by Jane Jamison
At first, the news about her father’s illness had wiped away any hope of making her dream come true. But after some thought, she realized she could still make it happen. However long her father lived, she’d be there. He came first. Once he passed, however, she’d go to law school and become a lawyer. Then and only then would she leave.
But what would they do for a home in the meantime? Before long the ranch would no longer be theirs.
If Cam and Phil bought the ranch, could she be their mate, giving her father the right to die in his own home? But they wanted a real mate. A mate who’d stay home and give them children. To become their mate only to leave them for law school wouldn’t be fair.
She’d gone back to the doctor’s place the next morning and had brought her father home. After telling her about her father’s terminal condition, Harriet had finally shown up to help. But Danna she didn’t trust her sister to stay for long and she needed to get back to the house. Eventually, the pull for Harriet to return to her mates would prove too much to resist.
As he’d done the past two days, her father was probably resting comfortably in his bedroom with a bottle of whiskey and the television blaring. Although he’d been surprised when she hadn’t tried to keep him from drinking, he hadn’t asked any questions. Had the doctor told him she knew? That she understood his continued drinking wouldn’t cause any further damage? Neither of them had mentioned his failing health, either.
Danna sat back in the saddle and surveyed the herd, but she didn’t really see them. Instead, her mind jumped to the same question that had dominated her thoughts for the past two days.
Where are Cam and Phil? If they really love me, why haven’t they shown up?
She’d expected them to be at the doctor’s the next day, ready to help her get her father home. She’d been disappointed when they hadn’t shown up. Then she’d hoped they’d come to the ranch. After all, didn’t they think she needed comforting? Didn’t they care about what she was going through? They should’ve come around to check on her by now. If not to try and convince her to be their mate, then to inquire after her father.
Their absence had to be a sign. They’d given up. Yet instead of telling her, they’d simply left her alone.
Holding back the tears, she urged her horse to take the lead. He’d find his way back to the barn without her directing him.
The knot in her stomach continued to grow as she made her way home. Along with the awful tightness came a hope that maybe, just maybe, Cam and Phil would be there waiting for her.
She rode on, keeping her gaze down, her mind drifting between the questions plaguing her and the memories of their hands on her, caressing her, telling her sweet things. When she heard the scream, she jerked her head up.
Had she imagined it? Nothing looked out of place at home.
Another cry, more of a wail than a scream, came again.
She set the spurs against the horse’s flank. Her breath hitched in her throat as the horse galloped the short distance to the front porch. Before the animal had stopped, she was already swinging her leg over. She landed on the ground on both feet.
The cry had turned into sobs by the time she’d flung open the screen door and had dashed inside. Immediately, she darted to the left and headed for her father’s bedroom.
“No, Daddy. No.”
Harriet’s heart-wrenching wail tore at her.
Danna knew he was gone the moment she stepped into the room. Harriet sat on the bed next to their father, her body bent over his. Her sobs were soft now, but the agony of her pain ripped into Danna, adding to her own anguish. Even then, she kept her gaze away from the too-still figure lying on the bed.
“No,” she whispered.
Harriet looked up. Tears streaked her makeup. “He’s dead, sis. And it’s all my fault.”
“Your fault?” What could Harriet have done to cause her father’s death?
Her sister sucked in a hard, short breath. “I killed him.”
She came to her side and pulled Harriet into her arms. “No, you didn’t. He was sick. The doc said he didn’t have long.”
Yet she hadn’t expected their remaining time together to be so short. She hadn’t told him everything she’d wanted to say. If she had, she would’ve told him she didn’t blame him for their mother running off. She would’ve told him how much she wished she’d made him stop drinking. That she regretted that they hadn’t been closer. But time had run out all too soon.
“You don’t understand, sis. We had a huge fight. I yelled at him, telling him to stop drinking.”
She’d told Harriet to let the drinking go. Although she understood how hard it was to watch him do the very thing that would lead to his death, the doctor had said it would help with the pain. His drinking couldn’t do any more harm. Yet she wouldn’t judge her sister. Not now. What good would it do? Besides, Harriet was already berating herself.
“An argument wouldn’t have killed him. Stop blaming yourself.”
“You don’t understand. I yelled at him and yanked the bottle away. He started to get out of bed, and then—” Another sob tore at Harriet, muddling the rest of what she said.
“Then what? I didn’t understand you.”
Harriet sniffed then let out shuddering sob. “Then he clutched his chest and made this awful gasping sound. I didn’t know what to do. Oh, shit. I just stood there while he stared at me and fell back on the bed.” She pointed at their father, her hand shaking. “He’s still staring at me. He knows it’s my fault.”
She’d kept from looking at her father until that moment. His face was contorted in pain, his amber-filled eyes wide. His hand clutched at his chest.
Slowly, she reached over and passed her palm over his eyes, closing them. “You didn’t kill him, Harriet. It was only a coincidence that it happened at the same time.”
She’d spoken the words, but did she really believe what she said? Had her sister yelling at him, taking away his only pleasure, his only source to dull the pain, caused him to die? Had he had a heart attack brought on by the argument? Her gaze fell to his closed hand and knew it was possible. But what good would it do to punish her sister?
Harriet started crying harder, her words coming between gasps for air. “Do…you…really… think so? Oh, my God. He’s…gone. Now we’re really alone.”
She hadn’t shed a tear, hadn’t let the reality of her father’s death sink in. “We’re not alone. We still have each other.”
“But you’re leaving.”
She’s right. I can leave now. I can go to law school.
She had to believe she’d get an acceptance letter soon. Until then, she’d stay positive and keep herself focused on her goal.
Her selfishness hit her. She hadn’t wanted her father to die and yet, didn’t it open the way for her to fulfil her dreams?
“You have your mates, Harriet. You’ll never be alone. And I’ll always stick by you.”
“Do you promise?” Harriet had never seemed so vulnerable.
“I promise.” The promise wasn’t an empty one, just one she doubted she’d have to keep. Once Harriet moved in with her mates the following week, she’d soon forget everything except what existed in her own little world. For once, her sister’s self-involvement would be a blessing.
Danna dragged in a hard breath, the truth of her father’s passing slowly sinking in. With her father gone and her intended mates giving up on her, would she have her law practice but end up alone? Unable to look at her father any longer, she gave Harriet one last hug then rushed out of the room. At last, she gave her tears freedom to flow.
* * * *
The day of Hank Harris’s funeral was dreary as though God knew how heavy Danna’s heart was. The turnout was wonderful, especially considering how badly her father had treated so many people. Many of them had been wronged in some way or another, but they still came to show their respect and to help usher him into the next world.
“How are you doing, honey?” Lena Fortran wrapped her
arm around her waist.
She managed a slight smile, but she still felt cold and empty. “I’m doing okay. Thanks again for offering the bed and breakfast for the visitation. I just wasn’t up to having all these people at our place.”
It was a small lie. Truth was, she’d been terrified the sheriff and Georgia Gill would show up at any minute to deliver the foreclosure papers. Saying good-bye to her father and losing the ranch on the same day would’ve been too much to handle.
“No problem. I was happy to help.”
“Still, thanks. Harriet and I really appreciate it.” She’d suffered through the receiving line, nodding at the appropriate times to those who shook her hand and offered their condolences. Her gaze found her sister flanked by her mates who had surprised everyone when they’d stepped up and handled the funeral arrangements.
Still, she didn’t dare look around at the crowd dressed in dark clothes and talking in somber clothes. If she didn’t see Cam and Phil, the pain would be too much to bear.
“I know what you’re doing.”
She studied Lena’s face as though she wore a set of blinders like race horses did to keep them focused on the track right in front of them. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“You’re trying hard not to look for them, aren’t you?”
Lena was one of those “straight shooters” who spoke their mind come hell or high water. Among weretigers who often stayed silent and kept quiet, she was a rarity. Right now, however, Danna fervently wished she wasn’t.
“No. I mean…” Lying to Lena was bad enough, but to keep trying when it was so obvious that the woman knew she was lying was pointless.
“If you’d just take a look around, you’d see them.”
“They’re here?” She hadn’t wanted to hope. Had, in fact, assumed they’d given up on her. Now that she knew they were close by, she had to fight the urge to find them. “I don’t care.”
Lena’s laugh sounded out of place. “Honey, don’t try to bullshit a bullshitter. I can see it written all over your face. It’s obvious you care.” She took hold of Danna’s chin, forcing her to meet her gaze. “You might as well admit it. You want them. You need them. Hell, you love them.”
“No.”
“No, my ass. Honey, they’re your mates. Why the hell are you fighting the connection? You might as well try to lasso the wind.”
Danna couldn’t stop herself from glancing around. Her heart took a quick flip-flop when she found them. They stood, side by side, on the far side of the room. Their gray gazes met hers, calming her erratic heart.
God, how I love them.
And yet, Danna still fought against her feelings. “Love doesn’t last. It isn’t everything. Besides, I have plans.” Soon, she’d hear from the fourth law school. Like the first school, two others had rejected her.
“That’s bullshit, too.” Lena gripped her arm so hard it hurt. “You listen to me. I should’ve told you this a long time ago, but it wasn’t my place. Yes, your mother left, but she didn’t leave because you’re human. Don’t you dare believe your sister.”
“I don’t.” She jerked her attention back to Lena. “My mother left because my father decided a whiskey bottle was more important to him than either her or his children. They loved each other when they were first mated, but love wasn’t enough. Even the connection couldn’t keep them together.”
Lena leaned back. “So that’s the reason? You’re willing to throw away your own love because your parents didn’t stay together? You’re willing to sacrifice your mates and let them lead a lonely life because you’ve decided to do that? How can you hurt them? How can you hurt yourself?”
“I want more in my life than running a dying ranch and having babies. I want to make a difference and I’m damned well going to do it. If I have to make sacrifices, I will.”
“Who says you can’t do it all?”
“That’s not what they want. They’re typical males.”
“Have you asked them?”
She had. Hadn’t she?
“That’s what I thought. You rejected them before they could reject you.” Lena hugged her harder. “Oh, honey, you’re doing this to yourself. Stop thinking you and your mates will end up like your parents. You won’t.”
She spit out her words, anger catching her off guard. “You don’t know that.”
“And you don’t know the opposite.”
“No. I won’t leave them hanging while I go off to law school. Then when I come home, I’ll have to work hard to get my practice going. They want a mate and a mother for their children. I can’t give them what they want.”
“You can at least try.” Lena waved at the men.
“What are you doing? Why are you tormenting me today of all days?” She tried to pull out of Lena’s hold, but the female weretiger had shifted enough to make her stronger.
“Because I love you. I’m getting you three together whether you like it or not.”
Danna’s body revved into high gear. It was a wonder she hadn’t felt their presence before, but until only a short while ago she’d been immersed in her grief. She watched as they sauntered toward her, both moving with the grace of the two large cats inside them.
“Danna, how are you?” asked Cam.
Lena let out a low growl. “Oh, no, you don’t. You’re not playing the polite game. Come on. All three of you. In the kitchen now.”
Lena pulled on Danna’s arm and pushed through the swinging door into the bright kitchen. The men followed. She turned her loose and confronted them. “You three need to talk. Now talk.” Lena pointed a finger at each of them. “No leaving until you do. Do you understand?”
“Yes, ma’am,” answered Cam.
“Whatever you say, Lena.” Phil’s gaze riveted to Danna.
But Danna wasn’t about to stick around. The past few days had been too hard and too long. She couldn’t stand a discussion that would lead into an argument. Knowing she had to be smart, she waited until Lena walked out of the kitchen to speak then turned toward them.
“Listen—”
She didn’t have a chance to say anything more. Phil pulled her to him, crushing his mouth to hers. He’d captured her breath and, although she found herself struggling to breathe, she didn’t care. The kiss alone would sustain her.
His need consumed her. His passion overwhelmed her. As surely as a leaf on the rush of a breeze, he swept her along, tumbling her over and over until she couldn’t tell up from down. She leaned into the kiss, daring him to keep going.
Her heart broke then came together again when Cam pulled them apart. She only had enough time to see the flash of amber in his eyes and inhale a quick gasp before he took her. He pressed his body against hers, leveraging her against the counter. She bent backward, willing to do anything if only he’d keep kissing her.
Hands stroked her body, his and Phil’s, as she moaned and felt their hot bodies against her. They were hers and she was theirs. At least for a short time.
“Oh! Sorry.”
Abruptly, the men moved away from her.
Claire Makerton, one of the waitresses at Roar and the town’s biggest gossip, stood in the doorway. Her eyebrows lifted in surprise and the shape of the “o” of her mouth split into a smug smile. “I was just going to offer you my condolences.” She bit her lower lip, obviously holding back a giggle. “I didn’t mean to interrupt…this.”
Danna moved away from the men, dipping her head as the embarrassment washed over her. “Um, thank you for coming today. However, if you don’t mind…”
But Claire didn’t take the hint. Instead, she swayed into the kitchen and went to the coffeemaker. “I’ll make another pot because we’re getting low out there.” Her curious look took in the men then flicked to Danna. Laughter sparkled in her eyes. “Unless there’s a reason you three need to be alone. You know. So you can keep…talking.”
The way she’d said the word alone left no doubt what she meant. Alone to let the men have their way with her. Alone to
fuck on top of the counter. Alone to do what Claire would probably like to do.
“No. It’s okay.” Danna resisted the urge to wipe her mouth. “We’re finished here.” She hurried past Claire and into the living room. Ignoring the others who tried to talk to her, she rushed out of the bed and breakfast.
Danna had the truck backing up into the street by the time the men made it outside. They called to her, but she didn’t stop. She had to get away.
Where had they been for two days? Why had they shown up today?
Her body still sizzled from their touches, still ached to have them with her, to feel their mouths against her flesh, their cocks inside her. Her future had seemed so easy, so set before they’d arrived. Now everything was so much harder. She could leave and lose her mates. Or she could stay and lose herself.
Chapter Eight
“They called again.” Harriet leaned against the railing of the stall.
Danna put her anger into tossing the bale of hay over the top. “I don’t want to hear it.”
“You can’t keep ignoring them.”
“The hell I can’t.” She kept her head down and pulled the hay apart as the horse munched on the clump at its feet.
“Why are you doing this? Damn it, sis, they’re being as patient as any two men ever could be. Especially any two male weretigers. I just don’t get you.”
“You don’t have to.” The problem was that she didn’t understand why, either. She lay in bed every night, sleep evading her as the questions ran through her head. And every morning, she was still as confused as she was the day before.
“You’re pushing it, Danna. They’re weretigers. If you push them too much, they’re going to lose it. They could take what they want, you know.”
She scoffed. “No one’s forced a woman into mating in years. They’re not the type.”
“You’re probably right. But aren’t you at least a little curious? Don’t you want to see them shift?”
