I knew at some point I’d find someone. A woman who would make me hang up my hat, store my boots, and settle down. A woman who would make me reconsider how I lived my entire life. But together? Like this? No fucking way. It never crossed my mind. I could honestly say Dalton had never thought about it before either.
That’s what people in Stonecreek Valley did. They found someone. They found a pretty girl and married her. They moved out to the ranch and made life work while they had babies and raised a family. I wasn’t sure I was that kind of man, but I knew that’s what was expected in this town. It was a part of the fabric of life here.
Dalton poured a drink for Jade, remembering she liked vodka, while I worked up something special for her to eat in the kitchen.
“How did things go at the diner?” I asked. “Was it as busy as last night?”
Jade sank into the couch. “I think I’m finally finding my groove there.”
“That’s good to hear.” Dalton handed her a vodka on the rocks with a splash of lime.
“Thank you.” She smiled sweetly at him. I wondered if her smiles did the same thing to his heart as they did to mine. Probably wasn’t the kind of conversation Dalt and I would ever have.
Some things were better left unspoken. Jade fell into that dangerous territory right now. It was too new to all of us.
“It was so much better than last night.” She took a sip, while I flipped a bacon grilled cheese for her. “No assholes in sight,” she reported.
Dalton chuckled. “You should never have to worry about that again with the kind of security you have now.”
“I did feel safer.”
“You should always feel safe here,” I added. My best friend nodded in agreement. He was as concerned for her safety as I was.
“What did you two do after I left for work?” she asked.
“Ranch stuff,” I teased.
“Funny. Funny.”
Dalton turned on the speaker system. “We worked.”
“I’d like to know what you did today. I’m interested in the ranch.” She sat forward. “This place is massive. What I saw of the stables and the few staffers, it seems like a lot of responsibility. It’s like its own village or something. How do you run it?”
“You really want to know?” I cut the sandwich in half and slid it on a simple white plate.
Jade nodded. “Yes. Tell me everything. Maybe I can pick up some business tips.”
Dalton cocked his head. “Are you talking about your studio?”
Her eyes lowered to the floor. “Yes. It’s embarrassing to talk about, so I’d rather hear what you two do to keep a business running.”
“Maybe we can help.” I strolled into the living room, carrying her grilled cheese. I sat across from her in on of the big leather recliners. There was a drink for me on the table.
“No.” She shook her head. “I just want to hear what you do. I’ll see if I can put it into practice.”
Dalton looked at me. “I offered to give Jade one of the barns to use as a studio.”
“Dalton!” Her eyes flared. “I said I wouldn’t take it.”
He shrugged her off. “We could at least give her a place to work.”
“Would that help you?” I asked. “If you didn’t have to pay a rental fee or get locked into a space contract?”
“You can’t be serious right now.” Jade’s blue eyes sparkled. “I don’t want your charity. I can do this. I just need time to get back on my feet.”
“And that’s admirable. Really admirable. But, if you have some help, why not take it?”
She bit her lip. “Because this is too much too fast.” She placed the uneaten sandwich on the table. “I just need some space.”
She ran out of the house and outside.
“Who’s going?” I asked.
Dalton glanced at me. “Both of us.”
“All right.” I exhaled. “I’ve never been good at this part.”
“And you think I am?”
I shoved my hands in my pockets as we walked toward the front door. “No, I guess not.”
But we were all she had, and we had to figure out how we had just made our girl run out of here like her tail was on fire.
19
Jade
The air was considerably warmer outside. I felt the heat on my face and neck. I ran until I couldn’t run anymore. My feet hurt and my back was sore, but I had barreled out of the house nonetheless. My reaction surprised me.
I leaned against a fence post, catching my breath. There was perspiration at my temples. What was I doing? I stared at the diamond sky overhead, looking for answers.
There wasn’t an oracle in the constellations that could solve my problems. I didn’t trust myself to make a decision. Not one that made any sense. That’s what this boiled down to. I was in no place to alter my life any more than it already had been the past few months.
I exhaled, calming my pulse. I should have brought my drink with me. I just needed something to still the thoughts in my head.
I heard their footsteps behind me.
“You followed me?” I didn’t know whether to be angry or consider it a sweet gesture. I turned around to face their massive silhouettes. If I didn’t know them, I’d be terrified.
“What did you think we would do?” Ace dipped his head toward me. I couldn’t see the flecks of green in his eyes. It was too dark, but I saw the concern.
Dalton looked just as worried.
“I’m sorry.” I pulled my shoulders tall and straight. “I need to think. I need to process everything that’s happened. You have to understand that. I’ll be back when I’ve had a chance to think. Ok?”
I waited while they exchanged looks. I knew they weren’t going anywhere. They were both equally as stubborn. Add me to that mix, and we were an immovable trio.
I sighed. “Please?”
Dalton hopped up on the fence post. He was careful not to touch me. I was surprised it could handle him. I was even more in awe of the fence when Ace climbed on the railing too.
“What are you two doing?”
“Doing something we never do,” Ace admitted. “Talking something out.”
I almost giggled. Even my heart and head hadn’t been twisted in so much emotion and confusion I would have.
“I think I know what you’re trying to do here.” I folded my arms over my chest. “Not everything can be talked out. I need a few minutes. Or hours,” I added.
“There’s two problems with that, darlin’.” Dalton drew in a long breath. “First, you scared the shit out of us when you took off like that.”
“I know it probably looked crazy, but I need to clear my head,” I argued.
“That might be. But you haven’t heard the second problem.”
“Ok. Fine. What is it?” I was almost in a position to stomp my feet.
“Coyotes.”
“Coyotes?” My eyes widened.
Ace nodded. “Yep. You’re far from the house. What do you think wanders out here at night?”
I shook my head. “I-I have no idea.”
“Coyotes among some other not-so-friendly creatures. We aren’t leaving you out here alone to be attacked by a wild animal. If you want to stay out here, that’s all right with us. But we’re staying with you.”
I gawked. “Now you’re wildlife bodyguards?”
“I like to think of myself as an animal expert on the ranch,” Dalton teased.
“You’re impossible.” I steamed. “So there’s no where I can go to think. Alone?”
“We didn’t say that. Just not this far out.” Ace jumped from the top rung of the fence. “There’s a big porch on the house. Grab your drink. Find a rocker you like. And spend all night if you need to.”
“Really?” I wasn’t sure whether I believed him. When was the last time a man had actually given me what I asked for in an emotional capacity, let alone two at once?
“Yes.” Dalton hopped from his post. “No coyote is going to bother you on the porch.
Take all the time you need, darlin’.”
I smiled. I didn’t know if they could see the gratitude on my face when it was this dark, but I wanted them to know how much this meant. How a simple gesture held something special for me.
We walked back to the house in silence. I climbed the stairs to the porch.
“I’ll get that drink,” Dalton offered.
“And I’ll get a blanket.” Ace disappeared inside with him.
I found a rocking chair tucked in the corner, farthest from windows. Even if they were nearby, I at least needed to create the illusion for myself that I was alone.
“We’ll be inside.” Ace handed the blanket to me. “You’re fine out here. Don’t wander off the porch.”
“Got it.” I nodded. I placed the blanket on the arm of the chair. It was still warm. I couldn’t imagine I needed it.
“And the door is unlocked.” Dalton rubbed the dark scruff on his jaw.
“I won’t be too long,” I answered. The truth was I didn’t know how much time I needed.
I wasn’t even sure what it was I was trying to figure out.
Moving in with the guys?
Trusting them?
Entering into a threesome relationship?
Telling them about my ex?
I sipped on the vodka and stared off into the distance while I rocked slowly. It was all of it. And why I chose right now to analyze it was beyond me. Maybe it was because the scope of three people upped the stakes. Maybe it was because I knew this was different than anything else I’d experienced and I had to face this relationship in a way I’d never considered being with a man before.
The night fell around me. I rocked. I drank. Sometime during the night I fell asleep.
20
Jade
Oh shit.
I rubbed the side of my neck as I tried to straighten my body back into a normal shape. Oh God. There was a pain that ran from the back of my skull straight to my fingertips. I opened my eyes, realizing I had spent the night in that damn rocking chair.
I looked around. I was alone.
I blinked. Had Ace and Dalton let me sleep out here? The sun was barely cresting over the lowest hills. It cast the ranch in a golden glow. I froze in place as the beauty of it took my breath away.
I wished I had my paints and brushes. It was an instinctual thought that rushed in. I wanted to paint. I wanted to capture this scene on canvas.
And that’s when it hit me. It was the clarity I needed. The one thing I had searched for all night and couldn’t find. An answer that seemed as if it should have been in front of me all along.
I smiled and walked toward the door. I placed my hand on the latch. The door was unlocked, just like Dalton said it would be.
I found the guys in the kitchen. There was fresh coffee in the pot and Ace was flipping pancakes on a griddle.
“Hi.”
They turned around.
“Good morning.”
I bit my lower lip. I didn’t know how to do this. Was I supposed to make a big proclamation? A confession?
“We didn’t want to disturb you,” Dalton explained.
“Can I have some of that?” I nodded toward the coffee. I winced when I turned my neck.
“Sure. I’ll pour a cup for you.” He meandered to the pot and grabbed a mug from the cabinet. “Here you go.”
“Thank you.” I accepted it greedily.
“What’s wrong with your neck?” he asked.
“It is that noticeable?”
“It looks like your stuck. Can you even turn your head?”
I inhaled the hot coffee. After a night on the porch I needed it. “Mmm. This is so good.”
“I know what will take care of your neck.” Ace flashed a killer smile.
“The springs?” I raised my eyebrows.
“Absolutely. What do you say?”
Dalton glared at him. “Man, come on. We said we weren’t going to pressure her. It took you three minutes to break our agreement.”
I felt the tension between them. It was thick and tangible. I needed to end that here and now.
“Stop.” I eyed them. “I don’t want you to fight. No arguments.”
I saw them take giant breaths. Their broad chests even broader with the inhale.
I gripped the mug. They needed to know the revelation I had. It was the only way for all of us to move forward. I wasn’t sure how they were going to react.
21
Ace
There were pancakes on the griddle. A spatula in my hand. And a pit in the bottom of my gut. There was no way Jade was going to say anything I wanted to hear. I saw the determined look in her eye. The night on the porch had cemented whatever crazy argument she needed to end things with Dalton and me.
I scowled as I flipped the next batch of pancakes. I was a fucking idiot to think we’d rope a girl into this situation. That we could actually share a woman in our bed. What the hell was I thinking?
The truth was I was just as pissed at Dalton for riding down this road too. He was the skeptical one. Why didn’t he pull back on the reins before things got too fucking carried away?
Now we’d lost her.
“Sorry.” Dalton leaned against the counter. “We’ll cut that shit out.”
“Good. I don’t like it when you two fight.”
I piled the pancakes on a platter before the corners started to burn.
“Am I allowed to ask if you’ve come to a decision? Or is that off-limits?”
I was certain Dalton just growled at me.
“Actually, I do want to talk to you about it. But I need a shower. And those pancakes look amazing.” Her eyes lit up.
How could I withhold food from her? I wasn’t a bastard. I slide the plate across the counter.
“Here you go, baby.”
Jade sat at the kitchen table and doused the pancakes in syrup. Dalton looked at me and I shrugged. I couldn’t read her any more than he could.
“Thank you.” She smiled and stood. “I’m going to grab a change of clothes.”
“You can use the guest bath,” I volunteered. “Lots of hot water in that shower.”
Her lips twitched. “Why don’t we go to the springs together? I’ll take some towels this time.”
My heart hammered before my cock did.
“Yes. I’m up for it. Dalt?”
He swallowed hard. “Yeah. Let’s take the four-wheelers this time.”
“Good idea.”
“Perfect.” Jade’s expression was still hard to interpret. Did she love the springs that much? Was she letting us down? Or was this something else?
“I’ll clean up in here. Meet you in the garage in five.”
“I’ll pack a little bag for us.” She sashayed out of the kitchen toward the guest wing and I watched her hips rock from side to side.
“What the hell is going on?” I hissed to Dalton.
“Hell if I know.” He was as confused as I was. “But she’s not upset. And that’s what matters. Whatever set her off last night seems to be over.”
“I want to know what it was. And I want to know what she’s thinking.”
Dalton chuckled. “Now you’re asking for the impossible. But we can at least ask her.” He slapped the countertop a few times as he strolled past. “I’ll get the ATVs ready, man. See you in a few.”
He closed the mudroom door. A few moments later I heard him rev the engines as he rolled the four-wheelers out of the garage.
I threw the kitchen towel in the sink and took off after him.
22
Jade
I wanted to press my cheek into Ace’s back as we took the bumps and hills on the four-wheeler, but the helmet was too bulky and intrusive. I had to settle for wrapping my arms around his waist. I could feel the ridges of his abs through his T-shirt.
I knew I was making them wait for my answer. Maybe it was slightly cruel, but I wanted the timing to be right. I didn’t want to talk about life choices over a pile of dirty kitchen dishes.
The springs were special. They felt sacred to me. This was where we needed to talk.
The guys turned off the engine at the same spot we had tied off the horses.
“Remember we have to walk the rest of the way?”
“Yes. I’m better prepared this time.” I smiled at Ace. He offered his hand while I dismounted the ATV.
“Let me get that.” Dalton heaved the bag I packed from the back of the vehicle. He looked at me. “What did you pack in here, tiger?”
I laughed. I wasn’t giving anything away.
We left our helmets on the seats as we started the ten-minute hike to the hot springs. I heard the water before I could see it through the clearing. I was already calm. Already rejuvenated and I hadn’t stuck my big toe in the water yet.
“Who wants to swim?” I asked, peeling the sundress from my body. I winced as it raked over my head. My neck was still on fire.
Ace and Dalton stared at me.
“Anyone?” I wiggled out of my panties and tossed them on the flat rock where I had lost my rosebud’s virginity. I smiled at the rock, patting it as I lowered myself into the hot springs.
“I’m right behind you.” Ace unbuttoned his jeans, kicked off his boots, and was naked in less than thirty seconds.
He made a giant splash as he cannonballed into the crystal pool. My eyes lifted to Dalton. He was trying to figure out what was going on.
“Are you coming too?” I asked.
He nodded. He flicked the buttons open on his fly and shed his clothes. He waded in from the side of the pool. I watched as his muscled body became immersed in the water.
I sank into the hot water, letting it rise around my neck.
“Mmm. I needed this,” I purred. I could almost feel the tight knot in my neck loosening and leaving my body.
“How about this?” Ace swam up behind me, placing his fingers on my shoulders and massaging into my skin.
“Yes, that too.” I smiled, leaning into the pressure of his magic fingers. He worked what was left of the knot. I was putty in his hands.
Double Rugged Trouble: Rancher MFM Menage: Stonecreek Valley Page 8
