by Jane Jamison
Is everything different in Fate?
“Shane, Brandon, and Braxton Lark.”
“Okay.” Trying to sound casual didn’t work.
“Don’t try and fight the attraction, girl. When it’s there, it’s there. You can’t force it away.”
“Attraction?” She shrugged, once again going for a casualness she didn’t feel. “Well, yeah, they are good-looking, but that’s all.”
“Uh-huh.” Shawna motioned to a pretty woman with shoulder-length hair. “That’s it, huh? Just their looks?”
“What else?” Her gaze jumped to the men again. She had to force herself to look away.
“Hi, Shawna. How are things?” The pretty waitress smiled at Maddie. “Is this Stella’s little sister?”
Stella’s sister. Was that how everyone in Fate would think of her? Not as Maddie, but only as Stella’s sister?
Ignoring the need to tell them she was her own person, she returned the smile. “That’s me. Stella’s sister. I’m Maddie.” She’d be damned if she’d say she was Stella’s “little” sister.
“I’m glad you made it. We’ve heard so many things about you. I’m Krystal Riker-Walton-Hill, one of Stella’s best friends.”
“That’s some last name you have.”
Krystal shifted from one foot to the other. “Yeah, well, it keeps my men happy. So, Shawna, pitcher, drafts, or bottles?”
“Bottles tonight. Is that all right, Maddie?”
“Sure. I could use a nice cold bottle of beer.”
“Coming right up. Again, it was nice to meet you. Don’t be a stranger, okay?” Krystal spun around and hurried back to the bar.
“Just so you know, they’re good, honest, stand-up guys. Any woman would be lucky to have them.”
“Who?” As though she didn’t know whom Shawna meant. “Why am I getting the feeling that I’m with a matchmaker?”
Shawna chuckled. “I sometimes lend a hand getting lovers together. Call it intuition or whatever, but I sense when people need to meet. Then I try to make it happen.”
“And that’s what you’re sensing right now? That I’m supposed to meet these guys named Lark?” If anyone had said the same thing about other men, she might’ve been curious, but not much more. It surprised her to realize that she was actually so much more than curious. Eager. Maybe even drawn to them?
“They own the Lost Moon Ranch about five miles outside of town. It’s not the biggest or the best ranch around, but I’m pretty sure they make a good living. That’s saying a lot nowadays when so many ranches and farms are going belly up.”
“Are you giving me their financial report, or should I Google them?”
Shawna laughed again. “I like your spirit. You’re full of spirit, aren’t you?”
“Some folks would say I’m full of something else that starts with the letter S.”
The woman had a great laugh. Was that what was keeping the men’s attention? Or was Shawna right? Were they interested in her?
“Anyway, I happen to know they’re looking for their mate.” Shawna’s intense emerald gaze bored into her as though searching for an answer.
“Their mate? Stella used the same word the last time I talked to her. But why mate? Why not partner or wife? Mate sounds almost…primal.”
A confused expression passed over Shawna’s face. If she had to guess, Maddie would’ve said Shawna had assumed Stella had told her more about the mate thing.
“It’s just a term we use around these parts.” Shawna glanced away as Krystal returned and set two bottles on the table.
“Let me know if you two need anything more.” Krystal’s smile was as radiant as it had been the first time. “I wish I could sit down and chat, but we’re shorthanded tonight. Check you later.” She was gone before Maddie had a chance to speak.
“Krystal’s fast on her feet.” Changing the subject away from the sexy cowboys might help her stop looking their way.
Shawna took her beer and a long sip. “I guess. Not as fast as other women, but then again, what can you expect?”
Huh?
“Anyway, from the way all three of the Lark men are checking you out, they’re definitely interested in you. That’s a good sign.”
And we’re back to talking about the men. Not that I mind, but still…
“All three of them. Right.” She’d planned on asking Stella more about her ménage relationship with the Lennox brothers, but since Shawna kept bringing it up, why not ask her? “Stella told me a lot of people are into ménage. So it is really that common here? And no one minds?”
“Yes and no to both questions. Yes, most of the men prefer to share one woman between them. Usually it’s two or more men.” She shrugged. “And no. No one minds since it’s the norm here.”
“Women have it good then, huh?”
Shawna lifted her beer in a toast. “Damn straight we do, and we wouldn’t want it any other way.” Her gaze settled on Maddie. “Do you have a problem with it?”
“Me? Hell no.” Maybe she’d spoken a little too emphatically, but it was true. Given half the chance, she’d jump at a ménage relationship. As long as everyone was equal in the relationship. She wouldn’t want one of the men to feel slighted.
“Okay, then, how about we get you four together?”
Before Maddie knew what was happening, Shawna held up her hand and waved them over.
“Wait. Shawna, no. I didn’t mean…”
And then they were there. All over six feet tall, all better looking up close, all dripping with a testosterone she could feel flowing over her skin.
Oh, shit.
“Is this Stella’s sister?” asked one of the brothers. His eyes were bluer than blue, locking onto hers and stealing her breath.
“She has to be. She looks like Stella.” One of the other men’s crooked grin enticed her, bringing an answering smile. “But prettier.”
“I wouldn’t want the Lennox boys to hear you said so,” added Shawna. “Them’s fightin’ words.”
“Brandon’s just telling it like it is.” The one with blue eyes slid into the chair next to Maddie. “Hi. I’m Shane Lark, and these two are my younger brothers, Brandon and Braxton.”
“Hi. I’m Maddie Connor.” As if the entire town didn’t already know. At least, it seemed that way.
Braxton took the chair next to his brother, leaving a scowling Brandon to sit across from her next to Shawna. “Stella said you were pretty, but you’re more than pretty. You’re fuckin’ hot.” His hot gaze slipped down her body and back up. “And I do mean fuckin’ hot.”
Shane whacked his brother on the arm. “Shut the hell up. You sound like some pervert.” He ran a hand through his thick brown hair. “Don’t pay any attention to him. We’ve done our best to raise him up right, but there’s only so much we could do.”
She didn’t mind. Hell, she was flattered. “It’s okay. It’s not the worst thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
The three of them chuckled. Brandon had dark eyes that lightened as bits of amber flared. She glanced at the overhead lighting and wondered if they’d changed it in some way to make the amber show up.
Shane regarded her as though sizing her up. “She has the heart of a wolf.”
“I’d say more like a tiger, but I won’t argue the point,” added Shawna.
“I’m not sure what you two are talking about.” Was either one a good thing? She’d never been compared to either a wolf or a tiger.
Although each of them had dark brown hair, Shane had a tousled just-got-out-of-bed look while Brandon’s hair was cut short and Braxton wore his almost shoulder-length but neatly combed. Shane was the only one with blue eyes while both his brothers’ eyes were a soulful brown.
“Where are you staying, Maddie?” asked Brandon. “At the Lennox place?”
“No. I didn’t feel right about it. After all, Stella and her men have only been together a few months.”
“She’s staying at my place.” Shawna wiggled her eyebrows as though to
say, “I told you they were great.”
“That’ll make it convenient.”
“Convenient, Braxton?” Maddie asked.
“Yeah. For when we come and get you.”
“Come and get me for what?” Her curiosity was singing through her now, more than intrigued. Turned on was a better description.
All three men leaned forward, but it was Shane who answered. “For when we come and make you ours.”
For a moment, everyone else seemed to disappear. Breathing became harder, yet the air smelled sweeter. “To make me yours?” she whispered.
“Okay, let’s take a step back, boys.” Shawna threw out her arms. “Give her a break, will you? She just got to town. Don’t go scaring her off.”
They leaned back, the intensity suddenly lessening. Braxton’s dark eyes lightened with amber, and then suddenly the amber was gone. “Shawna’s right. Let’s let her get settled.”
“Thanks.” But what was she thanking them for? For backing off? But did she really want them to back off?
Shane stood, raking the chair legs over the floor. Brandon and Braxton took that as their cue to stand, too.
“We’re glad we met you, Maddie.”
She assumed Shane had put out his hand to shake hers. Yet when she offered her hand, his edged past hers to skim along her shoulder. The light touch was enough to send a tremble raking through her.
“Yeah, sweet thang, we’ll talk again real soon.” Brandon gave her a wink and followed after his brother.
“See you soon, darlin’,” added Braxton before leaving.
Maddie couldn’t take her eyes off them. Their backs were as impressive as their fronts. Round, tight asses hugged just enough by worn jeans. Boots clacking against the hardwood floors. And muscles in shoulders that their shirts couldn’t disguise.
“Uh-huh. I called it right. You four are going to be great together.”
“Really? I mean I don’t know. I’m here to see Stella.”
“So have you called her? Does she know you’re here? Here as in Fate and at the bar.”
“No. I wanted to surprise her, but when I realized I’d be arriving later than I’d planned, I didn’t want to barge in so late.” At least she’d told part of the truth. The other part was that she was nervous about seeing her sister after such a long time apart. Before she’d revealed Bruce as a cheating asshole, they’d seen each other several times a week and talked on the phone at least once a day. Although Stella had assured her that she’d been forgiven and that all was well, Maddie couldn’t shake the feeling that her sister was stretching the truth, both for her sake as well as Maddie’s.
“Makes sense, I guess. Still, I bet she would’ve loved it if you’d just shown up on her doorstep. If you want, you can follow me and I’ll lead you out to their ranch.”
She almost said yes. Almost. Yet her nerves wouldn’t let her. “No, that’s okay. I’m kind of worn out, anyway. Would you mind showing me the way to the B&B?”
“Maddie?”
The tremor in Stella’s voice was enough to bring tears to Maddie. She shifted around to find her sister standing only a few feet away. Fumbling with what to say next, she could only blurt out, “Hi, sis.”
“Hi, sis? That’s all you can say?” Stella grabbed her by the arms and tugged her to her feet. Her sister enveloped her in a hard bear hug.
Maddie held back the tears and squeezed Stella as hard as she could, but Stella hugged her even harder. When had her sister gotten so strong? “Uh, Stella, I think I heard a rib crack.”
Shawna picked up her drink. “I’ll leave you two alone to get reacquainted. Maddie, you let me know if you change your mind about staying at my place.”
Stella finally turned her loose but still held on to her arms. “You’re going to stay with me, of course. Why would you stay anywhere else?”
“Because I don’t want to be a third—sorry—make that a fifth wheel, that’s why.”
“You won’t be. The guys will be so happy to meet you.”
“I don’t know, sis. I mean I don’t want to be a bother. Staying at the B&B will be fine.”
Stella gave her the old familiar big-sister glare, surprising Maddie with how much she’d missed it.
“Nope. I’m not hearing another word. Besides, I work at Shawna’s. The last thing I want to do is visit you there. Plus, you’ll be a whole lot more comfortable staying with me. And that’s the last word on the subject, got it?”
“Got it.”
She couldn’t help but smile. Stella looked a bit older, but all in all, she was the same. Yet, there seemed something different about her. Her sister had a renewed sense of confidence, but it was more than that. A kind of power oozed out of her. Much like the power she’d sensed from the Lark men and Shawna.
Is everyone in this town powerful? Like superhero humans?
Before leaving her job as an EMT in Atlanta, Stella had always been confident, sure of everything. After the death of a child while being transported in an ambulance with Stella by her side, her sister had changed. Then, when she’d learned about Bruce the very next day, her confidence had taken another hit. But now she boasted a strength that was even stronger than her previous confidence.
“Damn, I’ve missed you.” Tears swam in Stella’s eyes.
“Back at you, sis.” She finally had to wipe a tear away. Her lips began to tremble just as Stella’s started trembling. Which, of course, didn’t help to hold the tears back. “I’m so, so sorry. I should’ve told you before—”
Stella shook her head and put her fingers to Maddie’s lips. “Stop. We’ve put that behind us, remember? I don’t ever want to think about that asshole Bruce, and I sure as hell aren’t going to let him come between us any longer. Don’t even mention his name from here on out. Agreed?”
“But if I’d only told you—”
“Damn it, Maddy. Shut the hell up.”
Her sister’s abrupt anger threw her. The power in her voice was beyond what Maddie could’ve anticipated. A change had come over her sister, but was it a good change? Amber flashed in her sister’s eyes and once more, she glanced up at the lighting.
“Maddie?”
She blinked, bringing her focus back to Stella. “Okay. Shutting up now.”
“Good. Now let’s get going. I can’t wait to introduce you to my men.” Stella took hold of Maddie’s hand and tugged her along with her.
“Wait. I need to tell Shawna.”
“Look around you. Someone else will tell her.”
Stella was right. Maddie was sure there wasn’t a single soul who wasn’t watching them rush toward the door. No doubt if Shawna was the only one not watching, another person would tell her.
She was with her sister again. Nothing could be better than that. Grinning from ear to ear, she let Stella drag her out to her car. “Stella?”
“Yeah?”
“Stella, listen to me.” Maddie yanked her hand away, causing her sister to finally stop and face her.
“What is it? Is there something wrong?”
The bits of amber lingered in her sister’s eyes. But how could that be?
Still, there were more important things to think about. “No. But let me drive you back home. Can you leave your car here for the night?”
“But why?”
Maddie swallowed, sure the lump in her throat would overwhelm her voice. “Maybe it’s silly, but I don’t want to take separate cars.” She took both of Stella’s hands in her own. “I don’t want to let you out of my sight. At least not yet.”
“Shit.” Stella averted her gaze, shadows hiding her face.
“What is it, sis?”
When Stella turned back, tears were streaming down her sister’s face. “Leave it to you to say something sweet.”
Maddie’s grin came back, stronger than ever. “Yeah, well, I have a way of doing that.”
“Yeah, you do.” Stella slung her arm around Maddie’s shoulders, much as she’d done when they were children. “Come on. You d
rive, and I’ll tell you how to get there.”
* * * *
Shane and his brothers moved away from Maddie, but not too far. He couldn’t have gone any farther from her if he’d wanted to. And he sure as hell didn’t want to. They’d dreamed of meeting a woman like Maddie for years, yet they’d never dreamed that she’d walk into the Wolf’s Den one night. As soon as he’d seen her, he’d gone stock-still, shock and sheer lust hitting dead center like a battering ram to his libido. He’d grabbed hold of his brothers and told them to look at the gorgeous blonde seated with Shawna.
“We came on too strong,” said Brandon.
“We didn’t come on strong enough,” he countered.
Braxton laughed and slapped him on the back. “I never would’ve guessed you’d say that. You’re always the ‘take it slow and easy’ guy.”
“This is different. She’s different.” He studied her again and wished they hadn’t had to back off. But the look Shawna had sent him had been unmistakable, telling him to slow the hell down.
“Yeah, she is.” Braxton jerked his head toward the bar. “Come on. We can’t stare at her forever unless we’re planning on running her off.”
“He’s right,” added Brandon. “Besides, she’s with her sister. Give them their space. From what I’ve heard, they need to make up for lost time.”
“Fine. We’ll lay off for tonight, but tomorrow’s different. Tomorrow, she’s all ours.” Come hell or high water, we’re going to get her and fast.
Chapter Four
“I’ve got to admit it. I was pretty skeptical, sis.” Maddie plopped down on the bed in the fourth bedroom of Stella’s home.
After driving to Fate from Atlanta, then meeting Shawna at the Wolf’s Den, and then spending more than an hour talking to Stella’s men, she was struggling to keep her eyes open. The nervousness she’d felt from the moment she’d left Atlanta to their emotional reunion had worn on her energy. But it had all been worth it now that she was back with her sister.
“They’re pretty terrific, aren’t they? I really don’t know what I did to deserve them.” Stella lay back on the bed and threw her arms wide. “Sometimes I think I’m in one of those cheesy romance movies and I’ll wake up and find out that it’s all been a dream.”
