Maya Banks - Colters’ Lady

Seth grinned. “Damn but I’m going to miss you, Lacey.” Her office door opened and Linda stuck her head in. “Lacey, you’re needed over at old man Witherspoon’s place. Grundy’s dogs got out again and Witherspoon is raising hell and waving his shotgun around.”

Lacey sighed. “I’ll be right there.” She rose and walked around her desk but stopped to hug Seth. “I’m glad you’re coming home. I’ll feel a lot better about leaving if I know the town is in your hands.” He hugged her back and felt the first tingle of excitement snake up his spine. His town. It had a nice ring to it. He knew everyone here. Had grown up a part of a tight-knit community. The idea that he’d come back home and have not only this job, but Lily… How quickly things changed. He found he didn’t mind one bit.

Michael pulled into Dillon’s drive and parked beside Seth’s truck. He was running late and it was nearly dark. It figured that on an evening when he was hoping like hell to get out early, he’d been flooded with last-minute “emergencies”.

He mounted the front steps, and not bothering to knock, he pushed open the front door. He was instantly flooded with the smell of good food. Whatever Dillon was cooking, Michael couldn’t wait to eat.

His stomach rumbled as he glanced over to see Seth and Lily on the couch.

Seth was reclined on his side and Lily was nestled in his arms, her eyes closed as Seth stroked his hand up and down her hip. Michael didn’t want to wake or disturb her, but he wanted to be the one wrapped up with her.

As if sensing his presence, Lily stirred and opened her eyes. Her bleary gaze settled on him and her eyes widened in pleasure as recognition dawned.

“Michael,” she whispered.

She pushed herself upward and Seth caught her hand to help her. She was off the couch and hurrying for Michael in the next moment. Surprise and pleasure swept over him when she flew into his arms and hugged him fiercely.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” she said close to his ear. “I thought you weren’t coming.” He brushed a short curl over her ear and kissed her temple, letting his lips linger there for a long second. It crushed him that she was here and so happy to see him. That she’d waited for him. Had worried he wasn’t coming.

“I wouldn’t miss it or you,” he murmured. “Sorry I’m late.”

“I see the doctor made it,” Dillon drawled from the kitchen door. “Why don’t you let Lily lie back down and you come help me a sec.”

Michael cast a wary glance in Dillon’s direction. When Dillon was in the kitchen, it was his domain.

No one entered.

Dillon tossed his head toward the kitchen, and Michael leaned down to kiss Lily again.

“Go get comfortable. I’ll just be a minute.”

She clung to him a moment and returned his kiss before backing toward the couch. Michael stood long enough to see her settle next to Seth before he headed into the kitchen to see what was up with Dillon.

“Damn that smells good, whatever it is,” Michael said.

“Crawfish étouffée courtesy of the Cajun cooking show I watched last week,” Dillon said as he stirred the contents of the skillet. “It’ll be ready just as soon as the rice is done.” Michael took a seat on one of the barstools and leaned on the granite countertop. He had to hand it to Dillon. It had taken him two years to build the place, but it was exquisitely crafted and looked high end and custom from top to bottom.

“So what’s up? You don’t ever let anyone into your kitchen when you’re cooking.” Dillon cast a glance toward the doorway and stopped stirring. “You’re friends with Dr. Burton over at the clinic. Think you can pull some strings and get Lily an appointment ASAP?” Michael frowned. “What’s going on? Is her arm worse? Damn it, I knew no one was taking it seriously enough.”

Dillon held up his hands. “Whoa. Slow down. Nothing’s wrong. She needs birth control.” Michael’s mouth formed an O.

“She insisted I, or I guess we use condoms. She seemed stressed about the possibility of getting pregnant. I can’t say I blame her. She was worried because she doesn’t have insurance, or money for that matter.”

Michael swore under his breath. Dillon held up a hand again. “I took care of that. Told her we’d damn sure take care of her and we’d make sure she had everything she needs. I don’t want her stressed so I was hoping you could get her into the clinic quickly so we have that out of the way.”

“Yeah, I’ll make a call in the morning. Are you working tonight?”

“I was supposed to be behind the bar, but Callie’s covering and I have Kenneth pulling bouncer duty.

I don’t want Callie mixing it up with any more customers. We’re lucky it was just a bunch of stupid college students and she didn’t get hurt.”

“I was hoping Seth could talk to her, but obviously we’ve been focused on Lily.”

“I’m not sure she’d talk to him anyway. She’s been tightlipped ever since she got home. I know she and Seth are tight, but Callie and I are buds and she shuts me down every time I start asking questions.”

“I wish to hell I knew what happened to her.”

“You and me both, bro.”

Dillon picked up the lid on the rice steamer and then let it fall shut again. He clapped his hands together and then hollered toward the living room, “Soups on!”

“Anyone ever tell you how subtle you are?” Michael asked.

Dillon grinned. “Subtlety is for pussies.”

The brothers looked up when Lily entered the kitchen with Seth right behind her. She offered both Dillon and Michael a tentative smile, and Michael reached his hand out to her.

When she took it, he pulled her onto the barstool next to him and wrapped his arm around her waist.

He nuzzled against her temple, inhaling her sweet scent.

“I missed you today,” he whispered.

She turned and gifted him with a broad smile and then leaned her forehead to his. “I missed you too. I met your family. They’re all so great. You’re lucky to have them.”

“They’ll be your family too,” he pointed out.

Her eyes widened as if she hadn’t considered that aspect. There were equal parts fear and longing in her eyes. And then she smiled again. “I guess that makes me lucky too, then.”

“Break it up, you two,” Dillon grumbled as he plunked plates down in front of them. “Time to eat up.” Seth pulled out the barstool on the other side of Lily and took his seat while Dillon finished fixing the plates. He took a seat on the end next to Seth.

“Dig in, guys. Hope it’s good.”

Lily took a bite and then let out a sound of pleasure. “It’s wonderful, Dillon. I think I could make myself sick on it.”

“It’s damn good,” Seth agreed. “It’s obvious you didn’t inherit Mom’s cooking ability.” Michael snorted with laughter while Dillon grinned.

“I used to cook,” Lily said in a wistful tone. “I loved it.”

“My kitchen is your kitchen,” Dillon said. “And whatever’s in my pantry is yours anytime you want to fool around in here.”

Seth cleared his throat and everyone looked in his direction. “Speaking of kitchens and places. We need to talk about our arrangements. I spoke to Lacey today. I’ll be taking over her job in a couple of weeks as soon as all the paperwork is finalized.”

“Hey, that’s great,” Michael exclaimed.

Lily shot Seth a puzzled look. “You’re not going back to Denver?” Seth smiled in her direction. “No. I’m taking the sheriff’s position here in Clyde. If we’re going to make this work, I can’t be in Denver. Michael and Dillon are both established here. It only makes sense that I make the move.”

“Which begs the question of where you’re going to stay,” Michael said. “For that matter, where we’re going to stay. Together.”

“Here,” Dillon said.

Lily looked like she had no idea what they were talking about. Michael put his hand over hers and squeezed reassuringly.

“It makes the most sense,” Dillon continued when no one responded. “It’s bigger than your place, Michael, and Seth doesn’t have a place here. There’s room for expansion, and most importantly, it’s private.”

“What about Michael’s house?” Seth asked.

“He could turn it into his practice instead of that tiny-ass office he has in town.”

Dillon’s idea was solid. Michael did need more office space, and Dillon’s place was ideal for the four of them.

“What do you think, Lily?” Seth asked. “Are you up for staying here?” Michael laced his fingers with hers and glanced over to see so much longing in Lily’s gaze that it hurt him. He lifted her hand and turned it over to press a kiss into her palm.

“Stay with us, Lily. You won’t regret it.”

Lily in turn looked at each of the brothers, warmth shining in her eyes. “Do you really all want…me?

Do you really want to do this?”

Both Dillon and Seth nodded.

“Absolutely,” Michael said.

“Okay then,” she said softly. “I’ll stay here with you—all of you.” Michael hadn’t realized his grip was so tight on her hand until he felt her flinch. He released her immediately and then rubbed his fingers apologetically over hers.

Then he glanced over at his brothers, silently asking for their commitment. There was determination in their faces, and their focus was entirely on Lily. But when they looked up at Michael, he knew they were every bit as committed to making this work as he was.

Dinner was fun. For Lily it was glimpse into the days ahead, something that filled her with hope and excitement. The brothers joked and ribbed each other mercilessly, but there was also a solid thread of loyalty and love. The same feeling she’d had when she first walked into their parents’ house.