Promises of Mercy(Montana Promises-Book 1) (17 page)

“You want my mother filling Amber’s head with what a jerk you can be?”

Both Craig and Dad laughed. Cade pushed back his chair and picked up
some plates. They moved between the kitchen and dining room so swiftly that his mother wasn’t given the chance to tell Amber anything bad about either one of them.

When they finished, his mom brought out a lit cake and they all sang happy birthday. Amber’s voice was clear and on key—probably the only one in the room
who was.

As Katie blew out the candles, he leaned over to Amber. “I’m guessing her wish is to be here next year.”

Amber swallowed then smiled. “She will be.”

That was what he wanted to hear. The chocolate cake seemed to taste better this year, most likely because Amber was sharing it with them. 

His mom stood. “Let’s open the presents now. I’ll pick up the plates later.”

They all convened back into the living room where Katie received a protective cover for her laptop from Craig, a gift certificate to the Apple Store from Dad, and a pretty scarf from Mom.

Katie shook the present from Cade. “What’s this?” She glanced at his roommate.

“Got to open it to find out.”

Stone hadn’t even asked what it was.

When she unwrapped the small box, her eyes went wide. “Oh, Cade. It’s gorgeous.” She held up a green stone pendant.

Amber moved next to Katie. “This is amazing.”

When Amber fingered the well-crafted item and smiled, Stone tried to remember if he’d ever seen her wear jewelry like that. He
didn’t.

Cade grinned. “Trish Duggen is now making jewelry.”

“Next time I see her, I’ll have to thank her,” Katie said.

“Open our present,” Stone nodded to the remaining gift. “This is from me and Amber.”

Amber twisted toward him and slightly shook her head. He smiled. He wanted her to feel part of the family. Katie picked up the package and shook it. “I can’t imagine what it is.”

“Open it.” This came from Amber.

His sister ripped the paper, and he loved watching Amber wince at seeing her artwork torn to pieces. When Katie held up the canvas bag and lifted the flap she gasped.

She glanced between them. “I can’t believe it. Mom, look!” She pulled out the yarn and showed her the needles.

“That’s wonderful, dear. Why, you haven’t crocheted anything in years.”

“I know, but I’ve been thinking about picking it back up again. It really relaxes me.” She leaned over and hugged Amber.

At first, Amber stiffened, but after a moment, she hugged his sister back. Stone’s heart both warmed and ached at the lack of love Amber had in her life. He vowed to make it better if it was the last thing he did.

Chapter Nineteen

After the birthday party, Cade and Stone took Amber riding. It had been a long time since she’d been on a horse and now every inch of her body was sore. Part was because of her activity with her men last night, but the rest was because of the need to hold on for dear life.
She used muscles she hadn’t needed in years.

Cade had spent so much time at the Benson ranch he’d learned how to ride well, though not quite as expertly as Stone. Several times, the two had raced in front of her, turned around, and then hauled ass back. She never was quite sure what the bet had been, but they had her laughing with their antics.

After two hours of showing off, they must have been able to tell when enough was enough because they guided her back to the barn at a leisurely pace. Once they brushed the horses down and put them in their stalls, she made them promise to take her out again.

While her time outside had been wonderful, she was ready to get home and relax. As Stone pulled in front of her house, she unbuckled her seatbelt and faced him. “I’d love for you to come in, but I need—”

He smiled. “I know. You need a little down time, not only to think things through, but to rest.” His gaze dropped between her legs and heat rushed to her cheeks.

She laughed. It was dumb to be embarrassed after their amazing love session. She still couldn’t believe these men wanted her. 

He clasped her hand. “Let me walk you to the door.”

“As long as I get a good
night kiss.”

“Promise.”
He helped her out of the truck and escorted her up the steps. After she unlocked the door, she faced him for her reward.

Stone dragged a knuckle down her cheek. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

She slipped her hands around his neck. “You better.”

Stone leaned in and brushed his lips across hers then tapped her nose. “I can’t get started, or you know what will happen.”

Wetness had already pooled between her legs. She had it bad. “That I do.”

She waited at the steps until he
entered his car. As soon as he drove off, she went inside. Needing some girlfriend time, she called Jamie. It always helped to have a sounding board. Amber had called her yesterday morning and told her about birthday shopping for Stone’s sister and the party. While Jamie already knew she’d been with Cade, Amber hadn’t divulged she’d slept with them both, yet.

Jamie
had told her Ben would be playing poker tonight with some of the other pharmaceutical techs. Apparently, one of the men’s brothers was some gambling pro, and he was here for a visit. Personally, she didn’t see Ben as the type to play cards, but maybe he was ready for a guy's night out after everything that had been going on at the hospital.

She called and
Jamie answered on the second ring. “Hey, girlfriend. How did the birthday party go? Hold it. Why aren’t you with your men?”

“I’ll see them tomorrow.” She let out a laugh that sounded fake even to her ears. “I needed a break to digest all that’s happened.” Wasn’t that the truth? Witnessing how a real family acted had given her pause. Ellie’s warmth only served to highlight how cold her mother was. The hugs, the smiles, along with everyone’s willingness to help
clean up showed her what she’d missed growing up. Yes, she’d had Chris, but he had his own friends, his own dreams.

“I can only imagine.” Jamie’s comment mentally brought her back.

“Want to come over for some girl time?” She swiped the tear threatening to spill, praying her voice hadn’t divulged the extent of her dark thoughts.

She should be ecstatic
right now. After all, she’d watched Stone and Cade interact like they were teenagers again, and the sex they’d shared had been beyond her wildest dreams. But in the back of her mind, she kept waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop. Everyone in her life had abandoned her—her dad, her mom, and then Rich. Why should anything be different now?

“Are you kidding? Hell yeah. I’ll even bring the popcorn.”

“Give me half an hour. I have to shower.”
And gather my thoughts
.

“Perfect.”

Refusing to let her pity party ruin her visit with Jamie, she forced herself to think only positive thoughts. Once Amber stepped into the shower, she let the heat pour over her body and soothe her aching muscles. Being with the Benson family had been amazing and eye opening. Riding with her men had given her a tremendous sense of freedom that she cherished.

As she scrubbed clean, she daydreamed about
having made love with two men. Given how her mother had raised her, she should be embarrassed for wanting two men, but she wasn’t. The incredible sensations still ran through her veins.

When the water cooled, she shut off the valve and stepped out. Jamie would be here in a few minutes. Amber wanted to chill, so she tossed on flannel pajamas and slippers and went back to the living room to gather the needed items for the evening—wine and cheese.

The doorbell rang within minutes, and she ushered Jamie inside. “Thanks for coming over.” She wrapped her arms around her, glad for the company.

Jamie waved the popcorn. “How about we pop first and then you spill?”

“Spill?”

“You haven’t had a chance to tell me what happened with the birthday present shopping.”

That seemed like forever ago. They walked into the kitchen. “Stone knew nothing about crocheting.” Amber told her about picking out a really cool bag and all the accessories. “Then we went grocery shopping, and Stone and I made dinner together.”

“That’s so romantic.”

“I know.”

“Did you two talk about Cade?”

“More or less. Stone insisted he wasn’t upset and said he was happy Cade and I had patched things up.”

The
microwave dinged signaling the popcorn was done. Once she’d dumped it in a bowl, they walked into the living room where she curled up on the sofa next to Jamie. Amber handed the bowl to her. “So after we ate, one thing led to another.”

Jamie’s mouth opened. “You made love with him? Was it amazing? How would you compare him to Cade?”

She laughed. “I refuse to compare them. They’re different in a lot of ways.”

“Start from the beginning.”

Amber inhaled. “So Stone and I were in the living room—naked—when Cade walked in.”

Jamie’s eyes widened. “What did you guys do?”

“Let him join in.”

Jamie
clamped a hand over her mouth. “Benny would never allow me to do anything like that, not that I want to, but sometimes…”

Amber had never seen any doubt in Jamie’s eyes before. “Sometimes what?”

Jamie stuffed popcorn into her mouth and chewed. Finally, she finished. “Benny is almost too perfect. Too kind.”

Amber knew that. Everyone did. “What’s the problem?”

“Please don’t think less of me, but I kind have been interested in trying a little kink—not the two men kind of kink—but something a little more than vanilla. I brought it up once, but Benny just sighed. He said he could never hurt me.”

“What did you ask him to do?” Jamie seemed too sweet to be adventurous.

Her friend shook her head. “All I asked for him to tie me up with a scarf or something, and maybe get a little spanking. Nothing major.”

“He co
uldn’t think a scarf would hurt, would he?”

Jamie sighed. “
A spanking might. It doesn’t matter. Benny won’t go for it. You know how Benny hates to see anyone suffer. You weren’t in Rock Hard yet, but I had this mutt I loved with my whole being. He was old and had cancer, but he was my best friend. When I came back from work one night, Beau had died. I lost it and called Benny. We weren’t even dating at the time, but he’d told me how much he loved animals.”

“What did he do?”

“He rushed right over. He’d never met Beau, but he held me and wept along with me. Then with more care than possible, he wrapped him up, placed him in his doggie bed, and drove him to the vet’s.”

Amber poured
the wine she’d set on the coffee table. “That’s so like Ben. He’s a keeper.” She clasped Jamie’s hand. “By the way, there’s nothing wrong with vanilla sex.”

“I know, but I want more passion.”

Amber smiled at the erotic image of Cade plastering her against the door and taking her hard.

“What is it?” Jamie asked.

“I can’t talk about being tied up or
being spanked, but I can tell you about passion.”

* *

The next few days went by in a blur. Amber occasionally spotted a detective at the hospital asking questions about Stephanie Osmond, but so far she hadn’t seen Cade there. He’d called her Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, each time to apologize for having to work late. Stone phoned, too, but his days off didn’t fit into her schedule. It was highly frustrating.

When her
cell rang Thursday morning, excitement raced through her. She was just finishing with a patient, so the timing was perfect. Smiling, she ducked into the hallway and strolled toward the break room. “Hey, stranger.”

“I
only have a minute to talk.” Cade kept his voice low. “Are you free Friday after you get off work?”

“I am.”

“I want us to be together.”

Music to my ears
. “Me, too.”

“I
wish it were sooner though. I miss you.”

She chuckled. “Back at you.” His sentimental attitude never ceased to amaze her. “What about Stone?” She held her breath.

“Sorry, sugar. He pulled the late shift, but he’ll be free on Saturday. Maybe the three of us can come up with something to do then.”

The practical side of a ménage relationship was exposing its ugly head. “That wor
ks for me.”

“How about I pick you up at your house at six on Friday?”

“Perfect.”

She was about to ask where they were going so she’d know how to dress, but
someone called his name. He disconnected before she had the chance. Darn. She missed him already.

Friday night? Uh-oh
. Two days ago, Cade said he had something to do that night, so she’d made tentative plans to be with Jamie and Ben. Now she had to cancel. It sucked, but Jamie hadn’t been sure if they could make it anyway.

Since she had a few minutes free, she took the elevator to the hospice floor to let Jamie know. Before she found
her friend, she wanted to see how Jennifer Seely was doing today. Amber sucked in a breath and squared her shoulders.

She’d stopped by Monday and again yesterday,
but each visit became harder than the last knowing this was the end. Jenn had been one of her favorite patients. As she headed down the hallway, she dared a glance into the rooms. Most of the patients appeared to be asleep. It was sad enough when the person was old, but it was even harder when that person hadn’t fully lived her life.

As she passed the room right before Jenn’s, she slowed then backed up. The door was slightly ajar and she caught a gli
mpse of Ben’s bright red hair. “Knock, knock.” She peeked in at him bending over someone. She hadn’t realized he knew any of the hospice patients.

Ben turned around and looked a
bit startled. “Oh, hey, Amber. What are you doing here?”

That was what she was about to ask him. She could understand why he’d question her though. She rarely came on this floor. “I wanted to see how Jennifer Seely was doing. She transferred up here a couple of days ago.”

He strode toward her. “Oh.”

“I also came up to find Jamie, but I can tell you instead. I have to cancel on Friday.”

He ushered her out the door and closed it. “Why? Hot date?” He winked as if he knew about what she, Cade, and Stone had done.

“As a matter of fact, yes. Is
that okay? I promise we’ll get together soon.” She hadn’t had both of them over since Chris had died.

“No problem. We never committed anyway. We might have to visit with Jamie’s aunt. I’ll let her know.”

He turned to leave, but Amber clasped his shoulder and nodded to the woman inside. “Who is she?”

His eyes slightly widened.
“That’s my cousin. Real shame. She only has a few days to live.”

“Your cousin?” She thought she knew everything about Ben.

“I never mentioned her because we drifted apart after mom died. She only moved back to Rock Hard after she found out she was sick.”

“I’m sorry.
I’m surprised Jamie never mentioned her.”

“She doesn’t know.” He placed a finger to his lips. “Shh. I want to spare her. She goes through enough.” He checked his watch. “Listen. My break’s over and I gotta go, but we’ll reschedule for sure.” Ben looked down the hallway
then back at her. He barely made eye contact. “Have fun with your man.”

“Will do.” She watched him stride down the hallway with hurried steps—and Ben never hurried. Amber shook her head. Maybe he was upset and needed to get away.