out of the room. How could she convince Millie that moving back to King’s Hill was the right thing to do? After all, her whole world waited for her there.

––––––––

Millie was glad her mom was there but at the same time she was ready for her to go back home. How could she ever explain to anyone that King’s Hill could no longer be her home? How could anyone understand what she left behind? Groaning, she closed her bedroom door and fell on the bed.

Marrying Bobby had been an act of desperation to keep her from returning home. Everything back in Wisconsin had been in an uproar and she was scared to return to the life she had once loved. Her father had died of a stroke, her sister married a big bad military guy and her brother had joined the Army. Of course the year that Olivia was born was the year her poor brother gave his life for his country. That had been the last time she had been home. From that point on, Bobby would not allow her to even think about King’s Hill or those she cared about. He had always known her secret and was not about to compete with a stupid crush. Of course, that was the year that he changed into the monster she now knew him to be. She was just grateful that Olivia never suffered at the hands of her father. Thankfully, Bobby recently filed for divorce because he was bored with her and a small part of her wanted to flee back to the home she had grown up in. However, she knew that Bobby would never allow it.

––––––––

King’s Hill, Wisconsin

Garret held his date close as they slow danced to some old country song. He knew he should be paying attention to her but his mind was elsewhere. Lately, he felt overwhelmed. Life as he knew it had been changing. First, Aiden met and married someone and then Brendan. Of course when Dillon brought home a wife, everyone was shocked and then his twin married Rachael. Each of his brothers had married and started families. That left him, Conor and Hayden as the only single Regan men in the bunch. There was no doubt that Hayden would never marry and he was sure that Conor might settle down some day. However, Garret was not sure he wanted? Did he want to get married? Did he want a family? Looking down at his date he almost groaned.

He knew she was expecting to either go back to the ranch or have him go back to her place. However, he was bored with the lifestyle he was living. Drinking beer and chasing girls every night had become mundane and he knew it was time for a change.

––––––––

I can’t change the directions of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination. By: Jimmy Dean

TWO

August 03. 2002

It had been a day full of romance with a little scare added to it. After saying vows to Conor, Heather had been kidnapped. Thankfully, Dillon had been all over it and had quickly recovered the missing bride. It was discovered that her stalker from another country had followed her to King’s Hill and tried to claim her as his bride. Now the couple was off on their honeymoon and Doris sat with her lifelong friends as they watched the Regan men dancing with their wives.

When is your daughter coming? Kathy asked.

I’m not sure. Doris responded

You sure she is the one for Garret? Margie questioned.

Smiling, Doris looked over at Garret sitting at a table while he played with his small niece. Doris had known a long time ago that her daughter, Millie, was the one for Garret. The boy liked challenges and would find her oddly unique. I’m positive. She will make a good wife for Garret.

Margie you are next up. What are your plans to find Hayden a wife? Linda asked.

I think the good Lord is going to have to work a miracle for that boy. The foursome laughed and clinked their glasses together as they once again toasted their dearly departed friend, Janice Regan.

––––––––

Millie drove her little van quietly into the small town of King’s Hill and prayed that she had not been followed. Her home was repossessed by the bank and all she had left was her daughter, her car and the clothes on their backs. After living in a shelter for almost a month, she had finally decided she needed help. So she packed up her car with everything she owned and drove cross country to her hometown. Looking at the clock, she noticed it was a little after midnight and she was sure her mother would be asleep. However, traveling at night had been her only option. With a sigh, she looked back and saw her daughter asleep in her booster seat. The little angel would be happy to see her grandmother but would miss her life back in Ohio. Had Millie done the right thing? Would moving them there really hurt her daughter or would it help her? Once more she sighed as she pulled her vehicle in her mother’s driveway. After shutting off the engine she quietly got out and headed to the door. Just before knocking, she looked up into the sky hoping for a miracle. A shooting star rushed through the sky and Millie quickly closed her eyes as she silently prayed that all would work out.

––––––––

Garret sat in a recliner and looked around. For years he and Frank had lived with Hayden in the big ranch house. Frank had married and was living in a cottage until their home was built. Now Garret wondered if his life would not be so complicated if he too moved out. He had been talking for years about cleaning out Mr. Clump’s old house and taking up residence. Living with Hayden was just a constant reminder of the life he was trying to get away from. Grumbling, he looked up as Hayden entered the living room.

Hey Gar, come with me to Rooster’s tonight.

Sorry, bro but I’m not in the mood.

Why have you become so boring lately?

I’m not boring, I’m just starting to grow up. Maybe you should do the same.

Does this have to do with Conor getting married?

Not just him but Frank and the others as well. I mean we all knew Brendan would someday get married and when Charlie came into town we knew that she would end up with Aiden. However, when Dillon and Frank each got married I began to look at my life a little differently. Then when Conor got married....

I get it but don’t follow in their footsteps. I need an ally. I need a wingman. Regardless what our brothers say women are trouble. Sooner or later one or all of our sisters in law will walk away from their families. It’s what they do.

You really are an idiot and you need to grow up. Not all women are like Uncle Roy’s ex. Not all women are out to destroy men. Garret then stood and walked out of the house. Yeah he needed his own place or he’d end up killing his brother.

Twenty minutes later, Garret stood at the family cemetery looking at the headstones of his loved ones. His mother Janice Regan died just before he was six and his Grandmother Regan died before he turned eighteen. Nana Regan had taught them to honor women and treat them with respect. Looking at his father’s grave, he just sighed. The older man had had a stroke only a few months back. He had had dementia at the end of his life and had ended up wandering out during a snow storm.

Dad, Nana, mom. I need your help. I need your advice. I have watched my brothers each marry and find love but you all know Hayden. He is trying to convince me his way is better. If that is true then why do I feel so cheap when I even step foot in the bar? Help me. Send me some kind of sign. After falling to the ground he looked up at the stars, hoping for some sort of sign. Just then a shooting star passed through the night sky. A memory of his mother flashed through his mind.

Remember boys, if you see a shooting star its God’s way of answering our prayers. Garret chuckled as he looked at his mother’s grave.

I understand, mom. It is time to move on with my life but if you could send me a woman, I’d appreciate it. He then blew a kiss to his mother and grandmother before leaving.

––––––––

Don’t spend all of your time finding yourself. Spend your time creating yourself into a person that you’ll be proud of. By: Unknown Author

THREE

August 12, 2002

After his morning deliveries Garret was tired and ready to pull out his hair. The week had been hectic and he wondered why he kept the store. With Frank running the local grocery store and preparing for a new baby he barely had time to help Garret. Oh he could do the payroll and pay his bills but it was balancing everything that got him every time. Moaning, he pulled into the parking lot of the feed store, shut off the engine and slowly climbed out of his big truck. It was a 2000 blue Ford Ranger, XLT, four by four with an extended cab. Though it was only a couple of years old it had its fair share of dents and scrapes. All, of which, came with his job. With another moan he shook off his bad morning and walked into the store.

Inside he found Doris Henson pacing near the counter. Smiling, he walked up to the older woman and hugged her as he spoke. Doris, it’s nice to see you this morning. How is Millie settling in?

That is why I am here. She needs a job, Garret and as I understand it you are in need of some help.

Who told you that?

Frank did. He said you could use someone to handle your books and payroll. Millie has a degree in business management.

Shouldn’t Millie be here asking for the job and not you?

Oh the girl is being stubborn. She has applied all over town and in Grant. Frank told her to come talk to you but she is being stubborn.

Mmmmm, I would not mind giving her a try. Believe me I could use the help but only if she asks me herself.

Well, I will try talking to her again. She is acting like you broke her heart.

We never even dated. I was a few grades ahead of her.

Yes, well okay. I will talk to her again. The woman then turned and walked away.

––––––––

Millie paced as she listened to her mother talk about a possible job opportunity.

He wants you to come down and talk to him.

No! I will find my own job.

What is wrong with working at the feed store?

Nothing but I want to do this on my own.

Then you should have gone down there when Frank told us about the opportunity the other day. It will be good to have a job near home. Just in case Olivia needs you.

Millie groaned and rubbed her hands on her face. Her mother really knew how to make someone feel guilty. Fine, mother, I will go talk to him tomorrow. She only hoped he did not know what a huge crush she once had on him. Garret had always been nice to her and though he was a few grades ahead of her he always went out of his way to make sure she had a ride home from school. Even after he graduated he was always looking after her.