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Life before Lily had been satisfying, but now that she was in our hearts, our home, and our bed, our days and nights had become vibrant and alive at a whole new level.
"You think she’ll be all right without us?" Rye asked as we made our way along the path to the stable.
When he asked, it seemed silly to be worried about her, but in my mind, I had the same question. I wouldn’t let on to him, though. We couldn’t spend the day worrying about her. There was no place safer for her or any woman than on Bridgewater Ranch. I’d lost count, but our ranks included over two dozen former soldiers who’d been trained in every manner of fighting imaginable.
"She’ll be fine," I said, as much to convince myself as him.
"Maybe I should go back and check on her." Rye half-turned toward home.
"Stop it," I said. "We’re both acting like fools. She’s a grown woman. You know she’s safe here at Bridgewater."
"I don’t want her to get lonely."
"I think you’re the lonely one. Or horny, more likely."
He laughed. Since we’d married Lily, Rye was lighter, younger, happier.
"I could go back and spend the day with her today, and you could have your turn tomorrow," he suggested.
"Get a grip on yourself, man," I said, though his idea was tempting. "Hard to believe I am the voice of reason."
RYE
* * *
Much as I hated to admit it, Keane had a point. I’d lost much of the rigid demeanor that had been drilled into me while being raised as a member of a family who could trace its distinguished lineage back centuries.
It had been a revelation to me when I first arrived at Bridgewater to see how relaxed and collegial the atmosphere was. Startling, after coming from a world of very strict social distinctions. I supposed I’d never been as committed to the ways of hierarchy as other members of the aristocracy because I’d always considered Keane my equal. My friend. When others of my class treated him as less than, I took great umbrage. And gave a few bloody noses.
But at Bridgewater, I could be myself. And no one gave a damn about my title. It was liberating.
Lily, even in her short time with us, had contributed to that mightily. I had been raised to keep my emotions strictly controlled. My countenance would never give away what I was thinking. But now, I found myself smiling for no reason other than that I was happy.
"Good morning," Simon called out as we approached the stable. He took an obvious glance at the sun rising on the horizon and smirked. "You’re even later than I thought you’d be."
Keane and I looked at each other and grinned.
"Couldn’t be helped," Keane said with a shrug. "I recall a few times when no one emerged from your house until nearly noon."
Simon laughed. "Ah, those were the good old days." He clapped us both on the back. "I’m happy for you. I can see marriage is doing you both a world of good. Lily seems like quite a sweet girl. Olivia is eager to get to know her."
I puffed up, proud as a peacock. "She’s everything we were wishing for."
The three of us made our way into the stables. "I was more than a bit surprised when you returned in only a few days with a bride. How did you find her?"
As we worked around the stables, feeding the horses and cleaning out the stalls, Keane and I shared the story with Simon. I enjoyed the retelling of it, and Simon got a good laugh out of the part where the sheriff’s deputies came into our hotel room.
When we finished he paused and thought for a moment. "Did she ever tell you why she got fired from her job as a governess?"
"I guess we’ve been ‘otherwise engaged’ since we met her," Keane said.
"Now, I’m curious," I replied.
LILY
* * *
I was alone in the cabin for the first time since our arrival. During the few days we’d already spent together at Bridgewater, we hadn’t ventured too far from home. Or the bed. Though we had also made carnal use of the kitchen table, the sofa in the front room, and the largest bathtub I’d ever seen.
