“The way you look at them and they stare at you, you all better get married. Speaking of your men, one of them is headed this way.” Boyd turned and walked off.
“Coward,” she yelled after him. Holt fell into the chair beside her. “You shouldn’t be up.” She touched the bandage on his head. “Doesn’t it hurt?”
“Like a group of little men beating tom-toms inside my skull.”
Nat went to put her plate down. Holt stopped her. “That looks good.” He took the plate and started eating her barbecue ribs and some of the rest.
“That was my food.” She pretended to be indignant.
“What’s mine is yours and vice versa.” He grinned at her. She imagined him as a little boy giving Nana the same mischievous expression.
Sissy Callahan brought another plate to them. “Your lady is losing weight. She needs food, too.”
“I know. I’ll fatten her up as soon as this hunger is appeased.”
“Here’s a pill for the head pain,” Mrs. Callahan said.
“Maybe later. Not yet.”
She stood with her hand out and a determined look on her face.
“Oh, all right.” Holt swallowed the pill with the glass of tea she’d brought. Grinning, she waved and left them alone.
Nat hungrily ate her food before it was taken away. By the time she’d finished, Holt had cleaned his plate and was watching her.
“You ate more than I’ve ever seen you eat.”
“You and Gray have been starving me. I can’t live on love alone.”
“Love?” Holt raised an eyebrow.
“Don’t get excited. I’m still not sure I’ll accept you two. You can be very annoying at times.”
He nuzzled her neck. “You love it. Admit it.”
“Stop. You’re wounded and need to rest. I’ll help you back to your room.”
“I’m barely wounded. When I was in the service they didn’t baby a small cut like I got today.”
“You’re an old man now and not as resilient.”
His arms wrapped around her. “Old? You break my heart. Once this head is better, which will be soon, I’ll show you who’s old. You’ll beg for mercy.”
“We’ll see. For now put your arm around me. I’ll help you to bed.”
“This is very embarrassing. I can walk on my own.” He did, but she heard him sigh with relief when he stretched out on the bed. He grabbed her arm and made her sit beside him.
“I was going to take you to my condo in the city and woo you with dinner, dancing, and later lots of sex at my place.” He ran his hand down her arm and held her hand. “I’m not sure how to get your trust.
“In many ways you’re right. I am old inside. Or was until you came along. I’d forgotten how to laugh and didn’t remember how good pure joy felt. That’s what you’ve done for me.”
“Did you have some bad experiences overseas?”
“We all had a few. We have to find our own way back. If we can. I don’t talk about what I did. We’re sworn to secrecy. I don’t regret going. We did our job to protect our country.
“But I’m looking forward to living here on the ranch full-time. Being outdoors working in the open countryside. Having a home, children, and hopefully you.”
“What you did to save me showed me you were a man to be trusted in the most difficult situations and in ordinary everyday ones.”
“Anyone who wants to harm you will have to go through me and/or Gray.”
“I know. Sleep. We’ll talk more later.”
“I doubt it.” He turned on his side. “I’m not a talkative man. You got it all then.”
“I’m sure I did.” By the time she went out the door he’d fallen asleep.
Chapter Fourteen
Nana arrived on time. She was a little woman with white hair and the same Nordic blue eyes as her grandson. She walked straight to Natalie and hugged her. “How beautiful you are.”
Nat felt her face get hot as the two Callahans laughed.
They each hugged Nana.
“You’ve been away too long,” Art said. “But my guess is with your grandson settling at the ranch we’ll see more of you.” He helped her into the car while Chuck put her suitcases in the trunk.
“Do you mind riding in the back, Nana? We thought you’d like to visit with Natalie.”
“I do. Thank you, gentlemen, for meeting me and bringing Natalie with you.” She slid into the seat beside Nat. “Where’s Holt?” Nana asked.
Nat explained that Holt was better. “He’s mostly got a headache. Mrs. Callahan has given him some pills for the pain, and he’s slept most of the day and all evening.”
“She’s a smart woman. Rest is exactly what he needs to heal. I can relax knowing he’s been in her care and yours,” Nana said to Nat.
“I haven’t done much.”
“My guess is he wouldn’t have rested if you hadn’t insisted, too. He’s stubborn.” Her eyes twinkled.
“He said he gets it from you and that I’m as stubborn as him.”
“You’ll need to be to keep him in hand. I’m so happy he finally met you. I saw you or your shadow in my mind’s eye several months ago. The figure was faint at first then got clearer. I knew whoever it represented would be important to him.”
Nat didn’t comment. She wasn’t sure how to respond to Nana’s vision.
“How is Gray?” Nana asked.
“He had to leave,” Chuck Callahan explained. “We’re hoping tomorrow all of Natalie’s charges will be dropped. He’ll be back when that is resolved.”
“Tell me about this murder charge,” Nana said.
Most of the way back, Nat explained what had happened in her life the past few weeks. Nana patted her hand.
“It’s good you have Gray and Holt. They will make you fine husbands.”
“You know about the threesomes in Triple Dare?” Nat asked.
“Oh, yes. For some time now. I also knew Gray and Holt wanted that type of lifestyle. You’re right for both of them. I can feel it in here.” She put her hand on her heart. “But you also have to be certain. Your first marriage has left scars and much hurt. I can help you release the past and open to the future if you wish.” She spoke quietly as the two men in front were discussing cattle and other ranch concerns.
Natalie stared at her. “We’ll see.”
Art pulled the car into the drive and stopped at the front door. Sissy must have heard the car because she waited on the steps. Chuck got the suitcases, and Nat helped Nana out.
Nana hugged Sissy. “Where is he?”
“Last door on the left.”
“Follow me,” Nana said to Nat. She strode down the hall and opened Holt’s door. He was facing the window.
“I’m getting up in a minute, Mrs. Callahan. This bed is making me lazy.”
“Lazy. You can’t be the grandson I remember. What did that knock on your head do to you?”
Holt rolled to his feet. “Nana.” He opened his arms, and the tiny woman walked in. He hugged her and buried his face in her hair. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me, too. But this young lady and Mrs. Callahan have taken good care of you.”
Holt raised his head and gave Natalie a searing look over Nana’s head. Heat swirled in her lower abdomen. “They certainly have,” he agreed with Nana.
He held one hand out and urged Natalie to join them. When she did, he hugged them both. “My women.”
“The man is much too possessive,” Nat playfully grumbled.
“I don’t know about you, but I love a take-charge man,” Nana said. “He often reminds me of his grandfather. We banged heads and then had a lovely time making up.”
“Nana.” Holt’s cheeks flushed pink. Nana and Natalie laughed at him.
“Well, I wasn’t old forever,” Nana said. She walked to the door. “Put on some clothes and come out to the living room.” She left them alone.
“I have on jeans.”
“But the snap is undone. I’ve been wanting to sl
ide my hand like this.” She put her hand inside the front of his jeans and wrapped it around his growing cock. He became instantly hard.
Her finger rubbed across the head. Holt held her tight and ravished her mouth. Reluctantly he removed her hand. “We don’t have time. I don’t trust Nana not to check if we take too long. Go on and join the others. I’ll take a quick shower and put on clean clothes.”
“I don’t want to go.”
Holt turned her and swatted her behind. “Get, before my good intentions fade out of sight.”
* * * *
Nat woke the next morning in the Callahans’ youngest daughter’s room. She’d fallen asleep on the couch as the family and Holt visited with Nana. Nat barely remembered Holt carrying her into this room as directed by Mrs. Callahan. He’d laid her gently on the bed, kissed her cheek, and left.
She got up and pulled the curtain back. The sun was high in the sky. She’d slept late. There were no clean clothes for her to put on. After her shower, she dressed in the same outfit she’d worn yesterday evening. She’d go to her fathers’ and dig into her old closet for other clothes.
It wasn’t until Nat heard her mother’s voice in the kitchen that she remembered her brother saying Mom was coming. She hesitated going in. Maybe she could run away for a few hours. But that would only put off the inevitable.
Her mother, Nana, and Mrs. Callahan sat at the table sipping coffee.
“Natalie.” Her mother rushed to her. She looked up and down at her daughter. “You’ve lost weight. I can’t believe you didn’t call me.”
“Mother, you were on a cruise. There was no need to ruin your trip. Gray Callahan and Holt Ramm have taken care of the problem.”
“I know. You don’t need me.” She glanced at the other women. “My children have never needed me.” Nat’s mother’s eyes glistened with the all-too-familiar tears. “They love their father best.” She sniffed into her handkerchief.
“That isn’t true, Mom. We both love you. But you prefer the big city, and we like living on a ranch.”
“I know it’s all my fault for leaving your father. But really, he wanted to share his wife with another man. It isn’t natural. I kept you from here as much as I could so you wouldn’t be influenced by their weird idea of marriage.” Her mother gasped and put her hand to her mouth. “I’m sorry, Sissy. I didn’t mean to be rude. You, Chuck, and Art have made it work.”
Nat had enough. “Sit down, Mother, and please stop talking. How dare you condemn Mrs. Callahan and Father’s marriages because they don’t fit your norm? How well has a normal marriage worked for you? If you marry your present suitor, as you call him, he’ll be number four. I hardly think you have a right to comment.” Her mother started to speak.
“I’m not finished. I should have said this years ago, but you convinced me to try your way. My marriage was a complete failure. He cheated on me almost from the first.”
Natalie realized Holt was standing in the doorway. She took a deep breath. “I love the ranch life, Mother. But I loved you too much to let you go off on your own. Still, nothing I’ve done except marrying Tom has pleased you. Well here’s something else that’s going to upset you. I want a marriage like Dad’s and Mrs. Callahan’s. They are all so happy. Their homes are full of love and joy. I want the same.”
Her mother sank into the nearest chair. “No!” she screamed. “I will never visit you. I’ll disown you.”
Nat knelt at her mother’s feet. “Mama, you’ve been hurt all your life because you left Daddy. I’ve heard you cry at night. I’m not going to make the same mistake.” She glanced at Holt.
“Holt and Gray have asked me to marry them. I’m going to accept their proposal.”
Her mother sat silent for once. She stared at her daughter and her hand reached out to touch the side of Nat’s face. “You’re sure this is what you want? Come visit me for a while after all this is over and make sure. I mean right now you’re influenced by all of this around you.”
“Mama, please just be happy for me. I love them both. Nothing is going to change that and I love living in the country. Their dream is mine.” She blinked back the tears and waited for her mother to explode.
She didn’t. Her mother’s hand shook and tears ran down her face, but she didn’t scream or shout.
“I want you and Boyd to be happy. You’re right I haven’t been successful in my marriages. Maybe you two can have a happier life. I’ll try to accept your choice.”
Nat threw her arms around her mother. “Thank you.” She stood and turned to smile at Holt.
Holt took three long strides across the room, swooped her into his arms, and kissed her. He glanced at the staring women. “Excuse us. We need to talk.” He carried Nat out the back door and down the hill out of sight. When he stopped he let Nat slide down his hard length.
“Did you mean it? You’ll marry us?”
“Yes.” Nat’s heart pounded in her chest, and joy filled her whole body. “I love you, both.”
“Oh, baby, we’ll make you happy.” He bent his forehead against hers. “You aren’t saying this to get back at your mother?”
“No. I wanted to tell you and Gray when we were all together. But I couldn’t hold it back. Do you think Gray will be upset?”
“Not at all. He’ll be here in a few hours. Ubel’s second cousin took a deal. He told how Ubel contacted him and promised him a large amount of money to take out you and Sondra. As we guessed, Sondra was in too big a crowd to get to her. So he decided to go after you first. With his story, the financials they found, and what Sondra can tell the court, the judge will be glad to clear you of all charges.”
Natalie closed her eyes in relief. “I can hardly believe the nightmare is behind me. Sondra will have to tell her story on the stand though.”
“She’ll be all right. You’ll probably be called as a witness also. Gray and I will be there to support you.
“Ubel’s been put back in jail until trial, and then he’ll be found guilty. But just in case, I still plan to check around a bit more. If there’s any other evidence I’ll find it. I don’t want any chance of him getting away with murder.”
“I have to sit down. So much has happened in a few weeks, some terrible, and some good,” she said, looking at him.
“When can we marry?”
“I have to settle things at school, sell the condo, talk with Tom’s parents.”
“All of those things can be done after our wedding. I have an idea. Both of your parents are here, and Nana is staying to visit a week or so. The Callahans’ daughters will be arriving for their anniversary. I’m sure Nick will want to fly in. This would be a great time to have our wedding while everyone’s here. Nana can officiate at the special wedding.”
“What about the official wedding?”
“Gray and you have to get a marriage license. Then the local mayor can marry you. Pretty simple.”
“How do you feel about Gray and I being officially wed?”
“Honey, we’re going to be just as official in here.” He touched her heart and his. “Gray and I discussed this before we met you. He’s more well known. He’ll be going to town more often, and you’ll want to go on some of those trips. It’s the best way to handle it.”
“I love you.” She cuddled into his body.
* * * *
Holt kissed the top of her head. The peace he’d longed for filled his being. She was healing all those lonely, sore spots. If he held any more joy at this moment, he’d explode.
“Holt, Natalie,” Nana called out as she walked toward them.
He jumped up and rushed to help her down the hill. “Careful, Nana. We don’t want you to get hurt. Natalie and I were discussing you performing our wedding ceremony. The one with the three of us.”
Nana’s face beamed. “I’d love to. I hope I didn’t interrupt you, but I remembered I brought these.” She held out her hand. On her palm was a wide ring with a large diamond in the center and one on each side diagonally from the center.
“Your mother’s ring,” she said to Holt, but she gazed at Natalie. “When his parents first married they could only afford this simple thin band.” Nana pulled a smaller ring from her pocket.
“At their sixth anniversary Holt’s father gave his wife this ring. The large stone to represent his wife, and the two smaller ones to stand for him and Holt. I thought it’d be perfect for you three.” She looked up at Holt. “Your mother loved the ring, but it was less than a year later that we lost them.
“Of course you won’t hurt my feelings if you chose something else,” she reassured them.
Nat took the rings and studied them. “They feel very warm.”
“Ah.”
“What does that mean?” Nat asked Nana.
“There is an old saying in our family. Do you remember, Holt?”
“Yes, Nana.”
“Help me back up the hill, then tell her.” Holt took her arm. At the top, he kissed her cheek. “I love you, Nana.”
“And you should, but it gives my heart peace to know when I’m gone you’ll still have another who loves you as well.”
She waved and went inside the sliding glass doors.
Holt ran back down the hill and swung Natalie around in his arms.
“Put me down and tell me the secret. I’m dying to know. Your Nana is a wise woman.”
“She’s your Nana, too. The saying goes that when a man in our family gives the woman of his choice a ring and she feels the very noticeable heat then true love will last their lifetime.”
“Oh.” Nat wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“Did the story make you sad?”
“No. It touched my heart. I want to use both rings. I’ll wear the larger one on my left ring finger and the small one on my little finger beside it.”
“I was hoping you’d agree. We’ll get them sized when Gray and I take you to town to get the marriage license.”
“I can’t wait for Gray to get here and join us. He’s going to be surprised.”
“Take him off to the side and tell him. I’ll keep the rings until the wedding.” He took them from her. When she pouted, he laughed. “Just for a few days. We’ll decide with Gray on the definite date. I want to go to the cabin and celebrate.”
Possessive Protectors [Triple Dare County, South Dakota 1] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 13
