Chapter Twenty-One

Audrey

After my trip to the veterinary office, I was all in. Of course, the kiss didn't hurt, and their care for all the animals that came into the practice warmed my heart, but watching them deliver that calf?

They were true heroes. Very messy heroes, to be sure, but heroes nonetheless. I'd been whispering promises to the laboring mama that I could only hope Hale and Idris could keep, but they'd done it. It was quite a sight, the two of them up to the shoulder inside the cow's body, and afterward, they both looked like they'd taken a shower in some kind of multicolored fluid, but they were unfazed. I wore my mucking boots and stayed at the end of the cow, far from where the action was happening.

The two of them rode back in Idris' truck and had me follow them in the car. That way, only one car was being exposed to the mess, and it gave me a chance to think about everything I'd seen today.

If I stayed, and I knew now that I very much wanted to, I would need to figure out a few things. Like my channel on YouTube. I could hardly continue with the dating theme. In fact, I had never even brought up my match with these three on the channel. I wasn't sure why, but it hadn't occurred to me, and then everything happened so fast.

But if I didn't do a show based on dating, which had really brought me in a lot of subscribers and likes and everything so good, what could I do? After years of doing work for others, I was ready to produce my own content exclusively. But it would have to earn because I was not willing to let the men support me. I'd never been someone who could do that.

We drove straight to the cabins because it was close to the end of the day and Lachlan could handle things at the clinic. I was glad it was light out, too, because I did not relish the idea of making it down that drive in the dark.

I wanted a shower, too, and for one brief sparkling second, I considered suggesting that Hale and Idris join me, but then I chickened out. So it was a half hour later by the time we gathered for dinner and conversation. Lachlan arrived, too, and Hale declared it breakfast-for-dinner night. He explained they often did that when they got stuck late at work. I thought it was a marvelous idea, but this time I insisted on cooking. I might not be a chef, but I could manage eggs and potatoes. And toast. They had all worked all day while I wandered around asking questions and generally making a nuisance of myself. A little scramble was the least I could do.

I found a red bell pepper and half an onion in the fridge as well as the potatoes and some cheese. While I listened to Hale and Idris telling Lachlan about the calf, I chopped veggies and grated cheese then broke a dozen eggs into a bowl. It was a pretty light dinner for three men who'd worked all day, and I didn't see any bacon. We must have used up the last of it for breakfast this morning.

I beat the eggs until they were frothy while the chopped onion and peppers sizzled in a skillet then added the diced potatoes and stirred it around. The conversation from the living room sounded so homey, and the occasional burst of laughter had me hurrying to finish cooking. I wanted to be part of that. Finally I had the potatoes O'Brian and cheesy eggs along with a platter of toast ready.

"Anyone want to come bring the food in?" I called.

Two seconds later, all three were right there, with me, and I felt happy. Just having them here made me happy. They carried the food along with butter and jam and the pot of coffee I'd brewed to the dining area and set it all down. I followed with dishes and silverware, and soon we were all digging in. I was amazed at how hungry I was, and I did justice to my share of the food.

When we were all finished, I pushed my plate away and looked from one of them to the others. "If you'd like me to, I would love to stay here with you."

Their wide eyes did not give me a lot of confidence that they shared this idea. Then Lachlan said, "You want to stay as…"

"Your wife?"

"Really?" He was on his feet and coming around the table, scooping me up before I realized what he intended. "That's the best news I've heard all day."

The other two crowded close, hugging me as best they could and making me just a little terrified about what it might be like to be with three big men in the bedroom. I was no virgin but I'd never been with more than one at a time. It had sounded interesting in concept, but just now as they embraced me and passed me back and forth from one to the other, hugs turning to kisses and touching, I was both scared and turned on. But I still had a lot to say and to show them before we took this any further.

"Wait." I struggled free. "You haven't even seen my cat yet."