She pivoted in the small tub, until we were face to face. She looked at me and then at the washcloth in my hand.
“Oh, you think I should return the favor? Is that it?” She tapped her chin and smiled, appearing to consider this proposal.
“Well, I am very dirty,” I hummed, cocking my eyebrow at her suggestively. God damn, this was impossible.
“Oh you dirty, dirty boy!” she exclaimed, flopping the washcloth onto my chest.
“That’s dirty Daddy to you.”
She started to wash me then, and I leaned back and enjoyed it, realizing belatedly that this was the first time I had been in this particular position with a woman. Her hands and movements were softer than Brody’s.
She took the same path I had, starting with my neck and shoulders and working her way down. She teased my nipples and took far too long washing the treasure trail that led to my bulging erection. I was afraid she wouldn’t be able to exhibit the same level of control I had shown, so I stilled her hand before she had a chance to prove me wrong. “It’s time to get out, little one, before we turn into wrinkly old prunes.” I stood and climbed out of the tub while she watched with a pronounced pout.
“I don’t want to get out,” she whined. “That was fun.”
“Maybe a little too much fun.”
I helped her stand, then wrapped a fluffy blue towel around her and scooped her into my arms. I dried her and helped her into fresh jammies. When I was done and dressed in only my boxer briefs, she clung to my neck.
“Please don’t go!”
“I’m not going anywhere, little one,” I reassured her, silencing her pleas with a soft kiss. “We’re going to watch a movie together. Now climb into bed and let me tuck you in.”
She quickly obeyed, yawning deeply as I tucked the covers around her and fluffed her pillows before climbing into bed beside her. “Mitch, I don’t think I could stay awake through a movie, right now. Can we just snuggle? And talk?”
“We certainly can,” I agreed, leaning back against the pillows as she moved to lay her head against my chest.
“And you’ll stay? You won’t leave? At least, not until I fall asleep?”
“There is nowhere I would rather be,” I promised her honestly.
“Okay,” she sighed happily, snuggling deeper against me. “Mitch?”
“Yeah?”
“That was really nice. Nobody has ever taken care of me like that before.”
“Well, that’s what a Daddy does.” I kissed her forehead.
Her eyes closed, and she smiled. “I could get used to that.” She paused. “But I’m still not ready to say it.”
“Fair enough.”
Brody
I could feel them staring at me before I ever opened my eyes. When I did, it took a minute for me to get my bearings. I had come home late to a quiet house and an empty room. I had proceeded to empty a six pack of beer and several bags of Doritos before crashing out alone on Mitch’s bed, for some reason.
I pulled myself into a sitting position and almost shit myself when I found two pairs of eyes staring at me in the darkness from the bed opposite mine.
Then I heaved a sigh of relief.
“Morning, sleeping beauty.” His gruff voice was filled with humor. and I relaxed instantly. I opened my mouth to speak, a million things I wanted to say flitting through my brain as they fought for attention. Then I remembered that we were not alone. We had company. From the looks of things, the two had gotten very cozy while I slept.
“Morning.” I settled on that and waited to see what he would say next.
“April and I had a good talk,” Mitch began. Beside him, April nodded. I stared blankly at them and waited. “This little one, here, has come to the belated realization that she is, in fact, in need of a Daddy.” He paused, and my stomach twisted. “Or two,” he added with a wink.
“Preferably two,” April cut in. “I want what you offered before, assuming it’s still on the table. I may not be ready to call either of you Daddy yet, but I’m more than ready to explore that type of relationship and everything it entails. I’ve gotten to know you both a little bit and realized you each have something different to offer. One on one, each of you is amazing. Together? Well, together, you’re phenomenal. A girl can only dream to be so lucky, usually.”
I watched from under heavy lids. April seemed freer, less combative, and much more comfortable with herself, and us, than she had been only two days ago. Interesting. I turned my attention back to Mitch. He looked eager, staring at me intently, waiting, presumably for me to agree. I wanted to. It would be so easy, but I wasn’t sure I could.
“I…April, do you mind if I talk to Mitch alone?”
“Of course not.” There was zero hesitation in her answer as she stood and left the room, and I wondered how much she knew.
She flicked the light on as she left and closed the door behind her.
“No listening in the hallway!” I called out. Mitch eyed me questioningly, and I shrugged. “Long story.”
“Okay. What’s up?”
“Do you really think this is a good idea?”
“Do I think what is?”
“April. Us. Do you think it’s a good idea to drag someone into the middle of our mess. We need to work things out between us, not drag someone new into the mix.”
“The only problem between us is that we aren’t enough for each other, and I’m not strong enough to admit it, while you apparently are. So, adding a third person, a female one, seems like the perfect solution to me.”
“Mitch.” I leveled him with a hard glare. “We can’t use April like that. For one thing, it’s just cruel, and for another, Nan would have our heads if we hurt that girl.”
“You wound me. Really.” Mitch covered his heart with his hand and pretended to stagger backwards in pain. “I’m not talking about hurting anyone. I like April. Like, I really like her. She’s smart and funny, and I like watching her give you a run for your money. Not to mention, she’s freaking gorgeous. Have you looked at her, man? Like, what is there to think about?”
“I like her, too,” I admitted. I more than liked her. But now wasn’t the time to admit that.
“Well, then?”
I was still hesitant. “You’re talking about a threesome. A three person relationship. First of all, we’ve never done that, and second of all, relationships are hard enough with just two people. It’s not like we are strong as a twosome. Have you thought this through? I mean, I know thinking isn’t exactly your strong suit, but still.”
“Hardy har har. I’ve thought it through enough to know I want to try. Besides, look at my brothers and Merry. They seem happier and more well-adjusted than most two person couples I know.”
He had a point. Several of them. The truth was I wanted it as much as he did. I just wasn’t sure I could trust any of it at the moment. “Okay, I guess. But we can’t force anything. It has to happen organically.”
“It will,” he reassured me, moving to kneel behind me on the bed and massage my shoulders. “It is.”
His hands were like magic, working out knots I hadn’t known I had. I rolled my head back and leaned into him.
“I love you,” I whispered under my breath, not caring if he heard me or not.
He must have. He twisted, his lips coming to cover mine. Before we could kiss, there was a knock at the door.
“Slade says you better not be late for work!” April called through the closed door.
I met Mitch’s eyes and grinned. It was a step forward, even if it was still behind closed doors. “Rain check?”
“Yup.” He clapped me on the back and stood. “Come on, city slicker. Get ready for work. I’m gonna make a cowboy out of you yet.”
Chapter 17
April
I was sitting at the breakfast table when the boys arrived, dressed for work in flannel shirts and cowboy boots. The sight of them together instantly perked me up, much more than the coffee had been doing. It warmed my heart to s
ee them together and looking more in tune with each other than they had in days. I leaned back in my seat and sipped my coffee, enjoying their friendly banter. Mitch’s smile was wide, and his eyes twinkled. Brody, on the other hand, appeared weary and slightly nauseous.
“We are going to have fun today.” Mitch teased. “I love it when it’s my turn to boss you around for a change.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Brody muttered, pouring coffee into a travel mug. “Just remember, you can be boss in the barns and fields all day long, but once we get back here, things go back to normal and order is restored.
“All day long, you say?”
“Any time we are outdoors and there are large animals around.”
Mitch eyed Brody shrewdly. “You’re afraid of them, aren’t you? The horses?”
“No,” Brody scoffed. “I’m not afraid of horses. I’ve just never been around them is all.”
“Wait. Never? Like not ever?”
Brody shrugged, and Mitch and I looked at each other in shock. “Really?” we asked in unison.
“I was on one a few days ago, wasn’t I?”
“And that was the only time?” Mitch gawked at Brody incredulously, leaving Brody scowling at us both. “Oh, holy hell,” Mitch grumbled, smirking. “This is gonna be fun. Buckle up, cowboy. You’re in for a hell of a ride. Get ready to get them boots dirty, there’s a huge van of kids arriving to muck stalls as punishment, and you’re going to be right there with them, learning to do the dirty work of ranch life.”
Brody paused and eyed Mitch darkly, resting his hand on the buckle of his belt. “We’re not outside yet,” he warned.
The tension in the room was thick, and if looks could kill, Mitch would be dead where he stood. My gaze ricocheted between them, waiting to see what would happen next.
Brody ginned devilishly and moved closer to Mitch with a menacing grin on his face.
I bit my lip and watched.
Brody took a step closer until they were standing toe to toe with their boots nearly touching. And then Nan bounded in, curlers in her hair and frilly robe tied around her waist. The two separated immediately.
“C’mon,” Mitch grumbled. “Let’s get down to the barn before Slade calls out a search party.”
They left quickly. Nan smiled at me and settled herself at the kitchen nook.
“You’re up early,” I remarked, pouring her a cup of coffee and setting it down in front of her with a smile.
“I’m old,” Nan responded jovially. “Spent too many years rising with the sun to stop now. Besides, sometimes, I just can’t turn my brain off.”
“Whatcha thinking about?” As I spoke, I pulled down Nan’s trusty recipe box and perused through it, hoping to find a hearty soup for lunch.
“Life, death. My family. My ranch. If I’ve done enough, if I have more to do.”
I cocked a brow. “Nobody has done more than you, Nan. It’s not possible. You’ve done enough for two lifetimes.”
“There’s always more a person can do.”
“Maybe, but I think, at some point, you owe it to yourself to sit back, look at all the wonderful fruits of your labor and say to yourself, ‘I have done good, and I deserve a rest’.”
Nan sighed and shifted in her seat, peering into her mug. “It’s been nice to see the ranch have life breathed into it again. I like seeing it full like this. This is how it was always intended to be.”
“We’re up to seven of us. And it will be eight, soon enough. How much more room do you have?” I laughed.
“I know the days of fostering are over. I know I’m too old, and the likelihood of Merry, Blake and Slade taking over in that vein are slim, for many reasons. But I know there is a lot of good the ranch can still do. I just don’t know how or what yet. I feel like the answer is floating right in front of me, but I just can’t put my finger on it.”
“Second Chance Ranch will always do good, Nan. No matter how or in what capacity; your legacy is one of kindness and love, and it will live on forever.”
Suddenly, she huffed and smiled, smacking her palm on the table in front of her. “There will be plenty of time to rest when I’m dead. Well, I ain’t dead yet, am I?”
“No, ma’am,” I murmured with a smile, taking the seat across from her. “You certainly are not.”
“That’s right; I’m not. And as long as my feet are still kicking, this ranch will always have room to grow, and there will always be kids to help, and there will always be room for my babies to come back to me in this house.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I started to stand, and she stopped me, grabbing my wrist, and holding tight. “There’s no rush to worry about lunch or chores. It’s early yet. Come sit with your Nan for a spell. I’ve got an idea I want to run by you.”
Curiosity piqued, I sat back down and waited.
Nan eyeballed me, carefully, as if measuring me up and readying herself for an argument. I arched my eyebrows, wondering what was up.
We sat there in silence, studying each other for a full minute, until Nan slammed her hand down on the table again and I jumped.
“Summer camp!” she exclaimed triumphantly.
“I beg your pardon?”
“We need to turn this place into a summer camp for the kids! Most of these kids never get to do anything like that or to have those kinds of regular kid experiences.”
“Like a day camp? Isn’t that kind of what we already do?”
“No, like a sleepaway camp!”
“A sleepaway camp? How in the world would you pull that off? That seems like it would take a lot of extra resources. And where, exactly would they sleep? And how would we feed them?”
Nan just waved her hand at me, like those were inconsequential details. “We have the whole east field. We aren’t growing crops there, anymore, and haven’t for years. At Christmas, we fill it up with trailers when everyone comes to visit.”
“Okay...so we are going to get a bunch of trailers for teenagers to stay in?” That did not seem safe or responsible.
“Of course not! We’ll rent some yurts.”
I hadn’t realized you could rent yurts, but if Nan said we could, she had probably done her research. “And where are we going to feed all these kids?”
An outdoor kitchen! A big one, with picnic tables! We’ll be able to use it for years to come, and maybe we can even give these kids a cooking lesson or two.”
I eyed her wearily. I didn’t want to be the one to dash an old woman’s dreams, but I couldn’t see Slade or Blake going for this idea. Everyone here had more than enough work to keep them busy, and there was a new baby coming at the end of the summer. And who exactly was going to be giving these kids cooking lessons? Sure, I could follow a recipe or two, but a Home Ec teacher, I was not.
Nan reached across the table and patted my shoulder. “Don’t worry, dear. Just like this ranch and everything that’s come along with it, if it is meant to be, the pieces will fall into place just so.”
How could you argue with logic like that? You couldn’t, and that was why it was Nan’s favorite kind of logic to use. I nodded my agreement but strongly suspected that any pieces that weren’t falling into place easily would get a big ol’ shove from Nan, herself.
“Besides, we will need a camp manager, and I think I know just the person for the job.”
Brody
I was standing outside the corral, watching Blake lead a young boy who couldn’t be any more than seven around in a circle on a horse that was nearly as tall as me. My stomach churned as I looked at the giant animal. What had I been thinking, insisting we pack up our city life and move to rural Texas?
And who knew horses were so damn big in real life?
Mitch stood by the gate, gloating. “You ready to meet your horse for the day, big boy?”
I glared at him and held a single finger up in front of me. That’s one.
He shook his head and wagged his finger at me. “Nuh uh, uh. That’s not the deal we made now, is it? Bes
ides, you were on a horse just the other day, and you survived just fine.”
I glowered at him. That was different. Riding at my own leisure with him and April was not the same as doing it for work—and certainly not around a bunch of kids. “Fuck the deal. I had no idea how awful this would be. I’m covered in horse shit, my boots are ruined, I stink to the high heavens, and I am not getting on top of one of these beasts.”
Mitch hid a smile behind his hand and stepped closer. “Beasts, huh?” He leaned in for a kiss, grabbing the lapels of my brand new and already ruined jean jacket as he pulled me towards him. I scrunched my nose, reeling at my own scent.
“Get off of me, man. Save yourself from this disaster. I reek. This stench will probably take weeks to wash off.”
Mitch nodded. “Probably. You should just get used to it. Consider it your new cologne.”
I gagged. “No, thank you.” I tried to push him away, but he pulled me closer, wrapping his arms around me and resting them on my ass.
“What are you doing?” I pushed. “I told you to leave me alone!”
“Indeed, you did,” Mitch agreed. “There are just two problems with that. One, being the fact that I don’t listen very well, and two, I don’t know if you’ve looked around, but we are currently outdoors. You do remember what that means, don’t you? It means I am in charge.”
He pulled me closer, still, and planted a big wet one across my lips, kissing me hard, until my body responded of its own volition and I had no choice but to kiss back, harder and deeper.
“Hey! Get a room! There are kids around!” Slade’s voice cut through the air, and Mitch pulled away quickly, his eyes widened in horror.
I started to apologize, then stopped myself. “Hey, you started it,” I reminded him.
“I wasn’t thinking,” he growled, looking at a spot on the ground at his feet. His cheeks were purple with embarrassment. I felt bad for him, but honestly, I was happy to see this charade come to an end. He wasn’t fooling anybody but himself.
“I love that I can make you lose your head,” I teased.
Spring Fever Daddies Page 16
