Strings Attached: Duquesne Brothers, #2

By Jo Carey

Politically ambitious lawyer Caden Duquesne is given an amazing career opportunity. It really is an offer he can't refuse, but there are some serious strings attached.

Ivy Sorenson loves her life in the north woods serving as mayor of the small town she grew up in and leading rescue efforts with the Border Lakes Search and Rescue Team. She's happy running the family log lot with her brother, but she wants someone special in her life.

When Ivy meets handsome billionaire Caden the sparks fly, but will those sparks burn the strings that tie them together?

Strings Attached is the second book in the Duquesne Brothers series. 
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jo Carey
• Release date: Apr 18, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201418571

Jo Carey

Jo Carey grew up in the Midwest but her curiosity and gypsy-spirit has kept her on the move. She's lived in eight US states and spent three years living in Ireland. She has always loved creature movies, so creatures and bugs often show up in her books. Jo, a former information security compliance guru, writes fast-paced, character-driven stories in a variety of genres from medical thrillers to space operas and cozy mysteries. Her novels are filled with humor, romance, and sometimes creatures or aliens, or maybe even all of the above. She often builds her stories around a strong female lead character surrounded by plenty of hunky male heroes. Jo's been under fire on a golf course and climbed out the roof of an elevator in the Netherlands. Life hasn't been boring. Now residing in Texas, setting often plays a huge role in her stories. Jo was intrigued by the League of Planetary Systems, a world her husband, Frank, created for his science fiction books, and she now writes mysteries and other types of tales sets in that world. Jo was bitten by a cat, a fire ant, and a snake, before succumbing to the bite of the writing bug.

Book preview

Chapter 1

I never thought I'd be back here again, Braden said as he and Caden walked to the pickup truck Braden had rented for the week.

I thought Tate was joking when he said they were getting married at a log cabin up here, Caden said. This is not my idea of an appropriate wedding location for a Duquesne.

I do get the appeal of not being hounded by the press, but that is the only thing this place has going for it.

Tate Duquesne, youngest of the four billionaire brothers, was getting married and his three brothers had shown up early to help with last minute wedding prep and to ensure they had ample time to harass their siblings.

This morning the twins, Caden- a high-powered lawyer with political ambitions, and Braden—one of the biggest action stars in Hollywood, were making a firewood run to ensure the wedding party and guests were warm regardless of the weather.

The brothers were identical twins and only their closest friends and family could distinguish between the two. It had been fun to fool people when they were younger, but now it was more annoying than anything. The two brothers looked identical except that Braden was much more muscular now that his movie roles required it, and they were nothing alike. Caden was serious, driven, so focused as to border on obsession while his brother was an actor who always wore a smile and was known for pulling practical jokes on his siblings and costars.

The two men walked into Sipstirs hoping to get a decent cup of coffee and some local information. The older lady working behind the counter looked up when they walked in.

Hi, Boys. Welcome to Sipstirs. What can I get you?

They placed their coffee orders and then Braden asked, Anywhere around here we can pick up a load of firewood?

Oh sure. Sorenson's Log lot should have a supply.

Caden pulled his phone from his pocket. I need to get this, he said, heading down the hallway at the back of the space.

Ruth gave Braden directions before pushing his coffee across the counter to him. Have you been here before? You look familiar. Locals and tourists kept Sipstirs busy year round, but a woman, no matter her age, wouldn't forget any guy who looked like this. She hadn't seen the two of them together before, but one of them had been in when that rich guy and his girlfriend got lost and had to be rescued.

Before Braden could answer, the bell over the door sounded, and Ivy Sorenson, Woodvale's mayor walked in. Ruth watched as the mayor got a good look at the man waiting for his drink.

Never one to keep her mouth closed when she could share her wisdom with others, Ivy walked up and tapped on the shoulder of the man waiting for his drink order.

He turned and eyed her. I can't believe it only took a few months for you to return to our quaint little village. You must have found something about it to your liking.

Braden ran his gaze from her hiking boots, up her fit legs showcased nicely in skinny jeans, lingering over the cleavage the tank top showcased underneath the plaid fleece shirt that hung open. Eventually he gazed into her bright blue eyes and let a slow smile lift his lips knowing it showcased his dimpled cheeks that women seemed to appreciate.

He stuck out his hand preparing to introduce himself. Before he could utter a word, she said, Surely you haven't forgotten our previous encounters.

At that point, Caden walked back up to stand beside his brother.

Oh my God. There are two of them, Ivy said to Ruth.

Mayor Sorenson. I'd like to say that it's wonderful to see you again, but I pride myself on my honesty. I see you've had the pleasure of meeting my twin brother Braden.

Lovely to see you again Mr. Duquesne. I see you couldn't stay away from my lovely little village for very long.

Caden picked up his coffee from the counter and headed for the door. Come on, Braden. We're on a mission.

When the door closed behind them, Ruth fanned herself. I can't believe there are two men that good looking walking around single."

Good looking, wealthy, and still single. What does that tell you? Ivy asked, as she took her large black coffee and headed out the door hoping that whatever reason the Duquesne brothers had for their reappearance in Woodvale would keep them out of her path.

Chapter 2

That hot little redhead is the mayor you were bitching about when we were here before? Braden asked. Man, what is wrong with you. You should have been finding a way to stoke that fire.

As always, thanks for your unsolicited and inappropriate advice. Again I'm left to wonder if we truly are related, Caden said. Let's get the liquor and firewood so we can get back to the cabin. I don't want to miss the chance to make fun of Duke trying to build that archway.

Tell me again why we aren't just paying people to do all this stuff, Braden said.

It was something people always asked about when they learned you were wealthy. While it was true that Caden could afford to pay someone to do whatever he needed done, it was often just easier or more expedient to do it yourself. Plus he needed to stay busy. It was the same for all his brothers. The flip side of that issue was that they sometimes tried to do things themselves that they didn't have the knowledge or ability to do well, and they hated admitting that.

After cases of wine and liquor were loaded into the rear seat of the club cab pickup truck, Braden followed Ruth's directions to the wood lot that was on the western edge of town. He pulled in beside another pickup in front of a small, single-story log building.

The two brothers walked in the front door making the bell ring. There was a counter along the back, but no one was in sight. They waited a couple of minutes longer, but no one appeared. Caden was never a patient person and seeing Ivy Sorenson again irritated him although he wasn't sure why. She caused this nervous energy to surge through his body. It wasn't a pleasant feeling. He went back, opened the door, and slammed it shut causing the bell to ring again and the glass to rattle in the frame.

Where's the fire? Ivy asked as they walked into the room brushing her hands together to remove the sawdust as she approached the counter. Dammit. Are you two following me?

Braden pulled what he thought was his most charming grin. I would if you'd like that, he said. Well, if my brother didn't have dibs.

I'm not sure which of you is which, and I don't care. Why are you in my log lot?

Ruth said this was the place to come for a load of firewood.

She wasn't proud of herself but charging the Duquesne twins double her usual price seemed justified for all the aggravation they caused her. They refused her offer of help loading their pickup, so she went back in the office and poured herself a hot cup of coffee and watched the two men out the window as they threw the wood into the truck bed. She doubted either of them ever did a day of real physical labor in their lives, but she was woman enough to admit that they sure did look good doing it.

Damn. Another missed opportunity, Ivy said as her brother walked in from the back and looked over her shoulder to see what had captured her attention.

What? Did you not charge them enough? Trying to get your money's worth gawking at them? He took a closer look at the two men. Is that... well is one of them Braden Duquesne?

Yes. I can't tell which is which. They're both pompous asses.

He had moved over to the cash register and picked up the receipts from the morning. You charged them double?

They can afford it.

XXX

You know she charged you double, right? Braden asked as he headed north toward the turn off for Tate's cabin.

I would have paid ten times that to get out of there.

What happened between you two?

Nothing really. We just rub each other the wrong way, I guess.

Oh that sounds interesting, Braden said, holding up his palm for a high-five.

How can we be twins? You act like you're 16.

By the time they unloaded the wood and liquor, they all sat down in the cabin for a late lunch.

Before we get overrun with more guests and more last-minute needs, I just want to thank you guys for being here all week and helping make our special day even more special, Mari said.

After lunch cleanup, Tate and his brothers went to finish building the archway that would be the backdrop when Tate and Mari exchanged their vows.

I can't believe you couldn’t get your act together and find someone to marry. It really is a shame that the youngest had to step up to show you how it's done, Tate said.

I found someone, it's just taking a really long time to convince her, Duke said. They all laughed. In Duke's mind, he knew Jacinta was his soulmate the minute he met her even though she was married to a friend of his at the time. She had been windowed for more than a year now, but he was still trying to convince her they belonged together.

How'd you'd know Mari was the one? Caden asked. He had never really thought any of his brothers would settle down. As he passed through his thirties on his way to 40 he realized he did want the Duquesne brothers to leave a legacy that was more than just their bank balances. In that moment as he braced a pole with his shoulder so Duke could hammer it into place, he realized the brothers should think about settling down and having families of their own. It made logical sense, but he couldn't imagine himself in the role of husband and father. Uncle sounded like something he might be able to handle though.

Chapter 3

Hello Mrs. Pickering. I'm surprised to see you back in my town so soon, Mayor Sorenson said from behind her desk. The mayor’s office was a tiny closet of a room in the village center. She used it mostly as a place to sign the few official documents that required the mayor's signature.

Ms. Sorenson, I wanted to personally deliver this. She pulled an ivory envelope from her ever-present totebag and slid it across the mayor's desk. I'm sure you remember the Duquesne brothers. Tate Duquesne and my friend, Mari Wilkerson were the subject of a SaR operation here a few months ago. Despite their difficulties in your wilderness, they found the peacefulness of the area appealing and have purchased a getaway cabin here. They're getting married here on Saturday, and we'd love for you to attend.

Thank you, Mrs. Pickering. I'll have to check my calendar.

Let's be honest, Mayor Sorenson, your duties as mayor of this small village don't fill your lunch hour let alone your calendar. It would be good for you to get acquainted with some of your newest taxpayers. I'll expect to see you Saturday.

Jacinta exited the mayor's office. She'd seen the sparks fly between Caden and Ivy during the search for Mari and Tate. Caden had crossed paths with her again this week and couldn't stop talking about her. Even though his comments weren't complimentary, Jacinta recognized the connection even if Ivy and Caden