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

  Ellen stood and impulsively threw her arms around him. “Thank you so much.” She started crying harder. Now that she knew Montlief was going to recover, the fear and anxiety came out in floods of tears and shaking.

  Sahale wrapped his arms around her and held her close. Jack, who’d brought her and then stepped back, came forward and rubbed her shoulders and neck. For what seemed a long time, she stood in their circle as their warmth and security comforted her. As her tears slowed and the shaking stopped, Jack stepped back. Sahale loosened his grip.

  “I’m so embarrassed. I never cry or fall apart.”

  “You’ve been through a lot the past few days. I’d be concerned if you didn’t react,” Sahale said.

  Now that she had settled down, it dawned on her that both of them had been touching her, comforting her. A rush of heat went to her face.

  Jack sauntered across the room from where he’d been leaning against the wall. His fingers ran across her cheek. “You’re blushing.”

  She frowned at him and turned to go to the door. “I need to see Sara and Morgan.”

  “Morgan left this morning on a trip with Ethan. She’ll be back in a few days,” Jack said, still closing in on her.

  Taking long strides to the door, she spoke over her shoulder. “I can find my way back to Sara’s.”

  A hand reached over her head and shut the door she’d opened. She already recognized their different scents. Sahale was at her back. He touched her shoulder.

  “I have a meeting with Daren at the ranch house. I’ll take you in my truck.”

  She’d let out a sigh of relief when he added, “Do you want a ride to your office, Jack?”

  “Sure.”

  Ellen had turned to face them. “What about Devil? You can’t just leave him here.”

  “My assistant will walk him to the barn. It’s not far.” Sahale put his arm around her shoulder. “Come on then, let’s go.”

  They put her in the middle. She was dwarfed by their large bodies. In spite of her trying to hold herself in place, every time they hit a bump or took a turn, she ended up leaning against one of them.

  Jack’s office was in the hospital. After they dropped him off, Ellen moved across the seat next to the right-side door. Sahale glanced at her, but didn’t make a comment.

  When he stopped in front of Sara’s home and Daren’s office, she jumped out and ran inside.

  “There you are. Tessa told me you had breakfast with Jack. I thought he must have taken you to see Montlief.” Sara glanced behind Ellen. “Hello, Sahale. Thank you for rescuing my friend and taking care of her dog.”

  “I was happy to do it, Sara. Is Daren in the office?”

  “Yes, he and Mitch are waiting to talk with you.”

  Ellen watched Sahale stroll down a short hall off the main room. His body was poetry in motion. Wide shoulders, lean hips, and long legs all moving confidently forward. His black hair was pulled back and held with a piece of leather. She wondered how he’d look with it loose around his face.

  “You’ve got it bad.”

  “What? Did I miss something?”

  “I’ve spoken to you twice. You never heard me.” Sara smiled at her as though she’d read her thoughts.

  Ellen took a deep breath. “I’m not myself. All the fear over Montlief and men following me seems to have rattled my brain.”

  “I won’t tease you. If you want to call it rattling your brain, you can.”

  “I have no idea what you are talking about,” Ellen protested.

  “Yes you do. Let’s go visit with Caitlin for a few minutes, and then we’ll go riding.”

  “Good, I’d like that.” She followed Sara to Caitlin’s room. At least I’ll have time to get myself under control before I see Sahale or Jack again.

  * * * *

  “Sit down.” Mitch directed Sahale to a seat. “Good work on getting Ellen out of there and saving her dog.”

  “It was your and Daren’s idea to send me. I was in the right place at the right time.”

  “You think they planned to take her last night?” Mitch asked.

  “I’m sure. They poisoned her dog thinking she’d panic and go out to take him to the vet. She probably would have. Not in panic, but because she had to do something for him. They’d have followed and cornered her before she got there.

  “Having Sara’s bracelet worked well. I was right around the corner watching her apartment and the van when I got the message to go in.”

  Daren looked across at Sahale from where he had slouched in his chair. “Mitch and I are wondering what they expected to get out of her. Sure, she’s been here several times, but she wouldn’t know as much as Bill must have told them. Although he gave them little information.”

  “Sara says Ellen was married. She’s never discussed anything about her ex-husband with her two best friends. Even being a private person it’s strange she’s said nothing,” Mitch said.

  Daren sat straight and leaned forward. “We need to know what they want from her. My guess is it relates to her ex-husband. If we let her stay, we have to know all about her first, before making that decision. I offered her the chance to make this her home. She’s considering the possibility.”

  “You think I can get her to tell me?”

  “You’ve done it with others,” Mitch reminded him.

  “Maybe I better tell you that Jack and I are determined to marry her.”

  “Shit.” Mitch sat back and stared at Sahale.

  “We’re going to go through all of this again. The men who need to do the job are distracted by their hormones.” Daren sank back into his chair and grinned. “The day we met Sara had deeper ramifications than we expected. Thank goodness she doesn’t have any more friends for our warriors to meet.”

  Sahale shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. Until all the warriors are wed, the same thing is going to happen. Once we scent the right one, there’s no fighting it.”

  “No. Justin proved that when he tried with Morgan,” Mitch said.

  “Will you talk with her and find out what we need?” Daren asked.

  “Yes, but not in my usual way. I’ll get her to agree to tell me her story. She’ll want to know the reason. I’m going to be truthful. It’s going to be hard enough as it is to get her trust.”

  “Are you sure she’s the one for you two? She has always seemed reserved, not friendly, and a little hard,” Mitch said.

  “Wait until we unwrap the whole package. You’ll be surprised at what we uncover. She’s hidden herself well under protective layers. We’re sure she’s the right one.”

  “All right,” Mitch said. “Keep in contact.”

  Sahale looked around for Ellen on his way out, but Tessa told him she’d gone riding with Sara. He’d check on Montlief, then talk with Jack. He had an idea of how to get Ellen aside and ask her about the information they needed.

  He wished this had come later, after he and Jack had gotten closer to her in terms of knocking those walls down. But he understood the urgency to know what she had those guys wanted. From past experience, those types of men weren’t afraid to make risky moves to get whatever it was.

  Montlief barked enthusiastically when he saw Sahale. Sahale knelt beside him and rubbed along his flank. “You’re feeling better, buddy. I’m sure Ellen’s going to be by here to see you soon.”

  “She’s already been by,” one of his assistants said. “She and Sara stopped for a few minutes.”

  “Good.” Sahale gave Montlief a pat and walked down the hall to check on the other animals. He had a full day’s work that needed to be done in half a day.

  * * * *

  Ellen and Sara rode across the colorful prairie. Wildflowers of yellow, red, and white waved in the breeze, creating the illusion of a rollicking sea. Overhead the sky was an intense blue, and off in the distance, snow-covered mountains rose majestically to the sky. An eagle floated overhead on the thermal waves.

  “It really is a beautiful place,” Ellen said.
/>   “I love it here. Of course, my husbands are here and that helps, but I think I’d love this land anyway. The vastness, the quiet, and the peace.”

  “Was it difficult to decide to marry two men and adjust to that lifestyle?” Ellen’s face heated. She had to ask someone. She knew Sara would give her an honest answer.

  “Yes about deciding. I struggled with my love for them, and the fact that their lifestyle was so different than any I’d envisioned for myself.”

  “What was the deciding factor?”

  “I suppose a number of things. But mainly, I loved Mitch and Daren so much I couldn’t picture myself without them in my life. Once I realized love was more important than anything else, the rest fell into place.” Sara turned in her saddle to look at Ellen. “Are you beginning to have feelings for Sahale and Jack?”

  Ellen started to deny the truth, but this was Sara. They didn’t lie to each other.

  “They’re both a bit overwhelming in size. Of course I’m grateful to Sahale for saving Montlief, and for Jack helping Morgan.” Ellen stared across the land at the mountains as they slowly rode along. “But there is something more. I don’t want to feel anything but gratitude toward them,” she said and heard the frustration in her voice.

  “Give yourself time to settle in here. I’ve arranged for you to stay in the cabin Morgan used. You could stay with us, but if you are seriously thinking of living here you need to see how it would be on your own. Time will solve whatever is going to be or not be between you and Sahale and Jack.”

  “I’d like the cabin. I hate imposing on you, and I’m used to being on my own.”

  “Enough serious talk. Let’s ride.” Sara took off across the open space.

  Ellen rode slowly for a few more minutes thinking about all that had happened this past twenty-four hours. As Sara said, time would solve many of her questions. Sara was a dim spot on the horizon. She’d better catch up with her friend.

  They stopped under a small group of trees and sat in the shade. Sara pulled a thermos, two cups, and sandwiches out of her saddle bag. “Tea, peanut butter sandwiches, and dessert.” Sara reached back in and pulled out a bag of chocolate chip cookies. “I love stopping for lunch.”

  “Who takes care of Caitlin while you’re gone?”

  “She doesn’t even miss me. Mrs. Stiles is one of the wives that has helped me since Caitlin was born. Caitlin loves her and Phillip. He dotes on her and thinks she can do no wrong. Mitch and Daren insisted I have help. And I’m going to really need them in about seven months.”

  Ellen stared at Sara. “You’re pregnant.”

  Sara grinned. “Yes.”

  “Have you told your husbands?”

  “Not yet.” Sara sighed. “They get so overprotective I’ve decided to wait until I’m three months along. Six months of being treated like I’m made of fine crystal is long enough. Surprisingly, though, they were great during the delivery and birth.”

  “They’re going to be upset you waited to tell them.”

  “I know. I may relent and tell them sooner. I think they may already suspect. What about you, Ellen? Have you thought about having children if you and Sahale and Jack get married?”

  “Sara, I can’t marry them, even if I wanted to.”

  “Why not?” Sara reached out and wiped the tear off Ellen’s cheek.

  “Don’t misunderstand. I’m very happy for you. But I don’t think I can have children. In fact, I’m almost certain I can’t, and they’d want a family,” her words rushed out.

  “You’ve never talked about your marriage and divorce.”

  “I never will.”

  “Sometimes it helps to get whatever hurt you out in the open.” Sara hesitated. “You didn’t have any children, and you think it’s your fault?”

  “I know it is. He has three now.” Ellen got up and gathered their cups and paper plates. “Can we go back to the ranch house?” Her insides hurt like she’d torn something and the area was bleeding and raw. “I’d really like to go back.”

  “Sure, no problem. I’m sorry I asked too many questions.”

  Ellen didn’t answer. It took all her effort to keep from sobbing. She really had to get hold of herself. Where was the strong woman she’d been these past ten years? Inside, she was crumbling. She didn’t like it, and didn’t know how to stop.

  Chapter Four

  “I’m here, Sahale,” Justin called down the hall.

  Sahale came out of his office. He glanced at his watch. He’d asked Justin to cover for him this afternoon and Justin had agreed. “You’re early. I could have stayed another hour or so.”

  “No problem. You’ll return the favor sometime when I need it. Morgan and Ethan aren’t due back for a few more days, so I have lots of spare time.”

  “You miss her?”

  “Like a part of myself. I never thought I could love a woman so much.”

  “I appreciate the help. Mitch and Daren want me to talk to our new visitor about why the bad guys are after her.”

  “Good luck in getting anything out of her. She’s always been quiet and reserved around us. Doesn’t say anything personal.”

  “I’ll give it a try. See you later.” Sahale got in his truck and headed to Jack’s office. He wanted to discuss his plan with Jack.

  Since it was lunchtime, the waiting room was empty. Sahale went back to Jack’s office and found him eating a sandwich and studying a medical book, as he’d expected.

  “Didn’t you get enough of that in medical school?”

  Jack raised his head, grinned, and motioned Sahale in. “This was written by one of our own doctors. The information relates specifically to our people, and the physical differences between us and the regular earth human. Although we’ve intermarried with them, we still have to consider our divergent aspects.”

  “Can you take a moment from your interesting studies?”

  “Sure, what’s up? I bet it relates to Ellen.”

  “Mitch and Daren want me to question her,” Sahale said and told him about their meeting.

  “You were right to insist on being up-front with her. Of course, that will make your job more difficult.”

  “My plan is to take her to my cabin at the foot of the mountains. That’s where I’ll ask her.”

  “You’re moving our plan of seduction forward faster than we planned?”

  “Yes.”

  “I trust your instincts.”

  “Thanks. I’m going to take her there tomorrow. Until then, I suggest we stay away and let her think about us.”

  “I’ve got a full day at the office and rounds tonight that will keep me busy. Is Justin going to cover for you?”

  “I’m sure he will. My grandmother sent word this morning she wants to see me. My next stop this afternoon is to visit her.”

  “Keep me informed.”

  “Always.” Sahale strode out and back to his truck. It was a two-hour drive to his grandmother’s. He’d better get started.

  * * * *

  Grandmother Minda was his mother’s mother. From her, Sahale had learned most of his knowledge about his Native American heritage. Like her name, which meant knowledge, she was known as a wise woman. Many people visited her requesting guidance. She seldom asked Sahale to visit. But he made regular trips to see her each week, on one of his days off. He suspected she was aware of the changes beginning to occur in his life. All his life she’d had an uncanny knowledge regarding him. More than once her warnings had prevented him from being harmed.

  What would he do if she said to not pursue Ellen? He had always followed her suggestions to his benefit. He speeded up. Restlessness stirred inside him. He did not want to choose between his grandmother’s advice and the woman he’d chosen to be his.

  The drive had seemed endless. Finally, he spotted her small cabin set in the middle of an area between two high bluffs. The river curved between the bluffs and behind her house.

  Sahale parked in front. His boots made a loud noise on the wood porch.


  “It is my grandson who steps so heavily at my door,” Minda said. She always teased him about being heavy footed.

  “In my bare feet no one hears me. It is the boots, Nanna,” he said, his usual response. Sahale grinned and hugged the tiny, white-haired woman when she came to the door and opened it.

  “Come inside. You have reacted quickly to my request for a visit.”

  “Of course.”

  She led him into her kitchen. Yellow-and-white curtains hung at the two windows facing the river. Her countertops sparkled, as did all the house. She had refused any offer he made to hire someone to help her.

  “Sit. We will have tea. Then we will talk.”

  From experience, Sahale knew it was wasted effort to try and hurry her. Impatience pulled at him, but he sat and took the cup she offered.

  “This tastes different, Nanna. Is it one of your new experiments?”

  “Yes, a mixture of several of the older teas.”

  “What will it do, make me tell you all my secrets?” As he’d expected, she laughed. Her laugh had a musical sound, and he loved to hear it. His mother looked more like her Native American father, having dark brown eyes and black hair. Nanna, as he’d been instructed to call her from as far back as he could remember, had light brown hair and aquamarine eyes. The elders said one of her great-grandfathers had come from across the sea and lived with their tribe many years ago.

  Nanna’s hair had turned totally white when he was in his teens. But her eye color, which he inherited, had remained bright, and sparkled with intelligence.

  “You are quiet, my grandson.”

  “I don’t talk much, Nanna. You know that.”

  “But the time has come when you must open yourself to another if you wish to attain what you want.”

  “You have had a dream.”

  She touched her hand over her heart. “We are connected here. There are changes in the wind. I cannot tell yet if they are good or bad. I sense upheaval.” She stood and refilled their cups. “You and Jack have been intertwined for many years. The two of you will need all your skills to protect yourselves and the one you seek to mate. Tell Jack to trust no one but the community.”