Captured by Cowboys (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 1)
She set the photo down on the table and turned to Emmett. “When did they die?”
“Twelve years ago. A plane crash took all of them. It also took our friends’ parents. The Knights and the Colemans.”
The air grew thick with the apparent ancient grief of the three cowboys. “You must’ve been only teenagers.”
“I was eighteen and the twins were fifteen. The whole town grieved with us. The O’Learys took all the orphaned teens under their wings. They’re a local wealthy family. They’re like grandparents to us now.”
“It’s not the same as having your own parents.” Her heart ached for them. What a loss at such a young age. “I’m so sorry.”
“It was a long time ago, Amber.” Emmett stood. “We survived. I think you should get back in bed.”
Even though his suggestion was harmless, she fel
t her cheeks burn as she imagined what it might be like with these three cowboys, her rescuers, surrounding her in a bed. They’d proven they would care for her every need already. Attentive was an understatement.
“Look at her eyes,” Cody said. “She is tired.”
Her eyelids did feel suddenly heavy.
Emmett helped her to her feet. “I insist, Amber. Sleep. We can talk more in the morning.”
“But I have more questions for you guys. Lots more questions.” Before she could continue her argument to remain with them, a long yawn escaped her mouth.
“That’s it.” Emmett lifted her up into his arms. “Bed. Now.”
She placed her forehead into his chest. “Yes, Sir.”
* * * *
Emmett looked at the golden liquid in his glass. Whiskey sometimes was the best medicine, and he sure could use some right now. His body was tired, not ill, but his mind was troubled. Cody was not about to back down when it came to Amber, and that definitely meant trouble. He’d seen him around women many times—at Phase Four, here, and a thousand other places. When Cody was attracted to a female, he was pedal to the metal. But this time was different. His brother was holding back, for him at least. Bryant, too, was acting different around Amber. He didn’t want to see them get hurt. Not again.
“You’re deep in thought,” Cody said, placing his empty glass down on the table.
“Yep.”
Bryant knocked back the rest of the contents in his glass.
His gut tightened. Since Amber’s arrival, the twins’ conduct had troubled him. He was concerned for her, for them, for himself—though the latter wasn’t a luxury he could afford. “That’s number three for you?”
“Yes it is.” Bryant stood. “And it won’t be my last.”
“You better slow down. We’ve got to check the roads in the morning.”
“You’re not one of my dads, Emmett. Stop trying to be. I’m twenty-seven. I don’t need a parent.”
Bryant didn’t normally share so much.
“Okay. Fill your boots for all I care.” But he did care. He cared a whole helluva lot. Cody and Bryant were more than brothers to him. He trusted them with his life. He felt responsible for them. Bryant was the quietest of the three of them. Not introverted, so to speak, but definitely a man of few words. Apparently the whiskey and Amber’s presence in the other room were having an impact on his tongue and his emotions.
Damn, how could he stop them from falling for Amber? They’d been through so much.
Bryant poured himself another drink, draining the bottle, and sat back down.
They sat in silence around the kitchen table. What were his brothers thinking? He could venture a guess that Cody was working out a plan to seduce Amber. Bryant was a mystery.
“Listen to me. We’ve got to keep our hands off of Amber,” he stated, hoping they would really hear him.
“Why?” Cody asked.