3 Times the Heat

by Sapphire Knight

  I take another large gulp of beer, attempting to process all of this. “You let the sheriff know?”

  “At first, no. We were trying to protect her from this getting around town. Roy went to jail though, so that much is filling the gossip hounds’ mouths, I’m sure. I want to tell the sheriff, I do. I just don’t know how to further protect her from hurting.”

  “The judge may end up being less harsh on Roy if he knows all the details.”

  “Why would you even suggest…” He trails off.

  “Because, if it were my family in trouble, I’d want someone to tell me the same. I do have a question though.”

  His brow quirks and he takes a drink of his beer.

  “Why were you or your brothers around the south end of my ranch multiple times?”

  “It was Roy and Ronnie looking for Dallas. Your aunt and uncle wouldn’t give Dallas their messages. They were trying to talk to him when our sister stopped eating. They thought maybe he’d come around and she’d get better again.”

  With a nod, I sigh and massage my temples. “I wish they would’ve come and asked me instead. I would’ve got onto Dallas immediately. This all could’ve been avoided, I think. I’m sorry to hear about your sister. Is she doing any better?”

  He shakes his head. “Worse. Once the baby was gone…well, she just needed help we couldn’t give her. She’s still in the hospital, just a different section now.”

  He means the psych wing. Things got so bad she needed medical help, and that makes my heart ache for their family. Their father recently died and now dealing with all this, it makes me hate them a little less than I had before.

  “I’m not a fool, Owens. I know there will be payback from it happening on your property.”

  “Maybe before, but after hearing everything, well, you don’t have to worry about my brother or me.”

  “Thank you.” He releases a relieved breath.

  “I don’t extend the invitation to many, but if I can help somehow, you get ahold of me.”

  He tips his head, clearing his throat. I can only imagine the turmoil his family has been going through. I’m glad I had Nathan wait before attempting to get back at the Parsons. Sometimes we look at someone and not realize the shit they may be dealing with at home. They may appear perfectly fine on the outside but be ripped to shreds on the inside, and you’d never know it.

  “I’m going to fill Nathan in on everything if that’s all right with you? He won’t repeat it to anyone. You have my word.”

  “I would appreciate that. I don’t want to be on your family’s bad side.”

  “You’re not.” I hold my hand out, and he shakes it.

  “Thank you for understanding.”

  I nod, take a swig of my beer and head over to the beautiful little woman that owns my heart.

  “Everything okay?” She licks her lips as her brow furrows with worry.

  “Right as rain, darlin’. How about we head home, and I’ll fill you in?”

  She grins, winding her fingers through mine and gets to her feet beside me. Amber makes whipping noises, and I roll my eyes at her. I’ve known her nearly as long as I have Shyla. The two have always been close, thick as thieves.

  “You coming?” She smiles their way.

  “That’s what he said.” Amber laughs and Nate chuckles, following in our wake, everything straight in our world once again.

  As soon as we return to the house, I fill Nathan and Shyla in on everything Michael Parsons had to say. I hate that their sister was hurt physically and mentally over losing Dallas and her baby. It doesn’t excuse their brother for shooting my cousin, but at least I understand it better now. I would probably lose a bit of myself if it were my younger sister going through those same trials and tribulations. Hopefully, God helps guide her to where she needs to be and to heal.

  “I’m glad you heard him out, love,” Shyla comments when I’m finished, her gaze full of empathetic tears for Brittany.

  “Me too. The entire time I was worried they were stirring up trouble for the ranch, but that wasn’t even close.”

  “Especially with what Dad went through with them,” Nate mutters, and I nod.

  “Turns out they’re just trying to live their life and protect their sibling. I can understand that. I’d do the same, if not worse when it comes to you and Tyler.”

  Nate shakes his head. “It’s different. We’re men, and she’s a young woman. I can’t believe this. Dallas doesn’t have any idea he was going to be a father or that the baby is gone.”

  “Do you think he’ll care?” I ask, the question genuine. I can’t help but wonder if he’ll be relieved as he doesn’t do well with responsibility.

  Shyla presses a kiss to my forehead. “I’ll leave you two to talk this over.”

  “Okay, darlin’.”

  Nate turns to me. “Of course he will. This will hurt him too. Maybe not to the same extent it did Brittany, but Dallas isn’t a bad man.”

  “I know he’s not a bad man, Nate. I’ve never believed that.”

  “I seriously doubt if he’d known about the pregnancy that he’d have let her wither away like that. Knowing our cousin, he had his fun and decided to move to the next pair of legs he set his eyes on.”

  Running my hands over my face, I think over everything Michael shared with me at the bar and about our cousin. I don’t want Dallas to attempt to retaliate once he’s feeling better either. “You’re the best person to speak with him. He deserves to know, and at this point, you’re closer to him out of anyone I know. Clearly, our aunt and uncle don’t want Dallas to be involved with the Parsons so he won’t find out unless they let the sheriff know and he relays it all or if you say something.”

  “You want me to tell him about the baby?”

  “Yes, and that Brittany is in the mental ward down at the hospital. I don’t think he’ll be allowed to see her, but maybe he can call or something to check on her further. He needs to be able to grieve if he decides he wants to. I’d personally be heartbroken if it were me who was going to be a father and found out the baby passed—whether I loved the mother or not.”

  “I would be too. I just can’t imagine. I don’t know how he’ll take it, but I’ll do my best to offer him what comfort I can.”

  “You’re a good cousin and friend to him.”

  He nods. “I wonder if I could go and visit her as well?”

  “Why would you want to do that?”

  He shrugs. “Because she was already feeling lonely and sad before. I don’t like thinking of her in that place with no one. She doesn’t know me, but half her brothers are in jail, and who knows if the ones out even visit her.”

  “I don’t know, brother.” I shake my head. “You could always check. Just be careful. I don’t want one of those bastards shooting you next. I wouldn’t have as much patience in that case.”

  He grins. “I’ll be a gentleman, and hopefully a friend to her in some way. I’m going to go hunt our cousin down.”

  “Thanks, Nate.”

  “You’re the one who got to the bottom of this. Everyone should be thanking you,” he replies, pulling that ball cap lower before striding out the house, keys in hand.

  I didn’t do anything my father wouldn’t have. If he’d heard it was my mom sitting at the bar, he’d have hightailed it over there as well. He’d have been furious and concerned thinking she could be in danger, and he’d have sat down and let the man speak, just as I did.

  I’m rough around the edges, and if the cops knew I brewed and sold moonshine regularly, I’d be considered an outlaw, but it doesn’t mean I don’t have a heart or am unable to show compassion toward others. Shyla broke me so long ago that I tried closing everyone out. I attempted to be that bastard I needed to be at that time. The rough and tough exterior was there to keep my heart safe from shattering again, only I learned the hard way. No matter how much of a dick I was to everyone, that shell I put up did nothing to protect my parents from dying. None of it helped me in any way whe
n I took over raising my brothers, having no idea what to do for them at the time.

  I can only hope that Nathan can see the man I was and the man I’ve become, and hopefully, he finds some sense of balance from it. Someday, I hope it’s him giving a person a chance when they need it. If that happens, then I know I’ve done my job raising good men, and my parents would be proud.

  Pearls are always appropriate.

  —Jackie Kennedy

  “Mom, I think the dress is too tight,” I grumble as she does up the final tiny buttons along my spine. The dress itself is extraordinary with it’s beautiful lace detail covering the entire thing. I don’t think I’ve ever worn something so delicate and utterly feminine.

  “It’s supposed to help suck in certain spots,” she mutters, and Amber’s snort is enough to have her shooting a glare at my best friend.

  “It’s those nachos at the bar,” my friend confesses, and I let out a hiss as the final button cuts off a bit more air from my lungs. Not only that, but it’s all the cooking and baking I’ve been doing these past months. My hips enjoyed the sweets a little too much.

  “It’s not my fault you eat and drink like a Hoover and gain nothing,” I mutter to Amber.

  “I do too. I just work it off in other ways with my own husband.” She snickers and my mother makes a strangled noise.

  “Some things are best left behind closed doors,” my mom snips making me giggle to myself. The horror of speaking of sex with your significant other has enough of an effect to make her cheeks flush scarlet. It’s pretty gross to think of her and my father, but somewhat amusing how my best friend can cause my mother to turn beet red with only a few words.

  “Speaking of nachos, I’m starving,” Amber whines.

  “Don’t say that out loud. I can’t eat anything, or I swear, I’ll pop a button. I don’t want to even hear the words.”

  “Especially not nachos,” my mother butts in. “You’ll ruin this gorgeous powder colored lace if you drip anything on it.”

  “Don’t remind me,” I grumble, and she continues.

  “The cake is frosted white, so Clyde will need to be careful not to smudge your makeup when he offers you a bite, and the champagne shouldn’t show up if you spill a drop. Now be careful with it though. If you spill more than that, it’ll all be ruined. You don’t want to spend your wedding day in a ruined gown or messed up makeup.”

  My eyes roll with the warning she’s repeated like fifty times. She’s been smothering me ever since she walked in. I know she wants the day to be a perfect memory for me later down the road, but she’s going to drive me nuts.

  “I think I can manage,” I reply, staring longingly as Amber chugs down her mimosa. It’s marigold hue has deemed it non-touchable for me according to my mother. “Where’s Daddy anyway?”

  “He’ll be here shortly. I sent him off to make sure everyone was in place. Are you ready?”

  I nod, and Amber grins, holding up her camera. “Time for more pictures now that you’re all put together.”

  “What about my shoes?” They’re white lace booties, so adorable and a bit more practical in February, versus the pair of glittered stilettos my mom originally picked out.

  “Wait until you’re ready to walk out. I’m sure your feet and calves will be killing you by the time the day is over.” Rather than argue that I want to see how they look, I easily agree. She’s probably right, having been through her own wedding. “I still can’t believe Clyde patched up that old barn so you could have the wedding inside. I didn’t realize it was even in commission. I thought he only used the barn with the horses.”

  A genuine smile graces my lips as I think of the area we finally agreed on to exchange our vows. “He doesn’t like using it much because that’s where his parents were married as well. Back then all the other buildings weren’t here yet. It was only the house and that barn.” Clyde also made love to me the first time in that barn. It holds a special significance, and it’s only fitting we follow his parents and marry there as well.

  “You’d never know how old any of it is thanks to your mother having everything repainted and power washed. The ranch looks great.”

  My mother sniffs, her lips turned up just enough to know she’s pleased with Amber’s compliment. She’s looking radiant herself as the mother of the bride. She’s in a light mint colored lace dress with large sparkly jewelry to complement it. She’s even found a matching hat to pair with it all. She looks like she’s going to the horse races. I love it.

  “I’m sorry we couldn’t invite all of Daddy’s colleagues.”

  She meets my gaze, eyes kind as she looks me over. “Honey, this day is for you, no one else. You’ve waited a good portion of your life to marry Clyde. It’s only fitting you two do it somewhere special. I’m not worried about those old stuffed suit business associates of your father’s. I think them being invited to the reception was a generous enough invitation.”

  She pulls me in for a gentle hug, and Amber snaps a picture. It’ll be one of my favorites, not the ones of her fluttering around me like a fairy godmother making sure my hair is in place. She’s always taken care of me in little ways though, and that’s something I’ll be grateful for having for the rest of my life.

  “If only daddy had made his money earlier on, perhaps you could’ve gone to that school with Clyde, and this would’ve happened years ago. Your father still feels guilty, you know?”

  “Momma, none of that was anything you two could’ve helped. He was already so stressed from filing bankruptcy right before I graduated. I couldn’t have put you two through even more financial struggle so I could study here. I had to earn my degree and career, and because of that, I’m stronger in what I do and smarter with what I know. I’m grateful he was able to turn it in his favor, and you are both living comfortably now because of those struggles.”

  She nods. “I am too, and we promise that you will never have to worry about such things when it comes to your children.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Your father and I have set up a few accounts for when you two decide to have children. Their college will be taken care of when they’re ready to go. I don’t want them ever to have to go through the heartache you did.”

  “You didn’t have to do that…” Tears gather in my eyes. This is such a thoughtful gift from them. This could change my children’s futures more than they know—for the better.

  “You bet we did after watching you work so hard. We couldn’t be more proud of you, but that’s one burden we wanted to make sure was off your shoulders down the road.”

  “Thank you. I love you both.”

  Her smile grows; she pats my shoulder as Amber snaps more pictures. Mom hands me a tissue to dab at my eyes as there’s a knock at the door.

  “I’ll get that.” She practically floats over to open the door, my father peeking his head in the room.

  “How’s my girl?”

  I beam a smile in his direction. “Much better knowing your handsome face is here to give me to the man of my dreams.”

  His own smile grows. “You’re trouble, just like your momma. Come on, then, get your shoes on. We don’t have all day. I’m sure that big fellow at the end of the aisle would wait for forever if you asked, but let’s not be rude.”

  An unladylike snort leaves me as Amber braces me as I wobble putting the booties on. “Those shoes are so hot.” She sighs staring at them, the same way she does a plate of nachos.

  “Don’t even think about it,” I grumble and she laughs. “If they come up missing, I will never buy you a beer again.”

  She huffs. “Fine, then I guess they’re safe.”

  With a smirk, I pull her into a hug. “Thank you for being here.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” She hugs me back, squishing my boobs a bit more than the lace already has. She looks beautiful in a solid, understated mint A-line dress. My entire wedding party is in black and mint. I’m the only one in white. So far it’s been a beauti
ful combination.

  “You need to go before us; you’re the matron of honor.” She winks, plants a chaste kiss on my dad’s cheek as she passes and saunters out on her way.

  “Mom, you’ve got my train, right?”

  “Of course, honey.” She smiles and picks up the long slip of lace trailing behind my dress. “Such a vision, Shyla. You’re absolutely radiant. That man won’t be able to breathe when he sees you.”

  That’ll make two of us because I’m about to pop a button.

  “Thanks, Momma.”

  My father holds out his arm, and I tuck my hand in the crook of his elbow. He’s always so put together and proper thanks to my mom, and she’s kindly extended her services to me today. She’s underappreciated I realize as we make our way to the barn. It may be February, but my mother has enough portable heaters spread amongst the area, you’d think it was April with the comfortable temperature.

  The pathway leading to the barn has been neatly constricted with a wide piece of thick, tan canvas over the freshly cut grass. A walkway of sorts lined with about fifty pots of white and light blue hydrangea blooms. It’s beautiful, and the fragrance helps overshadow the dry aroma a ranch can sometimes give off. My mother’s truly transformed this place into a perfect spot to exchange vows with the man I love.

  Each step brings me closer to the one I love, and each step has my heart thumping a beat quicker. The barn has been repainted to look new and strung over the entry way is thick, billowing white curtains, tied back with more blooms. These are made up of white hydrangeas with a deep blue hyacinth in the middle. The scent they give off when you walk under them is like being in a dream.