by Jane Jamison
“Batter up.”
John spun around just as Troy swung Daisy’s bat. She heard the crack of his skull as clearly as she’d heard so many baseballs hit the bat. John fell backward, knocked out.
Paul was by her side in the next moment while Troy knelt over the prone John. He pulled her to a sitting position, untied her, then took hold of the duct tape. “I’m sorry, baby, but the best way is the fast way.”
She blinked again. Then yelled as he ripped the tape off her mouth. “Damn! That’s hurts!”
She was still complaining when Wade tugged her onto her feet with Paul helping. Troy joined them as they stood and watched the home she loved go up in flames. Before long, the roof collapsed, signaling the end.
“Baby, shh, it’ll be okay.”
She hadn’t realized that she was still crying until Wade brought his arm around her. Her heart died a little until she felt the warmth of his body seep into hers. Taking her three handsome men into a group hug, she was surprise to feel joy replace some of the sorrow.
“It’s okay. As long as you three are still with me, I’m good to go.”
Troy hefted the bat into the air. “I’ve got to say. You’re right. Who needs a gun when you’ve got a bat?”
Epilogue
“A girl could get used to this way of living.” Daisy stretched out her legs and watched the traffic go by. “Although I still think watching the trees and the wildlife is a lot better than watching cars go by.”
Rebuilding Miss Daisy’s B&B would take time. Her friends and neighbors had chipped in, pooling enough money to pay her bills until the new place could open. The people of Destiny were like that. They’d help out any way they could. She’d thanked them and had taken their generous offering. To have refused them would’ve been ungracious, even disrespectful. Still, she had no intention of using more of the money than was necessary.
“So how’d the job hunting go today?” Paul sauntered out of the house that they’d rented together. They men had already given up their old places so that they could all be together in one house.
“Not so great. As soon as I tell them that I’m going to go back to Destiny, the interview dies a quick death.”
Wade bumped against the screen door, opening it as he carried two mugs outside. He handed one to Daisy and kept the other for himself. Paul shot him an irritated look. “What? I only have two hands.”
She took a sip to keep from giggling. Since moving in with them, she’d taught them how to make hot toddies. Wade was the one who liked it the best, and never passed up the opportunity to bug Paul or Troy by making only two drinks.
“I figured he’d do that.” Troy came out and handed one of the mugs he carried to Paul. “So no luck today, huh? But I can see why they don’t want to hire you.”
She made a hurt face. “Hey!”
Paul ignored her play for sympathy. “I don’t know why you don’t just kick back and take it easy. From what I heard about Destiny, you’ve done more than your fair share for folks. That’s why they wanted to help you out.”
“I know. It’s just hard for me to take handouts.”
“Paul’s right.” Wade took a drink and let out a satisfied sigh. “Damn, but that’s good. It could be a hundred and ten outside and I’d still want this hot drink.”
“I hate to agree with him, but Paul is right, baby.” Troy sat on the railing. “Like your friends say, ‘Just accept the help and pass it on.’”
They were right. She’d told enough people the same thing many times. “I guess I’m just anxious to get back to Destiny.”
“Yeah, about that.”
Paul set his drink down, a sure sign that he had something serious to talk about. But then again, Paul took everything seriously.
They’d discussed their choices several times, but had never told her outright what they wanted to do. She hoped that they’d want to come back to Destiny with her, but she wouldn’t force them. If they wanted to stay in Tulsa, she’d understand. She’d give up her home in Destiny and live in Tulsa. She’d give up anything to be with them. After all, no house would ever be a real home without the men she loved.
“Have you made a decision?” She was surprised at how strong her voice was. Her body felt weak just thinking about having to leave Destiny.
“We have.” Paul glanced at Wade and Troy, who gave him a quick nod. “We were talking to Gabriel last night.”
“Gabriel? My Gabriel with the Cowboys for Hire teams?”
“Well, I’m not thrilled that you’re calling him your Gabriel, but yeah, that’s the one.”
“Sorry. You know how I meant that.”
“I do. Anyway, we’re going to help out with them as much as they can use us. In the meantime, we’re going to see what can be done about getting Destiny a fire department of its own.”
Joy made butterflies dance in her stomach. “Does that mean what I think it means? Are you saying you’re going to move to Destiny? All of you?”
“It does. Providing you still want us.”
She almost spilled her drink in her excitement. “Of course I do. This is the best news ever.”
“Cool.” Wade lifted his mug. “Then how about we toast to it?”
Paul, Troy and Daisy lifted their drinks into the air.
Wade stood up and cleared his voice and raised his mug. “Here’s to moving to Destiny.”
Troy raised his drink a little higher. “Here’s to living with Daisy.”
Everyone turned to Paul. He made a face, but gave in to their silent urging. “Fine. Here’s to drinking Daisy’s hot toddies every day for the rest of our lives.”
It was the first joke she’d ever heard Paul make, and one of the sweetest things he could’ve said. She tipped her mug to her lips and smiled as she took a sip.
THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jane Jamison has always liked “weird stuff” as her mother called it. From an early age she was fascinated with stories about werewolves, vampires, space, aliens, and whatever was hiding in her bedroom closet. (To this day, she still swears she can hear growls and moans whenever the lights are out.)
Being born under the sign of Scorpio meant Jane was destined to be very sensual. Some would say she was (and remains) downright sexual. Then one day she put her two favorite things together on paper and found her life’s true ambition: to be an erotic paranormal romance author.
Jane spends at least six days a week locked in her office surrounded by the characters she loves. Every day a new character will knock on the door of her imagination. Her plans include taking care of her loving husband, traveling, and writing at least twelve books a year.
For all titles by Jane Jamison, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/jane-jamison
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
