Cameron, Paige - Commando Cowboys Seduce Their Woman [Wyoming Warriors 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) (14 page)

It was not a question, but Sahale said yes anyway. “If we’re going to do all this before six, we’d better leave now. Ellen can sleep in the backseat while I drive and you keep me company, Nanna.”

“Get my overnight bag out of my bedroom, Sahale.”

He sat Ellen up. She woke and opened her eyes. Nanna sat beside her and patted her hand. Sahale started to the bedroom. He glanced back. “You knew you’d be coming back with us,” he said to Nanna.

“Of course.”

Chapter Ten

Ellen slept the whole way back. Once or twice she’d been aware of mumbling and moved restlessly, but a few soft words from Nanna and she’d returned to a deep sleep. When the truck stopped, she woke feeling relaxed and rested. “I’m hungry.”

Sahale and his grandmother laughed. “A piece of banana bread and tea isn’t much substance for how hard you’ve worked,” Nanna said. “I will cook a good, hearty meal for you and my boys. In the meantime Sahale and Jack must have some fruit to satisfy your immediate hunger.”

“If not, we’ll get some.” Sahale helped his grandmother and Ellen out of the truck. Nanna took Ellen’s arm and walked into the house.

“I see you are still keeping the place neat and clean.”

“Nanna knows Jack is a little messy and doesn’t mind clutter,” Sahale said, and smiled.

“An understatement,” Jack said, walking in behind them.

“Jack.” Nanna put out her arms and Jack bent down to give her a hug. “Your presence brightens our home, Nanna.”

“Ah, this is the charmer, Ellen. Watch out for him.” But she spoke the words with a smile and a twinkle in her eye.

“I started early and finished early,” Jack explained.

“Since you’re here, I’m going to run by the animal hospital. I’ll be back shortly.” Sahale waved and left.

“Well, Jack, tell me, does that bag you are holding have any fruit in it?”

“Yes, it does. I stopped at the community store. I sensed we might have company.”

“Good boy.” She had him empty the bag. After washing an apple, an orange, and some grapes, she fixed a plate for Ellen. “Eat this and come talk to me while I cook. Jack, you can sit here with her.” She pointed to two of the kitchen chairs.

Nanna went to the refrigerator and took out ground meat, onion, and green peppers. Then she took spices from the spice rack. “I’m going to make spaghetti. I love Italian food.”

“We’re all dining at the big house tonight, Nanna,” Jack said.

She frowned. “Well, we can freeze it, and you will enjoy it later.” She continued to putter around the kitchen.

Ellen looked at Jack. He was watching Nanna, a loving smile on his face. He turned his gaze on her. “You are all right?”

“Yes.” She studied Nanna until she looked at her. “You knew I’d dream and see the rest of the story.”

“I’d hoped so. For some, it works that way. You are highly receptive. Do you want to tell us?” she asked, and turned to stir the browning meat.

“Some of this is a repeat of what I told Sahale and you, but it was much clearer in the dream. I’ll start back at the day I came home from the committee meeting. One of the numerous meetings I was required to attend. When I got home, I unlocked the door and stepped inside to find my father-in-law sitting in my living room, smoking a cigar.” Ellen scrunched her nose. “He knew I hated smoking, and especially cigars. My heart was beating fast. I asked what he wanted.” She stopped to take a breath. Jack came to her side, picked her up, and held her close.

“Take your time, and remember he can’t reach you here.”

“I know, but I’ve held it in for a long time.” She licked her dry lips.

Nanna handed her a glass of water, and then went back to her cooking, throwing in spices, tomatoes, onion. Watching her work and held snugly in Jack’s arms, her heart slowed.

“He got up from the chair and came across the room in a few quick steps. His fingers gripped my throat. I remember looking into his eyes. They were the darkest blue I’d ever seen. It was like looking into a dark well. He tightened his hands around my neck and pulled me up on my tiptoes.

“
‘I know you heard us talking. You heard what my son said about my business. You're a smart girl and you can put two and two together. You don’t fool me, missy. I should kill you. That would solve all my problems, maybe. Right now I'd prefer not to have the police snooping around. So this is what we are going to do. My son needs a wife that will help him go far. Not you,’"
he whispered in a guttural tone.

“I was gasping for breath and my legs ached from trying to balance. He told me my husband had found someone else. That he’d been seeing her for months and she was pregnant, not a barren cow like me. He threw me into a chair and towered over me.

“He was like the most frightful monster I’d ever seen. He smelled evil. I was so young, and didn’t have much backbone at the time. He’d made me cry, and he laughed.”

Ellen turned and glared at Jack. “This is why I won’t become subservient to any man, no matter if I did love him. Not ever again. I worked hard to become self-reliant and strong.”

Jack started to speak, but Ellen saw Nanna shake her head at him.

“Can you go on, dear? Or do you need a rest?” Nanna asked.

“No rest. I want to get through it and be done.”

“That’s my girl,” Jack said.

She ignored his comment. “My father-in-law told me to move out that day. To go wherever, he didn’t care. I hadn’t noticed his briefcase. He opened it and put divorce papers in front of me. They had Brian’s signature on them.

“I protested, saying I wanted to speak with Brian first. Mr. Garraloga leaned down close to my face.

“
‘Maybe you don’t understand. If you try to contact or come near my son, or say a word about us or what you heard—you will die. There’ll be a tragic accident.’
He leaned even closer, the anger and hate shining in his eyes.
‘Believe me, I can make it happen
.
We will all say what a wonderful woman you were. It was such a tragedy you had to die at an early age.’

“He put the pen in my hand. By that time I was numb and heartbroken. I signed the papers, went upstairs, and threw a few clothes in a suitcase. He waited for me. He’d called a cab. It was parked at the curb. When he followed me out, he locked the door and held out his hand for my key.” Ellen looked down at her hands. Jack rubbed her back. “I had one suitcase, my purse, and fifty dollars in my pocket. I knew without asking my name had already been taken off our joint bank accounts and credit cards.”

“How did you get home?” Nanna asked when Ellen had stopped speaking.

Ellen raised a tearstained face to her. “I had the driver take me to a Western Union office. I called my father. He wired me the money to come home. My parents were wonderful. They didn’t ask questions. They helped me get into college, where I met Sara and then Morgan. Gradually, I rebuilt my life. But I was a different person. I’d lost any innocence that I’d had left that day, and my trust in people, with a few exceptions.”

“Jack, take her to her cabin. She needs to rest. See that she takes a warm bath.” Nanna reached in her purse. “Fix her a cup of this tea, and stay with her until she sleeps.”

Jack had stood and held Ellen in the circle of his arms. He took the package of tea bags from Nanna. Nanna hugged Ellen. “You will begin to heal.” She kissed Ellen’s forehead and stepped back.

Strength came back into Ellen’s legs as they walked to the truck, but Jack kept his arm securely around her. He helped her in and went around to the driver’s side. It only took a few minutes before they were at her door. Again, he stayed at her side.

“I’m going to be all right. I feel stronger.”

“I know, but let me spoil you.” He led her into the bedroom. “Undress. I’ll run the water in the tub, and then get your tea.”

“It’s not necessary. I want to go to bed.”

“You will. After we do as Nanna said.”

“She has you two under firm control. I’ll have to ask how she does it.”

“It’s not control. It’s because of our love and respect for her that we do as she asks. There’s a difference. You’ve yet to learn that, but you will.” She gave him a skeptical look. “Wait and see.” He left her and went into the bathroom.

Ellen heard the water running. She undressed and slipped into a thin robe.

“You don’t need that. I’ve already seen you naked.” Jack undid the tie and let her robe fall to the floor. “Gorgeous.” He kissed her mouth and nuzzled her neck. “I’d like to do more, but this isn’t the time.” Picking her up, he carried her to the tub and let her down carefully into the warm water. Then he walked briskly out.

She leaned her head against the back of the tub. He’d thrown some of her scented beads in the water, and the smell of roses tickled her nose. In the kitchen she heard him whistling.

Nanna was right. This was just what she needed before she slept. Her muscles ached and her insides were raw, like she’d raked her nails across them. And yet she felt lighter, both in weight and in mood, as though she’d excised an ugly boil and gotten rid of the poison. Silly, fanciful thoughts on the edge of falling asleep.

“No, you don’t. No drowning. I must get you to promise not to bathe unless Sahale or I are around. You have a tendency to want to fall asleep.” Jack sat on the side of the bathtub and handed her a cup of steaming tea.

Scents of flowers, mint, and something unfamiliar rose from the dark blue mug. She blew on the water before taking a sip. “Hmm, delicious.” She smiled at Jack. His blond hair was wavy on top, and fell in silky strands to his collar. Sherry-brown eyes had darkened to a chocolate color. Sensual lips were curved in a soft smile. He had a firm jaw. His broad shoulders filled out his light blue flannel shirt, and tight jeans hugged slim hips and long legs. He made her blood warm and race through her veins.

“See something you like?”

“Maybe. I’d have to unwrap the package to be sure.” For the first time she could remember, she was joking with a man.

Jack pulled her out of the tub and wrapped a towel around her. He dried her and carried her to the side of the bed before putting her down.

“Now you can unwrap your package.”

With hands not quite steady, she began at his top button. As she undid each button, she breathed in his musky, masculine scent. Her lips brushed across his chest as she managed to open his shirt and take it off. She stepped back, her legs bumping against the bed, and admired him.

He cupped her face in his hands, and gently kissed each eyelid, her cheeks, and briefly touched her lips. “Is that all the further you’re going?” The teasing lilt of his voice made her insides melt.

“Oh, no.” She undid his belt and button. Then moved his zipper slowly down. She glanced at his boots.

“No problem, sweetheart.” He sat on the bed and pulled first one and then the other off.

She pushed him backward onto the bed and yanked at his pants, pulling them and his underwear down and away. His large cock was fully aroused. When her hand circled him she felt the heat and pulsing. Kneeling between his legs, she explored the texture of his skin, the smooth top, the long ridge on the underside. A pearl of liquid tempted her. Her tongue licked across, taking the salty taste into her mouth.

Jack groaned. She looked at him. “Don’t stop now, darlin’.”

With one hand, she cupped his sac. With the other she held him firmly, and put her mouth over his satin hardness. She heard his sharp intake of breath. His fingers raked through the strands of her hair.

“Do you like that?”

He gave a harsh chuckle. “Do I like breathing?”