The Cowboys' Cure (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Jenny May

  “This is Austin, how may I help you?”

  Voices echoed in the background and she strained to make out the sounds. “Hello, Austin? It’s Dave from Gilroy’s. I need to make a payment over the phone.”

  Thank goodness. No more weird freaky calls. “Oh, absolutely. Let me put you on hold for a few seconds while I head back to my office.” She smiled at James and pressed the button, hanging up the phone. “Just Dave. Time to get back to work.” Austin grabbed the coffee and headed to the door.

  “You will come to me if you need help with anything, won’t you?”

  The blue of James’s eyes stood out bright against the white polo shirt he wore. She couldn’t help but nod at the tenderness in his tone. “I will. Thank you.”

  “Good. Lunch at Rose’s, today. Me, you, and Mexican food. You’re not allowed to decline, either. We’re sticking together if you have to go into town, so we’ll do the deposits afterward, that way we’re not wasting a trip.”

  Maybe it was for the best. Now that John knew where she was, Austin just didn’t feel quite so comfortable anymore. The stranger who called, though, that guy could shove it up his ass. She wasn’t going to let that get to her.

  “I wouldn’t turn you down for the world. I love Rose’s.” Austin threw him a smile and headed back to her office. So what if it was a bad day. She’d had worse, and this wasn’t even a blimp in the radar compared to what she’d been through.

  Chapter 15

  William slammed his gloved hand down on top of the post as he shoved the phone back into his pocket. James’s call hadn’t helped with the endless bullshit they were having to deal with here at the ranch. It was one problem after the next and what they thought was one cut wire had turned out to be multiple ones in six different locations. Cattle were spread out into Mr. Raider’s property, mixed in with his livestock. Sorting them and herding them back over had turned into a fucking disaster.

  “Who was on the phone?” Scott walked over from the section of the fence he had been repairing.

  “James.” The conversation filtered through his mind only making him even angrier. “He wanted to check on the fence and how things were going. He and Austin are going to Rose’s at eleven. Wanted to tell me that he was going to start making her runs with her.”

  Scott narrowed his eyes. “I don’t understand. Lunch, yeah, they do that all the time, but why would he start going everywhere with her?”

  “John,” William snapped. He pulled at the wire. “He left a voice mail on James’s phone saying he should pretty much fire Austin because she supposedly stole money from him before she left. It’s bullshit, of course. James said Austin explained it to him. The money she took she had access to, and helped put there to begin with. But the worst part is that he knows where she works.”

  William let go and sat on the ground, resting against the post. “It gets worse.”

  “Shit.”

  “Yeah. Austin mentioned a call to James. Seemed pretty upset about it. After that, he started answering the phone. Got two more so far, but he didn’t tell her. Seems the heart of Crush is deep at work trying to save another soul. The guy spurted all kinds of names out about Austin. Told James that he was harboring a sinner, and he needed to ask forgiveness for that. It’s not good.”

  Scott sat down, not a foot away. “And so it begins.” He shook his head. “We haven’t even really been anywhere. How would they know?”

  “How do they ever know anything? Austin is attractive. She was bound to catch more than a few pairs of eyes. Once they learned she lived out here with us, it wouldn’t take much for assumptions to come into play. Hell, you remember how much heat we dealt with the first few years. The phone calls. The names. The looks. Crush is bored. There’s a new member of the town and therefore, a new game. I don’t doubt they’re loving every minute of this.”

  “Well, I’m not.” Scott lifted his hat, wiping the sweat on the sleeve of his shirt. “It has to stop. But how?”

  Wasn’t that the ultimate question? William shook his head, clueless. “There’s nothing we can do but ignore them and keep living our lives. As long as we’re happy, that’s all that matters.”

  “I just hope what we have is strong enough. I never wanted this for Austin. In my eyes, she deserves more. I’m greedy by not letting her go, but I just can’t. She’s everything I’ve imagined for a partner, and from what I can tell, her love for us and our way of life is genuine. To lose her would be losing a huge piece of my heart, and I won’t let that happen. I don’t care if I have to take on Crush, John, or anyone else who wants to tear us apart.”

  William pushed to his feet and reached out for Scott’s hand. “We love her, and she loves us. As long as we continue to show her, no one can come between that. Have faith. It’ll all work out.”

  “I hope you’re right.” Scott’s hand locked onto William’s, and he pulled his friend to his feet. As they began working back on the fence, he let his mind wander to how Austin was doing. How much had the call truly affected her? What were they going to do about John knowing her location? So many questions, and they just kept piling on.

  The wind picked up and William noticed the air was considerably cooler. He glanced up to the sky and had to do a double take. “Shit. Didn’t you watch the weather this morning while I was cooking?”

  Scott was already staring at the dark clouds in the distance. “Yeah, looks like the storm came earlier than expected. Still thought we’d have a few hours.” Scott picked up the loose wire around his feet and walked to the truck, tossing it into the bed. “Fence is fixed good enough for today. We can do the rest tomorrow. The cattle should be fine in the north pasture for the time being. What do you say we take a trip into town and join our girl and James for lunch?”

  William couldn’t stop the smile that came to his face. “I say that sounds like a damn good idea. We’ve only been separated for a few hours and I miss her like crazy.”

  “Me, too.”

  The truck was loaded within minutes and before William knew it they were headed down the highway, right for downtown Crush. They went through a light, witnessing nonchalant residents walk the streets, heading into the western stores, the barber, and a resale shop on the corner. Scott drove the truck around to the backside of the block and pulled in a gravel parking area.

  James’s fancy new Dodge Power Wagon sat a few cars over, so much newer than Scott and William’s early nineties white Ford. The black paint glistened in the light, mirroring the gold sedan dwarfed in comparison to the large jacked-up truck.

  William opened his door, and climbed out, still taking in the vehicle that easily cost his friend over sixty grand. Suddenly money wafted through his mind. Why it suddenly seemed important was odd. Didn’t insecurities usually play out more when two people first met? Apparently not.

  Gravel crunched under his boot while he made his way to Scott’s side, and strode across the empty street.

  Red walls decorated Rose’s. The trimming in bright yellow gave off more of an impression of a McDonald’s than anything, but the Mexican restaurant wasn’t even comparable to the fast food. Regardless what was on the plates, the meal was bound to melt in your mouth.

  Hardly ever did he and Scott go out to eat, but things were changing in that regard. Tonight they’d treat Austin to a fancy dinner. The dress code would call for them to wear suits. The difference in not only appearance, but attitude would come. He knew that as much as knew the difference in the breed of cattle.

  William had only worn a suit twice in his life, but he remembered the feeling he got as he’d worn it. Power. Dominance. Everything Scott already held in his true personality would adorn William’s usual easygoing style, and truthfully, he couldn’t wait.

  Laughing filled the streets as an older couple walked out of the doors. Immediately, William knew them. Mr. and Mrs. Kilver. The couple was big in the Baptist church. The joy within them faded and their lips curled back for the briefest moment. After everything that had happened t
his morning all William wanted to do was explode his bottled up anger at their dismissing ways. Who were they to look down upon him and Scott? They didn’t know the pain the two of them had battled over the years. Didn’t even have their status right. Before they’d been looked down upon because people assumed they were gay. Now that a woman was involved, lord only knew how they viewed the relationship.

  Fuck ‘em. William flashed a bright smile and tipped his hat. A small intake of breath from Mrs. Kilver gave the impression that he’d just injected her with the most deadly plague known to man. The fear that filled her features accompanied with the tugging of her beige cardigan while she hugged her chest was almost shocking. Was she really afraid and threatened by them so much? Why? For being happy? Or for not living the life almost every adult resident in this town did?

  Whispering poured from the elderly couple as they passed, feeding the anger even more. Through the years he’d tried to be nice, but that time was over. If they continued to harass Austin and cause her fear, then the gloves were off. Let them think whatever the hell they wanted. Nothing was going to change. Austin was here to stay. That was a fact, and anyone who tried to mess with his happiness would deal with the wrath that would follow. He may have told Scott things were going to work out fine, and they would, but he wasn’t going to lie down in front of them while that happened. Crush would know he stood by what he believed, one way or another.

  A ding filled the small space while they walked through the door. Bright colored ponchos and sombreros hung on the walls. From the black and white tiled floors to the small square tables and surrounding booths, it looked like any hole in the wall. The food is what drew people in by the flock, not the decoration.

  Clear across the room, in the back corner, Austin was staring over at James. The smile on her face was breathtakingly beautiful. She looked happy for the briefest moment. As he said something, she nodded in agreement, and glanced to the side. Melancholy filled her face, giving him a glimpse into her soul. She didn’t want to be here. That was enough for him to want to cloak her in his arms and sweep her through the door. No more being on display. No more public ridicule. Just safety and love from him and Scott, and their ranch.

  Dark hair tossed over her shoulder and as if she sensed them, her eyes came up. True happiness shone through and she was rushing from the table, toward them before she probably even realized what she was doing.

  “I can’t believe you’re here.” She threw herself, first into Scott’s arms, and then into his. The small kiss she placed on their cheeks was probably temporary insanity. Austin would know it wasn’t smart to do too much in public, but that she’d done anything at all was just more proof of her deep feelings.

  “We finished up early. Thought maybe we’d join you.”

  Tightness gripped his hand as she reached over and took both him and Scott, pulling them toward the table. James threw them a smile. They took their seat across from each other, leaving her and James facing. The way Austin was in between them was just where she was meant to be. Even if it was at a table.

  “What brought y’all into town?” Thunder, so loud, boomed through the interior of the restaurant practically shaking the walls. A smile came to James’s face. “Never mind. I guess that pretty much sums it up.”

  Scott nodded. “We were about done, anyway. Won’t be a problem to finish up tomorrow.”

  A waitress approached the table, pulling a small pad from her front pocket. Attached was a pen. “Do you know what you’d like to drink?” While she spoke, she handed the two of them menus. William and Scott didn’t even bother opening them. They got the same thing every time they came here.

  “Tea for both, and we already know what we’d like.” They handed back over the menus. Scott spouted out his order and William followed with his three-cheese enchilada plate. Talking broke out between the three of them while he watched on. Mainly, he couldn’t take his focus off of Austin. She’d reached out and gripped to their hands tightly. If she feared what anyone thought, it didn’t show.

  Minutes went by and her and James’s plate were brought out. It wasn’t long after that his and Scott’s followed. While they ate, William let his mind race. He wasn’t sure whether it was being in town, or just the fact that the reality of their situation was coming to light. Before, he hadn’t wanted to really think about it. Having Austin was his main priority, but Scott had been smart to actually picture what they were facing. Now that he knew, his guard was up. He couldn’t stop taking peeks around the room to see who was staring. Luckily, no one at the moment.

  “So.” James gestured to their hands. “This. It’s really happening?”

  They all looked between each other, the happiness radiating from each of them. William brought Austin’s hand to his mouth, kissing her knuckles while keeping a connection with her green eyes. “Yep. We’re lucky beyond belief.”

  “You are.” Gloom laced James’s words and it had William turning back to his friend. The draw in his eyebrows and downcast attention spoke of sadness. When James’s tone started off soft, William felt his stomach tighten, and he wasn’t exactly sure why.

  “I have a confession to make and I’m sorry if it upsets any of you, but I feel out of loyalty, I have an obligation to make this known.”

  Confession? The grip of Austin’s hand exceeded as she tightened her grasp and looked down. The slight rise and fall of her chest had him narrowing his eyes and bringing his attention back to his James.

  Small flicks of James’s fingers set of all kinds of alarms. It was a nervous tic. One William had seen in a million times while growing up.

  “For heaven’s sake, just say it.” Scott’s voice was deep. Angry.

  Small tremors raced through his core while his gaze moved back to Austin.

  “This morning, before I knew about the three of you, I asked Austin on a date.” Her eyes slowly rose from the table carrying sorrow William wasn’t prepared to see. James stole a glance in her direction. “She declined, and told me about the three of you. I’m sorry, but I thought you should know. I might have also let my feelings get the best of me. I told her that I think about her all the time. And I do. Even mentioned if she was opened to love another, not to forget about me.”

  Scott eased to his feet, glaring down at James. “Are you fucking serious? Was the first time not enough for you?”

  “I swear I’m not trying to hurt you intentionally. The last thing I want to do is ruin our friendship. But you told me from the beginning to give it time. To let her heal. I did. You knew how I felt. Let me ask you this.” James met Scott’s look with an angry one of his own. “How long did you two wait before making your advances toward her? Did you take your own advice?”

  The anger so prominent in Scott’s face vanished almost instantly. “Stay the fuck away from her. We’re not going down this road again.”

  Random people stood at their tables. The room was so silent that you could have heard a pin drop. William withdrew forty dollars from his wallet and threw it down on the table. “Your morality knows no bounds, James.” William stood. “Scott, Austin, let’s go.”

  “I don’t think so,” Austin snapped. “Sit down right now, both of you. We’re not leaving this table until we have everything worked out. We’re all friends. James is my boss. He was honest enough to tell you. Now if there are issues about a past woman, we’re going to work through them right now. Not just because this is the first time I’m hearing about it.” She cut her eyes over to Scott. “But because if we leave this table, we may never be able to right this wrong. I will not risk losing a good friend for his honesty. Now sit.”

  A small growl left Scott, but he obeyed. Only then did William take a seat.

  “One of you explain to me about this woman who came between you to begin with.”

  Life reentered the restaurant while James scooted his chair forward and adjusted his shirt. “It was a mistake. Scott and I weren’t really friends in high school. We knew each other, but never hung out. Th
ere was a girl. Shirley Dennison.” The way James averted his gaze made it appear he was as regretful as he’d claimed over the years, or he was one hell of an actor.

  “I knew her and Scott had been together, but it’s not like I ever really saw them to together. Like I said, we hung out with different crowds. Well, one night we were all drinking down by the river and she showed up with a few friends. Came onto me, but I told her I wasn’t interested. Brought up that she was with Scott. After a good twenty minutes of her trying to convince me they weren’t together anymore, I caved.” He shook his head. “I was young, drunk, and stupid. We started dating. Lasted for all the two days before Scott found out and beat the living shit out of me. I broke it off immediately. I’m not the cheating kind, dammit. I’d never intentionally go after a woman who was taken.”

  Austin turned to Scott. “Is there anything you want to add?”

  “Not really. He’s probably right, although she told a different story.”

  Scraping against the floor filled the space as James moved even closer to the table. “I did not take advantage of her while she was drunk, Scott. I told you that a million times. She was the one pursuing me.”

  “All right.” Austin held up her hand. “Scott, do you believe him?”

  So many emotions swept across his face, but quickly disappeared. “I actually do.”

  Surprise only lasted for a minute before she nodded. “So is that settled then? No more grudges?”

  They both looked at each other, shaking their heads.

  “Good. Now it leads us to today.” She turned to James. “You expressing your feelings, and your…request took me by surprise. I’m not going to lie. I was pretty taken aback. You’re a great guy, James. But let me make something very clear while we’re all sitting here. My heart is with William and Scott. I’m sorry, but that’s not going to change. For me, it’s only them. I really hope you can understand and we can all move past this and continue to stay friends.”