Love Under Two Wranglers [The Lusty, Texas Collection] (Siren Ménage Everlasting)
Page 24
“You’re welcome!” Anna hugged her, and then turned and spoke for a few minutes to her men.
“You look a little stunned,” Alan said as the Jessops returned to their table.
He and Duncan tucked her in between them. “I just can’t believe how inclusive Lusty is,” Holly said.
“It’s quite something, isn’t it? I imagine if the world knew about this place, people would be begging for directions here.” Alan leaned in and kissed her forehead.
“Truer words were never spoken.”
Holly turned in the direction of the voice. She’d met Cord and Jackson Benedict, of course, and had even met Ari, the first time she’d visited the Lusty Glow Day Spa. The other two men who accompanied them she hadn’t been introduced to yet—but she knew, just looking at them, who they were.
“Congratulations,” Cord Benedict said. “Alan’s right. If the rest of the world knew about this place, it would be swamped.”
“Hell, if the rest of our family in Montana knew,” Jackson said.
Ari laughed. “I think they know, slick. I just don’t believe many of them approve, or understand the appeal.”
“Their loss.” The man who’d spoken, dark hair and eyes, and with a chiseled profile, stuck his hand out. “You’d be Holly. I’m Jesse Benedict. This is my twin brother, Barry. Congratulations on your engagement. I hope you’ll be very happy with these two wranglers, though I don’t see how you could be.” Holly nearly laughed. The younger Benedict brothers might not have been raised anywhere near Lusty, but their teasing poke at Alan and Duncan smacked of what she’d quickly caught on to as being what they called “cousin-speak.”
For their part, Alan and Duncan exchanged hearty handshakes with all the Benedicts, and a few good natured insults with Jesse and Barry.
“Actually, I am quite happy already, thanks. I hear you both just arrived a week or so ago and are planning to stay.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Barry said. “And we’re very happy to be here.”
“Since the guys are all going to be ranching together,” Ari said, “you may see a lot of them—and me.” She grinned. “I’ve been taking riding lessons, and learning all I can about ranching. It’s been quite an experience so far, although I don’t see a career change in my future.”
“I’m happy to let the guys do their thing, too. But it’s good to get an idea of what all their workday involves.” Then she looked at Jesse and Barry again. “Are you having a house built, too?”
“Eventually,” Jesse said. “Though for the time being, we’ve made ourselves a little bunkhouse in the back of the second horse barn at Ari’s place.”
“My brothers-in-law insist they don’t want to invade our privacy inside the house,” Ari said, “Even though there’s plenty of room for them.”
Holly thought it telling that Ari seemed a bit surprised by Jesse and Barry’s consideration.
“You’re still on your honeymoon. We don’t need much,” Jesse said. “We’ve got beds and a television and a coffeepot. We’ve even got a full bathroom—all the comforts of home.”
“We used to spend a part of every summer in one of the line shacks at the far end of our property, back in Montana,” Barry said. “So we could stay close to the work. Like Jesse said, we don’t need much.”
“Let’s go and raid the buffet,” Cord said. “And guys? Those cream puffs are extremely addictive, so be careful.”
“I could eat,” Jesse said. Then he winked at Holly, and with his twin, followed his older brothers toward the food.
“They seem nice,” Holly said as she watched the four Montana Benedicts being greeted by their Lusty cousins.
“I like them,” Alan said. “I think Miss Carrie is even changing her mind about them.”
“From what I’ve seen so far they’re good guys,” Duncan said, “and hard workers. They don’t drink a lot, either.”
Holly had heard a little bit about Jesse and Barry, and the way they’d treated their youngest sister in the past. But she preferred to hold off on judging anyone. Besides, she figured everyone was entitled to a second chance.
“Sweetheart, who is that out on the sidewalk with Jacqui and Grandma Kate?”
Holly had been wondering where her niece was. Now she looked up to where Duncan had his attention focused. Shock washed through her.
“Oh, my God. That’s my parents!” Holly met her mother’s gaze as she came into the restaurant. She’d called back home and spoken on the phone with her mother the week before. She supposed that announcing her engagement to two men, over the telephone line, hadn’t been the bravest thing she’d ever done. But Holly knew her mother, and knew she would appreciate the opportunity to digest the news in private before dealing with it face to face.
Holly Rose Bethune, you are such a coward sometimes.
Yes, she was. But she’d be willing to bet a lot of people were when it came to their parents.
Now her parents were approaching, and she wasn’t sure what she should do, or say. All you have to do is follow your heart.
That was an easy thing to do. Holly went to her mother and felt very grateful when she gathered her into a hug. Her daddy didn’t wait, and enclosed them both in the circle of his arms.
When Holly stepped back, her mother wiped a tear from her face. “Please introduce us to your young men, Holly.”
She did just that, feeling like she wanted to cry when both Alan and Duncan were so sweet to her mom—and respectful to her dad.
Then she got the surprise of her life.
“I appreciate that y’all called me to ask my permission to marry my daughter,” Walther Bethune said. “Not many young men would take the time to do so.” Then he turned his attention to Holly. “Your momma and I didn’t know what to think, after the Unfortunate Incident. We thought at first that maybe the experience had scarred you. But your young men assured me that wasn’t the case at all. I won’t lie to you. At first I was more than a little shocked, knowing you intended to marry two men. But then I reminded myself of something I knew to be true when I wanted to marry my Wanda June, and her daddy didn’t want me to. No one, man or woman, has the right to pass judgment on another for who that person loves. Because the heart chooses, and that’s all there is to it.” He nodded to the men then kissed Holly’s cheek. “As soon as I caught sight of you tonight, Holly, even before we stepped inside, I could see you’re happy. Real happy, and I have to say, daughter, I like that look on you.”
Holly had been prepared for almost anything except her parents’ wholehearted acceptance.
“Thank you, Daddy. I love you so much.” She went into his arms, and reveled in his hug.
When her daddy released her, Grandma Kate took one of Holly’s hands, and then grinned at them all. She addressed Holly’s parents. “I’m so very glad you accepted our invitation to this party. Won’t you come and meet some of Holly’s friends?”
“Thank you, Mrs. Benedict, for the invitation, and for looking after our girl,” Wanda June said. “We’d be pleased to meet everyone.”
“It’s just Kate,” Grandma Kate said. “We’re not very formal here.”
As Grandma Kate led her parents away, she turned her attention to Jacqui. “I bet you had a hand in getting Momma and Daddy here.”
Jacqui laughed. “Not much of a one. When I called them, I found out that Grandma Kate had already invited them. But I did pick them up at the airport and drive them here.” Then she threw her arms around Holly. “Grandpa’s right. You look really happy. And I can think of no one else who deserves that happiness as much as you do.”
Jacqui hugged Alan and Duncan, and then headed off to join the line at the buffet. Holly knew she could think of one other person who deserved to be happy, and that was Jacqui. If she stays here, I won’t be surprised if she meets her own prince charming, or two.
Alan and Duncan moved in close to her once more. They put their arms around her and for a long moment, with her, just took in the party. The place was full to burst
ing, people chatting and laughing, eating and visiting, with smiles and kindness abounding.
“I don’t know how I got so lucky,” Holly said. “Not only in finding the two of you, but to find this place, too.”
Alan ran his hand down her hair. “I know what you mean. And for the record, honey? We’re the lucky ones.” He kissed her lips, a light flirty kiss.
“What Alan said. We’re very lucky that you said yes. Thank you for that.” He, too, placed a sweet kiss on her lips.
“You’re welcome.” Holly sighed. “Looking at so many people who’ve come to mean so much to me in such a short time, young, middle aged, older, watching the way they are with their loved ones, and their extended family,” Holly looked at each of her men in turn. “I see our future. I’m filled with the certainty that we’re just beginning a truly wonderful adventure, one that will last a lifetime.”
“Better than the romance novels you love to read?” Alan asked.
Holly grinned. “Oh yeah, much better.” Fiction, Holly thought, was all well and good. Fiction could lift spirits and give hope. But real life?
Real life could be even more rewarding, if a person was bold enough to reach for her heart’s desire.
THE END
WWW.MORGANASHBURY.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Morgan Ashbury, also writing as Cara Covington, has been a writer since she was first able to pick up a pen. In the beginning it was a hobby, a way to create a world of her own, and who could resist the allure of that? Then as she grew and matured, life got in the way, as life often does. She got married and had three children, and worked in the field of accounting, for that was the practical thing to do and the children did need to be fed. And all the time she was being practical, she would squirrel herself away on quiet Sunday afternoons and write.
Most children are raised knowing the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule. Morgan’s children also learned the Paper Rule: thou shalt not throw out any paper that has thy mother’s words upon it.
Believing in tradition, Morgan ensured that her children’s children learned this rule, too.
Life threw Morgan a curve when, in 2002, she underwent emergency triple bypass surgery. Second chances are to be cherished, and with the encouragement and support of her husband, Morgan decided to use hers to do what she’d always dreamed of doing—writing full-time.
Morgan has always loved writing romance. It is the one genre that can incorporate every other genre within its pulsating heart. Romance showcases all that humankind can aspire to be. And, she admits, she’s a sucker for a happy ending.
Morgan’s favorite hobbies are reading, cooking, and traveling—though she would rather you didn’t mention that last one to her husband. She has too much fun teasing him about having become a “Traveling Fool” of late.
Morgan lives in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, with a mysterious black cat, an eight-pound Morkie dog who thinks he’s a German Shepherd, and her husband of forty-two years, David.
For all titles by Cara Covington, please visit
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