Ways in the Guardian: A Menage Romance Book Collection

by Barbara Downey

  Andrew motioned towards Pete, “Who is that?”

  Lucy turned her head in Pete’s direction and could have died when she saw him watching her being held by another man. It felt wrong for him to see her like that, touching someone who gave her no warm feelings. Lucky swallowed hard before she answered, “He’s new to town, been traveling for days.” Lucy couldn’t explain it but it almost felt like she was letting Andrew in on a secret that she didn’t want to share with anyone. She wanted to keep Pete to herself.

  *****

  Andrew wasn’t conventional. Most relationships in Whispering Willows were conducted tastefully and carefully, often under the supervision of a chaperone. Many of the people in the little mining and herding town were god-fearing people who believed that marriage was sacred. Not Andrew; he was superficial and proud, caring more about what belonged to him than whether he was doing something that was against the morals of others. Maybe that came with the territory of being insanely wealthy but Lucy had expected to be a virgin until her wedding day and had been very wrong.

  Though she still lived with her parents, he’d consummated their relationship almost immediately. She’d had no expectations of it being pleasant, but Andrew had been so rough, she’d never wanted to lie with him again. She’d been mortified when she’d walked by the saloon and one of the girls pulled her aside, telling her that he’d done the same thing with a few of the girls that did more than sing or dance. Lucy felt ashamed and trapped but that was how it was done in Whispering Willows. One were arranged in a marriage that would help both families see further success. It did not matter what the woman wanted.

  Andrew was a very talented showman, on the surface. He appeared polished and dignified. He sat at the Winthrop’s dinner table and used his charisma to win Lucy’s father over. He told exciting stories and remembered to compliment Lucy’s mother on her cooking. Lucy was convinced that because he was older than her by seven years that he’d gotten his dual personalities perfected. She just wished that she got the version of Andrew Perkinson that everyone else got.

  “A new man came to our Inn today.” He commented as he ate a piece of pie.

  “Oh yes, I saw him ride through.” Lucy’s father replied. “I think I heard that his name was Pete. Sounds like your uncle might take him on as a ranch hand. I imagine he’ll stay in your Inn until he gets settled.”

  Lucy couldn’t help but perk up at the sound of Pete’s name. Though she’d only spoken to him for a few minutes, she couldn’t help but remember his handsome face. It would certainly make working at the Inn far more interesting if he might be there too. A few minutes later Andrew was excusing himself from the table and asking if Lucy could walk him to the door. The Winthrops gladly agreed and Lucy found herself tentatively walking with the man to the front door.

  “I’ll talk to Susanna about letting you have a day off,” he explained. “I’d like to spend some proper time together.” He put his hand on her hip and pulled Lucy closer to him, her skirt brushing against his slacks. “It’s been too long since I’ve seen and touched your bare flesh.”

  Lucy looked away from him, his intensity making her uncomfortable. “I’d like you to take me somewhere beautiful,” she whispered.

  Andrew’s grasp on her grew tighter. “I’ll take you where I damn like,” he snapped. “You practically belong to me. Soon we’ll be married and I’ll have you every minute I please. You’ll be my pretty little doll for the end of time.”

  Lucy hissed as his fingers pinched her through her petticoats. “Andrew,” she said, “you’re hurting me.”

  “I don’t care!” he retorted. “I don’t care if I make you cry or bleed. Lucy Winthrop, you are mine.” Then he smashed her lips against his and Lucy wondered if he behaved this way when he used to visit the whores that worked above the saloon. He said his goodnights before he walked off into the night.

  Sometimes Lucy wondered what would happen if she told her parents that she didn’t want to marry Andrew Perkinson. She wondered if they would let her go, let her be an old maid or maybe she could join a convent and let God forgive her for the sins Andrew had forced her to make. Lucy often thought about running away when Andrew was possessive and scary. But where would she go? Nevada was so new, so wild, she’d probably die before she got anywhere. At least that’s what she used to think, before this afternoon, before she’d met Pete. He’d been travelling the land and he was alive. Not only alive but happy.

  Lucy made a promise to herself as she made her way inside and helped her mother clear away the dinner dishes; she continued to think about it as she lay her head down at night. She would learn how Pete Bishop had survived and made his way to Whispering Willows. Maybe, just maybe, if things got out of hand, if she couldn’t handle being Andrew Perkinson’s wife, she’d leave this town behind. Maybe then her eyes would twinkle like Pete’s had when he’d smiled at her. She would ask him the next time she saw him to explain it all to her.

  “Lucy?”

  Lucy looked up from the dishes to see her mother watching her. “Yes, Mother?”

  “You seem so distracted. Is everything okay?”

  Lucy smiled at her mother warmly as she continued to scrub. “I think everything will be fine, Mother. One way or another.”

  *****

  The next morning, Lucy made her way down to the Inn, thinking of what she would say when she ran into Pete. The sun was just starting to rise as she made her through the back door. Another employee was already cooking eggs on a griddle as Lucy rolled up her sleeves and washed her hands so that she could join.

  “Guests already looking for breakfast?” Lucy asked.

  The cook shook her head, as she continued to move the eggs with her spatula. “No Dear, these eggs are for you. Mr. Perkinson wants you to bring lunch up to the ranch. You’ll need your strength, it’s quite a walk.”

  Lucy couldn’t help but smile at the mention of the place that Pete would be working, so far away from Andrew that she wouldn’t need to be careful about what she said or worry about whether could overhear. Lucy began to start prepping for the meal that she was going to be bringing to the ranch hands. By the time she made her way to the farm it would be practically time for lunch. She was going to roast a chicken and then make sandwiches with the meat. Lucy had also decided that she was going bring things to make a large salad and she would bake bread and cookies.

  She got her baking items going before she sat down and ate her breakfast, all the while thinking of the best way to the get to the cattle ranch and if she could catch a ride with someone when someone placed their hands on her shoulder and caused her to nearly jump out of her skin.

  “What are you so jumpy about?” Andrew’s voice made Lucy’s body spasm. He kissed her head before he slid into the spot across from her. “I suppose you’ve already heard about my plans to send you up to the ranch.” Lucy nodded while she chewed and then Andrew continued. “My father and I have been talking and while we want people to continue to eat at the restaurant and stay at the Inn, I thought we’d make more money if we offered the occasional delivery as well. You must do your very best to impress them, do you understand?”

  Once more Lucy nodded, wondering what if he would say “or else” or just get up and let her be. “I understand, Andrew.” Then the cook called for her from the kitchen and she took her plate and went to check on her bread and cookies.

  A while later, Lucy had the food in a large basket and was making her way away from the center of town and towards the cattle ranch. She walked with purpose because she knew she had at least an hour walk ahead of her but she was happy for the peace. Lucy tried to imagine herself having any other sort of life. One where she helped her father in his infirmary or where she was a school teacher. She hated the fact that she was already tied down to Andrew and she wasn’t even his wife yet. She wished that she could take it back, but she really had no say.

  She arrived at the ranch just as the men were coming in from the range. He muscles ached and her feet
were tired but she couldn’t get over how beautiful life away from the center of town was. There was something so peaceful and lovely about the rolling hills and raw land.

  “Hello there!” a voice called and Lucy spun around to see Pete trotting towards her on a brown horse.

  Lucy felt her face flush as she took in his chaps and spurred boots and how confident he looked in the saddle. She swallowed hard before she finally answered, “Hello Pete, I brought lunch.”

  “Swell,” he replied, whistling and motioning to the rest of the cowboys to make their way in. “We’re starving, and they‘ve been eating nothing but stew for a week.”

  It wasn’t long before there were a dozen men devouring everything that Lucy had brought for them. They marveled that they hadn’t had a cookie in god knows when and they promised to tell Andrew that the delivery service was a great idea. Lucy said that she would spread the word, but she wasn’t heading back right away; she needed to rest her legs before she trekked back. She must have been a comforting face to Pete because instead of sitting with the other ranch hands he sat down beside her.

  “I was hoping I’d see you again. I just figured it would be at dinner at the Inn.”

  “You may see me there, too,” she smiled at him. Then Lucy thought of what she’d wanted to ask him. “Pete, may I ask you a question?”

  “Of course you can.”

  “Was it hard to travel in the wilderness? Were you ever afraid to be on your own?”

  Pete studied her for a long time as he ate a piece of bread. “Little lady, why would you want to be alone?”

  Lucy looked at the ground. “It’s a long story.”

  “Traveling alone in Nevada is terrifying and dangerous but I regret nothing; this is going to be a great new start for me. I’ve already made a wonderful friend.” He smiled at Lucy before he looked at the other men eating their lunch. “I’m hoping I’ll meet more people that made this move worth it too.” He placed his large hand over her small one before he looked Lucy in the eye. “You are a young lovely girl; I don’t know why you want to run away but it can’t be good and I don’t like it. I know I barely know you, but no lady should feel like she needs to run away.”

  Lucy’s heart pounded as she took in the way he was staring at her and the fact that their hands were touching but before she could say anything else the men were cleaning up and heading back towards their horses. Before she could utter another word Pete was standing up and walking away.

  *****

  “Bringing the food to the ranch was a success,” Andrew complimented her in his private suite later that day. Lucy sat in one of his easy chairs as he paced around the room, excitedly. “The ranchers want to have the Golden Horseshoe bring food to them every day.”

  Lucy couldn’t help but feel proud of herself as her fiancée told her the news. She’d made the food and delivered it to them. She’d also shared a special moment with a man that she couldn’t seem to get out of her head. She smiled at the thought of getting to feed the man every day. “Will I be the one to bring the food?”

  Andrew nodded. “I think so. You did a fine job, beautiful. You are too good to be making beds around here.” He smiled at her wickedly. “Unless you want to make ours…after I have my way with you.”

  Lucy shut her eyes, willing herself to find the strength. She knew that he was to be her husband and she was going to have to get used to making love to him until she finally learned to love him.

  “Don’t be afraid,” Andrew soothed, noticing her nerves. She stood behind her chair, placing his hands firmly on his shoulders. “You will get used to our strange agreement. You must. Think of all the girls out there who would give anything to be my wife. My family owns most of the town; you will have anything that you desire.”

  “I know,” Lucy whispered.

  “Then stop,” he ordered and pulled her to her feet.

  Lucy walked behind him as he guided her into bedroom. With trembling hands, she reached for the buttons on the back of her dress but Andrew was there before she could do much. Then he was picking her up and placing her on the bed. He lifted up her skirts and petticoats before he yanked down her knickers and Lucy let him kiss her neck a little bit before she kissed him back.

  As much as Andrew was arrogant and rude, his intensity made him a passionate lover. Though she questioned his morals, there was something pleasurable about being with the man. She ran her fingers through his hair, using it to pull his mouth even tighter against her own. Eventually, he needed to come up for air and while he caught his breath he pulled his shirt over his head and undid the button to his pants. He stood at the foot of the bed, looking down at her with hungry eyes. He was pumping his member in his hand. Lucy’s stomach twitched with nerves the same way it had that first night when he’d made her a woman.

  Andrew crawled on top of her, taking the time to kiss her neck, jawline, and lips before he entered her slowly. That had been one thing that she had made sure to let Andrew know when this part of their relationship started. The first time they had been intimate he’d caused her to cry out in pain. Every time since, he’d taken his time. That was what confused her about Andrew. One minute he was a terrible, selfish person but the next he was trying to take care of her, make her happy in his own weird way. It was those moments that made her second-guess her thoughts of running away.

  Andrew entered Lucy and she couldn’t help but hiss as every inch of him filled her up. Andrew began to thrust in and out in a frantic rhythm. Lucy grasped onto the sheets as the intensity increased. He moaned and groaned as his climax built. Lucy braced herself for the ending.

  Since they were not married yet, there would be trouble if Lucy were to get pregnant. Instead of finishing inside of her, Andrew would pull out of her at the last moment and finish on her instead. This was exactly what he did this time and Lucy wrenched her eyes shut as warm liquid splashed on her face and the collar of her dress. Andrew groaned, clearly pleased with himself. He rolled off of her and sat down beside her, panting heavily.

  “Get yourself cleaned up,” he ordered, “your parents will be expecting you soon.” Andrew rose up and collected his clothing from the floor. “Oh,” he called over his shoulder as he checked his reflection in the mirror and smoothed his rumpled clothing, “make the bed before you go.” He chuckled as he let himself out of his suite and Lucy was left in room alone.

  Now that the moment of passion was over, Lucy could feel the thoughts of wanting to be anywhere else slipping in. She was reminded of that feeling of wanting to be near Pete Bishop and feeling safe while his hand covered her own.

  *****

  Since the first day was such a success, Lucy no longer had to worry about meals at the restaurant or cleaning out guests’ rooms. She would wake up, head to the Inn, prepare what she would need for the ranch, and then make the journey to the cattle farm on the outskirts of Whispering Willows. Lucy triple-checked to make sure she had all ingredients she would need because she would be cooking the meal up on the ranch. Then she grabbed her baskets and kettle and waited outside the Inn for her ride.

  Andrew had made an arrangement with the owner of the ranch to send one of the ranch hands down in a wagon so it would be easier for Lucy to carry her supplies. Lucy was grateful, since a basket of sandwiches was nothing like a kettle and the ingredients for a shepherd’s pie. The ranch hand was prompt and soon they were on their way.

  Since it was earlier in the day when Lucy finally arrived, the other cowboys were far out on the land, making sure the cattle were in the proper places and bringing in those that would be slaughtered. Lucy thanked the driver after she unloaded her supplies before he took off to do something else.

  Lucy set up her kettle right away, making a fire underneath it and setting to work on cooking the meat that would be part of the shepherd’s pie. She placed potatoes near the coals in the fire and used her kettle to boil ears of corn. Once everything was underway, she paused for a moment to, once more, take in the beauty of the land. She
loved the way the sun reflected off the mountains. She truly felt blessed that she was going to be coming here every day.

  “Lucy?” A voice brought Lucy back to her job. It was Pete, guiding a horse back towards one of the barns. He was covered in dirt and the horse hobbled behind him.

  “Pete,” Lucy said breathlessly, “is everything okay?”

  Pete seemed amused by her concern. “Everything’s fine. Gus just lost a shoe and the farrier can’t come until tomorrow. My friend is going to have to stay in his stall until then.”

  “What will you do?”

  “I’ll take another horse out.” He watched her cooking by the fire. “So you’re going to make us something on site, huh?”

  “Seems like it,” Lucy replied happily as she checked the status of her browning meat.

  “Well that’s great. You know, you seem mighty taken with the mountains. If you want, I can get you closer to them.”

  Lucy felt her heart pounding in her chest. She knew she was promised to someone else. She knew she should politely say no, but she found herself nodding. “Yes. That would be wonderful.”

  Pete nodded, “I’ll see you after lunch then.”

  Sure enough, the shepherd’s pie was a success and all the ranch hands couldn’t wait to see what she would make tomorrow. A few of the men even handed her a few coins for a job well done. They ate their lunch and were back on their horses, preparing to move the cattle acres away. Soon all that remained was Pete.

  Lucy doused the fire and quickly cleaned the dishes with water from a nearby pump. She collected everything in the basket she had brought from the Inn.

  “Will you get in trouble for taking me?” Lucy asked, “Shouldn’t you be with the rest of the ranch hands?”

  Pete smiled at her concern again. “Someone has to bring you back right? I told the man that brought you this morning that I’d bring you home.”