by Lily Harlem
Evan rested his hands on Harry’s chest, above his pecs, gripping his t-shirt.
Their faces moved closer, closer still. Then they were kissing. It wasn’t wild and passionate, it was slow, affectionate, intimate.
It only lasted a few seconds, then Harry ended the kiss and drew Evan into another hug.
This time Evan wrapped his arms around Harry, holding him tight.
Olivia set down her glass of water. Relief went through her that Mason had left the kitchen before they’d kissed. They had enough going on right now, without the details of Harry and Evan’s relationship being brought into the open. One day, perhaps, but this wasn’t the time.
She stepped out into the heat of the early evening
“Hey,” she said, slipping her arms around both of their waists.
Evan drew her close, so did Harry.
“Everything okay?” she asked.
“It wasn’t,” Evan said. “But I think it will be now.” He paused. “I’m determined to make it okay.”
“You can’t let those memories haunt you forever,” Harry said. His brow was creased from frowning, and his eyes narrowed. “But if being here means they do, we can change it all, move somewhere else.”
“I don’t want to, because then he’s really won.”
“I admire your bravery,” Olivia said. “It’s not going to be easy.”
“No, it won’t be. Every room, every bit of this garden, the decking reminds me of something he did. But with you here, all of you, it is possible to forget.” He hesitated. “I can’t change the past, none of us can. But I can change the here and now, and the future.”
“You know we’re here for you, buddy,” Harry said. “Any time, day or night.”
“Thanks. It is going to be weird sleeping here again. Waking up and not hearing his booming voice complaining about something.”
“It will probably be the sound of Harry snoring.” Olivia smiled.
“I don’t snore!” Harry said with a grin.
“Or the sound of our wife coming.” Evan’s eyes sparkled, his adorable cheeky grin, not as wide as usual, stretched his lips. “That’s always a good sound to wake up to.”
“Could be arranged.” Harry kissed her cheek. “In fact, the sooner the better.”
A little thrill went through her. Fun, sexy times with Evan and Harry were electrifying since they’d admitted their attraction to one another and keenness to explore that further. “Can I just add one thing?”
“Go on?” Harry said.
“If you want to keep your slackening the rules arrangement just between the three of us, it might be best not to stand out here snogging.”
“Damn it,” Evan said. “You saw?”
“I was in the kitchen. I was worried about you so I was looking out. But I don’t matter. Mason had just been in there with me.”
“He saw?” Harry swallowed.
She shook her head. “No. Not this time. But be careful if you want to be in control of when and if you tell the others.”
Evan stepped away. He ran his hands through his hair. “We’re nowhere near that stage. It was a quick kiss, that’s all.”
“Yeah, nothing else has ever happened.” Harry glanced at the house.
“It doesn’t matter to me if it does.” She reached for Harry’s hand. “In fact, I’d think it was really bloody sexy.”
His expression softened. “Yeah, we know you would, kinky little minx.”
She chuckled. “We all have fantasies, Harry. You and Evan happen to star in one of mine.”
Evan managed a smile, then, “So what are we going to do about food? I shouldn’t think there’s much more than a tin of Spam in the cupboard.”
“Mason has found a takeaway place, reckons they’ll deliver.”
“Ah, Johnson’s Chick House, yeah, they do. Costs the fuel, but as we don’t have a car that will have to do?”
“There’s no car?” Harry said.
“No, my mother took it. You watched her go.”
“So what’s in the barn?”
“Not ten Ferraris and half a dozen Lamborghinis, which is probably what your family keep in barns.”
“My father collects Austin Martins.”
“Should have guessed.” Evan huffed.
Olivia squeezed Harry’s hand, to stop him replying. “So what is in the barn, Evan? There must be something.”
“There’s stables for when the ranchers bring the horses back next week, they’ll need rest and shade. Hay, a shearing pen, lambing pens, and there’s an old tractor and cart. Worked okay last time I was here. My mother was moving hay bales around with it.”
“We’ll have to get decent transport,” Harry said. “There’s nine of us, ten soon all being well.” He set his hand over Olivia’s belly. “And this isn’t the sort of place we’ll want to break down. I’ll add it to the list of things to talk to Riley about.” He glanced at his watch. “In fact, I should do that now, he’ll be awake, presuming he’s still in Spain.”
“Somehow I think he will be.” Olivia grinned.
“Yeah, me, too.” Evan swept his lips over hers. “Come on, you should get off your feet, it’s been a long day.”
Chapter Eighteen
Olivia wandered back into the house with Evan and Harry.
Mason was just finishing up ordering a huge amount of food, which would take an hour and fifteen minutes to get cooked and delivered to them.
“That’s okay,” Olivia said. “It’ll give me time to get the boys through the bath.”
“Another bath?” Amal jumped up. He’d looked sleepy, but that disappeared in an instant.
“Yes, would you like a bath?” she asked.
“We had one at Tina’s house, when she was looking after us. Are we allowed another one?”
Olivia laughed. “Yes, in fact I think you should have one every night before bed. Wash the outback dust off.”
“I like baths.” Darius set down his pencils. “Can we go now?”
“Yes, come on.” She smiled. “Banna, would you like a shower? The en suite in the big double room has one.”
“Er yes, I think so.”
“What’s the matter?” Lucas asked, studying her.
“Er, I am not sure if I can work it.”
“That’s okay, I’ll show you.” Olivia reached for Amal’s hand. “Come on, by the time we’ve done that, dinner will be here.”
“But I’m hungry now,” Darius said.
“That’s good.” Mason pointed at the door. “It means you’ll eat your dinner up after your bath. Now be a good boy for Olivia.”
“I will.”
“Do you want me to help you, mi niña hermosa?”
“No, I’ll be fine. Well, as long as the plumbing works.” She glanced at Lucas. “If it’s cronky, I might need your help.”
“Shout if you do,” Lucas said, shuffling a pack of cards.
“Usually works okay,” Evan said. “But watch it’s not too hot, the water is heated by solar panel.”
“Will do.”
Olivia spent a pleasant hour with the children. The boys were like little fish in the bath tub, rolling under the water then wriggling up the sides with their faces full of bubbles. She gave up trying to get them to scrub themselves with a flannel, figuring there was enough soap in the water to dissolve any grime. Their giggles were loud, the bathroom floor was wet, as were her clothes.
Banna had a long shower. Olivia found her some coconut shampoo, then afterwards, once Banna was dressed in her pyjamas, spent fifteen minutes using a wide toothed comb to tease tangles from her hair.
Her brothers giggled at how frizzy Banna’s hair had gone, and Olivia promised to find some better shampoo and products. In the meantime she secured it back in a bun so Banna wouldn’t be too hot at night.
When they came down the stairs, the boys almost bouncing off the wall in their excitement to see if dinner had arrived, the doorbell rang.
Evan quickly appeared. “Must be the food.�
��
“Yay, it’s here.” Darius high-fived with Amal, something Harry had taught them.
Evan opened the door. A man in a checked shirt and jeans stood there holding several bulging carrier bags.
“Didn’t know you were back, Evan,” he said, setting the bags down.
“Hi, Chris, yeah, just got here.”
“Sorry to hear about your father.”
“Thanks,” Evan muttered. “How much do we owe you?”
“Two hundred and eight-four dollars. You having a party or what?”
Evan swallowed. “Er, no party, but okay, hang on.”
“Here.” Harry stepped between them, holding out a wad of cash. “Thanks for coming out all this way.”
Chris looked at the money, there was more than he’d asked for. “No problem. And you are?”
“Harry.”
“Harry…” Chris paused as if waiting for a surname.
Harry didn’t give it. Instead, he reached for the bags. “Kids, come and help me. Your supper is heavy.”
“We can help.” Darius and Amal rushed forward. Banna held back, clearly a little shy of a stranger.
“Cute kids,” Chris directed at Evan. “Where d’you find them?”
“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you over a beer one day.”
“Sure thing, mate. Louisa said she saw your mother driving north earlier. Gone to Perth, has she?”
“Yes, to live with her sister.”
“So are you visiting or staying? You’ve got ranchers out, haven’t you?”
“Yeah, they’ll be working for another week.” Evan shrugged. “Good to see you, Chris, thanks for bringing the food all this way.”
“No problem.” Chris grinned at Olivia. “And then what? You going to get this pretty lady ranching?”
“I’m not sure I want my wife doing that.”
Chris’s eyes widened. “Your wife.” He grinned. “Well congratulations. Never thought I’d see the day, old wandering walkabout Evan Tate got hitched. Wait till I tell Louisa.”
“Circumstances change.” Evan took hold of the door.
“They sure do. You got kids and a wife now, and a bloody big sheep station in your name.”
“We should go and eat,” Harry said, clasping Evan’s shoulder. “Good to meet you, Chris. You should come for a barbie when we get settled.”
“Sure, I’d like that. And Louisa would love to meet Olivia.” His face was alight with curiosity. “And those cute little kids.”
Olivia bet he’d like to come in now and ask a million questions. And that was before he knew there were three other husbands in the house, and that she was pregnant.
“Yeah, see you.” Evan began to shut the door.
“Catch you, soon,” Chris said, just before it closed.
“Phew.” Evan wiped his fingers over his brow. “I forgot he did the deliveries. He’s worse than a sheila for gossip.”
Olivia giggled and linked her arm through his. “Don’t worry about it. We can’t live in complete isolation—as long as we stick to one story, it’ll be okay. The rest of the time we can do what we want.”
“True.”
The lounge was full of meaty aromas. Olivia hesitated in the doorway and watched the various packages being unfolded. Raul was handing out plates, Lucas was shoving big spoons into cartons of noodles and rice.
For a second she wasn’t sure which way she was going to go. A rise of nausea could be in her immediate future. Her mouth filled with saliva, and her stomach growled. With relief she realized she was hungry. Her body wasn’t going to resist nourishment.
“Come and sit.” Raul patted the sofa. “I will get you a plate.”
“Thanks.”
He carefully added a small portion of chicken and rice and a few dumplings into a bowl for her.
“It is not what I would cook for your dinner,” Raul said, sitting beside her. “A mother and baby need fresh food, lots of vitamins. When I have my new kitchen, and food in the refrigerator, it will be different.”
“This is tasty,” she said, tucking in. “The odd takeout doesn’t hurt.”
They ate in virtual silence. Traveling halfway around the world had given everyone an appetite.
When the plates were clear and stacked, Harry pulled out his phone. “I’ll try Riley again. He didn’t answer before, must have been busy.”
“Busy,” Raul said. “Busy with what?”
Harry shrugged. “I don’t know. Perhaps he’s out with your mother, busy with her.”
“I hope he is not busy with her in a naked way.”
Mason chuckled. “Good luck to him if he is.”
“No, no good luck to him. He will need to propose first, a ring on her finger.”
“Raul.” Evan laughed. “Are you really so old-fashioned?”
“When it comes to my mother, si.”
“You didn’t worry about putting a ring on my finger.” Olivia raised her eyebrows at him.
“You are different in a special way.” He kissed her cheek and stroked her collar.
“She’s a grown woman,” Harry said, scrolling through his contacts. “Leave her be.”
“Aye, what are you gonna be like when Banna gets a boyfriend?” Lucas said. “Poor guy won’t stand a chance.”
Everyone went quiet and turned to Banna.
Her eyes widened. “I don’t want a boyfriend.”
Olivia reached over and took her hand. “No one is expecting you to, Banna. I think what Lucas means is when you’re old enough to have one, and he comes here for dinner, to meet us, he’s going to have to be brave enough to meet all five of your…” She paused, wondering if it was too soon to use the ‘f’ word.
What the hell
“To meet all of your new fathers.”
Banna looked around the room. A little smile grew, it kept on growing. Wider and wider still. “My new fathers.”
“Unless you want to pick just one of us?” Harry said, raising his eyebrows.
She shook her head. “No, I like you all the same. I want you all to be my new father the same. Does that make sense?”
“Aye, perfect sense.” Mason who was sitting on the other side of her, wrapped his arm around her slender shoulders and pulled her close. “We were all lucky to meet each other. We’re a family now.”
“Are you my new daddy?” Darius, who had been sitting on the floor scooping out the last of the noodles with a spoon, suddenly jumped up and crawled onto Mason’s lap.
“I guess so, if that’s what you want,” Mason said.
“Yes, yes.” Darius bobbed up and down.
Mason quickly protected his groin and shifted Darius to one side.
“I mean si, si,” Darius directed at Raul and giggled. “That is right, si?”
“Si, that is right. I will teach you five new Spanish words every day, soon you will be bilingual, no?”
“No?” Darius appeared confused. “Yes or no?”
“Si.” Raul laughed. “You will be.”
Amal, who was curled up like a tiny hamster on the chair beside Evan, suddenly yawned loudly.
“I think it’s bedtime for little people,” Olivia said, standing. “Come on Amal and Darius.” She held out her hands. “The time zones are getting to us all.”
They didn’t complain, and after a round of goodnights, she led them up the stairs. When she was at the top, she heard a creak and turned. “Banna, are you coming to bed as well?”
“Are you are going to tell the story about the princess with the long hair again?”
“If you’d like me to.”
“Yes, we like that one,” Amal said. He popped his thumb into his mouth. She hadn’t seen him do that before. Was he super tired or feeling content? She wasn’t sure.
Soon they were all sat on Banna’s bed, the open window letting in what breeze there was. Amal was lying down with his eyes closed and his thumb still in his mouth.
Banna was listening, clearly hooked on the story of Rapunzel. Darius wa
s fiddling with a small toy car he’d found in the cupboard, likely one from Evan’s childhood.
When Olivia had finished the story, and the children had brushed their teeth, she settled them into bed.
They were all tired. She was weary, too, but she wanted to spend some time with her husbands before she flaked out.
As she shut curtains, hung up towels, and listened for any signs of movement from the kids’ bedrooms, she absorbed the feel of the house. It held bad memories for Evan, sure, but it also had potential. She hoped the walls could heal, that the ghosts of his childhood would leave when they were replaced with new childhoods that were safe and secure.
She rubbed her stomach, thinking of the tiny baby inside—a tiny baby, who, like Banna, Darius, and Amal would have five fathers, all strong, determined, good men, to look out for him or her.
Satisfied the children were all sleeping, or nearly asleep, she went back into the living room.
The doors had been flung open to the decking, and dusk was drawing in.
The guys sat around the old Formica table playing cards.
“Poker night, I see.” She flopped onto the sofa and hooked her legs over the arm.
“Si,” Raul grinned. “And the stakes are high.”
Really? You playing for the last dumpling?”
“No, we are playing for you.” He winked at her.
“Me!”
“Yeah.” Harry studied his hand of cards. “There was some debate about who got to sleep in the one double bed with you tonight. We couldn’t agree, not least because it’s the only bed left.”
“Huh, so me being in it is a perk. It’s the bed you want.”
Mason laughed. “You know damn well that’s not the case.”
“And we tried to play for a date with you on Temptress,” Raul said. “But you would not agree to be a prize.”
“What makes you think I’ll agree now?”
“Because you are our wife, and you are hot for us all.” Raul laughed.
“Well I can’t argue with that.” She stifled a yawn. “But I’m a very tired wife, so I might not be hot for anyone tonight.”
“Don’t you worry about that,” Mason said. “We have ways of heating you up.”
She raised her eyebrows at him. He’d stripped off his top, something he didn’t do often if the sun was out because of his pale skin. But when he did she enjoyed admiring his broad shoulders, perfect abs, and his dense tattoo.
