Cash watched Cooper set down the bags. No words were exchanged while groceries were put away and beer handed out. Taking a drink, Cash started cutting up the stew meat and potatoes. “So what did you find out in town?” he asked.
“Well, she is running all right, thought I cannot find out much since Conner is not her real last name. No record of her anywhere, but a small work history in Portland, so maybe she is from there. We should just ask her. After all, she knows the information, and we can keep her safe. I picked up her prescription and should bring it to her. You and her get along okay?” Cooper had a good reason to ask.
He really liked Riley, and it was always been in their family to share, one woman to two or three men. He had no intention of sharing her with anyone other than Cash. They both had shared women in the past, but not anything permanent. It was just sex and nothing more. He had thought that Karrie was the one two years ago, but when she turned to be a gold digger with motives that focused on his older brothers, Mathew, Colby, and Grant, he dropped her like yesterday’s trash. Well, she was, so it was easy. However, Riley was different. She was timid, shy, and didn’t want any help, so she had pride about herself. He liked that. He liked that a lot.
“Yes, we got along great. What did you pick up at the store?”
Cooper showed him some of the items he had purchased for her, which were a summer dress, a sweater, a pair of pajamas with a button top, and some bathroom items. He had also picked up her prescription for the store and some other items for the house.
“Well, I hope she likes them. Does she have any shoes so we can take her out?” Cash asked as he finished looking at the items in the bag.
“Shit, I hadn’t thought of that. I don’t know her size. Do you think Missy would lend her a pair until we can get her some from town?” Missy was the baby in the Jackson household. Being the only girl, and the youngest of six children made her pack up and leave as soon as she turned eighteen to head off to college.
“I’ll text her and then give Mom a call. However, once she knows, people will start to show up from town and want to know everything. Maybe we should just call tomorrow and spend the night in and let her rest. Start dinner so she can take her medication. It says to take with food,” Cooper said as he started to head to the room to place her clothes so she could dress.
Riley had only been asleep for a little while when she heard the door open and Cooper walked in. He was carrying a bag of stuff and set it down on the oversized chair in the corner of the room. “I didn’t mean to wake you, but I brought you some clothes so you don’t have to run around in my shirts, though I do say I like the way they look on you,” Cooper said as he gave her a full-fledged smile.
“Thank you, Coop. I am really thankful for everything you and Cash are doing for me. I promise I will not stay long. I do not want to bring any trouble to you two,” Riley said with a touch of sadness in her voice.
Cooper was confused on what to do. He needed to talk so decided to take the Cash approach with her. “Don’t worry about it and get dressed. Dinner will be done in a few. Do you need any help?”
Riley blushed with his words and told him she would be fine and would be down in a minute. Cooper, satisfied with that answer, left the room.
Riley looked in the bag and found the cute little yellow sundress that screamed country. She loved it. It was fun and flirty. It was like nothing she owned, or used to own. Crap, what was she going to do? She looked in the bag and discovered still no undergarments. No bra and panties. That was going to be first on her list to get. She was able to step into the dress and was surprised at how well it fit her body shape. She knew she was a curvier woman, but since the last couple months’ meals were few and far between, she had lost weight. She looked too pale and too thin for her larger breasts. But she would have to do. She quietly walked down the stairs into the kitchen where smells of delicious spices were hitting her from every angle. She was hungry again, and this time it was for food.
“Hey, kitten. Wow, you look great,” Cash said as he walked over to her and kissed her on the cheek before helping her to the table to sit. Cooper was laying out the table setting, and she watched him as both he and Cash floated around the room with ease with the dance they were doing. She wanted to help and went to offer when Cooper spoke.
“Darlin’, I would love to offer you some wine or even a beer, but being that you need to take your medication, how about some soda, water, or juice?” he asked with such care. Riley thought for a moment and told them juice would be great. He set everything down, and she noticed that both of them had a beer. What she wouldn’t give to have one right now. But he was right. If she wanted to take pain medication, she would need to stay away.
Cash spooned out the stew into bowls and placed one in front of her with some bread and butter. She took a small taste and was surprised at how wonderful it was. They all sat comfortably at the table and ate their meal, making Riley wonder when was the last time she sat down and ate dinner at the table. Even when she was working at the bank, she sat down on the couch to read as she ate. She didn’t even own a table, as her small apartment would not accommodate one. Riley was lost in thought when Cash cleared his throat to get her attention.
“Riley, we need to talk. We know you’re running, and want to help. But in order for us to help, we need to know who or what you are running from,” Cash managed to say with such concern.
“I’m fine. I just need to get on my feet, and then I’ll be out of your hair,” Riley said halfheartedly. She knew she was in trouble and didn’t know what to do for the first time in her life.
“Well, kitten, you have two choices. Either you tell us willingly, or I put you over my knee and then you tell us. The choice is yours.” Riley was shocked to hear this come from Cash. She didn’t know him, and he sure as hell didn’t know her. She looked at him, and he was serious.
“You wouldn’t dare spank me. I’m not a damn child,” Riley shouted back.
“Look, I know for a fact that Cash is serious. However, we want to help you. You would be surprised how many people end up in Lucky because they are running away from or to something or someone. We just want to help.” Cooper spoke with such compassion that she found herself being drawn in by every word.
Riley didn’t know what to do now. Both of these men had done so much already. Should she tell or not? She bit her lip again and felt the tears slowly start to build in her eyes. Damn emotions got in the way every time. She was not a crier, but lately it seemed like that was all she could do, even when she was pissed off. She decided to go with honesty as, well, she would be leaving and it wouldn’t matter in a couple days.
Taking a big breath, Riley told the tale of a banker who was supposed to start auditing books so when the corporate office looked, everything was in order. She spoke of the money laundering and how she ran after the FBI couldn’t keep her safe. There was leak within the organization. Horror came when she spoke of how the cartel found her in Portland, and eventually ended up here. She watched as emotions darted across both of their faces on each account of her life in the last six months. They said nothing and waited until she was done.
“Okay, so the FBI never got you into protective custody, I get that, but why did the cartel put a hit on you. It can’t be just the money laundering. Do you know anything else they want you silent for?” Cooper asked as he slipped into cop mode.
“Yes,” Riley said breathlessly. “I moved the money into another account, and the FBI doesn’t have the numbers. I do,” she said as she looked up into shocked faces of both Cash and Cooper.
“You have the money?” Cash said, unable to hide his surprise in her boldness. The questions carried on about why and how to retrieve it. Riley explained in detail the events that led up to it and what the purpose was, now she is not so sure it was the best move.
“Okay, darlin’, you did good,” Cooper complimented as if she was a small child. Riley flushed bright pink and wished she would say something else, but again he
r gut told her to tell the truth.
“I don’t want anything to happen to you both. I promise I will leave so they cannot find you. I just need a little time to get things together and em—” She was cut off by Cash.
“You are not leaving, end of story. We will figure something out. I have a friend in the CIA who can help us out. I will give him a call and see what we can do. Until then, you are here and we will make sure you’re safe. Now, how about we get you your medication and watch a movie in the living room?”
Riley blushed, not knowing what to say. A moment later she had a glass of water and a pain pill put into her hand. She took it obediently and followed Cooper and Cash into the living room. They placed her in the middle of the couch. “So what are we going to watch?” she asked as the TV was flicked on.
“You pick, darlin’.”
Riley took the remote with a giggle and decided to put on the movie channel to watch The Wizard of Oz. She snuggled in and watched as Dorothy started to sing “Over the Rainbow” and fell into the pig pen. She didn’t know when she fell asleep but woke up with her head on Cooper’s lap and her feet up on Cash’s lap, and both of them were sleeping underneath an oversized blanket. She was too comfortable to move and finally figured that she was not going to get to leave them at all because she was tired of running and wanted to just be herself for a while. Closing her eyes, Riley let sleep take her again.
This was the same routine for the next couple of days, most of it with her sleeping and them taking care of her, with small kisses and touches. Riley reveled in the feeling of security both men brought her while she was recovering. Cooper would head into town to do his deputy job when not at the ranch, where Cash worked outside during the morning hours and would hibernate in the office on his computer for hours on end. She was grateful that he had given her some books to read to help keep her mind off of everything.
On the fourth day of being on the ranch, Riley woke, noticing it was still dark outside, just after five thirty a.m. She felt so much better. Her back and neck were not sore, but her shoulder still had a dull ache along with her wrist. I guess that is a good thing. She sat up in the bed and looked at her clothes. She was dressed in a pair of soft, pale-pink pajama pants and a button tank top that matched. When did she change? Last thing she remembered was watching a movie with her boys again. Shaking that wonderful thought away, she got up and went to the bathroom to clean up. Feeling better for the first time in a long time, she wanted to do something nice for her gracious hosts and make them breakfast.
As she walked downstairs, she noticed the house seemed so quiet, but so cozy. The warm coloring of the wood floors and walls brought a smile to her face. So much love was put into this house that felt so welcoming. The kitchen had an open floor plan, and she was able to find everything easily. She decided to make bacon, pancakes, and eggs. Simple, but filling. She started on the batter for the pancakes and was grateful that it was her left wrist that was sprained and not her right. Once the bacon was cooking in the oven, she started on the eggs. The kitchen was soon perfumed with smells of coffee and food. She was in her element. She loved cooking, and it had been a long time since she had actually had a chance to cook for anyone. As she flipped the last of the pancakes onto a platter, arms wrapped around her waist.
“Smells good in here, darlin’. You cook all this for us?” Cooper asked as he peppered kisses down her neck and shoulder.
“Yes, I wanted to surprise you both. And to thank you for helping, with everything,” she said breathily. Cooper chuckled and spun her so she was now facing him, and he leaned down to plant a kiss on her lips. It started out soft, but then started to get heated. Cooper ran his tongue along the line of her lips for her to open up, and she did. He pushed his way in and plundered her mouth with such passion that made her moan and him growl in response. A chuckle distracted them, and she froze. Cooper just looked down at her and smiled. Cash had walked into the kitchen
“Now, that is a better wake-up than coffee,” Cooper said and let her go. Riley’s cheek’s heated, and Cash was laughing as he walked right up to her.
“Morning, kitten, how you feeling?” he said as he ran a finger down her cheek.
She flushed. “Better, thank you. I can actually move, and I slept well. Thank you for taking care of me all this time.” She looked down, embarrassed, as he knew she was talking about their little game they had played a couple of times in bed.
“Why, kitten, you are most welcome, but just like Coop, I want my morning kiss as well.” He started to move toward her, and she took a steady step back, reaching behind her for something on the counter, smiling the whole time. That brought a smile to his face, but before he knew it, she had thrown a Hershey’s Kiss candy at him.
Laughing at her little game, Cash grabbed Riley around her waist to center her and ran his hand up her hair and pulled back to get her head where he wanted it. He then took charge of the kiss. He, too, growled in response as Riley ran her hands up to his shoulders to pull closer to his body. The kiss was broken off too soon for Riley, and she sighed. “That’s the kiss I wanted. Smells good, kitten. Let’s eat, and we will tell you about our plan for today.” And just like that, Riley knew everything was going to be okay for once in her life. She would live each day to the fullest with the men and the happiness they both could bring her, but she knew it would end. All men got tired of their new toy. Soon both Cash and Cooper would tire of her, and her trouble. It was a pattern she knew all too well. She would end up just like her mother. Only, Riley would be completely alone.
Chapter Five
Breakfast went well. Riley still could not believe how much food the guys could put away. They talked about everything from her family to theirs. She loved that they came from a big family as she had always wanted to have a brother or sister. It was a lonely childhood with a mother who really didn’t want her, and no one else to talk to. She found she lived in a bubble for most of her life. The guys had such an open way of thinking of everything. Trying to keep a positive mind, she would follow the plan that was in place. Talk of the cartel was brought up, and it was decided that she would go into the sheriff’s office and turn herself in under the protection of the Jackson brothers. Cash had spoken with his friend at the CIA, and they would be in contact in a couple of days and wanted her to keep a low profile. So staying in Lucky was her best option right now. After breakfast was completed, she stood and started clearing the plates.
“No, darlin’, you cooked, we clean. Why don’t you go and get dressed and we can head into town. I am sure you could use some more clothes and other items, and we could get your statement done as well, killing two birds with one stone. Since it’s Sunday, there isn’t much to do right now.” Cooper smiled at her as he took the plates from her hands. She smiled and reluctantly went upstairs to clean up. She dressed quickly in her new dress, as it was the only one she owned right now. She brushed out her hair and started to head downstairs when she realized that she had no shoes. Crap, now what? Taking a calming breath she headed into the kitchen. Maybe one of them had an idea.
Cooper and Cash had finished loading up the dishwasher as she approached. “What’s wrong, kitten?” Cash asked as he noticed she was staring at her hands.
“Um, I don’t have any shoes.” She wiggled her toes.
“We are heading over to our parents’ house to get some shoes from Missy’s closet, so don’t worry.”
Riley blushed at the thought of their mother knowing she needed shoes. “Um, did you tell your mom why I was here?” she asked as she fiddled with the placemat on the table.
“Yes, but not the real reason. We told her you were hiding and we are taking care of you. She is okay with that answer. Anything else is up to you,” replied Coop as he placed the last of the plates in the dishwasher. He walked over to her, taking her face into his hands. “It will be okay. We will get you some new shoes once we are in town, until then…” He scooped Riley up into his arms and carried her out the door and placed her in
side the passenger side seat of his truck. Cooper jumped in the side seat while Cash climbed into the driver side and started the truck and drove down the old dirt road out into the main one that lead into and out of town.
Riley loved to sit and look out the window at the mountains that hung in the background. The snowcapped mountains held an ounce of promise that things would get better for her. She could either stay or leave. Either way she was going to be free, free to finally be happy. The trucked rolled along, and her men talked about basic things. It was funny how Riley felt comfortable to call them her men when in the end she would be the one who was left with a broken heart. The conversation was light, and she found that Cash was the more serious and aggressive of the two, which explained his work ethic. However, Cooper was more carefree and passionate in what he did. She could tell by the way he talked about his horse and the ranch. Riley fell more in love with them as time went on and wondered even for a short time what it would be like to be theirs. She did trust them enough to tell them everything about what was going on, so no more secrets were kept except for the one about her heart. She would keep that for right now.
They pulled up to another large house that reminded her of an old plantation home in the south, and she would have loved to see what it looked like decorated during Christmastime. A woman with dirty-blonde hair sprinkled with silver came running out of the house. Cooper was the first to rush up to her and scoop her into her arms and give her a giant hug. While Riley watched with fascination of the love that flowed through those two, Cash opened her door and picked her up. Feeling slightly embarrassed, she smiled as Cash and Cooper made with the introductions heading into the house.
Just Her Luck [Lucky, Montana] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 4