by Reece Butler
“What the hell!” said Trey, looking around.
“Lila said you can feel things,” demanded Jet. “How is she, and the baby?”
“Lila’s fine,” said Lance. “Houston’s going to have a healthy son.”
Jet sagged, giving a silent prayer of relief.
“And you’ll have a daughter.”
Jet choked. “What?”
“I suggest you name her Elizabeth,” continued Lance drily. “Since she’s the one who stabbed holes in your condom.”
His brain went blank. “What?”
“Lila is going to have a pair of healthy twins,” said Lance, slowly and carefully. “The boy will be blond like his father, and the girl will be dark, like you. She’ll also have Lila’s stubbornness. The boy will have the determination of Houston’s grandfather. You three are in for a rough ride when the twins get older,” he added, shaking his head and chuckling.
The phone rang in the barn. Brody ran to answer it.
“Twins?” whispered Jet. “I thought there was just one?”
“Surprise,” said Simon. “You’ll get used to it. We did.”
Jet had accepted Houston’s baby without a problem. Knowing he’d helped her create life, and that the woman he loved was carrying his child as well, was something completely different.
“I’m going to be a father,” he whispered.
“That was the sheriff,” said Brody, hurrying back to them. “He’s on the way to the Circle C with Houston. Deputy Chambers picked up Tank. Lila shot his gun hand, then she blew up his truck so he couldn’t get away.”
“I’ve got to see her!” Jet strode toward his truck.
“Hey, wait for us!” called one of Lila’s cousins.
Jet slid into the front seat and slammed the door. He looked in the rearview as he started it up. The four younger men leaped over the sides. They banged on the roof to say go. He put it in gear and raced off.
He had to get to Lila. Had to hold her. Had to tell her he loved her!
* * * *
“You’ll be fine soon. They cavalry is on the way, dear.”
Lila blinked. A woman dressed in a red velvet riding costume sat on a rock beside her. She ran her hand over Rascal’s fur. He grinned back, not at all worried. She looked almost familiar.
“Who?”
“Those hunky men of yours, of course, along with some cousins. I’m so proud of you.” She beamed. “At least you didn’t kill him. I had to shoot a couple of the men who were after me.” She shuddered. “Horridly messy, but necessary.” She peered up the valley. “I had to poke Blue with my hat pin so you could get your shot. He won’t be using that hand to hold a gun again.”
“You mean Tank?”
“Yes, that nasty man who tried to shoot your horse.” She winked. “I like Jet and Houston. And they love you to bits. You’ll have to remember that when they loom over you, fussing as you grow your babies.”
“Babies?” Lila shook her head. “There’s just one. For now.”
“Well, that’s not quite correct.” She blew on her knuckles and rubbed them proudly against her chest. “You wanted Jet’s baby. Jet wanted your baby. So, I jabbed a few holes in the condom you’d left out and twisted the possibilities just a little bit.” She held her thumb and finger a quarter of an inch apart.
“Twisted what possibilities?”
“There were two eggs ready for release, so I made sure they both escaped.” She beamed at Lila. “Jet’s swimmers found their way home. You’ll have a boy and a girl.”
She shook her head, still dazed. “But Lance said there was only one.”
“The dear boy knows better now. Houston’s the father of your son, and Jet will have a darling little girl.” She leaned closer. “You might consider naming her Elizabeth, after me. Just a suggestion.”
“And you are?”
“Oh, I thought you knew.” She cleared her throat and put a hand on her heart in a dramatic way. “I am the widow of Trace, Simon, and Jack Elliott. You can call me Beth.”
Lila narrowed her eyes. She was woozy, but not crazy.
“They’re dead. You’re dead.”
Beth tut-tutted. “That’s such a harsh word.”
“Are you real?”
“I am if you believe in me.”
The phrase struck a chord and opened a door she’d shut long ago. “I remember you,” she whispered. “I used to dream about you. You’re my fairy godmother!”
Beth smiled widely. “That was such fun. You used to dream about being a valiant princess. And then you stopped.” Her smile faded. “You didn’t believe, so I couldn’t let you see me anymore.”
Lila grimaced. “I refused to be a girl, because I knew I’d never be a princess. I’m a rancher.”
“Why can’t you be both princess and rancher? Your men would enjoy it.”
“Jet and Houston like me the way I am.”
“Like you, and love you. Those words mean different things, and a marriage is best when you have both. I suggest you not limit yourself, my dear. Life is too short to hold back on what you desire. I bet if you dressed up as a princess, and let them rescue you…” She tilted her head, then winked. “Or maybe the princess is out riding and is caught by some handsome rogues who haul her away and ravish her. Repeatedly…”
Lila’s face, and other parts, flooded with heat. Dare she tell them of her fantasies? If Jet ordered her to speak, she’d have to tell him. Oh, Lord, this was not the time or place to get horny!
Beth ran her fingers over Lila’s cheek. She could almost feel her, like a soft electrical charge. Since Beth was a ghost…
“Do you know about Danny?” Her voice cracked on the question.
Beth nodded. “He sends his love.”
Lila’s throat was suddenly so tight it hurt. “I miss him,” she whispered. “So much. And I worry about TJ.”
“Worrying doesn’t do anything but anticipate the worst,” said Beth briskly. “Just like your men, racing here, both frantic in case you’re harmed. They’ve realized they can’t imagine life without you, and haven’t yet told you how much they love you.”
“Love me? Jet insisted we marry because of the baby.”
“That was before he realized he had a heart. They both love you desperately, Lila, but they’re men. We women have to make allowances for their thick heads.” Beth looked toward the southeast. “Here they come. I can’t stay. Tell Jet to let his parents love him. They’ve missed him so much. His siblings will take some time to come around, but that’s the way youngsters are.”
Her jaw dropped. “Jet has a family?”
“Tommy found them. They’ll love you, and so will Houston’s father. Tell him Sonia sends her love.” Beth started fading.
“You’re going?” Lila could see through Beth now.
“Yes, but not far. I love this valley. You youngsters are slow to get hitched. I’ve got my eye on those young scamps riding in the back of Jet’s truck. They’re stubborn, and might need a push. Or a well-placed hat pin.”
“Ross and Brody? Or Trey and Sam?”
Beth put her fingers to her lips. “Don’t tell them. It won’t be long before they get in over their heads.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Jet slowed, driving off the gravel to swerve around the remains of a burning truck. He couldn’t think. Nothing mattered but his woman. And then he saw her, safe. She was on the porch swing, Rascal on the floor beside her. Both watched him. He hauled ass out of his truck, striding toward her. He slowed at the porch, suddenly uncertain. He’d demanded her agreement, and submission. He’d told himself that had been more play than anything.
This was real.
Heart thudding, he climbed the steps and, before he could think otherwise, knelt for the second time that afternoon. He pushed his nerves aside and met those sea-green eyes. He gained a few ounces of courage when he saw they weren’t flashing with anger, or filled with tears.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here to protect you. You were right, Lila. You can protec
t yourself. That doesn’t stop my need to keep you safe.” He exhaled. “When I saw that black cloud and thought you were hurt, everything changed.”
He paused. She dropped her hand to Rascal’s head, following the movement with her eyes.
“I was serious about not wanting your child to be born without his parents being married. I wouldn’t want any child to go through what I did. I let you think that was the only reason I wanted to marry you. But it’s not.”
She ran her fingers through Rascal’s fur. For once, he was the one blurting things out without planning, and she was silent. He wiped sweat off his forehead and cleared his throat.
“I didn’t believe love existed. Then I came here and met you.” Her hand stilled, for just a moment.
“Lila, I can’t see living my life without you. And if that isn’t love, I don’t know what is.”
She flashed him a look. Her eyes were emerald now, glistening with unshed tears.
“You deserve so much, Lila. All I can give you is myself. I don’t even have a ring.”
He held his breath. She didn’t speak, but at least she hadn’t refused.
“I love you, Lila Frost. Will you—”
“Here’s a ring,” said Houston, interrupting. Jet startled, turning to see Houston clomp onto the porch. “Dad couriered it to the jail. It was my great-grandmother’s.” He held a narrow gold band between his finger and thumb. “There’s no stone, because my mother sold it,” he said bitterly.
A needle of pain erupted in Jet’s hip. Look in your pocket, fool, whispered a female voice. Jet reached into his pocket and pulled out the lump Beth had dropped into his hand. A diamond sparkled. He stared at it.
“Perfect,” said Houston. He set the gold band in Jet’s palm. “We’ll put them together and make something for Lila from both of us. You’ll marry Jet and get me in the bargain. Right, darlin’?” He nudged Jet with his foot. Hard.
“Will you marry me?” asked Jet. “Not for the babies you’re carrying. For you.”
Lila looked at him. He saw the question in her eyes. He reached for her left hand. She let him take it, which was enough for the moment.
“I want to legally change my name to Frost. If you’ll have me. And Houston,” he added when a toe connected with his leg.
“You’d change your name for me?” she asked, her voice quivering.
“For us,” he replied. “All our family. You, me, Houston, and our children.” Her eyes filled with tears. “It’s not that big a deal to drop Quartermain. Not when I can be part of your family.”
“You already know I love you,” added Houston gruffly.
Jet lifted Lila’s hand to his mouth. He kissed the knuckle of the finger he wished to put their ring on.
“Do those tears mean the answer is no?” he asked quietly.
She sniffed, shaking her head. His blood went cold. She used her free hand to wipe her eyes.
“No,” she said. “I’m pregnant. Everything makes me cry.” Her fingers tightened around his. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
“Thank God!” He closed his eyes, bowing his head.
“Give me the damn ring before you drop it,” said Houston. Jet held out his palm. Houston stuck the diamond in his pocket. He held up the ring. “Shall we?”
Together, they slid the ring on Lila’s finger. It almost got to the knuckle.
“Oh, no,” she whispered. “I’m too big.”
“No, you’re perfect. It’s the ring that doesn’t fit.” Jet tugged it off her ring finger and slipped it on her pinky. She curled her fingers into a fist to hold it on.
“We’ll have it made bigger when we put the diamond in,” said Houston.
Jet had to touch his woman. He stood, gathered her in his arms, and sat where she had been. He cuddled her in his lap, just holding her, breathing in her scent. Houston thumped onto the swing beside them.
“Now that Tank’s locked up, Lila needs to get her truck from the impound,” said Josh loudly. “If you lot ride into town with me, you can bring Lila’s truck back for her.”
“Thank you, Sheriff,” said Jet. “My fiancée’s had a shock. She needs to lie down.”
Lila smiled shyly up at him. A yawn broke out. She blushed harder and covered her mouth. “I really am tired,” she said.
“Load up or walk home,” said Josh, heading for his vehicle.
“Shotgun,” said Sam.
“No way!” chorused the MacDougal twins.
“I’m oldest. You ride in the back.”
“Hey, it’s my turn to—”
“Get in or walk!” roared Josh.
The four younger men scrabbled like kids, fighting for the best seats. They laughed while they did it, knowing they were behaving badly yet still not giving up. Then they were gone.
Jet waited until it was silent. He stood, Lila in his arms. The paperwork would come later but she belonged to him, now.
“I’m too heavy for you,” she said, struggling to get down.
“Hush,” he ordered. He pulled her tighter against his chest, warning her with a look. “You know what I want in this marriage.”
She bit her lip, looking up at him through her lashes.
“You want me to obey you,” she said. “I don’t know if I can do that. Not all the time.”
He had to make her know how important she was to him.
“You will when it’s to do with safety. When I heard that explosion, and saw the smoke…” He couldn’t speak of her dying. “You’ll not be out of my sight for a long, long time,” he warned her. “Not unless I know you are safe.”
Lila pouted. “Says who?”
Jet leaned down until their foreheads touched. “Ex-cuse me?”
He kept his voice low, but he knew Lila heard his intensity. Her pout got bigger when she pressed her lips together. Her breathing sped up, and a flush rose from her cleavage. His body stirred in response.
“We’d better inspect every inch of our woman’s body to make sure she isn’t injured,” said Houston. He patted her bottom, easily available between Jet’s arms. “You’re lucky Jet’s carrying you, and our baby.”
“That’s babies, as in twins,” said Jet.
“Since when?” demanded Houston.
“Since a family ghost stuck holes in a condom.”
Houston blinked, shook his head, and continued. “I’d rather throw you over my shoulder and haul you to bed.”
Lila squirmed, sputtering. Jet caught Houston’s eye. One of these days, that was going to happen. Sooner, rather than later. Jet had barely taken a step when Rascal grabbed their seat on the porch swing. He looked at them as if to say, “since you’ve kicked me off the bed…”
“You’re taking me upstairs so I can sleep, right?” she demanded.
“We’re taking you to bed,” corrected Jet, passing through the kitchen. “Sleep is an option.”
“Will our lips and fingers keep you awake, darlin’?”
She tucked her feet in as he carried her up the stairs.
“That depends on how good you make me feel,” she replied.
“That sounds like a challenge,” said Houston eagerly.
Jet stopped at the top of the stairs. He lowered Lila until her bottom brushed his hard cock.
“I’m up for it.”
* * * *
Houston followed Jet and Lila into their bedroom. Thank God Lila wasn’t into pink ruffles, as he’d be sleeping here for a long, long time. There were a few feminine touches, but he could handle them. The sturdy furniture was a bonus for men his size, as was the giant bed. He looked down at the ugly carpet. That, he would replace.
Growing up in cold luxury had taught him materialistic things were not as important as a loving family. He’d also learned to enjoy the finer things in life. During his army years he’d been uncomfortable too often. Maybe it was his injuries, but he was ready for some pampering. Nothing extravagant. Some shirts tailored to cover his broad shoulders, and boots made to fit his feet. One percent of the oil field r
evenue would be enough to make their life more comfortable and have some fun.
The rest would go into the education program for kids at risk. Savannah and her siblings would be the first to benefit, but not the last. He’d mentioned it to his father when he called the jail. Dad was interested in getting out of the boardroom and doing some hands-on philanthropic work. He’d get along well with Savannah. She might ease some of his guilt about not being there for Sonia.
What really mattered was that Lila had agreed to marry them. Officially, she’d marry Jet, but that was fine with him. Everyone who counted would know. Lila was carrying their babies, they were safe here on the Circle C, and they were alone. Babies, hell! It was too much to take in after everything else.
The newly engaged couple were locked in a heavy duty kiss. He didn’t think they’d be stopping anytime soon. He chuckled as he walked into the bathroom. He removed Jet’s diamond from his pocket and placed it in a pretty little dish Lila kept on the counter. He quickly stripped, leaving his clothes in a heap on the floor. He showered, erasing any lingering effects of jail. He was still damp when he entered the bedroom.
Jet had gotten Lila’s boots off, and her socks, and laid her on the bed. Her belt was undone as well. She bit her lip, watching as Jet slowly unzipped her jeans. Way too slowly. Houston followed his hard cock into the room.
“Looks like this is a two-man job,” he said, approaching the bed. Lila looked up. Her eyes dropped to his groin. Her mouth opened. “Good idea, but we’ll save that for later.” She groaned, rolling her eyes at his obvious ploy. “First, you’re going to get nekkid. I figure you’ve got a couple of bumps and bruises that need some kissing better.”
“You mean, right here?” She touched her lips with her finger.
He smiled into those brilliant green eyes. “That’s a good place to start,” he agreed. “Let’s improve the view first.”
Lila had explained why she avoided shirts with snaps rather than buttons. He, however, did not consider it a problem having her shirt pop open to expose her chest. A distraction, yes, but a welcome one. Jet left for his own quick shower. Houston tugged Lila’s shirttail from her waistband and started on the first of too many small buttons.