Short Rides (Rough Riders 14.5)

“So what else is new?” They held hands as they climbed the stairs.

Their water games were mostly innocent. Edgard kneaded her tensed muscles. His relaxation techniques included caresses and soft kisses. He loved touching her, this woman who defined strength and softness. The depth of his feelings for her at the beginning of their relationship as a triad had surprised him. As did how easily and quickly they brought something to each other besides their love for Trevor.

She squinted at him. “You’re looking at me funny, Ed.”

“Just thinking about how much I love you.”

“You tryin’ to get me to cry?”

“No, querida, I’m trying to get you to smile. ’Cause I know how much you love bein’ reminded that me and Trev are wrapped around your little finger.”

Chassie grinned. “It is good to be me.”

After drying off and slipping on her pajamas, Chassie went to check on the kids one last time, like she always did, even if both he and Trevor had already checked them.

Then she crawled in bed and curled into him, like she did most nights. It’d never bothered him that she’d fall asleep in his arms and wake up in Trevor’s arms since Trevor had to have a hand someplace on Edgard’s body every night. A constant reassurance that he was really there.

Edgard started to drift off. He heard the shower kick on. Then the familiar scent of soap wafted out on a humid wave as Trevor exited the bathroom. The dresser drawer squeaked and he looked over to see Trevor slipping on a pair of flannel pants. Their days of sleeping in the nude had ended with three kids popping into their room any hour of the night.

So Edgard was really looking forward to the next three days and nights.

Trevor tucked his body behind Chassie’s. He reached for Edgard, threading their fingers together and resting their joined hands on the pillow above Chassie’s head.

All was right with his world and he let sleep overtake him.

Rough Road: Chapter Two

The next morning Chassie had finished packing Westin’s lunch when Edgard wandered into the kitchen. He gave her the brilliant, sexy grin that still weakened her knees. “Mornin’, beautiful.”

“Mornin’ yourself, sleepyhead. Why aren’t you helping Trev with the feeding?”

“He said he had it handled.” Edgard poured himself a cup of coffee.

Chassie glanced at the clock. “Why aren’t the kids up? Westin is gonna miss the bus if we don’t leave in ten minutes.”

“He says he’s got a stomachache and he’s not goin’ to school today.”

Her gut clenched. “Because of what was said to him at school yesterday?”

“No.” Edgard curled his hand around her face and pressed a gentle kiss on her lips. “He did have a pained look, so I tucked him back in bed. Didn’t see a reason to wake the other kids up.”

“I should go check on him.”

“Chass. Baby, I just did.” He kissed her again and stepped back to sip his coffee. “Did you deal with the goats this morning?”

“Yep.” She refilled her coffee cup and looked around the kitchen. Seemed weird the kids weren’t up. Mornings were chaotic, but also her favorite part of the day. “I think...” She heard a noise and leaned over to look out the window. A car she didn’t recognize had started up the driveway. “Who on earth is dropping by at seven-thirty in the morning?”

The car parked next to the mini-van and a beautiful brunette stepped out. Her hair and makeup perfect; her clothing stylish and unwrinkled. “Omigod. What is my cousin Ramona West doin’ here?”

Without waiting for Edgard to respond, Chassie raced out of the house.

Ravishing Ramona paused at the edge of the walkway leading to the front door. She grinned and threw open her arms. “Look at what the cat dragged in all the way from Seattle!”

Chassie hugged her. “You look fantastic, as usual.”

“So do you. I see your men are taking great care of you.”

“Always. So you could’ve warned me you were comin’ for a visit.”

“Nope, that would’ve ruined the surprise.”

“What surprise?”

The front door to the house opened, disgorging all three of their kids, who were jumping on Ramona like eager puppies. Chassie’s eyes narrowed at Westin. “Someone wanna tell me what’s goin’ on?”

Max was running around yelling, “Surprise, Mama, surprise!”

“What surprise?” she repeated.

Trevor’s hands were on her shoulders and Edgard flanked her. “The surprise that Ramona is here to stay with the kids for the weekend while we whisk you off to celebrate our anniversary.”

Westin grinned. “Had you fooled, huh Mama? You thought I was really sick.”

She ruffled his hair, happy to see him smiling after last night’s conversation. “Yes. So you were all in on this?”

“Uh-huh.” Sophie giggled. “I’m a good secret keeper.”

“That you are.” Chassie looked over and saw Edgard’s truck backed up to the side door and luggage piled in the back. “How long have you two had this planned?”

“About a month,” Edgard said. “We asked Keely if she’d take the kids for a weekend, and she mentioned it to Ramona, who had planned to be in Wyoming next week anyway. So she volunteered to come early.”

Ramona leaned over and whispered, “Three days of nonstop loud sex with these two hotties who worship you? I’m more than a little jealous, cuz.” She scooped Max up and perched him on her hip. “I see the ‘why would a single woman volunteer’ question in your eyes and the truth is, I fear my brothers will never get married and give me nephews and nieces, so I’m co-opting the Glanzer kids as mine.”

Trevor grinned. “Works for us since my family has disowned me and Ed’s family is in Brazil. Oh, right, they disowned him too.”

“People are stupid. Family is family. I hardly ever get to see Nick and Holly’s kids, or Blake and Willow’s boys. Boone is all grown up now—I can’t believe he’s a senior in high school. And our McKay cousins...they’ve already got ten million aunts and uncles. So the price of my child care duties is this: I expect to be called Aunt Ramona from here on out.”

“Yes, Aunt Ramona,” Westin said.

“But we already call Keely Aunt Keely,” Sophia added. “And India Aunt India—”

“Forget I asked to be special.”