Yeah, he looked all good. “Savannah’s just been filling me in on everything that’s happened since I’ve been gone.”
“How are your hands?” Savannah jumped up and moved over to his brother, whose hands were wrapped in white bandages.
“They’re fine,” he told her. “That damn paramedic is just pissed at me. I don’t need all these bandages.” He went to push them off, and Savannah grabbed his wrists.
“Leave them,” she said sternly. “I’m sure he didn’t bandage them any more than necessary.”
Max wasn’t so certain. Logan’s hands looked like two massive snowballs sticking out of the ends of his arms.
“Everyone has left. Colin and Trace are taking all the horses back to their place. They said they can stay as long as necessary. Gonna take a while to rebuild the barn, but half the stables aren’t in too bad of shape.”
Fuck.
Max ran his hand over his face. “I don’t see how we can rebuild.” It hurt him to say the words. Actually physically hurt. Christ, he’d left his family, left his wife when she was vulnerable and needed him, and put himself in a dangerous situation all for nothing. The money he’d earned was good, but it wasn’t enough to rebuild all they’d lost.
“But we have insurance,” Logan said.
“Yes, but the money could take a while to come through, what do we do with the horses until then? Where do we store everything? Then there’s the deductible. On top of all the bills, this could be beyond us.”
Max sat in an armchair, resting his elbows on his thighs, his head dropping forward.
“That bitch!”
He looked up in shock at Savannah’s angry words. His wife looked ready to kill. Her pale cheeks were flushed with red, her hands clenched into fists. “How dare she!”
Max had no doubt that if Alicia Michaels was in the room she’d find herself deeply regretting her actions.
“She did this to us. She and her bastard boyfriend. And then there’s Atkinson. They’ve fucked with our lives enough, you hear me?” She pointed at Max and then Logan.
“We hear you just fine, darlin’,” Logan said dryly.
She turned her glare on Max. “And I don’t want to hear how you should have been here. Enough. From now on, we do everything as a family, got it?”
He didn’t dare smile. He didn’t want her to think he was laughing at her when she was so serious. But she was damn gorgeous when she was all heated up like this.
“You’re a great provider, you give me everything I need. Your love, your protection, and your time. I don’t want to hear any more crap about how you’ve failed. Understood?”
He just raised his eyebrows and looked over at Logan who shrugged. “Bossy.”
That was for sure.
“We’ll figure this out,” she said.
Savannah moved over to him, and he pulled her onto his lap, needing her close.
“We should get some sleep.” Even though he was exhausted, he knew he wouldn’t sleep. But Savannah looked done in and so did Logan.
“I need a shower.” Logan wrinkled his nose.
“Same,” Max said with a sigh.
Savannah climbed off his lap and held out her hand. “I really am glad you’re home, Max.”
“Me too, love.”
Chapter Fifteen
She woke to the most delicious sensation. Arousal flooded her, and she moaned, moving about on the bed as wave after wave of pleasure flooded her. She opened her eyes, looking down as she realized she was no longer covered by any blankets, and that a dark head lay between her legs.
Max. Max was licking her pussy. Max was driving her insane with his tongue and fingers.
“Max. Feels so good.”
He glanced up with a grin. “You’re awake.”
“And what a way to wake up.” Way better than some alarm blaring in her ear.
She glanced over as the bed dipped and Logan rolled towards her. Max returned to sucking on her clit as Logan leaned in to kiss her.
“How are your hands?” she asked.
“Screw my hands.” But as he tried to move down the bed, he winced, in obvious pain.
“Stop moving around, they’re hurting you.”
“Damn it, you two, I’m doing some of my best work down here,” Max grumbled.
She froze and glanced down at him. “Sorry.”
“Logan lie on your back. Savannah get on your hands and knees. You can suck him off while I get your ass prepared for me. You’re taking us both together.” He climbed off the bed and grabbed some lube from the bedside table.
Her body hummed with delight as she eagerly moved between Logan’s open legs. She wrapped her hands around his thick shaft and licked the head.
“Damn it, Savannah, don’t tease.”
Max smacked his hand down on her ass, and she cried out, turning around to glare at him. “No teasing.”
“I wasn’t teasing. I was warming him up.”
“I’m so fucking warm I’m about to burst. Max, hurry up and prep her. I want to feel that sweet pussy hugging my dick.”
“Always in a rush. Although, I’ve got to say I’m more than ready to take this ass. Damn, I’ve missed you, Savannah.” He pushed one slick finger deep inside her.
“I missed you,” she whispered. Then she groaned as he pushed another finger deep. She moved one hand away from Logan’s cock, using it to brace herself as Max thrust his fingers in and out of her tight ass. She licked her way up Logan’s shaft, circling the head, lapping up the small dot of pre-cum. She hummed as the salty flavor hit her taste buds.
“Damn, baby, you look beautiful sucking my cock,” Logan told her.
She took him deep, sucking strongly. He cried out, thrusting up into her mouth. Up and down she suckled at him, moving quickly then slowly.
As she played with Logan, Max prepared her ass. He was now up to three fingers, and her ass was burning. But it was a delicious burn.
“Enough!” Logan cried out. “Fuck me already.”
Max pulled his fingers free then slapped her ass again. “You heard the man. Up.”
She climbed up over Logan, straddling his hips and bracing herself against his chest. Then she grabbed hold of his shaft and guided him inside her.
Max sat back for a moment and just watched his wife. God, he loved her. She rocked back and forth on Logan’s cock. Then she glanced over her shoulder at him and smiled. That smile made him feel like he’d won the lottery. The love in her eyes made him want to promise her everything.
“Max! Stop fucking dawdling and get the fuck over here. I’m about to fucking come,” Logan snarled.
Savannah burst into laughter.
Finally, he was home.
With a grin, he joined them. Pushing his cock slowly into her ass, giving her time to adjust to him before he thrust deeply. Fuck yeah. He and Logan moved in tandem, one pushing in while the other drew back. Max reached between their bodies as he felt himself grow close to the edge. He slipped his finger against Savannah’s clit. The small nub was swollen, her pussy slick with need.
“Come, baby. Come with us now.”
She cried out, her scream of pleasure mixing with Logan’s. Max pulled back and grabbing hold of her hips, thrust deeply once more before satisfaction flooded him.
Fuck yeah. This was coming home.
***
“Yeah, okay, thanks, man.”
Max ended the call and placed the phone down.
“Was that Jake?” Logan asked.
They’d gotten out of bed a few hours ago, and while she’d made breakfast, the one meal she could actually make without burning anything, Max had gone and inspected what was left of the stables. Logan had stayed with her. She knew they were nervous to leave her on her own.
When Max returned, he’d been grim. Too grim. Things were bad. But they were all alive. That was the main thing, surely.
“Yeah, Alicia isn’t talking. They’re waiting on her lawyer.”
“Great.” She placed her hand
over her stomach, feeling ill.
“She won’t get away with this,” Logan told her.
“I’m so sorry I left when you needed me,” Max told her.
“There’s no way you could have known,” she replied. “Like there’s no way you could have known about the fire. The stables can be replaced, people can’t. What’s important is that we’re all okay.”
Knowing him, she could tell it would take Max a while to get over this.
“I’ve contacted our insurance. They’re going to start things rolling but there will be a high deductible we have to pay.” And where would they get that from?
“I could ask my mother for a loan,” she suggested.
“No,” both men replied.
Max gave her a firm look. “We’re not asking her for anything.”
“Just as well, because she’d never let us forget it.”
“We’ll think of something,” Max told her.
Logan nodded. But she could tell they were just as unsure of the future as she was. But at least she had both of them back. For however much longer this was their home.
“I don’t care where I live,” she told them. “As long as I have the two of you then I’m home.”
***
Three days later, Max found himself sorting through the rubble of the barn. Christ, this mess alone would take weeks to tidy up. Especially since Logan couldn’t do much with his hands. And then there were all the other jobs to take care of.
At least that bitch, Alicia had now admitted everything and been held without bail. Max knew they were all sleeping a bit easier because of that. Although neither he nor Logan could leave Savannah on her own. They probably wouldn’t be able to for a long, long time.
He looked up as heard the rumble of a truck. What was a truck doing coming here? A truck filled with lumber. Half a dozen vehicles followed along behind. Most of them had trailers on the back.
What the hell?
He walked over as Gavin jumped out of the passenger side of the large truck loaded down with timber.
“Hey!” Gavin waved.
“What’s going on?” Max asked as a number of his neighbors and friends climbed out of the other vehicles, calling out to him. The men started pulling on gloves and hard hats, while the women, dishes in hand, walked towards the house.
“What’s this?” he asked again.
“We came to help you clean up. Start loading all the rubble into the trailers,” Gavin called out.
Max grabbed hold of his arm as he went to step past him. “And the building materials?”
“For the barn raising we plan to have once you get permits and decide what you want.”
“I’m not accepting charity,” Max growled. Things hadn’t gotten that bad. Yet.
“Not charity. Everyone else here volunteered to come help.” Gavin stared at him. “You going to tell them they’re wasting their time?”
“No . . . but . . . it’s kind of you to offer—”
“I’m not kind. And I’m not offering. I’m telling you. You’ll take this. How many times have you helped us out without expecting anything in return?”
“Still . . .”
“Jesus, Max, if it makes you feel any better you can pay us back. All right? We’ll work out some terms. Now, come on, we’ve got work to do.”
Max spent the next few hours working alongside his neighbors and friends, removing the rubble. A few of the men had building experience, they’d already helped him plan a new barn and stables. Logan had come out to help, but couldn’t do much more than stand around and scowl. But that was pretty standard for him.
“Max!”
Max looked up at Logan’s shout. His brother nodded towards the drive where he saw Jake walking towards them. Jake stopped beside him. “People around here move fast.”
“They do,” Max agreed.
“You here to help?” Logan asked, walking over to them.
“Maybe. First, I’d like to talk to you both. Can we go inside?”
Logan winced. “There are about twenty women inside. They’re what drove me out here, even though I’m useless with these hands.”
Max swore he saw Jake’s lips twitch as he stared down at Logan’s hands. “Paulie sure did a good job with those bandages, didn’t he?”
Logan just grumbled under his breath.
“I came to tell you that Montgomery PD found Atkinson yesterday.”
“Really? Did he own up to paying Marshall to poison our calves?” Logan asked.
“Yep. Caved within seconds. He was hiding in some pit of a motel, almost ready to turn himself in. Says the reason he wanted to buy this place was because he wanted to turn it into a hunting and fishing retreat.”
“What?” Max stared at him in shock.
Jake shrugged. “So he says. Reckons the creek on your property is ideal, especially with the lake you have.”
“So that’s reason enough to poison our calves?” Logan snarled.
“That’s what he said. Anyway, he was practically begging not to go to jail. Offered to do anything to help his sentence. Including paying reparations to you guys.”
“Reparations? What reparations?” Max asked.
“Oh, about fifteen thousand dollars’ worth.”
“For three calves?” Logan gaped at him.
There was a twinkle in Jake’s eyes. “Yep. Seems like you might be able to add another wing to those stables.”
“Whoop!” Logan yelled, making the people close by turn and smile at him. Logan swung his arm around Max’s shoulders, who stood still with shock.
“Let’s go give Savannah the good news. We get to keep our home.”
Their home. His home was with Logan and Savannah. But this ranch, it was home too.
And damn that felt good.
Epilogue
Four months later
Savannah tightened her hand around Rosie’s lead. Sensing her fear, Rosie leaned in against her.
“We got this, girl.”
“If you need more time, we can wait a few days,” Logan called out from the porch. He walked to the open front door, holding the tablet out in front of him so Molly could see her.
“No, she’s okay,” Molly said. “You can do this, Savannah.”
Savannah nodded. She could do this. She could now open the door and look outside without a panic attack ensuing. It was time to try and step outside.
“Logan, move back and out of the way. Give her space,” Molly ordered.
Logan pulled a face at the tablet and Savannah had to turn away to hide her grin. Funny, the last thing she expected to be doing this morning was smiling.
“He’s making faces at me, isn’t he?” Molly complained.
Logan quickly stepped back out onto the porch.
“You okay, love?” Max asked from beside her. “I can walk with you.”
She shook her head. “I have Rosie. I can do this.”
“I know you can.” Max squeezed her shoulder. “You’re strong, and you’re tough. You look after her, Rosie.”
Rosie barked at him quietly as though she understood. The service dog had been a godsend. Savannah knew she wouldn’t have gotten this far without Rosie to help her.
It also helped that things had become much quieter and more settled. Max no longer stressed as much about money and he’d actually started talking to them about the ranch. The three of them usually used dinnertime to discuss what had gone on that day. She was learning far more than she thought she would about ranching just listening to the two of them talk.
She hadn’t returned to her old job. She’d decided that taking over the ranch’s bookwork would really help her men out and she’d noticed Max seemed relieved to have that off his plate.
Things weren’t magically better, of course. It would take a while for the ranch to truly be profitable. But they were turning things around.
“All right, Rosie. Let’s do this.” She bit her lip, feeling her breathing grow faster as they neared the door. Rosie whimpered
and leaned into her.
She patted the dog’s head. “It’s okay. I’m all right.”
“That’s it, Savannah,” Molly said from the tablet. “Remember your breathing techniques. Just one step in front of the other. If you feel yourself starting to panic just stop for a moment and breathe.”
Savannah paused. Her heartrate was elevated, sweat was gathering on her forehead. Rosie barked, and she looked down at the dog with a smile.
“Good girl, Rosie.” She didn’t know how the golden retriever knew when a panic attack was brewing, but she usually managed to bring her back from the brink.
“All right. I’m okay.” She took another step forward. Then another. And suddenly, she was outside. And it was overwhelming. Exhilarating. Terrifying. Then her men were there, surrounding her with their bodies, their protection, their love.
“Hey! Hey!” Molly called out from the tablet. “Where’d you all go?”
She glanced over to see the tablet lying face down on the porch. Logan picked it up, and Molly glared, clearly disgruntled. “What happened? Where . . .” Her eyes widened. “Savannah! You’re outside!”
“I am.”
Molly smiled. “I knew you could do it.”
Savannah grinned. “I did it. But I couldn’t have done it without you two.” She reached up and kissed Max then moved across to Logan. “Or you, Molly.”
“All right, put me back down,” Molly said, sounding disgruntled. “Clearly it’s time for me to leave.”
Max picked Savannah up in his arms. “Bye, Molly.”
Logan waved down at her. “See ya, Molly.”
She looked down into the tablet. “I owe you, Molly.”
Molly switched off the computer screen with a smile. But her smile soon turned sad. She was going to miss those guys. Savannah was going to need her less and less.
It was a good thing. For Savannah. For Molly and her lonely existence, not so much.
“She’s your patient, not your friend,” she reminded herself.
But perhaps after she stopped being her patient, they could be friends. Maybe then, Molly would take a trip to Haven, Texas and find out if all the men there were as good-looking and protective as Max and Logan.
Saving Savannah (Haven Book 3) Page 18
