by Jane Jamison
“So when do we bring it up?”
Paul shrugged. “I would’ve said first chance we get. But now that she’s telling us to back off, I think we have to wait until we feel the time is right. Let’s not push it right now. She’s already got enough on her plate.”
“Damn. Women are fucking hard to deal with.”
Wade nodded. “You can say that again, bro.”
* * * *
They hadn’t said anything about the future. Daisy tried as hard as she could not to let that bother her. It was only because Melissa’s mishap in the kitchen had ended their time together so abruptly. At least that’s what she hoped it was.
Either that or they’re only interested in a temporary thing.
She turned on the shower, then stepped in once the water was warm. It was a shame to wash away the scent of them. But at least it couldn’t wash away the delicious sensations still coursing through her body.
Actions spoke louder than words. She’d believed that all her life. Until now. Although they’d shown her with their touches that they cared for her, she wished they would’ve told her as much.
It doesn’t matter. I know how they feel. Actions don’t lie.
Yet she knew that no matter how hard she tried to convince herself, she’d still have doubts until she heard them say the words.
Melissa’s accident had frightened her. They couldn’t afford to let their guard down again. For that reason and because she needed to hear how they felt, she was determined that they’d keep their hands off each other. They all needed to keep clear heads.
“Girl, that’s one hard promise to keep.”
And yet, as she stared at her reflection in the glass surrounding the shower, she knew it was a promise she had to keep.
* * * *
Daisy had called a time out after that first delirious night in her home. For herself. For the men. But mostly for Melissa. Three blissful days had gone by since then and with each moment that came and went, she grew a little more relaxed.
Or at least, relaxed about Melissa’s situation. But relaxed around the men? That was another thing altogether.
She sat on the front porch, listening to the squeak of her chair as she set it rocking. As had become her habit, she watched the sun go down and nursed a hot toddy. It didn’t matter that the weather was too warm for a hot drink. As far as she was concerned, she could be lost in the Sahara Desert and still want her hot toddy.
She could hear Paul and Wade talking behind the house. They’d discussed everything from the level of the water in the nearby creek, to their favorite sports team’s chance to win the next game, to detailing the Range Rover. Yet the conversation always led back to what might happen with Melissa.
It wasn’t worth the breath it took to talk about it as far as Daisy was concerned. Melissa still had to make up her mind about keeping the baby, returning to John or Charlie, or—as Daisy and the men suggested—starting a new life in another city where neither John nor Charlie could find her and the baby.
She was deep in thought when Troy came out of the house. He settled into the chair next to her and took a sip of his beer.
“Are you sure I can’t talk you into trying a hot toddy?” They’d had the same conversation before and she already knew his answer.
“No thanks. It’s too hot. I don’t know how people can even drink coffee unless it’s in the dead of winter.”
“Suit yourself.”
“Thanks. I will.” As he’d done so often over the past few days, he put his hand on top of hers. “Can I talk you into going upstairs with me? With us?”
She loved that he always asked her that. But he had to know her answer already, too. “Not yet.”
“Daisy, it’s been three days. If nothing’s happened by now, it’s not going to.”
“You don’t know that.”
“True enough. But it’s a good bet.”
Before meeting the men and Melissa’s troubles coming into her life, she would’ve taken that bet. But not now. Although she hated to admit it even to herself, the fire had scared her more than she liked. What if she’d been in bed with them? She shuddered to think about the dire consequences if they’d been too involved to notice.
Since then she’d driven herself and them crazy with her refusal to share their bed. Instead, they’d shared hot glances as well as brief caresses whenever they got near each other. Each touch, each whispered word, each plea and even demand that she come to them had riddled her body with need. She didn’t think she could hold out much longer. Once Melissa finally made up her mind, then she’d run to them. But not before she knew Melissa and the men she loved were safe.
She drew in a breath and picked up Troy’s aroma. Whether it was their different shaving cream, aftershave, or their own personal chemistry, she could tell one man from the other. Troy’s spicy scent drifted over to her and she took a sip to cover a sigh.
“So we’re still waiting on Melissa to make her decision?” His fingertips danced over the top of her hand as he toyed with the flesh covering her knuckles.
“Yes.” Her voice was weak and she found it hard to drag in a good breath.
Even that minor interaction brought major reactions. It was wonderful and strange how he could touch her flesh on her hand and have the result show up in the burgeoning heat between her legs. She pulled her hand away, hating to do so, but knowing that if she didn’t, she might lose her resolve and fling her body at him.
“Then let’s get her to make a decision soon. Today, in fact.” He took her hand again and pivoted to face her.
She had to look at him. To do otherwise was impossible. “I don’t want to force her. Too many people have already done that to her.”
“We have to get back to Tulsa. To work.”
The ache, the longing in his tone overwhelmed her and she dared to lean toward him. He brought his hand to her jaw then slid it under her hair to cup her neck.
“Daisy, we don’t want to leave without you. We need to get back, but we promised to stay with you until this was over and we will. Still, we can’t let her drag it out forever.”
They’d made no promises to her since their last time alone and she’d expected none. Their lives, their mission was in Tulsa. And hers was in Destiny. “I don’t want you to leave.”
They were stuck in a cocoon where time had stopped. And yet they both knew it couldn’t stay that way much longer. Soon they’d have to face the future, whatever it held.
She choked back a moan as he moved in and lightly pressed his lips to hers. He tugged on her lower lip, teasing her to nibble back and she did. His kiss grew stronger, needier, as she swept her tongue along the seam of his lips.
To want him, to need them and not be able to do anything about it was pure torture.
The squeak of the front screen door had her pulling away from him.
“I’m sorry.” Melissa, barefoot in a white, apple-covered dress that Daisy had purchased for her during their shopping trip, stood in the doorway. She looked vulnerable and innocent. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Daisy cleared her throat and brushed her lips with her fingertips. She sat back in the chair and cupped her drink in her hand. Funny how she and Troy had kept hold of their drinks the entire time they’d kissed. Was it because they needed to hold on to something? Anything? “Do you need me, Melissa?”
“Yes. I came to tell you that I’ve made my decision.”
Chapter Eight
“You have?” Daisy was on her feet and pulling Melissa into the chair on the other side of her. She held back the urge to hurry her along. Making the decision had to have been hard for the young girl, and even if she didn’t agree with it, Daisy would back her up.
“Yes.” She folded her hands in her lap, but even then, Daisy could see that they shook.
“It’s okay, you know. Whatever you decide, we’ll be there for you. Right, Troy?”
Paul and Wade rounded the side of the house and came up short. Paul came striding up t
he steps first and took to the railing in front of the women. “What’s going on?”
“She’s made her decision.” Daisy held up her hands, warning him to take it easy. “Just hold onto your horses. No pressure.”
“Who’s pressuring her?” Paul rested one leg on the rail and crossed his arms.
Daisy put her hand on top of Melissa’s. “Tell us whenever you’re ready. And take a big breath. We’re all friends here.”
Melissa did as she’d suggested, drawing in a long, slow breath. When she let it out, it seemed that she was releasing the weight of the world from her shoulders. “I’ve decided to keep the baby.”
Daisy made a point of not reacting. Although she could never have an abortion, she didn’t think it was her place to decide that for another woman. “Okay.”
To their credit, the men remained silent. She knew they wanted to know as much as she did. “And about Charlie? Or John?”
Melissa didn’t hesitate this time. “I don’t want to be involved with either one of them.”
“But John’s the father.”
Everyone turned toward Troy who held up his hands and backed up a step. “Hey, I’m not saying she has to tell him, much less let the jerk raise the kid with her. Still, aren’t there laws to protect baby daddies now? Does she have to let him know?”
Daisy turned to Paul and Wade, but they couldn’t answer the questions, either. “I don’t know. I guess maybe you should. If only to get him to sign over his rights.”
The fear in Melissa’s eyes almost broke her heart. No woman should ever have to be afraid of any man, much less her baby’s father.
“No. I can’t let him know I’m going to keep the baby. He’ll want to be a part of its life. No, please, don’t make me tell him or Charlie.”
Daisy leaned over and drew her into her arms. “No one’s going to make you do anything you don’t have to do. As far as I’m concerned, Charlie doesn’t have a say.”
“She won’t see it that way.”
“It doesn’t matter what she thinks. But never mind about all that right now. The important part is that you’ve made your decision. That was the hardest part. We’ll figure out the rest of it in time.”
Melissa clung to her like she was a life preserver in the open seas. “Thank you, Daisy.” She lifted her tear-stained face to the men. “Thank all of you.”
* * * *
Once Melissa made her decision the men went into action. Yet it was Daisy who came up with the first person to help. Alexia Martin and Daisy had grown close in a short time after Alex had arrived in town to help with the cleanup of damage left behind by not one, but two horrific tornadoes. Alex had stayed at the B&B and had fallen in love with Jeff Jenkins and Kane Kannal, who worked with the Cowboys for Hire organization.
“Hey, Alex, it’s about time you showed your pretty face around here.” Daisy flung open the front door and pulled her friend into a bear hug. “We need to catch up over a toddy or two.”
Alex’s dark eyes dropped to her swollen belly. “Make that a virgin toddy for me.”
Daisy’s laughter joined hers to brighten the already sunny day. “Honey, there ain’t one thing about you that’s a virgin any longer. But of course, I’ll keep the booze out of yours. Tell you what. I’ll just double up on mine and drink for the both of us.”
“I figured you might.”
“What can I say? No one loves their hot toddies as much as I do.” Daisy looked over her friend’s shoulder to see Kane leaning against his new pickup, his cell phone pressed to his ear. “Is your man coming inside?”
The love for him shone on Alex’s face. “Nope. He’s on a call. Besides, he said he’d rather not get caught—and I’m quoting here—‘between three hens.’”
Daisy snorted. That sounded like Kane. “I’m sorry, but I’ve got to say it. He’s such a chauvinist pig sometimes.”
She’d known Alex wouldn’t take offense. “Yeah, but you know it’s all a show. He has the biggest heart. And besides, even if he does occasionally sound like a throwback to a bygone era, he’s my chauvinist pig.”
“I’d like you guys to meet Paul, Wade, and Troy.”
“I’d like to meet them, too.” Alex gave her a look that said it all. “Especially since it’s so easy to see that you’ve got a thing for them.”
Daisy hadn’t said much about the men. How could she when she wasn’t positive where they stood? “I like them well enough.”
“Like them, my ass. I may not have known you for very long, but I do know you, Daisy Winters. You like them, don’t you? I mean, really, really like them.” Alex narrowed her eyes. “Oh, my God. You love them, don’t you?”
“Shh.” Daisy glanced around her. “Keep it down, will you? And don’t be ridiculous. I barely know them.”
“What’s time got to do with it?” She gave Kane another look. “I think I knew it from the first minute I yelled at my men.”
Daisy chuckled. Alex hadn’t gotten off to a great start with either Kane or Jeff. But that hadn’t stopped love from blooming. “Do you think Kane could stand guard for a little while?”
“Sure. He already said he’d keep an eye out. What do you have in mind?”
“Let’s just say I’m overdue on spending a little time with my men.” She held up her hands to ward off an eager Alex. “Not that kind of time. I just want to get to know them better, that’s all.”
“Get to know them, huh?” Alex’s grin couldn’t have been any bigger if she’d been a big mouth bass that had just swallowed a giant worm and still escaped the hook.
Daisy swatted her friend’s arm. “Get your head out of the gutter, girl. I’m talking about talking, is all.”
“Shoot. Where’s the fun in that?”
Daisy wondered if some of her way of thinking was rubbing off on Alex. “So, would you like me to call them in so you can meet them?”
“Hmm, not today. Let’s save that for when we’re not so busy.” Alex searched the interior of the home. “And a time when you don’t want to get busy with them.”
“Knock it off, girl.”
Alex pouted. “You’re no fun.”
“That’s okay. We’ll have you and your two over soon. Right now, they’d rather let you do your thing without them. Anyway, the less people who know where Melissa’s going, the better.”
“True enough.”
Daisy led Alex into the living room where Melissa was sitting on the couch and reading a magazine. “Melissa, this is Alex. She’s the lady I was telling you about.”
Alex went straight into professional mode, taking a seat next to Melissa. “Hi, Melissa. Daisy’s filled me in on everything and I want you to know that, although this isn’t my line of work, I have lots of connections. And I’ve already started talking to them. You want to relocate to another state, is that right?”
“Yes. But I don’t have any money or family that could help.” She dropped her gaze, then wiped away a single tear before raising her head and straightening her back. “I’m all alone in this.”
Her downcast expression struck a chord in Daisy’s heart. “Like hell you are, girl. You’ve got me, Wade, Troy and Paul.”
“And now me,” added Alex.
Alex pulled a day planner out of the leather satchel she carried almost everywhere she went. She always wanted to be ready to help out if the need came up. “Money won’t be an issue. And once we’ve taken care of the basics, we’ll see about getting you a job. One that will let you take time off once the baby’s here. How’s that sound?”
“It sounds too good to be true.”
Melissa’s overall appearance and attitude had improved since she’d made her decision. She cried less and had even started joking around a little. Daisy thought she was finally seeing the real Melissa, the carefree girl that she’d been before Charlie and John had come into her life.
“Well, it’s true.” Daisy took a seat in the arm chair next to the sofa. “If Alex says she can do it, then consider it done.”
&nbs
p; “You’re going to make my head swell with compliments like that.” In the next instant, Alex was back on track. “Okay, so how about we go over some plans? I’ve found an organization that helps women in your situation and you have a few decisions to make. For instance, what town would you like to live in? I have a list of places that would work.”
Daisy knew that at that point she was only there to listen. Instead of doing nothing, she wanted to take the opportunity to make a few decisions—and actions—of her own. “I can see you two are going to be hard at it, so I’ll leave you to it.”
She doubted they even noticed when she got up. She stood there a moment and when they didn’t respond, she eased past them and into the kitchen. Checking out the back window, she found the men standing around outside. They had, no doubt, heard Alex drive up and were staying out of the “womenfolk’s way.”
Digging the picnic basket out from the pantry where she’d hidden it earlier, she plucked two bottles of wine from the small rack sitting on the counter, then opened the door and slipped out.
“Hey, guys? Anyone want to share a little wine down by the creek?” If they refused her, then she’d already have her answer. If not, then she was intent on getting even more answers.
Their body language and the gleam in their eyes gave her the answers she’d hoped for. But seeing it wasn’t as good as hearing it.
“That sounds like a plan to me.” Wade sauntered over and took the picnic basket from her. Troy wasn’t far behind to take the bottles.
“Where’s Melissa?”
As usual, Paul was the one to take care of business first. “She’s inside with Alex. And Kane’s out front, if you’d like to meet him. He said he’d keep watch while he’s here.” She felt like she had to offer to introduce them, but hoped they’d want to save that for another time.
“And you can trust this Kane?”
“With my life.”
