Owned (11 page)

“Do we get an opinion in this part?” Nate asked.

“Of course, but you know how well I’ll listen if I don’t agree,” I said, putting on my best innocent smile. He just shook his head and laughed. “I want renovations done to the main house and the bunkhouse, so I don’t want to install a security system yet. That being said, I do want mounted, hidden security cameras that are recording all the time. I also want some motion-activated trip sensors in a few prime locations. Lastly, I want all the locks changed as soon as I can get someone out here. The contractor is coming out next week to start working on plans for renovations.”

“You done?” Nate asked.

“Yup.” We spent the next twenty minutes hashing out details and adjusting a few things. But we were all on the same general page, which I liked.

“Now that we’ve got that part done and everyone knows what their part is, what’s on the docket for today?” Jamie asked. I knew she was being practical, but it took me a few tries to find my voice. I’d rather deal with people threatening my life than have to set up the funeral.

“Sheriff Swick told me the autopsy was ruled natural causes,” I started but seeing they were all looking at me, I kept my eyes on the table. “I have to talk to the funeral home and set up the final times, then let Sheriff Swick know. He said he’d handle informing everyone, which saves me a lot of time. I also have to get Gramp’s suit to the funeral home, so I guess I’ll just head there.”

I took a few deep breaths when I realized I was rambling. I started to rub my temples and next thing I knew, Jamie was handing me my migraine medicine.

“You were rubbing your temples,” she said softly. I just nodded and took the medicine. After a few more gulps of juice, I tried again.

“I need to head into town, funeral home first. Then Sheriff’s office to inform him of the arrangements and deal with Kyle, that’s what I have to handle personally. Other things are ordering gift baskets from the shop in town for the volunteers for yesterday. Also arranging the honor guard for the funeral, and getting some food and booze here for afterwards.”

“Flowers?” Jamie asked.

“Done.”

“Church?”

“Oh fuck,” I groaned, looking at her. “You think?”

“Well that’s what your gramp did—” She didn’t finish the thought because she realized what she was saying.

“That’s what he did when Gram died, didn’t he?” I asked. She only nodded. “He never told me that, thanks, Jamie. I wouldn’t have thought about it.”

“I’m sorry it didn’t occur to me sooner,” she sighed.

“Jamie, it’s okay. I wasn’t there. I’m not mad,” I assured her softly, patting her hand. Lame, I know, but I wasn’t good at comforting people. “Were you around when Gramp set that all up?”

“Yeah, you want me to handle that?”

“Please? You know how I feel about church, and me needing to be polite to a priest right now is just too much.”

“You got it,” she replied, smiling.

“Okay, let’s do this. We’ll take two trucks, everyone at the funeral home. When that’s done, I’ll take Dean and Jared with me to the Sheriff’s office so they can meet and get a look at Kyle. Jamie and Nate can take care of the church while we’re there. After that we’ll meet you at the gift basket place, Jamie, you pick whatever out and I’ll come and write the check. I’ll ask Sheriff Swick for suggestions about food while I’m there and we’ll come up with a plan. Did I forget anything?”

“The honor guard, but I’ll handle that when we get back,” Nate said. I just nodded. “You want me to show the guys around the land or do you want to do that?”

“I’ll do it. I’ve not even had a chance to check anything out myself yet,” I replied. “I might ask Nick along in case I see anything I want changed or taken care of.”

“Okay, let’s head out then,” Nate said. That was great in theory, but there was one horrible job that had to be done when someone died. Not that any of them were fun, but this one was the worst in my opinion. And like everything else… It fell to me to do.

“I need a bit. I have to go get his suit,” I explained before heading towards my grandparents’ room. The door was closed and I hadn’t been in there yet since I got back home. I didn’t know how long I stood there just standing at the doorknob before Jamie and Nate came to find me. They helped me go in and find the suit, but it was all a blur.

After I pointed to the suit, I ran for the front door. Just like I did when I found out about my gram dying and first met Nate, I dropped to my knees right off the porch and vomited.

They must have figured it out, because seconds after I started, Jamie pulled my hair up and Nate was rubbing my back. Someone put a cool washcloth on the back of my neck and that helped. After what seemed forever, I finally was done. I turned to Nate. “I didn’t pass out this time.”

“No you didn’t, but after your little crazy run this morning, I’m surprised you didn’t,” he chastised gently, trying to give me a hand up. Like always I waved him away, but when I stood up, I got dizzy and almost landed right back on my ass.

Instead strong arms picked me up like I weighed nothing and cradled me to his chest. I knew it wasn’t Nate, and when I looked up, Jared was staring down at me. He was so strong, and I felt safe. Without thinking, I snuggled closer and leaned my head into his neck. I felt his heart beat faster and he shuddered as he carried me into the living room.

He didn’t put me down on the couch though. Instead he sat down on it with me still in his lap. The amazing thing was, I didn’t push him away or make him let me go. I just lay there snuggled in his arms.

“I can’t believe she’s letting you hold her like that,” I heard Nate say from a distance. It made me snap back to reality and sit up.

“Umm, I’m fine thanks, sorry about that,” I mumbled, quickly trying to get off his lap. At first he wouldn’t let me go, but when I looked at his face, I tried to implore him with my eyes the need to get away. “Please.” That must have done something, because he let me sit up and then I got off his lap.

I walked towards the door, Jamie handed me my purse, and we got into one of the trucks. One of the best things about Jamie, she knew when not to push. We didn’t say a word to each other on the drive into town.

We were quick in the funeral home. I set up the funeral to be in two days, on Friday. I admit I was in a daze the whole time. I still was when we got to the Sheriff’s office, then at the gift basket shop, and still at the local market where we ordered food. I wasn’t paying attention while the guys picked out all the booze.

Jamie just steered me around where I needed to go, and told me when to write a check or use my debit card. I didn’t even realize when we had gotten back to the ranch.

Jamie told Nate to get Nick and show the guys around and led me into the house. She talked me into changing into my swimsuit and we headed out to the inground pool in the backyard. When I dove into the water and felt the coolness surround my body, I finally felt myself snap out of it.

“Thanks, Jamie,” was all I said as I grabbed one of the pool floats and relaxed on it.

“Better?” she finally asked after a long time of just lounging in the pool in silence.

“Yeah, I feel more myself and less dazed.”

“Want to talk about it?” she asked gently.

“I don’t think I can put it into words.”

“You let him hold you. I’ve never seen you do that before.”

“I don’t know why. I just thought I felt safe. It was like being in my only little bubble,” I replied, just as confused as her.

“Safe is good. Even if it was just for a little bit, you need safe,” she agreed, still keeping that gentle tone. “You seemed dazed for everything else.”

“Yeah, not sure what’s going on in my head. I feel numb, not even angry for once, just numb.” She let it go after that. We must have lain there for a while, because the next thing I knew two shadows loomed over me.

“Damn, are you gorgeous. I get a hard-on just looking at you,” Dean said. I opened my eyes to look at him to see who he was talking to. Jared and Dean were both standing over me looking down. I sat up and looked around. Jamie was at the other end of the pool talking to Nate.

“Me?” I asked like an idiot. “You’re talking to Jamie, right?”

“No, Kate, he was talking to you,” Jared answered me.

“You guys are a couple of comedians,” I griped, tossing the pool chair out on the patio, and pushed myself up out of the pool. Jared was standing there with a beach towel open for me when I looked up.

“No we’re not,” he said, wrapping the towel around me. “All I can think about is touching you when you’re in the same room as me.”

“I want to kiss and lick every inch of you,” Dean whispered in my ear from behind me. I swallowed so hard I’m sure they both heard it. The idea made me so wet that it was almost uncomfortable.

“You feel it too, don’t you,” Jared said, leaning in for a kiss.

“I can’t do this,” I gasped, ducking out from in between them. “My whole world is upside down and you’re hitting on me? I can’t—I just can’t.” I didn’t even let them respond, turning and walking quickly into the house, and headed for my room.

* * * *

The next day and a half flew by. The guys set up the hidden cameras and had them record directly to my laptop. They also set up some of the motion sensors and worked with the locksmith. Jamie never left my side, even though I barely said two words to anyone. Nate and Jamie both ignored my avoiding Jared and Dean. I couldn’t even
begin
to wrap my head around what happened by the pool.

I woke up the day of the funeral, got up, and dressed in workout clothes. I headed downstairs and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and ignored all of them watching me like hawks. “I’m going for a run,” I told no one in particular. I was stretching on the porch when I felt them standing behind me. “What?” I asked, whirling around.

“We were going to go with you on your run,” Dean answered softly.

“No, just leave me alone. I can’t deal with you guys.” I didn’t bother to hide that I was pissed.

“We’re sorry, Kate,” Jared said sincerely, taking a step closer but not touching me. “You’re going through hell and we acted like a couple of horny teenagers with no self-control. I’m not going to lie and say we didn’t mean what we said, but we’re sorry for the bad timing. We know better than to be so selfish.”

“Fine,” I sighed, heading out into my run realizing they were there right with me. I was upset about the funeral and acting childish, so I picked up my speed to a full sprint. Heading for the same difficult course I did the other day, I was both annoyed and impressed they kept up with me.

It made it very hard to focus on the run when all I wanted to do was strip them both naked and lick every inch of their bodies. They looked completely edible in their long running shorts and tank tops. Of course they were showing off their perfect broad shoulders and muscular arms… Both of which I was such a sucker for.

When we hit the turnaround point, they were both breathing so heavy all I could think about was seeing them breathe like that while they fucked me. That thought made me force myself to pick up the pace and they finally started to fall behind.

I heard one of them yell, “Slow down, woman, for god sakes!” But I just kept going. I didn’t even stop when I reached the porch. I hit the door running and went straight to my room. Immediately I stripped and turned the shower on cold and hopped in. I gave a quick yelp from the freezing water, but waited until my hormones calmed down to change the temperature.

After the shower, I got dressed in my Navy uniform. After years of putting it on, it was still second nature. Even if we didn’t wear our dress uniforms as often, it was still the same basic process. When I was ready, I headed downstairs and everyone was ready. I glanced at Dean and Jared. Of course they were Marines… My favorite kind of men.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you both dressed in uniform together,” Jamie said, breaking the silence.

“Yeah, you still look as good as ever in yours, Kate.” Nate looked me over appreciatively. I just smiled and walked over to him and straightened out his tie. He more than anyone I’d ever met looked extra sexy in uniform. I always had problems keeping my hands to myself.

“It really is a shame we both have the same last name,” I said dramatically with a sigh and walked away. Heading towards the front door, I didn’t have to look back to know there were four shocked expressions at what I said. It was evil to say, I know, but I needed a smile however I got it today.

They all caught up to me as I reached the truck. Nate drove and I sat in the front seat. At the funeral home, I noticed Sheriff Swick standing very close to Kyle. Fine by me as long as he stayed away.

When we were done there, we headed over to the church. I caught sight of Sean there, but again he stayed away from me. I realized it might be the two very large Marines in full dress uniform that were always close to me. It gave me one less thing to worry about right then and I was grateful to Dean and Jared for it.

After the service when we were standing at the gravesite was finally when it sank in. This was it. He really was gone and I’d never see him again.

The honor guard did a great job, sending Gramp off with an eleven-gun salute. When it was all over and people started to head to their cars, I realized it was just Nate, Jamie, and me.