Theirs to Treasure (Beyond Monogamy Book 1) (9 page)

She sank down on her knees next to him and wrapped her arm around him. “Oh, sweet Cody.”

“The days leading up to it, we fought all the time. She died thinking I hated her and there’s nothing I can do to change that.” He let his head fall back against her shoulder until their gazes met. “I didn’t hate her, I was just angry. She threw everything away. That ranch had been in my father’s family for centuries and I had expected to take it over someday. Now it’s gone.”

“But look at the life you have. Look at what you’ve done, all you’ve created. You have this school for the children in the area. It might not be the ranch you once had but it’s something you built. More importantly you’re surrounded by those who love you.”

“I’m missing one thing.” He ran his hand over her cheek. “We’re missing you.”

She couldn’t believe her ears. “Cody, you’re upset.”

“Upset…or maybe now I know what I want. I want you.”

“Have you forgotten the three of you are supposed to find a woman together? What do the others thing of this? Have you even told them?”

“I have, and damn…they’re going to kill me for telling you. We don’t need your matchmaking because we’ve already found the woman we want to spend the rest of our lives with.” He let out a light chuckle. “I’m going about this all wrong.”

She joined him in the laugh before nodding. “I won’t say you’ve done it gracefully but I won’t hold it against you.”

She pressed her head to his. At least he was laughing instead of living in the past as he had moments before. She held him, never wanting the moment to end, while still wanting to take away the memories that had brought them to the ground of the barn. Even in the midst of everything else his pain was still in the forefront of her thoughts. She’d figure things out about the men later. That night after the get together with their parents she’d make sure they sat down and discussed what Cody had said. She needed to know if everyone felt the same way and then she’d be able to decide how she was going to approach things. Every fiber of her being hoped they’d all want her. Because she wanted them, too.

The party was in full swing and everyone was having a good time. Paris stood near the doorway watching them. They were one big family, not divided into their own groups. Even Cody, the only one without any family there, fit into the mix without any problems. An outsider wouldn’t be able to tell that Cody wasn’t born into the family. Aiden’s parents were sweet and seemed completely excited about their upcoming wedding. Actually, it was a renewal of their vows to them, while the public could believe whatever they wished.

Then there were Kain’s parents and the way one of his two fathers always seemed glued to their wife’s side. They were such a sweet trio that she couldn’t take her eyes off them. There was a love that radiated from them, and she wanted that. She wanted her husbands to look at her the wayMrs
.
Fitzgerald’s husbands looked at her.

“Having a good time?” Aiden came up next to her, placing his hand on the small of her back.

“Yeah. Thank you for inviting me. Seeing the three of you with your family…it’s a special time. Your parents are great and so sweet.” Her gaze traveled slowly over everyone before she tipped her head back to look at him. “It doesn’t matter how you came together, you’re a family. What makes it even more special is the fact that you’ve invited Cody into the fold.”

“He told you what happened, and you didn’t call Jake back to pick you up.”

She turned to him, cutting him off. “Why would I? He did nothing wrong. You don’t honestly blame him for what happened, do you?”

“Aren’t you a firecracker?” He shot her a smirk before continuing. “No, I don’t blame him because I know the whole story. The question is, did Cody tell you everything? Or just that he thinks he’s the reason his mother killed herself.”

“He told me she was gambling the money and they lost their ranch because of it. Is there something else?”

“She had a warrant out for her arrest for attempted armed robbery. She was desperate and tried to rob a liquor store two towns over, in order to save the land. Crazy idea that almost got her killed. The owner came out from the back with a gun and she took off.” He wasn’t looking at her any longer, his gaze on Cody. “I didn’t know him then but Kain did. Kain’s father was the sheriff here and he called us to see if there was anything we could do to help him. Kain flew home to collect Cody that night and he’s been with us ever since.”

“Help him how? You’d have been in your, what…second year as a football player?”

“I’d just finished my first season as a pro-football player. The first team running back got injured and I got thrown into it. It was a big year for me and the team.”

She nodded. “I remember you took them all the way, winning the championship and everything. That’s when your career really took off.”

“Yeah, the whole off season I was rushed from one commitment to another that my agent set up. Cody was there as a bodyguard when things got rough, a friend when things were calm. We bonded during the trip but it wasn’t until a few years ago he actually told me what happened. I knew what Kain told me but I didn’t know how it affected him.”

“He seems okay.”

“For the most part he is, but he has a hard time opening up to people. He needs someone to share his romantic side with. It’s going to take time for him to open up to any woman, for fear he’ll let them down just as he believes he let down his mother.” He rubbed his fingers lightly along the curve of her shoulder. “He needs you to take your time with him.”

“Me?” She turned enough to raise an eyebrow at him.

“I know he told you what we want.”

“What is it that you want?” She needed to hear him say it.

“We want you.” He let out a light laugh before rubbing his hand down her arm. “We put this whole thing together to sweep you off your feet. It was Kain’s idea to have you here with our families so you can see how much we care for them. We were going to get rid of them early and work on seducing you.”

“What if I wanted to leave tonight?”

“We were hoping the weather would work in our favor to keep you here.” He tipped his head toward the wall of windows, where the snow was falling heavily already. “Paris Nelson, you strolled into our lives and we will never be the same. You’re the woman we want and need.”

“How do you know?”

“My mother, Christine, used to tell me the story of how she met Dad. I remember her telling me over and over when she was dying. After the hundredth time I heard it I finally asked her why she kept telling me the same story, there had to be other things she wanted to tell me. She explained that she needed me to remember the story because she wouldn’t be there when I found the woman I’d spend the rest of my life with and she wanted me to trust my gut. See, when she met Dad she just knew he was the one. I thought it was the pain medication that made her remember it differently than it happened, but when you strolled into my office I knew she was speaking the truth because I felt it to. I know it sounds like something that only happens in those chick-flick romantic movies but it’s the truth.”

“Maybe with you but not with Kain.” They both glanced to Kain who seemed to know they were talking about him because he looked up at them and smiled.

“Maybe not when you stepped off the plane. He’ll admit he was an ass but he doesn’t like change and he took that out on you. Things don’t have to happen the same way for everyone. With my Dad and Susan it didn’t happen that way. H
e
was attracted to her, but it was my mother who pushed. She knew the family needed something more, and Susan was right for them. I was young and don’t remember that, but from what I hear she completed us, made us a true family. The point is, things changed when Kain spoke with you.”

“You’re all in agreement on this then?”

He nodded. “Now we just have to convince you. So I’m going to shove the family out the door and we’re going to enjoy a quiet night here and you can get to know us more than just for your questionnaire.”

Before she could argue, he had left her side, and signaled to Kain and Cody as he neared them. She was left standing there completely stunned. She had expected at least some challenge. For one of them to tell her that her woman’s intuition was off. Instead, she found them ready to fight for her. She was one lucky woman, and planned to see if they were really up for the challenge.

The sun streamed through the dozens of windows while Paris nursed her second cup of coffee. She had never been a morning person, but today had been rougher after being up half the night talking with the three of them. Thankfully, none of the others seemed to be morning people either, as they were quieter than they had been since she arrived. Or maybe no one was looking forward to her leaving that afternoon. She wished she could have stayed, but Mom had treatment on Monday and Paris wanted to spend some time with her while she was well enough for company.

Kain leaned back in the kitchen chair, his cowboy hat sitting on the table next to his coffee, and cleared his throat. “The others and I were talking last night after you retired to your room. We would love to have you come back next weekend if you’re not busy.”

She polished off the last of her coffee before Cody refilled it. “I have plans for Sunday evening, but the rest of the weekend I’m available. Though Jake is off, he’s going to visit his sister in Virginia. He’s leaving Thursday and will return on Tuesday, but I could catch a—”

“Don’t even say commercial airline.” Cody slid the chair out beside her and sat. “I won’t hear of it.”

“I can’t continue to put you out by having you fly back and forth.”

“You do no such thing. Now I’ll hear nothing more of it.” Cody took a long drink from his coffee mug. “So it’s settled. You’ll come back this weekend.”

“Cody, if you’ll be available, I could come back Thursday afternoon. I mean…if none of you care.”

“Look at her squirm.” Aiden smirked over his steaming coffee. “You’re welcome here anytime. I don’t know what the others have planned for Friday, but I’ll make damn sure I’m available for you, beautiful.”

“Well, it seems like everyone has gotten you alone except me.” Kain scooted his chair back and grabbed his cowboy hat. “Would you like to accompany me on a drive? I can show you around our area before Cody here has to fly you home.”

“Sure. Just let me check in back home and I’m all yours.” She grabbed her cell phone off the table and headed back to her bedroom for some privacy.

On her way out she heard Kain ask, “Has anyone been able to find out if it’s true? Is Amy Nelson sick again?”

“I approached the subject with her but she didn’t answer,” Aiden replied before she was out of hearing range.

She knew she’d have to tell them, probably should have already, but she didn’t want to see the sympathy in their eyes. More importantly, she didn’t want their pity. Trying to push it from her thoughts, she pressed London’s name, brought the phone to her ear, and continued to her room. She’d get an update on Mom’s condition before she returned to face their questions.

“My dearest sister, to what do I owe this?” London answered.

“I called to see how Mom is. How was the treatment yesterday?”

“Rough, just like every treatment so far. She wants to have Sunday dinner like we always do so the dads are forcing her to take it easy today.” The cluck of his boots hitting the corner of his desk as he reclined let her know he was in the office. “You want to tell me what’s going on with you? You rarely deal with clients face to face, and now twice in less than a week you’ve gone to meet someone.”

“I can’t right now.” She knew she was only putting off destiny but she wasn’t going to tell London who she was visiting until she knew where things were going. She knew what a fan London was of Aiden’s, and she really didn’t want to be pestered about things until she was certain they’d work out. An announcement like that needed to be made in person, not over the phone. “How about we grab lunch on Monday and talk?”

“I thought you were going with Mom for her treatment on Monday.”

“I am, but once we get home we can go out for a nice quiet lunch, just the two of us. We never do that anymore. We’re both always busy. What do you say?” The two of them had always been close because of their rough childhood but recently they weren’t making enough time to do the things they used to. It was always about the company and the work constantly surrounding them.

“Okay, let’s do it. There’s a new Italian place across town that I’ve heard good things about and I know how you love good Italian food.”

“Great. Now back to the second reason I called. Do you think Dottie could cover any office calls for me on Friday?”

“Taking off early to visit this mysterious friend again?”

“Yes. I’m leaving Thursday afternoon, but I’ll be home Sunday afternoon in time for our family dinner. So, what do you say, will you let me borrow her?”

“It’s time you get your own Dottie if you’re going to be out of the office so much but you know she’ll cover for you even if I said no. She’s sweet on you.”

“On both of us.” She chuckled. “Dottie’s been with us so long she’s like another member of the family. How she puts up with either of our crazy work schedules is beyond me. Thanks, London, I owe you.”

“We’ll call it even if you spill this secret at lunch. I’ve never seen you this tight-lipped about anything. At least not when it came to me, we’ve always shared everything.”

“I know, little brother, and all will be revealed on Monday.”

“Hold on.” London said something to someone in the background before turning back to her. “Mathew said for me to hang up. He needs to call you. Safe trip home, sis. Love you.”

She didn’t have time to return the sentiment before he hung up. She barely had enough time to pull her cell away from her ear before it was ringing again. She glanced at the caller ID and wasn’t the least bit surprised when
Dad Mathew
came across the screen.

“What’s going on, Dad? London said Mom was okay. Have things changed?”

“My spouses have just informed me who you’re with, and I want you home right now!”

“Dad, have you lost your mind?” She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Mathew had always been the most sensible of her two dads, and now he was having a fit. Why, because she was with Aiden Dalton?

“You don’t understand what kind of danger you’re in there. I can’t believe Paul let you go without your guards. Mom’s treatments must be getting to him. As soon as you’re on your way safely back home, I’m going to give him a piece of my mind. I was too upset and worried about you to do it before.”