Cherise Sinclair - If only

Galen followed her gaze.

Tate looked shell-shocked. After a second, he attempted a smile. “Emma, Dylan, if you two get ready for bed, maybe Sally will come up and say good night before she leaves.”

Emma’s face cleared. She slid off her mother’s lap and trotted toward the stairs. “I’m going to show her my dolphin and my octopus. She’ll like them.”

Dylan followed only a step behind. “She’ll like my books better. Bet she likes to read.”

Thank God, children were resilient. Galen turned to look at Leigh Anne. “I’m sorry your children were subjected to that. We should have taken it elsewhere.”

Leigh Anne shook her head. “Although he never treated them the way he treated Sally, they sure heard enough about what he thought. Tonight was ugly, yes, but I’m glad they saw him receive his comeuppance.”

“Me too,” Tate said under his breath.

When Leigh Anne rose, the men did also. She nodded at Galen and Vance. “I’m going to check on the children, and I know you want to be with Sally. Go on, now.”

“Thank you,” Vance said. “You’ve been a generous hostess.”

As Galen moved toward the back door, he heard Leigh Anne say, “Honey, this is a good time.”

“I hope so,” Tate answered. “I’ll clean up the dishes a mite and have that talk.”

Galen paused in the door. What talk would that be? He considered going back inside, then saw Sally.

She was sitting on the wide back steps, head against a railing slat, watching the stars. She gave him and Vance a weak smile. “Sorry for leaving you. I kind of wanted to have the last word.”

“Worked a treat,” Vance said. He gave her a quick kiss.

Using the railing to assist, Galen sat down behind her and a step above. Legs apart, he pulled her closer so she could use his stomach as a backrest.

She was trembling.

“You’re cold,” he said. Probably also suffering from postfight adrenaline.

Before she could answer, Vance dropped onto the step below her. Leaning against the railing, he slid his legs along the step so her thighs would rest on his. After curling his hands over her knees, he smiled at her. “Just consider us portable heaters.”

“You two.” She sighed and pulled Vance’s hand onto her lap.

In the distance, an owl hooted. The corn rustled in the breeze that was scented with freshly cut grass. Peaceful area. When Sally leaned her head back against him, Galen felt the evening’s turmoil drain away, replaced by contentment. His partner, his woman. Both safe.

He wrapped his arms around her. Later, they’d discuss what had happened and do some digging into the parts their little submissive had revealed tonight, but right now, she needed a break.

And that she’d accept comfort from him, that she’d really forgiven him, was more than he’d expected…and exactly what he needed.

AS THE MEN’S concern wrapped around Sally, the awful shaking of her insides lessened. They stayed silent, letting her recover on her own. The quiet countryside had always soothed her, especially when she’d hidden herself up in the huge maple behind the house.

God, she’d loved that tiny platform. Looking back, it seemed amazing that a skinny twelve-year-old could have made it. How much skin had she lost trying to drag scrap lumber up into the branches? How many times had she climbed out the window of her bedroom prison, onto the porch roof, and down the trellis? Wonder if the platform is still there?

While building her little refuge, she hadn’t considered the future…like how the leaves would disappears with a brisk autumn wind, leaving her tree “house” totally exposed. Her father had definitely noticed. But he’d been amused, thinking Tate had built it.

Her brother had never revealed her secret. Odd how Tate’s later behavior had made her forget so many of his small kindnesses.

A few minutes later, the screen door opened. Tate stepped out and nodded at the two men. “Sorry to disturb you, but I wanted to talk to my sister before she left.” My sister. When they were little, he’d said those words with such pride. But after the world changed, he hadn’t claimed her any longer.

Resentment flared and died. “Have a seat.”

Vance said, “Would you like us to give you some time alone?”

Tate sat down on a step the same level as Sally’s and leaned against the railing. “Stay. After that dinner, I doubt we have many secrets left.”

Sally twisted in Galen’s embrace and rested her forearms on his bent knee so she could face her brother.

The starlight heightened the shadows and lines in Tate’s face. He looked old, and she realized in disbelief that he was over thirty. His eyes, so like her father’s—and hers—met hers. “Sally. I’m sorry.”

For the evening? “Tate, I’m the one that blew up at Father, not—”

“Not that. Hell, he got what he deserved—and nothing I hadn’t said to him before once I realized…”

Sally stared. He’d argued with their father?

He sighed. “The fact that you look at me like that means I was even worse than I remember.” He pulled at his ear. “Shit. I didn’t know back then how bad I was. It’s like… All brothers tease their little sisters, right?”

“I guess…” she said cautiously.

“No!” He slapped the step, making her jump.

Vance squeezed her leg reassuringly.

“No,” Tate said more quietly. “See, Leigh Anne moved in here with the kids.” He smiled. “I love the rascals, but they’re a handful. Dylan teases Emma, and yeah, it’s normal. But it’s normal because we keep it from going too far. He gets in trouble if he hurts her or makes her cry or breaks her toys. I realized, watching them, that kids lack a sense of proportion. Limits.”

Sally couldn’t find anything to say, so Galen, Dom that he was, stepped in. “You went too far with Sally?” he asked so quietly she wasn’t sure Tate even realized someone else had spoken.

“Yeah. Dad didn’t set limits. Hell, he egged me on. And I bought right into his story, putting all the blame on you for Mom’s death. Cuz, I was angry. Grieving. She wasn’t my real mom, but I loved her.”

In the silence, a whine sounded, and the old Labrador shuffled up the steps to lean against Tate’s side with a gusty sigh.

Tate put his arm over the dog and ruffled its ears. “Funny, huh. She’s the one who taught me that love is more important than blood.”

Sally nodded. Her mother had loved everyone and everything. And back then, her father had—okay, he’d never wanted a daughter, but he hadn’t been cruel. After her mother died, the light had gone out of her father’s life, and he’d grown…twisted. “You changed with her death.”

“Yeah. Dad blamed you, so I did too. I took her loss out on you.” He shook his head. “As a kid, I felt kinda guilty about being mean to you. But now, when I imagine Dylan treating Emma the way I treated you…I’m sickened. God, Sally, I’m really sorry.”

She stared at his face, open to her scrutiny. Slowly, slowly, a knot in her chest started to loosen.

He was sorry. Yes, he’d been mean, but her father had been the one to make it a battle of them against her. Tate had been a teenager who’d lost a mother he loved, and her father had pointed the finger at her. Would she have been different if the roles were reversed? Hopefully so, but still… “I think I understand. And I forgive you.”

“Well, hell, sweetheart, you’re taking all the fun out of the evening. Your pa got to walk out, and now I don’t get to pound the crap out of your brother?” Vance grumbled, his tone light, but she recognized the underlying frustration. He really had wanted to beat someone up for her. She laid her hand over his and squeezed.

“Speaking of which… Since I’m now restored to big brother status”—Tate gave first Vance, then Galen a resolute stare—“would you explain exactly which one of you is with my sister?”

Oh my God. Sally held her breath.

“Both of us,” Galen said. “Do you have a problem with that?”

Tate blinked, obviously not anticipating a straight answer. Or to be put on the spot. He studied the men, and she remembered that about him. He never decided anything quickly. Finally, he spoke to Sally. “I liked the way they stood up for you, even after you left. But if they’re pushing you into something—”

“They’re not,” Sally said firmly.

“I guess that’s all right.” He stood up slowly and hesitated. “I just want you to know, you’ve got a place to come if you get into trouble. Or just need a home. Okay?”

Hell, she was going to cry after all. As tears ran down her cheeks, she pushed at Galen’s leg. With his hands around her waist, he helped her stand.

Sally took a step forward and hugged her brother. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“Thank you for forgiving me, Sal.” He kissed the top of her head and stepped back, eyes gleaming with moisture. “I’ll just check on Leigh Anne. The kids are hoping you’ll come upstairs and say good night to them when you’re ready.”

“Will do.” As Tate disappeared into the house, Sally scrubbed the tears off her face. And a slow grin blossomed. Family. She had family. “I just realized—I’m an aunt.”

Lying on the king-size bed in his partner’s hotel room, dressed in just a pair of jeans, Vance felt his muscles unwinding. As usual when he and Galen traveled, they’d booked two rooms, although he damned well expected to spend tonight in this one.

But since the small hotel had equally small showers, Vance had left Galen to help Sally and had cleaned up in his room across the hall.

From the noise coming from the bathroom now, they should have an interesting evening. Galen wouldn’t let the imp reach climax…not yet.