Love Struck (The Taylor Brothers Book 4)

After two days, Nelson returned home with his parents only to find that Nick had patched up with Iris. She had moved in with her three pet dogs. They announced their wedding which would be held two weeks later. Nelson was glad that his twin was finally happy and settled with the girl of his dreams. He, Iris and Nick bonded well and so did one of Iris's dogs, Pilot. He followed Nelson around and Nelson loved the attention,

"Pilot dude, pray that I get my girl, " said Nelson. Carter had called him to say that they located Colton's address and had been positioned in front of his house for twenty-four hours but hadn't seen Annalise or her siblings yet.

"It's strange. If they were living here wouldn't they have come out at least once?" Asked Carter.

"I don't know what to think of this. Maybe her aunt lied after all," said Nelson.

"Levi's there in front of her uncle's house too. She hasn't emerged from there too and neither has her siblings," said Carter.

"I'll go to her father's house then. Maybe she has shifted there," said Nelson, worried by now.

"Okay, update us then," said Carter, Nelson went to out to his car and drove over to Annalise's old house. Parking his car, he went inside the shabby building and knocked on the broken door of her apartment. No one opened the door. He knocked four times already, yet no one opened the door. Nelson was very worried by now. The place didn't look like anyone had set foot here for the last few months. There wasn't any noise coming from inside the house yet Nelson waited quietly hidden from view for a long time. It was impossible that anyone was here. He left after being confirmed that they weren't living here.

Levi, Carter and he met at Carter's house to discuss what would their future plans be now. "Where could she just disappear?" Asked a dejected Nelson.

"The kids aren't attending their school too," said Levi. It was strange indeed.

"Is she married already? Maybe she's left Houston?" Asked Carter.

"Don't talk shit, Cart. You're killing me, man," groaned Nelson, cradling his head as tears of frustration crept into his eyes. He couldn't think of what he would do if Annalise married Colton. "I'll murder Colton and go to jail if she marries him."

"Hold on, man. If she would marry Colton, they wouldn't stay hidden at his house for two days. Would they?" Asked Levi. "Carter saw Colton so obviously he hadn't left the city with Annalise. Let's be positive guys. I think they're at their uncle's house. Her aunt might have lied after all. Today morning a huge package arrived from Bridal Bells, a reputed boutique for wedding fineries. If Annalise wouldn't have been there, why would the wedding stuff arrive there?" Asked Levi. He had a point and Nelson looked up at him with hope.

"You're right. I think she's there at her uncle's house but the question is how do I get to talk to her?" Asked Nelson frantically. "I'm trying to call her everyday but she has switched off her phone."

"Let's keep a watch right in front of her uncle's house. The moment she or her siblings come out, we'll grab them to talk," suggested Levi.

"I'll keep watch. I don't care if her aunt turns me to the cops," said Nelson. So every day, Nelson kept watch in front of Annalise's uncle's house. He stopped going to college, he stopped going to work and his family was very concerned about him. While Nick and Iris's wedding preparations were going on, Nelson's life was in shambles. He hadn't got a clue as to where Annalise was.

The wedding would take place at Bernie's ranch since Iris wanted a romantic ranch wedding. Two weeks passed by and Nelson was desperate by now. He had reason to believe that Annalise was there inside her uncle's house as he saw her aunt going to the nearby bakery. A wedding cake was ordered but the baker refused to cooperate. He wouldn't tell them the date and address of delivery of the wedding cake. Packages were delivered everyday and they were very curious. Her cousins went out daily but Nelson wasn't sure if he could trust them enough. So ultimately there was no improvement in his condition. He was supposed to go away the next day to the wedding venue so Carter and Levi decided to continue their watch. They would inform him if they saw Annalise or her siblings.

The next day they were all busy packing for their four-day trip. Finally after lunch the whole family set off towards Bernie's ranch. It was just an hour's drive away towards the west of Houston. Their friends would arrive after college tomorrow. After driving though scenic countryside they finally reached the 500-acre working ranch set in the peaceful country amidst majestic Live Oaks and the beautiful gurgling lakes maintained at the ranch for it's guests. It was a magical place but Nelson didn't feel the magic. His whole mind was focused upon Annalise. He was very disturbed by the way she disappeared from his life.

He just accompanied his cousins everywhere, dragging himself on with a fake smile on his face. There were horses, Border Collies, Angus cattle, miniature donkeys, peacocks, ostrich, and even American Bison, along with Black Buck Antelope, Fallow Deer, Axis & Red deer at the huge sprawling lawns but nothing held any interest for Nelson.

He returned from his trip to see that the check-in was complete and they all had been allocated their rooms. Of course, everyone had to share the rooms and cottages available. The girls would share a room while the boys would share a dorm room. Their parents would also share rooms. Four to six people could sleep in one room. They all deposited their luggage and the elders went to the beautifully maintained, well-stocked lake for fishing and boating.

The rest of the day passed by amidst lots of interesting activities which Nelson took part in half-heartedly. It was lunchtime the next day when Nelson's phone buzzed with an incoming message. Checking his eyes popped seeing a message from Alexis for the first time in twenty days.

Call Anna tonight.

Tonight? His whole heart nearly leaped out of his chest with excitement seeing the message. He immediately called Carter. "Dude, I just received a message from Annalise's sister. She wants me to call Annalise tonight," said an excited Nelson.

"Great dude. Try to convince Annalise," said Carter.

"I will. Your dad knows someone at the County Clerk's Office. Right?" He asked Carter, hopefully.

"Yep," said Carter.

"I need a marriage license, dude," said Nelson. "Is it possible?" He asked anxiously.

"It's difficult but not impossible. I'll ask dad. You convince your girl, " said Carter.

The rest of the day, Nelson anxiously waited for night time to be able to talk to Annalise. Finally after dinner, he dashed off towards the gazebo overlooking the Enchanted Lake. It had become his favorite place to sit since the moment he arrived  here. Saying a silent prayer in his head, he tried Annalise's number. It wasn't switched off to his excitement. After six calls, she finally accepted his call. Nelson's heartbeats increased and he whispered hoarsely into the phone,"Alise, its me."

A sob could be heard from the other end and his heart broke hearing it. "Alise, please listen to me. What you saw wasn't true at all. The girl you saw was Adam's sister, Alanis. She was framing me to force me to marry her. Please believe me," he said in one breath.

"It's no use Nelson. I've moved on," said Annalise almost in a whisper.

"You can't. What about us? What about the love we share? I can't lose you, please Alise. Don't marry Colton, I beg of you," pleaded Nelson. He could feel his voice choking up with emotions. He wanted to see her. He wanted to hold her in his arms and convince her of his feelings for her. "Don't give up on us, Alise."

"It's no use Nelson. You can enjoy your fatherhood. There was never any us," said Annalise, as tears fell from her eyes.

"How can you believe everyone but me? I've never loved anyone in my life apart from you, Alise. What fatherhood are you talking about? I've never had s*x with anyone yet. How can I be a father, dammit? I'm telling you she was lying," said a frustrated Nelson. He never had casual flings or one night stands just like his twin. Tney had their mom's strong principles and both boys were very sincere where relationships were concerned. He could hear Annalise sobbing at the other end.

"Why are you still pursuing me even after knowing that I'm marrying Colton?" She asked brokenly in between sobs.

"I love you God dammit, " he said earnestly. "Please don't cry, Annalise. "

"If you don't cancel the wedding, I swear to God that I will hunt you down on your wedding day and abduct you. I'll keep you with me forcefully to make you see how much I love you. I know you still love me, " he said vehemently.