Page 74 of Theirs to Treasure

“Conn and Leif are brothers, so I don’t think it matters to them. But I’ve noticed that even where the men aren’t related, it really doesn’t seem to matter. They both share in the parenting, and they don’t play favorites. Trust me, you look around this town, and you will see some instances where it is clear who the baby daddy is, but that kid is loved the same by both of their dads. That’s what it really comes down to, is the love. What’s more, because there are so many obstacles and people willing to challenge the validity of this lifestyle that, well, these relationships seem to really stick. United we stand, divided we fall, right?” Elise looked over at Josie and saw that she had stopped decorating the birthday cake that needed to be ready that morning.

“I hope I haven’t rambled on too much.”

“No.” Josie put down the tube of icing and went over to Elise and gave her a big hug. “I really needed to hear all of that. I’ve been so confused. Not about my feelings for Sam and Chance, but just about this situation.” She went back to her station and picked up the icing. “But what about the uniqueness of this area, Elise? This town is just a little bubble. If you go out of it, you’re really up shit creek.”

“Nah, there are a few places in Texas, and there’s always Alaska,” Elise winked at her. Josie laughed, and they both got back to work.

By the time the shop closed for the day, Josie was wiped out. Maybe Sam and Chance had been right. Maybe she should have stayed home at least another day. But she had two custom cake orders to fill, and as much as she loved Elise, she wasn’t proficient enough to do them alone while running the shop. She headed around back to get into her VW Bug, wishing she only had to walk up to her apartment. She thought about calling and telling the guys she was too tired to drive to their house, when she looked up and saw Sam waiting for her.

He walked over and pulled out the clip holding her hair on top of her head, which immediately soothed the headache that had been brewing for the last two hours.

“How did you know?” she asked in wonder.

“I’ve been studying you, Baby.” He took her into his arms, ran his hands along the tight corset underneath her oversized shirt, and bent down for a ravenous kiss, and she greedily partaking in his taste. She couldn’t catch her breath. He was overpowering, melting away all the stress and pain of the day.

As he eased his mouth away from hers, she whimpered and stood on her toes, trying to keep in contact longer.

“Easy, Baby! Wait until we get home, we’ll have all the time in the world,” he assured her.

He put a solid arm around her and she leaned in, sinking into his strength as he led her to Chance’s Audi. “Come on, don’t these prewarmed plush leather seats sound like heaven about now?”

Josie nodded and he helped her in and buckled her seat belt. She had really thought that by now, she was going to protest that little kindness, insisting she could do it herself. But it made her feel so cared for, she just couldn’t resist allowing Sam and Chance to do it for her.

From the time she left the Hutchins and went back to live with her mother, she’d had to take care of herself, which was fine. She was capable. Hell, she was more than capable. Right this minute, you could put her in the middle of any city in America with no money, just the clothes on her back, and she’d make it. Maybe that’s why she was seduced by the things that Sam and Chance did to take care of her, because it had never happened before. But, the idea of coming to rely on it scared the hell out of her. If life had taught her anything, you could rely on nobody but yourself.

Josie shook her head. If they ever really understood just how messed up in the head she truly was, she knew they wouldn’t want her. Once you scraped off the veneer, the real Josie wasn’t all that loveable, her past proved that. But nothing was stopping her from enjoying it while it lasted.

“You’re thinking too hard.”

She looked over at Sam, and realized they were almost to the house. She was busted. She had been thinking too hard, and Sam was looking at her a lot more intently then she would have liked.

“What’s the matter, Josie? You looked like you were in a bad place.”

“It was just a hard day at work. I think you guys were right, I could have used another day of rest.”

“If you say so.” But Sam didn’t sound convinced.

“Seriously, Sam. I’m really happy to see you. The drive back to the house seemed too much. I hope you’re willing to give me a ride back, since I left my car.”

“That was the plan. Chance and I want to get you back home, get you fed, and into bed.”

Josie felt a sting of tears. Damn it, they were killing her.

“Honey, do you need a pain pill?” Sam asked as they pulled into the driveway. Josie realized that was probably part of her problem. She was in a lot of pain from standing so long after lying down while recovering from the flu, so that was probably making her maudlin.

“Yeah, I do,” she admitted.

“Stay there. Let me help you out of the car.” When he got to her side, he surprised her by scooping her up and carrying her up the steps.

Chance met them at the door. He was on his cell phone, but he muted it, and asked what was wrong.

“She’s in pain. I’m going to get her a pill and put her on the couch. We can bring her dinner there.” Chance nodded and resumed his call, moving into the kitchen. Sam put her on the sofa and went to get her pill. Before she knew it, all three of them were eating dinner on the sofa, discussing the day’s events. Out of everyone’s accounts, Sam’s was the most interesting.

“Yeah, Joshua called and talked me into coaching a basketball team full of rowdy fourteen-year-old boys. Apparently, their coach left them high and dry midseason. I know that makes me a sap, but I felt bad for the kids. Joshua said they needed someone fast, who really knew the game and had the time. I believe his exact words to me were, ‘Hey, loser, since you don’t have a job, but you’re good at hoops, you have no choice.’ Now, I ask you, in all seriousness, how could I turn down such a sincere, heartfelt, well-phrased offer?”

Both Chance and Josie surrendered their attempts to suppress their snickering, and gave in to full-fledged guffaws.

“Are you any good with kids, Sam?” Josie asked.