Hay had had about enough of the self-righteous bastards in Cold Springs. “We don’t need you to say anything. Just listen.” From the corner of his eye he saw a grinning Seth lean against the pillar, arms crossed in that kind of casual, lopsided way he had.
“First, she’s married to this gentleman here, so she’s Mrs. Pratt now. Second, there’s enough hate and distrust in the world, so where’s the harm in working with three people who love each other? If this town can’t agree with that, you’ll lose out. That is, I presume you want the banking business of Haywood Manufacturing?”
The banker narrowed his gaze. People pushed their way into the bank to get a view of the two men who had stopped a bank robbery all by themselves. Regan was at the front, wide eyed in wonder.
“Haywood Manufacturing went out of business during the war.”
“My father’s company did, yes. But I separated my cash and investments from his when it looked as though there would be conflict.” He didn’t add that he did so when his father threatened to disinherit him when he announced he would fight with the Union if war erupted. “My investments overseas have prospered. I’m considering setting up a furniture factory here, but not if we aren’t welcome or respected.” Murmurs went through the crowd.
“Well now, considering all you just told us, I’m sure we can see our way clear to—”
“No we can’t. No decent woman sleeps with two men.” Mrs. Barker stepped forward.
“Oh be quiet, Gloria,” the bank manager said. “You know as well as I do that if you could find two men who wanted you, you’d jump at the chance.”
She gasped and stormed away. The banker held out his hand to Hay and then to Seth. “Welcome to Cold Springs.”
Chapter Sixteen
Regan tried to keep the tears from her eyes. “How long will you be gone?”
Hay rubbed her belly, protruding with her four-month pregnancy. His touch calmed her, and she thought it did the same for the baby.
“I’ll be back in time for the birth.”
“See that you are. I’m not goin’ through that by myself,” Seth said.
“You and Mark will be able to console each other if Amy delivers near the same time. I wouldn’t be going at all if my sister hadn’t sent word that my father was ill or if I didn’t have to secure the financing for Haywood Manufacturing West.”
“I know. We’ll be fine. But don’t waste a lot of time there when you could be here.” He gave Hay a shrewd look. “Are you going to hand deliver all those letters you’ve written over the years?”
A shocked expression crossed Hay’s face. “How did you know about those?”
“I’m not as dumb as I look.” He shook Hay’s hand. “Take care of yourself.”
“Are you sure we can’t come to the station with you?” Regan asked.
“I’ll ride in and stable the horse. Pick him up when you’re in town next.”
She took his hand. “I’ll at least walk with you to the road.”
He squeezed her hand. Taking the reins of his horse with the other, he led her along the path that ended at the road to Cold Springs.
For a few minutes they walked in silence. Then Hay said, “I’m glad Mark and Amy came to live with us. She’s good company for you and Mark is a great help.”
“I like them, too.” Why were they talking about Mark and Amy when there were other things that needed saying?
“I’m sure things will be fine here without me. Seth will take good care of you.”
She pulled him to a stop and around to face her. “I know Seth will take care of me, and of the farm. I love him. But things won’t be fine here without you. Nothing will be truly fine until you’re home again, here with us. Something will be missing the whole time you’re away.”
He smiled and brought her hand to his lips so he could kiss each fingertip. “What will be missing?”
“A part of my soul,” she whispered. “You’re part of my soul. If you didn’t realize it before, you need to know now. You need to know how much I need and want you.”
“Oh, my darling. You know how much I love you, don’t you?”
“And I love you, Francis Haywood Lawrence. More than you can imagine. Please, please come back as soon as you can.” She rose onto her toes and kissed him.
He stroked her cheek. “‘Parting is such sweet sorrow.’ Do you remember when I said that to you our first night here?”
“Yes. You were going only as far as the bunkhouse then. I wish that’s as far as you were going now.” Try as she might, tears overflowed and ran down her cheeks.
“I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you. I love you. Come back to us.”
“I will. I promise.”
Epilogue
Hay read the two wires once more, though he had the words memorized. First, COLIN LAWRENCE PRATT
He had a son! They had a son. When he first read the words, he sat in his father’s empty study and cried. Then, in his next shipment, along with bolts of fabric for Regan and all manner of things they needed for the farm, he sent a dozen toys.
The second wire three months later made him laugh. IF YOU ARE NOT HERE FOR THE BIRTH OF OUR SECOND CHILD IN SEVEN MONTHS I WILL COME EAST AND KICK YOUR WORTHLESS BEHIND ALL THE WAY BACK TO OREGON
Seth had signed both, of course.
Hay hadn’t meant to be gone so long. Everything had taken more time than anticipated. His father had been more than ill. He’d been at death’s door. Fortunately, he and Hay had found common ground before that final event. But then there were the legal issues to take care of for his mother and what little estate his father had left. His sister had planned her wedding, which was to take place after their father’s death. Propriety stated that she wait a year, but Hay convinced her not to give up months of happiness just to make society happy. So when she begged him to stay and stand up with her, how could he say no? The only thing that had gone as planned was financing for the furniture company.
In the week after receiving the second wire, pleading an acquaintanceship with Regan from the wagon train, he traveled to Asheville and sought out her family. One of her sisters had married and moved to Atlanta, and a second was about to be married in Boston. With news of their well-being, and letters from her sisters, he finally packed his bags and boarded the first train west.
He breathed easier the farther west he went. The wide vistas suited him so much better than the claustrophobia of the eastern cities. More importantly, his family awaited him.
Two weeks after leaving Charlotte, the train strained on the grade near Pendleton. In less than an hour he would be in Cold Springs. If Seth received his wire, he and Regan would meet him at the station. They might even have Colin with them. Hay couldn’t stop a huge smile from crossing his face.
Soon, very soon, they would all be home.
THE END
HTTP://DEESKNIGHT.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dee S. Knight has written award-winning erotic romance for years, even branching into ménage romance. Now as Jenna Stewart, writing exclusively for Siren-BookStrand, she is creating only ménage—stories proving that the only thing better than true love between a man and a woman is true love between a woman and more than one man.
For titles by Jenna Stewart writing as Dee S. Knight, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/dee-s-knight
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chap
ter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Epilogue
About the Author
Regan [The Sisters O'Ryan 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 14
