Their Juicy Woman

“What we need to do is make a list. Sheriff Dawes said it could be a long shot, but right now, he doesn’t know who or why this is happening. We’re making a list, and we’ve got Louise doing one. We want you to do one, and we’ll expect it tomorrow. I’ll take it into town,” Elijah said.

Parker didn’t like this, not one bit. He wanted to get to the bottom of it before someone else got hurt.

Chapter Seven

“I imagine you’ve got a lot of questions,” Louise asked.

“Erm, I don’t know. To be honest this doesn’t seem or feel real.” Poppy took the offered glass of iced tea and smiled at Louise. She had always liked Louise. The older woman was kind, generous, but also proud. She wouldn’t take any shit from anyone. While they’d been organizing the pie tent Mrs. Kent had tried to say some bullshit about Louise and her sort, and Poppy had been surprised by how Louise had reminded Mrs. Kent not to point the finger unless she was prepared for her own skeletons to come out of the closet. It was then Poppy realized that Louise knew a great deal about the town, and the people inside it.

“It is real. I know my sons have probably bombarded you with their wants and demands. At times, I’m shocked by their selfishness.”

Poppy chuckled. “They’ve told me how they see our lives together.”

“Yes, but did they give a thought to what you want? They naturally assume you’ll want it.”

“I do.” Poppy’s cheeks heated, and Louise smiled.

“Well at least that’s something. It’ll be a lot easier for you if this is the kind of life you do want. It’s not easy. I’m not going to lie to you, Poppy. If what people think is important to you, then this life is going to be extremely hard.”

“What was it like for you?”

“Difficult. The first time I was in town and got sneered at, I was … sick. I felt sickened by people’s viewpoints, but you know what? Screw them. That’s what I decided long ago. Also, it helps that the Mrs. Kents of this world want what we have. Twenty years ago, not long after Shawn was born, I found her trying to convince Elijah to sleep with her. It was then that I started to really look at the town. My eyes were opened a lot. Some women accepted me and envied me. Others wanted what I had, and a select group hated my guts.”

“How did you handle it?”

“I realized that I loved Elijah and Bruce a hell of a lot more than I cared about what others thought. I stayed away from those that hated my guts. Made friends with those that didn’t care, and learned to deal with the judgment of others when they wanted what I have.”

“What if I’m not enough for them?” she asked. Her cheeks were on fire, but there was no point in hiding it. She wanted all three of the Smith men, and they wanted her.

“You’re more than enough. I’ve seen the way Casey, Parker, and Shawn have all looked at you. It’s like they can’t breathe, and then when they see you, they can do everything their heart desires. They worship you, Poppy. All they want is what’s best for you. It’s not going to be easy. You’ll always have a friend in me, and I can help where needed. I raised those boys to be respectful to women. They’ll treat you right.”

“What if they cheat? I don’t … is it wrong for me to want them all to myself?” She was going to hell, she was sure of it.

Louise laughed. “I know, right? How can we be jealous when we have all of them? I know Bruce and Elijah are faithful to me, just as I am to them. Talk to them, Poppy. Know what you want as much as they do. Be prepared to bargain for a life you’d love. I know my boys wouldn’t settle for anything less.”

Poppy smiled. “It seems weird talking about this.”

“Just remember, you’re the one in control of yourself. Don’t make unreasonable demands. Treat them right, respect them. Don’t boss them around, or pit one brother against the other. They’ll be more than happy with you.”

She never had any intention of making them fight. She couldn’t stand violence of any kind, and never would feel happy to see it either.

Leaving Louise’s house, she felt happier.

“You okay?” Shawn asked.

“Yeah, I’m okay.”

“You’re not wanting to run to a hotel or anything, are you?” he asked.

She took his hand, placing a kiss on his knuckles. “No. I’m not going to do that.”

They made it back to their house. She was sure to feed the ranch hands and see them off for a safe drive before making a meal for her and the Smith brothers.