She backed up from the door as Sam set Rylee down, opened the door, and then picked up Rylee’s little bike and turned it upside down. He pulled the white tire off, and then a flat piece of rubber out of that. “I’ll take this one home and patch it in case she gets another flat.” He expertly pushed the new inner tube into the tire. It didn’t look all that hard. She could have managed. Yeah, right. You would have gone to Hunt’s in tears trying to figure out how to take the tire off.
“Okay, thank you.” Avery glanced over at Rylee as she stood by the door clutching her doll.
“There you go. I’ve got an air compressor in my garage. I’ll air up the tire, and you’ll be all fixed up.” Sam smiled and Rylee smiled back.
“Say, my mother is going to make a proper Southern breakfast for supper feast later today. You two wanna join us?”
Avery shook her head as Rylee grinned and nodded.
Sam regarded her for a moment. “My mom came all the way from El Paso, and she loves cooking for people. She’d love the company and a youngling to spoil.”
Youngling? Did they not call them kids or children here? Rylee turned, and her expression begged as well as her words used to. Sighing in defeat, Avery nodded. “After we get back from an appointment today.” She swore Rylee’s face paled, and Sam even looked at her odd before giving her a worried look.
“I’ll see you when you get back then.” He smiled at Rylee and then turned and went back to his house.
* * * *
Rylee clutched her doll the entire way home from therapy. The therapist once again pushed for hospitalization, and Rylee was shaking and clinging to her when she finished with therapy. She was ready to pull her, but then Rylee’s therapist once again she could get the law involved if she felt Avery was neglecting Rylee’s mental health. When an official with a badge came in, Avery thought for a moment he was here for her, but it was the therapist. It was the only thing that got her out of there. Some sort of surprise inspection or something.
Something was very wrong, but what was she going to do? No one else took the insurance, and she couldn’t just stop therapy for Rylee. She still wasn’t speaking, and her extreme fear reaction was still as bad as it was days after the gunfight.
She was in tears when she pulled into her drive. She had no idea which way to turn now. Rylee had time before she had to go back. Maybe she could figure something out between now and her next appointment.
She got out, opened the back door, picked Rylee up out of her car seat, and crossed the street to Sam’s house. Avery never got a chance to knock before Gage opened the door. “Avery! Rylee! My two favorite ladies in the world. Get in here.” It was impossible not to smile with Gage’s handsome smile and dimples lighting up his face in such a way that made his masculine face look almost boyish.
Gage took Rylee, and her face lightened immediately. Gage swung her by her arms a few times and she smiled.
“Oh, you liked that, did you?” Gage swung her a few times, and she giggled a few times before he set her down.
Avery stared after her, blinking hard to ward off the tears. She was sick of tears. They did nothing but make her appear weak and sappy. She needed to grow some backbone and act like a warrior instead of a frightened little princess.
“It’s a start.” Avery and Gage watched her wander down the hall without any fear.
“It is. It’s more progress than she’s made in six months. She had an appointment today, and she’s usually out of sorts all day.”
He turned his penetrating gaze to her and studied her as if he could read all her secrets by just glancing at her. “You will have to tell Sam and me what happened to you two to cause so much damage in your lives.”
She nearly laughed. She’d come out of the disaster stronger and wiser. It was Rylee who wasn’t speaking. “I’m not damaged. My poor baby is though.”
Gage stared down at her with his eyebrow raised. “You really think that?” He closed the door, but kept her pinned in place with his intense stare.
Avery nodded as she stared, almost mesmerized, into his eyes.
“Life has been unkind to you. You’ve had your heart stomped on and crushed so many times that you no longer trust yourself when love is staring at you.”
Avery swallowed hard and backed away. That was the silliest thing she’d ever heard. She hadn’t had that hard of a life. So, a few guys bailed on her and one of them left her and Rylee to die. Life sucked sometimes, really sucked. It didn’t mean life had been any worse for her than anyone else in the world.
“I’ll let you hide behind your walls for a while longer, Avery, but know this. You’re mine. Mine and Sam’s, and we’re not going to let you run forever.” He threaded his fingers through her hair, and then his mouth took hungry possession of hers.
When she moaned, his tongue forged deep and danced with hers. Her hands ran along his muscular back and held on as passion nearly swept her away. Her worries about the future melted away in his embrace, and her libido flared to life.
He ended the kiss and held her steady for a moment before letting go. “By the gods, Avery. If my mother and your youngling weren’t here, I’d claim you right now.”
Confused, she laughed. Perhaps youngling and claiming were Texan words, and she just didn’t quite get the culture yet.
She turned and gasped when she took in the woodwork of the home. A beautiful fireplace with an ornate carved mantel stood against the wall, and right next to that was the pedestal for the Victorian staircase. It was simple, yet elegant. Two steps led up to a large square platform and a massive window that looked out to the street side of the property. The staircase made a turn and then continued up to the second floor. She took in every detail of the entryway of Sam’s home, and she was nearly speechless. The 1800s Victorian had been either kept in mint condition or beautifully restored. She almost expected a lady in a formal gown to flow down the stairs to greet them.
“You like it?” Sam asked after he came out of a room to the left of the entryway. “Gage and I worked on this house for years to bring it back from the brink of death.”
“You two did all this?” She was in awe of how accurate it was. She’d loved architecture, particularly Victorian era. His home was gorgeous. While it was masculine, it was also elegant. He’d stuck with the time period for the home’s décor, which really got her imagination soaring. How she would love to be able to get her hands on an old house like this and bring it back to life. She was doing that with her own, but she had to get more money flowing in first. Soon. Velkman’s was good about raises and bonuses. She was just in a tight spot now after her car broke down.
They both nodded. “It took a long time because this house was on the verge of being condemned, but I couldn’t let the town knock her down. She just needed some TLC.”
She looked around in awe. This was far more than some TLC. She’d seen many home improvement episodes on PBS and knew this was master craftsmanship type of work. “You did an amazing job.”
Sam and Gage both smiled at her with grins that melted her heart. There wasn’t a trace of arrogance in their expression, but they were obviously proud that she’d raved about their work. “Thank you,” Gage said with a touch of color to his cheeks as if he wasn’t sure how to react to her praise.
“Boys, don’t stand out there all day. Come in here,” a female’s voice called.
Rylee popped out of one of the rooms and walked toward a large doorway that two wooden doors held open by two pewter wolves. Hope flared in Avery’s heart for a moment to see her acting so much like a little girl instead of a terrified little rabbit that she caught herself grinning widely.
Sam reached down and held her chin as his lips met hers in a panty-melting kiss. His tongue played over her lips, swollen from Gage’s kiss, until she parted and he claimed her mouth. His hands romanced her body, touching her as if he already knew where she loved his hands to caress. Her head was spinning by the time he let her up. When he stood up, Gage also kissed her agai
n. His mouth captured hers, and his hands threaded into her hair to hold her in place for his kiss.
Gage ended the kiss and stared into her eyes. “Beautiful.”
“Well, we’d better get in there before Mom gets impatient.” Sam broke the spell, and Avery backed away feeling aroused and needy for more sex. Sam held his left arm out to her in an old-fashioned gesture of a gentleman leading a lady. Avery placed her hand on his forearm, and a tingle ran up her arm followed by a feeling of overwhelming rightness. You’ve found your safety net, Avery. Home. She shook her head. Why was she having these insane thoughts about two men she’d just met? Every time she tried to talk some sense into herself about slowing things down, something happened and she hopped right back in with thoughts about forever. Even Rylee seemed to be conspiring against her.
The smell of sausage and pancakes floated down the hall from the kitchen. Sam led Avery and Gage followed behind. When she glanced behind her, a thought struck her. Sam was the Alpha who led the way, and Gage was the one who guarded their backs. She wasn’t normally this insightful about people. Her past relationships were proof she was a terrible judge of character.
An older woman turned when they entered the room. “Hi! We’re having a late breakfast.”
Avery smiled and liked the woman instantly. She had a peacefulness about her. “Hi.” She waved as Sam pulled out a chair.
“Mom, this is Avery. Avery, this is our mom, Evelyn.”
“So lovely to meet you.” She grinned as if she was in on a secret Avery didn’t know about. “You have a beautiful little girl. What’s her name?”
“Rylee,” she answered as Gage pulled out a chair for her and then set a child’s stepladder close to Evelyn, but not too close where Rylee could get burned.
“She’s a quiet little girl.” Evelyn stirred the potatoes that were frying as Rylee climbed up the stepladder to watch.
“Yes, she’s very quiet and shy. She’s never been much of a talker.” She folded her hands on the table as tears threatened to build in her eyes. No more tears. Face the future with courage instead of weakness. Nice of you to say that now, you worthless slut. The voice of her long-dead mother raged at her. I told you that you’d amount to nothing, and you couldn’t just take yourself down. You had to take your kid with ya. Now everyone will see how worthless you are.
“Hey, you okay?” Sam asked. He sat down kitty-corner from her, and his massive hand enveloped her small one. She stared at his large calloused fingers as they gripped her cold hands. Whenever she thought of her mother, it always made her cold. Would she end up like her mom? She was angry and bitter at the world and took it out on everyone around her until she finally destroyed herself.
“Yeah.” She gave him a brave smile she didn’t feel. “Just some ghosts trying to invade the party.”
“In my house?” Sam’s eyes widened in mock horror. “I won’t allow it. I have dream catchers to keep the evil spirits away that bring such sadness to your beautiful face.”
Avery laughed as Sam’s thumb stroked her hand, and tingles of heat traveled from her hand to her clit. It was an innocent enough touch, but it left her wanting Sam to strip off her clothes and bury his cock into her welcoming pussy. No dirty thoughts in front of their mother! she thought as Gage, Rylee, and Evelyn carried the biscuits, sausage, gravy, eggs, and potatoes over to the table.
“Let her be, Sam.” Evelyn gave him a meaningful look, and his lust-filled smile turned tender.
“Yes, ma’am,” Sam said with absolute respect in his tone.
Gage chuckled. “Leave it to Mom to bring up the most powerful man in the area up short.”
Avery’s cheeks blushed, and she ducked her head. They were doing all of this in front of their mother, which made the two men chuckle.
Evelyn helped Rylee with serving her plate as if she loved helping little ones serve their food. She spoke to her the entire time as an experienced mother would with a small child.
Sam and Gage filled their plates with heaping mounds of food and barely spoke. They were much more interested in the food on their plates than conversation. Memories from long ago in her childhood filtered down to a time when she was as young as Rylee, and she would visit her grandmother’s house. It was one of the few times she got a glimpse of a normal family. Her uncles would act much the same way as Sam and Gage. It was the happiest, most secure time of her life until mother had a falling out with her grandmother and she took her away. Her grandmother died, and her uncles scattered all over the country. She’d never spoken to them after that, and she never experienced the love of a family again, until now.
It all felt so right and safe, even for Rylee, who came first in her life, always. As she put a forkful of eggs as emotion swamped her, that inner voice hit her once again. This is where I wanted you all along. That long, treacherous road led you here to where your fated mates were waiting to hold you safe in their embrace.
She watched them as Gage cut Rylee’s sausage and Evelyn poured her some ketchup. It was far more than what they did for Rylee that got to Avery’s heart. It was the way they spoke to her. Their voice was always gentle and they explained everything to her as if they sensed how afraid she was. They never grabbed her or yelled, even when playing. Did they know how those little things triggered Rylee? How could they? She’d not told them a thing, but somehow, they knew.
Gage and Sam started small talk about town politics, gossip, and the weather. They knew the town’s leaders and council personally, and she was new and worked in a factory. She barely made enough to support herself and Rylee. She wasn’t sure what they saw in her, but she was grateful, if nothing else for Rylee.
Sam turned to her. “I hear Velkman’s is hiring again. I guess they’re keeping you busy.” He poured himself some more coffee and then filled her cup again.
“Oh yes. They ask me to work overtime, but I don’t like Rylee to be stuck in their day care too much.”
“Do they charge you for that?” Gage appeared worried for a moment.
“It’s part of the employee package. I could have either taken day care or been paid fifty cents more an hour. I liked the idea of Rylee close to me, so I took the day care option. It’s a good service, but it isn’t home.”
Evelyn set her coffee cup down. “I can understand that. Call me old-school, but younglings should be with their family as much as possible. I understand someone has to watch them, but they thrive more with family than strangers.”
Avery nodded in agreement. If she could have, she would have stayed home with Rylee. That thought triggered her anxiety about Rylee’s therapist. She had to take Rylee back to her in a week. She’d been even more withdrawn from her appointment today, until she’d seen Sam and Gage. She was almost back to normal, but after the next appointment, she’d be back in her shell again. She had to figure out a way to pull her from that doctor. Without another one in the area that took her insurance, that would be hard. Dallas was several hours away and where the next closest therapist was. Her car wouldn’t make it back and forth, not to mention the gas.
“I didn’t mean to worry you.” Evelyn looked worried and Avery realized her worry must be etched on her face.
“No. Sorry. Other worries invaded my mind.” She took a deep breath. “I said as much to Mr. Velkman, and he agreed to keep my hours down.”
“He’s a good man to work for,” Gage said around a mouth full of food. His brown-eyed gaze captured hers and remained steady for several breathtaking moments. Gage was always the one with the almost boyish smile, but now he was all predatory male. “If someone is bothering you, tell us.”
“I will.” His predatory expression stirred her heart and libido. The familiar ache built in her pussy, and she tore her gaze away to stare at her plate. “It’s nothing here. Just some Rylee stuff.” She shoved some more food in her mouth before she said too much. The last thing she needed to do was to start telling her troubles to them. She thought about packing up and leaving, but the pain that blossomed in her c
hest at never seeing Sam and Gage again nearly stole her breath. The ache in her chest worried her. Even though it made her want to cry, she wondered if she should try to back away from them so she could run again. Maybe go north this time. She could barely breathe from the pain, but she wasn’t sure how else to protect her baby.
Chapter Four
Winter in Texas had grown cold and gloomy. It seemed the days were even shorter than before, and the long lonely nights seemed far longer to Avery, especially since she hadn’t seen Sam and Gage in nearly a week. Her body ached in ways she’d never experienced before, and even masturbating left her feeling frustrated. She wanted them, both of them. She’d not seen them around, and she tried to tell herself that they were busy. Sam was as Texas Ranger, after all, and she was sure between the bar and the rodeo, Gage was always busy. Part of her worried she’d been dumped, just like she’d been afraid of.
She flopped on her bed and tried to sleep. It wouldn’t come, and her heart ached in a strange way. Her stomach was tight, and she was always on the verge of crying, much like she was after her mother told her that her grandma died. Tears filled her eyes as she stared at the ceiling. It would pass, and the pain would dull. She would be okay.
Sighing in frustration, both from lack of sleep and sex, she threw her legs up and over the mattress and stood up. She didn’t bother with a robe and stormed to the stairs. As usual, she went straight to the living room window and looked out. Several men stood outside, and they looked banged up while others talked with large hand gestures, as if they were excited. Sam, Gage, and Dylan listened and all looked off toward the east several times. Dylan and his partner, Raeff, jumped into a SUV and drove off in that direction, and several motorcycles followed him.
It was obvious there was a problem, and Sam’s elbows were wide from his body as he spoke with Gage. They both stood with their legs braced wide, and they both had jerky, sharp arm movements. It didn’t take a body language expert to see that they were furious.
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