“Bad news?” he asked.
She looked at him strangely.
“The phone call? You were l
istening to a call when I came in. You didn’t even hear me.”
“Oh, it was nothing.” She looked down and took an unsteady breath.
“Amelia, if something is wrong, you can tell me or even Elise.”
“It’s nothing I can’t handle. Just a surprise call. I appreciate your kind gesture.”
He smiled at her. “Go on outside, the music is getting started and Elise is quite the dancer.” He winked and Amelia forced a smile as she walked outside along with Sam. She felt her body shaking, but tried to pretend that her mind wasn’t on Mano or New York.
Many people showed up for the bash and Amelia couldn’t help but to watch the Haas men cater to their wife Elise. She wished life could be so simple. She couldn’t help but wonder if Mano would have the audacity to come out here. She knew he would. He was resourceful, and now he was rich. She had evaded him and his brother for a year, spending her time outside of the city in upstate New York. He called her a few times and she had her phone number changed. She couldn’t do that now. She needed it for work and she didn’t want the hassle. No, she would have to talk to him and make him understand that things were over. That it had been his fault and she was starting a new life. It was the only way.
* * * *
The party was a success. Elise watched as her sons showed total and obvious interest in Amelia. She had to laugh as Amelia kept trying to sidestep away from one of them or simply swat at their hands as they sneakily stroked her hip. She knew that feeling. The overwhelming sense of embarrassment for being publically exposed like that, yet completely aroused by the attention. Her own men, Sam, Jordan, and Tysen, had been like that. In fact, they still placed her first and always made sure she was happy and provided for.
Elise watched her sons. They had hard lives, especially Brody and Waylon. She’ll never forget their dirty, sad faces the first days they’d shown up around the ranch to help out for money or just food. It broke her heart knowing that their parents abandoned them. The decision to adopt them was instant and she knew in her heart that it was the right thing to do. She’d never regretted it. Not even when the boys got into some trouble now and again.
She chuckled to herself.
The crew of them were so much alike that they did everything together. They even joined the service. She sighed at that memory. They’d changed some after those eight years. Brody and Waylon had changed the most.
She watched now as Brody placed his hand on Amelia’s waist as she spoke to Velma and Jonas. It was about time Jonas made a move. He’d liked Velma for a long time.
“What are you staring at so intently?” Sam asked as he came up behind Elise, wrapping his arms around her. She placed her hands over his and leaned back against his chest. She loved the feel of being in her men’s arms. She felt safest and most loved there.
“I was just watching our son’s act blatantly possessive of Amelia. They’re making it clear that they like her.”
“Hmm, I did notice that. She seems resistant, doesn’t she?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t quite say resistant, as I would cautious. I can recall meeting you, Jordan, and Tysen, and trying to get used to your public displays of possession.”
He laughed as his warm breath caressed against her skin. She closed her eyes and smiled. She felt his lips kiss her skin by her ear.
“Damn straight we did. Wanted every man in the vicinity to know you were taken. Those boys are definitely making their intentions known. I just hope they don’t push too much. Amelia is very quiet and only learned of ménage relationships from Regan.”
“You think she’s not interested?”
“I wouldn’t say that. She likes all four of them. I’ve never seen Brody, Waylon, or Murphy pay so much attention to a woman. Ricky on the other hand, he’s got some personality.”
Elise laughed. Ricky flirted a bunch, but he’d never brought a woman home to the ranch. That said a lot right there.
“I’m not sure if it’s anything to be concerned about, but earlier, Amelia got a phone call and she looked pretty shaken up. I walked into the kitchen and she hadn’t even heard me. There were tears in her eyes, and when I asked her if things were okay, she of course said she was fine. I could tell she wasn’t.” Elise turned around to face Sam.
“Could something be wrong and she’s not telling us or Regan? She has been on her own for years. Regan mentioned Amelia losing everything she had.”
Sam scowled.
“What do you mean?”
“My understanding is that she had to sell off the house and belongings to pay for funeral expenses. Regan wouldn’t say much more. She only mentioned Amelia living in a place in the country for a year by cooking meals in between working at a hospital. I don’t really know the details.”
“Well, if there is something wrong, perhaps accepting our sons’ attention will give her the confidence to confide in them.”