Heather lay in the whirling water. Her eyes were closed and her head lay on the small pillow attached to the back of the tub. Her beauty took his breath away. Her skin looked rosy from the warmth of the water and her sweet lips were curved in a smile.
“Are you going to watch me all day or come here and love me?” she asked without opening her eyes.
“How did you know I was looking?” He strolled toward her taking off his shirt as he walked.
“I felt the heat of your stare.” She opened her eyes and smiled. “How did it go?”
He sat on the side of the bathtub and pulled off his old boots. Then he unfastened his jeans and pushed them and his undershorts down and off. With a condom package in his hand, he sat on the wider part of the tub behind her and put his feet in the water. He placed the condom within reach. Then he slid into the warm water and pulled her back against him.
Beck kissed her neck. “You were right. Mrs. Donat greeted me cheerfully and said she and her husband had considered calling. She’s pleased we’re coming for a visit.”
He put his arms over her shoulders and cradled her full breasts in his hands. His thumbs rubbed across the peaked nipples. She raised her head back and he kissed her lips.
“How do you feel since you made the call?”
“Surprisingly, I feel lighter. But now my cock is hard and aching for you.”
Heather flipped over and lay on his body. She kissed his neck and bit his shoulder on her way down to lick across his nipples. When her hand wrapped around his dick, he groaned. “Baby, I can’t wait.”
Beck stood and got out of the tub. Then he took hold of her and lifted her out. In two strides he had them in the shower. Warm water cascaded over them as Beck cupped her face and kissed her hard. His tongue sensuously stroked the inner recesses of her mouth.
Heather put her arms around his waist and held him close. He pulled his head back and stared into her gorgeous bluish-green eyes. “I love the ocean and your eyes remind me of the prettiest water on a sunny day. Put your arms around my neck, darlin’.”
She did as he said, and he wrapped her legs around his hips. His cock rubbed against her pussy. “As I said, I want you now.” He leaned down and sucked on her nipple. “Are you ready for me?”
“I’ve been ready for hours,” she whispered in his ear and his heart thumped hard against his chest.
“Damn.” He let her legs down and hurried over to the tub. He grabbed the condom and sheathed his cock on his way back to her.
“You don’t have to laugh,” he said with a husky voice.
“I’m trying not to, but it was funny from where I stood.” She put her arms around his neck. “You can make love to me some more on the way to the prize,” she teased him.
Beck cupped her breasts and kissed the soft, porcelain globes. Her rosy nipples stood out with shiny drops of water rolling over them. He licked and kissed and then sucked them until Heather shook in his arms.
She rose on her tiptoes and hugged his neck. He pulled her legs back around his hips and put his cock at her pussy opening. Then he thrust in fast and deep.
Her pussy walls clenched him tight and heat flowed through his veins. Pleasure built in his core until he was sure he’d explode, and then it spread outward to every cell in his body.
“Yes, yes, yes,” she yelled. Her pussy rippled around him as pure bliss shot upward and hit his brain. For a second his legs staggered. Thankfully, he’d put her back against the tile wall.
He placed his forehead against hers. “I love you, darlin’, forever and ever.” Beck kissed her lips, showered off quickly, and stepped out. He wrapped a towel around his hips. “I’ll start dinner. Gavin will be home soon.”
After he dressed, Beck walked down the hall to the kitchen. He sat in one the chairs by the kitchen table and put his head in his hands. Tomorrow, he’d visit Pete’s parents and see what they had to say and one of these days, soon he hoped, Heather would give them her answer. He loved her and he wanted to be happy, but he didn’t want his happiness to depend totally on others. He needed to dig deep and find it in himself.
He remembered a conversation he’d overheard years ago. His mother had been talking to a friend. For some reason her words had stuck with him. He’d be embarrassed to admit that to anyone else.
“Happiness flits around us like a butterfly. If you wait patiently, it’ll settle on you. But then sometimes it flies off. You have to do some work to find it again.” She’d smiled and touched her friend’s hand. “It’s right around a corner waiting on you.” They’d hugged and Beck had hurried out the backdoor before his mom caught him listening.
I’m surprised I remember what I thought was nonsense at the time. My brain must be on overload.
He got up and pulled a beer from the fridge and took a long swallow. After he saw Pete’s parents, he’d see his counselor again. He wanted his head on straight, especially before he became a father.
“Is there a cold one for me?” Gavin asked as he opened the back door.
“Yes, and pour some wine for Heather. She’ll be in here shortly.”
“Did you two have a good day?”
“We had an interesting one. And we had some fun.”
Heather walked through the door dressed in jeans and a teal shirt. Her hair was held back by two combs. The afternoon sun shone on the silvery-blonde strands and caressed her soft face.
They sat at the table and lifted their drinks. “To the start of a wonderful future.” Gavin raised his glass and they clicked their glasses against his.
“I’ll drink to those sentiments,” Heather said. “I’m glad to be here with you two.” She took a sip of her wine. “Shall I start dinner?” She looked at Beck.
“I’ll start the grill. We’ll have barbecue chicken and corn on the cob.”
“I’ll make a salad.” Heather got up and went to the fridge.
“And I’m going to shower. See you two in a few minutes,” Gavin said.
* * * *
Holt Ramm had been glad to fly them to Montana in their new plane. “This one is faster, and easier to fly. Gray and I enjoy taking it up. I checked last night and there’s a small airport in a town about twenty miles from their ranch.”
“I told Mrs. Donat where we’d be landing. Her husband will pick us up at the airport. You can come with us for the visit,” Beck said to Holt.
“No, I’m going to find a restaurant, eat, and settle in to read my book. I’ll be fine.”
“I hope there’s one nearby,” Heather said.
Holt grinned. “I found one on the internet. It’s just a mile from the landing strip. I can walk that easily.”
“Mr. Donat will drop you off,” Beck said.
Heather had been nervous. She didn’t care for flying, much less little planes, but she got interested in seeing the sights from up high and most of her fear evaporated.
Nevertheless, when they landed she wasn’t sorry to get off. A tall, thin man with a stock of gray hair and a beard strode toward them.
“Mr. Donat, I’m happy to see you,” Beck said and put out his hand. He introduced Heather.
She liked his friendly blue eyes. “Thank you for meeting us.”
“Twenty miles is a hop, skip, and a jump in these parts,” he said. “We’ll be back at the ranch in no time.”
“This is my friend and our pilot, Holt Ramm. He’ll wait for us to return. Do you mind dropping him off at the restaurant he has marked on his map?” Beck showed him.
“Hop in. It’s on our way.”
Mr. Donat’s ranch covered a large area. He drove down a long winding driveway from the road. His wife waved from the porch when they came into sight. She hurried down to greet them when the car stopped.
She hugged Beck tight. “I’m so happy to see you actually here. Come in. I’ve prepared a good hearty lunch for you.” She led the way inside with her husband following behind Beck and Heather.
Once inside, Beck introduced Heather. Mrs. Donat hugged her, too. �
��You have a pretty lady. Are you all getting married?”
“We’re considering the idea,” Beck said.
Heather smiled and looked around the room. She liked their home. There were knickknacks on shelves and old-style lamps sat on tables covered with dollies. Cinnamon and apple scented the air.
Mrs. Donat led them into the dining room where she’d set the table with fine china and silver. “I hope you all have a good appetite. I’ve cooked roast beef and have mashed potatoes and gravy and fresh green beans to go with it.”
“How nice of you to do all this cooking for us,” Heather said.
“I have two pies also, one chocolate and one apple. But my daughter made those for me. She stopped by on her way to town. If she hadn’t had to work today, she’d be here.”
She walked over to one of the pictures on the wall of a small boy with brown hair and his grandfather’s blue eyes. “This is our grandson. He’s out fishing with his dad. His name is Peter Beck Lyndon. Peter, for his uncle and his grandfather, and Beck is for you. You’re our hero for bringing our boy home.”
Heather glanced at Beck and saw him swallow hard. He cleared his throat. They still stood by the table.
“I’m not a hero. He died.”
“Yes, but you didn’t let the enemy have him,” Mr. Donat said.
Beck sat in the nearest chair and tears ran down his face. “I should have gotten him to the chopper before he got shot the second time. I tried. I ran with every breath I had in me. And within seconds I’d have been there.”
Mrs. Donat knelt by him. “My darling boy, have you been grieving like this all this time?
He nodded yes and wiped his face, which flushed red when he realized they were all looking at him.
“I thought you knew, Beck. The first bullet was the fatal shot, not the second. The doctor who did the autopsy sent us a letter stating what had happened. The second bullet hit you first, so it didn’t hit Peter as hard. No matter what you’d have done, you couldn’t save him.” Mrs. Donat caressed the side of his face. “What a wonderful friend you were to have loved our boy so much.”
Beck stood bringing her up with him. He hugged her and Mr. Donat patted him on the back. Then Mrs. Donat stepped away and wiped her eyes. She took a breath.
“I’m glad we’ve cleared the air. Peter would want to see you happy and with this fine lady. Let us celebrate his life by enjoying this meal and each other’s company.”
Chapter Eighteen
Beck had been quiet on the flight back. Heather held his hand but didn’t say anything. She expected he had a lot to think about regarding their visit.
Mr. and Mrs. Donat had been wonderful. The food was delicious, and she and Beck had promised to visit again soon.
When the plane landed, Heather smiled to see Gavin waiting beside the truck. She turned to Holt as she started out the plane’s door. “Thanks for the ride. We appreciate you giving up this much time from your family.”
“I’m glad to help. I have more time at home now that Flint’s my new partner.”
Beck said thanks and stayed close behind Heather going down the steps. At the bottom she hugged Gavin.
“How’d it go?” he asked.
She nodded at Beck. “Better ask him. He’s been very quiet.”
“I’ll tell you later.” Beck got in the truck beside Heather and they started off toward home.
Gavin glanced at Heather and Beck. Heather shrugged, but didn’t talk.
As soon as they arrived at the ranch house, Beck jumped out of the truck. “I’m going to the barn and check on things,” Beck said in a low voice. “I’ll be back in a while.” He strode off without a backward glance.
“He’ll go riding and sort out his feelings,” Gavin said. He and Heather walked on in the house. “Now tell me your view of the trip. I’ll get us a glass of iced tea.”
Heather told him all of it. “I don’t understand his mood. This should make him feel much better.”
“Here.” Gavin put a glass of tea in front of her and sat across the table with his glass. “I’m not surprised. Beck’s held on to his grief, anger, disappointment, and blame for so long. It can’t be easy to just throw it aside. He’s a much deeper thinker than I am in many ways.” Gavin took a drink and reached across for Heather’s hand.
“Most people don’t see the real man. He puts on a social façade in a group. Only his nearest and dearest family and friends are aware of his deeper currents. The town knew when he was really depressed right after returning, and they know him pretty well because he grew up here, but not completely. He’s let you in and I’m glad. You had to see him as he is before deciding about us.”
“Actually, I’ve been aware of the real him since I saw him on Mischief the day I came into town. The way he sat and looked around and the feeling I got when he spotted me. I saw him as the true, loner cowboy.”
Gavin kissed her hand. “Then you are very perceptive. What did you think about me?”
“That you were kind, much more outgoing, an easier person to know and be around.”
“And I’m not,” Beck said from the doorway.
She put her hand to her mouth. They had neither heard him come in.
“You didn’t hear all of our conversation,” Heather said. “But sit because I have more to say. What I was going to tell Gavin before you arrived was that I loved you both because you’re different. You complement both sides of me. I tend to be more of a loner like Beck. My whole world was ballet, practicing, performing, and thinking about the next show. I had few friends and seldom socialized except with my family. So, I understand needing private time.”
Heather stopped for a breath and drank some of her tea. Beck got up and poured himself a glass. Then he put a package of chocolate chip cookies in front of her.
When she looked up, he said, “I thought you might need some reinforcement.” He had a twinkle in his eyes.
She took another deep breath. “I kept you all waiting on my answer about marriage, because I had to know in my mind and heart whether you two or the ballet was most important to me. When the procedure to fix my leg gets approved, I will want to have it done.” She saw the disappointment in their eyes and quickly added, “But not so I can dance with a ballet company. I’m planning on opening my own dance studio. There are lots of plans to be made before I can actually start it up.
“Someday I want to be able to have Chad play the piano for me while I dance for our local people. There’ll be no charge. I’ll do it for the sheer joy of performing again. And I’d like my students to see what they’re working toward. Meanwhile I’ll keep in shape as much as I can.”
“You’ve done a lot of thinking,” Gavin said. “Are you sure you won’t want to go back to the big stage after the operation?”
“As I said, I had to decide which I loved more and I have no more questions in my mind. I love you two very much. I’d never leave you to be a ballerina.”
Beck and Gavin had a stunned expression on their faces. Beck leaned toward her. “Are you absolutely certain?”
Heather grinned. “Yes. What do I need to do to convince you?”
“We’ll think of something,” Beck said with a wicked smile on his face.
“Where’s he going?” Heather asked when Gavin left the room.
“I think I know. He’ll be right back.”
He was right. Gavin returned quickly. Then he and Beck knelt beside her. Gavin held a ring box out in front of him. “Will you marry us?”
Heather looked from him to Beck, who added, “Please.”
“Yes, yes, yes. I will marry you both.”
Beck grabbed her out of the chair and swung her around before kissing her hard.
“I want my turn.” Gavin pulled her to him and stared into her eyes. “Love you, honey.” His lips caressed her and Beck kissed her neck.
“We’ll go to the diner and eat. No one’s cooking tonight,” Gavin said. He picked up the ring box and took out the white gold ring with its large square
diamond in the center and diamond baguettes on the sides. He slid it on Heather’s finger.
“It fits perfect. How did you know my size?”
“I cheated and talked to your mom before we left. I had the ring. She had it sized and sent it to me special delivery to the office.”
“My parents know?”
“Yes, and after hearing Chad’s comments, they gave their blessing when you’d gone out of the room.”
She squinted at Gavin. “I’ll have to stay on my toes. I see you can sneak around me when you want to.”
“Only for the best reasons.”
“I’m ready to go eat and celebrate,” Heather said.
“You’re always hungry, darlin’.”
“I’ll settle down, but right now I’m making up for all those years of eating salads.”
As they walked out the door, Beck added, “Please be sure and eat something just before the wedding. I’d hate to have you interrupt our ceremony to say you’re hungry.”
Heather swirled around and faced him. “I’m not sure I like you with a sense of humor.”
“Get used to it. It’s going to get worse.” Beck grinned and swatted her butt.
* * * *
Her parents arrived the day before Heather’s wedding along with her sister and brother and his family. They had a big barbecue at the ranch and all the relatives got introduced.
Traci pulled her into the study while most of their families were outside. “They’re gorgeous, but you’re really going to marry two men?”
“I explained about the first ceremony being the legal one, but the second is binding to me and my future husbands. You’ll see. It touches your soul.”
“I knew Aunt Bella had a threesome marriage, but I never expected one of us would do the same.”
“I didn’t either. But it felt right from the first. They would have proposed sooner if I hadn’t wanted to be sure about my ballet dancing.”
Fearless Fighters [Triple Dare County, South Dakota 7] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 14