Just Her Luck (75 page)

“Yeah,” he said confidently, “They’d call back again if it was really important.”

He tugged me back by my shoulders and smoothed over my brow.

“Don’t worry so much, gremlin, they’ll be alright. It was probably nothing.”

“I hope so,” I mumbled miserably.

He slapped my ass suddenly, scaring the crap out of me.

I jumped and moved a few feet away.

“Now get on, woman! I’m hungry!” His voice boomed out as he bellowed at me, acting like he was going to slap me again.

“Hey!” I shouted, “What the fuck was that for?! What the hell, Reeve?!”

He grinned, backing me towards the house, hands reaching out in front of him.

He made them into claws and sped up as he acted like he was going to make a move towards me.

“You shouldn’t make me wait so long to eat, gremlin. You’re not the only one that gets funny when they’re made to wait, and you know how much I love dessert.”

“Oh,” I snorted, picking up my pace, tossing over my shoulder, “are you going to turn green or multiply, Reeviekins?”

“I’m sure if we tried real hard, made a real effort of it, we could maybe multiply,” he leered.

I burst out laughing.

He really gave chase this time, scooping me up when he caught up to me, laughing at my indignant squeals and tossing me over his shoulder, giving my ass a good thwack as he escorted me into the house.

My squeaks and screams of protest could probably be heard all the way to the next property, which was a bit away.

****

“And who says I’m not an awesome boyfriend?” Reeve teased, stroking my hair, fingers winding through it, holding me tucked up tight against him.

It was much later on that night, both of us home, safe and sound, back at the ranch.

We were cuddled up in his bed, watching an action flick on cable, listening to the rain pattering against the windowsill, my favorite quilt folded across the end of his bed.

It was coming down pretty hard, the rain a sharp contrast to the lovely weather from earlier today.

My old dresser, the one from my own house, was proudly displayed in the corner, opposite his, full of my clothes and topped with my crap.

“How do you figure that?” I shifted and turned in his embrace, facing him as he smiled down at me, a silly, happy grin on his face.

“You were upset and I made you forget. Now you see, since they haven’t called back, it was all fine. You worried yourself sick for nothin’.”

“Oh, sir of the surly pants? Is that so?”

I used my haughtiest voice, but a smile crept up my face.”

He caressed my cheek, leaning into my touch when I brushed my fingers over the scar on his.

“Yes, that is so,” he growled mock sternly.

I laughed.

“Well,” I giggled, “In that case, thank you.”

His erection nudged my thigh when he shifted, brushing my inner thigh.

“You’re very welcome, hell cat,” he purred, “You just let me know if you need any more
distractin’.”

I got all tingly, his voice getting deep with arousal, husky with that sexy timber. His accent was thicker, much more pronounced.

Even yummier.

I paused right before our lips touched, my hand pressing gently on his chest.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, Reeve…” I trailed off, biting my lips, hesitating.

“What?” His face sobered and looked concerned.

“I, uh, I….”

“Just say it, Vieve. What is it? What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know if I’m ready to get married just yet or if I’m ready to be a mommy,” I blurted, waiting for him to blow up.

He was quiet for long time, tense.

“With me or in general?” His voice was quiet and gruff, rough with emotions.

“NO!” I burst out, shaking my head vigorously, gripping him tight, just in case he thought to pull back, “No. I just meant everything is all happening so fast, you know? And I’m not used to it.
Any of it.
Hell,” I barked out a laugh, “I’m still trying to get used to the idea of
all
of you wanting
me
.
All of you.”

I looked at him pleadingly, hoping for understanding.

“Reeve… I love you,
I
know I do.
You
know I do. I’m just not ready for babies and marriage just yet. Plus… how could I pick between one of you to marry? I love all of you.”

“Hey. Hey,” he tucked my head under his chin, hands caressing my back, “That’s fine, baby. We don’t have to do any of that right
this
second, Vieve. I mean, I would love it more than anything to marry you and be with you forever, but I already know I am. I can wait for a silly piece of paper to make it legal if it means so much to you to wait. You’re already my wife, as far as I’m concerned, so you’re as good as done for with me anyways.
You’re stuck, gremlin
. Stuck with me,
forever
.”

I sighed in relief.

“It doesn’t really matter who you marry legally anyways, you’re still going to marry each of us separately, just without a stupid piece of paper. I’m not too worried, prison bait. You’ll still have my last name. You’ll still be mine.”

He swallowed hard, the action catching my attention.

I held him tighter, wondering what could have him pausing like that.

“And any babies you have, they’ll still be mine too and I’ll love ‘em, whether they’re really mine or not.”

Tears pricked at my eyes and I burrowed deeper into him, sniffling a little.

“Promise?” I whispered, making him laugh.

My voice came out funny and I chuckled a little too.

He gave me a squeeze.

“Promise.”

Ring Ding Ding-A-Ling

It was late when the phone rang in the house, the gloomy night before bleeding into the rest of the following day.

Good bye, sunshine. Hello, rain.

Reeve had left about an hour ago, heading into town for more groceries.

I’d opted to stay behind so I could make dinner while he was out.

If I plan this right, he’ll be home as I pop it out of the oven.

I wiped my hands and reached the phone just in time, catching it on the last ring.

“Hello?”

“Genny?”

“Ephraim! Hello, handsome, what has you…”

“We’re at the hospital, baby. Is Reeve with you?”

I froze, rooted to my spot.

“Hospital? What happened?! What hospital? Who…” I panicked, grabbing my keys up to make a mad dash.

“Hey, it’s okay, baby. He’s fine, really…”

“Who’s fine?!!!” I shouted, my heart pounding, hands shaking, clutching the phone in a death grip, not even realizing my knuckles were turning white.

Oh, my god! Someone’s hurt! Enough to be at the hospital!

“What the hell happened?!” I shrieked, talking over him as he tried to explain.

There was a scuffling sound, a rustle, and then someone else started talking.

“Girly?”

“Bo, what’s going on?! Who the fuck is hurt?!” my voice cracked and I felt a raging headache coming on.

“Thatcher, but he’s alright now. Don’t worry, sweetheart, we’re not too far from home and we’ll head there after they release him.”

“Release him? Release him! They don’t have to
release
people who are perfectly fine!”

Thatcher!

My sexy rakehell is hurt!

I growled in frustration.

“What hospital are you at?!” I demanded.

“There’s no need for…”

“Where are you?!!!” I boomed.

He named the hospital.

I knew of it since it wasn’t too far from Barry’s house.

“I’m on my way.”

I turned off the oven and headed for the door.

“Sweetheart…”

“Don’t you ‘sweetheart’ me! I said I’ll be there, I’ll be there!”

He chuckled a little, sounding exhausted.

“Alright, girly. I’ll see you in a bit.”

“Thank you.” I sounded much calmer now.

“He’s gonna make a fuss when you show up, don’t you think you could wait until we bring him home to see him?”

“No, and if I was there, I’d slap you for even suggesting it.” I sniffed disdainfully and huffed loudly.

“Sorry, sweetheart.” He didn’t sound very sorry.

He sounded amused, as per usual when it comes to him and me.

“Sorry, my ass,” I muttered under my breath. “I’m leaving now.” I jiggled my keys by the phone. “Keep calling for me at the house since sir grumpy britches won’t use a cell phone. He should be back within the hour.”

“Can do. Love you, Genevieve. Drive careful, ya hear?”

“Who do you think I am?”

He snorted.

“Keep it under eighty, woman. I know
exactly
who you are.”

I bristled and huffed.

He laughed.

“You know, you’re awfully cheery for someone whose brother is really hurt.”

“He’ll be fine, sweetheart.”

“I’ll be the judge of that!” I scoffed and hurried off, scurrying out the door.

****

I got there in record time, keeping to Bo’s wishes to keep it under eighty.

Does seventy nine the whole way count?

I ran like my buns were on fire, scaring, I mean, uh,
gently coercing
a male nurse into telling me which direction my blonde-haired rogue was.

I gasped when I walked into his room.

Thatcher’s entire lower leg was encased in a bulky cast, his eyes a little glassy when he looked up and saw me.

He smiled, a sweet, little boy like smile, my frantic heart stuttering a little at the extremely pleased look on his face, so happy to see me.

“Oh, well… helllloooo there, pretty lady. What brings you here?”

He opened his arms up wide, and I walked right into them, careful of his leg, hugging him tight.

“What happened, my little cupcake?” I whispered, teasing, “You’re gone on one measly camping trip and you somehow manage to break your leg?”

“I might have broken my wrist too,” he said easily, nodding his head towards the swollen appendage he was holding up.

“Put it down! Don’t wiggle it around!” I snapped.

I put his hand down gently on the bed, and he grinned, sniffing my hair as I bent slightly over him.

He mumbled whatever he was saying into my neck, his good hand gripping my ass as he nibbled little kisses to my lips.

“What on earth are you doing, blondie?” I pulled back and looked at him incredulously.

He sighed contentedly and let me push him away, a gentle nudge sending him sprawling back against his pillows.

“Ah, you must be Mrs. Harrison?” a doctor greeted as he walked into the room. “The nurse, mmm, informed me you were on your way.”

“Yes! Yes, she is!” Thatcher shouted, way too loud for my liking.

I patted his shoulder, hushing him.

He quieted down immediately.

Frowning down at himself, he started rummaging around in his bed sheets, looking for something, patting his hospital gown.

“I have the ring and everything,” he mumbled, “I just can’t find it. Where did I put…”

He lifted up the sheets and glanced down, then back again, doing a double take.

He blinked down in disbelief.

“Vieve, check this out.” He nudged me, motioning for me to have a look see. “I’m naked!”

I blushed, taking his hand in mine, yanking it away from the sheet with a hard tug and giving the doctor an innocent enough expression.

The doctor chuckled, took one look at my face and began coughing to cover it up.

“You were saying?” I prompted, snagging his attention.

“Oh, yes. The wrist is just sprained, we’ll wrap it up and he can get on out of here.”

I felt Thatcher’s hand trailing up my ass, having slid out of my fingers pinching tight grasp while the doc was talking.

“So, he’s okay, then? Other than a broken leg?”

I slapped Thatcher’s hand away.

He grunted.

“No signs of concussion or any other injury, so yes.”

I smiled in relief.

He nodded at Thatcher.

“How are you feeling, Mr. Harrison? Any pain?”