Payton pulled her legs up to his shoulders and pounded into her pussy. Her orgasm still rippled over her when he yelled out his own release.
He lay against her for a minute before rolling to her side. But he kept her cuddled next to him and gazed into her eyes.
“Are you all right?”
She smiled and ran a hand across his face. “I love you. And Cody was right. We are all three truly bonded.” She raised her head. “He’ll be waiting for us.”
“Don’t get excited. He can always find things to do with his horses. Let’s take another quick shower and dress. Then we’ll join him.”
Averil sat up in bed. “I know what to name the foal. She has a reddish-brown coat. I’ll name her Fire Lady and buy her from Cody to give to Kira.”
“She’s yours as much as mine and Cody’s. You can give her to Kira whenever you want.”
“You’re sure he won’t mind?”
“Ask him when we get to the barn. Hurry up, woman. We’re late, and it’s all your fault.”
“I love the look in your eyes when you tease me.” She strolled by him naked. Looking over her shoulder, she said, “Get on it, cowboy. What are you looking at anyway?”
“My love.” His eyes twinkled as he joined her in the shower.
* * * *
“You want to get married the end of this week?” Averil’s mother asked.
Cody and Payton, standing behind Averil, nodded an energetic yes. “We want to have the wedding while it’s quiet. The peace won’t last. But hopefully it will until after our wedding.”
“That gives us less than a week to get ready.”
“I know, but Kira”—she looked across her mother’s kitchen at her sister—“and I already have an appointment to see the seamstress about my wedding gown and something for Kira to wear.
“I’m going to ask Tessa to cook the wedding cake, and we’ll talk to the leaders about having a huge picnic for all three tribes afterward. How does that sound to you?”
“I’ll make your wedding cake. I’ll make a dozen, so hopefully everyone might get a tiny piece. I’ll get some of my friends to help me with the baking and other dishes needed for a huge picnic. This is just what we all need to bring our tribes closer together.”
“Great.” Cody swung Averil’s mom around.
“Put me down, young man, or I may call off the wedding,” she said but smiled to temper her words. “I get dizzy very easily.”
“Sorry, I’ll never swing you around again, but can you dance?”
“You are incorrigible.”
“I know.”
“But I see the good qualities and why my daughter has fallen in love with you two.”
“We hate to rush, but the appointment for our dresses is in twenty minutes. Are you ready, Kira?”
“Luckily I am, since I got no advance notice, but I’ll blame that on the fact you all three look dazed from being in love.”
Payton frowned. “Averil’s dazed. We look our normal self.”
“Nope.” Kira walked by them. “You are all dazed with joy. Come on, children.” She waved her hand at them.
“We plan to leave you two on your own at the dressmakers. We’ll wait outside.” Payton winked at Averil. “Dress shops aren’t for us.”
“I wasn’t going to let you go in anyway. You can’t see my wedding gown before the big day. Why don’t you two try to find the leaders and ask about the picnic?”
“Excellent suggestion.” Payton got out and opened the door for them. Then he watched until they were safe inside before driving away.
The head dressmaker greeted them. Averil told them what she and Kira needed.
“Your wedding dress will be the same as the others except for color. We have samples for you to choose from.” She spread out the colorful display of silks.
“You have every color and every shade of every color.” Averil stood by the table in awe at the many choices. Her hand instinctively went toward the greens and blues.
The dressmaker pulled out a bolt of material. “This bluish-green color would be beautiful on you with your red hair.” She held the silk up against Averil’s body and had her look in the mirror.
“Oh, sis, you’ll look beautiful in a gown of that color.”
Averil took a deep breath and blinked her eyes. “It’s perfect. Can you have it ready on Friday?”
“We will and matching slippers to go with it. Let me get your measurements, and then we’ll discuss what your sister wants to wear.”
When they came out of the shop an hour later, Averil and Kira were pleased with their choices. “I never thought you could wear red, but that rose red sets your hair off perfectly,” Averil said.
“I know. She pulled out that bolt of satin and I thought, no way. It’s going to clash with my hair and complexion, but it didn’t. It complements my coloring. I’m very pleased and can’t wait to try on the finished dress.”
“You want to look good for Dr. Rexford and Dr. Connor,” Averil teased.
“I have too much work to do to think about men. Especially one as arrogant and controlling as Dr. Rexford. Why do all women in love want to marry off their sisters and friends? You be happy and leave me be.”
“We’ll see if I’m right. There are Cody and Payton just driving up.”
“You all timed your return just right.” Averil got in the back with her sister.
“We spoke briefly with Mitch and Garth. They like the idea of a picnic afterward. There hasn’t been a get-together since the last big wedding after the battle.”
“Then we’re all set. Let’s hope our enemy doesn’t spoil things for us.”
* * * *
Pearce looked forward to getting off the ranch. His mother loaned him her car when he told her he wanted to drive into Lovettville.
He went through the gate and turned right toward town. When he’d driven out of sight, he pulled to the side and parked. Then he dialed Gala’s number.
“Hello.”
Pearce heard the distress in her voice.
“You missed your chance to kill me. I’d retaliate, but we need each other. Can you meet me in Lovettville?” She hesitated so long he thought she wasn’t going to answer.
“I get off soon, at three. I can be there about an hour later.”
“Why are you whispering?”
“I don’t want my boss to come in the kitchen and hear this conversation.”
“I’ll meet you on the back street behind the bank. I’m driving my mother’s car. Do you know it?”
“Yes. See you.” She hung up on him.
After they’d won this battle, he’d dispose of her. Maybe sooner, the bitch. He pulled back out on the road and drove to town.
Lovettville hadn’t changed much. He parked the car on the main street and walked around looking into store windows. He stopped at one window displaying Native American paintings and other items, and the other window displayed unique jewelry. Pearce got an idea. He walked inside, and the bell over the door rang. A lovely blonde with light-green eyes came out of the room where the jewelry was displayed.
“May I help you?” Then she tipped her head to the side. “You look familiar.”
“So do you. I grew up on the big ranch out of town. I’m Pearce Rexford.”
“I remember you were a grade ahead of me in school. Dr. Rexford is your older brother. I used to be Cassandra Venitia. I married Lang Connor and Nick Kenric.”
“Congratulations. You have an interesting shop and lovely jewelry. Do you have something that might please my mother?”
“I met her once. She’s a sweet lady. Come in here where I have most of the jewelry. I have some broaches I think she’d like.” Cassie pulled out several drawers and put them on the top of the jewelry case. “Here’s one I especially think would suit her.”
Pearce studied the small broach. It had been made in the shape of a cardinal. Rubies were used for the feathers, emeralds for leaves, and brown diamonds for the branch the bird stood on.
“It is a bit costly.”
“How much?” Cassie told him. “That’s fine. Will you wrap it for me while I look at the rest of your shop?”
“I’d be glad to.” Cassie put the pin in a gift box and pulled out her wrapping paper.
He wandered around the first room he’d entered. It was large and filled with interesting items. He found just what he wanted. The turquoise stone was set in silver, and there were plenty of spaces underneath to hide the poison. When the time was right, he’d give his partner her final present.
“Here it is.” Cassie handed him the wrapped package.
“Thank you. I’ll be back. You have many lovely items.”
“I hope your mother likes your gift.”
“She will.” He waved and stepped outside. Glancing at his watch, he decided to move his car around back and wait for Gala. He’d go back and buy the turquoise ring when Cassie wasn’t there. She must have others that helped in the shop. He didn’t want her to remember he’d purchased it. Someone that didn’t know him would forget.
Pearce drove his car around behind the bank and parked. Better yet, he’d steal the ring. He was good at taking what he wanted and not getting caught. Reaching around to the seat behind him, Pearce opened the box he’d sneaked out of his room to the car.
He’d been smart to plan ahead and bring a disguise. Someone might see Gala and recognize her, but they’d never think of him when they saw the long-haired black wig. He tied it back with a piece of leather like Rex wore his hair.
Satisfied with his plan, he leaned back and closed his eyes to rest. Gala should arrive in the next fifteen minutes or so.
Cassie came out of her shop to go home. One of her new assistants had arrived. She was eager to get back to the ranch and see her son and Nick. He’d been so busy seeing to the building of the other ranch that she’d hardly seen him lately. But he’d promised to take this afternoon off.
The car driving into the back parking area caught her eye. Mostly only owners of the businesses parked here. Cassie got into her car and watched as the person parked next to another unfamiliar vehicle. She slid down in her seat. An unease had crept across her shoulders.
A small woman got out of her car, looked around quickly, and got into the other vehicle. A man with long, black hair, tied back, turned toward the woman. Was it a rendezvous between a couple who were married to other people? Perhaps she was just picking up on their guilty vibes. Cassie moved further down in her seat.
She had studied with Pruet and learned to control and keep out all the conversations that had overwhelmed her in the past. But now, she allowed herself to open and hear what was being said by the man and woman in the car. They were a distance away and in an enclosed vehicle, but something about them disturbed her. She’d try.
* * * *
“Be careful with your words. I wouldn’t be surprised if my father has a hearing device hidden in this car. He’s looking at me more and more strangely.”
“I see you survived.” Gala frowned at Pearce.
He grinned. “I knew you’d be happy to hear of my remarkable recovery. You are probably wondering why I wanted to see you.”
“No. I expected a call sooner or later.”
“Yes, we must talk.”
“About what?”
“We are friends, remember?” He squeezed her hand tight.
Gala flinched from the pain. She jerked free.
“We need each other.” Pearce’s dark-brown eyes turned almost black. “Remember that for now.”
“I’ve decided to take some time off.” She knew he’d understand what she meant.
“Ah, a good idea, but only a short vacation. Perhaps until the end of the big party.”
“No, a little longer.”
“We’ll see. I’m sure there’ll be a crowd. I’ve heard they’ll have a picnic after the wedding.” He chuckled. “My dear mother hears all the latest gossip.”
“I have to go.”
“Remember, we need each other. At least, for now. I’ll call you so we can settle on the plans for the day of the party.”
* * * *
Cassie waited until she heard both cars drive off. She’d been able to hear some of the words and sensed whoever they were, they didn’t like or trust each other. Still, something kept their fragile bond holding together.
She started the car and drove home. She’d let the words and feelings mull around inside of her head for a day or two. Maybe then they’d make more sense. She was glad to see the ranch gate come into view. The guard started to wave her through, but she stopped.
“Has anyone returned through here in the last fifteen minutes?”
“Not my gate, and I didn’t see anyone go by toward the other gates. No one has driven by in the last thirty minutes.”
“Thanks, my friend must have decided to do some shopping before returning.” Cassie waved and drove on toward her house.
Nick greeted her at the door. “I was getting worried. You said you’d be here thirty minutes ago.” He pulled her close and kissed her. “I’m looking forward to our afternoon together.”
“Sorry, I got hung up at the shop. I’ll tell you about it later. It’s probably nothing, but”—she shook herself—“I have a creepy feeling about it.”