by Jane Jamison
She turned down the long, narrow road that was supposed to lead up to the house. Was Bruce just a friend? Did he understand that she never wanted him to be anything more than a friend? She had no doubt he cared about her, but was he staying with her because he cared about his friend or because he didn’t want her around men she found attractive?
Why not test the waters? “They’re really good-looking, don’t you think?”
“What? How the hell should I know?”
She swore she could feel his anger pouring off him in waves. “You don’t have to be attracted to someone to say if they’re hot or not. So, other than the fact that we don’t know them, what do you think about them?”
“I think you’re crazy.”
She let out a sigh, not bothering to cover her irritation. “Got it. I’m crazy, and they’re hot. Nice combination, right?” She inwardly cringed, hating herself for baiting him. But, damn it, why did he have to be such a jerk? “There it is.”
The cabin was magnificent. Although obviously having been built decades earlier, the wooden log structure was as solid as any home she’d ever seen. The huge front porch beckoned to her like a long-lost lover. She could imagine herself sitting in one of the rockers and listening to the birds in the morning. Two chimneys sat on either side of the roof, indicating that there might be dual fireplaces where she could curl up with a good book and while away a lazy winter afternoon.
Wow. Talk about my imagination going wild. I just met them and I’m already moving in.
Her imagination, however, didn’t have to do any work when she saw all three men coming out of the house to greet them. They were even better looking than her memory. How did three gorgeous men wind up together? Did other women know they were living alone in a cabin in the middle of the woods? She hoped to hell they didn’t.
Clint was the first one off the porch and over to her car. He opened her door then gave her his hand to help her out. She blushed, never having had a man do that for her.
“Welcome to Rocky Creek Ranch.” His gaze settled on her, never once moving to Bruce.
“Thanks. You have a beautiful place.”
“Yeah, we’re very lucky.” Trey pulled open the rear door and grabbed her backpack. “Do you need anything else?”
“Not the tent, of course, but I’ll need that duffel bag, please.”
“No problem.” Trey snatched up the duffel bag and tossed it at Vince as he came up to the car. “Vince will take your stuff into your room.” His emerald gaze shifted to Bruce. “You can take the last room at the end of the hall, second story.” He didn’t offer to give Bruce a hand.
Bruce’s snarled thanks told her everything she needed to know. He wasn’t going to let the visit be a good one.
“Let me show you around inside.” Clint took hold of her arm and escorted her to the house. He pushed open the huge wooden door then stepped back, letting her go inside ahead of him.
A vaulted ceiling with huge beams drew her attention skyward. Windows ran along the length of the front of the house while two stained-glass windows colored the sunlight shining through them. An enormous sectional couch rested in a living area that was five times the size of her one-bedroom apartment. The stone fireplace was lacking a fire due to the warm weather, but it still held a warmth all its own with a wrought-iron grate and fire tools as well as a copper firewood holder. Three fat Santas could’ve fit inside the fireplace with room to spare.
“Wow. This is like one of those lodges in a decorator magazine.”
“Is it? Beats me. It’s the way it’s always been, give or take different furniture.” Trey shrugged as Vince stalked past him, motioned for Bruce to follow, then bounded up the steps leading up to the second story and the balcony overlooking the living area.
“It’s amazing.” She couldn’t help herself as she strolled around the room, her fingers skimming over photographs in simple, yet beautiful frames as well as mementos that showed a house well lived in for decades.
“Make yourself at home.” Clint eased past her, his hand grazing along her arm as he did.
“Thanks.” She liked thinking that he enjoyed touching her. His touch was soft, yet somehow sexy, alluring, like a subtle call that was anything but subtle when it found its way to her pussy. Looking up, she found herself gazing into Trey’s green eyes, and she would’ve sworn he knew exactly what she was feeling.
“How about something to eat and drink?” Clint stood with his back bracing the swinging door that she assumed would lead into an equally impressive kitchen. “We don’t cook much, but I can throw together some crackers and stuff.”
“Sounds good. Can I help?”
“Sure. I’ll never turn you down.”
She paused as what Clint said caught her breath. Why did she think he meant it in any way except help in the kitchen?
She’d been right to think the kitchen would be amazing. Although the cabinets and counters were in great shape, they retained the rustic charm of the rest of the cabin. All the stainless steel appliances, however, were top of the line and new. A huge window boasted an incredible view of the woods rimming the house from behind. “This place keeps getting better and better. I’ll bet it looks like a winter wonderland when it snows.”
“You’d be right.” Trey pulled out a chair for her at an old oak table that seated ten.
She took the seat, her hand sliding over the initials carved into the table. “CHB?”
“Clinton Harris Bradford.” Clint pulled a pitcher of lemonade from the oversized fridge. “Me.”
“So your parents let you carve up the furniture?”
“We do basically what we like.” Vince pushed through the swinging door and let it swing back, almost hitting a still grumpy Bruce before he caught it. “I put you in the best guest room. It’s the third from the left, right next to my room.”
“Figures,” joked Clint.
At least she thought it was a joke. “Sit down, Bruce. Isn’t this place amazing?”
“Yeah. Amazing.”
She saw irritation cross their faces, but the men held their tongues. Instead, they did their best to make both of them feel welcome, even catering to Bruce’s wish to eat “something more than a cracker.” Part of her was embarrassed by her friend’s attitude, yet another part of her felt sorry for him. He hadn’t wanted to come there in the first place, but he’d done it to help and protect her.
They continued to talk as the sun started to set. She found out that the men had traveled extensively, something she’d always wanted to do. They also spoke several languages and didn’t appear to worry about making money. In comparison, her life was boring.
“I’m ready to hit the sack,” announced Bruce only an hour after getting a tour of the house along with her. “Mon, I could some time to talk with you. Alone.”
She wasn’t tired at all but felt as though she needed to support her friend. “Oh, okay. Um, I guess it has been a long day.”
She’d love the tour that had shown how massive the place was. They’d shared photos with her of their family and friends, people they referred to as part of their “clan.” If it weren’t for Bruce, she could’ve talked with them all night.
The men, gentlemen that they were, stood along with her. Smiling, she silently thanked them for all they’d done then started after Bruce who couldn’t wait to get out of the living area. Starting up the stairs, she felt her excitement beginning to fade.
“Hey, Monica?”
She turned back and found the men standing at the bottom of the stairs, their attentions focused on her. “Yeah?”
“If you want, we can show you around the land tomorrow,” offered Trey.
“We could take you to see one of our caves,” added Clint.
“A cave?”
“Sure. One that’s not considered part of the park.” Vince’s strange silver eyes grabbed her. “In fact, no one knows about it except us.”
“Really?”
“Yep,” answered Vince.
&nbs
p; “We can talk about it in the morning.” Bruce’s tone dripped with suspicion. “If we stay.”
She swung around to glare at him. His rudeness had finally taken its toll. “Damn it, Bruce,” she whispered. “Stop acting like a prick.”
He returned her glare then pounded the rest of the way up the stairs. Turning back to the men, she felt the need to apologize. “I’m sorry. He’s not usually this way.”
“It’s okay. He feels threatened so he’s fighting back the only way he can.”
“Threatened, Trey? How?” Was her attraction to them that obvious?
“Not how. By whom. He considers us a threat.”
She dared to ask. “What kind of a threat are you?” Had Bruce been right about them? Yet she couldn’t believe it, even now.
“It’s simple,” answered Vince. “We want you, and he knows it.”
“The problem is that he wants you, too,” added Trey.
They wanted her. That revelation alone stole her ability to speak.
“Go on, sugar-babe. We’ll talk to you in the morning.”
She stared at Clint, still thrown. They wanted her? What could she say? “Goodnight.”
“’Night.” The three men answered at the same time.
Forcing her legs to move, she made her way up the steps and down the hallway to her room.
They want me. Holy crap, where’d that come from? No holds barred, he just came right out and said it.
As she’d done so often in the past, her first thought was to tell Bruce. But if she was right about his feelings for her, then sharing what happened was the last thing she could do.
* * * *
“I can’t believe this. Who knew this was here?” Monica slowly turned in a circle, trying to take in every inch of the wondrous sight of the cave.
“We don’t bring just anyone here.”
The thing was she believed Trey. “Thank you for making me one of those people.”
“You’re special.”
Was Clint teasing her? Yet she saw no signs of that in his earnest expression.
They’d awakened her early that morning and hurried her through a quick cold breakfast then into the saddle of one of the horses in the barn set far behind the house. After the tour of the house and the time they’d spent talking, she hadn’t even noticed the barn the previous night. The building was large enough to hold more than a dozen horses, all of which were perfect equine specimens. She didn’t know a lot about horses, but it was obvious the men had a good eye for horseflesh. The mounts had shiny coats and bright eyes, with bushy manes and tails. Like the men, they were a girl’s idea of a fantasy come to life.
After riding around the sloping land filled with green valleys and thick forests, they’d taken her up a narrow trail. As they ascended the mountain, the trees were spread farther apart until, at last, they came to a wide opening on a large slab of rock. They’d dismounted, hooking the reins over nearby branches. She hadn’t known where they were going until they’d pushed aside a large barrier made of underbrush and exposed the opening of the cave.
Stalactites hung like giant chandeliers from the ceiling. A rainbow of colors sparkled against the stone walls and against the ceiling of the cave, which towered above her head. Stalagmites pushed upward from the floor like natural columns heralding the entrance to a heavenly abode. Limestone surrounded her, making a gorgeous spectacle for the main attraction of the cave. A large underground lake took over the back half of the cave, disappearing into the darkness of the tunnel behind it.
“It’s like we’ve entered another world.” She was awed and more than a little proud that they would give her the privilege of seeing it. “Damn. I wish I’d brought my camera.”
“In a way, it is another world.” Vince wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “We messed up, though. We should’ve had you bring a light coat.”
Up until he’d mentioned it, she hadn’t noticed the chill. “It’s okay. I like chilly weather.” The guilt that had crept up on her since leaving the house came back. “We should’ve brought Bruce with us. He would’ve loved seeing this.”
“You think so?” Trey’s tone was filled with skepticism. “I got the impression he wanted to be anywhere other than on our ranch.”
She searched for a way to disagree, but to do so, she would’ve had to lie. “I’m sorry about the way he’s acted. I don’t know what’s gotten into him.”
“He wants you. It’s as plain as the nose on his face.” Clint shrugged. “We can’t blame him for feeling that way.”
It was a second time she would’ve loved to disagree yet couldn’t.
“I’m sure you’ve figured that out by now, right?” Vince stepped away to squat next to the lake. He skimmed his fingers through the placid water.
“We’ve been friends a long time. Then after he moved into my mother’s house to help us make ends meet, something changed. I don’t know why he’s all of a sudden decided he wants me.” If only they could go back to the beginning of their friendship. If she could, she’d make sure he understood she’d never think of him romantically.
“He’s grown to love you. Like Clint said, we can’t blame him.” Trey’s voice echoed around the cavern.
The more they talked about Bruce, the more uncomfortable she became. “Let’s change the subject, okay?”
“Sure. Is your mother all right? Is she ill?”
She studied Trey and wondered how he could know about her mother’s illness. “Did Bruce say something to you?”
“No, but judging by your answer that would be a yes about your mom.”
“She’s had a lot of medical issues in the past few years.”
“How serious is it?”
She didn’t like discussing her mother’s illness, but somehow she felt compelled to tell them, as though she knew they would understand without feeling sorry for her. “She had uterine cancer.”
“Had?” asked Clint. “I hope she’s all right now.”
“She is, thanks. She went through a total hysterectomy, but she’s recovering. Anyway, the surgery and treatment worked, and all signs of the cancer are gone. However, her health insurance didn’t cover much of the medical expenses, so now we’re buried under a mountain of bills.”
An uncomfortable silence hovered in the air.
“Anyway, this place is beautiful. Thanks again for bringing me here.”
“Take your time and look around.” Vince stood up.
Eager to explore, she walked around the cave, wondering at how smooth and flat the ground was until she came closer to the sides. She peered upward toward the high ceiling. “Where do the colors come from? I don’t see any openings to let in light.”
“Just one of Mother Nature’s wonders, I guess,” answered Vince.
They were watching her as though she was a young gazelle and they were the lions. Yet instead of being afraid, she felt her excitement growing. Everything about them was enticing. They were strong, but she sensed that they possessed confidence and knowledge well beyond their years.
Sliding her palm along the wall, she followed a golden streak in the stone. “I can’t believe no one else knows this place exists.”
“No one but you and us. We’d like to keep it that way,” added Trey.
“Oh, don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.” If asked, she wouldn’t have been able to say which enchanted her more, the men or the cave.
“You might be interested in the drawings.”
She turned to Clint then shifted her gaze back to the wall. “Drawings? Do you mean like ancient drawings?”
“Sure thing.” He motioned farther down the wall. “Keep going the direction you’re going in.”
She found them soon enough and couldn’t believe her eyes. “Oh, my God.” Studying them, she could make out the primitive drawings of deer and other animals and of men hunting those animals. But it was the last drawing that took her breath away.
Although the drawing was as crude as the others, there was no mistaking the wi
nged creature. “It’s a dragon.” She ran her fingertips over it.
“Yeah. That’s what it is, all right.”
“Does this mean whoever drew this saw a real dragon?” She turned toward them, her words stumbling over each other. “They were around here, in the mountains, and he saw a dragon?” In awe, she studied the drawing again. “Just like the one I saw,” she whispered.
She wasn’t sure they’d heard her. Yet when the men didn’t answer, she faced them, ready to see the amusement or, worse, the derision in their faces. What she saw threw her. “You’ve seen one, haven’t you?”
“A dragon? Nah, of course not.”
“Then why did you look away, Clint?” Forgetting the wall and the drawings, she hurried back to them. “Tell me the truth. You’ve seen a dragon, haven’t you?” When Clint didn’t answer, she confronted Trey and Vince. “Tell me.” Her excitement grew stronger, faster, shortening her breaths.
“Dragons are mythical creatures. Who knows what that person was drawing? Could be he was just telling a story.” Trey blinked and looked away. For the first time since she’d met him, he seemed less confident.
“Yeah, hon. That could be a drawing of a big bird. Like an eagle or something.”
“With horns and a long tail?”
“Look, baby, we don’t know who drew those or what they were drawing. We’re not scientists or historians or archeologists. Who knows? Some kids in the past could have found the cave and decided to draw pictures like those they saw in books.” Unlike the other two men, he met her gaze straight on. “Why would you think we’ve seen a dragon?”
Did she trust them enough to tell them? If they laughed at her, she would leave and never look back. But what if they didn’t laugh? What if they believed her? Better yet, what if they’d seen a dragon and didn’t want to admit it?
“You live here. If anyone might see a dragon, it would be you. Provided it exists, of course.”
“Nah, that’s not why you’re asking.” As soon as Clint spoke, the other men shot him a hard look.
“I’m asking you if you saw one because…” Did she dare to admit it? Before seeing the cave drawing she might not have had the nerve to ask. But now? Now she had to. “Because I saw one last year.” If they laughed, she and Bruce would leave as soon as they could.