“My hair’s wet, and I’m cold. What are you going to do about it?”
“Well, I arranged for us to check out at two so we have some time.” He and Beck undressed and got in the shower with her.
“This is cold,” Beck said and reached around her to turn the faucet to warm. Gavin undressed her and threw the sodden clothes on the bathroom floor. Then he took the soap and started to rub her arms and legs.
“We’ll make love, eat lunch, and head for home. How does that sound?” Gavin asked.
“Very good. Thanks.” She leaned forward and kissed him first and then Beck.
Chapter Sixteen
Heather asked to sit in the back of the car. She spent her time lost in thought considering what she really wanted to do. At one point she dozed. When she woke, they were entering Triple Dare County.
“We’re almost home, darlin’,” Beck said. He’d driven part of the way and Gavin had taken over for the last half.
“Just drop me off at Aunt Bella’s. I want to talk with her and Uncle Jack. Then I’ll call Mom and Dad. They’ll be anxious to hear about what the doctor said.”
Gavin glanced in the rearview mirror. “We were hoping you might think about moving in with us. Maybe living together as a threesome will help you decide if it’s what you want.”
“I’ve been considering it. I’ll pack the clothes I have at Aunt Bella’s and move in with you tomorrow.”
“Just like that?” Beck asked. “We don’t have to beg?” He had a twinkle in his eyes.
“Nope, I like your idea.”
“I’d love to jump your bones, but I guess we’ll have to wait one more day,” Gavin said. He gave her a wide smile.
“I’m also going to check on a few other matters, but I’m not going to tell you what they are yet.”
“We’re satisfied to have you in our home.” Beck had turned where he faced her better.
“You and I are going to have a serious discussion,” she said to Beck.
“Why do good things always have a condition?” he grouched.
Heather leaned forward and kissed him. “There, that’ll make it better.”
Gavin made the turn and they were soon at Bella’s.
Heather jumped out and met her aunt halfway. She gave her a hug, and then they all walked inside.
“Won’t you two stay and have coffee and homemade Danish?” her aunt asked.
“I’d love to, but I need to check in at the office,” Gavin said. He grinned. “I’ve been away about as long as I can stand.”
“And I want to check on the ranch,” Beck added. “But I’ll see you in the morning and take one of those Danish then. Heather’s going to move in with us.” He looked across at Heather. “I left your suitcases in the car. We’ll get the rest in the morning.”
Her aunt looked at her. “Really?”
Heather took a deep breath. “We’re going to see how it goes.”
“Then you’ve decided to stay? Aunt Bella asked.
“I’m not positive, but I’m leaning that way.”
Gavin pulled Beck’s arm. “Let’s go. We have a lot to do in the next few hours.” He walked to Heather and pulled her close to kiss her. “See you soon.”
Beck did the same on his way out. Heather watched until the car was out of sight.
“Sit and tell me what’s going on,” Aunt Bella said. She poured coffee for them and put one of the Danish on a plate for Heather. “Eat.”
“Can I join you all?” Uncle Jack asked. He was standing at the door.
“Sure. Then I only have to tell my story once.” Heather waved for him to come in.
She explained all that happened from Ivor being arrested and about seeing the doctor. “He said I’d have to wait and I could contact him later. But I’m pretty sure about what I want to do. I’m tired of my life being on hold.”
“I agree,” Aunt Bella said. “You can’t wait around on a possibility. You need to have a job and be happy.”
“After I call Mom and Dad, I’ll call the lady I met the other day, the ballet teacher, Emily Watters.”
“Then are you considering starting a ballet school in Triple Creeks Township?” Uncle Jack asked.
“Yes.”
“We’ll help any way we can,” Aunt Bella said. “But you’d better call your parents. They must be sitting by the phone.”
Heather hugged them both and walked down the hall to her room. She punched in her parent’s number and sat in the chair by the window.
“Hi, Mom, I have a lot to tell you and Dad. Put on the speaker phone if he’s there.”
“He is. We’ve been anxious to hear what’s happened.”
“Get comfortable. It’s going to be a long conversation.”
* * * *
Gavin drove back to the ranch and parked by the side of the house. He knew where to find Beck, in the office at the side of the barn.
Garrick Tasmin, their foreman was just leaving. “Hi, Gavin, I heard you two had a productive trip.”
“We did and I’m sure you’ve kept the ranch in tip-top shape while we were gone.”
“You bet. See you later.” He waved and strolled on off.
Beck sat at his desk with papers scattered in front of him. He shuffled them together and motioned for Gavin to have a seat.
“How was the office?” Beck asked.
“Rolling on very well without me. I’m not sure I like the feeling of being expendable.”
“Don’t worry, you’re not, and I’m sure your staff said the same.”
“They did. I missed the office, even though I enjoyed the time with Heather. I like my job and being busy. But I’m sure glad she’s coming to live with us. Returning home at night to the woman you love is a good feeling.”
“You know you’ve set me up to have to discuss why I get into moods.” Beck frowned at him.
“It’s only fair she knows all about us before making a decision to marry us.”
“You’re right, but I don’t have to like it.”
Gavin chuckled. “I didn’t expect you would.”
When they walked in the house, Gavin suggested they look at their bedrooms. “I know you need time alone more than I do, so until we get the larger bedroom suite added to the house, we can use my bedroom. Anyway, mine’s slightly larger than yours.”
“I appreciate the offer. I suggest we go ahead and call the contractor. If all fails and she leaves, we can use the space for company. But I have a good feeling she’s going to marry us.”
“Wow, my friend Beck is being positive. It must be true.” Gavin slapped him on the back. “I’m going to stick a pizza in the oven. Come on to the kitchen and we’ll have a beer to celebrate tomorrow.”
Later, Gavin lay in bed and looked out at the moon. He thought about the times he and Heather had made love. Nothing was as soft as her skin especially her full, satiny breasts. Her nipples stood out like red cherries, and her juices tasted like ambrosia.
His dick hardened with his thoughts. But he loved other things about her, like her smile, her quick wit, her intelligence and determination. And most important, he trusted her.
Gavin groaned and turned on his side, but in a few minutes he got up and headed to the bathroom for a cold shower. If he didn’t shut off his brain and sleep, he’d be exhausted in the morning.
* * * *
Heather had been surprised when she’d fallen asleep as soon as she got in bed. She woke early and packed the rest of her clothes. Then she made a double-check of the drawers and closet before walking to the kitchen.
“I was getting ready to call you,” Aunt Bella said. She nodded toward Beck. “He beat you to the table.”
Beck grinned. He sat on one side with a plate full of sausage, eggs, potatoes, and biscuits in front of him. “Aunt Bella’s promised me one of her Danish if I clean my plate.”
“Don’t expect me to eat as much as him, Aunt Bella.”
She put a plate in front of where Heather sat. “I gave you a little less.”
“It does look good.” Heather started eating before her food could get cold. “Can I bring him”—she nodded at Beck—“and Gavin to breakfast when they want a big meal like this one? I’m not much of a cook.”
“I’ll teach you. I bet once you get started you’ll like it.”
“We’ll see.” Heather made a face. “I don’t think I’m very domesticated.”
“We’ll take you as you are, darlin’. There’s always the Sunshine Diner and Sister’s Café. We won’t mind eating out.”
“I can see they plan on spoiling you,” her aunt said. “They’d better, or I’ll be over to set them straight,” she teased.
* * * *
“Temporarily, we’ve put you in Gavin’s room with him. He’s cleaned out drawers and part of the closet for you,” Beck explained as he led Heather into the bedroom. “Gavin’s talking to the contractor today, and we’ll have him start on the master suite right away. We’re going to pay extra to have them work double time and get it done.”
Heather glanced around at him. She wet her lips and saw a light flash in his dark gray eyes. “What if I decide not to stay?”
“We discussed the possibility. If you don’t, we’ll use the suite for guests, but I’m betting on you marrying us.”
“I’ll let you know as soon as I’m certain. This isn’t a decision to make on the spur of the moment. And we’ve really known each other a short time.”
“Some people are blessed and know right away that they’ve met the right person for them. It took Gavin and me longer to find you, but when we did, we knew very quickly you were the one for us.”
She pushed on his chest. “Go work or do something. After I unpack, I’ll meet you in barn. I’d like to go horseback riding.”
“I’ll be there.” Beck strode out the door, his boots making a clicking noise on the floors.
It didn’t take her long to put away her clothes. If she stayed she’d need to move her other outfits and household items from Chicago. She’d dressed in jeans and a T-shirt this morning, so she only had to put on her boots and head out to meet Beck.
He had saddled his stallion, Mischief and the reddish-brown mare she’d ridden before. She noted a saddlebag on Mischief.
“I’m ready if you are,” Beck said.
“Let’s go.”
Beck gave her a foot up and she was in the saddle. They rode slowly around the barn and across the prairie. The fresh scent of wildflowers beginning to bloom and pine was carried on a light breeze. Small clouds drifted across the sunny sky.
“It’s a perfect day,” Heather said.
Beck glanced at her. “Any day with you is perfect.”
“I’m feeling the same about you and Gavin. Where are we riding today?”
“To the area where we want to build our cabin. I have an idea to discuss with you.”
“Now you’ve spiked my curiosity. Can we ride faster?”
“Can your leg handle the extra bouncing?”
“I think so. I’ve kept up with all the exercises Cora gave me to do on my trip. I see her tomorrow.”
“Okay, but if you feel any discomfort we’ll slow down.”
He still didn’t let them ride as fast as she’d like, but it was for the best. When they arrived at the area by the canyon, and he helped her off her horse her leg did feel a bit sore.
Beck spread the plaid blanket on the ground and told her to sit. He returned with sandwiches, chips, and water.
“I love picnics, especially at the ranch. The surroundings are so beautiful. I see some of the wild horses running through the canyon and the stream gurgling over the rocks is so relaxing.” Heather lay on her back and stared at the clouds floating along on the breeze. “I’d like to live right here.”
Beck sat beside her and pulled her up to a sitting position. “Eat and I’ll tell you my idea.”
She unwrapped her sandwich and bit into the wheat bread. “It’s ham and cheese this time.”
“Do you like it?”
“Hmm, yes. Riding gives me an appetite.” She winked at him.
“Before we get around to satisfying your other hunger, I have a suggestion to make. And there are other things I should have discussed with you before now.
“I’d like us to start on the cabin before the addition to the house. It won’t take as long to build and we could spend many weekends staying here.”
“I love that idea. What else do you need to discuss with me?”
Beck lay on his back and stared upward. “You know I was a Navy Seal.”
“Yes.”
“We specialized in completing dangerous missions. I had a good friend I’d met in the Seals. We enjoyed our work and our off time.”
“He wasn’t married?”
“No, we both preferred to stay single. If something bad happened we didn’t want to leave a wife and children behind. It was our choice. Of course many others were married and that worked for them.”
“What happened to your friend?” she asked in a soft tone. She saw the bleakness in his expression and his mouth was drawn tight.
“We were on a raid and it had all gone as planned until a group of four men arrived and starting shooting at us from behind the hills. They weren’t in the plan. We don’t know where they came from or how they’d found out we’d be in that place, at that time. We had turned to head for the helo. One of the first bullets hit Pete.” Beck stopped talking and put his arm across his eyes. He swallowed and Heather handed him a bottle of water.
“Take a drink.”
“Thanks.” He drank half the bottle and lay back down. She stretched out beside him and put her arm across his chest.
“I grabbed Pete in my arms and ran as fast as I could for the helo. But another bullet hit me and ricocheted off hitting Pete, too. I staggered and made it the last short step to the helo. The guys pulled us in and I collapsed. When I got my breath, I saw the medic working on Pete. I moved over to Pete’s side. Our medic looked me in the eye and I knew my friend wasn’t going to make it.”
Beck angrily brushed at the tears on his face. “I went home with his body, and then I resigned from the Seals. I can’t forgive myself.”
“Why? You did all that was humanly possible.”
He glared at her. “Did I? If I’d been faster, reacted more quickly, a split second more might have made the difference between life and death.”
“Did you ever ask whether it would have? Or is this you beating yourself over what possibility are incorrect suppositions?”
Beck tried to smile. “I thought you might understand after what you loss because of that idiot.”
“My situation is totally different. You are a hero. You put your life on the line to save your friend. I don’t believe you have any cause to feel guilty. Would Pete want you to beat yourself up this way all these years? No. He’d want you to have a full, happy life for you and for him. I want you to take me to meet his parents.”
“I can’t face them.” He turned his head away from her. She gripped his chin hard and made him face her.
“Yes, you can, and when we get back to the house, you’ll call them. Where do they live?”
“In Montana, that’s why Pete and I got so close. We were both country boys raised on a ranch.”
“Can we fly there?”
“We can fly close to their place. They have a small airport similar to ours. I’ll check and see if we can rent a car.”
“We’ll finish our snack and ride home. Then you will make the call.”
Beck took a bit of his ham sandwich. “Are you always going to be this bossy?”
“Only when necessary. Are you changing your mind about me?” Her breath caught when she asked the question. What if he and Gavin decided they didn’t want to marry her?
He grinned and pulled her close to kiss her. “You won’t get away that easily. We need a little bossing once in a while. That’s what wives do. They keep us straight.”
Chapter Seventeen
Beck to
ok a swig of water. “To be honest I’ve felt bad about not calling or seeing Pete’s parents since the funeral. You’ve just pushed me to do what I should and what Gavin’s been telling me recently.” Heather studied him and rubbed his arm. “What wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing at all.”
They rode more slowly back. Heather’s leg did ache. When they got inside the house, Beck suggested she get in the tub.
“I will. It’ll relax the muscles. Join me as soon as you can.”
He nodded and headed into the family room. First, he opened the curtains and looked out at the mountains. Damn, part of me doesn’t want to do this, and yet I know Gavin and Heather are right. I must.
He sat in the chair by the unlit fireplace and took out his phone. He looked through his directory for their number and punched it in. Mrs. Donat, Pete’s mom, answered.
“Mrs. Donat, this is Beck Colley.”
“Beck, it’s so good to hear from you. My husband and I were talking about you the other day. We were wondering whether you’d mind us calling.”
“I wouldn’t have minded at all. How have you all been?”
“We’re doing okay. Time had helped ease the worst pain of losing Pete.”
“I’m sorry I haven’t called before. I wasn’t sure you’d want to hear from me.”
“My goodness, we’d love to speak with you or see you anytime.”
Mrs. Donat’s warm voice gave Beck the courage to tell her why he’d called.
“The reason I contacted you today is I’d like to come for a short visit and bring my special lady with me.” The words rushed out of him and he held his breath waiting for her answer.
“Oh, how delightful. When can you be here?”
“I thought I’d check and see if a friend of mine can fly us in his plane. If he can, would tomorrow be too soon to visit?”
“Not at all. I’m so pleased you want to come all this way to see us. We’ll be expecting you. Let us know what time you’ll be here.”
“I’ll call with the details as soon as I talk with my friend.” He put down the phone and felt like he’d unloaded a pack off his back. Just hearing her kind voice and making the appointment was freeing. He strode out of the family room and into the bathroom.
Fearless Fighters [Triple Dare County, South Dakota 7] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 13