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Then she fixed her own plate and sat. They had not eaten a bite and were waiting on her.
“If no one objects, I’m going to say a blessing,” Will said.
“Prayer is good,” she whispered, glad to know they were religious men.
“Dear Lord, be with us today as we try to bring justice to the land. Protect us and guard us and walk beside us. Amen.”
Seth glanced at him. “You forgot to tell him thanks for our wife.”
“Oh, I’ve told him that every night since we married her.”
Lily shook her head. “And here I feared you weren’t godly men.”
“No, ma’am. We were both raised in the church. Our children will be raised in the church as well,” Will said, digging into his eggs.
Relief flooded through Lily. Yes, their life was not ordinary, but she was so relieved to hear their children would attend church.
“While we’re gone, you are not to go outside,” Seth said. “I don’t care what is going on, don’t step outside the house. Keep a rifle near at all times. If this wasn’t a job for the two of us, one of us would remain here.”
She licked her lips and hung her head. “For six months, I’ve been alone and worked this ranch. I’m not afraid.”
Will laid down his fork and picked up her hand. “These men are bad. They’re dangerous and we fear them taking you. They know you’ve married, so now they’re getting desperate. Plus, if they could kill all three of us, then obtaining the ranch would not be a problem. This is one of those times, you need to obey us. We’re looking out for you.”
His words brought tears to her eyes. Why couldn’t Jim White just leave them alone to live in peace. All she wanted was to raise a family and be a good wife to these men. And while she wanted to obey them, she also would protect their home while they were gone.
“He’s right, Lily. Before they still had a chance at coercing you into either marriage or selling the property. Now, they know that’s not going to happen. Don’t go outside alone.”
With a quick squeeze, Will released her hand. Staring at the food on her plate, she suddenly wasn’t hungry any longer.
“Promise me, you’ll come home to me. Promise me you won’t let Jim White make me a widow,” she said as tears filled her eyes. “I’m so afraid you’ll get hurt.”
Her men stood and walked around the table to her. They took her hand and raised her to standing and then they both wrapped their arms around her. Their hug sandwiched her in between them and she felt so loved.
Seth kissed her on the mouth. “Nothing is going to keep me from coming home to you, sweet Lily. You’re our woman, our wife. I’d crawl home to you if I have to.”
“Lily, we’re good lawmen. We’ll protect you, our children, and our home. We’ll give our lives to make certain you’re safe. Don’t worry, we’ll be back.”
In their arms, she felt like nothing could harm their world. They were together, they were safe, and yet this tiny swirling doubt remained in the pit of her stomach.
“Be careful,” she said.
“We promise,” Will said as he turned her in Seth’s arms and kissed her.
“I need my husbands.”
They grinned at her.
“Time for us to go. Stay inside and be safe.”
With tears in her eyes, she watched as they walked out the door. Soon they rode away from the ranch leaving her alone.
With them gone, she made herself get busy cleaning the kitchen, starting a roasted chicken for supper and doing things around the house. Anything to keep her mind off the fact they were gone on a dangerous mission.
She didn’t trust Jim White and even if Will and Seth had a cavalry behind them, she would be worried.
Upstairs, she made the bed, remembering how they had played into the wee hours of the morning. As a young girl, she had never considered two husbands, but now she couldn’t imagine life without her men.
The sound of gunshots sent fear spiraling through her. She glanced out the upstairs bedroom window and saw the man who robbed the bank, Calvin Smith riding around in the yard, firing his weapon.
