by Sable Hunter
“A committed threesome.” Christian explained with a straight face.
“Polyamorous.” Olivia supplied.
“That’s it!” Christian smiled. “I can’t ever remember that word.”
Ryder looked flummoxed. “I’m not sure why you would need to know that word.”
He spread his hands. “Obviously, I should. My daughter is involved in such a relationship. Right? An intimate relationship with more than one partner, with the knowledge and consent of all.”
“Oh, my goodness.” Ryder covered her eyes. “What did you mean that nothing changes? I haven’t done this before. Although, they’re good men, Daddy. They’re the best.” She kissed his cheek. “Almost as good as you.”
“Ryder, I don’t know if you remember, but one of anything was never good enough for you. You had to have two kittens, two puppies, two cookies, two Easter dresses, two candy bars, two chicken legs…”
Ryder laughed, burying her head in his shoulder. “Stop, Daddy. You make me sound like a greedy grabber.”
“You are a greedy grabber.” His voice went solemn. “Your mother always said it was because your heart was so big.”
“And apparently, my stomach.”
“Regardless, Carolyn always said you had love enough for two.” He kissed her on the forehead. “And your mother was always right.”
Ryder was so shocked, she just had to ask. “Are you sure you’re okay with this? You do understand what I’m doing? I’m living with two men…having…”
“Stop!” Christian held up his hand. “Please don’t draw me a picture. I may be old, but I’m not dead. And I’m not a prude.” He held up his hand and motioned Olivia to come to him. “What do you think Olivia and I have been doing all this time, playing tiddlywinks?”
Ryder’s eyes widened. “I’m not sure I want to know what you and Olivia have been doing.”
“But you want me to be happy, don’t you?” He took Olivia’s hand in his and kissed it.
“Yes,” Ryder answered unequivocally.
“And I want you to be happy also.” He rubbed Ryder’s back. “Now, when can I meet these two men of yours?”
“Well…they’re outside. How about now?” she asked tentatively.
“Good. Olivia, darling, would you ask our other guests to join us?”
“Certainly.”
Once Olivia was gone, Ryder looked at her father. “You’re being wonderful, but I know this had to have been a shock. I’m sorry, I should have told you first. After what happened to you a little while ago, when you had to go to the hospital, I didn’t know how. I was afraid it would set you back.”
“And you wanted to be my good girl, didn’t you, sweetheart?”
“Yes.” She gazed at her father lovingly. “I always want to be your good girl.”
“Well, don’t worry about me, or your family. What I want you to do is get out of town until this crap dies down. In a few days, something else will catch people’s eye. Just have those Duke boys take you on a nice trip. Then, come back and we’ll have Thanksgiving together, the whole family.”
Thanksgiving. Ryder hid a grin. The Indians and the Pilgrims managed to sit down together for a meal, but she didn’t know if a holiday meal between the Dukes and the McCoys would be nearly as peaceful.
“What about Heath?” Ryder couldn’t help but ask, as she heard the front door open and shut.
“You let me worry about Heath. I’m still the patriarch of this clan.” He motioned at the door for Samson and Gideon to enter. “Now, you girls go on and let the men talk.”
Ryder started to just give her men a small smile, but after speaking to her father, she didn’t hold back. She hugged and kissed each one. “Everything’s okay,” she whispered to them, then she left to join her sister and Olivia in the kitchen.
Left behind, Samson and Gideon sat down in front of Christian McCoy.
“I hear you’re dating my daughter.”
The gruff voice came as no surprise to either man.
“Yes, sir. We love your daughter very much,” Gideon said.
“Huh.” Christian looked at Samson. “I remember you telling me at the hospital that your intentions were honorable.”
“Yes, sir.” Samson nodded. “They still are. My brother and I are totally committed to Ryder.”
“Have you asked her to marry you?”
Samson sent a direct message to Gideon. Nothing like being put on the spot.
I say we go for it, ask for his permission to propose.
Are you ready for this?
I am. How about you?
Completely.
“Not yet, we were waiting for the right time,” Samson said, by way of explanation.
“May we have your blessing, Sir?” Gideon wanted to waste no time.
“I would say the time is right, and yes, you do have my blessing. I do have a favor to ask of you.”
“What’s that?” Gideon asked at the same time as Samson said, “Just name it.”
“I think you ought to take my girl out of town, get her away from anyone who would know her. Not for long, just a few days. I happen to know something’s about to go down that will take everyone’s mind off romance.”
Samson and Gideon caught one another’s eyes. “What do you mean?”
“I can’t say, just know for certain that no one in this part of the world will be thinking about something so unimportant as two billionaire space explorers dating one woman.”
“Good Lord,” Gideon mused. “What’s going down? Is Texas about to secede from the union?”
“Close.” Christian laughed. “Not quite as dire, but close.”
“Thank you, sir.” The Dukes stood to shake Christian’s hand. “You won’t ever have to worry. We’d die for your daughter.”
“I expect nothing less.”
When they left to find Ryder, she was waiting at the far end of the hall, watching. Running to meet them, she threw herself against them. “Is everything okay?”
“Perfect. Your father understands and has given us his blessing,” Samson blurted out.
Hey, don’t blow the proposal. Gideon chided him in his mind.
Ryder searched their faces. “His blessing?”
“Yes, he is happy you’re happy.” Gideon tried to smooth things over, at least until they could buy a ring.
Ryder let out a long, relieved sigh. “Good. Can we go home now?”
“You mean Falconhead?” Samson asked, needing to make sure.
“Yes…unless you’ve changed your mind. We’ll have to give Pepper a ride, of course.”
“Oh, we haven’t changed our minds at all,” Gideon assured her. “But when we get home to Falconhead, we’ll only be staying long enough for you to pack a bag.”
“Oh, really? Daddy said we should take a trip until the gossip dies down. Where are we going?” Ryder couldn’t help but be excited. This was all turning out so much better than she’d feared.
“You took us to paradise last night,” Samson whispered for her ears only. “How about we take you to paradise today?”
“Hawaii!” she squealed. “Really? I get to meet the dads?”
Loving how she thought, Gideon pulled her close. “Yes, you get to meet the dads. And they’re going to love you. No doubt about it.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Paradise, Hawaiian style.” Ryder sighed, staring out the window as the Duke’s private plane began its descent toward the big island. “Hawaii looks like a string of emerald beads in a lapis sea.”
Samson and Gideon watched her indulgently. They’d spent most of the trip working on the Mars launch, making sure all the paperwork was up to par. The only break they’d taken was to fulfill a wish on Ryder’s sex list. A threesome in the mile-high club.
“Is there anything special you want to do while we’re here?” Samson asked. He and Gideon had already arranged several surprises for her.
She shook her head, never taking her eyes from the scene below. “No, I just want
to experience your Hawaii. I want to see the islands through your eyes.”
Samson sent a mental message to Gideon. Is she perfect or what?
She is perfect. Did you call about the ring?
I did. We pick it up tomorrow.
“What are you two doing?” Ryder asked, causing the brothers to jerk their heads toward her. She wagged one small finger at them. “I know. You’re doing that brain/psychic thing, where you’re talking to one another. Aren’t you?”
“How can you tell?” Gideon asked, surprised.
Ryder smiled. “Well, it’s simple, really.” She made them wait a couple of seconds before she explained. “Samson gets this cute little wrinkle in his forehead, right over his nose. I guess he’s concentrating too hard.”
Samson looked disturbed. “Really?”
“What do I do?” Gideon asked, intrigued.
“You rub the cleft in your chin. Like this.” She showed him.
“Damn.” We’re never going to be able to hide anything from her.
Samson laughed as Ryder pointed at Gideon. “You’re doing it again!”
“Don’t worry, Princess. We were just planning a surprise for you,” Gideon assured her.
“Really, I want to see your home. Meet your fathers. Go for a long horseback ride on the beach. Maybe see the volcano…and surf. I want to surf.”
Samson looked disturbed. “All of those things are a yes, but the surfing. Surfing can be dangerous.” He’d never gotten over Gideon almost drowning and he never would.
“Oh, please, just dog paddling in the surf?” She looked so cute and hopeful, that Gideon relented. Almost.
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?” Ryder asked, her eyes wide.
“We’re going to keep you busy making love with us,” Samson murmured with confidence.
“Maybe,” Ryder said, causing both men to roar with laughter.
“I think we can tempt you into changing your mind.” They were both tantalized by Ryder’s sensual appetite, she was always as eager for them as they were for her.
Ryder didn’t argue with her men, they were right. “Oh, we’re about to land!” She smiled, staring out the window. “I think I see your parents. They’re waiting for us!”
“Mom and the Dads are here?” Gideon was surprised. “They never come to meet us.”
We’ve never brought a girl home before.
“True,” Gideon said out loud. “Are you sure it’s them?” He wasn’t sitting where he could see out the window.
“Well, I recognize your mother.” Ryder explained. “And the men look just like the two of you.”
The guys looked at one another and shrugged. “Can’t argue with that. I do look just like Solomon and Gideon is the image of Kona. You can’t see Mother in either one of us.”
“I can,” Ryder said with complete confidence. At their inquiring looks, she explained. “You both love like she does, with her whole heart.”
…A few minutes later, Ryder was met by three people who all wanted to hug her at the same time.
“Aloha, beautiful.” Solomon placed a lei around Ryder’s neck.
“Thank you.” She gave him a kiss. “I’m so pleased to meet you.”
“Aloha, nani.” Kona placed another lei around her neck.
“Aloha, sir. I remember nani means beautiful, thank you.” She gave the big Hawaiian a kiss on the cheek.
Lastly, she gave Leilani the longest hug. “I’m not wearing white, are you still glad to see me?”
“I’ll always be glad to see you. The wedding will come.”
Ryder didn’t argue, she didn’t know what to say. She, Samson, and Gideon had done a lot of planning and a lot of dreaming, but no one had mentioned marriage. Ryder was afraid to wonder why.
“Let’s go home. We brought the SUV. We can all ride together. I’ll drive.” Kona led the way.
“Why are you driving, Dad?” Gideon asked. “You hit all the potholes.”
Kona chuckled. “Reminds me of an amusement park ride.”
They all climbed in and held on as Kona drove them toward home.
Solomon made a circular motion with his hand, pointing out all the windows. “All this, as far as the eye can see is Lani.”
The pride in Solomon Duke’s voice was unmistakable. “I can’t wait to see everything. I’m more thrilled to be here than you’ll ever know,” Ryder said excitedly.
Leilani and her sons exchanged a glance, leaving Ryder questioning whether they had some sort of psychic connection with their mother. She quit worrying about it quickly, however. The tropical paradise out her window drew her whole attention. Driving from the private airport, they crossed over fields of green grass and by ponds of bright blue. Cattle and horses dotted the pastures, a familiar serene scene. Lani would have reminded her of home, except for two very important things. The volcano to her left and the ocean to her right. Palm trees completed the picture. Ryder couldn’t quit looking around. She was completely and totally impressed. Entranced. “I love it here; this is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen in my life.”
“Welcome home, Ryder.” Leilani gave her a meaningful glance. “Once you’ve had a taste of paradise, it’s hard to walk away.”
Ryder knew this to be true, she went to paradise every night in the arms of her two men.
“The place looks the same,” Samson noted. “I have to tell you I’m relieved.” He looked at his dad. “Mother said you and Kona made some changes. Want to tell me about it?”
“No talk of business until after dinner.” Leilani made the edict and no one refuted it.
“Is that your house?” Ryder asked, seeing a home up ahead.
“Yes, isn’t it lovely?” Leilani had no qualms stating her appreciation of their home.
“It is. And it looks nothing like I expected.” She craned her head to see better.
“What did you think Lani would be like?” Gideon asked, curious to know what Ryder was thinking.
She shrugged. “I don’t know, a glorified beach house. A big, luxurious treehouse.” Instead, she saw a huge white bungalow with a wrap-around porch. The yard was a lush mass of flowers – hibiscus, orchids, plumeria, and big tall birds of paradise. “You have a beautiful home,” she addressed Samson and Gideon. “I know the business reason you say you came to the states, but truly – I don’t have a clue how you could even consider leaving this place.”
“We left to find you,” Samson stated simply, causing Ryder to almost swoon.
“Awww, you three are so mushy. Reminds me of the two-finger poi I had for supper last night,” Kona murmured, laughing at them.
“You got mushy with me last night, big man,” Leilani teased.
Gideon held up his hands. “TMI! TMI! I remember the real reason why we moved away now.”
“What is two-fingered poi?” Ryder asked. “I mean, I know poi is like mashed potatoes.”
Everyone in the car appeared to be shocked at what she said. “Bite your tongue, Princess,” Gideon chided her playfully. “Poi is our traditional food, sweet as ambrosia. It is not only traditional, it is sacred. We are descended from the god of Poi. Out of respect, anytime it is placed on the table all arguments must cease.”
“Wow, then it’s sort of like Texas BBQ, we consider it sacred too.”
Samson and Solomon laughed at her joke. Kona, Leilani, and Gideon didn’t seem to find it quite as funny.
“How about the two-finger part. Is that something magical?”
“No.” This time it was Kona’s turn to laugh. “Depending on the thickness, or how much water is added, you might have to use one to three fingers to eat it.”
“Oh, I see. Thank you for explaining.” Ryder smiled, feeling happy. She also felt peaceful for the first time since seeing that stupid news report on television. Her father had been right, she needed to get away. Lani seemed to be a place where trouble could never touch her.
When they arrived at the house, they were welcomed inside. “Our wing is in the bac
k. Mother and the dads keep it for our use, almost the way we left it.”
Ryder turned in a circle, trying to take everything in. The house was light and airy. Sunshine and the breeze from the ocean could enter the home from its many windows, patios, and courtyards. Blue and white were the primary colors, but there were accent pieces, like pillows and artwork, in jewel tones of green, orange, and yellow.
“Go rest, explore. Just be back in time for supper,” Leilani instructed, giving each of them a kiss. “And be careful, the nightmarchers come tonight.”
Ryder was about to ask what the nightmarchers were, when she heard a very feminine squeal, then had to stand aside to keep from being knocked over by a rotund older woman who ran straight through the house and right into Samson and Gideon’s arms. They were standing close together, and the move seemed to be one they had done many times.
“Kali! Calm yourself!” Leilani scolded the woman, but her voice was full of affection. “Let the boys breathe.”
Ryder couldn’t look away. The older lady was crying and her men were obviously glad to see her; they were all smiles. “Kali, there’s someone we’d like to introduce you to.” Samson wrapped his arm around Kali and turned her to face Ryder. “Ryder, this is Kali Hale, our god-mother. Her husband is the local priest; he knows us all and loves us just the way we are. Kali, this is Ryder McCoy, our lady.”
Our lady. The term made her feel warm inside, it felt to be more than a mere girlfriend. She gave the men a special smile, then braced herself as Kali came to hug her with almost as much enthusiasm. “Hello, Kali.”
“I’m so glad to meet you, Ryder. I can tell my boys are happy just by looking at them.” After squeezing her for a few more moments, Kali pulled away. “The best years of my life was spent taking care of these two.” She whispered to Ryder, “they call me their godmother, but I was really just their cook and housekeeper. But nobody, nobody except their parents have loved Samson and Gideon more than me.” Leaning nearer, she spoke even softer, “until you. I can see it in your eyes.”