The American Soldier Collection 18: This Cradle Won't Fall (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever)

by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  Tex covered her hand that held the steering bar of the stroller. She stopped and looked way up at him. He was a sight, and holy God she was completely attracted to him and Kendrick. Shit.

  “Those boys aren’t good enough for you or Benny. You mind my orders. We’re looking out for what’s best for you and Benny,” he said, then released her hand.

  She started to walk. Mind his orders? Was he serious? Was she stupid for not even responding when she just said no man or men were going to control her life and order her around? When he said mind his orders for some stupid-ass reason, she felt her pussy clench and her breasts swell. It turned her on. She’d lost her mind and once again was going to succumb to the weaknesses of a good-looking, powerful man—or men—with abilities to weaken her resolve and make her submit to their dominant ways and ultimately be her demise? Had she not learned a damn thing after Murdock?

  “So this is a great little town. They have all kinds of stores and little cafes and restaurants, even some bars, too,” Kendrick said, and she didn’t challenge Tex’s comments. She chose her battles wisely and she needed time to digest whatever this was that was happening. Before long, she forgot about his commanding words and actually enjoyed talking to him, Kendrick, and then Lou who joined them.

  Lou approached, kissed her cheek hello, and then bent down to say hello to Benny, but he was sleeping. He kept a hand on her hip and was all smiles.

  “So you heard about Lois?” he asked.

  “Sure did. Ford ran to the bank from a block away,” Kendrick said, smirking.

  “They’re on their way to the mid-wife’s house now. Won’t be long,” Lou said and smiled at Vye, giving her a wink. He kept a hand on her hip as they walked and she didn’t mind at all.

  They wound up being a big help as they offered to watch Benny while she tried on some things in the boutique.

  * * * *

  “How did you wind up meeting up with Vye?” Lou asked, standing next to Tex and Kendrick. Max was still pissed off from hearing that multiple men were asking about guardianship of Vye, like she was some sort of item in a market. They didn’t know her, know her story, or what she went through. They saw her beauty, her sexy body, and sweet smile—the fucking assholes.

  “Tex and I made a stand, Lou. We’ll talk about it later with Pierce and Frankie, too. Evonna and Benny need looking after. These young, punk cowboys think they can just stake a claim like she’s some sort of object. She needs us,” Kendrick exclaimed.

  “You mean like being her guardians?” Lou asked.

  “Men have been asking. Men like Avery and Trey. We had to step in. Those guys and their four brothers aren’t good enough for her,” Kendrick whispered.

  “We’ve known them for years. They’re good men, have good jobs in law enforcement, and wouldn’t hurt her,” Lou said, and this time Tex shot him a look, a mean scowl on his face. Was Lou out of his fucking mind? He was the one who’d instigated this attraction. The rest of them had been trying to ignore it.

  “Listen, we’ll talk later,” Tex stated firmly before Vye came out carrying a few items.

  “Is that all you’re getting?” Kendrick asked.

  “Yes, I didn’t want you guys to have to wait too long. I appreciate the assistance,” she said and then reached down under the stroller to grab her purse.

  “We don’t mind. You can take your time and try on more,” Lou told her, and looked her over. Tex was doing the same thing. The woman was a knockout.

  “I’m good. I can’t really buy too much. I’m trying to save and budget things out,” she said and then took the things to the register, wheeling the stroller along with her.

  When they exited the store, Tex asked, “What are you budgeting out and saving for?”

  “An apartment to rent, then school.”

  “Oh, you mean to go to college?” Kendrick asked.

  “I’m one class shy of getting my degree.”

  “Really, in what?” Lou asked before Tex could.

  “Accounting and finance,” she told them, shocking Tex.

  “You’re pretty smart then?” Kendrick said to her as they crossed the street and headed to the lake and park.

  “Well, with most other things apart from choosing men I guess,” she said and then exhaled.

  “Hey, I didn’t mean it like that,” Kendrick said to her. They approached an empty bench in the shade that overlooked the water and sat down.

  “It’s okay, Kendrick. It’s a decision I have to live with. I was stupid, and then I was stuck. He just kept pulling me under deeper and deeper.” She reached out and looked at Benny as she rocked the stroller.

  “Benny’s my focus. Anything I could want or need can go on hold except for the things that can ensure he has a good life—a safe and happy one where he’s loved and surrounded by good people.”

  “You’ll have that here in Salvation,” Kendrick said to her. Lou reached out and stroked her cheek. She looked at him and he stared at her lips.

  “You can have that here, and my brothers and I can help.”

  Her eyes widened and she looked down.

  “Lou, don’t say such things to me. I heard about this guardianship stuff. I won’t be a burden to some men because it’s a rule of this town. I can make it on my own. I’m not taking handouts and being told that I need a man or men to survive,” she stated.

  “Hey, it isn’t like that. It’s a rule to keep you and Benny safe, but it has to be approved by Ford. He wouldn’t assign someone to you just to do it. There are feelings, an attraction,” Tex stated.

  She looked up at him.

  “I don’t know how to feel. I don’t trust my judgment. I thought Murdock was a good man, a soldier, an entrepreneur who owned his own businesses. He treated me so good, and made me feel special. He was the only man I ever had sex with. Things changed the moment I allowed him to give orders, to make decisions for me and order me around, and started giving up my dreams. He made me quit school right before I finished the last class. He put demands on me. He struck me. He forced things upon me and it got worse and worse, and soon I was drowning and then I was pregnant. He kicked me, literally, while I was down on the ground in the fetal potion,” she said as tears rolled down her cheeks. Tex felt so angry and pissed off. His brothers were, too, but then Kendrick lowered down and took her hands into his.

  “We aren’t him. Pierce and Frank feel this attraction to you, too. We know we’re older, and that you can get men closer to your age, but if you let us in, let us show you how good this could be, I promise you won’t feel any more pain, only happiness,” he said and then brought her hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles.

  “Will you try, baby?” Tex asked, caressing her hair and then her cheek. She closed her eyes and leaning into his palm, then she lifted up and looked at Lou.

  “I can’t promise you anything. I can only take it one day at a time.” Lou smiled.

  “One day at a time sounds about our speed, too.” Lou pressed his lips to hers and then pulled back.

  She looked shocked.

  “Trust us, Vye. You can trust us,” he said and she nodded her head. She wiped away her tears and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon with Kendrick, Lou, and Tex McCann.

  Chapter Four

  “Is Mommy going to be okay?” Kenny asked Ford.

  Ford smiled at Kenny, now eight years old, so bright and strong. He had gone through a lot at such a young age and seen more bad than good before coming here to Salvation.

  Ford was tempted to rub that blond hair of his but knew that Kenny didn’t like that anymore. He was mature for eight, tall, too, close to his mamma’s height and he took being a young man of the house seriously.

  “You know your mamma is as strong as can be. Doc says the baby is just taking its time coming, that’s all. She’ll be just fine.”

  Kenny looked toward his younger brother, Waylan, and sister, Jessica. Evan was holding Jessica, who was two now, on his lap. Now Waylan, the six-year-old, was staring at Ford wit
h concern in his eyes.

  “Everything will be just fine. You’ll see,” Ford said, but he felt nervous, too, even though they all had Waylan and Jessica just fine. “Laverty and Ghost are in there with her now. You know your fathers, and how Ghost is, do you think he would let anything happen to Mamma or the baby?” Evan asked, joining in the conversation.

  “No, sir,” Kenny replied.

  “No, sir,” Waylan added and then snuggled up next to Evan’s side and held onto his arm. Evan locked gazes with Ford, who nodded. Kenny looked at Ford.

  “I guess it was good that Mamma was at the bank where a lot of people were. That way she had help immediately.”

  “Yup,” Ford said and looked toward the door waiting to get a word on Lois. Now he was starting to get really nervous, too.

  “Vye must have been so scared when she was caught in the rain storm on the bridge in her car and ready to have Benny,” Kenny said very seriously and Ford looked at him.

  “She could have drowned, and baby Benny, too. It’s not fair Benny don’t have Daddies,” Waylan said in his little six-year-old voice. So this was where the boy’s concern was coming from, as well. They cared about Vye and Benny so much. Kenny loved going by to see them, to talk to Vye and even walk with her and Benny in the stroller. He was acting like a father for Benny. Ford’s heart filled with emotion. Lois was an amazing mamma who taught her children so much. She taught them love, protected them, made them strive for better things, and to explore the world and all it had to offer. Kenny was going to grow up and be a good man, a good father and husband one day. Ford felt proud. He gave one look at his brother Evan, and Evan nodded.

  “Why don’t the McCann brothers take care of Vye and Benny and be Benny’s daddies and Vye’s husbands like you did for Mamma and me when we were alone and scared? They like her a bunch. Doesn’t she like them?” Kenny asked.

  Ford smirked.

  “Well, son, that’s something they would have to work out. I’m not sure how their feelings are, and you know that Vye went through a lot.”

  “I heard,” he said and looked away. Ford squinted and looked at Evan, who narrowed his eyes as if unaware how Kenny would know anything that happened in Vye’s life.

  “What do you mean you heard?” Ford asked.

  Kenny looked at Waylan.

  Waylan looked at Ford. “Benny’s daddy was a bad man and he could come to Salvation to find Vye at any time. He hurt Vye bad, like my biological dad hurt Mommy.”

  Ford felt the pain in his chest, his heart ached. It was crazy that Kenny referred to his father as “biological.” Usually he didn’t mention the man ever, but Ford figured it was Kenny’s way of giving his dad a label to differentiate.

  “Where did you hear this?” Evan asked and raised one of his eyebrows up at Kenny and Waylan.

  “Come on, really. We listen and hear. Tex and his brothers need to protect Vye and to love her the right way so she isn’t always scared. She’s alone and Benny needs them, too. You need to make them her guardians, Daddy. Then that bad man won’t ever be able to hurt Benny and Vye, and the McCanns can make Vye happy and loved like you guys did for our mamma,” Kenny said and then stood up and started to pace.

  “When are they going to come out here?” he stated in frustration and Ford chuckled.

  “Patience, son. You need to be patient.”

  “He’s got a point. You fixin’ on assigning guardianship of Vye to the McCanns, or to Trey and Avery Parker and their brothers?”

  “What?” Kenny asked, overhearing. If there was any question how the kid knew about Vye’s ex-boyfriend—or use of the term “biological”—it was just answered.

  “You eavesdropping, son?” Evan asked very seriously.

  Kenny walked closer with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

  “The McCanns are going to be Benny’s daddies and Vye’s husbands. No doubt.”

  “But Trey and Avery Parker and their three brothers have interest and are good men.” Ford teased.

  Kenny swallowed, looked away, and then looked back at Ford. “Pierce, Frankie, Kendrick, Lou, and Tex look at Vye the way you and your brothers look at Mamma. It’s special and powerful. Can’t mess with that. Not even as sheriff,” he said to Ford then turned away.

  Evan chuckled and Ford shook his head.

  From the mouth of babes. Can’t argue that.

  The door opened and Laverty appeared, smiling wide and looking relieved.

  “It’s a boy,” he said and Kenny and Waylan cheered, then high-fived one another.

  “Can I see Mommy?” Kenny asked before Ford or Evan could ask any questions. They stood up and everyone hugged, then Laverty took Jessica from Evan.

  “Just wait a little longer while they clean up and Mommy rests a bit. The baby gave a little trouble coming and, well, he’s a big boy. Nine pounds, eight ounces.”

  Ford whistled. “Damn.”

  “Why don’t you and Evan go in and see Lois, and then come back to get the boys and Jessica,” Laverty said.

  Ford looked at Kenny and his disappointed expression.

  “Kenny is coming in with us. Waylan and Jessica can stay here with you. After all, he’s one of the men in the house,” Ford said and reached out and rubbed Kenny’s head, but Kenny didn’t look angry or push Ford’s hand away, taking annoyance in him rubbing his head. Instead, Kenny smiled and straightened his shoulders, then opened the door. “Let’s go,” he said and Evan and Ford laughed and followed Kenny into the room.

  The sight of Lois lying in bed, the baby in her arms and Ghost right beside her caressing her hair, brought tears to Ford’s eyes. The midwife and Doc Carter congratulated them and Kenny smiled wide.

  “You done good, Mamma. Scared me a little this time, but ya done good.”

  Ford and Evan laughed, so did Ghost, and Lois smiled.

  “Thank you, Kenny. Come on over and see your baby brother Connor.” Kenny approached and leaned down and kissed his mamma’s cheek first before kissing baby Connor’s cheek.

  “I’m going to take good care of you, Connor. Don’t you worry. Plus, we have a great mamma and awesome daddies who love us. Welcome to the Brazos family.”

  * * * *

  Vye looked at the clock by the front office. It was almost time to head home. She could hear the class going on in the other room. No one was expected to come now as she gathered up all the files and made sure everything was in order for tomorrow. She walked into the back office and remembered that she needed to make another two copies of the document one of the men had given her today. As she ran it through, she heard footsteps approaching. A glance over her shoulder and there was Pierce. He stopped short and eyed her over making her body hum with awareness as she took in the sight of him. Thick, reddish-brown beard, serious, cold eyes, crew cut hair, and a tight, military green shirt pressed against major muscles. He wore a pair of relaxed camo pants that were baggy and combat boots underneath. He looked lethal.

  “Hi,” she said and then looked back at the last paper coming out of the machine. She noticed the print was messed up.

  “Hi,” he said and she exhaled.

  “Damn it. How did that happen?” She bent down to lift the top part of the printer up to see if the ink cartridges were in place. She moved them around.

  “Something wrong?” he asked, standing close behind her. She turned to look at him just as he bent over to see under the printer and her chin hit his cheek. He stared into her eyes. Her lips parted, then tightened as one large hand held onto her hip and the other went against the printer. The man was even fiercer up close, and the look in his eyes right now did crazy things to her.

  “Don’t look so scared of me.”

  “I’m not.” He widened both eyes and raised both eyebrows up at her. She squinted and made the mistake of relaxing. “I’m not,” she said and went to turn, but he cupped her cheek and held her chin and cheek firmly while he looked down into her eyes.

  “You sure look scared,” he said and his eyes zer
oed in on her lips, then back to her eyes again.

  “Well, I’m not, Pierce.”

  “Hmm,” he said, but didn’t step back.

  He stroked her hip, and then up her blouse, against her ribs. “Pierce.”

  “I don’t want you to be scared of me. Not ever,” he said.

  “I’m not scared, just intimidated a little,” she added, not wanting him to know exactly how deeply he affected her. He was so big and tall, too. Even in the low heels, he towered over her, and that beard of his, and those eyes, they did her in.

  “Intimidated? Why?” he asked and continued to stroke her side. She took a deep breath, her breasts hitting his shirt, and he looked down and licked his lips. “How?”

  “Your muscles, the size of you. Your beard and you have this wild look about you.”

  “All good things that can make you feel safe, protected, and special,” he said, then slowly began to lower his mouth to hers. She turned the last second and his mouth hit her neck. He didn’t pull back. He inhaled and wrapped her in his arms and drew her close against his chest.

  “Just so you know, you aren’t the only one taking a huge chance here, baby,” he whispered to her and held her close. He ran his palm along her back, coming lower and lower but not caressing her ass, and the thought that she wanted to feel his hand there shocked her.

  “I’m not a trusting man. Especially not with women. I’ve learned to put a wall up over my heart, my emotions. It isn’t going to come down easy.” He pulled back and she stared up into his eyes.

  “We can help each other pull down those walls we have up. That’s all I’m saying.” He added a moment later. He went to pull back and she gripped his hips. He stopped and stared down into her eyes, squinting.

  “I’m trying, Pierce. I want to let down my guard, but it’s so hard.” He reached up and stroked her cheek and jaw.