Double Her Pleasure (12 page)

She dressed in a T-shirt and shorts, pulling on socks and
running shoes. Lathering on sunscreen, she tugged on a baseball cap. She needed
some air.

After jogging down the stairs, she found Trey at the kitchen
table eating, a newspaper open in front of him, and Garret in his office,
actually working at his desk.

“Good morning, baby.” Garret came out and gave her a hug.

Trey gestured to the stove. “Made breakfast sandwiches. Want
one?”

The call of freedom tugged at her. “Can I get it to go?”

Garret’s brows drew downward. “Where you off to?”

She poured coffee in a travel mug. “This is my first truly
free day in two years.” She accepted the wrapped sandwich from Trey. “I just
want to go somewhere alone.”

Her guys looked at each other.

Megan clenched her hands together. She may as well alert
them that there was a strong chance she’d be leaving. “I have some decisions to
make.”

“How so?” Trey frowned at her.

“Give me some time to work through my thoughts, and we’ll
sit down and talk.” She clutched her cup and sandwich. “Maybe you two should
spend time talking while I’m gone. Decide what you really want.”

“We know exactly—” Trey stepped toward her.

“No, please. Take some time. Be honest with yourselves about
what’s best for you and the ranch.”

Now both Trey
and
Garret frowned at her, looking like
they wanted to keep her right there in the kitchen and make her listen to the
reasons they wanted her to stay.

“All right. You want to take the truck?” Garret crossed his
arms.

“If it’s okay, I’ll just buzz around on the four-wheeler for
a bit.”

Trey smirked. “So now you ask permission to take my ATV,
huh?”

Megan went up on tiptoes and kissed him. “I promise I won’t
get lost.” She smiled at Garret and headed outside.

The hot sun beat down, warming her deep to her bones.
“Free.” No security guard on the porch. She padded down the steps and over to
the ATV. No sheriff stopping by every day, and best of all, no crazy lunatic
trying to kidnap her.

Megan tucked her coffee and sandwich in the small basket on
the front of the machine and got rolling, down toward the river. The breeze
smelled fresh and clean, untainted by fear.

She gunned the throttle across the bridge, slowing as the
road wound through the ranch buildings.

The sound of hydraulic nail guns and saws filled the air
from the area surrounding the barn. Work had begun to restore the old building.
Just by her being here, she’d put livestock, buildings, and human lives in
danger. She rubbed her stomach. Would the guilt ever go away?

Sheriff Boyd assured her that with this last crime spree,
Hines would be sent away for a very long time, if not forever. She wouldn’t
have to worry about him again.

Ranch hands greeted her and she smiled and waved back.
Horses nickered at her as she passed the corral.

She raced along the flat road that followed the meandering
river. A mile from the ranch buildings, she stopped and looked back. She could
see just the roof of Trey and Garret’s house. Shutting off the engine, she
brought her leg over and sat sideways.

The sun glimmered off the water, birds sang in the bushes
along the shore, and a breeze blew soft and warm, bringing the dry scent of the
arid land with it.

Unwrapping her sandwich, Megan bit into two slices of Inez’s
homemade multi-grain bread stuffed with eggs, bacon, ham, and cheese. Another
reason to leave the Silver Spur: between Trey and Inez’s cooking, Megan would
pack on the pounds if she wasn’t careful.

Leave the Silver Spur.
The thought turned the food in
her mouth to cardboard. She sipped her coffee, swallowing past the choking
emotion in her throat.

She didn’t want to leave. This had become her home, Trey and
Garret her family. But she had to do what was best for herself and everyone
here on the ranch.

Soft thudding sounds came from behind her and she swung
around. The cry of a horse came from far to her left. A mile away, a cloud of
dust rose.

The wild horses.

Megan’s heart raced and she slid off the ATV, walking a few
steps toward the amazing sight. She hadn’t seen the wild horses since the day
she’d come to the ranch. With all the madness happening, she hadn’t had time to
see all the wonderful things Trey and Garret spoke of. Hadn’t had the
opportunity to race a horse over the endless acres of this beautiful, desolate
place.

It hurt, physically, to think about never seeing the spots
Garret and Trey had explored as young boys. The land they took such pride in,
and loved.

Once she could no longer see the herd of horses, she jumped
back on the four-wheeler, started the engine, and headed for the old homestead.
In her state of mind, another talk with her parents would tip her over the edge
and they’d have her on a plane to Canada that afternoon. But, she’d promised to
talk with them.

She pulled up to the house. Derrick sat on the porch, a rag
in his hand and a pistol in pieces on the table next to him. “How you doin’?”

Megan walked up the steps and leaned on the railing. “I’m
okay. I don’t think it’s all hit me yet.”

The screen door separated her from her parents, but she
couldn’t work up the courage to go inside yet.

He nodded. “We’re here for you. Whatever you need.” He
squinted at her. “The boys are, too. Don’t think that because they’re rough
around the edges they don’t have the heart to see you through this.”

Megan hadn’t expected anything so sensitive from him. “Thank
you.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, I got a soft side, too.”

She couldn’t stop the smile that broke across her face.
“Good to know.” She walked into the kitchen, letting the screen door close
behind her. Three parents sat at the table, looking at her.

Patty jumped up and pulled her into a hug. “We were so
frightened, Megan.”

She let herself absorb the warmth and kindness of this
exceptional woman.

Patty stepped back but kept her hands on Megan’s arms.
“Don’t make any snap decisions.” She rolled her eyes toward Megan’s parents.
“Do what you feel is right for you. Not everyone else.”

She nodded. “Thanks, Patty.” What if doing what was right
for herself meant doing something that was wrong for everyone else? Could she be
that selfish?

Patty picked up her coffee cup and went outside, letting the
screen door slap closed behind her.

“How are you feeling today, dearie?” Her father looked
tired.

“I’m better. After a hot bath and a good night’s sleep.” The
caring concern of two amazing men.

“We’ve packed.” Her mother laced her fingers together and
stared at Megan. “Will you come with us? We’ll get you set up in your place.”

She hadn’t realized her parents wanted to leave so soon. She
wasn’t ready, not strong enough to say goodbye to Trey and Garret yet. “That’s
kind of you, but I’m just not sure what I want to do. You two go on ahead. I’ll
give you the keys and the security code.”

Her mother leaned closer. “Wouldn’t it be better to get out
of the way for a time? Let the McGatlins recover from this? Do you know how
much this will cost them? How much they spent already on security for you?”

A thump sounded from the porch, followed by Derrick’s voice.

Megan rubbed the throbbing spot on her temple. “I can
imagine.” She hadn’t even thought of offering to pay them back. She wasn’t
wealthy, but she could make installment payments. “I can ask Trey how much.
Maybe I can reimburse them.”

More voices outside, this time Patty’s, followed by
Derrick’s, a little louder.

Her father let out a loud breath. “It’s not so much the
financial aspect as the emotional one. What does your presence here do but
remind them of all they lost, and what they could have lost if things had gone
badly?”

Now Patty and Derrick were arguing in earnest.

“Megan, this idea of two men...” Her mother covered her
mouth with her fingers. “It troubles me so. Don’t you care what this is doing
to your father and me?”

The screen door squeaked open and Patty stormed in. “I can’t
keep quiet any longer.”

Derrick followed, one eyebrow raised. “And I can’t keep her
quiet any longer.” He crossed his arms and leaned against the countertop.

Patty gave him a glare, then turned the glower on Megan’s
parents. “Vonnie, Brian, I’ve listened to your pious, self-absorbed
pontifications for days now, and it’s time you got the chance to hear what
somebody else thinks.”

Megan glanced at her parents. Their eyes were wide, faces
pale.

“Megan, I’m sorry, but this has to be said.” Patty took a
long breath.

Megan just nodded, watching the firestorm that was Patty
McGatlin.

“You dragged this girl...” Patty pointed at her. “All over
creation when she was a kid. She never had a home, so how can you blame her
when she left at seventeen and tried to make a life for herself?”

Trey and Garret must have shared the long version of her
story with their folks. Somehow, that thought was deeply comforting.

“You accused her of inviting the stalker to harass her
because she left your protection. No one invites a stalker.” Her voice rose to
a thunder with her last sentence.

Derrick moved to her side and placed his hand on her back.
“What we’re trying to say is, you weren’t there for her when she had to deal
with the stalker the first time. Whatever guilt brought you here to help her
deal with Hines this time is laudable, but misplaced.”

“Hold on, Derrick.” Megan’s father started to rise.

“No, you need to hear this.” At a glance from Derrick, Brian
sat down again.

Patty gave her husband a wink, then turned her stare on
Brian. “You’re manipulating the situation to your benefit. You want Megan with
you.” Patty smiled at her. “And I can’t blame you. She’s an incredible woman.”
She shifted her gaze to Vonnie. “But she’s found a place of her own. She has a
new family. She belongs here.”

Megan’s mouth dropped open. This unconditional support
brought tears to her eyes.

Derrick hugged his wife sideways and looked at Megan.
“Patty’s right. The boys love you. You make them happy.”

Love? She shook her head. How did Derrick know this?

“They told us.” Had Patty read her mind? “This morning when
Trey and Garret had us up to the main house for breakfast. They’ve fallen for
you. Hard and deep.” She narrowed her eyes. “And nobody breaks my boys’ hearts
if I can help it.”

Megan’s chest flooded with joy. Trey and Garret actually
said the word “love” to their parents? Nothing in her life had prepared her for
the sweet emotion racing through her. “They really told you that?”

“Really.” Derrick nodded. “And about the cost of security
and rebuilding? We have more money than God.” He looked at Brian. “Beggin’ your
pardon.” He winked at Megan. “Don’t you even mention it to the boys.”

“We’ll be here to help rebuild the barn.” Patty’s eyes
sparkled with moisture. “We hope you’ll be here too, Megan. For a long, long
time.”

Her decision made itself. She stood and gave her parents
each a quick hug. “Thank you for coming. I really do appreciate it. And I’ll
let Garret know you’re ready to leave.”

“Magdalene Larnfrow.” Her mother stood. “You will not
dismiss us this way.”

God, her parents were such a pain in the ass. “Sorry.
There’s no one here by that name.” She kissed her dad. “Love you.” Looking at
her mother, she added, “Both of you.”

She practically skipped to where Patty and Derrick held out
an arm toward her. After a quick group hug, she headed to the door. “Thank you,
all of you, for helping me see the path to my future.”

Running down the steps, she jumped off the last two and
laughed. Her heart knew where it belonged. Between two of the most wonderful
men in the world.

The four-wheeler ate up the miles and she skidded to a halt
in the dirt beside the house.

Garret and Trey sat on the porch, and got to their feet as
she got off the ATV. They stood looking at her, their hands in their pockets.

She walked toward them, wanting to be in their arms
immediately.

“We want to talk to you.” Garret’s lips were tight.

“Okay.” She jogged up the steps to stand in front of her
guys. “But let me say one thing first. I’m very sorry for everything that
happened because I was here.”

Trey tunneled his fingers through his hair. “Sweetheart,
think about how it would have gone down if you hadn’t been here? Hines would
have had free access to you in Canada. You might have disappeared forever.”

“Believe me, I’ve considered that.” She shivered. “But I
just wanted to get my apology out before I say what I have to say.”

Garret tossed his head. “You’re leaving, aren’t you. You’re
done with us because we fucked up. We promised to protect you, but we couldn’t.
We let him take you.”

Megan looked at Trey. His eyes held regret. They both felt
like this was their fault? “You did everything you could to keep him from doing
what he did. Everything. Even though it wasn’t your fault, I forgave you last
night. Both of you. And I really don’t want to spend any more time
regurgitating this and grinding away at it. Okay?”

Both men’s faces lightened, their eyes widening.

“What I see is that you saved me, you gave me a new chance
at a life free from fear, no more hiding and looking over my shoulder. I feel
alive, finally.”

Garret looked at his brother.

Trey glanced at him, then back at Megan. “Then what about
that decision you said you had to make?”

“I had no idea what to do. Go back to Canada, stay here,
start a new life somewhere else. Then I talked to the parents.”

“Oh, hell.” Trey fisted his hands. “Whatever they said, just
ignore it.”

“I’m ignoring what my parents tried to tell me, but I’d
never ignore what
your
parents said. What they told me has changed my
life.”

Garret’s brows dropped. “What did they say?”

“Your parents have some strange idea that you both...love
me.” She fought the smile that pulled at her lips and eyed each of them. “Where
would they ever get an idea like that?”

Trey rubbed the back of his neck as it turned red.

Garret’s neck was just as red, but he cocked his chin. “We
told them that. And it’s true, so just get used to it.”

An elated bubble of laughter escaped her throat.

“Great way to tell her, brother.” Trey grasped her wrist and
pulled her close. “We have strong feelings that we’ve never felt before.” He
swallowed. The red crept up his face. “I love you, Megan.”

Garret took her free hand and linked their fingers together.
“I do too.” He took a couple breaths. “I love you.” He shook his head. “I’ve
never said that to anyone, besides the parents.”

Her head spun with the reality of their words. “I’ve never
loved before, either.” She looked back and forth between their eyes. “I love
you. Both of you have made me want a future here. And if you’ll have me, I’ll
stay as long as you want.”

“As long as we...” Garret growled. “We want you forever,
woman. Trey, go build a fire. I’ll get the branding iron.”