Their Blushing Bride (Bridgewater Brides)

by Celeste Jones

"You were tongue-tied. Could barely get a word out," Keane reminded him. "I was debonair."

  I cleared my throat. "Do you want to hear the story or not?"

  "Oh, I like it when she gets all strict governess with us, don’t you?" Keane stated.

  I waited for them to settle down. Sometimes they were like a couple of schoolboys.

  "As I was saying, I was thinking about both of you. In fact, that caused me quite a bit of consternation because I’d never felt such an attraction to any one man, let alone two. I was sure something was wrong with me. But, I decided that for that one night, I would allow myself to indulge in a fantasy."

  "Tell us your fantasy, Lily." Rye worked his hand inside my skirt and to the area between my thighs.

  "Well…" It was getting more difficult to concentrate and speak while Rye fingered my clitty. "I-I was touching myself, imagining it was the two of you."

  "Like this?" Rye pushed two fingers deep into my pussy.

  "Y-yes," I replied. He stroked in and out a couple of times, and I gripped the edge of the table, trying to maintain my composure long enough to tell the story.

  "Were you excited?" Keane whispered in my ear before he kissed my neck.

  "Yes. Very."

  "Like you are now?"

  "Y-yes." My breath came faster, and I moved my hips in rhythm with Rye’s fingers.

  "And then what happened?" Keane whispered again.

  "The door slammed open, and Mrs. Garner caught me in the act."

  The two of them burst out laughing.

  At that very instant, there was a pounding on the front door of our cabin. For a moment I couldn’t tell if it was part of my memory, though, of course, Mrs. Garner had barged in without knocking.

  "That’s the door," Rye finally said.

  "Anyone knocking on our door when they know we have a new bride must have a death wish." Keane stopped kissing my neck and went to the door while Rye withdrew his fingers and I whimpered with complaint.

  "Sorry, darlin’. It must be something urgent."

  11

  KEANE

  * * *

  "This had better be good," I said as I swung the door open.

  Simon held his hands up in surrender. "Sorry. You know I wouldn’t be interrupting you if it wasn’t important. Seems there’s a man here from Butte who is quite anxious to buy some horses."

  "Don’t we only do that by appointment? And with people we know? I don’t like the sound of any of this".

  "Apparently he was not aware of that policy, and since he traveled all the way from Butte…"

  "I don’t like it, either," Rye said, joining us.

  "It’s one man, and he seems pretty harmless. Scrawny city-boy type, if you ask me."

  "Then what’s he want with some of our horses?" I demanded.

  Simon huffed out a breath. "We have horses for sale, and he wants to buy horses. He didn’t follow the protocol, but what can be the harm in talking to him?"

  "I guess you’re right." It wasn’t as though any of the Bridgewater men were prone to poor judgment. Maybe Rye and I were simply mad because our time with Lily got interrupted.

  "Fine," Rye agreed. "But if there’s a strange man on the ranch, I’m going to take Lily over to your place to stay with Olivia. Don’t like the idea of her alone here until we’ve checked this man out."

  "That’s wise. Besides, Olivia will enjoy the company."

  "I can take care of myself." We all turned to see Lily had entered the conversation.

  "I’m sure you can," Rye told her, "but we’ll all feel better if you spend the afternoon with Olivia. That’s not such a hardship, is it?"

  "No." She smiled and glanced up at Simon. "I’m looking forward to getting to know Olivia. Forgive me if I sounded petulant. It was not directed at her."

  "No offense taken, ma’am." Simon turned to Rye and me. "Let’s go and check this fella out and see what he wants."

  It seemed harmless enough, but something didn’t feel right. I got my coat and hat and left with Simon while Rye and Lily headed toward Olivia’s house. I watched them go with a sense of foreboding.

  Simon must have noticed. He clapped me on the back. "Come on, Keane. It’ll all be fine. You’re a little nervous because you’ve got a new bride. I’d be the same way. In fact, I think I’ll ask Cross to stick close to the house today, just to keep an eye on things. Isn’t that the reason we have more than one man per woman? To make sure they’re safe."

  "Thanks. I probably am being overprotective, but if Cross is nearby, I’ll feel much better."

  "Of course. In fact, I’ll do that now while you go on to the stables and see what you think of our visitor."

  I continued on my own and paused when the stables came into view. It was easy to spot the non-Bridgewater man. Exactly like Simon described, he was a scrawny city boy. Even from a distance, he exuded arrogance. My jaw clenched. I hated dealing with these types. But, as Simon had reminded me, we had horses for sale, and this dandy wanted to buy some. As hard as we tried at Bridgewater, we weren’t able to live on love alone.

  With a sigh, I put on my best salesman face and approached him. "Good afternoon," I said, making my voice a bit louder than usual. I enjoyed watching him startle at the sound of it. He was a jumpy one, for sure.

  He turned to me, and I took his measure up close. Thin-faced and weak-chinned. His eyes were beady and barely visible beneath the thickness of his eyebrows. Using the plural was a bit inaccurate since they blended seamlessly across his nose into one long line like an extra-large caterpillar.

  When he put his hand out and we shook, my suspicions were confirmed. Sweaty palm and a weak handshake.

  It was all I could do not to kick him off the ranch then and there, but we were a cooperative group and the horses, and their profits, belonged to everyone on the ranch. I was obligated to bite my tongue and do what I could to sell off some of our equine stock.

  "Good afternoon," he replied. "I am Timothy Wentworth."

  "Nice to meet you," I lied. "I’m Keane."

  "Is that your first name or your last name?" he asked officiously. His eyes lingered for a moment on the length of my hair that protruded from my hat and hung down my back. His sneer indicated he was not impressed. Like I fucking cared.

  "Yes," I said and turned toward the stable. "Let me show you the horses we currently have for sale."

  Inside the stable I nodded to Rhys who had gathered up the available horses. He gave Mr. Timothy Wentworth a wary glance then made himself scarce, though I knew he wouldn’t be far away, whether we were able to see him or not.

  "Is there anything in particular you are looking for, Mr. Wentworth?" I asked as we stood gazing at the horses. They were exquisite animals, and I felt proud when I saw them. They were the result of much hard work and careful breeding.

  At least I was looking at them. Mr. Wentworth’s gaze wandered all around the barn. "So, this is the famous Bridgewater Ranch," he said.

  Something about his tone rubbed me the wrong way. Hell, everything about the man set my teeth on edge. I wasn’t sure what he was trying to get at, but he’d get no information from me except about horses.

  "We are becoming rather well known for our horses. We’ve worked hard to breed the best animals possible. The large chestnut mare over there," I pointed, "is one of our finest. I’m sure she’d be a good purchase for anyone."

  "Yes, she is an attractive beast," he finally replied.

  "Do you mind if I ask what you plan to do with the horses you purchase?" I studied him again; there was nothing about the man that indicated he knew or cared one whit about horses. Most likely he spent most of his time being driven about town, too good to get his shoes dirty walking or sit astride a horse like a real man.

  No, I didn’t like this one bit.

  LILY

  * * *

  Rye held my hand tightly as we walked across the ranch to Olivia’s. I was a bit apprehensive going there, remembering how embarrassed I’d felt when I’d left the la
st time. But, I recalled the reassurance Rye and Keane had given me, and their words had made sense.

  When Olivia opened the door, her eyes lit up. "Lily! I was hoping you’d visit soon."

  "I’m sorry to drop in without notice."

  "Oh, pshaw." She waved her hand as though brushing away my concern. "We’re not so fancy around here. Friends are always welcome." She opened the door wider. "Nice to see you, too, Rye."

  "Thank you, Olivia. I’m not staying. There’s a buyer who showed up today without an appointment, and I didn’t feel comfortable leaving Lily alone with a stranger on the premises."

  I felt a little bit like a sack of dirty clothes dropped off at the laundry.

  But, again, Olivia was so warm and welcoming, my anxiety melted away. "I’m glad you did. Any excuse to have a friend visit." She drew me inside. "They are all a bit overprotective," she said, glancing over her shoulder at Rye with a grin, "but we love them anyway."

  "Woah, hold on one minute there," Rye called after us. Olivia and I stopped in our tracks and turned back to where he waited on the porch. He crooked his finger, and I rushed over to him.

  "Now"—he tipped my chin up and stared into my eyes—"you are to stay inside and not leave this house until Keane or I come to get you. Understand?"

  "B-but, I don’t want to be a bother to Olivia."

  "Safety is the most important. I’m sure Olivia knows that, too?" He lifted his gaze toward my new friend.

  "Yes, I do. And you’re not a bother at all, Lily."

  Simon joined us on the porch, which surprised me. I thought he’d gone to the stables with Keane. "I’m going to find Cross and have him stick close to the house while the women are here alone."

  Rye relaxed. "That’s a good idea."

  Simon left to get Cross, while Rye cupped my face. "Remember, stay here until one of us comes for you."

  I nodded. They were taking this all very seriously. Was there really that much danger from one man visiting the ranch? A ranch populated with former soldiers?

  But I knew better than to argue.

  He kissed me hard then peered deep into my eyes. "Stay. Here."

  "I will. And you be careful, too." I palmed his cheek and stared at him like I might not see him again for a long time. Of course, that didn’t make any sense. He or Keane, probably both of them, would be back for me by suppertime.

  Simon returned to the house with Cross then left for the stables with Rye while Cross went inside with Olivia and me.

  "Come on." Olivia took hold of my arm. "I’ve got a bit of cake left, and we’ll have that with some coffee and get acquainted."

  "I’d like some cake," Cross said.

  "You had plenty of cake last night. It’s time for girl talk. Now you just shoo." She waved him away, and I nearly fainted with her boldness.

  Cross didn’t seem too pleased with it either because he reached around and gave her a couple of hard swats on the backside. "Don’t get fresh with me, Olivia." His voice was stern, but his eyes were smiling. "You two enjoy yourselves. I’ll keep an eye on things outside."

  Olivia gathered the cake and coffee. "I love those men, but they can be a handful. Sometimes you have to keep them in line, even if you do get a few swats in the process."

  "I can’t imagine ever talking to Rye or Keane that way," I said, shaking my head.

  "Well, I don’t do it very often," Oliva admitted. "Besides, my backside is used to getting spanked." She laughed.

  "Do they do that… spank you… often?" My face burned, but I had to ask. I had to know.

  "Well, not as much as they used to. I guess I’ve been behaving better. Though that doesn’t mean they don’t give my bottom a good workout as it is."

  I had a feeling I knew what she was talking about, but never in a million years could I ask. Never. Ever.

  "Oh," she said, noticing my blush. "I’m so sorry. I guess I keep blurting things out. I know Rhys gave your men a set of butt plugs so I assumed—"

  "You assumed correctly," I said, suddenly overcoming my hesitation to talk about such things. I stirred my coffee and then gazed up at her. "Is it wrong I kind of like it?" I whispered, staring back down at my coffee.

  "Heavens no!" she exclaimed. "At first it can be uncomfortable, but that’s why he makes so many different sizes. It’s easier to get used to." She leaned toward me and placed her hand on my arm. "And when they take you back there… I can’t even describe what it’s like. But it’s wonderful. I feel so full and, when we are all connected in that way, like you will be with Rye and Keane, it’s the ultimate claiming. The three of you will be joined, and you’re the one who holds it all together. It’s rather poetic, in a way. Though when it’s happening, I’m more likely to be groaning and moaning than reciting sonnets."

  I reared back in my seat and gaped, then the two of us looked at each other and started giggling. That turned into laughing so hard, tears rolled down my cheeks, and I gasped for air. The same for Olivia.

  By the time I caught my breath, I felt like the weight of the world was off of me. It wasn’t wrong for me to enjoy the sensation of the plug in my bottom. Olivia seemed like a lovely person and, if she liked it, I could, too.

  "Oh, that felt good." I wiped at my tears. "Thank you."

  "You’re welcome. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time." She took a sip of coffee then got a bit serious. "I’m sure you’re nervous about when they both enter you at the same time, but I’m certain they’ll be very careful and as gentle as they can. Those men love you with their whole hearts. I can tell."

  "I love them with my whole heart, too," I replied, without even thinking. When I realized what I’d said, I clapped my hand over my mouth and then lowered it. "I-I’ve never said that before," I confessed.

  Olivia’s face glowed as she smiled at me. "Oh, honey, that’s the best thing I’ve heard in a long time. I’m so glad you all found each other. You’re going to have a whole lifetime of happiness ahead of you."

  12

  RYE

  * * *

  "I can’t believe we interrupted our time with Lily to deal with this jackass," I whispered to Keane. "She was telling us about her dirty fantasies, and we had to give that up for this idiot?"

  Keane’s gaze met mine, and he shrugged and walked away. It wouldn’t help a possible sale for the buyer to see the two of us whispering like a couple of schoolgirls.

  Mr. Wentworth studied Patsy, one of our best mares. He kept walking around her and mumbling to himself. Horse people, those who live and breathe all things equine, have a certain way about them, particularly when they are around horses. Mr. Wentworth was not one of those people.

  I glanced westward toward the setting sun. I could swear he was stalling. For what reason, I had no idea, but we’d wasted too much time with him already. I cleared my throat and approached him, ready to give him the fish-or-cut-bait treatment. I glanced at Keane again, and he nodded.

  "Mr. Wentworth, do you have any questions about Patsy? She’s one of our finest." I pulled a carrot from my pocket and held it out for her. She ate it daintily off my palm, and I rubbed her forelock. I’d hate to see her go with a man who wouldn’t appreciate her, and I was tempted to make up an excuse to put her back in her stall.

  "Oh, yes, I can see that," our visitor said.

  "Perhaps you’d like us to saddle her up for you, and you could take her for a ride?" Keane strode up next to me.

  Timothy Wentworth’s eyebrow rose up in surprise at what seemed to me to be a reasonable suggestion. He licked his thin lips, and I thought for sure he’d be making an excuse to leave soon, which would please me very much. Instead he responded, "Yes, that’s a good idea."

  We got Patsy saddled and boosted Mr. Wentworth onto her, then Keane and I mounted up as well. We weren’t going to let this stranger have free rein around Bridgewater or give him the chance to abscond with Patsy. I wondered if I ought to remind him of the penalty for horse thieves.

  As we moved away from the stables and
into the open pastures, we watched Timothy closely. Was he really that bad a rider? It appeared so. Keane and I got as close to him as seemed safe just to make sure nothing happened. An inexperienced rider was a danger to themselves and more importantly in this case, the horse.

  I kept staring at Mr. Wentworth and racking my brain. I felt certain I’d seen him before, though I had no reason for why that would be true. We hardly moved in the same circles. However, he was from Butte, so maybe I’d had business with him there.

  "Have we met before?" I asked, riding up next to him.

  He startled and then shook his head. "No, I am sure we haven’t."

  "What is your business in Butte? I certainly feel as though I have seen you before today. Perhaps we ran into each other on one of my visits months ago?"

  "I work for a private businessman, so I doubt if we would have crossed paths." He gave Patsy a push with his heels, and surged forward, away from me and my questions.

  We were getting farther and farther from the ranch, and by now Mr. Wentworth ought to have enough information to decide if he wanted to buy Patsy or not. I whistled for her, and she turned in my direction. "Patsy," I called out, "let’s go home."

  "No!" Mr. Wentworth yanked on her reins. The motion of him pulling one way and Patsy trotting another threw him from the mare. Patsy, ever obedient, which was more than I could say for Mr. Wentworth, rushed back to the stables. I was tempted to follow along, but we had a duty to see to Mr. Wentworth and at least get him back to the stable so he could leave right away and return to Butte. However, it was too late in the day for that trip. He’d probably need to stay in a hotel nearby.

  Hotel! Suddenly I remembered where I’d seen him. He’d been skulking around Lily’s room at the Hotel Imperial when I’d gone searching for a witness for our wedding. He’d given me a bad feeling then, and it was even worse right now.

  Mr. Wentworth managed to get to his feet before Keane and I reached him, and he appeared uninjured.