Two Cowboys To Protect Her by Lacey Davis
Chapter 15
Rena’s buttocks were sore as she bounced around on the saddle. Clayton had insisted she ride a horse to Lillian Parker’s home. Since she had only ridden on a horse three times in her life, she felt a little nervous. But he swore she was going to become quite proficient at handling a horse.
“Every rancher’s wife knows how to ride a horse,” Clayton said. “And soon so will you. I’ll even buy you a horse.”
Not something she wanted, but if it made her husband happy, then she would gladly accept his gift.
They were pushing her beyond her boundaries and making her learn new things. In some ways it was helpful, but dang, if it wasn’t nerve-racking sitting atop a huge animal trying to give it directions.
Thankfully, her horse followed Harley’s mare and all Rena had to do was hang on.
When they stopped in front of Will and Lillian Parker’s ranch that they shared with Sheriff Seth Ingram, they were all outside waiting.
“Good morning,” they called.
In the distance, Rena could see men working the horses and the cattle. Someday this was what her men wanted. A cattle ranch. And while she would hate leaving her childhood home, it was time. The old house needed a lot of repairs, and it would be good to start somewhere fresh.
Harley helped her down from the horse.
“You’re going to be good and spend the day with Lillian,” he said.
“Well, I’m not going to ride the horse back alone,” she said with a sigh. “Yes, I’ll be waiting for the two of you when you return.”
Clayton shook his head, pulled her to him and then swatted her on the ass as he whispered in her ear. “Don’t make us have to spank you again.”
She frowned up into his face but didn’t say anything.
“Are you ready to go?” Harley asked the sheriff.
“Yes,” he said. “Will is going to help us out. He used to be a Texas Ranger as well. Now he’s a cattleman.”
Rena watched as first one man and then the other kissed their very pregnant wife while she held their eighteen-month-old son.
Harley turned to Rena. “Stay with Lillian.”
He kissed her on the mouth and then popped her on the ass. “Don’t make me punish you again.”
With a sigh, she turned to Clayton. “Be careful.”
After a brush of his lips against hers, he walked away and climbed upon his horse.
The four men rode off and Rena strode toward Lillian. While she really enjoyed spending time with her, there were so many things at home she’d wanted to do. Maybe Lillian could tell her about living with her two men.
“I hope that I’m not a bother to you today,” she said.
“No, in fact, I could use the company. The men can be so demanding and I see yours are as well. Let’s go in the house and I’ll fix us a glass of tea.”
As they walked inside the house, Rena couldn’t help but admire the rich furnishings. Lillian put the baby down and he hurried off to play with his toys scattered about the main room.
“Watch out for toys,” she said. “When you have children, you’ll understand that your house will never be the same. Toys everywhere.”
“Did the men tell you where they were going today?” Rena asked, curious about which direction they were headed. As it was, if they didn’t return, how could she send out a search team for them?
Lillian shook her head. “No, all they said was that they were going to search to see if they could find where these two men were hiding out. You will soon learn that lawmen are always in protective mode.”
“Tell me about it,” Rena said. “I wanted to stay home, clean the house, and make a nice dinner for them tonight, but they became angry about me disobeying them.”
With a smile, Lillian laughed. “I know what you mean. We women are for their pleasure. Have your men taken you at the same time yet?”
Rena felt her face blush.
“You are so innocent,” Lillian said. “From the expression on your face, I can tell they haven’t. Just wait. It’s going to be so great. You’re going to enjoy having sex with them at the same time.”
Uncomfortable, Rena didn’t respond. “Do you find this life awkward with two husbands?”
“No, it’s the best thing that ever happened to me,” she said. “And now with our second baby on the way, I’m so happy. Soon you’ll have your own little one.”
In some ways that thrilled her, yet, she was still so new at being married to not one, but two, men that she wanted time with her husbands to become accustomed to them both. To learn how to handle marriage with two men.
“When is your baby due?” Rena asked.
“Any day now. If our calculations are correct, he’s due next week, but I expect him or her any day now. I’d really like to have a girl this time, but I know my husbands want another boy. Just a healthy, happy baby would be great.”
She didn’t want to frighten Lillian and tell her that her mother died from complications of childbirth. Her baby brother died along with her mother.
The baby came running over to Lillian and she sank down onto a chair and pulled him into her lap. “We’re such lucky women to have two men who love and want to protect us. I can’t imagine not living with both of my men. Don’t you feel the same?”
As much as she was struggling, it was hard for Rena to say that she cared as much as she did.
“Last night, they spanked me hard for not wanting to come over here. So I've been a little upset with them. They made me sore.”
Lillian smiled at her. “They were probably looking out for your best interest.”
It was true, but Rena did not want to admit just how much she feared the Red Jack Gang. She’d seen what they were capable of—cold-blooded murder.
“It’s so hard for me to let them take control. No one has ever done that for me.”
Lillian frowned. “What do you know about their backgrounds? That could have something to do with why they were so strict on you.”
If only. “No, I think they were hard on me because they think I’m stubborn.”
Laughter spilled through the room. “What woman isn’t? Do you know their pasts?”
“I know Clayton’s, but I know nothing about Harley. He’s very quiet. He’s a little hard with his mannerisms, but yet, there is a sweet, soft side to him as well.”
The baby curled up in Lillian’s lap and she knew he must be wanting a nap.
“You need to learn his background because that will help you understand him. We all have things in our past that we’d rather not face, but once we do, those things are healed. When you get him in bed tonight, ask him about this past.”
Now that she thought about it, it was odd that Harley had said nothing. And she didn't think he had even promised her that he would stay forever.
“Did Seth promise you forever?”
“Of course,” Lillian told her. “Both of my men promised to stay with me. One was a civil ceremony and Seth told me that even though our vows were not legal, I was his wife, just as much as Will’s. Why do you ask?”
“Because Harley has never promised me anything. And he’s been rather quiet about what he expects from me.”
“You should ask him,” Lillian said. “There must be a reason.”
A trickle of misgiving scurried up Rena’s spine. Harley had said nothing. No promises. Nothing. Why?
