by Unknown
"Come on, Emma. We had some good times together."
"Yeah, until I caught you with Betty while we were engaged."
Josh shrugged his shoulders and smiled like he hadn't done a thing wrong. "It was a mistake, and I've tried explainin' it to you, but you wouldn't listen."
"Nothin' to explain. You cheated, and I don't like cheaters. Get a life, Josh. I've moved on. You should, too."
"Moved on with who?"
His tone told her his own green-eyed monster had reared its ugly head, and she debated whether to tell him the truth or blow him off. "None of your business. You lost the ability to tell me what to do when I took off your ring and threw it at you."
"It's those two out-of-towners? The country guy and his brother? I saw you with them behind the stands." Josh's lips had pulled back into almost a snarl, giving Emma a little satisfaction that he'd seen her with Beau and Brandon. "When did you turn into such a slut—or did Cade rub off on you? You know, fuckin' his wife and his best friend and all."
Fury made her see red. The crack of her hand against his cheek echoed in a room gone suddenly silent at his words.
"What I do is none of your fuckin' business, Josh, and if you say one more word about Cade, Natalie, or Kale, you'll find out just what a bitch I can be." Rage raced down her back at his audacity. "And if I did fuck both Brandon and Beau, it's between the three of us." The sharp inhalation of air brought her attention to her dad standing off in the corner of the tent. "Shit." She glanced back at Josh and said, "Go find Betty. I'm sure she's free, since Brandon turned her down flat."
She walked to her dad's side and said, "Daddy, let me explain." Grasping his hand, she led him out behind the tent where they could talk in semi-privacy.
"You know how badly the town talked after what Cade did came out," her father said, once they'd stopped their hurried rush out of the beer tent.
"I know, Dad, but listen. This is different."
"How so, Emma? Did you or did you not sleep with those two men?" The disillusionment in his eyes broke her heart.
"Yes, I did, and if they'll have me, I plan to do it again. I care about them."
"You've only known them a few days."
"I know, but they've come to mean a lot to me in a short time. Will this work into something more permanent? I don't know, but I want to hold onto what we have—even if it's only for a few days."
A sigh of resignation left his mouth as he asked, "Are you sure?"
"Daddy, I'm twenty-four years old, and I know what I want."
"All grown up, huh," he said, brushing her hair back off her cheek and tucking the strands behind her ear.
"Sometimes you act like I'm still twelve," she said, sadness lacing her words. "I'm a woman, even though you seem to want me to stay a child."
He pulled her into a hug and then let her retreat a few inches. "I wish you would, Emma. You're my youngest. I hate to see you growing up so fast and furious, and I'm terrified you'll be making a huge mistake with those two."
"I can chose who I want in my bed."
"Whether it be one man or two?"
She dropped her gaze to the middle of his chest. "I'm sorry I've disappointed you."
With his fingers under her chin, he tipped her face up so he could see her eyes. "Aw, honey. You never could disappoint me. I'm afraid you'll get hurt in the long run with this whole thing, and I want nothing more than to protect you from it—but I can't, can I? You have to make your own mistakes in this life." He pulled her close and hugged her again. "I love you, Emma, and you'll always be my little girl, no matter how old you get. You do what makes you happy, honey. That's all I ask."
"Thanks, Dad. I love you, too." After a tight hug, she returned to the beer taps. Thankfully, Josh had disappeared into the crowd. God, she hated him with every fiber of her being.
Two years ago, they'd been one of the hottest items in Red Rock. Josh's daddy owned a good-sized spread outside of town, and he'd be set to inherit when his daddy passed on. Trouble was, Josh didn't care for ranching. All he wanted was the prestige of being a land owner, not the work involved in running cattle or anything else. Believing she could change his mind, she'd jumped into their relationship with both feet and huge blinders on. When he'd gotten down on one knee and asked her to marry him, the thrill of what she'd thought was love had driven her to say yes.
Then the rumors had started flying. His excuses had become disturbingly frequent. First he was working late, then he'd wanted to go out with the guys, or he'd had to make a trip into Billings for his dad. The last trip he'd made, she'd decided to surprise him—but she had gotten the bombshell when she'd walked into his hotel room to find him with Betty, buck-ass naked and tangled in the sheets. After she'd flung her engagement ring at him, she'd stormed out of the hotel and driven at breakneck speed to cry on her daddy's shoulder. Once she'd cried the hurt out, she'd proceeded to get stinking drunk. The next morning, the sun had crested over the mountains in a bright ray of light, wiping the misery and pain from her heart, leaving the headache of a hangover behind.
Since then, there hadn't been any serious relationship for her. Nope, the moment she'd heard Brandon's voice and gazed into those big brown eyes, she'd been hooked. Every show within a hundred miles found her there, in whatever seat she could get up close to the stage. Of course, Brandon had a gorgeous woman on his arm every moment, and Emma knew she could never compete with them. How she'd managed to snag both Beau and Brandon's attention, she wasn't sure, but she planned to ride it until they moved on.
"Emma?" Charlene's voice broke through her thoughts.
"Hi, honey. How are you feeling?" she asked, taking in the pale skin, dark circles under the little girl's eyes, and gaunt body. "You look fabulous. I bet Brandon could hardly talk, lookin' into those big green eyes of yours." Charlene held Brandon's guitar in her hands like she'd never let go.
Charlene giggled and shook her head. "He's so cute."
"I know, huh," Emma answered, wrapping her arm around Charlene's shoulders.
"He gave me his guitar."
"That is so cool. Are you gonna sell it? 'Cause if you are, I'm buying, honey."
Her eyes widened and she grasped the neck of the guitar harder. "No way! He signed it for me and everything." The little girl traced Brandon's signature and sighed. "I need to learn to play it, so someday when I see him again, I can play for him."
"I bet he'd love to hear you sing. You sing like an angel," Emma whispered, wiping the stray tear forming at the corner of her eye. If the rumors she heard were true, this poor little girl probably wouldn't even make it to her next birthday. The tumor in her brain continued to grow, killing more tissue every day, and they couldn't operate.
"I wanted to say thank you like my mom told me to."
"Thank you? For what, honey?"
"You made it possible for today to happen—for Brandon to be here to sing and all."
"Charlene, I think God had a hand in bringing Brandon and Beau here for you and for me."
The little girl hugged her waist, and Emma fought the tears she knew were just under the surface. "You love them, don't you?"
Shocked by Charlene's statement, Emma started to protest before realizing her little friend probably had more insight than she'd given Charlene credit for. "I'm not sure it's love, Charlene, but I sure like them a whole lot."
"Don't let the busybodies tell you who to love."
Emma couldn't help but smile at Charlene's words. The little girl had a valid point. "When did you get so grown up and so smart?"
Charlene shrugged and said, "I saw you dancin' with Brandon's brother when he sang. You looked happy."
"You're one special girl, Charlene, and I'm glad I know you."
"I love you, Emma, and I just know someday you'll wear the smile you had on earlier every day of your life." Charlene motioned for Emma to bend down and she kissed Emma on the cheek before rushing back to her parents' side.
The crowd in the beer tent thinned out after Brandon'
s concert, only a few patrons still lingered. Most wandered back out to the stands to watch the rest of the day's rodeo events. Beau and Brandon continued to break down the equipment and haul it outside while she watched.
Each man had his own style. Yes, they were identical, but the more she watched them, the more she realized how different they were. Beau's physique had a little more bulk across his back and shoulders, probably from riding bulls or working out, whereas Brandon seemed leaner. She knew they'd grown up in a small town in Montana, and their parents had cattle, too, like hers—but she didn't know exactly where. Beau seemed to be the epitome of a Montana cowboy. She had no doubt he would be a force to be reckoned with if he had rope to play with.
Rope? "Hmmm."
"What are you thinking, Emma? I see the sparkle in your eyes." Becky glanced to where Emma's gaze seemed glued. "Ah. That explains it. Those two seem to garner a lot of your attention."
"Look at them, Becky. The two of them are perfection—sexy in cowboy boots or out of them and so damned drool-worthy—who wouldn't want them?"
"Very true—even if they aren't my type, I have to agree with you." They both watched for a bit before Becky said, "You never did finish telling me about being with both of them."
"Not much else to tell. Having both men attuned to my needs? What else could a woman ask for?"
"So what happens now? I mean, they travel all the time. It's just a quick fling, right?"
Emma chewed the inside of her mouth for a second before she answered. "Yeah."
"You don't sound convinced, Emma Leanne."
"It doesn't matter. It's not like they went into this thing with me intending to make it a permanent threesome." A heavy sigh rushed from between her lips. "I can imagine the town gossips having a field day with that little tidbit."
"You know what? To hell with them, Emma. You need to do what's right for you. If being with those two gorgeous hunks of man flesh is what you want, then I say go for it."
"Really?" Emma asked, surprised Becky would support her being with two men. "I thought you would be totally not for this."
"Why?"
"Hello? Your daddy is a preacher, Becky. Hell, he didn't even want us to be friends since my parents weren't God-fearing churchgoers."
"I know, but he's the preacher, not me. I'm open to new things and trying to live my life the way I see fit, even if it means making him mad," Becky said, a small smile lighting her face and taking away the sadness Emma had seen there for so long.
Shock raced through her at Becky's words. "Are you going to date Seth?"
"Yes."
Emma squealed and hugged her friend tight. "I'm so happy for you! I think you two will make a great couple. Did this come about when he followed you outside?"
"Yeah. We finally talked heart to heart and I realized I was letting my father's beliefs ruin my chance to be with the man I wanted. Will it work into a long-term relationship? I don't know, but I'm willing to give it a try."
"Thank you, God!" Emma hugged Becky again. "I wondered when you would come to your senses."
* * * *
Beau watched Emma and her friend from his position near the stage. "The concert went great," Beau said, putting his hands behind his back and stretching. "Damn, I'm gonna be sore tomorrow. Ridin' the bull and hauling equipment—I haven't done this much manual labor in a while. I can tell I need to do some pushin' horns to get my strength back. At least I placed in the bull ridin' so I could donate it to Charlene."
"Yeah, I know the feeling. I got kinda used to havin' the road crew doin' all this. It's too bad they took a different route since we wanted to visit with Mom and Dad." Brandon glanced at the crates of equipment and sighed. "So how long are we plannin' on stayin' here, Beau?"
"As long as it takes."
"For what?"
"To convince Miss Emma she wants to be with us."
Brandon frowned. "I didn't think that was such a problem. She seemed into it enough when we were behind the stands."
Beau held his breath for a few seconds and then let it out slowly. His brother wasn't going to believe what he was about to say. "I don't mean be with us for the time we are here, Brandon, I mean permanently."
With Brandon's wide eyes and his mouth hanging open far enough he could catch flies, Beau had to work hard not to laugh. Brandon said, "No way. You, thinkin' seriously about a woman? Since when?"
"Since Emma."
"I don't know, Beau. A permanent triad?"
"We can work out the details another time. Right now, we need to convince her being with us is what she wants."
"I'm game. I'd love to have her with us all the time."
"Are you sure? I mean, Brandon Tucker with one woman?"
"If it's Emma, sure. Why not?" Brandon's nonchalant shrug didn't fool Beau. He knew his brother had feelings for Emma, too. Thoughts and feelings were one of those things being a twin came with. They could sense each other's thoughts and feelings, and Beau knew exactly Brandon's feelings on the matter of Emma Weston.
"Then we need a plan. I want tonight with her alone."
"Why you? Why not me?"
"Remember our bet? She screamed my name first."
"Oh all right, fine." The scowl on Brandon's face almost made Beau laugh. He knew his brother didn't like being pushed aside, even by him. "But I get her tomorrow then."
"What are you two plannin' over here?" Emma asked, walking up behind them.
"Us? Nothin', darlin'," Beau said, sliding an arm around her waist. "You did agree to some more time with us tonight, remember?"
Her fingers did a little dance down the front of his chest, playing with the buttons on his shirt. "Yes I did, and since most of the festivities are over with for tonight, except for some rowdy party crowd drinkin' too much beer, I'm ready to go."
"I tell you what, sweetheart, I'm going to stay here and mingle some more while you and Beau have some time alone."
"Seriously?" she asked, her eyes widening into almost saucers. "Why?"
"I asked Brandon to let me have some one-on-one time with you," Beau replied. "He'll join us after while. How about we have a nice dinner somewhere, and then we can do whatever you want."
"Whatever I want?"
"Yep."
"This could be exciting." She stepped out of his embrace and leaned over to kiss Brandon on the cheek. "We'll try not to have too much fun without you." When she turned back toward Beau, she asked, "Just out of curiosity, do you happen to have some rope?"
Rope? "Now, what would I be needin' rope for, darlin'?"
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe I want you to tie me up and have your way with me," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her lips to the base of his throat where his heart pounded.
Brandon hissed through his teeth at Emma's words. Beau knew his brother had a kinky side, and he'd never found anyone he could connect with on that level. For both their sakes, he prayed Emma would be the one.
"I think I can find some," he growled. Need spiked hard at her saucy words. He'd like nothing better than to tie her spread-eagle on the bed and do anything he wanted to with her delectable body.
"Let's get this party started then." With her hand in his, they left Brandon in the beer tent and walked to where a truck was parked. "How about we take mine, but you can drive?"
"You got it fixed already?"
"Not exactly. It's my dad's. He doesn't like me out drivin' late at night in the car. The truck is bigger. "
"Great! Where's a good place for dinner?"
"Depends on how much money you want to spend wining and dining me, handsome."
"Your choice, darlin'. Whatever you want."
"Hmm." She tapped her fingers to her lips as thoughts zipped across her eyes in a pattern he could almost interpret. "How about we drive a little ways? There's a town about twenty minutes from here with a really nice restaurant."
"Sounds good to me."
"I want to run by my Dad's place and take a quick shower. I smell like b
eer and cigarettes."
"Sure, darlin'," he replied, although he wasn't sure he wanted to be cornered by her pa and her brother. "How about after you shower and change, we head back to the hotel so I can do the same? I smell like cattle. I hope this place isn't too fancy. I don't think I brought anything with me to fit in somewhere like that."
Ten minutes later he sat in her daddy's living room while she showered and changed upstairs.
"You're takin' Emma out for dinner?" her father asked, tapping his fingers on the arm of the leather chair.
"Yes, sir. She mentioned a place in a town about twenty minutes away."
"Probably Red's in Watertown. It's the best steak house around."
"Yes, sir." Damn, he sounded like a teenager being grilled by his date's father.
The older man's eyes narrowed and the tapping on the arm of the chair increased in tempo.
"If there is somethin' you want to say, sir, please do."
"All right then, I will. My daughter means the world to me, Mr. Tucker, and I hope you treat her with respect. She can be impetuous."
"Yeah, she mentioned it."
"What I'm trying to say is, I know about her having sex with both you and your brother."
Beau felt like something sat on his chest. Aw, hell.
"And I don't approve of her relationship with you. But, it appears you and Brandon will only be in town a short time, so I will tolerate your presence until you leave. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good."
"Can I say one thing, Mr. Weston?"
"Certainly."
"I care about Emma and wouldn't do anything to hurt her."
"But you will, Mr. Tucker. I've seen your type before. You roll into town like a tumbleweed with no place to anchor itself. You flash your money and your smile, expecting the women to fall at your feet—and they do. Women in these small towns don't have a ton of men to choose from when they seek out a partner for life. But you are not husband material."
"I respect your opinion, but you don't know me at all. I travel with my brother because he's my brother, and I promised him I would be by his side while he builds his career. I don't plan to live the way I do for the rest of my life."