“What does your father say?”

  “My father passed away and my mother remarried several years ago. Frank’s father, Edward, is my stepfather.”

  The day her mother married was the day hell arrived. A more conniving man she’d never met than her stepfather.

  As they rode toward her home, she didn’t want it to end, though she knew her mother needed her now more than ever. The sway of Jesse’s horse had her rubbing against his chest creating a tension in her body she’d never felt.

  The aroma of horse and man had her breathing even more deeply. Something about the way Jesse smelled had her almost swaying in the saddle. How she wanted this ride to go on.

  The house came into view and she wanted to groan. Would she ever see these men again?

  “What’s wrong with your mother?” he asked.

  “Consumption,” she said, the pain gripping her chest. Once her mother was gone, Mattie would be in so much danger.

  “Could we meet her?” Alex asked.

  “Of course,” she said and wondered what her mother would think of the two burly, handsome men. As she gazed between them, she couldn’t help but wonder which one she would choose. Alex made her knees grow weak and he’d been so kind and caring. In Jesse’s arms, she felt like nothing could harm her, safe and guarded and he smelled so delightful.

  When they arrived at the house, Alex placed his hands around her waist and lifted her from the saddle. His touch was warm and when her feet touched the ground, she glanced up into his gaze and felt as though the world spun around her.

  A smile spread across his face as Jesse stepped out of the saddle and stood directly behind her. For a moment, she felt sandwiched between them and her heart almost beat out of her chest. Breathless, she moved toward the house, wondering at the feelings they evoked.

  The Victorian farmhouse had been in her family for generations. And yet she knew she would be forced to leave the farm once her mother died. Her stepfather and stepbrother would never give her the home and she could not stay. That was obvious.

  When they entered the house, it was silent. She turned to gaze at the two men. “Stay here. Let me check on her and then I’ll take you back,” she said.

  Mattie hurried down the hall to her mother’s room, but she couldn’t help but glance back at the two cowboys who’d rescued her.

  Why was she so drawn to both? Who would she choose?

  3

  JESSE

  * * *

  Jesse watched Mattie enter her mother’s bedroom and immediately turned to Alex. “She’s the one.”

  Alex grinned at him. “I’m so glad you agree. How do we convince her?”

  Jesse glanced around at the home, a much nicer replica of their own home. The memory of the feel of Mattie’s back sliding across his chest, the sweet smell of woman surrounding him had his dick rock solid.

  He couldn’t wait to fuck her. But he could never give her his heart. After Scotland, he decided he would never fall in love again. Love hurt too much when stripped away. He would do everything for their wife, except give what little was left of his heart.

  How could they convince her to leave her home behind and let them protect her?

  Just then, she stepped to the door, her blue eyes filled with tears. “You can stay for just a moment. She’s not doing well.”

  It was all he could do not to take her in his arms and comfort her.

  Jesse led the way into the woman’s bedroom. She sat up in bed, the covers up around her neck, her face pale, her skin stretched taut against her bones. Death seemed to hang like an uninvited guest in the room.

  “Ma’am, Jesse Kelton and my friend Alex Craghead.”

  “Nice to meet you,” she said softly. “How did you meet my daughter?”

  Mattie shook her head vigorously, trying to stop Jesse from telling her mother, but the woman needed to know the truth.

  “Ma’am, we rescued her from her stepbrother Frank. That’s why she’s wearing my shirt.”

  The woman seemed to shrink even farther in the bed. “I’ve been so worried. I’ve watched him looking at my Mattie and feared he would hurt her.”

  Alex stepped up to the bed. “Ma’am, I’d like to marry your daughter. We have a nice ranch in Bridgewater and I can assure you that she would be well cared for.”

  Mattie’s mouth fell open and she stared at Alex. “We just met. I know nothing about you.”

  The poor lass was afraid and how could he blame her after dealing with her stepbrother. Somehow they had to convince her that she would be safe with them. That they would cherish her.

  “Sometimes you just know, Mattie. And I knew the moment I saw you that I wanted you to be my wife.” He turned and looked at her mother. “Ma’am, you don’t know us. But I’m an honest, hardworking man who will take good care of Mattie. I’ll protect her with my life and never harm her. If she stays here, I fear for her safety.”

  A tear slipped down her mother’s cheek and her blue eyes, the same color as Mattie’s, darkened. “You are an answer to my prayers. Frank and even my husband, Edward, will do everything they can to bring her back. Are you prepared to fight them?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Alex said with convection.

  Jesse knew they would be dead men if they tried to harm Mattie.

  “Yes, please marry Mattie today. Save her from Frank.”

  Mattie stood frozen on the other side of the bed. She kneeled beside her mother. “No, I’m not going anywhere. You need me.”

  Her mother reached out and took her hand. “I have days, maybe even hours left. It’s my time and I want to leave this earth knowing my daughter is safe. You will not be safe here.”

  She gazed up at them and Jesse felt like she was handing them her most precious gift. “These men will explain to you where they live. It’s a decent, honorable place where women are treated well and families look out for one another. You’ll be safe with them. And that is the most important gift you could give me.”

  The mother knew of Bridgewater and understand their small town. She was giving them her blessing. Jesse’s respect for her went through the roof. Now he was certain they had chosen the right woman.

  Mattie laid her head on her mother’s hand. “No, Momma, please don’t make me leave you.”

  “Go pack your things,” she said as she glanced at Alex. “You’ll marry her today?”

  “Yes, ma’am. You have my word.”

  “And mine,” Jesse said.

  Alex reached out and took Mattie’s hand. “Mattie, I give you my word that we will never harm you. Now go pack your things. It’s time for us to leave.”

  Confusion filled her eyes and he feared she would give them trouble, but they needed to get her out of here before Frank and his father came home. Or there would be a bloody battle.

  After she left the room, her mother turned and gazed at them. “Mattie is an heiress. Her father left her a lot of money that she will acquire when she turns twenty-one. Frank and Edward don’t love her, they want her inheritance. She turns twenty-one in two months. They’re desperate for Frank to marry her before that time. So please, be aware, they will come after you.”

  Let them. Jesse would enjoy tangling with Frank and his father. Letting some of the rage inside him explode on them at how they treated Mattie and her mother.

  “Mattie will be safe with us.”

  Her mother glanced at them. “Please take care of my girl. Promise me you won’t hurt her.”

  “Like we said before, we will defend her with our life,” Alex promised her.

  Just then Mattie came through the door with a satchel in her hand. “Please, Mother, don’t make me go.”

  She came to the bed and sat beside her and took her in her arms. “Honey, you know what’s going to happen if you stay here. This way I know you’re safe. This way I can die in peace knowing these two fine men are going to take care of you.”

  Mattie leaned back. “You’re certain?”

  “Yes, now go. I love you and I’ll be looking down on you to make certain you’re safe. Never forget how much I love you. You’ve been the joy of my life.”

  Alex moved forward when he saw her mother trying to push her out of her arms. Jesse wanted to be the first one to hold her and comfort her, but Alex was there. Jesse would get his time to comfort her later.

  They all turned to walk out the door. Mattie sobbing, she turned for one last look.

  “Bye, Momma, I love you.”

  Her mother shed tears quietly and waved a hand. Tonight, they would need to comfort Mattie. But first they had to find a judge and make her theirs. Then it would be a two-hour ride home.

  Could he wait another night before he touched their woman? Oh, hell no. Even now, the thought of taking her home and fucking her was more than he could bear.

  4

  ALEX

  * * *

  Alex lifted her onto Jesse’s saddle and then Jesse climbed up behind her. Tears streamed down her face as they spurred their horses away from her home. Jesse spoke softly to her, trying to give her comfort.

  “Don’t worry, we’ll take care of you,” Jesse said. “We’ll protect you.”

  Mattie sniffed. “I don’t think I should leave her.”

  “Lass, if you don’t go with us, you will wake up in the morning married to Frank. Is that what you want?”

  Alex was certain there was no way Frank would risk her getting away after what had happened today. And it sounded like her stepfather was greedy.

  “No,” she said.

  “Your mother loved you so much that she was looking out for you. Don’t dishonor her by going against her wishes.”

  The woman was silent for a few minutes as they rode in the direction of town. She leaned her head against his chest and Alex was sure Jesse’s cock responded, growing hard.

  “What did Momma mean you would explain to me about where you live?”

  Alex smiled at her. “Bridgewater is a place where every woman has two husbands to look out for her. This way if something happens to me, Jesse is there to protect you and our children.”

  Her brows came together in a frown. “But I can’t marry you both.”

  “No, legally, you’ll be married to Alex, but you’ll be both of our wives. The wedding vows will go for me as well. Alex will say the vows, but my heart will also be included with them. Once you’re married to us, there will be no going back. You’re ours.”

  Her eyes widened with the knowledge that she would have the two of them. The girl was an innocent, and yet, Alex could see the fire inside her, just waiting for someone to ignite. And he couldn’t wait for the two of them to ignite the passion in her.

  Mattie chewed her bottom lip, fear in her eyes. “It’s just, I don’t know either of you.”

  “Do you think we’re good men?” Jesse asked.

  “Of course,” she said.

  “Are you attracted to us?” Alex asked, certain she was at the way she responded to their touch. The way her breasts seemed to swell and her nipples had hardened enough he could see them through her chemise when the shirt she wore fell open.

  Would she lie to them? Because if she did, she would soon find herself over his knee.

  Her sapphire eyes gazed at him. “Yes, but I’m nervous.”

  Jesse leaned around her and kissed her lips. “Thanks for being honest. We’ll take things slow. But first we’re going to get you married. That way Frank and his father can’t take you away. Then we’ll take you home. We’re men and we can’t wait to get you alone.”

  “What will we do?” she asked, her voice breathless.

  Mattie angled her head and leaned back against Jesse, staring up into his eyes. Alex couldn’t help but feel a little jealous, but his plan had worked. Soon, they would both be sharing their bride.

  Certain she was an innocent, she had no idea what would happen tonight and he could see the fear and her innocent anticipation.

  Jesse kissed her again, a lingering kiss, and Alex could see she was affected by his lips. When they broke apart, he gazed down at her. “We’ll take it slow and when you’re ready, we’ll make you ours.”

  Mattie turned and faced Alex. “And you as well?”

  “Yes, Mattie, from the first moment I saw you, I wanted you. I can’t wait to undress you, tear that soiled gown from you and gaze at your lush body.”

  A blush crossed her face. “What about children?”

  They both chuckled.

  “We can’t wait,” Jesse said. “If you get pregnant tonight, we’d be pleased.”

  When they reached town, they soon found a judge willing to marry them.

  Today, he’d been dreaming about a wife, wishing for one to come into their lives and suddenly there she was in front of them. As Mattie and he said the vows, Jesse stood as a witness, both of them committing to her.

  The dress she wore was the same one Frank attacked her in. Grass stains marred the front, but their woman looked dignified and regal, her blonde hair hung in curls down her back. Beautiful and he couldn’t wait to get her home and remove that horrible dress from her and burn it.

  “You may now kiss your bride,” the judge said.

  It was their first kiss, and yet, he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. If they were home, he would have her melting from the touch of lips, but here with the judge, he gave her a brief kiss, saving the best for later.

  “Congratulations,” he said.

  Just then the door to his office burst open.

  “Stop. She can’t marry him.” An older man came rushing toward Mattie. Frank running behind the older man.

  Jesse moved to guard Mattie, putting her between them, blocking the man from reaching her.

  “Too late,” Jesse said his voice almost gleeful. “Alex just married her.”

  The man’s cheeks flushed with anger.

  “Undo the vows,” the man said. “She doesn’t have my permission. She’s going to marry my son.”

  “No,” Mattie said. “I don’t need your permission and I’m not marrying Frank. Alex is my husband.”

  The man’s face turned red and he glowered at her. “You’re going to regret this.”

  Jesse stepped up to him. “If you want to live, don’t come near Mattie or I will kill you.”

  “She’s my stepdaughter. She’s not right in the head.”

  “I’m very sane. Your son tried to force himself on me today. These gentlemen rescued me and Alex offered to marry me. We’re done.”

  “You’d go off and leave your momma dying to get married?” the older man said, his eyes glaring at her. “You’re a selfish bitch.”

  Mattie began to tremble and Alex feared she would change her mind.

  Instead, she did her best to get around Jesse, her fists doubled. He laid his hand on her arm to restrain her.

  “Oh, I regret the day you came into our lives. Momma knew what the two of you were doing and made me leave.”

  That was enough. Anger rushed through Alex at how these men had treated her mother and Mattie and the urge to beat them senseless was building and about to explode.

  “Stop,” Alex said in a quiet, deadly tone. “Leave now unless you want the judge to witness your killing.”

  “This is not over,” Edward said. He grabbed his son. “Let’s go. Soon you’ll be dead men.”

  The two men walked out the door and the judge sighed. “Boys, you know I have to report this to the sheriff.”

  “Yes, sir,” Jesse said. “Why do you think Mattie’s dress is stained and the bodice ripped. Because of Frank. We’re just lucky we came along when we did.”

  And now they had the woman they had been dreaming of.

  Mattie sighed. “No, I’m the lucky one. Judge, I’m begging you to please let me know when my mother passes. I didn’t want to leave her, but she insisted I marry Alex. And I’m so thankful I did.”

  The man nodded. “Of course. I remember your father. He was a good man.”

  “Thank you,” she said.

  “Let’s head home, so we can make it before dark,” Jesse said, gazing at Alex.

  The man was sending him a warning. One that said they needed to get home before Frank and Edward found help. They needed to get home, so they could give their bride the attention she deserved. They needed to get home before their cocks exploded.

  “Congratulations, Alex and Mattie,” the judge said.

  The three of them walked out of the judge’s chambers. Alex tensed and looked around for the two scalawags, but they were nowhere to be seen.

  As Alex helped Mattie onto Jesse’s horse, he shook his head. “Jesse, I think we married ourselves a little spitfire. She was ready to punch Edward.”

  “You’re protecting me and I protect what’s mine. You two are now my men,” she said.

  Her words made Alex want to spur his horse and get home as quickly as possible. It sounded like she had accepted their marriage. Tonight they would make the blonde spitfire theirs.

  5

  JESSE

  * * *

  When they arrived safely at home, all Jesse felt was relief. All the way home, he’d kept an eye out for anyone following them, knowing that Edward and Frank were not going to back away. Men like them were stupid when it came to money and dying.

  Sooner or later, they would try to grab their bride and would meet his Colt 45 up close and personal. Maybe even his fists, and this time, he wouldn’t stop. This time, when he finished, they would be planted six feet under.

  Mattie was theirs now. The money was hers and they wanted no part of it. A man didn’t take money from his bride. If she wanted to give some to the children, that was her decision. Their commitment as husbands was to earn enough to take care of her and their children.

  It was their duty. Their honor and pledge to her. As her husbands, they would uphold their vows. And tonight, they would make her theirs in every sense of the word.

  “When we get home, I’ll take the horses and put them in the barn. You take Mattie into the house and show her around,” Alex said.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9