Bridled 3
Bridled and Bucked
Lynlee Lewis McCain is a targeted woman. Unable to understand why she’s another madman’s bull’s-eye, Lynlee relies on the McCain brothers to save her. But after one lunatic is put to rest, there’s another one awaiting his turn—and he shows his face when he’s least expected.
Blaine McCain wanted to love and protect his wife. In order to do that, he had to share her with those who were most capable of guarding her. Entrusting Lynlee’s life in the arms of his brothers and best friend, Blaine works with his family to help defend the woman he loves.
Will the McCain brothers and Rhett Mitchell save Lynlee from a serial killer’s protégé? And what risks will they take to safeguard the only woman they’ll ever truly trust and love?
Note: This book contains double vaginal penetration.
Genre: Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Western/Cowboys
Length: 40,485 words
BRIDLED AND BUCKED
Bridled 3
Natalie Acres
LOVEXTREME
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: LoveXtreme
BRIDLED AND BUCKED
Copyright © 2011 by Natalie Acres
E-book ISBN: 1-61034-713-7
First E-book Publication: August 2011
Cover design by Jinger Heaston
All art and logo copyright © 2011 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
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Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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BRIDLED AND BUCKED
Bridled 3
NATALIE ACRES
Copyright © 2011
Chapter One
Lynlee McCain sat with her knees tightly drawn against her chest. She tilted her head upward and inhaled the warm North Carolina mountain breeze rich with a variety of refreshing fragrances including a blend of lilac, honeysuckle, freshly cut grass, and a hint of hyacinth.
The morning was the start of a glorious May day. Lynlee plucked a buttercup from the soft soil, counting her blessings—and she had several to consider. The year in review brought a smile to her face, but just as quickly as she thought of the men in her life, she also recalled the threat that almost destroyed them all. Twirling the flower stem between forefinger and thumb, her mind’s eye refused to leave the past where bad memories should’ve remained. Dead and buried.
A few yards beyond a wooded nest of tall oaks and mature maples, birds scattered, rising high above the massive green bouquet of natural beauty. The flock didn’t depart with a soft song or silent glide toward the sky. Instead, they flew away as if someone disrupted them, like an intruder invaded their country, their fields. Flapping wings and high-pitched squealing resounded, reminding Lynlee of a bad scene from a horror movie.
“Is someone there?” Lynlee called out, pressing her palms to the ground. Lynlee’s pulse raced. Her heart pounded harder and harder. Someone was watching. Danger lurked. She sensed trouble. And rarely, if ever, was her sixth sense wrong.
“Hello?” she yelled, her eyes searching the meadows, the pasture beyond the rushing brook and spring-fed fishing pond.
Leaves whispered the only reply, ruffling with a rising wind. Lynlee hurried to her feet, alert and anxious.
She scoured the lay of the property before her. This was McCain territory, her land and home.
Two large forms emerged from the full forest. At first glance, she released a sigh, relieved to see men she initially thought were two of her own. Dressed in denim jeans and fitted T-shirts, their approach was slow and easy. One cowboy, the tallest fellow, took the lead. Coming forward, he kept a predator’s gait, cautious and deliberate with his head down, the brim of his hat settled low on his brow. That’s when she spotted a noticeable limp.
None of her guys walked with a break in their stride.
Lynlee recognized the danger, the old promise of a dated threat humming in her ears, beating softly like death’s march. Lynlee didn’t waste another moment by second-guessing her fear. She’d learned valuable lessons from the past and if she wanted to survive, there was only one thing left to do—run.
* * * *
“Anyone seen Lynlee in the last hour?” Carlisle asked, tossing a court document on the dining room table.
“Well, if it isn’t our well-respected family attorney. Where ya been, lil’ brother?” Dallas asked, grabbing an apple from the table centerpiece filled to overflowing with oranges, ripe bananas, and other fresh fruits.
“Some McCains work for a living,” Carlisle replied, watching as Dallas tucked a napkin in his shirt, rolled up his sleeves, and sat down to a full country breakfast.
“The ambitious rise with the chickens,” Blaine remarked, entering the formal area with manure-covered boots. “And Lynlee went for a walk.”
“Which probably means she made it as far as the barn,” Dallas said, looking down at the mess Blaine made as he tracked up the hardwood floors. “Her mare should drop that foal sometime today. For your sake and mine, I hope she does. Otherwise, we’re in for a long night ahead.”
“You’re telling me,” Blaine g
rumbled. “I’ve already had a week of sleepless nights no thanks to running back and forth to check on that stubborn horse. Lynlee wants a report whenever she rolls over.”
“I’d fix that if I were you,” Dallas said, jabbing his fork in midair as if to make a point. “Grab a brother and stick him on the other side of Lynlee. Hell, if you’re gonna share your wife, the duties that go along with being a husband should be divvied up, too.”
Carlisle stood at the bay window. Shutting out the conversation around him, he eyed the open fields beyond the front yard, his gaze following the sharp white fence. Since five o’clock, he’d been dealing with an uneasy feeling. He wasn’t the only one. Lantry joined him for coffee right before dawn insisting something wasn’t quite right. His brother wasn’t the paranoid type. He seldom worried about much.
The family renegade, Lantry kind of went with the idea that anyone dumb enough to piss him off deserved what he or she had coming. A cowboy with more attitude and brains than he’d ever have fear, Lantry went as far as checking with the local authorities to make sure some of the criminals he’d helped put away were still safe and sound in the penitentiary.
Carlisle still wasn’t satisfied after Lantry reported back that the crooks he knew would enjoy yet another breakfast consisting of powdered eggs, dry toast, and water. Something still didn’t feel right. There was a dark cloud hanging over them somewhere.
“What’s wrong with Heidi?” Blaine asked, staring at the family pet after she plopped down at Carlisle’s feet.
“She and I had a disagreement. She chewed up a pair of my socks and I scolded her. Leave her be. She’ll bounce back as soon as she sees her momma,” Dallas said, taking a swig of freshly squeezed orange juice.
“She acts like she’s too tired to move,” Blaine said, meeting Heidi’s gaze.
“She’s been with me all morning. She’s probably stressed out since Lynlee left without her or maybe I hurt her feelings. Who knows. I’m not a dog whisperer.”
Carlisle knelt next to the large chestnut-colored dog. He rubbed her body, massaged her legs and accepted her gratitude—a generous lick across his cheek. “What’s wrong, girl?”
The dog released a burdened sigh.
“She doesn’t think you’ll understand,” Dallas said, translating.
Carlisle chuckled. “I probably wouldn’t.” Lynlee was the only one who really related to Heidi.
The runt of a large litter, Heidi was only eight weeks old when they rescued her from a neighboring farm. A ball of fur with big brown eyes, she was a jittery little thing. When the McCains first found her, she was barely alert and would jerk when her eyes opened, acting as if she awaited another predator, another abuser attempting to finish her off.
Carlisle smiled as he thought of how much Lynlee loved this blasted dog. Heidi was a far cry from what she’d once been with paws chewed down to the bone and a matted coat full of burs. “You’re so spoiled,” Carlisle said, returning to an upright position.
“Yes, well, you can thank Lynlee for that,” Dallas said, shoveling a heap of scrambled eggs between his lips. “If she didn’t give her daily therapeutic massages, we wouldn’t have to work our schedules around Heidi’s routine.”
Carlisle smiled, remembering their first Heidi encounter. Lynlee had been so distraught when Blaine brought the puppy home. The dog’s raw hide was exposed, battered and bruised. From the moment Lynlee saw her, she vowed to massage her legs and paws daily without fail, fearing Blaine would take her to the vet and have her euthanized. She’d owned that promise, occasionally leaving bed in the middle of the night when she forgot to give the mutt attention.
Heidi’s ears flickered all at once. Her head jerked toward the door and she barked.
“I know,” Carlisle said. “I’m a little irritated at her, too. She’ll be back soon.”
Heidi ran to the door and scratched at the wood. Then, she pranced back to Carlisle and barked again. Carlisle sighed. “I’m telling Lynlee if she insists on having a spoiled mutt, she needs to fix up one of the spare bedrooms so we can send Heidi to her room when she misbehaves.”
“That’ll go over well,” Dallas said, reaching for a bowl of grits. “Make sure I’m around when you call Heidi a mutt in Lynlee’s presence.”
“Me, too,” Blaine added, grinning. “I’m willing to bet you’re cut off for a month if you slander that dog.”
Carlisle sniffed. “I’ll take my chances.”
Heidi ran across the room again, pawed the back door, and darted to the foyer where she whined and growled. When she returned this time, she nipped at Blaine’s boots. “Heidi, what do you want, girl?” he asked, rubbing between her ears. “Do you need to go out and do your business?”
Heidi dashed to the foyer again. This time, she growled and barked continually. She turned to look at them and with an ear-piercing howl, gained the attention and respect she apparently desired.
Dallas leapt to his feet. “I just took her out fifteen minutes ago. Something is wrong and her behavior doesn’t have anything to do with Lynlee leaving her behind. Hurry up. Let her out.”
Carlisle scooted past the long dining room table. Heidi was Lynlee’s guardian, her loyal protector. If Lynlee found herself in trouble, Heidi would most likely sense the danger first.
Dallas opened the front door, and Heidi took off toward the lower fields, running like a thoroughbred rather than an Australian Shepherd, Great Pyrenees mix. Dallas followed her. “Blaine, hurry up! Carlisle! Get the truck! Something is definitely wrong!”
Carlisle hopped in their old red Ford a few seconds later. He cranked the engine, punched the pedal, and took off like a bat out of hell, slowing down long enough to pick up Blaine and Dallas. Both men jumped on the back of the truck.
“She crossed the creek off to the left,” Blaine hollered, his fist tapping the top of the pickup.
Carlisle fumbled in his pocket, fished out his cell, and called Lantry as he drove. “We may have some trouble down near the pond. Heidi alerted us to a problem. I’m afraid it’s Lynlee.”
“Shit!” Lantry shouted. “Is anyone with her?”
“I don’t know,” Carlisle replied. “No one is certain where she is. For all I know, Heidi is chasing a rabbit.”
“I’m on my way.”
Carlisle hit end and called Austin. “Get down here. We’re at the pond.”
“I’m with Lantry. We’re on our way.”
Rhett and Houston were in town, so calling them was pointless until they determined the situation. Carlisle sped through the pasture, dodging potholes when he saw them, listening to warranted cursing and bitching when he didn’t.
That’s when he spotted what appeared to be a white streak of light, zipping across a fence and tumbling to the other side. “There she is!” Blaine shouted.
Sheer terror marked her face as she hurried toward them. The two characters following her apparently decided to take a detour and change their course when the trucks barreled over the hill.
A horn sounded out behind him. Carlisle checked his rearview mirror. Lantry and Austin sped past him. Austin was standing in the bed of the truck. He motioned toward a dilapidated hay barn they hadn’t used since they’d purchased the property.
Carlisle narrowed his gaze on the two men who’d been following Lynlee, observing them as they ran for the only place they could find cover. Lantry slowed down. Austin wasted no time leaping from the back, grabbing Lynlee, and securing her, sheltering her small form with his larger one. Heidi paused at the tailgate, looked toward the barn, barked a few times, barred her teeth, and then reluctantly joined Lynlee instead of leading the fight.
Carlisle’s phone rang. “I see ’em, Lantry. We’ve got this.”
“I hope so. Royce is downtown with Houston and Rhett. They’re on their way back but they’ll never make it in time to help us. I’ve gotta stay with Lynlee.”
Carlisle wouldn’t expect anything less. “Take care of our girl. I’ll deal with the idiots who tried to harass her.
”
“We’ll be at the house. See who paid us a visit. Drag ’em back by the hair of their heads if you have to but make damned sure they don’t get away. I have a few questions I wanna ask them if you don’t kill ’em first.”
* * * *
Heidi sat on Lynlee’s lap. She placed her paws on her shoulders and licked her face. Still out of breath from the long run, Lynlee didn’t have the strength to resist her. “I know, Heidi. I’m glad to see you, too.”
“You’d better be,” Lantry said, standing guard at the bay window overlooking the corral and stables. “Damn dog may have saved your life.”
“I know,” she said, babbling in the baby talk she reserved for Heidi only. “You take care of your momma, don’t ya?”
“Lynlee, please,” Austin said, pacing. One of the triplets, Austin liked Heidi, but he lacked patience at times like these.
“Did you get a good look at them?” Lantry asked, studying his phone, undoubtedly awaiting a call from Carlisle.
“They kept their heads down.”
“Where were you when you first spotted them?”
“Down by the pond.” A beat later she added, “At first I thought it may have been you and Royce.”
“Fabulous,” Lantry said. “You know how to make the man in your bed feel special, don’t ’cha, sugar?”
“I always knew the two of you were forgettable,” Austin said, taking a jab. “Might have something to do with your age. Royce is the oldest and he’s lacked that staying power for a while, but you? Damn man, that’s gotta hurt.”
Acres, Natalie - Bridled and Bucked [Bridled 3] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme) Page 1