by Sable Hunter
“Me?” Ryder was shocked. “What do you mean? Sheriff Carroll said there was nothing for us to worry about.”
Samson’s amber eyes held hers. “You’ll learn very quickly, Princess, that the Dukes protect their friends. Don’t worry, the steps we’re taking won’t infringe on your freedom, your family won’t even be aware. Since Highlands borders our property and the only road going in and out of the area goes by Falconhead, it will be fairly easy to make sure you’re secure.”
Ryder was flabbergasted. “You’re assigning a bodyguard to me?”
“In a way,” he smiled. He pointed to Falconhead’s high tower. “From that high vantage point, we’ll monitor any traffic around your home.” At her raised eyebrow, he held up a hand. “Don’t think of this as spying on you, they’ll be looking for specific things. This is protective surveillance only.”
“So, our meeting today wasn’t a coincidence. Someone informed you I left the house.”
Samson had the good grace to look sheepish. “Yes, I was called the moment you headed to the barn.”
“Is that all?” She didn’t know whether to be angry or flattered.
He gave her a smile and Ryder couldn’t help but notice he had the sexiest dimples. “No. When you leave your home alone or with someone else, a car will discretely follow you.”
“Now, wait a minute, Samson…”
She pointed one elegant finger at him and Samson’s hand shot out to capture it. “No, you wait. What kind of men would we be if we didn’t make every effort to keep you safe? We’re alive because of you. The security guards who’ll follow you will keep their distance, you won’t even know they’re there unless something happens and then you’ll be glad to have them close.”
“But why would you think I was in any explicit danger? What do I have to do with any of this? The man didn’t see me. How would he even know I was involved?”
“Ryder, we can’t be sure who is involved. There could’ve been someone else at the cook-off watching to see what happened. They might think you could identify one of them.”
What he said made sense, she just didn’t like it. “Don’t I have a choice in the matter?” How was she supposed to move on, supposed to let go what she was feeling for the Dukes if they wouldn’t let her forget? “You can’t do this; you don’t have the right.”
“You gave me the right when you put your life on the line for me. When you ran straight into our arms, the deal was sealed. And the only choice you have is whether we guard you in the way I’m laying out or if you move in with us - lock stock and barrel - so we can protect you ourselves.”
She pressed her lips together. “I can’t believe this.”
“Believe it.” He handed her what, at first glance, looked like a cell phone. “Keep this with you.”
“I have a phone,” she muttered, but took it from his hand, raising it to her eyes to examine the item closely.
“You don’t have a phone like this, it’s a satellite phone. It will work anywhere at any time. My number is programed under #1. Gideon is #2. Gabe Kahn, our head of security is #3. 9-1-1 is #4 and your brothers and sister are programmed also. We will contact you often, but we expect you to contact us if you need anything…anything. Do you understand?”
Ryder shivered. She didn’t understand. “Why are you doing this? We don’t have a future together.”
Samson hung his head briefly, then raised his eyes to hers. “Neither one of us can be sure what the future holds. Gideon will tell you that I never give up.” He moved his mount close to Vashti, leaned over and stole a kiss. “I choose to believe we do have a future. Someday.” Samson gave her a smile. “I think it’s written in the stars.”
Pepper’s irate voice penetrated her daydream. “What do you mean, you have other people to consider and I don’t? My family is your family.”
“This is primarily between you and Judah,” she explained. “The family wouldn’t really think twice about you two getting together.” Ryder walked to the window and looked out, trying to shake off the wave of memories that were bombarding her brain. From the day Samson informed her of the steps they were taking to protect her – everything changed. While they’d been right, the watchful eye his team kept on her was unobtrusive, the twins themselves made no effort to hide their concern. They never pushed her to have a relationship, but they did remind her at every opportunity that they were going nowhere. They were waiting.
For her.
One day when she’d driven by Falconhead, Gideon had been waiting at the side of the road with a lei. When she’d slowed to a stop, he’d come to the car window and placed it around her neck. “Aloha, nani.”
“Nani?” she’d asked, repeating him, mainly because she was too tongue-tied to think of any other words.
“Nani means beautiful, and you are.” He’d kissed her, told her to be careful and sent her on her way.
Another time, Samson had met her on a walk, presenting her with a golden charm bracelet, and the brothers had taken to hiding charms for her in the fork of a tree where they’d met her more than once on horseback.
And as much as she was drawn to them, Ryder explained - more than once, “I can’t date you, you know that, I explained how I feel.”
“Who’s dating?” Gideon had said. “We’re just trying to be good neighbors, Princess.” As he’d kissed her hand, her arm, her shoulder. “Aren’t we being good neighbors?”
During the discussion with her sister, she played with the chain around her wrist – fingering the small charms that meant so much: a crescent moon, a star, a rocket, a heart, a horse, a tiara, and the number 3.
Pepper stood and straightened her clothes. “Don’t be so sure,” she muttered. “Heath said he didn’t trust that singer to put me first in his life.” Pepper hugged herself, feeling a chill coming on. She didn’t know if she was coming down with something or if this was just nerves. “Something more is going on with Judah, either he thinks he’s protecting me from God-knows-what or he doesn’t care anything about me at all.” She walked to her dresser and stared at her own tear-stained face in the mirror. “I just don’t know which it is.”
“You won’t know until you try to find out.”
“How about you? Are you going to just abandon your hopes and dreams?”
“Our circumstances are different, Pepper.” Ryder just wished she could convince her heart of what her mind had been forced to accept. Every time she built up a wall – they’d show up and tear it down. Over the past months, she’d lost count of how many times they’d made a point to see her – on a walk, a ride, or casually running into her on shopping trips, church, even once the library. Never pushing and usually bearing gifts. Sometimes these presents were costly by her standards, other times they were simple, like a journal Gideon gave her to record her poetry. Once she’d returned the favor by buying them gloves after they’d joined her for a ride on a blustery day and came barehanded. The small gesture seemed to mean more to Samson and Gideon than if anyone else had given them a million dollars.
“Exactly. Judah is pushing me away and the Dukes would do anything to pull you closer.”
“If Heath and the others found out the truth about Samson and Gideon, it would be World War Three around here.” This belief that her family couldn’t accept the Dukes, was really her only argument against being with them. Ryder had become so used to – or maybe addicted was the better word – to their impromptu appearances that when they didn’t show, she worried. The few times she’d used the satellite phone was to check on them when she felt they’d gone longer than usual in contacting her. Once she learned Gideon was sick, so she made him soup and took it to him. He’d seemed so touched and honored, she sat with him while he ate. Another time when she contacted them, the brothers were traveling in the Middle East and Samson immediately contacted her via Skype so she could see for herself they were okay. Her efforts to reach out to them were always rewarded. The next time they saw her, they would shower her with praise and affection –
and lots of kisses. All of this seemed so surreal to Ryder. Were they just good neighbors? Friends? Did she want more?
The brothers had been careful, in accordance with Ryder’s wishes, to keep their visits and meet-ups secret. Her family, including Pepper, had no idea what was going on. Sometimes Ryder felt like she was living in two worlds – one real and one a fantasy.
Whirling around, Pepper faced Ryder. “I know you pushed them away, but they’ve never stopped trying. The three of you are at a romantic stalemate. They’ve reached out to you and you want them, I know you do. I can see it in your eyes. What are you waiting for?”
What was she waiting for? A miracle. Ryder hated to lie to her sister, but she saw no other way around it. Her family wouldn’t understand. She didn’t even understand. In her frustrations, Ryder picked up a pillow from Pepper’s bed and hurled it across the room. “How would this work, Pepper? Two men. No matter what I might want, you know how the family would feel about this. Hell, it might kill Daddy. He’s had a series of strokes already. Do you think I want that on my conscience? Sometimes you must do what’s right, not what you necessarily want.”
“Even if it breaks your heart, Ryder?”
“Yes. Even if it breaks my heart.”
“What would it take to change your mind?”
Ryder wished Pepper would just let the whole idea go. “A miracle. A divine intervention. Maybe if they just kidnapped me and I had no choice.” She couldn’t help but smile at her own ridiculous suggestions. “That might be fun.”
“Well, since I’m praying for a miracle of my own, I’ll just add a few extra novenas for you.” Pepper assured her with a smile, a rather sneaky smile.
…At Falconhead, the Dukes were having a family discussion of their own. Nothing throws two grown men off their game like having their mother come visit.
“I want to meet this woman.” Leilani sat primly at the kitchen table. “Invite her to tea.”
Samson looked thunderstruck. “I will not invite Ryder to tea so you can grill her, Mother.” He’d made the mistake one night of pouring his heart out on the phone, telling his mother about their secret rendezvous with Ryder and what a toll the emotional distance they were forced to maintain from the woman they were fast falling in love with was costing them.
“This is a problem neither our money nor our mommy can fix.” Gideon chuckled sadly, leaning his chair back on the tiled floor.
“Sit up straight, son. You underestimate me. I don’t intend to push; I just intend to subtly find out how she feels.”
Thurgood arrived with a silver tray, heavily laden with refreshments. He sat it down, then proceeded to serve them, pouring coffee for the men and tea for the lady. “May I order a car for you, madam?”
Samson cut his eyes toward their old butler. “Don’t encourage her, Thurgood. We don’t need Mother to fight our battles for us.” The last time they’d spoken to Ryder, just the night before, he could tell she was also feeling frustrated by their odd predicament. While they were trying to abide by Ryder’s wishes, his patience was wearing thin and he knew Gideon’s was also.
“Yes, sir.” He leaned over to whisper to Leilani. “They require assistance in this romantic stand-off.”
Leilani laughed. “Very well. My flight to Paris doesn’t leave until tomorrow. We have plenty of time.”
“Mother, no.” Samson was insistent. Pressuring Ryder wasn’t the way to go. They ought to know, they’d been stalking her like predators for a year without much success. Oh, they’d handled her with kid gloves, but they’d left no doubt in her mind that they wanted more. And…if there was any doubt, when she saw the new name of the rockets they were about to launch, that doubt would be blown sky high. Pun intended. Ryder-I and Ryder-II were set to be put into orbit within the month.
“Fine.” She held up her hands. “I will behave. I just want a chance to meet your neighbors. A woman gets hungry for female companionship. This place is like home, too much testosterone.”
You might as well let it go, Samson. She’s going to do what she wants to.
Nothing’s changed. Right?
“How are our fathers?” Samson asked as he checked his phone. Text messages kept popping up like ant hills.
“They are good. The ranch keeps them busy. You must visit soon and see the changes they are making. We are thinking of opening the main house to visitors.” Leilani sipped her tea, munching on a lemon cookie.
“Why in the world would you do something like that?” Samson asked, clearly upset at the notion.
Leilani spread her hands. “For history. Our family is descended from the island’s royalty, we have much to share, much we can teach the children.”
Gideon placed his hand over his mother’s. “Let’s discuss this before we decide anything. Until we’re convinced all threats are contained against us, we don’t want to have to worry about you and the dads. Also, our way of life is not understood. I’m not sure shining the spotlight on it is the best thing to do.”
“Mother, we’ll have dinner together tonight.” Samson stood, picking up his hat. “Right now, we’ve got to make a conference call.”
Following suit, Gideon rose, then leaned over to kiss his mother. “You behave, Makuahine.”
She gave him a complacent smile. “What fun would that be?”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.” Samson growled good naturedly as they headed for the hall. “We’re in trouble, aren’t we?”
“I suspect we are,” Gideon mused, opening the office door and stepping through. “Mother’s on a mission, changing her mind would be impossible at this point.”
“I wish she wouldn’t. I feel as if we’ve made some progress with Ryder and I don’t want Mother to jeopardize that progress.”
“I’m not so sure we have made any significant headway.” Gideon sat down at a large mahogany table, opening the lid of a computer. “We’ve got her more used to being around us, but I still don’t think she’s ready to let us into her life in any meaningful way.”
“I’m not giving up,” Samson stated flatly, crossing his arms and staring at the screen while Gideon placed the call. “I can’t read her mind like I can yours, but her face lights up every time she sees us. And if we don’t call at our usual time, she gets antsy.”
“Shoot, you don’t give her a chance to get antsy.” Gideon barked a low laugh. “Look, we might not have a choice but to give up. She’s still turning us down if we even hint at anything more than a causal meeting.”
“Ever the pessimist, aren’t you?”
“That’s my role, not everyone can be a cockeyed optimist like you.” He pointed at the computer as the face of a man appeared. “I fear it’s going to be far easier to get this astronaut and the payload to the International Space Station than it will be to get to first base with the sweet girl next door.”
* * *
Ryder stood on the balcony outside her bedroom, staring at the rooftops of Falconhead Manor. What were Samson and Gideon doing this morning? Did they miss her? They’d taken to calling her right about bedtime every night. Just hearing their voices gave her strength to get up in the morning. She hugged herself tightly, trying to ignore the ache in her chest. No matter what Pepper said, this was an impossible situation.
Her attention was drawn to a car coming down the hill, a red convertible. Ryder watched as the car turned off the main road and came down the drive toward Highlands Ranch. Knowing she was here alone, she turned to make her way downstairs to greet the visitor.
When she opened the door, Ryder was met by a beautiful woman with dark hair, impeccably dressed in a golden sarong-like garment.
“Hello, may I help you?”
The woman nodded graciously. “I’m sure you can. You are Ryder McCoy, are you not?”
“Yes, I am.” Ryder studied her face. There was something familiar about the woman. “Do I know you?”
“No, but it’s time you did. My name is Leilani. I am Samson and Gideon Duke’s mother.”
Ryder’s mouth opened, she almost forgot her manners. When she’d opened her eyes this morning, meeting Leilani Duke was the last thing she thought would happen. “Won’t you come in?” She stepped back, making room for her regal visitor to enter. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Leilani took the time to survey her surroundings. “You have a lovely home.” She gave Ryder a warm smile. “And you are a lovely girl. My sons have good taste.”
Ryder went weak in the knees. “Let’s sit down in the drawing room. Could I serve you a drink?”
“Yes, please. Water would be nice.”
Ryder accompanied Leilani to the sofa, then hurried to the kitchen to get her a glass of water. The McCoys had never hired a fulltime maid or housekeeper, so she wondered how this mother of billionaires would view her doing the serving. Scurrying to grab a piece of crystal, fill it from the tap, all without dropping the glass or tripping over the rug was quite a feat. What was she doing here? Ryder couldn’t even begin to fathom.
“Here you go.” She returned to present the glass to this woman who epitomized what she’d always presumed royalty to look like. Straight back, graceful air, perfect features. In contrast, Ryder felt gauche and unprepared. “If I’d known you were coming, I’d have dressed…” She ran her somewhat damp palms down the sides of her faded blue jeans.
“You look beautiful. You’re exactly what I expected.”
Leilani’s compliment didn’t do much to settle Ryder’s nerves. “So, you’re visiting your sons?” Obviously. How lame.
“Yes, I am.” The matriarch nodded. “I’m on my way to Paris. I try to stop in and check on my children as often as I can. Leaving my ranch and my two husbands isn’t something I enjoy doing, but since they have chosen to live half a world away from me, I do the best I can.”
“I can’t imagine being that far away from my folks.” Ryder spoke calmly, even as her mind was spinning. Two husbands?
“You love your family, don’t you?” Leilani smiled indulgently. “Loyalty is a very valuable quality. Tell me about yourself, Ryder, my dear.”