KEANE
"This had better be good," I said as I swung the door open.
Simon held his hands up in surrender. "Sorry. You know I wouldn’t be interrupting you if it wasn’t important. Seems there’s a man here from Butte who is quite anxious to buy some horses."
"Don’t we only do that by appointment? And with people we know? I don’t like the sound of any of this".
"Apparently he was not aware of that policy, and since he traveled all the way from Butte…"
"I don’t like it, either," Rye said, joining us.
"It’s one man, and he seems pretty harmless. Scrawny city-boy type, if you ask me."
"Then what’s he want with some of our horses?" I demanded.
Simon huffed out a breath. "We have horses for sale, and he wants to buy horses. He didn’t follow the protocol, but what can be the harm in talking to him?"
"I guess you’re right." It wasn’t as though any of the Bridgewater men were prone to poor judgment. Maybe Rye and I were simply mad because our time with Lily got interrupted.
"Fine," Rye agreed. "But if there’s a strange man on the ranch, I’m going to take Lily over to your place to stay with Olivia. Don’t like the idea of her alone here until we’ve checked this man out."
"That’s wise. Besides, Olivia will enjoy the company."
"I can take care of myself." We all turned to see Lily had entered the conversation.
"I’m sure you can," Rye told her, "but we’ll all feel better if you spend the afternoon with Olivia. That’s not such a hardship, is it?"
"No." She smiled and glanced up at Simon. "I’m looking forward to getting to know Olivia. Forgive me if I sounded petulant. It was not directed at her."
"No offense taken, ma’am." Simon turned to Rye and me. "Let’s go and check this fella out and see what he wants."
It seemed harmless enough, but something didn’t feel right. I got my coat and hat and left with Simon while Rye and Lily headed toward Olivia’s house. I watched them go with a sense of foreboding.
Simon must have noticed. He clapped me on the back. "Come on, Keane. It’ll all be fine. You’re a little nervous because you’ve got a new bride. I’d be the same way. In fact, I think I’ll ask Cross to stick close to the house today, just to keep an eye on things. Isn’t that the reason we have more than one man per woman? To make sure they’re safe."
"Thanks. I probably am being overprotective, but if Cross is nearby, I’ll feel much better."
"Of course. In fact, I’ll do that now while you go on to the stables and see what you think of our visitor."
I continued on my own and paused when the stables came into view. It was easy to spot the non-Bridgewater man. Exactly like Simon described, he was a scrawny city boy. Even from a distance, he exuded arrogance. My jaw clenched. I hated dealing with these types. But, as Simon had reminded me, we had horses for sale, and this dandy wanted to buy some. As hard as we tried at Bridgewater, we weren’t able to live on love alone.
With a sigh, I put on my best salesman face and approached him. "Good afternoon," I said, making my voice a bit louder than usual. I enjoyed watching him startle at the sound of it. He was a jumpy one, for sure.
He turned to me, and I took his measure up close. Thin-faced and weak-chinned. His eyes were beady and barely visible beneath the thickness of his eyebrows. Using the plural was a bit inaccurate since they blended seamlessly across his nose into one long line like an extra-large caterpillar.
When he put his hand out and we shook, my suspicions were confirmed. Sweaty palm and a weak handshake.
It was all I could do not to kick him off the ranch then and there, but we were a cooperative group and the horses, and their profits, belonged to everyone on the ranch. I was obligated to bite my tongue and do what I could to sell off some of our equine stock.
"Good afternoon," he replied. "I am Timothy Wentworth."
"Nice to meet you," I lied. "I’m Keane."
"Is that your first name or your last name?" he asked officiously. His eyes lingered for a moment on the length of my hair that protruded from my hat and hung down my back. His sneer indicated he was not impressed. Like I fucking cared.
"Yes," I said and turned toward the stable. "Let me show you the horses we currently have for sale."
Inside the stable I nodded to Rhys who had gathered up the available horses. He gave Mr. Timothy Wentworth a wary glance then made himself scarce, though I knew he wouldn’t be far away, whether we were able to see him or not.
"Is there anything in particular you are looking for, Mr. Wentworth?" I asked as we stood gazing at the horses. They were exquisite animals, and I felt proud when I saw them. They were the result of much hard work and careful breeding.
At least I was looking at them. Mr. Wentworth’s gaze wandered all around the barn. "So, this is the famous Bridgewater Ranch," he said.
Something about his tone rubbed me the wrong way. Hell, everything about the man set my teeth on edge. I wasn’t sure what he was trying to get at, but he’d get no information from me except about horses.
"We are becoming rather well known for our horses. We’ve worked hard to breed the best animals possible. The large chestnut mare over there," I pointed, "is one of our finest. I’m sure she’d be a good purchase for anyone."
"Yes, she is an attractive beast," he finally replied.
"Do you mind if I ask what you plan to do with the horses you purchase?" I studied him again; there was nothing about the man that indicated he knew or cared one whit about horses. Most likely he spent most of his time being driven about town, too good to get his shoes dirty walking or sit astride a horse like a real man.
No, I didn’t like this one bit.
LILY
Rye held my hand tightly as we walked across the ranch to Olivia’s. I was a bit apprehensive going there, remembering how embarrassed I’d felt when I’d left the last time. But, I recalled the reassurance Rye and Keane had given me, and their words had made sense.
When Olivia opened the door, her eyes lit up. "Lily! I was hoping you’d visit soon."
"I’m sorry to drop in without notice."
"Oh, pshaw." She waved her hand as though brushing away my concern. "We’re not so fancy around here. Friends are always welcome." She opened the door wider. "Nice to see you, too, Rye."
"Thank you, Olivia. I’m not staying. There’s a buyer who showed up today without an appointment, and I didn’t feel comfortable leaving Lily alone with a stranger on the premises."
I felt a little bit like a sack of dirty clothes dropped off at the laundry.
But, again, Olivia was so warm and welcoming, my anxiety melted away. "I’m glad you did. Any excuse to have a friend visit." She drew me inside. "They are all a bit overprotective," she said, glancing over her shoulder at Rye with a grin, "but we love them anyway."
"Woah, hold on one minute there," Rye called after us. Olivia and I stopped in our tracks and turned back to where he waited on the porch. He crooked his finger, and I rushed over to him.
"Now"—he tipped my chin up and stared into my eyes—"you are to stay inside and not leave this house until Keane or I come to get you. Understand?"
"B-but, I don’t want to be a bother to Olivia."
"Safety is the most important. I’m sure Olivia knows that, too?" He lifted his gaze toward my new friend.
"Yes, I do. And you’re not a bother at all, Lily."
Simon joined us on the porch, which surprised me. I thought he’d gone to the stables with Keane. "I’m going to find Cross and have him stick close to the house while the women are here alone."
Rye relaxed. "That’s a good idea."
Simon left to get Cross, while Rye cupped my face. "Remember, stay here until one of us comes for you."
I nodded. They were taking this all very seriously. Was there really that much danger from one man visiting the ranch? A ranch populated with former soldiers?
But I knew better than to argue.
He kissed me hard then peered deep into my eyes. "Stay. Here."
"I will. And you be careful, too." I palmed his cheek and stared at him like I might not see him again for a long time. Of course, that didn’t make any sense. He or Keane, probably both of them, would be back for me by suppertime.
Simon returned to the house with Cross then left for the stables with Rye while Cross went inside with Olivia and me.
"Come on." Olivia took hold of my arm. "I’ve got a bit of cake left, and we’ll have that with some coffee and get acquainted."
"I’d like some cake," Cross said.
"You had plenty of cake last night. It’s time for girl talk. Now you just shoo." She waved him away, and I nearly fainted with her boldness.
Cross didn’t seem too pleased with it either because he reached around and gave her a couple of hard swats on the backside. "Don’t get fresh with me, Olivia." His voice was stern, but his eyes were smiling. "You two enjoy yourselves. I’ll keep an eye on things outside."
Olivia gathered the cake and coffee. "I love those men, but they can be a handful. Sometimes you have to keep them in line, even if you do get a few swats in the process."
"I can’t imagine ever talking to Rye or Keane that way," I said, shaking my head.
"Well, I don’t do it very often," Oliva admitted. "Besides, my backside is used to getting spanked." She laughed.
"Do they do that… spank you… often?" My face burned, but I had to ask. I had to know.
"Well, not as much as they used to. I guess I’ve been behaving better. Though that doesn’t mean they don’t give my bottom a good workout as it is."
I had a feeling I knew what she was talking about, but never in a million years could I ask. Never. Ever.
"Oh," she said, noticing my blush. "I’m so sorry. I guess I keep blurting things out. I know Rhys gave your men a set of butt plugs so I assumed—"
"You assumed correctly," I said, suddenly overcoming my hesitation to talk about such things. I stirred my coffee and then gazed up at her. "Is it wrong I kind of like it?" I whispered, staring back down at my coffee.
"Heavens no!" she exclaimed. "At first it can be uncomfortable, but that’s why he makes so many different sizes. It’s easier to get used to." She leaned toward me and placed her hand on my arm. "And when they take you back there… I can’t even describe what it’s like. But it’s wonderful. I feel so full and, when we are all connected in that way, like you will be with Rye and Keane, it’s the ultimate claiming. The three of you will be joined, and you’re the one who holds it all together. It’s rather poetic, in a way. Though when it’s happening, I’m more likely to be groaning and moaning than reciting sonnets."
I reared back in my seat and gaped, then the two of us looked at each other and started giggling. That turned into laughing so hard, tears rolled down my cheeks, and I gasped for air. The same for Olivia.
By the time I caught my breath, I felt like the weight of the world was off of me. It wasn’t wrong for me to enjoy the sensation of the plug in my bottom. Olivia seemed like a lovely person and, if she liked it, I could, too.
"Oh, that felt good." I wiped at my tears. "Thank you."
"You’re welcome. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time." She took a sip of coffee then got a bit serious. "I’m sure you’re nervous about when they both enter you at the same time, but I’m certain they’ll be very careful and as gentle as they can. Those men love you with their whole hearts. I can tell."
"I love them with my whole heart, too," I replied, without even thinking. When I realized what I’d said, I clapped my hand over my mouth and then lowered it. "I-I’ve never said that before," I confessed.
Olivia’s face glowed as she smiled at me. "Oh, honey, that’s the best thing I’ve heard in a long time. I’m so glad you all found each other. You’re going to have a whole lifetime of happiness ahead of you."