Love Under Two Jessops (29 page)

Chloe looked down at his bandaged hands, and then met his gaze again. Her right eyebrow went up and she knew he got her point.

Andrew stepped closer, standing beside and between them, connecting them. He bent down and kissed at her tears, too. Then he placed his hand on her shoulder and stroked down her back. His message was clear. They were there, together, the three of them.

They were a single unit.

“Okay, Smokey the Bear, let’s get your ashes into my exam room.”

Chloe nearly giggled at the tone Robert Jessop used. Grant looked over at his eldest brother and narrowed his eyes. “Hundreds of comedians out of work and you’re trying to crack jokes?”

Robert grinned. “It gets better. The dads are on their way.”

Grant groaned. “Well, hell. Look, Robbie, the EMT already patched me up, see? I’ve got bandages and everything.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t get the man’s name? He was Doctor…?”

Chloe could imagine what life had been like for her men with Robert as a big brother. Jillian said, “Room one. It’s ready and big enough to fit everyone.”

Moments later, Chloe stood back with Andrew, his arms around her from behind, while Robert and David gently removed the bandages from Grant’s hands. Chloe winced, because his hands were red and looked a little swollen.

“First degree,” Robert said, and Chloe sensed he was talking to David. “Did the EMT cool them for you?”

“He used a light compress. It really doesn’t hurt all that much.”

“Let’s get them in a basin of cool water for a few minutes, see if that helps.”

Despite the sometimes rough teasing, Chloe noted that the doctors were infinitely gentle as they soaked their brother’s hands.

“So what happened?” David asked.

“I was looking over a property I thought might be a possible target for our arsonist, and the next thing I knew, I heard the sound of accelerant igniting. There were three hotspots, one on top of the other, quickly lit. He must have surrounded the house with whatever he used, and soaked it good for it to go up like that. I even smelled the stuff, but I thought what I was smelling was a leaky fuel tank standing upwind from me.” Grant shook his head. “As soon as I realized what had happened I didn’t waste any time. The wall appeared, and then I took a deep breath and ran for safety.”

“You ran
through
a wall of fire?” David stopped what he was doing and said that in a tone that Chloe thought of as “careful.”

“You know that saying, he who hesitates?” Grant shrugged. “If I’d waited, it would have given the fire line time to thicken. So I ran, with my hands covering my face, then hit the ground, tucked, and rolled on the other side.”

“I don’t think I like your job,” David said.

“Usually, it’s not that dangerous. When I go out on a fire call, I have my equipment, and I’m never alone. This just sort of happened.”

“Once we get your hands bandaged again, little brother, you’re going to strip.”

“Sorry, Robbie, but with my hands bandaged, I won’t be able to.”

“We undressed you plenty when you were a baby and then a toddler. I imagine between us, we can still manage the chore.”

Chloe looked over toward the new voice, and saw both of the senior Drs. Jessop standing there in the door frame. The concern was plain on their faces, but so was the love.

“Jesus, Dads. It’s just my hands that are burnt. I
swear
it.”

“Yes,
your
hands, son,” Dr. James said.

“Your shirt looks a little singed, too,” Dr. Adam said.

“And you’ll need to trim your hair,” David said, “because that got kissed by the flames as well.”

“So be a good boy and do as you’re told,” Robert said, “and if you do, we’ll see that Jillian lets you pick a toy from the treasure chest.”

Grant opened his mouth, and Chloe wondered what he would have said if his mother hadn’t made a place for herself between her husbands just then.

He turned his head and his gaze met Chloe’s. She smiled, and gave him a half shrug, letting him know that she, too, wanted him to undergo a complete exam.

“Fine. Do what you will. I’ll behave, but I don’t have to like it.”

“That seems only fair, darling, since we certainly do not like seeing you hurt.”

A fairly small woman, Pamela Jessop proved that size didn’t matter in the least. Her son, who dwarfed her by a good one and a half feet, met her gaze and then said, “Sorry, Mother.”

Chloe stood with the family, forming a semicircle behind her baby sister. She’d never seen Carrie smile so wide, never saw her looking so damned happy—well, except for the night before when, at the Big House, she and Chase were legally married.

Samantha Kendall stood before them all as celebrant, and Grandma Kate had insinuated herself between Chloe and Andrew, as the short ceremony was performed.

Behind her, among all the friends and family in attendance, stood new friends—the day before, when Carrie had come into the spa for one of their practice sessions, she’d invited all three of Chloe’s regular employees to come to the ceremony.

Her sister hadn’t met Sandra O’Brien yet, or she would have been invited as well.

The words Carrie, Chase, and Brian spoke to each other moved her, and she didn’t mind that she had tears, or if anyone saw them. Here was the best proof in the world that people could completely heal after suffering the worst tragedy imaginable.

Grant handed her a tissue, and she grinned, even as she took it and blotted her eyes. He must have had it close at hand to offer it. His hands were nearly, but not completely, healed, and Chloe thought he was dealing with the frustration of his physical limitations well.

Especially considering that she’d told him that they couldn’t make love, all three of them together, until he was healed.

She wasn’t trying to be cruel. She was just worried sick about doing anything that would add to his pain, even a little.

They slept together each night in the big bed at their place—with her in the middle—so she knew how much his injuries had hurt those first few nights. Thankfully, it
was
only his hands that had been damaged. If he’d been wearing chinos instead of the tough denim he’d had on that day, his legs might have been burned, too.

Grant leaned over and kissed her forehead, which did a good job of bringing her back to the moment.

Samantha Kendall spread her hands and smiled. “And now, your journey begins, and your adventure awaits. May you ever remain steadfast, one in the others, and may love light your way, always.”

A cheer went up in the community center and shouts of “congratulations” rang in the air. Chloe turned to see what her girls thought of the whole thing, and was pleased to see each of them with damp eyes and sweet smiles—even Ari.

“I have to say that is the most unique ceremony I’ve ever attended.” Carol Ashwood moved next to Chloe as the newly pledged continued to receive hugs and greetings from their guests.

“It’s the first I’ve actually attended,” Chloe said. “And I have to admit, it got me a little choked up.”

Carol nodded. “I was of the opinion that only women got emotional at weddings—that’s really what this is, in my mind. But as I looked around, there were plenty of men who seemed emotional, too.”

“This town has more heart than any place I’ve lived in, save one.” She thought of Divine, and some of the women she’d gotten to know through her work.

“I’m looking forward to Monday,” Carol said.

“Me, too.” Chloe put her arm around her and steered her to a large table that Andrew and Grant had secured. “Come and join us. There’s a fabulous buffet, and there’ll be music and drink. I do believe it is time to party.”

Her men had steered Tasha and Ari over, so they wouldn’t be left on their own in the midst of the somewhat boisterous crowd. It didn’t surprise her one bit when Grandma Kate came over and made a place for herself between Tasha and Ari.

I should mark the day on the calendar and see how long it takes
.

Carrie and her men came over, of course, as they traveled from table to table. Tasha demanded to look at her rings, and of course, Carrie obliged.

“Oh, that is some awesomely beautiful bling,” Tasha said.

Carrie preened. “Yeah. They’ve spoiled me, no doubt about it.”

“Are you going on a honeymoon?” Carol asked.

“Not yet. Maybe in the fall. We want to focus on the ranch for right now.” She looked at both her husbands and grinned. “That’s an argument I won, and they’re still not happy about. But I figure, we’re together forever, so there’s lots of time to have a honeymoon later.”

Chase shrugged. “Ricoh is working out pretty well as our foreman, and he sure does know a hell of a lot about horses. But we would feel better if we got things just a little further along before we take a couple of weeks off.”

Carol nodded. “I was raised on a ranch outside of Abilene. I know all about putting the critters first, sometimes.”

Chloe was a little surprised to see those two investigators, Mr. Richardson and Mr. Talbot, at the ceremony. They were standing talking to Jake and Adam Kendall. Then Caleb and Jonathan Benedict joined them, and she could see the liking and respect between the men.

Ginny came over to hug Carrie, and made appropriate noises over her sister’s pretty rings. Then she came and stood beside Chloe, and followed Chloe’s line of sight. She nodded toward the men. “We’ll be seeing those two private dicks off and on, I reckon, until they solve the case they’re working on for y’all. Kate invited them, but I think they’re almost considered as a part of the family. Did you know that Mel Richardson and Caleb Benedict were partners for a time in the Rangers?”

“I didn’t.” Actually that bit of information made her feel a lot more confident in the job the investigators would be doing.

Then Ginny said, “I don’t think it’s just old friendships that brought them here today, either. I just can’t figure out how Kate knew that they’re both sweet on Emily Anne.”

They were? That was news to her, but as she thought about it, Chloe realized the clues were right there in front of her, the day she and Carrie had had lunch with the investigators, and she’d missed them.

Ginny hugged her, and then headed off toward her husbands.

A live band had set up in the back corner and was testing their instruments. Consisting of two guitars, a keyboard, and drums, the band was completely local and hadn’t, she’d been told, had a vocalist for nearly two years.

Chloe had heard them here at the monthly dances, and thought they did pretty good instrumental covers of most songs—mainly country—that they played.

“Huh. Looks like someone’s going to sing,” Andrew said. Chloe noticed the single microphone being set up and raised her eyebrow when her sister rubbed her hands together.

“Oh, boy. I’m so excited.”

Once the instruments were in tune, one of the musicians nodded, and a lone woman, dressed in a baby blue silk shirt, white jeans, and cowboy hat, walked up to the makeshift stage. One of the musicians gave her a hand up, and then she turned to face the crowd.

Chloe’s jaw dropped. “Is that Emily Anne?
Our
Emily Anne?”

Carrie nodded and grinned. “It is indeed.”

“I didn’t know she could sing.”

“I kind of found out about three weeks ago. I’ve been wheedling and beggin’ her ever since.”

“Hey, y’all.” Emily Anne’s cheeks looked a bit pinker than normal. Chloe didn’t think it was because the woman was wearing makeup.

Her gaze tracked over to the two investigators, and she realized instantly that Ginny had been right. She didn’t think she’d ever seen two men so completely enthralled by a woman before. She felt her grin and knew anyone looking at her would think she was maybe laughing at a private joke.

“Oh, Emily Anne. I think your life is going to get real interesting.”

“What did you say, baby girl?” Grant asked.

“I’ll tell you later.” Chloe sat back and with the rest of the guests, kept her attention on Emily Anne.

“This song is a very special request from our bride, Carrie—to her two cowboys.”

She stepped back and nodded to the lead guitar player. Chloe recognized the opening strains of Faith Hill’s “Breathe.” And then Emily Anne began to sing.

Chloe figured that the town of Lusty experienced their very own Susan Boyle moment, right there at her sister’s wedding.

* * * *

She was out of bed early, way earlier than she needed to be, and even before the firefighters stirred, and that was saying something. But today was a special day. In fact, she thought it just might be the most important day in her life, to date.

Well, except for that day they finally brought me to their bed.

She crept as quietly as she could into the bathroom, easing the door almost closed behind her. So many things were running through her head at the moment and she couldn’t make sense of any of them.

She turned on the shower—huge for just herself—and when the water was heated, stepped under the spray. She couldn’t, however, close her mind and enjoy the wet.