by Robin Deeter
While she worked on his pants, he unbuttoned her blouse. He broke off their kissing so that he could see what he uncovered as he parted the garment.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said, his gaze traveling over her. “I have to be the luckiest man on Earth.”
Leigh’s cheeks flushed and she smiled. “Well, I’m pretty lucky, too. Are you gonna stare all night or actually do something?”
Cy laughed at her brusque question because it was just Leigh’s way of deflecting the shyness his compliments always caused. His wife was a passionate lover, but his words of appreciation brought out Leigh’s bashful side. In answer to her question, he quickly helped her off with the rest of her garments.
Then he buried his hands in her honey-brown hair and gave her an urgent kiss, their naked bodies coming into contact. Leigh moaned as she felt his rapidly stiffening member rub against her stomach. She slid her hands down his powerful chest to take him in her palm. Everything about her husband was beautiful, including that part of him. Her first husband had been a generous, fun lover, but making love with Cy was so different. He was more demanding, but she felt his love for her in every kiss and touch.
He picked her up and laid her on the bed, his expression intense as he lay down next to her. Leigh sighed and closed her eyes as Cy’s hands roamed over her. He cupped a breast and closed his mouth around her nipple, drawing it deep into his mouth. Leigh arched her back and squeezed his bicep.
Cy loved the way Leigh sounded and tasted. No other woman had ever excited him the way she did. She was everything wrapped up in the most delicious package. Intelligent, kind, strong, and so beautiful that it made him ache with longing. He controlled himself for as long as possible before his restraint snapped and he couldn’t wait any longer.
Leigh’s ardor had reached the same pitch as his and she welcomed him into her arms and inside her body. His movements were sure and measured, falling into a graceful rhythm that swiftly took her to the brink. She marveled at the way he always timed it right, taking them over the edge into bliss together. It broke over her and she was helpless to do anything but hang onto him as it flowed through them.
She gladly took his weight as the ecstasy ebbed, caressing his broad shoulders as their breathing and heartbeats slowed from a gallop to a walk. As with every time they made love, Leigh prayed that she’d made a baby with the man she loved. Then she kissed his cheek and smiled, knowing what was coming next.
Before they’d gotten married, Cy had told her that he became chatty after lovemaking, but she hadn’t believed it about her normally reticent man. He’d proved her wrong. It was as though the physical release also set free all of the things he’d thought that day, pouring out in a steady stream as they lay together.
Cy carefully rolled away from Leigh, bringing her with him so that he could hold her.
He blew out a breath. “Damn, Leigh. You’re incredible.”
She kissed his chest. “You’re not so bad yourself, Detective.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
Leigh smiled when he kissed he forehead and then he grunted a little. “Oh, boy. I know that sound. What’s wrong?”
“Brock asked Daphne to dinner.”
Leigh gasped and raised her head to meet his gaze. “He didn’t!”
Cy’s jaw clenched for a moment. “I wish he hadn’t.”
“That’s great!” Leigh said.
“Whose side are you on?” Cy groused.
Leigh smiled. “Hers. She’s been hoping so hard. I’m happy for her.”
“It’s a disaster waiting to happen,” Cy said. “He can’t stand anything to do with Indians and Daphne’s part Comanche. Plus, he hates our family. Yep, he’s gonna break her heart and then I’m gonna have to break his face.”
“You don’t know that. Besides, it’s Daphne’s heart and if she wants to take a risk then no one has any business interfering, Cy,” Leigh said. “Love can do wonderful things. Maybe he’ll see that just because Indians did something horrible when he was a kid that it doesn’t mean that all Indians are bad.”
The way Cy shifted conveyed his doubt.
“Cy, you listen to me. Don’t you go sticking your nose in this,” Leigh said.
“How am I supposed to do that? I work with him and she’s my sister! I love her and I don’t want to see her get hurt,” Cy said.
“Neither do I, but you can’t fight her battles for her. Besides, you want her to be happy, don’t you?”
He grunted in affirmation.
“Then if Brock makes her happy, you’re going to have to find a way to accept it.”
Cy scowled at her. “You know, it’s really annoying when you’re so reasonable. I hate it when you’re right, too.”
Leigh laughed and slid on top of him. “I’ll take your mind off how annoying I am.”
He smiled when she bit his earlobe. “I don’t wanna.”
Her giggle made him grin. “Liar.”
Cy wrapped his arms around her, unable to resist his wife’s charms. “Ok, but you’d better make it worth my while.”
“Shut up,” she said against his mouth. “By the time I’m done with you, you won’t be able to walk.”
“Promises, promises.”
She kissed him and made good on that promise.
Chapter Four
As he rode up to Silver’s Mercantile the next day, Johnny’s heart sank at the sight of the Silver triplets standing outside. He’d come to buy some nails and sandpaper. For a moment he considered going on by and stopping back later, but he was pressed for time and didn’t have all day to mess around.
The triplets were all beautiful young women with dark hair and blue eyes, and they never lacked for male attention. The trouble was that all of them were sweet on Johnny and he hated to try to pick between them and cause discord between the siblings. Sometimes it was exhausting trying to tactfully turn down their advances without ruffling feathers.
Steeling himself against what was coming, Johnny dismounted and tied his horse to the hitching post outside the store and approached it. He respectfully removed his hat as he neared the sisters. Their pretty faces lit up when they caught sight of him. He was glad that they all wore different dresses under their black cloaks, but he still had trouble telling them apart.
“Well, there’s that handsome Johnny,” one of them said.
Hoping he was right, Johnny said, “Thanks, Heidi. You’re all looking pretty today, not that you don’t every day, of course.”
Heidi smiled. “Aren’t you the flatterer? What brings you to our store?”
Her sister, Joanie piped up. “Yes, is there something we can help you find?”
The prospect of being escorted throughout the store by the three of them was a daunting one. “No, no. That’s not necessary. I’m just here to buy some nails and sandpaper. I appreciate your kind offer, though.”
“If you do need anything, anything at all, you just let me know,” Georgia, the third and boldest sister said, her meaning plain as day.
Johnny pretended not to catch it. “Much obliged. Well, I’d best get to it and get back to work.”
“So soon?” Heidi said. “I was wondering if you’d like to come to tea after church on Sunday.”
Georgia said, “Johnny doesn’t go to church, Heidi.”
“That doesn’t mean that he can’t come after it,” Heidi said.
Joanie eyed Johnny. “You could come and sit by me.”
Oh, good Lord. Johnny said, “Well, I appreciate the invite, but I just can’t.”
“Why not?” Joanie asked, giving him a come-hither look.
He swallowed hard. If only there were just one of them. Finally fed up, Johnny squared his shoulders and said, “Ladies, the truth is that I just can’t make up my mind between you all and I don’t expect I’ll ever be able to do that. You’re all just too beautiful and have such sweet dispositions that it makes it real hard for a man to choose. It’s real plain how much you all think of me and I’m truly honored,
but even if I could just pick one of you, I’d hate to cause strife between you.”
The sisters pouted, but they appreciated his honesty.
“You’re a true gentleman, Johnny,” Heidi said.
Georgia sighed then brightened. “I know! You could spend some time alone with each one of us and then decide who you like best. And we wouldn’t get mad if we weren’t the one you picked. We might not like it, but we wouldn’t hold it against one another, would we, girls?”
Heidi and Joanie hastily agreed.
“So you come after church on Sunday to have dinner with us and then you and I can spend a little time together,” Georgia said. “I go first because I’m the one who thought of the idea.”
Johnny’s shoulders slumped. He should have kept his mouth shut and just gone on his way. “Well, you’d better check with your folks about it. I don’t think they’ll like that idea too much.”
Heidi said, “Don’t worry about that. We can handle Pa.”
That’s what I’m afraid of. “Um, well, I’m sorry, ladies, I just—”
“Johnny!”
Johnny was never so glad to hear his best friend’s voice as he was right then. He turned to see Ray Stratton riding up to the store.
“There you are!” Ray said, jumping down from his horse. “Ladies,” he said, touching the brim of his expensive hat. “I hope you don’t mind if I borrow my buddy here. I have important business to discuss with him.”
Ignoring the sisters’ protest, Ray hauled Johnny into the store with him.
“That was rude, but God bless you,” Johnny said.
Ray grinned, his gray eyes gleaming. “Saved you in the nick of time, huh?”
Johnny nodded. “You don’t know the half of it. They’ve cooked up some cockamamie idea about me spending time with each of them so I could make up my mind which one I like the best.”
Ray laughed. “You oughta just take them all at once, Johnny. Then you could make a decision and save some time in the process. That’s what I’d do.”
Johnny colored at Ray’s ribald remark. “You might be able to do that, but I can’t. I wasn’t raised that way.”
“You gotta quit that good boy stuff, Johnny. That’s one of the reasons they like you so much,” Ray said. “You need to go see one of Sandy’s girls and tell everyone about it. They’re husband hunting and you’ve been deemed suitable by their father.”
Johnny gaped at him. “I have?”
Ray rolled his eyes. “Why else do you think he lets them stand around and talk with you, even when it’s only you and one of them?”
Johnny had never thought about it. “He doesn’t let other fellas?”
“No. Watch this,” Ray said.
Johnny watched him go out the door and engage the triplets in conversation. They giggled at whatever he said to them. Knowing Ray, it was most likely something scandalous. In a couple of minutes, Shane Silver went to the door and told the girls to go on home. Ray bid them good day and then came back in the store again.
“Told you,” Ray said. “You really need to pay more attention to gossip, Johnny.”
“I don’t like gossip and I’m not gonna go see one of Sandy’s girls. I don’t got anything against them, but that’s not the kind of girl I’m looking for,” Johnny said.
Ray said, “You’re not looking for any girl at all. Why is that?”
Johnny moved off down the aisle to where the nails were. “Because I ain’t set up for a wife yet, Ray. I live in a bunkhouse. That ain’t no place for a woman. Once I have a house of my own, then I’ll find someone.”
Ray scratched his chin. “Who says you have to get married right away? Why don’t you just have some fun?”
Johnny turned to Ray, his blue eyes meeting Ray’s, his expression stern. “I’ll tell you why. Ma and Pa ‘had some fun’ and had to get married because of me. He made her miserable every day and I hate that I’m the reason that she was bound to that son of a bitch. I’ll mourn Ma until the day I die, but I’m glad that Pa’s dead and I hope he burns in Hell.
“So, I’m gonna work hard and make a decent living before I settle down. I want to take care of a woman the way she deserves to be. I know that you don’t understand that, but I’m asking you to respect it, Ray.”
Ray ran a hand through his black hair and blew out a breath. “You never told me that before. I’m sorry. I’ll quit pestering you about women.”
“Thanks. Now, look, come up to Cotton’s tonight, but right now I gotta get back to the ranch,” Johnny said. “Ok?”
Ray nodded. “Sure. See ya then.”
Johnny gave him a tight smile and walked down the aisle, trying to ignore the futile anger in his heart.
*****
“You look beautiful,” Leigh said.
She’d helped Daphne choose her evening ensemble for her evening with Brock.
“I’m scared to death,” Daphne said. “Scared to death that he won’t show up, scared that he will and I’ll make a fool of myself. What if Cy’s right and this is a huge mistake?”
Leigh said, “I felt the same way about coming here, but sometimes taking a risk is worth it. Besides, you’ve waited long enough to have the chance to get to know Brock better. Don’t listen to Cy. You know how men are. Both of them will come around.”
Daphne smoothed down the deep blue muslin dress she wore and looked at her hair again in the mirror. “I hope so. Cy is so stubborn. I’d forgotten that about him while he was away. I sure got reminded in a hurry.”
Leigh said, “I know, but he’s got a good heart. Don’t worry. I’ll do what I can to make him see reason.”
Daphne said, “Thanks, but don’t be surprised if I cuff him upside the head here and there.”
Leigh laughed. “That’ll be entertaining.”
“He’d better not make trouble for Brock when he comes for me or I’ll skip the cuffing and just whack him with a frying pan.”
They laughed and Daphne blew out the lamp in her room. When they descended the stairs, Leigh made the dogs go lie down so that they didn’t get hair all over Daphne’s dress. Cy and Johnny were finishing up the supper dishes when they came into the kitchen.
“Wow! You look like a dream!” Johnny told her.
Daphne smiled. “You think so?”
Johnny nodded as he dried a dish. “I sure do. He won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”
Cy wiped his hands on a towel and turned around so he could see Daphne. “Johnny’s right, sis. You look beautiful. I hope that you have a wonderful time tonight.”
Daphne blinked a couple of times. “You do?”
Cy said, “Look, I know that Brock and I don’t get along, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t want you to be happy. And as much as I can’t stand him, if he makes you happy, well, I won’t stand in your way. He’d better treat you right, though, or I’ll kill him. That’s all the more I’ll say about it.”
Daphne went to him and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
The dogs barked, announcing that someone was there. Daphne felt a little faint now that the moment had come for her to spend time with Brock alone. Her mouth went dry and her heart fluttered inside her chest. When someone knocked on the kitchen door, she almost jumped.
Johnny rushed to answer it and Cy shot him an annoyed glance over being beaten to the punch. The kid had the speed of a jackrabbit sometimes.
Johnny pulled the door open. “Hi, Brock. Come on in. Your lady awaits you.”
Even Cy smiled at his funny greeting.
Brock stepped into the kitchen and Daphne felt even fainter at the sight of him in a fine, black overcoat. She’d only ever seen him in one of his sack coats and older clothes. He was infinitely more handsome in his evening attire. He’d attractively combed his blond hair and he’d shaved.
“Thanks, Johnny,” he said, his intense blue eyes going immediately to Daphne.
Her deep brown hair that ended just below her ears gleamed like mahogany and her large, dark eyes were exotic and
hypnotizing. The blue dress gave a hint of cleavage and molded to Daphne’s lush curves. Desire ran through Brock’s veins as his eyes traveled over her.
Cy barely kept from glowering at Brock as he greeted him. “I see that no disasters came up.”
Brock smiled, playing along. They’d already had a heated argument about Daphne at work and they’d finally decided that they both knew where each other stood and that they wouldn’t do anything to upset Daphne that evening.
“No, but even if something does come up, don’t come looking for me,” Brock said. “I’m going to be too busy dining with this gorgeous woman.”
Daphne blushed, but her eyes never left his as he came to stand before her. “Thank you. You look very handsome.”
“Thanks. Are you ready?” Brock asked.
“Yes,” Daphne said.
Brock held out his hand for the wrap she held. When she gave it to him, he draped it over her shoulders, taking the opportunity to touch her lightly as he placed it. Cy was glad to see that Brock was being a gentleman even if he did think that Brock took a little longer than necessary.
Johnny surprised everyone when he stepped right up to Brock and said, “Now look here, you have her home at a decent hour and you better be a gentleman tonight. Cause if I hear you weren’t, I’ll make you sorry. Do we understand each other?”
Brock arched an eyebrow at Johnny. “We do.”
Satisfied, Johnny smiled and kissed Daphne’s cheek. “Have a nice time. See you all in the morning.”
So saying, Johnny put on his coat and left. Leigh was the first one to let out a snort of laughter, followed by Daphne. Cy tried to fight it, but watching Johnny take Brock to task had been comical. He let out a laugh and Brock stared at him for a moment before breaking into laughter. Brock hadn’t ever heard Cy really laugh before and it was a little shocking to know that the detective was capable of it.
When their mirth had subsided, Brock offered an arm to Daphne. “Shall we?”
“Yes,” she said.
Leigh and Cy wished them a good time and they left the house. Brock helped Daphne into the buggy he’d brought and spread a heavy wool blanket over her lap.
