Only His

by Susan Mallery

  She and Tucker might have agreed they were going to be all business, all the time, but that didn’t make her any less aware of him.

  “We’ll hit the grocery store, then Morgan’s Books. After that we’ll do a quick walk down Frank Lane and you’ll be untouchable.”

  “I owe you,” he said as he got out of her truck.

  In more ways than he knew, she thought.

  They started toward the center of town. When they reached the corner and stopped for the light, Tucker grabbed her hand.

  It took her a second to remember this was part of a plan, and her idea. While her brain was busy processing the information, her body was stirring as heat sparked and her girl parts woke up.

  No way, she told herself. There was no more reacting to Tucker. But lecturing didn’t help much, not when he laced his fingers with hers and squeezed.

  They walked through the grocery store. She made what she hoped was sparkling conversation, all the while trying not to notice how their shoulders brushed and the way he smiled at her.

  Back on the street she was relieved to see Pia and Raoul walking toward them, the former football player pushing a double stroller.

  “Hi,” she said eagerly, pulling her hand free of Tucker’s and hurrying to meet her friends. “You’re out.”

  “Finally,” Pia said. “We thought it was time to introduce the girls to their hometown. Plus, they’re starting work on the Fall Festival today and I want to check on things. Then there’s the whole artist series, with a surprise guest. And it’s time to check the inventory for the Halloween decorations, if you can believe it.”

  Nevada introduced Tucker. The two men shook hands. He surprised her by peeking in at the twins.

  “They’re beautiful,” he said.

  Pia nodded. “I can’t take the credit, so I’m comfortable saying I agree with you. Plus, they’re both really good. I’ve been reading tons of nightmare stories online about colic and sleepless nights. We’re lucky. What are you two up to?”

  “I’m protecting Tucker from the single women in town.”

  Tucker glanced at her. “Did you have to share that?”

  Nevada grinned at him. “I’m sorry. Was it a secret?”

  Raoul shook his head. “Don’t let your pride get in the way. Women in this town are determined.” He put his arm around Pia. “Look how you stalked me.”

  “I did not. You were the one begging me to marry you. I took pity on you.”

  “Keep saying that and maybe one day it will be true.”

  Nevada knew they had unexpectedly fallen in love with each other while Pia was pregnant with her friend’s embryos.

  “If it gets bad, you can hang out with us,” Pia said, leaning into Raoul.

  “Thanks.”

  They left the young family and continued their stroll through town.

  At the corner by Morgan’s Bookstore, Nevada was about to say they could stop for fudge before going in when Tucker surprised her by pulling her toward him.

  “What?” she asked.

  Instead of answering, he bent down and kissed her.

  The feel of his mouth was delicious and her already alert body sent up a cheer. Aware they were in the middle of town where everyone could see, she wanted to draw back. But she couldn’t. Something about his touch made it impossible to move, impossible to do anything but lose herself in the sensation of his lips against hers.

  He wrapped his arms around her so they were touching from shoulder to thigh. The intimate embrace made her want to hug him back and the last of her resistance faded. Just when she was about to part her lips so they could deepen the kiss, he stepped away.

  She blinked in the bright sunlight.

  “What the hell was that?” she demanded.

  He grinned and took her hand again. “Just doing what you said. Making them believe I’m into you.”

  Oh, right. The plan to protect him.

  “I, ah, fine.” She cleared her throat. “You did well.”

  He winked. “I liked it, too.”

  So much for the “work only” rules. So much for just being friends. The truth was Tucker Janack got to her. He always had, and she had a bad feeling he always would. The trick was going to be figuring out how to manage her reaction to him and stay sane at the same time.

  AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS of dodging Tucker, doing her job and wanting nothing more than to escape the daunting sexual tension she felt every time she was around the man, Nevada was relieved when she got a call from Montana. She and Dakota were calling a triplet meeting. They agreed on a time and suggested meeting at their mom’s house.

  Nevada arrived early. It had been a great excuse to leave the job site. She was hoping that after her sisters talked about whatever their issue was, she could ask for a little advice on how to clear her head when it came to Tucker. She didn’t have any ideas of her own.

  Focusing on the past and hating him wasn’t really an option. It had been ten years ago, she’d been as much to blame as he was and she preferred to look forward rather than back. Plus, she really did love her job and wanted to keep working with him. Having him wear a gorilla mask every day would help, but she wasn’t sure how to ask for that.

  She walked up to the front of the house, knocked once as she always did and pushed the door open.

  “It’s me,” she called. “Am I the first one here?”

  There wasn’t an answer. She heard a noise from the kitchen and moved down the hall, wondering what the discussion was about. Maybe Montana was pregnant. That would be fun. Simon was a great guy. Maybe they were announcing their engagement. That would mean both her sisters were happy in love.

  Good for them, she thought, telling herself not to get into a funk about it. She would find her own guy eventually. She had to stay positive.

  Lost in her own thoughts, she barely noticed that the odd sound was repeated again. Even as she registered that it was more a moan than a word, she walked into the kitchen to find her mother with Max Thurman.

  Naked.

  On the kitchen table.

  Having sex.

  It was one of those moments that slowed time. She felt as if she were underwater, unable to move quickly, or even breathe. The image burned itself onto her brain. She shrieked and covered her eyes, but it was too late.

  “Nevada!”

  “I’m sorry,” Nevada yelled and ran away as fast as she could. She made it outside, where she stood in the center of the lawn, trying to catch her breath.

  “No, no, no!”

  Closing her eyes didn’t help, nor did humming. Whatever she did, she could still see them doing it.

  “What’s going on?”

  She saw her sisters hurrying toward her and she ran in the other direction. They chased her down the street.

  “Stop it!” Montana yelled. “Dakota’s pregnant. She can’t run after you.”

  That brought Nevada to a stop, but she couldn’t face them.

  “Oh, God, it’s horrible. I’m going to need therapy for the rest of my life.”

  Her sisters surrounded her, looking worried.

  “What happened?” Dakota asked, grabbing her arm. “Are you sick?”

  Nevada pointed back at the house. “In there. On the table.”

  Montana went pale. “Did something happen to Mom?”

  Nevada waved her hands. “She’s fine. I can’t. Don’t make me say it.”

  She thought of kittens and chocolate and boats. She wondered if there were aliens on Mars, then gave in to the inevitable and allowed the theme from “It’s a Small World” to fill her brain, but even that didn’t help.

  Dakota shook her. “Will you please tell us what’s going on?”

  “I saw Mom having sex with Max. On the kitchen table.” She shrieked the words, then covered her face again. “I can’t get it out of my head.”

  She dropped her hands and saw her sisters looking at each other. Montana’s mouth began to twitch.

  “It’s not funny,” Nevada insisted. �
�We’ve had breakfast at that table. Decorated cookies, done our homework there. How can I ever face her again?”

  “I think that’s more her problem than yours,” Dakota told her. “Wow—I can’t believe Mom was having sex with Max. I guess he is the guy in the tattoo.”

  Their mother had the name Max tattooed on her hip.

  “I’m having more trouble with the Max part than the Mom part,” Montana admitted. “He’s my boss. This could be complicated.”

  “I can never go back,” Nevada moaned. “I grew up in that house. I love that house. I can never go in there again. Or talk to my mother.”

  “You’ll recover,” Dakota told her, sounding much too calm and way too amused.

  “You don’t actually know that. You’re guessing.”

  “I’m a professional. Trust me. You’ll be fine.”

  “I wonder if electroshock therapy would work,” Nevada muttered, thinking whatever pain was involved would be worth it. Not that she didn’t love her mom and want her to be happy, but did she have to do it on the kitchen table?

  “They’re old. Shouldn’t they be worried about their joints and stuff?” she asked. “Wouldn’t a bed be better? It wouldn’t have been so shocking in a bed.”

  “I think it’s impressive,” Montana announced. “When was the last time you had sex on the kitchen table?”

  “I can’t remember the last time I had sex.” Nevada sighed. She was simply going to have to accept she was emotionally scarred.

  She started toward the center of town. Her sisters fell into step beside her.

  “Do you think a latte will help me forget more than ice cream?” she asked.

  “How about a mocha Frappuccino?” Dakota patted her on the shoulder. “The best of both worlds.”

  “Perfect.”

  “It’s really very sweet,” Dakota began.

  Nevada stopped her with a look. “Don’t go there. You’re not the one who saw it. Until you’ve stared into the eyes of your mother having sex on the kitchen table, you don’t get an opinion. Got that?”

  “You bet.”

  “I’ll bet Max has a great butt,” Montana said conversationally. “Not that I want to think about it too much, but he takes care of himself.”

  Dakota grinned. “I’m sure he does.”

  “I hate you both,” Nevada muttered.

  They hugged her. “You can’t hate us,” Montana said, kissing her cheek. “We have your DNA.”

  “I want it back.”

  Her sisters laughed and reluctantly she joined in. She’d always known there were ups and downs with having a big family. Pluses and minuses. This was a really big minus she was going to have to get over.

  She linked arms with her sisters. “All right. Enough of my emotional trauma. What did you two want to talk to me about?”

  Her sisters came to a halt, forcing her to stop walking as well. They faced her, their expressions a combination of concern and something that if she didn’t know better she would say was guilt.

  “What?” she demanded. “Don’t play games with me. I’ve had a tough day.”

  Although, on the bright side, seeing her mother having sex put her problems with Tucker in perspective.

  “We’re planning a wedding,” Dakota said.

  “Yours. I know.” Nevada glanced at Montana. “Unless you and Simon have made it official. Just a tip here—we all know you’re in love and planning to get married, so what’s with the guy not coughing up the ring?”

  Montana laughed and held up her left hand. A giant diamond sparkled in the morning light.

  Nevada shrieked and grabbed her. “The guy has taste. You gotta love that.”

  The three of them hugged.

  When they’d started walking again, Dakota drew in a breath.

  “We’ve been talking….” She trailed off.

  Nevada frowned. Dakota always knew what to say. “What?” she demanded.

  “We were thinking we would really like a double wedding, but then we thought you’d feel bad, so we decided not to, but it makes financial sense, but if it’s mean or you’re hurt or don’t want us to, we won’t.”

  Dakota got the words out in a rush, then stood there, twisting her hands together.

  “We love you,” Montana added.

  “I know that,” Nevada told her, stunned by the words. A double wedding. Sure. They were engaged and sisters and Dakota was pregnant so getting married made sense. As for them doing it at the same time, the three of them had shared nearly all their milestones. Why not a wedding?

  Except she would be left out, what with not even dating, let alone being serious about someone.

  “I think it’s a great idea,” she said, smiling, hoping she sounded excited and happy. “Do you have any dates picked out?”

  “We were talking about Thanksgiving weekend,” Dakota said. “Mom thinks Ford will be home for the holidays.”

  Ford was the youngest of their brothers, although still older than them. He was in the navy and stationed overseas.

  “You’ll want Ford here,” she said firmly. “I think Thanksgiving weekend is a great time.”

  They both studied her, as if searching for the truth. Nevada held in a sigh. What was she supposed to say? That she felt lonely and abandoned? That while she was thrilled her sisters had found happiness, she wanted a little of that for herself? Well, she did. But wanting something wouldn’t make it happen and there was no way she was going to stand in the way of her sisters’ weddings.

  “You’d better decide pretty soon,” she said. “There aren’t a lot of places that can hold the whole family and half the town.” She smiled at them both. “I’m sure. This is the right thing for you to do.”

  “Thank you,” Dakota whispered.

  “I’m the superior triplet,” Nevada told her. “I don’t know why you were worried. Now, you two run off and plan your wedding. I’m going to find something with equal parts sugar and fat to clear my head.”

  She left her sisters talking about whatever it was prospective brides talked about and hurried toward the closest Starbucks. Once there she got a mocha Frappuccino with whipped cream and told herself that her sisters getting married was a good thing. They deserved to be happy and in love. The fact that she deserved it, too, was something she would wrestle with another time.

  SATURDAY AFTERNOON, still reeling from the embedded memory of her mother’s escapades and slightly off-balance from her sisters’ announcement, Nevada found herself with nothing to do and nowhere to go. She wandered into Jo’s Bar thinking she might find some of her friends there. Heidi, Charlie and Annabelle were at a table in the middle and they waved her over.

  “We’re escaping the happiness of the Fall Festival,” Charlie announced, pushing a bowl of chips toward Nevada. “I love the festivals, but all those children.” She shuddered.

  Heidi laughed. “Not a kid person?”

  “Individually they’re fine, but as a group? I don’t think so. Did you read Lord of the Flies?”

  Annabelle tilted her head. “It’s not about children,” she began. “It’s an allegory for—”

  Charlie groaned. “You really are a librarian.”

  “Because I would lie about that?”

  They laughed.

  Nevada relaxed for the first time in days. Here she could escape the complications of her life and just hang. Was that why men liked bars?

  She studied the three women at the table. Heidi was casually dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, as suited her goat-girl status. Her long blond hair hung in a thick braid. She had a fresh, clean kind of pretty. Annabelle, on the other hand, was a petite redhead who favored delicate prints and wore dresses with puffed sleeves. A little fussy for Nevada’s taste, but they suited her. Charlie was at the other end of the spectrum. Nevada had always considered herself pretty casual, but compared to Charlie, she practically wore couture. Charlie’s off-duty uniform consisted of cargo pants and a big, open shirt over a tank top. Her short-cropped hair looked as if she�
�d cut it herself because it was easier than going to a salon.

  Jo walked over to the table. “You drinking today?” she asked Nevada.

  “No. I’ll have a Diet Coke.” She glanced at her friends. “Want to split nachos? These chips have put me in the mood.”

  Annabelle groaned. “I love nachos. And they love my thighs. Sure, I’ll share.”

  Heidi and Charlie both nodded.

  Jo looked at Heidi. “Want me to use some of that cheese you brought me?”

  “Sure.” Heidi smiled. “I’m bringing samples to all the businesses in town. To get some interest going. With a big ranch comes a big mortgage.”

  “I’m not sure I want to know how the dry cleaner is going to use cheese,” Charlie muttered.

  “You never use the dry cleaner,” Nevada reminded her.

  Charlie grinned. “A point of pride with me.”

  Jo looked at Nevada. “Is it true? Was your mom really going at it with Max Thurman on the kitchen table?”

  Nevada winced. “Which of my sisters told you?”

  “Both of them.”

  So typical. No one kept secrets in this town.

  “I have to say,” Jo continued, “I’ve always liked your mom, but now I have complete respect for her. She’s raised six kids, survived the death of her husband and now this. I hope I’m just like her when I’m her age.” She winked. “You have a great gene pool. I hope you’re grateful.”

  “Yes, but oddly traumatized by the sight of my mother having sex.”

  Jo laughed, then returned to the bar.

  “Did you really see Denise like that?” Charlie asked. Her voice was more “you go, girl” than shocked.

  “Why is everyone taking her side?”

  “Because I don’t have it in me to have sex on a kitchen table,” Heidi admitted. “Wouldn’t it be cold and uncomfortable?”

  “It depends on the surface,” Annabelle said. “Glass could be freezing, but wood isn’t….” She cleared her throat. “Theoretically, of course.”

  Charlie raised her eyebrows. “Someone has a past.”

  Jo returned with the soda, then went back to the bar.

  “How are things out at the ranch?” Nevada asked Heidi.