“That won’t be necessary. We’re here,” Tex stated.
Avery’s eyes widened and so did Trey’s. “I thought you guys weren’t staking a claim. You’re kind of old, aren’t you?”
“Is that a challenge, son?” Tex asked.
She held his hand over her belly as he began to step away from her and perhaps toward Avery and Trey. She didn’t know what exactly was going on. She just assumed that this had something to do with that guardianship nonsense and about maybe knowing more about Avery and Trey than she did.
“I don’t know what’s going on but I don’t want any trouble,” she whispered.
“No trouble, Vye. We’re looking out for you and Benny. Going to spend some time with you today. You men can move on,” Kendrick said and they shook their heads in frustration, then walked away, but they kept looking back. Something was going on here.
Tex stepped away from her and she immediately felt the loss of his touch. Was he putting on some sort of show of possession to get Trey and Avery to take a hike? She squinted at him and Kendrick.
“So, what do you need at the boutique?” Tex asked.
She placed her hands on her hips and stared up at him and then Kendrick.
“What the heck just went down here? Does it have something to do with this stupid guardian stuff? If so, then just drop it right now. I don’t need any man or men getting up into my business, trying to control me, and ruin my plans. No thank you,” she said and started to walk the stroller past them.
Tex covered her hand that held the steering bar of the stroller. She stopped and looked way up at him. He was a sight, and holy God she was completely attracted to him and Kendrick. Shit.
“Those boys aren’t good enough for you or Benny. You mind my orders. We’re looking out for what’s best for you and Benny,” he said, then released her hand.
She started to walk. Mind his orders? Was he serious? Was she stupid for not even responding when she just said no man or men were going to control her life and order her around? When he said mind his orders for some stupid-ass reason, she felt her pussy clench and her breasts swell. It turned her on. She’d lost her mind and once again was going to succumb to the weaknesses of a good-looking, powerful man—or men—with abilities to weaken her resolve and make her submit to their dominant ways and ultimately be her demise? Had she not learned a damn thing after Murdock?
“So this is a great little town. They have all kinds of stores and little cafes and restaurants, even some bars, too,” Kendrick said, and she didn’t challenge Tex’s comments. She chose her battles wisely and she needed time to digest whatever this was that was happening. Before long, she forgot about his commanding words and actually enjoyed talking to him, Kendrick, and then Lou who joined them.
Lou approached, kissed her cheek hello, and then bent down to say hello to Benny, but he was sleeping. He kept a hand on her hip and was all smiles.
“So you heard about Lois?” he asked.
“Sure did. Ford ran to the bank from a block away,” Kendrick said, smirking.
“They’re on their way to the mid-wife’s house now. Won’t be long,” Lou said and smiled at Vye, giving her a wink. He kept a hand on her hip as they walked and she didn’t mind at all.
They wound up being a big help as they offered to watch Benny while she tried on some things in the boutique.
* * * *
“How did you wind up meeting up with Vye?” Lou asked, standing next to Tex and Kendrick. Max was still pissed off from hearing that multiple men were asking about guardianship of Vye, like she was some sort of item in a market. They didn’t know her, know her story, or what she went through. They saw her beauty, her sexy body, and sweet smile—the fucking assholes.
“Tex and I made a stand, Lou. We’ll talk about it later with Pierce and Frankie, too. Evonna and Benny need looking after. These young, punk cowboys think they can just stake a claim like she’s some sort of object. She needs us,” Kendrick exclaimed.
“You mean like being her guardians?” Lou asked.
“Men have been asking. Men like Avery and Trey. We had to step in. Those guys and their four brothers aren’t good enough for her,” Kendrick whispered.
“We’ve known them for years. They’re good men, have good jobs in law enforcement, and wouldn’t hurt her,” Lou said, and this time Tex shot him a look, a mean scowl on his face. Was Lou out of his fucking mind? He was the one who’d instigated this attraction. The rest of them had been trying to ignore it.
“Listen, we’ll talk later,” Tex stated firmly before Vye came out carrying a few items.
“Is that all you’re getting?” Kendrick asked.
“Yes, I didn’t want you guys to have to wait too long. I appreciate the assistance,” she said and then reached down under the stroller to grab her purse.
“We don’t mind. You can take your time and try on more,” Lou told her, and looked her over. Tex was doing the same thing. The woman was a knockout.
“I’m good. I can’t really buy too much. I’m trying to save and budget things out,” she said and then took the things to the register, wheeling the stroller along with her.