A Wicked Woman (Mail Order Bride of Slate Springs 3)

“No.”

“No.”

“Then you will not poke fun and tell me the truth.”

“Slate Springs’ town council passed a law over a year ago making it legal for two men to marry one woman,” Jed said. “That is why Piper is married to both Spur and Lane.”

“Town law?” I asked.

Both men nodded. “The mayor, Luke Tate, shares a bride with his brother, Walker. You can meet them and Celia soon enough, but for now, talk with Piper.”

They seemed so earnest in their words. Were they true? Was there really a town law that allowed a wife to have two husbands? Based on the hair on the baby’s head, the child was Piper’s, but which husband? Oh, god, did she… did she bed two men? Two men! How did that work? Did they take turns with their attentions? Did she like one over the other? Monday for Spur, Tuesday for Lane and so on?

“From an intellectual standpoint,” Knox commented. “You should speak with Piper to ease your curiosity. If, after doing so, you wish to leave, we will take you to the boarding house.”

I eyed him carefully. “That last bit is a lie.”

His lip turned up. “You’re right. I did lie about the last. You will talk with Piper and stay with her and her family. I want you safe.”

“Why wouldn’t I be safe at the boarding house? Is it dangerous here?”

The town was quaint and in the prettiest of settings. Jagged peaks covered in snow surrounded the valley where the town was nestled. The grass was so green, wildflowers dotted the landscape. I couldn’t imagine the people living here being ruthless killers.

“No, but we will ensure you are protected,” Jed added. “May we escort you back to Piper now?”

I looked between the two. Were Piper, Lane, Spur, Jed and Knox all working together to ridicule me? It seemed unrealistic to have them band together and make up such a ruse for the next new person who came to town. It seemed unlikely, but then again Tara and Marina had signed me up to be a mail order bride, spread slander and purchased me a train ticket, all for their amusement.

But these men weren’t Tara or Marina and I was no longer in Clancy.

“Very well.”

Jed placed his fingers on my elbow and guided me back up the street where Piper and her two husbands—really?—were waiting.

The fair-haired man, Lane, said, “Piper told me you were Melvin Thomkins’ mail order bride. I’m sorry for your loss.”

I glanced away and murmured my thanks.

“I am sorry if I said something that bothered you. I have been told many times that I should be more ladylike, but I fear that is impossible.” Piper stepped forward and patted my arm. “You must be hungry after your journey. Tired, too.” She studied me as closely as I studied her. “And you have questions, too. I should shoot my brothers for not preparing you.”

She narrowed her eyes and gave her brothers a look I recognized as one I was trained to give unruly students.

In my periphery, I saw Jed hold his hands up in front of her. “It’s better to hear it from you than us. I wanted her safe. In Slate Springs. If either of us told her, she’d have run back to Denver.”

“It looked like she was on her way there just a minute ago,” Piper argued.

The baby made a fussy sound and Spur patted her back.

“Give me my niece,” Knox said, stepping up to Spur and deftly taking the infant from him. Spur didn’t seem to mind and smiled at his little daughter. Wait. Was the baby his? Or Lane’s?

Knox put her up on his shoulder and she stared at me with wide blue eyes. She was tiny in his hold. My heart gave a little lurch seeing his big hand pat her back, listen to him croon to her, see the smile spread on his face. I wanted a baby. I wanted a man who would hold my baby with such tenderness, even with big, hard hands.

That was not going to happen with Melvin dead, so I shook my head, cleared my mind of the possibility.

“Let’s go to the kitchen,” Piper said, grabbing my arm and tugging me up the steps. I almost tripped on one in her haste. “The four of them will fight over who gets to hold Lillian until she’s hungry, and don’t worry, she’s got powerful lungs and we’ll know. The whole town does.” She pulled me into the house and through to the kitchen.

The house wasn’t overly large, but well appointe

d. With the kitchen set at the back, the window over the pump sink looked out at the base of the mountain, thick green grass and scrubby bushes blended with boulders and craggy rocks.