by Vanessa Vale
“Ivy, welcome back to town,” Cole said. Yes, he’d have remembered her as well.
“Are you here to stay?” Declan asked. While he was the head of police, he didn’t wear a uniform, but I’d spotted his county-issued SUV when we pulled in the lot.
Ivy glanced in our direction before answering. I saw the uncertainty in her eyes. “I’m not sure yet.”
Yet again, Hannah stepped in with the save. “Don’t mind my nosy men, Ivy. They think anyone who leaves this town is crazy.”
Ivy grinned. “I can understand why. It’s a great place to live.”
“It is, isn’t it?” Hannah’s smile was wide and friendly and it was clear that she and Ivy had taken a liking to each other.
Hannah turned her smile to include Jessie. “I might never have stayed here if it wasn’t for this wonderful woman. She gave me my first job in town, and then introduced me to the old doctor so I could take over his practice.”
Jessie was blushing—something I never thought I’d see.
“Don’t forget the best part,” Declan said.
Hannah laughed and rolled her eyes. It was obvious she was in love with her men. The happiness, the light in her eyes when she looked at either Dec or Cole made it obvious. “Oh yeah. She also nagged the heck out of me until I finally agreed to a date with these two.” The two in question gave her a smug grin and she leaned over to give them both a peck on the cheek.
Rory shot me a look and I knew what he was thinking. That right there—that was exactly what we wanted. An open relationship with our woman. To be able to kiss her and love her in public, like any other loving couple. We weren’t afraid to show our love openly for Ivy, but if we lived in Seattle, we’d have to be careful about it. It wasn’t just the three of us we had to worry about, but Lily. Little kids could be little shits. And their parents could be worse. Here, in Bridgewater, everyone was comfortable with a ménage relationship. Even kids. It was an everyday thing, seeing two husbands showing affection for their bride. No matter where we lived, no matter what Ivy ultimately wanted, we’d make it work.
But Ivy had just arrived back in Bridgewater and was still warming up to the idea of having Lily’s fathers back in the picture. Hell, she hadn’t been to town since her grandmother’s funeral. Much as I wanted Ivy to embrace the idea of being our woman, we had to let her get there on her own. Seattle, Bridgewater, Bermuda. We didn’t care. We’d show her how good it could be, but the rest was up to her. Even with some town meddling.
“And who’s this?” Cole asked, his gaze fixed on Lily who was grinning up at them.
“This is my little girl—” Ivy hesitated then looked over at me and Rory. Blushed. “Our little girl, Lily.”
I caught the look of surprise on Cole and Declan’s faces—clearly the news hadn’t reached them yet. With Jessie having official confirmation, the rest of the town should be well aware of our new father status by dinnertime.
“What do you think of Montana so far, Lily?” Jessie asked.
“I love it.” Her childish enthusiasm had everyone smiling.
“What do you like best?” Declan asked. He had a sister, Cara, but as far as I knew, she didn’t have a child with her husbands. No kids in that family yet.
“The animals. Rory said there were horses. Cows. Even moose.” Her response was so quick, Rory, Ivy, and I shared a laugh. Our daughter had spent the entire plane ride asking questions about what animals she’d see on the ranches in Bridgewater and she’d been waiting not-so-patiently for us to show her some.
“I don’t have any moose, but I have horses and cows at my ranch,” Cole said. “You’re welcome to come out and see them.”
Lily squealed with happiness, then hopped out of the booth and pranced like a horse around in a circle. “Can we? Can we?”
I looked to Ivy, who was smiling at Lily’s exuberance. When a man wanted to pass, she hooked an arm around the little filly and pulled her out of the aisle.
“Are you guys up for it?” I asked, knowing if Lily had her way we wouldn’t even wait until we had our breakfast.
Ivy nodded toward Lily. “Are you kidding? It would be a dream come true for this one. Let’s do it.”
Rory grimaced. “Sorry, but I’m going to have to skip this trip.” Turning to me he added, “I’ve got to meet with the parts supplier over in Bozeman this afternoon. I already put him off last week while we were in Seattle.”
I nodded, remembering we’d postponed the meeting. “I can take them to Cole’s ranch and we’ll meet up with you for dinner.”
He looked to Ivy, then nodded. Running a finger down Lily’s nose, he added, “I’ll join you next time, squirt.”
Lily didn’t seem to care that Rory wouldn’t be joining us. I imagined she wouldn’t know who was with her when she got in front of the horses.
CHAPTER TEN
COOPER
Lily grew more and more excited the closer we got to Cole’s ranch. Ivy and I laughed as she pointed out cows and deer she saw through the window like they were exhibits at the zoo.
“You know if you move here, she’s going to have to get used to these sights,” I said.
I looked over to see her biting her lip and mentally cursed myself for pushing the issue. Reaching over, I grabbed her hand, set it on my thigh so our fingers were joined. “If you move here,” I added. “No pressure, remember? We could always come to you.”
She gave me a smile as she squeezed my fingers. “Thanks for giving me room to decide. I appreciate it.”
While her response was nice enough, it just opened the door for more questions. Was it just the location she was undecided on or was it a life with me and Rory? Did Bridgewater hold too many sad memories? Did she miss Seattle? I knew she enjoyed the hell out of fucking us, but she hadn’t made a peep about her feelings. I could understand that she was more focused on Lily getting used to having fathers at the moment. To me, Lily was already used to having us in her life; kids were resilient like that. As for Ivy? She seemed to be the hold up. At some point, she was going to have to decide what she wanted for herself as well. And that included us.
When we pulled into the ranch, Cole and Hannah were waiting for us. There was no police SUV, and Cole said Declan had been on call and had to stay in town, but would catch up with us when his shift was over.
Cole led us toward the stables, although once we drew near Lily raced on ahead, her blond hair pulled back in a long tail, just like a pony’s. By the time we joined her, she was standing in front of one of the stalls looking up at a white mare with unconditional love.
“That’s Casper,” Cole said to Lily. After a minute, he turned to us. “I think your daughter has Montana in her blood.”
It sure as hell didn’t come from me. While I knew which end of the animal was which, I’d only ridden a few times. They weren’t for me and if I sat on one, I’d give cowboys a bad name.
“I think you’re right.” Ivy was smiling at her daughter but I saw the thoughtful look in her eye. “She’s going to want one now.”
I tried not to get my hopes up. I had no problem getting a horse for Lily. Hell, I’d hook the moon for her. There were many stables willing to board a horse, perhaps even Cole himself. It didn’t matter where we were, just that we were together. Although, it would be a little weird to see a horse in Aunt Sarah’s back yard.
“Can I ride her?” Lily asked, holding her hand up so the horse could sniff it.
“If it’s all right with your mom and dad,” Hannah replied.
Cole looked to us and I realized suddenly that I was the “dad” in the “mom and dad.” I took a moment to savor it.
“She’s as gentle as they come,” Cole promised.
“It’s all right with me,” I said, but I looked to Ivy for final say. She’d made the decisions for Lily for six years and I didn’t want to step on her toes now. She could have allergies or a fear of heights or something I knew nothing about.
Ivy nodded. “Me, too.”
Cole go
t her situated on the horse, adjusting the stirrups to her size, settling her hands on the pommel. Ivy, Hannah, and I watched from the fence line as Cole led Lily and the horse. He was just going to walk them around the property a bit to give Lily a feel for the animal. I was already thinking ahead to how we could set her up with proper riding lessons if they moved here. It would be easier—and cheaper—than getting her that pony.
Then it happened. It was as if time stood still. I had no idea what caused the horse to rear up—snake, prairie dog or something else—and Cole was quick to rein Casper in, but not before Lily lost her balance and tumbled off. Her pink cowgirl boots got caught in the stirrup and she whacked her head on the ground.
Holy fuck. Casper was gentle?
“Lily!” Ivy screamed as we ran to her side. She was lying there, not moving, blood trickling from her forehead. Cole was holding onto the horse’s lead, trying to keep her calm while trying to help Lily at the same time.
Panic had my heart racing and the terror I fought to keep at bay every day threatened to take control as I unhooked her foot from the stirrup. She was breathing but she wouldn’t wake up even though Ivy kept shouting her name over and over.
Doctor. We needed a doctor! Fuck, we were out in the goddamn boonies. The moment I thought it, I was firmly pushed aside as Hannah knelt beside Lily. “Let me see her.”
Hannah did a quick examination, her hands moving over Lily deftly and confidently, before looking up at us. Her grim expression did nothing to ease my panic.
I just found out I had a daughter. I couldn’t lose her now.
Ivy gripped my hand and that brought the world back into focus. Ivy needed me. Lily needed me. I had to be strong for them.
Hannah was talking and I forced myself to pay attention to her words despite the roaring in my ears as my pulse rate rocketed.
“We need to get her to the hospital,” she was saying. “I need access to their equipment to make sure she’s all right. She hit her head and we need to make sure there’s no swelling, no trauma we can’t see. My clinic won’t do.”
Hospital. Yes. We needed to get to a hospital. Good. She had a plan to get my daughter help.
“The nearest one’s in Bozeman,” I said. “That’s two hours away!”
“You can take her by helicopter. I’ll be with her. With both of you,” Hannah promised.
I nodded. “Yes. Good idea. Rory can fly her.”
“Rory’s not here. Oh my god, he’s in Bozeman for that meeting.” I never wanted to hear the panic in Ivy’s voice ever again. Her desperate eyes turned to me. “You’ll fly her.”
I stared at Ivy as if she told me I was to fly us to the moon in a rocket, not to Bozeman in a helicopter.
“No.” The one word escaped my lips and I looked away. I wanted to throw up. God, no.
Hannah’s hands were on my shoulders, her grip firm, forcing me to face her. She looked more fierce than my commanding officer in the army. “Listen to me, Cooper. You’re licensed. Experienced. You have the chopper. I need you to fly us.”
I looked from her to Ivy, but Ivy was solely focused on Lily. The fear in her expression was heartbreaking to see.
I shook my head. “I can’t.” I can’t. The words were there. I didn’t say them but Hannah must have seen my hesitation because her grim expression intensified. “I can’t pilot one again.” When she frowned, I admitted my worst. “I killed six of my men. The chopper was hit and we went down. They…they all died.”
I remembered the heat, the warning bells that filled the chopper’s cabin. The smoke. One of the men screaming in pain. The way the desert got bigger and bigger as I fought for control. Waking up, a section of the chopper embedded in my arm and shoulder. Silence. I was sweating, but cold all at the same time.
Compassion softened her gaze, but not her resolve. “We’re not at war. No one will be shooting at us. Lily needs care now and you’re her best bet.”
Cole tugged me to my feet, put his hands on my shoulders. His gaze was serious. “We need you to do this, Cooper. Ivy needs you. Your daughter needs you.”
Your daughter needs you. They were quite possibly the only words that could have broken through that terror-induced haze. Lily needed me.
I nodded and Cole scooped Lily up into his arms, her body wilted and completely void of all her exuberance and boundless energy.
Yes, Lily needed me to be strong. I hadn’t saved my men, but I could save her. Reaching down, I helped Ivy to stand. “Come on,” I said, nudging her toward Cole’s truck, which was the closest. I could do this. I could save my daughter. “We’ve got to get Lily to the hospital.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
RORY
My heart was racing as I sped to the Bozeman hospital. Cole had called me several times, but I’d had my phone on silent during my meeting, only to hear his frantic messages when it was over. Dread had my stomach churning. This was just like before. The same overwhelming cascade of emotions I’d had when I’d gotten the call that Cooper had been in an accident. That he was in the combat hospital being stabilized and readied for transport to Germany. Knowing his chopper had gone down, but not what his injuries were.
This sense of helplessness was sickening. Someone I loved was hurt and there was nothing I could do. If something happened to Lily…if she didn’t make it.
I cut off that line of thought before this anxiety turned into outright panic. Thinking of the worst possible scenario wouldn’t do anybody any good. But still, the ache in my gut refused to go away. The pain in my heart was excruciating. I couldn’t go through this again. Never again.
Fuck! I slapped my hand on the wheel and tried to catch my breath. I slammed on my brakes and parked in the fire lane, not caring if my car got towed.
I found Cooper and Ivy in the ER waiting room talking to Hannah. Ivy sobbed when she saw me and came running into my arms. I shot Cooper a terrified look as I tried to catch my breath.
“Lily’s okay,” he said, his voice steady, but full of emotion. “She’s got a concussion, no internal bleeding. She’s going to be fine.”
My knees practically buckled in relief. I was supposed to be the strong one, to take care of Ivy, but I felt as if she were the one holding me up, comforting me.
Cooper looked pale but happier than I’d seen him in months. I held Ivy closer and stroked her back as she cried in relief. A little while later a nurse came out to find us. She looked between the three of us. “Who are Lily’s parents?”
Ivy spoke first. “We all are.”
We all are. Cooper gave me a small smile over her head, but I was too focused on seeing Lily to think about anything else. My anxiety still hadn’t eased and I knew it wouldn’t until I saw her for myself.
She was asleep in her room when we arrived, but her cheeks were flushed and aside from an IV in her arm and a white bandage on her forehead, she looked whole enough. I took her tiny hand in mine and only then did I let myself revel in the realization that she really was okay. She was going to be just fine and she would be in our lives every day—no matter what. I didn’t care where. It didn’t matter.
When she opened her eyes and smiled up at us, I was sure my heart was going to burst out of my chest. I’d had no idea I could love anyone so much, or in such a short amount of time. It was different than the way I loved Ivy. I loved her unconditionally, but this…this intensity I felt for Lily, well, it was pure.
It wiped away the painful memories and all thoughts of what ifs. I’d led Cooper to boot camp. I’d led him to war and he’d paid a hefty price, a price that still haunted him and would the rest of his life. His family almost lost him. Me? I’d had no family like him, nothing to come home to. Until now.
I had Cooper, sure, but now we were a family. Not just with Ivy, but with Lily, too. The past led us all to this moment. There would always be risks in this life—the more I loved, the more I risked losing. But looking at Lily, and turning to see the smiling faces of Ivy and Cooper—I knew it would be worth it.
This, right here in this room, was the family I’d never had but always wanted.
After a short visit, Lily started to yawn and the nurse told us she’d be tired from the medicine. Hannah had already told us they’d keep her overnight for observation because of the concussion, but everyone expected her to make a full recovery.
I called a local hotel and made a reservation while Ivy explained to Lily that we’d be staying the night. “One of us will always be here with you throughout the night,” she explained, sitting on the edge of her bed. “You have nothing to worry about.” She stroked her daughter’s hair and gave her the best smile she could manage considering her eyes were puffy from crying and the stress of the day had taken its toll.
The stress had taken a toll on all of us. Holy hell, I never wanted to go through that again.
It was only around dinnertime, but we all looked and felt exhausted. Hannah came in then to check on her patient. After checking a few vitals, she turned to the three of us. “She’s doing great.” Sizing us up, she gave us a sympathetic smile. “You three, on the other hand….”
Turning back to our daughter, she said, “Lily, what do you say if I take the first shift so your parents can go get cleaned up and maybe even rest a bit?”
“Can we watch TV?” Lily asked, her eyes lighting up at the prospect of a TV in her own room.
Hannah grinned at us over her shoulder. “We absolutely can.”
With that decided, she shooed the three of us out the door. “Go get some food and rest,” she ordered. “Lily and I will be just fine.”
Ivy hesitated in the doorway. “Are you sure? I should stay, in case she gets upset.”
Hannah’s look was firm but gentle as she placed her hands on Ivy’s shoulders and steered her toward the hallway. “She’s going to be just fine. Take a minute to breathe. To unwind before you blow your top. I’ll be with her the whole time.”