* * * *
Cora had everything ready when Heather got to the hospital. “How’s the leg doing?”
Heather told her about walking around Willow Junction. And she mentioned visiting the ballet studio.
“Having a dance studio in town would make a lot of mothers happy. I don’t think you’d have trouble building up a business, especially since word has gone round about you being a ballet dancer in a big city.”
“News travels fast on the grapevine.”
“It does. I’ve never minded. When it’s bad news, it gives you more support because the whole town comes to help. Good news and the townspeople celebrate with you.”
“And you get good advertisement if starting a new business,” Heather said.
“Take off your jeans and lie down. You’ve had enough exercise today. I’ll work on your leg muscles.”
“That feels good,” Heather said after Cora had been working for a few minutes. “There’s something else I want to discuss with you.” She told Cora about the article Gavin had read.
“I’ve heard of the doctor and the treatment,” Cora said, surprising Heather.
“And?”
“It’s helped a few people whose legs were injured so badly they couldn’t put any weight on the limb. But it’s a risk, and you are doing very well as is.”
“You don’t think I should try it?”
“Talk to your doctor in Chicago and the doctor who does this procedure. Then weigh your odds. No one can make this decision for you.”
“Darn, and here I thought you would help me.” Heather smiled at Cora.
“Nope, this time you are on your own. Gavin was smart to let you know the option. My guess is it was difficult for him to do. He’s a good man and a good doctor.”
“Yes, he is.”
When they’d finished, Heather drove back to see Aunt Bella and Uncle Jack. She hadn’t spent much time with them lately. It was a good night to stay home.
They’d just sat at the table for dinner when Heather’s phone rang.
“Hi, Dad. I’ve been meaning to call back and talk with you. We’re starting to eat dinner. Will you be available in an hour or so? You need to speak with me now? All right.” Heather excused herself and walked into the living room.
“What is it, Dad? You’re scaring me.”
“The family is fine. It’s about your accident. The police got an anonymous call. The person said the car accident was intentional.”
“What do you mean?”
“Someone wanted to maim you or maybe kill you. The detective on the case plans to question all the members of your troupe, especially Pamela. She benefitted most from you being unable to dance,” her dad said.
“Pamela’s sweet. She’d never do such a thing.”
“We’ll see. I’ll let you know what happens.”
“Please do. If they try to pin this on Pamela, I’ll fly to Chicago and put in a good word for her.”
“You might be wrong, Heather.”
“No. I don’t believe it. I’ll talk to you soon, Dad.”
Heather went back to the dining room. Her aunt and uncle looked up, but didn’t question her. She ate without knowing what she put in her mouth. Her father’s words went round and round in her head.
Finally, she looked up and said, “Dad called because the police suspect my car wreck wasn’t an accident. Someone may have deliberately run me down.”
“No.” Her aunt reached out and took hold of Heather’s hand. “Are you still in danger?”
“I don’t think so. They got what they wanted. I can’t professionally dance.”
Chapter Eight
Ivor sat in a chair in the audience and watched as the police talked with the director and a few other people. What had made the police consider Heather’s misfortune wasn’t accidental?
As far as Ivor knew the only other person, besides him, who could have called them was the man he hired. Damn, I paid him well to do the deed and keep his mouth shut.
When the police went behind the curtains, Ivor walked closer and asked someone what was going on. “I couldn’t hear what they said from where I was seated,” Ivor explained.
“The police think someone deliberately targeted Heather and since Pamela got her position they’ve gone backstage to talk with her.”
“Pamela would never do such a thing. She’s too nice.”
“That’s what the director said, but they still want to take her to the station and talk with her.”
“You mean interrogate her. She’ll be frightened and confused,” Ivor snapped. The guy he’d been talking with glanced at him with a funny look.
Ivor shrugged. “I like her, and I don’t want to see her go through such a difficult interview.”
“After they talk with her, they’ll see she’s innocent,” the other male dancer said.
They’d better, or else someone I know is going to regret the phone call he made. Ivor clenched his fist as he watched Pamela being led off by the detectives.
* * * *
Sunday, Gavin called and invited her to ride with him and Beck around the ranch. “Then we’ll take you home to change, and we’ll go out to a nice restaurant for dinner. What’d you say?”
“I’d like to ride. It’ll help take my mind off of what’s happening in my life.” She told him about her father’s phone call. “It hurt bad enough when I thought it was a hit and run accident, but to find out a person deliberately wanted to hurt me and stop me from dancing is devastating.”
“I’ll be over in thirty minutes. Beck and I will cheer you up.”
“I hope so. See you soon.”
Aunt Bella was in the kitchen when Heather came in dressed for riding. “You must be going to Gavin and Beck’s ranch?”
“Gavin called and asked me to spend the day with them. They’ll bring me back here to change for dinner.”
“I’m glad you’re getting to see them today. Once you go to the bed-and-breakfast tomorrow, to stay in the evenings and during the night, it will cut into the time you might have spent with them. Are you sure you don’t want me to hire one of the locals for this week? Marianne, my new manager, promised she’d be here and ready to work by next Monday.”
“I want the time to think away from Gavin and Beck. I’m looking forward to being there this week.”
“Okay, but if you change your mind, let me know.”
“I won’t. There are a lot of decisions I have to mull over on my own.” She kissed her aunt’s cheek. “I appreciate how good you and Uncle Jack have been to me.”
“As I’ve said before, we love you.” She glanced out the kitchen window. “There’s Gavin.”
Heather hugged her and hurried out the door. Gavin met her partway and lifted her off her feet when he held her tight.
“You smell delicious.”
She snuggled her nose into his neck. “You do, too. But put me down. Aunt Bella’s probably watching us.”
Gavin put his arm around her shoulder and walked her to the passenger side of his truck. “She won’t mind. She likes Beck and me.”
“I love your confidence.” She swung up and onto the seat.
He smiled and strolled to the driver’s side. He waved to her aunt and she waved back.
“See, I told you she’d be watching.”
Gavin started the engine. “I’m sure she and Jack already know Beck and I are courting you.”
“What an old-fashioned word. I like it.”
When they got to the barn, Beck had the three horses ready and they were soon riding around the property. Gavin pointed out where the cowboys were working on a fence, in another place they were moving cattle from one pasture to the next.
“We use a rest-rotation method,” Beck said. “Our rangeland managers monitor the movements of the cattle to leave some grazing land unused at least part of the year,” he explained.
“The working of a ranch is interesting and like running a big company.” Heather glanced at Beck.
�
�Beck does a great job,” Gavin added. “I’m too busy with my medical practice to be much help.”
They rode on and stopped briefly at the lake where Beck and she had made love. Heather glanced out the corner of her eye at Beck. He saw her and winked. Her face went hot. She rode off a short distance hoping they wouldn’t notice.
“How’s your leg doing?” Gavin asked.
“Pretty good, but I think we’d better ride back to the barn.”
“How much property do you all have?” Heather asked on their return ride.
“You saw about a fourth of it this morning,” Beck said.
“How many managers do you have?” Heather asked Beck.
“Two rangeland managers, a foreman, and I oversee it all.”
She smiled at Beck. “Do you love it?” As soon as she’d asked the question, she wished she could recall it.
Beck gazed out across the prairie toward the mountains with a pensive expression on his face. “No one’s ever asked me that question.” He glanced at Heather.
“Please, you don’t have to answer. I spoke before I thought.”
“I’m glad you did.” They’d stopped their horses by Beck. Gavin looked at him with a worried expression.
“I joined the service and became a Navy Seal to help my country. Then when I got discharged, I was like you, Heather. I asked myself the same questions about the future.” He gave Gavin a wry smile. “Gavin insisted I come home and work the ranch. He said we’d buy more land, and he wanted me to take charge of it all.”
Beck sighed. “He threw me a lifeline, and I grabbed it. But I’ve never stopped to consider whether I love this job.”
Heather moved on her saddle uneasily. Tension filled the air around them.
“I like the sea and the mountains, but the mountains pull at my soul more. Yes, I do love the job. I have enough contact with others to suit me. Too much at times”—he grinned at Gavin—“especially when he drags me to social events. But I also have lots of time to ride by myself and enjoy my surroundings. I’ve got cowboys I like and trust working at the ranch. What’s not to like?” He smiled. It was a full smile that showed the dimple in his right cheek and put a sparkle in his eyes.
Heather had been holding her breath the last few seconds. She sighed with relief. Gavin grinned and slapped Beck on the shoulder.
“You never told me,” he said to Beck.
“I didn’t realize myself until Heather asked me.”
“We’ll get our horses taken care of at the barn and then celebrate,” Gavin said.
“How?” Heather asked.
Both men grinned. “We have some ideas, if you’re willing.” Beck winked at her.
“Oh.” Her cheeks colored from lusty expressions on their faces. “There you go embarrassing me.”
“When we finish lovin’ you, you won’t be blushing anymore,” Gavin teased. Her body answered yes, with a rapid thud of her heart and a hot ache growing in her core. “I think she likes are idea,” Gavin said to Beck.
They rode home more quickly. Beck helped her off her horse. “Is your leg sore?”
“A bit.”
“Go in my bathroom and run warm water in the tub. Then turn on the jets and get in. It’ll help relax your muscles.”
“But my mare…”
“Gavin and I will take care of the horses. Go enjoy yourself.”
Heather did as he said. She didn’t want to admit how much her leg was aching. When the temperature was right, she undressed and slid in. The jets swirled the water around her. She put her head against the small pillow at the back of the tub and closed her eyes.
* * * *
Beck and Gavin finished and walked slowly to the house. “Do you think she’s had time to enjoy her soak?” Beck asked.
“Probably, you check on her. I’m going to shower before I join you two.”
“Okay.” Beck turned the doorknob carefully and looked inside. He exhaled a sigh of contentment when he saw her in his tub. Her silvery-blonde hair lay in waves around her head and over her shoulders. Her eyes were closed. Pink rosebud nipples peeked out just above the swirling water. His cock went instantly hard.
He tiptoed to her side and was debating whether to wake her when she opened her eyes. “Hi, you looked very comfortable. I hated to disturb you.”
“The water has taken most of the ache out of my leg.”
“It hurt more than you admitted.”
“How did you know?”
“You had a slight tenseness to your mouth and shoulders. I’ll help you out and rub your leg with some cream Gavin gave me for when my shoulder acts up. But stay in the tub for a few more minutes while I shower.”
After a quick cleanup, he dried and walked to the bathtub and helped her out. Then he wrapped a large towel around her and used another smaller towel to start drying her, beginning at her small feet.
When she opened the other towel and exposed her porcelain-like skin he impulsively kissed her midriff. “You smell so sweet.”
“You and Gavin, I don’t have on any perfume.”
“No, it’s your own personal feminine scent.”
He kissed the tip of each rosy nipple. “Do you mind finishing drying and then getting on the bed? I’ll pull the covers off on my way out. I’ll get the cream and be right back.”
* * * *
In the bedroom, Gavin had already undone the bed. “Come here, honey, I’ll keep you warm while we wait for Beck.” He opened his arms and Heather threw her body against his.
“You are warm,” she said and nuzzled closer.
Gavin ran his fingers through her damp hair. Then he bent his head and kissed her. “Did you enjoy our outing?”
“Yes. I love the countryside here in Triple Dare County. I don’t remember being this content in many years. I loved the ballet, but there was usually tension involved.”
She rubbed her hand across his firm jaw. The shadow of his beard made him look sexier than usual. She glanced at the door when she heard Beck enter. He carried a tray with three glasses.
“I found the bottle of champagne we never opened on New Year’s Eve. This seemed a more appropriate time to enjoy it.” Beck handed a glass to Heather and Gavin. Then he held his up. “To a better New Year from this point on.” They all touched glasses and drank a sip.
Beck put his glass on the bedside table and reached for the tube he’d left on the tray. “Put your leg out here,” he ordered Heather. She pulled back the cover while he undressed.
Then he got on the bed beside her and rubbed the cream along the scarred area. She put her head on the pillow and almost purred. Gavin leaned above her. “Do you mind if I kiss you while Beck’s working?”
“I’d like it.”
His smooth lips brushed across hers. Then he kissed her harder and when she opened her mouth, his tongue slipped inside. He caressed the soft interior with long, sensual strokes.
A shiver of delight spread from the top of her head to her feet. Her skin was extra sensitive to Beck’s touch and Gavin’s kiss shook her to the core. Desire spread to every cell in her body.
At some point, Heather became aware of Beck’s hand moving upward and caressing all of her leg. He breathed deeply at her mound and his fingers separated her folds.
Beck licked her clit and a barrage of feeling and emotions rushed over her. Gavin bit her earlobe bringing her attention to him. He nuzzled her neck while Beck kissed all around her upper thighs.
A flash of delight zipped up her spine as both her handsome men stroked and kissed her. Her body trembled and tightened as a wave of passion began to build.
She was vaguely conscious of when Gavin moved off the bed and sheathed his cock. Beck kissed the sides of her thighs and moved to the head of the bed. He stroked her face and watched as Gavin positioned his cock at her pussy opening. Gavin rubbed his fingers across her peaked nipples and pinched them lightly. Her breast pushed outward begging for more. He kissed each one and sucked on her nipples before moving to her midriff and abd
omen, kissing his way to her mound.
When she shivered with pleasure, Gavin thrust inside her pussy. “Honey, you are so hot and soft.” His movements quickened and Heather raised her hips to meet his strokes.
Beck had scooted down and his fingers played with her nipples while his tongue went in and out of her mouth.
Her pussy clenched tight and she shook from the overwhelming joy cascading through her veins. Suddenly, her body stiffened, she raised her head back and Beck watched her face.
Gavin plunged harder and faster as the wave picked both of them up and rolled over them. Her body pulsed and throbbed with ecstatic bliss. She heard Gavin’s yell and felt his cock pulsing inside her tight pussy. Her pussy walls rippled around him as her orgasm went on and on.
When it was over, she lay spent in Gavin’s arms. His heart pounded under her ear and his breath came in gasps.
“Honey, I’ve never been so happy.” He brushed her hair out of her face and grinned at her. Beck lay close to her backside and rubbed his hand down her spine and caressed her buttocks.
“Wow, I never expected having a threesome would be this exciting,” she said.
Beck kissed the back of her neck. “And we’re just getting started, darlin’.” He pulled her up and out of bed. “We’ll go shower and let Gavin rest. That is if you’re up to it?” A twinkle sparked in his bluish-gray eyes.
“I can keep up with you,” she bragged and hoped she was right.
He grabbed her up and took long strides across the room to the bath. He put her down to turn on the water. “Hot, warm, or cold?” he asked.
“Warm, please.”
After the water had gotten to the right temperature they stepped inside the large shower. Beck took the soap and lathered his hands. Then he washed her body starting at her neck. He gave special attention to her sensitive nipples and kissed her soft abdomen on his way downward. She shivered, and he raised his head.
“Do you need the water warmer?”
“No, it was a shiver of delight not from being cold. When you or Gavin touch me, my temperature goes up several degrees.”
Fearless Fighters [Triple Dare County, South Dakota 7] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 7