*****
Barb peeked out her window. Spencer’s truck was in its usual space. She had no idea how he managed it, but he was able to grab the same parking slot consistently. Go figure! Beside his pickup sat the decrepit old Mustang. With the parking situation in the apartment complex, the proximity of the vehicles didn’t mean anything other than the coincidental availability of those two spaces.
Mr. Mustang must be visiting someone. His car was still here three days after their first encounter.
She had been so embarrassed at her reaction when she first saw him, she’d grabbed her packages and fled into her apartment. She hadn’t heard from Spencer for the last few days. They were casual about things but they usually kept in touch. She’d used the time to berate herself over her visceral reaction to Mr. Mustang.
When the same thing had happened with Spencer, she’d convinced herself that it was a once in a lifetime reaction. With Mr. Mustang, it was beginning to look like she was turning into a certified, fall in love at first sight at the drop of a hat, smile at me and I melt, bimbo.
Well, it was laundry time. She’d proceed as if there was nothing out of the ordinary. She loaded the thermos with coffee, placed it and two mugs on top of her laundry and wheeled her hamper to the complex laundry room. After all, she comforted herself, what were the chances that Mr. Mustang would get up early to do his laundry. Pretty small, huh?
As she always did, Barb took the last two washers in the row. There were six more available, and Spencer would take the two next to hers.
She must have been a little bit early because Spencer didn’t arrive until she was placing the last of her wash into the second machine. As she heard the door swing open, she smiled and looked over her shoulder, then froze in shock.
Spencer was stepping through the door, as usual, carrying his laundry basket, but... right behind him and carrying a duffle bag was Mr. Mustang.
*****
As Spencer introduced her to his brother Tyler, also known as Bullwinkle, Barb went through the motions automatically. This had to be some really — think Freudian—dream.
When she shook Tyler’s hand, she was dismayed to get the same shock that she got whenever she touched Spencer. It had never happened with anyone else, no matter how interested she was or wasn’t. It seemed she had a weakness for the Anderson men. How awful.
Tyler held her hand briefly, then, as if he had radar, he dropped it before he held it too long. She looked into his eyes and came close to drowning.
Mentally, she shook herself and looked around to break the spell. That was when she saw that Spencer was watching her with a slight smile on his face.
Now she was confused.
From a distance, she heard a faint buzz and realized that Tyler was speaking. To her.
“I’m sorry. What did you say?”
With no hint of impatience he repeated, “Spencer and I are going out to breakfast after we finish laundry. Would you join us?” He added with a coaxing smile, “Our treat.”
She flushed, self-conscious about her financial situation.
Spencer stepped in and explained, “Like we always do, Natasha. We’ll pay for the meal and you leave the tip this time. Next time, we can switch. There’s a new place we want to try. Say yes... please...”
He screwed his face into a parody of coaxing and she had to laugh. And agree.
*****
Tyler knocked on Barb’s door. He and Spencer had come up with this plan, so he, Tyler, could spend some quality time with Barb.
Tyler knew that Barb would never agree to anything that seemed like a date. She’d made it clear that she’d never do anything to come between brothers. After analyzing the situation, Tyler had decided to try this strategy.
He heard movement on the other side of the door and the peephole darkened. He grinned at the door encouragingly. He was relieved that their Barb was careful.
The door opened and Barb looked up at him. “Tyler.” From the tone of her voice, she was surprised to see him. She was casually dressed and wearing her Squirrel and Moose slippers. She opened the door wider, inviting him in. She looked past him, asking, “Is Spencer with you?”
“Spencer got called out today to help a work buddy, unexpectedly.” Tyler went into the story he and Spencer had concocted. “I was going to check out a few junk yards looking for parts for the Mustang restoration. Spencer had to take his truck. I was wondering if I could convince you to come along and...” Here he smiled his winningest smile, “if you could drive. I’m looking for a couple of big parts that won’t fit into the Mustang, if I find them. I was going to use Spencer’s truck, but...”
Now for the finish... please let this work. “I thought I’d kidnap you and your Escape, and buy you lunch?”
Barb blinked at him, thinking, then said, “You don’t need to buy me lunch.”
He sensed that she was weakening. “Please, I’d enjoy it. I have a list of about 4 places. It will only take us a couple of hours, and I’ll take you to lunch.” Spencer had cautioned him that Barb was sensitive about her current lack of funds, so he added, “at the fast food emporium of your choice.” He had added a strong, ridiculous wheedling tone on the last sentence and she laughed.
He waited and then, to his intense relief, she nodded and said, “I’d be happy to go with you and take my Explorer. I have an almost full tank of gas.”
Shit. He hadn’t considered the gas issue.
She looked down at her slippers and said, “Give me a minute to put on clothes and comb my hair?”
“Take your time. You’re doing me the favor.” He glanced around the small apartment, and took a seat on the couch as she waved toward it.
“I’ll try to be quick”
As soon as she left the room, he pulled out his cell and called Spencer. Whispering so she wouldn’t overhear, “Spence, what about paying for gas? I never even thought about that”
On the other end, Spencer swore, too. “She’ll never take gas money.”
Thinking fast Tyler asked, “Which are the two closest places on the list.” Spencer knew the area better and he told Tyler.
“Alright, then. I’ll just go to those two and make sure we find someplace close for lunch.” He heard movement beyond the closed bedroom door. “Gotta go.”
He had his phone in his pocket before the door opened.
He noted that Barb had taken the time to change and had put on some light makeup. He decided to take that as a positive sign. She looked adorable.
He stood and smiled, “Ready to go?”
She nodded and they headed out the door.
*****
Over the last several weeks, Barb’s life had changed dramatically. Tyler was living with Spencer and the two of them had taken over her spare time, together and separately.
Many meals were eaten over at Chez Anderson. Tyler was also a CIA chef, so the food was far better than anything she could hope to fix. While her jeans might be getting a tad tight, her checkbook was benefiting. Last time she went grocery shopping, she’d just grabbed essentials because she was rarely cooking for herself any more.
Most of what they were doing was fun and low cost, so she didn’t feel a need to say no in order to keep to her tight budget, which was very pleasant.
As had been the case with Spencer, before Tyler’s appearance on the scene, their interactions were congenial, with no indication of an emotional connection. She had decided that she just wasn’t their type.
Before, when she was just spending time with Spencer, she’d found that disappointing. Now, with Tyler on the scene, she found it a relief. As an only child, she’d been envious of siblings and her personal code did not allow for anything that might come between brothers.
Tonight, she was going over to their place for dinner and Spencer had promised her Apple-Cheese pie. She stuck a thumb in the waist band of her jeans. They were not as loose as they had been before Tyler and Spencer, but they were still within acceptable tolerances. Good. Bring on the pie!
*****
So, here she was, after dinner, sitting in her favorite recliner, looking at two family photos and clueless about what was going on.
Tyler reached over and gently put the first picture back into her hands. He pointed out, unnecessarily, “This is me and this is Spencer.”
Still not sure where this was going, she cautiously nodded.
He continued, pointing to the cake, “Spencer baked this for our parent’s thirty-fifth anniversary two years ago.”
Again she nodded, not knowing what else to do.
He pointed to the lovely woman, “This is our Mom.”
Yeah. She got that.
Then he pointed to the man on the right and said, “This is our father, Pop and this,” he pointed to the other man, “is our other father, Dad.”
Hmmmmm. She looked more closely at the two men who looked enough alike to be brothers. Obviously Mrs. Anderson went for the same type, but she still didn’t understand the point Tyler was making.
She looked at him and shrugged. “I don’t understand? So your Mom’s first husband attended the anniversary party? I think that’s cool, when exes can get along that well.”
On her other side, Spencer snorted back a laugh, and lifted the second picture from her lap. Tyler removed the first picture, putting it on the side table.
Spencer held the large group photo tilted so she could see it without glare. He reached over and starting on the left, he started identifying people.
“Here are Mom’s parents, Gramma Edna and Grampa Gene. Over here are the Dads’ parents, GeeGee,” he added parenthetically, “She doesn’t like being called Gramma Gloria so it got shortened to GeeGee, Grampa Bernie, and Grampa Warren.”
Barb was feeling as thick as a log. The guys were speaking English, but her mind just couldn’t make sense of what they were saying.
They looked at her expectantly, and she raised her shoulders in a question. “I’m sorry but I don’t understand any of this. Why are you showing me these pictures?” She hastened to add, “The cake is beautiful and everyone looks very nice, but...” her voice trailed off.
Tyler and Spencer exchanged looks, not mean, just frustrated. Then, Spencer started again.
“Remember I told you that I grew up in a town called Trio?”
Okay, that sentence made sense. Cautiously she agreed. “Yes... up in the mountains.”
“Well, Trio was founded by a group of settlers who wanted the freedom to practice their lifestyle choice.” He grimaced. “Obviously, that wasn’t how they described it but that’s what they were doing in 21st century terms.”
Barb felt her brow crease as she asked carefully, “Lifestyle choice?”
Tyler answered her. “Yes. Trio was founded by a group who practiced menage marriage, with one wife and two husbands.”
At that, the two men stopped talking and just watched her.
The buzz was back. Once again, the English became meaningless. Surely he hadn’t just said Menage Marriage? Wasn’t that an oxymoron? Sure, she read and enjoyed Menage Romance, but...
In real life? A long time ago? Barb felt her brain grind to a halt.
Yes. She actually felt it stop.
She sat in blessed mental silence for several moments, until, with a jerk, her synapses started synapping again.
She reached for the large group picture and Spencer handed it to her.
She examined it carefully. She could see family resemblances on both sides. She looked at Spencer. He had inherited the Anderson eyes. Her eyes moved back and forth from Tyler to the picture. She decided he had the Harris jaw line.
Hmmmmmm.
Then as a last ditch effort to confirm that she understood what they had just told her, she pointed to the picture.
“Your Mom and your two dads?”
They nodded, still keeping silent.
“And your parents are currently together. This isn’t a case of first husband and second husband?”
A quick nod.
“Your Dads’ parents? All happily married?”
Nod.
She studied the picture again, thinking. Then she spoke.
“Okay. This is very interesting, but I’m not sure why you’re telling me this?”
Tyler moved to clasp Barb’s hand and Spencer clasped her other hand. Tyler did the talking, looking deep into her eyes.
“We want you to let us court you with an eye toward marriage... A Menage Marriage.”
Barb blinked at him. She didn’t know what to say.
Spencer squeezed her hand to get her attention.
“Natasha, honey.”
Dazed, she moved her focus from Tyler to Spencer.
“We love you. We want to take the time to get to know you, to let you know us and, we hope, to build something permanent and wonderful. Are you willing to take a chance?”
With a last grab on reality, Barb asked, “Both of you? Together?”
They nodded.
“It wouldn’t come between you?”
Tyler answered her. “No, Barb. We’ve always known that we wanted to share... once we found the right woman.” A look passed between the men.
“We know that it’s unconventional and maybe a little frightening, but we hope you’ll give us a chance.”
Barb looked from Tyler to Spencer, then gave a decisive nod.
“Okay, but slowly... I can’t believe this is for real, so I’m going to need some time.”
With a whoop, Spencer stood and picked Barb up. He twirled once, then set her down and kissed her for the first time. What a kiss!
As Spencer finished, she felt a pair of gentle hands on her shoulders and Tyler turned her to face him, sweeping her up into an equally heart-stopping kiss.
As her brain slowly rejoined her body, Tyler and Spencer were both grinning at her, and Tyler said, “This calls for a celebration.”
“Apple-Cheese pie?” The words were out of her mouth with no thought. Spencer laughed and agreed.
“Apple-Cheese pie with extra cheese on top!”
The End
Message from Mikayla
This is the first story in the Town of Trio Menage Romance series. While I was writing this book, my dear mother was hospitalized several times. The sound of my voice comforted her, so I would read my Town of Trio series to her through the long nights. And no, I didn’t read any of the love scenes to her! LOL
In addition to being my first published fiction, the Town of Trio series will always be close to my heart, when I think about my Mom. BTW, she also helped decide on my Pen Name. Selover was her middle name and she shared memories of being teased about it. The kids at school would pronounce it Sea - Lover! This was apparently a strong insult if you lived in a small land-locked Pennsylvania town.
Thank for reading Finding Their Girl. If you have enjoyed it, I hope that you’ll do me a huge favor and tell your friends about it. Also, would you please consider posting a review at Amazon or elsewhere online? I am just starting out with self-publishing and I would greatly appreciate some encouragement. ;-)
While this is the first book in Town of Trio Series, I have published the first four and I am working on the fifth and sixth. The heroine, Merry, in Book 5 is an indie author and Book 6 features a wonderful and extremely tall, Great Dane as the heroine—Annalee’s—wingman. She drives a Mini Cooper, so you can see the challenges. LOL
Oh and before I forget... Selover is pronounced Suh- Low - Ver ;-)
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If you have a moment, please help others enjoy these books, too.
LEND IT - This ebook is lending enabled, so please, share it with a friend.
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I’d like to gift you a copy of the next book in the series as a small way of saying thanks.
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Mikayla Selover
Dec 2012
My email: [email protected]
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Town of Trio Books
Volume 1 – Finding Their Girl
Check out Spencer and Barb and Tyler at the beginning of their relationship. Barb meets Spencer in the apartment laundry. He knows she’s the one for him, and his older brother, Tyler. But Tyler is out of town for an extended period, so Spencer waits. Unfortunately, after so much time as *friends*, Barb is expecting the *I like you but...* speech.
Length - about 21 pages
Volume 2 – Keeping Their Girl
We’re back with Tyler and Barb and Spencer. The three of them are dating... finally. The guys think everything is fine. They’re preparing to propose, but then Barb asks for a time-out?
Length - about 62 pages
Volume 3 - A Second Proposal
Here we get to know Mark and Lucy and Paul. Lucy grew up in Trio in a menage family. Now she’s home after a failed engagement on the outside. Widowed, Paul and Mark know that she’d be the perfect wife for them. They want her because they love her, not because they need a ready-made Mom for Jessie Lou. Now, how to convince her?
Length - about 50 pages
Volume 4 – Gift for Their Girl
Spencer and Barb and Tyler return. Set just before their fifth wedding anniversary, there is trouble. The guys are in France, working a short job as executive chefs, and trying to plan The. Best. Anniversary. Present. Ever. from thousands of miles away. Barb is at home, protecting her best friend’s restaurant from a crooked manager. Skype calls are fine but they are no substitute for hands-on loving.
Finding Their Girl (Town of Trio, #1) Page 2
