by Vanessa Vale
Much as I might want to trust that Jack was right, I knew better. Our Katie was torn in two and there was no telling which way she’d go in the end.
I didn’t feel any better about the situation when she arrived looking frazzled and irritated. Gone was the sweetly satisfied woman who’d let me eat her pussy in her kitchen a few hours ago. What the hell had happened in that time to make her look so rattled?
Jack gave a quick questioning look as she strode past him into the living area and I shrugged in response. Something was up, that much was obvious. Whether that something worked in our favor or not was impossible to tell.
“What’s going on, doll?” I came up behind her and took her purse from her shoulder, setting it on an end table so I could rub her shoulders and neck. Sure enough, she was a bundle of knots. Before she opened her mouth, I had a good idea what she was going to say. There was one name I was starting to hate because it was bound to have this effect on her.
“Fucking Roberts,” she spit out.
Jack groaned and fell back onto the couch. I couldn’t blame him, at this point it felt like we were beating our heads against a brick wall trying to get Katie to face the fact that her life back in New York was toxic and unfulfilling. At least I’d tracked down her ex and called him. Chatted about his behavior. Chatted, and when he wasn’t as accommodating as I’d wanted, threatened a stalking charge, a restraining order, both of which would be public record and something the senior partners at Barker, Paul and Cambridge might be interested in. After that, we’d seen eye-to-eye and I was satisfied he could be crossed off Katie’s list of jackasses. But Roberts? The only way he was going to go away was if Katie did. To Bridgewater, permanently.
“What did he do now?” Jack asked.
I inwardly groaned, wishing he hadn’t. I hated seeing Katie so worked up over that asshole thousands of miles away. If he could fuck with her at such a distance, I had to wonder what he was like in person.
Before she could launch into a tirade about whatever the fucker had done this time, I cut in. “What did you find out at city hall?”
She blinked in surprise and I could practically see the gears shifting in her head. This was why she and I worked. We thought alike, were able to multitask to the extreme. I knew how to push her buttons—challenge her, make her think. And she did the same for me. I looked over to see Jack taking a swig of his beer as he lounged on the couch.
Thank God we had Jack to round us out. To make us remember that life was sometimes pretty damn simple. The perfect threesome. Well, pretty damn close to perfect anyway.
Katie reached for Jack’s beer, taking it out of his hand and making him laugh as she drained the rest of it. Then she turned to me. “It was eye opening, I can tell you that.”
She recounted what she’d learned and at the end, Jack let out a low whistle. Being a rancher, he knew water rights inside and out. I knew them from a legal perspective, knew what Katie now owned—controlled—without having to go to city hall. “Wow, that’s some power you’ve got there.”
“You could make half the ranches in the county go belly up.” Just over something as simple and basic as water. I should have kept my mouth shut, judging from the glare I got from her.
“What are you going to do?” Jack watched Katie with a look I knew well. It was the same look he gave me every time he was giving me shit… playing devil’s advocate. He knew damned well Katie wouldn’t do anything to hurt this town or the people in it—because she loved it here. But he wanted her to admit that simple fact. Maybe then she would admit that she wanted to stay, that she belonged in Bridgewater.
Shit, sometimes my cousin was smarter than he looked.
Right on cue, Katie got all riled, worse than when she’d first arrived. “What do you mean, what am I going to do?”
“It’s a lot of money, doll.” I took a step toward her, putting my life on the line judging by that glare. “No one would blame you if you were tempted to take the deal.”
Her jaw fell open and she stalked over to me, closing the distance between us. Stabbing a finger into my chest, she said, “How can you even say that? Do you know what would happen if I sold to that developer?”
“You’d be stinking rich?”
She stiffened up like a rod and Jack grinned.
She whirled around so quickly her hair whipped my face. “And I’d screw everyone in this town over in the process.” Shaking her head, she backed up so she could face us both, her arms crossed in front of her chest.
“Now simmer down, doll.”
Those words had the exact opposite effect I wanted. I wouldn’t have been surprised to see smoke coming out her ears at that point. Surely she had to see it now. It had to be obvious that she cared about this town and its people. She couldn’t walk away from it any more than me or Jack could. This town was in our blood and where we belonged, and it was the same for Katie.
She belonged with us, here in Bridgewater. Now she just had to say it.
“And if I don’t, are you going to spank me?”
Those were fighting words.
“Hell, no. Spanking’s for when you need a good fucking and your mind’s elsewhere. This?” I waved a hand at her. “This is you using that smart brain of yours.”
“Then don’t tell me to simmer down. I have every right to be mad at you two. If you two think I could do that—hurt all those people and destroy Charlie’s legacy in the process…” She shook her head and grabbed her purse. “If you think that, then clearly you don’t know me as well as I thought.”
She bolted for the door before we could stop her.
“Clearly, you don’t know me at all.”
***
CATHERINE
Tears were blinding me, making it hard to see the road as I drove back to Charlie’s to grab my things. My cell was ringing, but for once, I ignored it. If it was Roberts, I’d probably go postal. But he’d done his damage for the day. It was Sam and Jack. I knew it, but I didn’t want to talk to them. Not now.
I swiped at the tears as I ran inside and threw my belongings into my suitcase. I hated crying, always had. I’d overreacted back there and I knew it. But still, the fact that Sam and Jack thought so little of me hurt more than I cared to admit. I might not want to stay in Bridgewater, but that didn’t mean I wanted to hurt the people who’d only been nice to me. Yeah, I was a ruthless lawyer, but I wasn’t heartless.
I’d known then and there that it was time for me to go. Those two had been my weakness—to think I’d almost considered staying for them had me jamming my makeup into the toiletry case with more force than needed. When I walked into Sam’s house, a little part of me had actually been hoping they’d convince me to stay. Okay, a big part.
I just wanted someone—no, two someones—to want me for me.
Anger had my hands shaking as I wadded up clothes and threw them into the luggage. First Roberts rubbed my face in the fact that he’d stolen my case and then Sam and Jack basically accused me of being a money-hungry, callous bitch.
That made up my mind for me and I sped down the two lane highway toward the Bozeman airport. I wouldn’t stay here if that’s the way they felt and I glanced in my rearview mirror as the lights of Bridgewater faded away. Lightning strike, my ass. Besides, I had to get back now or risk losing my chance at the partnership once and for all. I could get a flight to Denver tonight, then be on the first flight to New York in the morning. Maybe there’d even be a red eye. I’d be in the office by nine. This was the right decision. The inevitable choice. I’d always put career first and nothing had changed that, especially since two hot cowboys weren’t standing in the way any longer.
I was far too early for my flight so I went to the airport’s one restaurant with the view of the runway and the mountains in the distance. At the bar, I ordered a wine and settled in to wait. I downed the first glass trying to quell the churning pit in my stomach. My mind kept flip flopping between the job I was heading back to and the could-be life I was leaving behind i
n Montana. I ricocheted back and forth between stress and an aching loneliness.
Shit, where the hell was the bartender with my second glass?
Elaine called while I was waiting. Seriously, how long did it take to open a new bottle? Her familiar voice should have been a comfort, but at that particular moment, it was another reminder of what I was going back to. The catty office backstabbing, the alliances and the battles as if we were in some sort of battle to the death and not co-workers at the same firm. Roberts was ruthless, vindictive and had zero ethics. Perfect for a lawyer.
“Did you hear the news?” she asked as soon as I answered.
“I’m fine, thanks for asking. And how are you?” The bartender came over, filled my glass all the way to the top. When I glanced up, he tilted his head toward my phone, then winked.
She ignored my lame attempt at a joke. “Roberts is telling anyone who will listen that you’re too soft to be partner. Can you believe that jackass? He told Ronald that he’d scared you off and—”
“I’ve got to go, Elaine. My flight is boarding.” I clicked ‘end call’ before she could respond and took a gulp of my wine. I still had an hour before I had to get to my gate but I couldn’t listen anymore. I just couldn’t. And not because I was so angry but because I just didn’t care anymore. I’d hit my limit on caring about this shit. It all suddenly seemed ridiculous. Juvenile, even. New York seemed a million miles away and that’s where I wanted to keep it.
I. Didn’t. Care.
Freedom washed over me in an exhilarating rush. Fuck that place. Fuck Roberts. Fuck Farber. They could all suck a dick.
It was like I’d just torn off a pair of blinders and could see clearly for the first time in forever. Why was I going back there? For what? A job that wasn’t rewarding in the slightest, a firm that didn’t value me in any real way, a life without friends besides Elaine or lovers who knew exactly what buttons to push to make me hot, to make me scream. A love life without one boyfriend, let alone two. Why would I choose that over what I had here?
In Bridgewater, I had a family legacy. I had roots. I had a town full of people who seemed to truly care about me. Maybe most importantly, I had something a lot like love.
Holy shit. Love.
The thought of Sam and Jack made my heart squeeze in my chest. Maybe they were right and what we had was the real deal. I’d felt more in just a few days than I had my entire marriage with Chad. The only way I would know for sure was if I saw this through, whatever the hell it was. I remembered Jack’s term, lightning. Could lightning strike at an airport bar?
The bartender grinned broadly as he held up the wine bottle, silently asking if I wanted more. I belatedly realized he was returning my smile that wasn’t brought on by the wine. I was beaming like a goddamn moron and I didn’t care.
Yes, I was soft just as Roberts was telling everyone. I wasn’t ruthless. I was nice. Thoughtful. Caring. And I had two men who liked me that way.
That was it. I was done with New York. I was done with misogynist assholes like Roberts and Farber. It was time to say goodbye to a lonely, loveless meaningless existence of competition and struggle. Of a shoebox apartment and trade it in for big skies and bigger men.
Instead of signaling for a refill, I asked for the check.
Adrenaline gave me more of a buzz than the wine. I was really doing this; I was going to quit my job. Better yet, I was going to stay in Bridgewater.
I picked up my cell again before I could overthink it. Just as Jack and Sam had been trying to get me to do, I just stopped analyzing and worrying. I was tired of my fear and insecurities changing my mind and I didn’t want to do that. I had to be brave and follow my gut and my heart for once in my life, otherwise I’d end up miserable and loveless like my mother.
My fingers shook as I searched for Sally’s contact info and called her. “Sally? Sorry to call after hours. Listen, there’s been a change of plans. I’m not ready to sell. Not yet, at least.” Her whoop of joy had me holding the phone away from my ear. Seemed she and Violet Kane had been waiting for this call ever since they met me.
After hanging up with Sally I hurried to the gate to have them get my checked bag back. It took talking to two counter representatives, a flight attendant and a manager but I eventually got my bag and told them I’d eat the cost of my ticket.
Fuck my flight, I was going home.
To Bridgewater. To the rooster clock and the hobo figurines.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt lighter than I did walking away from that counter, wheeling my bag behind me. I didn’t let myself worry about what I was going to say to Farber when I called him in the morning, or what my parents would think about my decision. All I cared about was getting back to Sam and Jack.
I had to apologize. God, I was such an idiot. I’d been so pissed that they’d thought I’d prioritize money and prestige over Bridgewater and its residents. But why wouldn’t they think that? I hadn’t known them long and in that time I’d repeatedly chosen work over everything else. They’d spanked me enough times for it. That stopped now. Not the spankings, those were actually pretty hot.
They’d spent so much time showing me what my priorities should be, and I’d been too stubborn to see it. Well, not anymore. I picked up my pace as I headed toward the sliding doors. Now, it was my turn to show them what really mattered to me. I’d nearly reached the exit when I came to a stop. There were my men walking in, looking ridiculously hot. My heart leapt into my throat at the sight of them.
My men. I loved the sound of that. It felt right, just like it felt right when they told me I was their woman. We fit together—now I just had to show them that I’d finally learned my lesson.
CHAPTER NINE
JACK
I heard Sam’s sigh of relief as we walked through the airport entrance and spotted Katie. Thank God we caught her before she flew back to New York. We’d wasted too much time debating what we should do after she ran out on us. Sam and I had gotten into an argument over who was to blame for her taking off like that. He’d thought we’d pushed her too hard, but I’d been certain that pushing her was the only way we could get her to open her eyes and see what was right in front of her face.
It wasn’t that simple. It had taken Sam his dad’s heart attack to come home and realize what he truly wanted. Katie had to put value to her rat race life and decide if it was worth it. For some, the decision wasn’t fast and Katie was so damn smart she’d analyze every bit of it before she worked it out. Having the two of us loom and push her, spank her ass, wasn’t going to help.
We’d just agreed that we would give her space for the rest of the night when Cara called and told us that Katie had sent her a text with instructions on where to find Charlie’s house key. It seemed our Katie had taken off. Bolted. She’d made her decision.
There went the idea of giving her space. Sam and I didn’t waste time talking it over, we ran out, hopped into my truck and sped to the airport. On the way we’d both realized the one thing we hadn’t told her was that we were in love with her. We weren’t just two cowboys looking to scratch her itch. We weren’t two men who wanted a woman. No, we wanted her because our hearts belonged to her. Perhaps if we’d led with that, maybe we wouldn’t have needed to chase after her.
The moment we entered the terminal, we saw her.
I turned to Sam with a grin. It looked like we’d made it just in time.
She was rushing toward us, pulling her suitcase behind her, but she stopped short at the sight of us. For a second there, I thought about throwing her over my shoulder and taking her home. She was meant to be with us and if she didn’t realize that by now, she sure as hell would after we fucked her brains out all night. But we’d been doing the caveman routine ever since we met her. Yes, she needed dominant men in her life since while she was smart and headstrong and a damn fine lawyer, she was also submissive. We’d been trying to clear her mind of her insanity, but we’d also kept her from working through it all. It took every ounce of my contro
l to let her have the space she needed to figure it out, just as long as she didn’t get on that damn plane.
The blank look of surprise on her face was replaced by a giant smile and all the tension eased out of my body at that gorgeous sight. Sam came up beside me and muttered, “Thank God.”
Amen to that. A second later and she ditched the bag and came running over to us. I caught her in my arms and swooped her up so I could plant a kiss on those soft lips. I crushed her to me, hoping she could feel everything I couldn’t say just then. Like how terrified I’d been that she’d left for good, and how glad I was that she’d come to her senses.
She kissed me back with that fiery intensity of hers before wiggling her body so she could slither down to the ground. Sam caught her the moment her feet touched the terminal floor and pulled her into an embrace of his own.
Sam never was one to be outdone. Especially not by me.
After they shared a kiss that nearly set off the sprinklers, I tapped him on the shoulder and he pulled back, letting a dazed Katie stumble back into my arms. I wrapped an arm around her waist to hold her upright. “Going somewhere, sweetness?”
Fuck, I hoped not.
She shook her head. “Not anymore.”
Sam stepped forward to reach a hand out and brush her cheek. “Were you crying, doll?”
Nodding, she said, “I was upset. It was stupid.”
I exchanged a look with Sam. I’d learned my lesson on pushing Katie too hard, but he gave me a nod. “So, since you’re not on your flight, does that mean you’re going to stay here a little longer?”
