by Jane Jamison
“John, don’t. Unless he”—she lifted her gaze to his—“and you are ready to trust me, then there’s nothing more I can say.”
She hadn’t thought it would come to this. Somehow, she’d assumed she’d make them understand, make them believe her. Now that she’d found love, would she lose her family because of it? That couldn’t happen. Life couldn’t be that cruel.
“So you’re sticking to your unbelievable story? I can’t understand why you’d come up with such a farce. What’s really going on, sis?”
“What do you want me to say? That I’m lying? I can’t do that. John, I know it’s hard, hell, even impossible to believe, but if you trust me, you’ll know that I’m telling you the truth.”
“Pops is never going to buy this load of crap. You can’t expect him to.”
She had to reach him. Maybe if she could get through to her brother, he could help their father understand. “Please, John. I swear on our mother’s grave, I’m not lying.”
He stared at her, confusion fighting suspicion. She dared to hope that he’d finally come around.
“So you’re ready to leave and tear him up? He loves you, you know. More than he could ever say.”
Her hope shattered apart inside her.
Oh, God. What do I do now?
Did she leave and risk losing them forever? Could she hope that, given time, they’d come to her and want proof? But if they did, could she ask that of her men?
“So, sis? What’s it going to be? You’re going to destroy him if you keep saying this shit.”
She pushed her chair back, knocking it to the floor. “Don’t you think I know that? Don’t you know how much I love him, too? How much I love you?”
She rushed over to him, to take his arm as though touching him would change his mind. “Do you remember what our mother always told us about love? That when we found it, we should never let it go? To hold onto it even if everything and everyone was against us?”
“She wasn’t talking about a fling with three men.”
“I’m not talking about a fling, either. They’re my future. Can’t you see that? I wish like hell you and Dad would at least give them a chance.”
He laughed a bark of a noise that held more bitterness than she could stand. “Sure, sis. Just one question. Do we give them a chance as men? Or as bears?”
She struck out, reflexive, instinctively standing up for her men. The sound of the slap echoed around the room.
John jumped to his feet, clenching his fist to hit her back. “Why are you doing this to us? To him?”
“I’m grabbing hold of love just like Mom would’ve told me to do. I can’t turn away from my future. I have to go back to them.”
“Man, these guys have really done a number on you.”
She’d talked Curt into driving her to the cabin and it had taken all her persuasion to keep him from getting out of the pickup and coming inside with her. Part of her wished she’d let him. But she’d seen her rental car outside so there’d been no need for him to stay. At least, that’s what she’d thought.
“Where are the keys to my rental car?”
“Over there on the coffee table. I drove it back for you.”
“Thanks.” She snatched them up and moved toward the bedroom. Thankfully, most of her things were still in her suitcase. All she had to do was grab her toiletries.
“Sis?”
For one blissful moment, she thought he’d tell her that he believed her. That he’d talk to their father when he came back and convince him to give her and the men she’d fallen for a chance. Yet when she spun around, she saw the sorrow on his face. Nothing had changed. “Yeah?”
“Take care of yourself. I hope they’re worth it.”
He was saying good-bye. A fresh wave of pain swallowed her. “They are.”
* * * *
Riding over the land was a thrill Mayla had never experienced. It was her first time on a horse, but Josh had assured her that the horse she rode, a pretty black and white horse by the name of Hopper, was their gentlest mount. She’d finally gotten used to steering the horse with both the pressure of her knees against his side as well as the reins when the men had taken their horses into gallops. She wasn’t one to be afraid of new things, but she’d let out a yelp when the horse had sidestepped a hole, twisting to the right and almost throwing her off.
“Hang onto the saddle horn if you need to, babe.”
She’d nodded, her concentration on the horse. If she let go and fell off, she’d probably break her neck. Or her butt. Either way, it wouldn’t be fun.
Mayla loved living with her men. When she’d arrived at their home, her new home, with her suitcase in hand, she’d had a difficult time and had kept quiet. They’d gotten the hint that she hadn’t wanted to talk, but they still hadn’t left her alone. Instead, they’d hung around, close enough that she knew they were there, but they hadn’t questioned her about the discussion with her father and brother.
They pulled their mounts to a stop and waited until she’d done the same. The land spread out before her with groves of trees breaking up the flow of the flat land.
“This is where we’d like to build a baseball diamond.” Josh shifted in his saddle. “You know. For those ten kids we want to have.”
She knew he was joking, but gave him a hard look anyway. “Um, are you talking to me? Because I thought we already had that discussion.”
“Oh, yeah.” He grinned.
“Okay then, instead of a team, how about we build a big bar with a dance floor? The werewolves over in Forever have the Moonstone Bar, but the folks in Shatland don’t have anywhere to kick up their heels.”
She couldn’t tell if Curt was serious or not. Although as far as she was concerned, it sounded like a good idea. The parcel of land was bordered by a decent road so people could get to the bar easily. “And what would you call it?”
“How about Grin and Bear it?”
She wrinkled her nose at Josh’s idea. “I don’t think so.”
“Okay, then how about the Bear’s Cave?” Jadon sat back on his horse, tipped his cowboy hat up and waited for her verdict. “Or the Three Grizzlies?
“Nope.”
“Fine. Then what would you call the place?”
The men watched her expectantly. “I don’t know. I haven’t given it the thought you three have. Besides, is this bar just for werebears? Or are other shifters allowed to join in the fun? Vampires, too?”
“You mean like werewolves?” Curt cleared his throat, but it sounded a lot like a growl.
“It might be good for werewolf-werebear relations. You could bring the people of Shatland and Forever together.” Were they serious about the bar? Or were they giving her something else to think about besides her father?
“I suppose. But we have to build it first. Along with giving it a good name.”
An image of her father’s angry face flashed through her mind. Sadness enveloped her. What would her mother think if she were there? Would she side with her father or with her? She had to believe that her mother would encourage her to hold her men close.
“Baby?” Curt urged his horse closer. “Are you okay?”
She didn’t want them to feel bad for her. Sitting straight in the saddle, she offered a suggestion. “How about we call it something neutral like the Hideaway?”
“Yeah. I like it.” Josh nodded. “It’s neutral like you say, but a bear’s cave is kind of like his hideaway.”
“Then the Hideaway it’ll be.” Curt wheeled his horse around. “Once we build it.”
She offered him a smile, but didn’t feel any joy behind it. “Do you mind if we go home now?”
“No problem, baby.” Josh clucked and turned his horse around as Jadon did the same.
She grew silent as they headed back to the house. The men kept the conversation going, talking about anything and everything. They told her about their childhoods, how they’d always planned on finding their mate and raising their own kids on the ranch.
Just listening to their wonderful dreams gave her the added sense of reassurance she needed to strengthen her resolve to stay.
But the questions that had plagued her wouldn’t go away. Would staying with the men end up costing her the family she loved? She refused to think that way. Her father and brother needed time, time to realize that she’d taken a stand she couldn’t and wouldn’t back down from.
The men slid into discussing their plans to expand their ranch and build the new bar. At one point, in what she thought was a desperate move to make her happy, they’d even offered to get her a puppy. She’d declined, sensing that they didn’t really want a canine around since they weren’t fond of werewolves. As happy as she was that she’d found the men she loved, she couldn’t shake the emptiness inside her.
They were back at the ranch before she knew it. But they could’ve ended up anywhere and she wouldn’t have noticed until Josh reached up to help her slide out of the saddle. He gave her a quick kiss, the only thing any of them had done in the two days since she’d seen her father, then took her horse along with his into the barn. Jadon took Curt’s, leaving her alone with him.
Guilt swamped her. She’d done nothing except mope around the past two days and yet they’d done everything they could to care for her. They’d wanted her, the signs of their need very apparent in their longing looks, but she hadn’t felt anything but a deep sadness. She walked into the house and plopped onto the couch.
“Hey, are you sure you’re all right?” Curt put his hands on her shoulders, then leaned over the back of the sofa and gave her a searching look. “You haven’t been the same since you came back from talking to your father. Are you sure there’s not something we can do to help? I could try using my dazzling charm to win him over.”
She pulled her legs up under her. Even Curt’s jokes couldn’t cheer her up.
“Mayla, you have to tell us what he said. Was it that bad?” It was the first time any of them had asked any direct questions. Jadon entered the house through the back door in the kitchen, his tall, lean body moving with the majestic power of a ten-point buck. He knelt in front of her. “We’ve waited for you to bring it up, but we can’t stand to see you like this any longer.”
“I can’t. Not yet.” She skimmed her knuckles over the stubble on his jaw. “Thank you for understanding.” Her gaze lifted to the other two men hovering over her. “All of you.”
Josh sauntered over to her. “No. I’m sorry, but we’ve given you enough time. I checked with the owner of the cabin and he said your father extended their time there. You’ve got to know why he did that.”
Her father was giving her another chance to come to him. Like her, he couldn’t bear to lose their relationship. She grabbed hold of that tiny piece of hope.
“Mayla.”
She looked up and gazed into the soulful eyes that had stolen her heart the moment he’d held his body over hers. The soulfulness remained, but a fierce glint was added to Josh’s stare.
“Tell us. You argued with your father about us, didn’t you?”
She let out a sigh, the pain inside her spilling out with her breath. “Yes.”
“And he didn’t like it one bit.”
She was used to being the one who asked the questions, but now it was Josh who did the interrogating.
“That’s kind of easy to understand. A human father doesn’t want his little girl to take up with three men. Especially three men he’s never met. Have I got it straight?”
Her vision blurred. She was her father’s little girl. That would never change no matter how old she was. “Yes.”
He frowned. Could he see that she was still holding back?
“What else did you tell him?”
She didn’t want to answer that question. Would they get angry that she’d told her father and brother about them? Shifters didn’t want others knowing about their existence, and yet, she’d given up their secret to not one, but two people.
“Mayla, did you tell your father what we are?”
Was it because his face had the same determined look that her father’s had? Was that why she could no longer stay silent? She prayed they wouldn’t hate her for what she’d done.
“Yes.”
Jadon rocked back on his heels as though she’d physically struck him. Curt gripped the back of the couch while Josh turned his back and paced over to the fireplace.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I was trying so hard to get him to understand what great men you are and it just came out.” Her excuse sounded hollow. Would they forgive her?
“You shouldn’t have done that.”
Jadon’s tone was level, almost devoid of emotion.
“I know and I’m sorry. I messed up. Can you forgive me?” She bent forward to take his hand. “It’s okay, though. They didn’t believe me.”
“Let’s hope you’re right about that.”
“Can you forgive me? Do you still want me?” The ache she felt for her father was nothing compared to the ache that stripped her bare just thinking that she might’ve have lost the only men she’d ever love.
“Of course we still want you. There’s nothing you could ever do that could make us not want you.”
She fell into his arms, needing to feel his forgiveness as well as hear it. Still clinging to Josh with one arm, she reached out and took Curt’s hand. Her amazing men were not only kind and good, but willing to do the hardest thing of all. They were willing to forgive.
“Mayla! It’s your father! Come outside right now.”
She pulled away from Josh, her breaths coming fast and hard. “It’s my father.”
“Yeah, we kind of got that.” Curt leapt to his feet, and along with Josh, headed to the front windows. He pulled back the shade. “Your brother’s with him.” He faced her, his face hard. “They’re both carrying guns.”
Chapter Eight
Mayla was halfway to the front door when Curt grabbed her.
“You can’t go out there.”
“I have to.” She had to make her father understand. The fact that he was armed frightened her. He wasn’t a violent man, but who knew what he would do to get her back?
Josh took another look outside. “At least he didn’t bring anyone else along.”
She struggled against Curt. “Please. I have to talk to him. He’ll see that I’m all right and he’ll leave. Please.”
Jadon turned away from the window. “She might be right. As it is, he’s not going anywhere until he talks to her.” He pointed a finger at her, determination etched in his face. “But you’re not going out there alone.”
She nodded. What else could she do? “You’ll let me do the talking?”
“Yeah. We’ll let you handle this.” Jadon strode toward the door, then waited until she was by his side. He swept her hair away from her shoulders. “Just know this. If he does anything threatening toward you, then I can’t promise I won’t take him down.”
She wouldn’t think that way. Somehow, some way, she’d make him understand. “Open the door.”
Jadon swung the door wide with his cousins behind him. Shooting her a look that was more warning than support, he stepped aside and let her pass.
“Dad, put the guns down.”
“Not until you promise to come home with me. If you don’t, then I’m taking you. I don’t want to hurt anyone, but I will if they get in my way.” Her father had never acted that way. Had never threatened to harm anyone.
She kept moving until she stood at the edge of the steps. “Guys, this is William Weaton and my brother John. Dad, I tried to explain this to you. These are the men I love and I’m staying. This is Josh, Curt, and Jadon Barberson. Please try to accept my decision.”
“Funny, sis, I don’t see any bears here.”
She hated that John had brought their secret up so soon. If only she’d had more time to convince her father how much she loved them. Once he understood that, he’d listen to the rest. That alone would save their family.
“Shut up,
John. Your sister’s not feeling well.”
“Not well? Dad, I’m not crazy.” It hurt her that he thought so. And yet, in his place, wouldn’t she have drawn the same conclusion?
He glared at the men forming a wall behind her. “What did you do to my daughter? Did you make her take drugs? Are you making her say these ridiculous things?”
Jadon came to her side. “We wouldn’t force her to do anything she didn’t want to do, including drugs.”
She could sense the men tensing and could imagine their animals rising to the surface. What had they told her? That the amber came into their eyes when they were ready to shift? She glanced at them and saw amber flecks piercing the color of their eyes.
Taking Jadon’s hand, she whispered, “Are you all right? You’re not going to shift, are you?”
The brief, almost unnoticeable shake of his head reassured her.
“Dad, if you still don’t believe me, why are you here? You know you can’t make me leave with you.”
“Don’t force me, honey. I’ll do what I have to. Once we’re back home, I’ll get you all the help you need to get better.”
Growls, low and mean, flowed around her. Curt’s and Josh’s hands fisted and their lips curled back into snarls.
He still thinks I’m delusional. But how can I change his mind?
The answer was simple, and yet, she hated it. She searched for another way to convince him and found none.
“Dad, if you saw for yourself, you’d have to believe me. Is that right?” She was betting that his logical mind, the mind of a great attorney would have only one answer to her question. If he saw them for what they were, would he believe her about the connection, too?
“I can’t make a promise based on something that can’t happen.”
The next growl was for her. Jadon’s hand slid along her back. “You know what you’re asking us to do, don’t you?”
She squeezed his hand, silently begging him to again forgive her. “I do, but I don’t know any other way. Haven’t other humans seen shifters before?”