Page 8 of Eye of Her Storm

Seth grabbed his shoulders. “Like the cowboys we are. Like the men who love her. We’ll hold her up, give her all our strength, make the next three months perfect…and break down in private. You’ll be the same provider and doer you’ve always been, and I’ll be the emotional rock for you both.”

Tai sucked in a deep breath then slowly let it out. Seth was always the caretaker. He really was Tai’s rock. “And who will be there for you?”

“Don’t you know? I had no one before we got together, no family, no…anyone of any sort. Now, I have you. I have Brant. I have your mom and dad. You’re my support even when I’m supporting you.”

Tai shoved his hands into Seth’s hair and kissed him hard. Their tongues tangled, their bodies melting together until Tai had Seth sprawled down onto the stairs, their torsos pressed together and their legs tangled. Still, their hungry mouths kept on, devouring on all the support and comfort they could draw from one another. Seth pushed his hands up under Tai’s shirt and dragged his fingers roughly down his back. Tai bit Seth’s lip before he drew away for a moment to stare into Seth’s passion-filled eyes.

“You just got blood in my hair,” Seth muttered.

Tai smirked. “It’s hot.”

“Asshole.”

“Your asshole.” He drew a raw knuckle along Seth’s cheek. “You make me feel better.”

“I love you, jerk.”

“I love you, too.” It was partial comfort; they had each other. They were losing River before they’d ever really had her. What would he do without Seth? He couldn’t imagine life without the most important people in his life.

“River’s training her friend at the Doc’s office today. You think it’s too soon to go see if she’s made a decision.”

“It’s five AM, so I’m thinking…yeah.”

Right and they probably needed to wait until this afternoon to see her. Or tonight. No, this afternoon. He didn’t want to wait longer than that. “Let’s get the animals fed then run into town for a late breakfast at Leena’s.”

“Leena’s Café? You must be super antsy if we’re eating out.”

Tai shrugged. “I figure we can eat, pick up one of those fancy coffees for Riv then head over to Doc’s office.”

“Good plan. Now, let me get your knuckles cleaned up, okay?”

Seth climbed to his feet then offered Tai his hand. Together, they headed upstairs into their new reality—a reality that would hopefully include River for as long as possible.

* * * *

River and her friend/trainee, Madison, looked up as someone—two someones, actually—entered the waiting room for Dr. Walker’s offices. There weren’t any appointments scheduled for the next few hours, but it wasn’t unusual for there to be walk-ins around here. River’s eyes widened when she saw the two cowboys entering. They were obviously coming to see her if their pressed, plaid shirts and worn, but clean jeans, neatly combed hair and dirt-free boots and bodies meant everything. These were spiffed-up ranchers a-calling, not guys who’d been wrangling livestock and plowing fields.

“Good morning,” Madison called out. “How can we help you this morning?” She’d caught on to the office’s routine quickly. Riv was pretty much there for support, letting her friend, who was experienced with larger practices in the Detroit area, take the lead with patients. Mads was loving small-town living. Her biggest learning curve was in adapting to Daly’s laidback attitudes in contrast to those in a fast-paced, rule-bound city.

Riv placed a hand on her friend’s arm. “This one’s for me.” She rose and rounded the desk to the archway that led into the lobby.

“Hi,” she said, leaning against the open doorway, her arms crossed casually as she smiled at them. “What’s up?”

“Brought you some fancy coffee from Leena’s.” Seth grinned and handed her the paper cup. “And…you know what’s up. We’re anxious about it, too.”

“I guess so.” Her smile widened, and she glanced over at Tai, finding him just as anxious as Seth had said. So intense. Tai always seemed to have the weight of the world on his shoulders. This whole situation would be harder on him than anyone else, and it was why she’d considered telling them she wouldn’t move in with them. But she suspected circumstances would be harder on all of them if she rejected the relationship with them now after all this time, especially with the time limit imposed on them.

She straightened. Going to the reception window, she reached through and placed her coffee on the desk. With her hands free, she returned to her guys. She stroked her fingers down Tai’s arm, wanting to comfort him. The firm curve of his iron-hard biceps simultaneously warmed her palm and sent a shiver through her. It made her think of future nights in his embrace, those powerful arms wrapped tightly around her.

“Look,” she said, reluctantly, “I can’t talk right now. Can you come back in an hour when we close for lunch? We can head up to my apartment for a chat.”

“Good chat or bad chat?” Tai asked, his brows drawing together.

“Good, I think.” She tilted her chin down and gave them both a pointed look. “But don’t get any ideas about funny business. Not over lunch.”

Tai’s surprised laugh lightened the mood over them, and even Seth, who’d already seemed laidback, appeared to relax.

“Okay, then,” Seth agreed. “We’ll come back in a half hour.” He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek while Tai bent forward and pressed his lips to her forehead. She curled her fingers in their shirts as they remained still like that, cherishing the intimacy for a moment, before Doc Walker cleared his throat behind her. When she pulled away and turned to look at her boss, he’d already left for his office. Lovable old codger. He just liked to razz her.

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