Patty's Homecoming, page 13
part #1 of Montana Wranglers Series
“Oh, this is nice,” she whispered happily. “Wow.” She loved the house. It was going to be freaking stunning when she was finally finished with it. She was so going to love putting this house to rights and putting her touches on it, and told him so. “I can’t wait to begin design on this place. I can do the painting and most of the other things. I think that you guys might be able to handle the woodworking, if I’m not mistaken that is.” They had certainly done an amazing job with the mantel.
“We’ve definitely picked up a few tricks over the years,” Corbin told her. He looked like he was going to say more but paused when a door to the side opened. Blake stepped out with a towel wrapped around his waist and another in his hand he was rubbing over his head. “And that’s the bathroom,” Corbin said with a chuckle. “Your bags are right there.” He pointed to the side. “I’m going to grab a shower and then you should as well before we put more of the rub on your body.”
“Sounds good.” She licked her lips and took a deep breath. “Okay,” she murmured. “I look forward to you boys rubbing me down but just keep your cool when you see just how bad it is?” The same things that she had told to Blake she was telling Corbin.
“Yes, ma’am.” He nodded slowly. “Blake’s kind of given me a bit of a rundown so, with what you shared, hopefully I can keep my cool. Towels are in the bathroom and there should be everything you’ll ever want or need for shampoo, conditioner, and soaps. If not, let us know, and we’ll add it onto the list for what to get next time we’re at the store.”
“Sounds good. I will be fine with your guys’ products because it just wouldn’t look right if you were suddenly buying women’s products. I will just smell like you guys.” And from her voice, they could tell that didn’t make her in the least bit sad. “I will be out in like ten minutes. Then we will get me all rubbed down and then we can all curl up for a bit on the bed together?”
“Absolutely, but…” Corbin grinned. “We did pick up stuff specifically for you. There is a female living here, or rather, on the ranch. So a few feminine products thrown in here and there during shopping trips didn’t get noticed.”
“Oh, that’s very good thinking,” Patty praised with a grin. “Very, very smart indeed,” she told him with a smirk. “Now then, however, now I think that we need to let me go so that I can do what I need to, okay?” she asked quietly. “I promise that I will be out shortly.”
“Take your time,” Blake said when he came out from under the towel. “We’ve got one of those waterless tanks so you won’t run out of water. Just enjoy a long, hot one and we’ll be here when you get out.”
“Fan-freaking-tastic.” Oh, this was just getting better and better. Oh hell, she was loving it. “I will see you guys in a bit,” she repeated and headed off for the bathroom and the bottomless hot water shower. Oh yes, she was very much looking forward to it.
* * * *
When she came back out they were both draped on the bed, one at either end. “Feeling better?” Blake asked from where he was, his head hanging over the side of the mattress. He smiled at her nod and sat up. “Come on over here then so we can put on the cream.” He patted a spot on the mattress.
“Sounds good.” She moved to the mattress, letting the towel fall before she climbed up. She paused, however, standing before Corbin and holding her breath. Waiting for him to explode. At least she looked better than she did after she had first been attacked. So that was a bonus.
Corbin stared at her, reaching out to take her hand in his and turn her slowly, bit by bit, until she’d done a full circle. When she came around, she saw the look he and Blake shared. Telling, informative and in man-code. Corbin smiled at her, oh-so-pleasantly and said in his sweetest of tones, “He’s a dead man.”
She had been afraid of that. Closing her eyes, she nodded. “I know,” she whispered. “Just make sure that you keep yourself safe while killing him? It would really, really piss me off to have you boys hurt because of me. I mean it.”
Moving, Corbin lifted her onto the bed and shook his head as he sat her between them. “Not ever going to let them get us,” he said softly. “We have something ever-so-important to come home to. And no way, no how are we going to screw up our future darling. Not now that you’ve finally caved to our devastatingly good looks and charms.”
“It was bound to happen one day,” Patty whispered and lay her head on his shoulder. “I’m so very happy that you boys have waited for me. However”—she looked up and grinned—“just so you know, I would have totally been down with you boys riding into New York, stomping up and into my office and tossing me over your shoulder to haul me away. I was beginning to make plans to try to figure out how to make you fall in love with me,” she admitted. “And if you don’t believe me, you should look through my date book, in the notes sections. I kept a running track of what I thought might and might not work.”
“We believe you,” he said quietly. He began to slide his fingers up and down her arm slowly. Blake, though, lay back down and took one of her feet into his hands, his thumbs beginning a slow massage on the arch. “We were going for patient and understanding. However, we would have eventually gotten to downright ornery and mean and come for you.”
“Well that’s good to know.” Patty sighed and closed her eyes. “I think we should get that rub on my body and then all of us curl up for a nap. What do you boys think?” Tomorrow would be a long day. They needed to return her rental, needed to get groceries and she needed to give them info to pass along to Corbin’s sister so that she could call in and check her voice mail. Yep, lots to do.
“A very good plan,” he nodded. He lifted a hand to catch the container Blake tossed over. “Lean forward a bit and I’ll rub this in. I promise to be gentle,” Corbin said, pressing a kiss to her shoulder before he moved. He slid around so he was behind her, his legs on either side of her as he settled into place.
Patty leaned forward and adjusted her body. Sighing, she closed her eyes and at the first touch of Corbin’s hands on her back, she chewed her lower lip and let out a breath. “Just a little lighter right there please,” she asked softly. “That is especially tender right there,” she told him with a short breath.
“Sorry love,” he murmured, his touch softening even more.
Blake squeezed her foot and cocked a brow at her when she looked his way. “You want some water or something, Tish? Juice maybe?” he asked, rubbing his thumbs slowly up and down her arch again.
“No, thank you.” She was happy with just where she was right now. “Maybe water before I go to bed but right now I’m perfectly happy where I am and receiving the treatment I am,” she admitted. “However, I will not turn down that bottle of water when we are all ready to go to bed.”
“We can manage that,” he said with a smile. Setting her foot back on the bed, he tapped the other one. When she lifted it, he took it into his lap and began to rub at the arch. “We’ll have to do a shopping trip at some point too. If we’re going to be living here on a permanent basis, food is needed.”
“Sounds good to me. And yes, if we are going to be together in this home then we need to ensure that we have food here. I very much want to ensure that we have food and most especially coffee and stuff that I can heat up in the microwave please,” she added happily.
“We’ll get lots of food and, since I have a couple days off, I’ll make up a bunch of meals. But we should pick up some of those microwaveable dishes that we can freeze everything in,” Corbin said. He moved slightly and his fingers started on her middle and lower back.
“We should look into getting an actual freezer, not just the one in the fridge,” Blake threw out.
“This is true. I mean if he is going to make me freezer meals—” She stopped and hissed. “That hurts,” she whispered when he got to one of the more painful parts of her upper ass, lower back. “Sorry but that one is a very painful one.”
Pressing a kiss to her shoulder, Corbin shot her a look. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I have to get this, darling, but we’ll take a moment. And yes, I’m going to make a bunch of meals. We’ll freeze them in single servings and meal size. That way, when we’re all too tired to do more than shuffle in the door, we can eat something good for us. Something that we know exactly all the ingredients and don’t have to get on the web to figure out what something is along with how to say it.”
“That sounds perfect.” She rested once more and closed her eyes again. “Believe it or not, that actually feels better than when Blake did it. So I’m healing, right?” She shot the question to Blake, who was massaging her feet and making her oh so sleepy.
“Yup, it does. Anything that feels better is a sure sign you are healing.” He smiled at her. “You still have a ways to go but I can already see some of the bruising starting to heal to that wonderful pea-green color. Told you that stuff worked,” he teased, squeezing her foot lightly.
Patty laughed as she spoke. “You did at that. You told me that it would and I doubted you. I should know better by now, shouldn’t I? I should know that you would never, ever tell me wrong.” Which she was very, very thankful for.
“Of course I wouldn’t.” He gave a loud snort. “Neither of us would, Patricia, you definitely should know that about us. Yes, we may have pulled your leg as kids, but we would never lead you astray now that we’re all adults. That would hurt you and we can’t do that.”
“I know that you wouldn’t ever lie to me, Blake,” Patty told him quietly and shook her head. “I know without a shadow of a doubt that you guys would never, ever hurt me and that means a great deal to me. I adore you both and I hope that we will all have a very long and very good life before us.”
“’Course we will,” Corbin said with a grin. Kissing her neck, he finished up her back before he capped the container and handed it to her. “Lemme go and wash my hands and then we can relax.” He wiggled off the bed before padding to the bathroom with long strides.
“Sounds good.” Patty watched Corbin walking away and sighed. “Good lord,” she whispered. “You boys, wow. The things you boys do to me.” She smiled and reached out to take Blake’s hand. “Are you sure that you are good with this? With us all being here together? I know that I am but I want to ensure that you boys are too. Please?”
Tugging gently, he pulled her to sit between his legs and wrapped his arms around her. “We’re very good with this,” he said softly. “We’ve always loved you, Tish. While it may not be standard in today’s society or days gone by, it is what it is. As long as you can live with the two of us and whatever might come in the form of backlash, then we’ll always be at your side. Not that you could get rid of us easily even if you tried, but you do still have a choice, sweetheart.”
“Oh, hell no. I need to keep you boys. I want to keep you boys for now and for all time. I am never, ever leaving you. I mean it.” She wanted them, needed them in her life. “I’m glad that you will always be at my side because I will always be at yours. I love you both so very, very much. We will all get along wonderfully.”
“Good, now stop worrying already,” he said. Kissing her gently, he smiled against her lips. “Now that we have that sorted out, let’s talk about more interesting things. Like what is your plan for this place now that you’ve seen it?”
“I’m trying. I really am trying to stop worrying but you know me Blake. I am a worrier by nature. I always have been and I always will be. It’s just who I am. Period.” She shrugged and looked around. “I see it being very homey. Warm colors, but nothing too bright. Honestly I see it being very similar to Dad’s place, only with far less animal heads and stuff. Sorry boys, but you will have to put those in the barn.”
“Fine by me,” he chuckled. “I prefer my animals alive and kicking. The whole stuffed thing is just creepy to me. Do whatever you want, Tish. I trust in your judgment and taste totally.” Blake said as he made a face.
“Well she did pick us,” Corbin commented. He walked back to the bed and climbed back on to collapse on his front. Tucking his arms under his cheek, he grinned at her. “Tells me she’s got impeccable taste.”
Patty grinned and shifted in the bed. “Yeah, I do have pretty amazing taste when it comes to the two of you. Other men not so much.” She shrugged and looked over at them. “So how are we all gonna sleep together, my dear men? You gonna nuzzle me or am I gonna nuzzle you?”
“Uh, let’s get back to that other men comment, shall we,” Corbin said, sitting up. “What other men?” he asked, narrowing his eyes on her. He looked awfully ticked. But Blake, when she glanced at him, seemed to just be waiting for an answer to the question. His face was relaxed but his eyes watching intently.
“No men,” she said softly. “Honestly there weren’t a lot of men. I’m talking more about the asshole that has decided he owns me,” she whispered. “The pure bad luck in having him fixate on me. That’s what I was talking about far more than anything else in the world. That is a promise.”
Corbin stared at her for a long time before he relaxed and nodded. “All right, that’s better,” he huffed out.
Blake’s chest was vibrating under her back. He was laughing. “Methinks he might have been a smidge jealous,” he said in her ear softly. “But I’m glad there has never been anyone else meaningful in your life. Because I’d have to get their names and details from you so I could break their legs.”
“I told you that there wasn’t. How could I ever allow anyone in my life when my heart has always, always belonged to the two of you?” She smiled happily. “I love you boys, I have always loved you and I always will.” Period.
“Good,” he said, giving her a gentle squeeze. Then he shifted behind her. “Time to sleep. I have an early morning, unlike you two who get to sleep in.” He stuck his tongue out at Corbin, who was grinning devilishly.
“Such a shame, and you get to deal with the vet too.”
“Yeah, joys of all joys,” Blake muttered, moving her forward a bit. Then he shifted and pulled the blankets back. “Under the sheets, darling, dead center.”
“Sounds good.” Patty shifted and moved, biting her lower lip and wincing in pain. “Okay, I’m in the middle.” She adjusted herself and yawned. “So who am I snuggling up to?” she asked and grinned at first Blake and then Corbin. “I’m assuming Corbin, since you have to leave me early, Blake?”
“Whatever you want, sweetheart,” he said. He slid in on one side while Corbin turned off the overhead lights. When he slid in on her other side, Blake turned off the bedside lamp, plunging the room into near darkness. “Sleep well, Tish,” he said, pressing a kiss to her shoulder.
Rolling closer to Corbin, she wrapped her arm around his chest, leg around his, and snuggling against him. Closing her eyes, she let out a breath and licked her lips. “This is nice.” The heat of Blake at her back and Corbin at her front. This was what she had been missing all her life.
Corbin pressed a kiss to her forehead and squeezed the hand she had resting on his chest. “Sweet dreams, darlin’,” he said softly. She felt him rest his cheek to her hair as he shifted slightly before relaxing under her.
“Good night,” she whispered with a yawn and nodded. “I love you two.” She shivered and rubbed closer to Corbin and after Blake curled tighter to her back, she let go of what she was holding back and dropped off into sleep.
Chapter Nine
It was amazing how much could be done in two weeks’ time. She had a new truck, and though she’d fought Blake on it, he had won that debate. Most of the house was painted and furnished. She only had two rooms left to do over completely, as well as the finishing touches on the entire house. And, best of all, not even a hint of trouble from the New York end of things.
“Why are you staring at that wall? You just painted it. If you are going to tell me you don’t like it, just shoot me so I don’t have to repaint it,” Corbin said, stopping at her side. Leaning in, he kissed her gently before it turned into something more, deeper, his arms sliding around her body. Thankfully she’d healed right up, with no issues and only a few scars that would fade in time.
Wrapping her arms around Corbin, she grinned. Shaking her head she said, “No I wasn’t going to have you repaint it, however, there is something missing.” Leaning into him, she lay her head on his shoulder and then grinned. “I know what’s missing.” She looked up at him, pulling back slightly as she did so. “We need a brand, a crest. We need something that represents us and this home as ours. Does that make sense?” Her father had the Double D as his. She had not the first clue what it meant but that was all well and good. She wanted something that was theirs.
“Ah.” He nodded slowly. Resting his chin on her hair, he gave her a squeeze. “I guess we should sit down and draw something up. Figure out what would work for all of us. I have a feeling we’ll need to fight this one out for a while. And since me and Blake can’t draw worth a hoot in comparison to you, we’ll likely end up caving to whatever you want.”
“Well, what is your goal with this place? Do you guys want to make this a working ranch like Dad’s or is this only going to be our home? If it is going to be our home that is one thing and if we are going to make this our ranch then it should be something else.”
“Dunno,” he said, lifting his head and frowning down at her. “We’ve never really discussed it. We plan on doing a garden and getting a couple cows, goats, and chickens so we’re mostly self-sufficient. But I don’t know about the working bit. I mean, we work for your father and likely will for years to come. I guess we’ll have to think about it a little more seriously.”
