by Reece Butler
“And me!” added Aggie. “We could hold him down while you hit him,” added Riley eagerly. “Or would you rather kick him?” He was both playful and serious. “Come on, Janey. You know you want to.”
She turned her back to hide her laugh. They were such good men. They would let her determine what happened. She looked up at the mountains. Like the ocean, they would exist long after she’d returned to dust. Her children would grow up here, safe and free. And her grandchildren. A totally different kind of tremble hit her, one that started a few inches below her belly. Her heart filled with joy. This land was now part of her soul. No one could take that from her.
She turned to face Stark. Now that she had a better understanding of her own strengths, that she was a person in her own right who had chosen to join her life with others, she saw how pitiful he looked. She had no need for vengeance. She turned from him in contempt.
The pilot had watched the whole scene silently, though something about him suggested a link to Tom White. She gave him her best smile. He straightened up and lifted his hat to her.
“I believe your name is Brad?”
“Yes, ma’am, it is. Anything I can help you with?”
“Yes, please. There’s piece of excrement contaminating the J Bar C Ranch’s soil. Would you be so kind as to help my new family dispose of it? I will cover the costs to have your helicopter sanitized after you dispose of the carcass.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She hadn’t realized the size of the pilot until he straightened. He was like one of those lizards who puffed up to look bigger, only this man was all muscle.
“You heard the lady,” said Brad. He spoke softly but there was an undercurrent of steel. “Get in.”
Stark did his own imitation of puffing up, only he was all hot air. Brad stood back as Riley and Travis went for Stark. He scrambled in so fast he tripped and slammed his face against the edge of the door. He howled, and stopped. Her husbands took his legs and shoved him in, then shut the doors. He found the seat and glared out at them, blood dripping. He wiped his chin, looked down in horror at the blood, and slumped.
“I think he fainted,” said Jane.
Riley opened the door and looked in. “You’re right. Let’s truss him up while he’s out cold.”
“Use the restraint harness,” advised Brad with amusement. “It’s for his own safety.”
“So he won’t fall out?” asked Jane.
“Nah, so he won’t move around and piss me off so much I throw him out.”
Jane’s laugh loosened the tight bands around her chest.
“Tom told me to bring him to the police station in Dillon when you were finished with him,” said Brad. “The FBI’s got a warrant out for him.”
“He’s coming to,” said Travis, exiting the chopper.
“Hey, you can’t tie me up like this! I demand you release me!”
“Shut him up, will you?” asked Brad in a bored tone.
“My pleasure.” said Riley. His arm moved, Stark’s head fell back, and he was silent.
“Much obliged,” said Brad. “Got any more garbage to dispose of?” Keith shook his head. “Mrs. Adams?”
It took Jane a moment to realize he was talking to her.
“Yes?”
“You have any special requests for the ride back?”
“Any…oh.” She pressed her fingers over her mouth, covering a smile that fought to escape. She didn’t need revenge to feel vindicated. She wouldn’t mind getting back at him, though. Nothing permanent.
“Say, it, Jane,” ordered Travis.
“He’s afraid of heights and gets carsick very easily. But I’d hate for him to make a mess in your helicopter.”
“No worries, ma’am. Unless they’re a patient, anyone who hurls in my bird cleans it up. By hand.” Brad cracked his fingers eagerly, “I haven’t had a chance to do a limit test on this baby in a long time. Welcome to Climax, ma’am.” He lifted an eyebrow at Keith. “Want to be my copilot?”
Keith looked at Aggie. She rolled her eyes and made a shooing motion. “Go on, have your fun. I know you love it.”
“We wanted to take Jane into town once it was safe,” said Travis. “How about we pick you up tomorrow in Dillon. That okay, Dad?”
Keith, grinning like a boy about to get a treat, kissed Aggie’s cheek and patted her bottom before heading to the far side of the helicopter. Stark’s head was up and his mouth open in a yell by the time the chopper rose. Once clear of obstructions it went up, fast, did a few things she’d not thought possible, and took off, dipping and diving like a woodpecker. She laughed, knowing she was free of his menace.
“My woman sounds happy,” said Riley, settling his body behind her like a warm, aroused shield.
“That is the icing on the cake,” she replied, still giggling. “He will be so terrified.”
“Good. Dad loves volunteering with the SAR, but because of his age they don’t like to send him into tough spots anymore.”
“He’ll be high for weeks,” said Aggie. Her smile turned sly. “And Donny gets me all to himself tonight.” She waved her hand over her mouth, faking a yawn. “Hmm, I feel tired. I think I’ll take a drive out to the south pasture.”
“You do that, Mom,” said Travis. “We’ll stay here and show Jane around the place.”
Aggie hurried to the truck and raced away.
“I’ve already had a tour of the barn,” said Jane.
“We’re going to introduce you to one of the Tanner’s Ford Valley traditions.”
Travis had that glint in his eye, the one that meant business. Hot, wet, erotic business. She licked her lips nervously.
“What?”
“There’s a reason ranch kitchen tables are so sturdy.”
She shuddered in eagerness.
“I like you in that apron, Jane,” said Riley as if talking about the weather. “But I want to see you in it wearing nothing else but your boots.” His eyes darkened and his nostrils flared. “Strip.”
“Here?” Though she complained, her pussy flared in eagerness.
“You heard the man,” said Travis. “Are you going to be a good girl, or not?”
No one was within miles of them. She was finally free, to do whatever she wanted, as long as she accepted the consequences. She slumped as if giving in. Both men chuckled and stepped back to watch.
“Not!” she yelled, and took off.
They roared after her. She evaded them, barely slipping away again and again, because they wanted to extend the chase. Her heart pounded with anticipation. When they caught her, they would conquer her. She would scream and fight, loving every minute of it. And they would take her, hard, and she would scream once more.
Chapter Forty-Five
Mid-June, J Bar C Ranch
“I’m glad I left Bitsy at home,” said Sally Jacobs. “She would be frightened by all this commotion.”
“The whole town’s here, Mrs. Jacobs,” replied Travis. “It’s a tradition in these parts. Everyone’s invited to a wedding.”
He was delighted the seven-pound dog who thought she was an Alsatian was in Texas. He liked real dogs, ones who worked for their food. It hadn’t stopped him from buying Jane a ball of white fluff that might someday grow into a dog rather than a fluffy rat. Pops had warned him not to take Jane into the animal shelter. She hadn’t said a word, but her steps had slowed as they passed the window. What could he do but hold the door for her?
He’d managed to hold out against the pair of kittens mewing so piteously until they gave him the silent meow treatment. The openmouthed plea that said he was their only hope for life had got him right in the heart. They’d purred, curled in his coat in the backseat, all the way home. They’d been told who was boss by Marmie, and had settled in, purring between the bigger cats as if they’d always belonged there.
“Well, it’s a beautiful day for a wedding,” said Mrs. Jacobs. “Now go find that lovely wife of yours.” She frowned. “Or is she your brother’s wife? I had t
o turn my hearing aid down because of the noise.”
“Jane promised to love, honor, and obey both of us, Mrs. Jacobs.”
“She did?”
Travis nodded.
“Well, I hope she had her fingers crossed when she said it!”
Travis chuckled as she walked toward the punch bowls. The one with whiskey was clearly marked, but he figured the old lady had decided to walk on the wild side without Bitsy around.
“Papa and Daddy are freaking,” said Lila, coming up behind him. “They’re leaving soon and I’ll finally be on my own.”
His parents were going on the same trip, but he didn’t remind her. The teachers said she had a memory like a sieve, but she managed to get through a couple years of college. He loved her like a sister, but she was impulsive and didn’t have a filter between her brain and her mouth. That got her in a lot of hot water.
It would have got her into more, but no one messed with the daughter of Eric Frost. He sometimes wondered if she’d have been better off without the interference. Any male that started sniffing around her was warned off. That meant she’d never had a boyfriend as far as Travis was aware.
“You need to hire a hand before they leave,” he said for the umpteenth time. “There’s too much work for one person, man or woman.”
“Well, no one’s interested. I’m paying well, but no one’s called.” She snorted. “Let me correct that. One of Stanley Jefferson’s good buddies called to see if anyone had the job yet.”
“Did you hire him?”
Travis turned, fed up with her talking over his shoulder. His eyes flicked down, then up. Her eyes shot daggers at him. No wonder she was hiding behind him. She had a damn good shape, and nice legs. Long ones, as she topped six feet in boots.
He should be flattered that she’d bothered to put on a dress for his wedding, but it was likely Eric’s latest attempt to help her find a man. Having their parents head off for a month would do everyone some good.
“Theo? Are you kidding?” She rolled her eyes. “I told him I needed someone who could at least walk and chew gum at the same time.”
She struck an aggressive pose, one he might use when squaring off at a bar fight. Only Lila did it often, about anything she didn’t agree with. She needed someone to show her it was okay to be female. Someone who wanted a strong woman, and was even stronger.
“You need the same thing as Jane,” he said, continuing before she could shoot off her mouth at him. “One of these days a rough, tough man is going to come into your life. He won’t put up with your shenanigans. And when he makes you realize you can’t scare him off, or outwork and outthink him, he is going to sweep you off your feet.”
“There isn’t a man alive who can best me,” she boasted.
“Then maybe it’ll take two of them. One to hold you down, and the other to spank you.”
She glared, threats of murder in her eyes. “Let them try it.” She whirled and stomped away, color high, and skirt swinging.
* * * *
Simon MacDougal held onto the railing as he climbed the stage. He had a few words to say before the band got going. He held up his whiskey glass and tapped it with a spoon to get the attention of the crowd. After a few boos and hecklers complaining about long-winded historians giving speeches, they settled.
He cleared his throat, well aware the last time he stood in front of people to make a speech was at Danny’s funeral. But this was about moving forward.
“I’ve been asked to give a few words of welcome to Jane Adams of the J Bar C Ranch. As many of you know, Jane came to Climax seeking refuge, as did many of our ancestors. Like Beth Elliott, Amelia MacDougall, Casey Taylor, and others, Jane was being forced to marry a man she did not want. And like the wonderful women who gave our ancestors life, Jane met, and fell for, ranchers from Tanner’s Ford Valley.”
He waited for the cheers and comments to fade. It had been a long time since Amy married Ben Elliott, and the town was past due for a celebration.
“I know Aggie, Keith, and Donny are pleased Jane followed another Valley tradition and got in the family way right after the wedding. I hear Doc Nikki will be coming out of retirement early in the new year.”
“You weren’t supposed to tell!” yelled Jane. She turned to Riley, behind her, and slugged him in the shoulder.
“Sweetie,” he replied through laughter, “the way you’ve been hurling day and night, we didn’t need to say a word.”
“Oh, lord, don’t remind me!”
Riley proudly snuggled her close, gently rubbing her flat lower belly.
“There’s another way Jane is like Victoria Adams, folks. Because of some shenanigans on the part of local officials, Victoria married her three husbands, twice. Jane did it the other way around, marrying two husbands, three times.”
That brought cheers as well.
“Jane was also being chased by some bad hombres, but the people of Tanner’s Ford took care of them.” He searched the crowd for Josh Gibson. “Any word on that, Sheriff?”
“Bertram Stark survived Brad’s special flight back to Dillon, though I understand he screamed most of the way.” This time it was jeers rather than cheers. Josh, with a wide smile, waited for it to settle.
“Stark was so grateful to land in one piece he bought us a new SAR chopper, fully loaded.” Cheers rang out. The helicopter was the fastest way to bring a badly injured patient through the mountains. Having a new one, and a backup, would save many lives.
“He, and a few others, are in secure cells awaiting trial,” continued Josh.
“Victoria came to Montana to find a new life,” said Simon when it was quiet again. “Thanks to Frederick Smythe, nasty rumors about Victoria’s past were spread. Now, I’ve seen a few things in those tattler papers about a woman back east who looks a bit like our Jane. A lot of vile things were said which have no basis in fact. But one thing about living in Climax—we judge you by what we see with our own eyes. And Jane Adams is a good woman.”
Many people called out the same sentiments. Jane turned her face into Riley’s chest. Travis rubbed her back. Simon remembered Marci having waterworks with both pregnancies. Judge Gibson trudged up the steps, so he moved over to let the lawman speak.
“This party isn’t just for a wedding, it’s also a bon voyage to Keith, Aggie, and Donny Adams, and Eric, Nikki, and Matt Frost. We hope you have yourselves a great second honeymoon cruising the Mediterranean.” He made a show of peering at Keith and Eric. “I heard you’ll be touring a few dungeons, conducting research.”
Catcalls, mostly from males, were directed at the six seniors.
“Come back to us with lots of good memories,” continued Gibson, “and a whole lot of ideas for business products. Now that’s enough speechifying, let’s start the dancing.”
He motioned to the band. The lead singer took over.
“Howdy, folks, I’m Quinn O’Keefe. Miss Aggie and Doc Nikki, if you’ll haul your men onto the dance floor, we can start this party.” He waited until all six were gathered. “This first song goes out to the older generation, because they ain’t as good as they once was.”
A nod, and the raunchy music for the familiar Toby Keith tune started. The crowd laughed. When Quinn motioned to them, they joined in the chorus, and the dancing.
* * * *
Jane needed air after dancing with what felt like half the room. She also needed a nap, but it was her wedding party. Doc Nikki said pregnancy was enough to knock a woman out those first few months, but her morning and afternoon and evening sickness was taking a greater toll than was usual. She felt fine at the moment, but never knew when it would hit.
“I think we’d best get our duchess home to bed,” said Travis, coming up behind her. He put his hand around her waist.
“I don’t want to seem rude and leave early.”
“You’re exhausted, sweetie. Let the rest of the night be a bon voyage party for the older folks. You need some cuddling and sleep.”
She slumped in
Travis’s arms as he carried her to the truck. Travis told her Riley would stay and pass on their thank-yous. She drifted as Travis took her home. Whatever had happened in her past didn’t matter. She had a home now, the love of two wonderful men, and a baby on the way. Tears leaked out. Baby hormones gave her an excuse, but there was so much more involved.
“I hope what Uncle Simon said about my great-great granny Victoria made you feel more welcome,” said Travis into the dark cab. “I hadn’t realized how much you and she were alike.”
He reached for her hand and interlaced their fingers. She wiped her eyes with her other hand and sniffed.
“I love you, Jane. More and more, every day. Riley’s the same. Not because of the things you’re doing for the ranch, not even for our baby. Just because you’re you.”
“I love you, and Riley.” She squeezed his hand. “That doesn’t stop me cursing at you getting me pregnant and making me feel like I have the stomach flu for a month.”
“Sweetheart, calling me a dirty ratfink doesn’t hurt me in the least.”
“Doc Nikki says it could stop any day now.”
Or it could continue for the rest of the pregnancy. She was praying that, now the spring roundup and wedding party were over, she could relax and sleep, which might help the nausea.
“If I could take over that baby for a while so you could eat and sleep, I would, in a heartbeat. But I can’t. And it drives me crazy.”
“The wives told me to let you make it up to me with diapers.”
He shuddered in horror, only partially for show. She smiled in response. Realizing she still felt okay, she sat up. Stretching her spine felt good. Her stomach rumbled. She waited, but no queasiness hit.
“I didn’t want to mention the word, but there’s a basket of food in the back, all packaged in containers. Easy meals to freeze and defrost while Mom’s away.”
To her dismay, she’d been unable to go near the kitchen if the aroma of food lingered, and cooking was impossible. A new stove hood was one of their first purchases. Keith, who she was enjoying calling Dad, insisted the coffee machine had been moved to the barn office for each of Aggie’s pregnancies, so it was no big deal.
