Wishing she’d turn around, I said, “It’s about five miles north of town, and we have a house already built. You’re welcome to decorate it as you like after we get our cattle to market.”

“It goes without saying you have a house. I’d like to think you aren’t sleeping in your barn or outside.”

The amusement in her words made me smile and I almost teased her about spying on us. “All right. What did you want to know?”

She turned to face us, revealing a wrinkle of worry between arched brows. “I was more interested in your stock counts, acreage, whether you have a stable water source, hired hands, and if I can expect a reasonable level of autonomy while I decide where my skills will be most useful.”

I gave her the information she wanted, pleased when it made her smile. In fact, she looked positively delighted, even though we didn’t have much. I wondered if she’d have that same cheerful smile after we made love to her.

Justin took her hand and kissed her knuckles. “You don’t need to work, honey. We’d never ask you to. The only thing you have to do is be safe and comfortable.”

Maddy’s eyes tightened in irritation. “I’m not accustomed to idleness. Aside from that, you’re attempting to manage two hundred head of cattle during calving season without any hired help. You can’t afford to push me off to the side.”

I shared a look with Justin. It went against everything we believed to allow her to do ranch work. It was back-breaking labor and could be dangerous. I didn’t even much care for the idea of her cooking for us, but only a foolish man would turn down her offer. Maybe this was one of those times we’d need to pick our battles. If industry kept her happy, then we could give her that.

Of course, if

Justin and I did our part correctly, she’d be too exhausted from our loving every night to get up to mischief. My cock swelled and I smiled, knowing Justin and I would begin the important duty right after our wedding.

“All right, tell us what you think you can do.”

She rested her palms on the table. “I can maintain fence, and I’ve spent some time with cattle, though I don’t claim to be an expert hand with them. I can also manage your horses and get them trained to the point you won’t have to fight with an unbroken range horse. I can take a few of your better mares and get them into foal with Prince so you can see what a good horse is worth. Give me leave to do whatever I think I can. Be patient with me when I make mistakes, and let me help you. If you give me those things, I’ll marry you.”

We nodded, accepting her terms. “Have you finished eating?” I asked, frowning at her barely touched plate.

“Yes, thank you. I suppose we ought to go to the church before it gets much later.”

“Not yet,” Justin said. “First, while you’ll be bride to both of us, you have to choose which of us you’ll legally marry.”

5

MADDY

* * *

Squeezing me between them after that fateful coin toss, Justin and Caleb escorted me from the room. I could barely walk by myself. How could a body feel so much pleasure and still remain conscious? I tingled all over. Was this what Dahlia felt like with Reggie? No wonder she smiled all the time. Oh, and they’d touched me like that in a hotel restaurant! Although we had a private dining room, sound carried. If word ever got out I’d never bear the shame of it. Then again, my two men were just about to be my husbands, and a woman ought to obey.

The thought made me feel somewhat better, but I’d have to make sure not to incite them again, at least not when we were out in public.

“Caleb and Justin!” a woman’s voice called. “Come, join us and introduce us to your bride!”

My face flamed at the smiling gazes of a threesome at a table positioned far too close. Judging by their smiles, they’d heard everything. I tried to hide behind Justin’s massive form, but he wasn’t having it and kept me locked against his side, pressed tightly between his hard body and Caleb’s.

Their cheerful grins weren’t cruel though. All three wore expressions of genuine delight. Two men surrounded a young blonde woman with flushed cheeks and a look of supreme satisfaction with her lot in life. All were finely dressed, and appeared comfortably well off. The woman wore a pale green dress, revealing a slim, yet well-proportioned figure, while the men were very handsome in warm woolen shirts and dark trousers.

“Robert, Andrew,” Caleb said, nodding to each man in turn. “And Miz Ann. How are you this fine evening?”

“Very well, thank you. Will you introduce us to your new wife?” Robert asked.

“This is Miss Maddy. We’re headed to the church right now,” Justin said.

Andrew arched a brow, his expression darkening. “Ann, love, will you take Maddy and help her freshen up? Robert and I need to have a few words with Caleb and Justin.”

I scanned the men’s faces, disliking Andrew’s judgmental glare. Lifting my chin, I returned his ferocious scowl with interest and wriggled free to stand in front of Caleb and Justin. “Is there a problem?” I asked tartly.

Both Andrew and Robert blinked at me in surprise, but Ann giggled and rose to her feet. “I’ll take you to the powder room,” she said, rounding the table. “Robert and Andrew want to yell at your new husbands for a bit to make sure they haven’t besmirched your honor.”

Robert nodded, peering at me speculatively over the rim of a teacup.