by Marla Monroe
“No! It’s all my fault for blurting out why they were looking at you like that. I never meant to start anything. It was just so amazing, the change that came over you when you were drinking the water and how the guys reacted to the sight. They’d never hurt you, Abby. You know that, don’t you?”
“I know. I’m not afraid of them, really. I’m more afraid of myself.” Abby let out a frustrated breath. “They’re both good-looking men, and both of them are at home out here. That’s attractive all on its own. Knowing that either one of them could live out here in the wild if they didn’t have us to worry about makes me feel safe, you know?”
She glanced up at Harriet to find the young woman nodding, with a soft smile gentling her normally animated expression. Abby looked back down at her hands, then lifted her head higher, intending to leave it up this time.
“So you’re not afraid of them?” Harriet asked.
“No! Not really. They startle me sometimes, but that comes from the last place I lived and has nothing to do with them.” She managed what she hoped was a healthy-looking smile. “The problem is that I’m attracted to them. To both of them.”
Harriet was completely silent and so still that Abby wasn’t sure she was even breathing at first. Then the woman burst out laughing before covering her mouth with her hand.
“Sorry. That’s wonderful, Abby! They obviously adore you. I’m so happy that Harry has someone to care about who will return his love. You have no idea how that bitch back home treated him. He didn’t see it, but I’m his sister—his twin sister. I saw every bit of it for him.”
“Shhh, Harriet. It’s not wonderful. I can’t want two different men like that. It’s not natural. Besides, there’s no evidence that they like me back,” she said.
“No evidence? Didn’t you see the expressions on their faces earlier? They’re both attracted to you like a house on fire! There is no ‘if’ they like you. It’s how much they like you that is the question.” Harriet finished drying off her arms and the deep scratch on her chest.
“I’m not stupid, Harriet. Any man will be aroused by something like that and not even like the woman he’s admiring. It’s an unwritten man law or male hormones or something that they react like that to anything remotely sexy. They just can’t help it.” Abby shook her head when Harriet looked around her in the direction of the men.
“You can think whatever you want to think, but both of them are attracted to you. There’s nothing wrong with having two men, girlfriend. These days, the more men you have protecting you, the better all of you will feel.”
“Maybe.” Abby picked up a clean cloth and proceeded to return the favor of cleaning and bandaging Harriet’s wounds. “I can’t think about that right now. The first order of business for all of us is to reach that settlement alive and intact. Then, whatever is going to happen will happen or not.”
“If I were you, I’d be taking advantage of all that male anatomy that’s lusting after you right now. Don’t mind me. I’m fine with it. I’m hoping to find a couple of nice, laid-back hunks once we make it there. Thad isn’t my type at all, but you’re definitely his type.” Harriet winked, then leaned in closer. “And Harry is completely smitten with you. Take it from someone who knows him better than our own mother did.”
Abby didn’t say anything to that. Instead she finished caring for the other woman’s injuries, then began putting away the first-aid supplies. An awareness flashed over Abby, warning her that one of the men was standing over her. If she looked up, she was certain she’d be able to look directly up into his face.
“Let me take your pack for you while you get up.” Thad’s unmistakable accent gave him away.
Abby didn’t say anything, just shoved it in his general direction then managed to get up without making a fool of herself. She kept her eyes on Harriet, taking her cue from the way the other girl’s eyes moved. When they trekked right, Abby knew Thad had walked over toward the door. It felt safe to turn around.
And right into Harry.
“Sorry. I didn’t realize you were going to turn around. I was trying to slip into the house ahead of you.” His voice sounded as nervous as she felt.
“It’s okay. I should have looked before I leapt.” Abby nodded toward the door. “You can go ahead.”
He opened his mouth as if he were going to say something, but must have thought better of it because he closed it and strode over to the doorway. Abby didn’t see him go in since she swung back around to stare out into the fading light that slowly sucked up the view from the porch.
“Abby? Come on. It’s almost completely dark. I don’t like being out here in the dark like this.” Harriet reached over to take her hand.
Just before she grasped it, an eerie guttural growl had both of them freezing in terror. Abby tried to call out to the guys but couldn’t seem to get a sound from her throat. She couldn’t turn her head to see if Harriet was having the same problem or not, but since the other woman hadn’t made so much as a squeak, Abby determined she did.
Again the low warning growl sent chills along her spine even as her body began to quake. The sound came from somewhere off to their right. It had to be close to the edge of the porch on that end.
What is it? A wolf? Bear? I can’t believe I’m going to make it this far only to end up as some animal’s supper. Scream, Abby! Scream.
But she couldn’t make a sound.
Crunching noises moved from the right side of the porch to the middle, then stopped. Another deep growl tore along Abby’s stomach until she was sure she was going to throw up. She’d heard absolute fear could freeze you in place, but until that moment, she’d never believed it was possible. Anyone who couldn’t at least scream wasn’t worth the effort it would take to kill them. Abby prayed she was.
“Aaabby. What is that?” Harriet’s shaky voice mirrored her inner one.
Before she could work up the strength to answer her, a shadow moved in the twilight before fleshing out into what looked like a massive wolf. It didn’t quite step all the way out of the shadows but his glistening white teeth with saliva dripping from their tips was more than enough to convince Abby that they were dead if they didn’t move, and fast.
“Run!” she yelled before grabbing Harriet’s wrist and pulling her toward the door.
The growl intensified and seemed to be right on top of them as they scrambled across the width of the front porch to reach the door. Abby swore she felt hot breath against her neck, expecting to feel the sharp teeth snapping into her neck or shoulder at any second. Instead, a loud shot whizzed past her cheek, deafening her in the process. The loud yelp and whining behind her only intensified her desire to make it inside to where the men were. They would keep her safe.
“Holy shit, Harriet!” Harry pulled both of them through the door as Thad slammed it closed only to lean against it as he panted like he’d run a marathon.
“W–what was that?” Abby finally managed to spit out.
Harriet huddled against her brother, burrowing her face into his chest as he rubbed his hands up and down her back in a soothing motion. Abby wanted that comfort, but wasn’t about to ask for it. Right then she was just happy to be alive.
“Wolf,” Thad said.
“That’s the biggest damn wolf I’ve ever seen.” Harry shook his head. “I’m serious, man. That was one hellacious-sized wolf.”
“The Canadian and Alaskan wolves are moving their territories farther south. They’re not hunted as much up north and tend to grow larger. I have to admit that was the largest one I’ve set eyes on as well.” Thad threw the deadbolt then carried the rifle in the crook of his arm to stand between Abby and the others. “Let’s set up a sleeping area, then Thad and I will round up something to eat. There’s lots of canned goods in the pantry.”
No one moved for a long time. Finally, Abby stopped hugging herself and picked up one of the cans holding the candle and looked around at the floor for a clear area to set up the bed rolls. Something had definitely been forag
ing for food or a place to sleep. Everything that had once been on a shelf or table was now littering the floor.
“Harriet, let’s clear away some of the books over there and lay out the sleeping bags and blankets.” Abby pointed to an area with no windows but close to an inner doorway.
Harriet finally stepped out of her brother’s arms and nodded. “I’ll pull all the packs over there while you get started on the books.”
Before Abby could walk away, Thad carefully touched her shoulder. “Are you okay, mon trésor?”
Abby managed to squeeze out a smile for him. “I’m fine. A little scare like that is good for the soul.”
“Eh?” Thad frowned at her.
“I’m not buying it either. I was scared spitless, but I’m okay now.”
He smiled and nodded. “Good girl.”
* * * *
Harry watched as Thad talked to Abby before she walked over to help his sister set up their sleeping area. Thad had a way of talking that seemed to mesmerize the woman. He had to admit that if the other man hadn’t been there, one or both of the women might have been killed. They didn’t have a firearm, and a knife wouldn’t have fazed the massive wolf. Hell, that thing had been big. It had to be what he’d felt watching them. How could he have missed something that massive?
“Harry.” Thad calling him snapped him back to business. “We’ve got to keep the women with us at all times now. I can’t believe I was so thoughtless that I let them linger outside alone. I need your help to keep them between us, Harry. We don’t just have the thieves and thugs to worry about anymore.”
“I’ll start paying better attention. You’ve got enough on you as point to keep us going in the right direction.” Harry felt everything settle into place. They were a team, not enemies or opponents in some stupid game to win the hand of their love.
“I’m going to check all the doors and windows down here, then find the biffy.”
“Biffy? What the hell is that?” Harry struggled to come up with what that stood for in Canadian.
“Loo, um, bathroom. Sorry. I tend to lapse into my Canadian lingo when I’m stressed.” Thad shrugged with a sheepish expression that looked a little crazy in the flickering light of the candle. The shifting shadows across his face left shadows that turned his features into a freakish clown show.
“Gotcha.”
Thad disappeared into the kitchen, leaving a bouncing shadow until even it disappeared from sight. Harry kept an eye on the women while he picked up things from the floor so they wouldn’t trip on them in the dark. He still couldn’t get over the size of the wolf.
“Har? Come look and see if we’ve got this right.” His sister stood up from where she’d been crouched as they smoothed out the blankets.
Abby stood up as well, brushing her hands down her thighs. “We figured it would be safer to stay away from the windows and close to the door over there in case we needed to run or something.”
Harry had to play what she’d said back in his mind to make sense of it. He’d been so preoccupied watching her hands slide up and down her hips that he’d missed what she’d been saying.
“That’s a good idea. The beds look great. I’m about ready to make use of them myself. It’s been one hell of a day,” he told them.
“Where did Thad go?” his sister asked.
“He’s checking all the doors and windows downstairs. When he gets back, we’ll check out the pantry.” Harry remembered the sewing room upstairs. “Don’t let me forget to show you what I found upstairs. I think you can find some things we might need later in there.”
“What did you find?” Abby asked him.
“There’s a sewing room up there. Bound to be needles and thread as well as scissors. I’m sure we could use all of that.” Harry couldn’t help but feel some pride in his findings when Abby looked as excited as she did in that moment.
“Can we go look now while we wait on Thad?” she asked.
“Let’s wait on him, Abby. He’ll think something happened to us if we all disappear.” Harry could tell she was disappointed, but he knew it was the right decision to make.
Before she could say anything, the other man returned with his canned candle. He held several cans and eating utensils.
“Anyone hungry?” His infectious smile even had Harry smiling.
“Who can turn down food?” Harry took some of the cans out of the other man’s arms before he dropped them. Dented lids were much harder to open with a hand-operated can opener.
“I tried to use the one in the kitchen but it’s had the biscuit. Fancy things always break easily.” Thad stopped when he realized everyone was staring at him. “What?”
“Had the biscuit?” Abby asked, her brows furrowed. “What is that?”
“Oh sorry. Canadianism again. It means it’s broken.”
Harry had to grin when Abby only shook her head and started going through the cans he and Thad had set down on the floor. She suddenly squealed and pulled out a can of pork and beans. Really? She liked them that much?
“I know. I can’t help it. I love pork and beans. We used to add barbeque sauce to them and warm them up. They were amazing with biscuits.”
At the mention of biscuits everyone howled with laughter. Harry squeezed Abby’s arm before quickly pulling back. “Good one, Abby.”
“Hey, it was totally unintentional. But I’ll take it.” Her self-satisfied smirk left him aching to kiss it right off her face.
“Fine, fine. I know when I’m being had. Go ahead and laugh at the Canadian transplant,” Thad joked good-naturedly.
This was the way he’d dreamed everything would be when he thought about it. They were all getting along and as long as they kept things fairly platonic, he felt sure everything would be fine. Unless one of them overstepped the boundaries. Then he wasn’t sure what the consequences would turn out to be. As long as no one got hurt, he would be fine with it.
Am I teasing myself to make it a little more bearable if things don’t turn out like I want them to? Probably, but it beats second-guessing myself and driving a wedge between me and Abby as well as Thad and I. I can compromise for the time being. As long as I get my shot at courting her once we arrive. Courting her? Dating her is the right word. This wasn’t eighteen hundred.
It sure seemed like it, the way they were living now. The only difference was that in their reality, the future was much harder to see, considering the loss of so many people and the lawlessness of the land around them. At least in the Wild West, there had been sheriffs and lawmen.
Harry took another quick look at Abby as she took her turn with the can opener. He wanted to offer to open it for her and spare her the pain of twisting the sharp-edged handle. He wanted to spare her every moment of pain or aggravation. His sister would tell him that realistically he couldn’t do it if he tried, but in his head, Harry would make everything as perfect as he could. He’d move a mountain one shovelful at a time if it would leave her smiling. It was just too bad she seemed afraid of him and Thad. They had no idea what had happened to her prior to their meeting up. Harry wasn’t sure if he wanted to know. It would probably just piss him off and scare her even more.
Harry wanted her to relax around him so that when they reached the settlement, he could spend time with her without her freaking out. He had no doubt Thad had the same plans. If ménages tended to still be the norm once they arrived, Harry planned to discuss the possibility with Thad. He’d reconciled the possibility in his head while they’d been waiting on Thad to return. He believed he was okay with the idea.
Until it was a real option, though, Harry wasn’t banking on it. Setting his sights on something too early in the process almost always led to failure, and he’d had enough of that to last him several lifetimes. It was time to make his own fate. He was determined to start with Abby.
Chapter Nine
Abby jolted awake to the booming sound of thunder. It was so loud and deep that it shook the house. Harriet jerked up as well, grabbing Abby’s
hand and squeezing the circulation out of it.
“I don’t believe it. It’s a storm and we didn’t even know it was coming.” Harriet scooted closer to Abby. “I hate storms. Back in Arkansas, almost every time we had a bad storm, it came with tornadoes. Now they remind me of losing everything, like we did with the catastrophes.”
“You girls okay?” Harry closed the gap between him and his sister. “Harriet. It’s just a storm, honey.”
“I know. I can’t help it. All those people, Harry. I’ll never get them out of my head.”
Abby could only imagine what she was talking about. She’d seen enough during those horrible weeks to leave the same impression in her mind.
“What time is it, do you think?” Abby could tell by the position of the sun but she could never tell at night.
“It’s four.” Thad’s voice startled her. She should have known he’d be awake as well.
“Helps to have a wind-up watch.” Harriet’s voice came out in a yawn.
“If we end up close to a little town, we need to find you and Abby each one,” Thad told them.
“Yeah. That would be good, but I don’t want to run into anyone who might be a danger to the women.” Harry’s voice sounded like he was sitting up now.
“We all need to be able to tell time if we’re not around someone who has a wind-up.” Thad’s bedding rustled, as if he were pulling the covers down.
“It sounds like it’s raining buckets out there. What happens if it’s still raining when we are ready to go?” Harriet still sounded spooked.
“Unless it’s just a sprinkle, I don’t think it’s a good idea to risk pneumonia by getting soaked, eh?” Thad’s tone indicated he thought it wasn’t going to stop anytime soon.
“So where are you from, Thad? That accent sounds almost French, but not quite.” Harry lit a candle so that at least everyone’s face was visible.
“Canada, actually. I was born there and lived there most of my life. Did a lot of trapping and sledding until my parents needed help around the farm.”
