Cowboy Outcasts (11 page)

“So,
what happens after you get this grant of yours?” he asked, his words labored.

She hadn’t
really thought about it. Hailey had been so busy trying to survive day to day,
running from the past, that the future rarely plagued her thoughts. A grant
only meant she could pay her rent and put food on the table. It didn’t equate a
home, love, or a job that challenged her. Breaking into the human behavioral
branch without a decade of experience was nearly impossible. Studying horses
and hogs was as good as she could get in the meantime, but the pay was
lackluster.

“I need
grants because getting a job as a professor or funding for anything meaningful
won’t happen for a long, long time.”

“Me and
Callum only finished high school. We would have dropped out but our mother
insisted on having our diplomas hanging on the wall. With my brother’s
Tourette’s and the heavy work load of the farm, it’s a miracle we made it
through, but we did.”

“What
about you? Are you staying home for good or leaving again?” she asked.

“I
don’t know. I rarely think beyond tomorrow.”

After
another fifteen minutes of being carried along the side of the road,
Arden
began to stagger.
He ended up bending over and spilling her onto the soft, grassy meadow. He
dropped to his back, laying a forearm across his eyes. They were both laughing
out loud, both exhausted and overheated.
 
Their predicament was so horrible, the only thing left was to find humor
in it.

“Sorry,
baby girl. I can’t carry you another minute. That mid-day sun is brutal.”

“I
know. My clothes are soaked through.”

“It
feels good doing nothing and not feeling anxious about it.
 
I think you’re my new good luck charm.”

“Your
new drug of choice?” she teased. Even with the heat he didn’t reach for the
flask he’d kept in his back pocket.

As they
rested there on the grass, studying the odd white cloud that drifted by, she
felt a soul-deep connection with
Arden
.
There was a quiet acceptance between them. Any man could put on a good show but
they were all human beneath the tough exterior. She was curious about
Arden
and eager to meet
his approval.

The
rumble of a vehicle stole their attention.
Arden
leaned up on his elbows while Hailey
sat up straight. She hoped it wasn’t the same truckload of jerks.
 
As the pickup truck neared, it slowed down,
finally pulling to the side of the road.

“Well,
look who’s going to save the day,” he said.

It was
Callum. He came around the front of his truck and shook his head as he
neared.
 
“You okay, Hailey?”

“I’m
fine. Just tired from walking.”

“Didn’t
you keep gas in my Harley?” asked
Arden
.

“What
on Earth for? It’s not mine, and I never expected you back.”

“Well,
it’s broken down a few miles back.”

Callum
bent over and scooped her up off the ground like she weighed ten pounds. He
cradled her in his capable arms and kissed her forehead. “Next time, don’t
bother with
Arden
.
You’re lucky you didn’t pass out from the heat.”

He
carried her back to the truck, but she couldn’t help but peer over his shoulder
for
Arden
. He’d
hoisted himself off the ground, following behind at a slower clip.

The
last door slammed shut and the three of them drove back to the ranch. It was
eerily quiet at first, until
Arden
spoke up. “You can’t stay mad at me forever, Callum. I never should have run
off like I did, but I wasn’t thinking straight at the time.”

“You’re
supposed to be older and wiser, but I was the one left with all the
responsibilities.”

“Well,
I’m back. We’re family and that means everything to me. I’ll make it up to
you,” he assured.

She
noted Callum’s tenseness easing somewhat. Hailey hoped they’d make amends. It
wasn’t right for two brothers to be at each other’s throats when she knew they
loved each other. It only cemented the fact that she could never come between
them.

Chapter Nine

When
they arrived back at the ranch, Callum helped Hailey out of the truck and into
his arms. She looked exhausted, her face flush and hairline moist. The poor
thing needed to cool off in a hurry. He couldn’t believe
Arden
would be so careless, taking a woman
out into nowhere on a bike he hadn’t ridden in a year. It was
foolhardy—especially when Callum considered Hailey his responsibility.

“Where
you taking me?” she asked. He loved holding her close, caring for her. It was
something new to him as he’d only ever had to worry about himself. Now he
enjoyed the new responsibility. She gave him purpose and hope.

“To
cool off.”

She was
about to question him again but closed her mouth and leaned her head against
his chest. Before he’d headed out in search of Hailey, not finding her in the
house, he’d cleaned and refilled the main water trough behind the barn. Without
air-conditioning in the house, he planned to dunk her in the cool water and
then bring her inside for some fresh lemonade.

Arden
joined them, leaning against the side of the barn, one boot bent up
against the wooden slats. It appeared he knew Callum’s plan, but they always did
seem to read each other’s thoughts growing up.
Arden
could sense when he wasn’t at ease,
signaling that a Tourette’s attack was imminent. He’d always looked out for
Callum, so it would be foolish to stay mad at his big brother. He loved him
more than anything—he was blood, family, his best friend.

“Don’t
think about it, just do it. She’s burning up. Same as me,” said
Arden
.

It was
one of the hottest days of the year. He lowered Hailey into the oversized metal
tub, clothes and all. As soon as she broke the surface, she latched onto his
neck and let out a squeal.

“Callum!”

“Hush
now. It’s for your own good. I won’t have you sick with heat.” He continued to
settle her into the water until everything but her head was submerged.

“It’s
freezing!”

Arden
set one knee on the grass and lowered his hand into the water. He
wet his face and bare chest, well aware what the heat could do to a man. After
working on the prairies all their lives, they’d lived through just about every
medical and environmental emergency.

When
Hailey tried to climb out, struggling to right herself,
Arden
placed a palm against her stomach.
“Settle, little lady. Callum’s taking good care of you. Better than I ever
could.”

The way
his brother spoke carried a hint of sadness. Callum had originally been angry
that
Arden
had
abandoned him and then for taking Hailey out on an unsafe bike, but he still
didn’t want him upset. It was time to leave the past in the past and look to
the future. Now that Hailey had walked into Callum’s life, he actually saw a
future for himself. She was a Godsend, a beautiful woman who didn’t judge him
for his differences. She was like a breath of fresh air.

“Better?”
he asked.

“I’m so
cold,” she said, raising her arms out of the water, reaching for him. He
hoisted her out, her body twice as heavy as water rushed down from her soaked
clothing.

“Let’s
get you dried off and hydrated. No more foolish stunts either. One of these
days you’ll get yourself killed.”

“Don’t
bring her in wet,” said
Arden
as they approached the side door of the house. Hailey looked over at his
brother who walked alongside him. He sensed a connection between her and
Arden
he never knew
existed. But she was unlike any of the women they’d ever tangled with.

He set
Hailey down, wondering if she’d cast her spell on
Arden
as well. His brother had always been a
playboy, never keeping a girl for more than a couple weeks. Now he’d come home,
maybe to start a new page in life.
 
It
would be a blessing if they could work together like they used to, preserving
the family ranch. Only things would be different now…because of Hailey. There
would be no love loss and loneliness.

How
would things be different for
Arden
though? He’d likely leave if he had to endure the same unfulfilling
lifestyle.
 
What if Hailey had eyes for
Arden
, too? Could Callum
actually share his woman with his kin? The concept of sharing went against
every fiber of his being. Cowboys were possessive to a fault and Callum was the
worst of them. But
Arden
was his other half, the only man he trusted and loved since his father. The
more he digested the idea, the more he realized it wouldn’t feel wrong to share
with
Arden
. In
fact, the idea began to intrigue him, seemingly too perfect. Hailey could be
the binding agent to bring his small family together again.

****

“Take
off your clothes,” said
Arden
.

She
immediately looked to Callum, expecting him to defend her, to warn his brother
to back off. Instead, he nodded once, urging her to comply.

The
prospect of stripping in front of two men was titillating. Her body was still
wanton from her time with
Arden
.
And she was getting cold and clammy in her sopping wet clothes. Hailey lifted
the shirt over her head, letting it drop heavily to the ground. The balmy air
tickled her exposed flesh. Only her bra hid her breasts from full view. The
strength of the sun helped warm her damp skin, encouraging her to slip out of
her pants as well.

“She
has a beautiful body,” said
Arden
,
his eyes roving over her exposed flesh.

“Trust
me, I know it. I just have to think of her to get uncomfortable in the tractor.
It makes for long days in the fields knowing she’s waiting for me.”

“I
wager she’s worth the wait,” said
Arden
.
 
“Maybe thirty-two years’ worth.”

Why
were they agreeing? She’d pegged Callum as the type to have a jealous streak.
In fact, both men were hardcore, Irish cowboys with dominant personalities.

She
didn’t question them or complain. Hailey felt a budding love for Callum and her
attraction for
Arden
was undeniable. What if they both wanted her? Such a relationship seemed
impossible in their day and age, but the men were already ousted from society,
making rules of their own.

They
both approached, each tall and broad, eyes focused with deadly intent.

“What?”
she asked, looking back and forth at the men.
Arden
’s hair was wet from the water, his
upper body still gloriously bare. Callum lifted his Stetson off his head and
licked his thick lips. He looked hungry, like he had when they first made love.

“I love
her,
Arden
,” he
said while still looking at her.
 
Her
heart skipped a beat hearing the words from his own mouth.

“I
know. She’s different.”

“No
playing games,” Callum said in warning.

They
spoke as if she wasn’t there, as if they were planning a shopping list, not
double-teaming her body. She must be misinterpreting.
 

“I
taught you everything you know, little brother.”
Arden
slipped the strap of her bra off her
shoulder.

“Not
everything,” said Callum. He cupped her breast as the material of her bra slid
off to expose her nudity. Her nipples had already pebbled from the mix of chill
and lust.

The
decision appeared to be made, an unspoken confirmation passing between the two
men. They were like a team, moving and acting as if they’d rehearsed every
touch. The more they dared to advance, the more forceful they became. They
reminded her of sharks getting a taste of blood. She welcomed their animalistic
behavior.
Arden
slid her panties down, leaving her completely naked and vulnerable.

Part of
her was thrilled that Callum allowed
Arden
to participate, bringing her fantasy to realization. But did it mean his
commitment to her was weak? Was she a sexual object rather than relationship
material in his eyes? She pushed her worries aside and savored the feel of
their hands worshiping her body. They felt warm and strong, knowing where to
touch and not to touch. So far her pussy had been avoided, allowing her time to
liquefy, molten heat slipping down her inner thigh.