A Place in Their Hearts

  Riverbend, Texas Heat 7

  A Place in Their Hearts

  Rayna takes in a mother cat and ends up with kittens. When she takes them to the local vet, she gets more than an exam. He’s interested in her, but he comes as a pair. Kenny and Jay have plans for Rayna that include lots of hot loving.

  Kenny and Jay have always wanted a woman to share between them but could never agree on one until now. They both want Rayna and are sure she would be perfect to make a family with.

  Rayna is worried about there being two of them. She doesn’t want to cause a rift between them and even though they say they’re fine with sharing her, she’s leery of the arrangement.

  Kenny and Jay work together to teach her that where one might be busy the other is always going to be there for her. To Rayna, she is getting the best of everything. What’s in it for them?

  Genre: Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Western/Cowboys

  Length: 35,248 words

  A PLACE IN THEIR HEARTS

  Riverbend, Texas Heat 7

  Marla Monroe

  

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  A PLACE IN THEIR HEARTS

  Copyright © 2017 by Marla Monroe

  ISBN: 978-1-64010-434-1

  First Publication: July 2017

  Cover design by Les Byerley

  All art and logo copyright © 2017 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

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  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  DEDICATION

  As time passes, I miss my mom and dad even more. The love they showed for each other will always be my guide. I love you both so much.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Marla Monroe has been writing professionally for over thirteen years. Her first book with Siren was published in January of 2011, and she now has over 75 books available with them. She loves to write and spends every spare minute either at the keyboard or reading. She writes everything from sizzling-hot cowboys, emotionally charged BDSM, and dangerously addictive shifters, to science fiction ménages with the occasional badass biker thrown in for good measure.

  Marla lives in the southern US and works full-time at a busy hospital. When not writing, she loves to travel, spend time with her feline muses, and read. Although she misses her cross-stitch and putting together puzzles, she is much happier writing fantasy worlds where she can make everyone’s dreams come true. She’s always eager to try something new and thoroughly enjoys the research she does for her books. She loves to hear from readers about what they are looking for in their reading adventures.

  You can reach Marla at themarlamonroe@yahoo.com, or

  Visit her website at www.marlamonroe.com

  Her blog: www.themarlamonroe.blogspot.com

  Twitter: @MarlaMonroe1

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  For all titles by Marla Monroe, please visit

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  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Landmarks

  Cover

  A PLACE IN THEIR HEARTS

  Riverbend, Texas Heat 7

  MARLA MONROE

  Copyright © 2017

  Chapter One

  Rayna looked at the pregnant cat curled up in the wheelbarrow in her shed. The storm brewing outside howled past the little structure. It would be raining soon. The momma cat looked scared and thin despite her bulging belly.

  “Well, hell. Looks like I’m going to be a grandma, and I’m not even married. Easy, kitty. I won’t hurt you, but you can’t stay out here in this storm. We’re going inside.” She located an empty box and slowly approached the skittish cat.

  She wasn’t sure if it was her soothing voice or that the cat was just too exhausted to put up a fight, but she allowed Rayna to pick her up and relocate her into the box. She didn’t even growl, just cowered when Rayna picked up the box and shoved open the shed door to rush across the backyard to her back door.

  Once inside, Rayna settled the box on the floor about a yard from the gas logs. Even though it was early April, the weather was cool, and the rain coming made it a damp cool. She had the gas logs going.

  “Give me a second to find you a towel to cushion the box.”

  She’d need to think of a name other than momma cat. She’d need to feed it, as well. She had tuna fish and some milk that would work fine until she got cat food.

  “Here you go, momma.” Rayna shoved the towel as carefully as she could underneath the cat’s bulging stomach. “I’ll get you something to eat now.”

  Thirty minutes later, the cat was pleasantly purring after having demolished the can of tuna and a small bowl of milk. She made biscuits, kneading the towel beneath her as she closed her eyes.

  “Glad you enjoyed it, kitty cat. What can I call you?”

  The momma cat was a multitude of colors much like a patchwork quilt. Oranges, tans, black, and gray blended into a furry blanket. Rayna smiled. She had the perfect name for her little friend. Patches.

  “What do you think? Will you be happy with Patches, girl?”

  The cat opened her eyes to mere slits and meowed once then closed them again and settled into a perfect circle, complete with tail curled around beneath her chin. Rayna ran one hand lightly over the soft fur and was glad she’d checked the shed to be sure everything was fine inside before the storm hit. It promised to be a big one.

  Sometime around midnight, while the storm raged outside the house, Rayna checked on her new addition and found that one had turned into five. Momma had given birth to four gorgeous-looking kittens. One marmalade orange, one solid black, and two that looked just like their mom.

  Rayna cooed and congratulated Patches on a job well done. She’d take them to the vet on Monday to be sure they were all fine and healthy. Momma cat curled around her litter as they nursed, purring the entire time.

  “You did good, Patches. They’re precious.”

  Momma cat just continued to purr with her eyes closed.

  * * * *

  Rayna waited her turn
at the veterinarian’s Monday morning. Since she worked from home, she could afford to take off a few hours to get the cats checked out. Patches was obviously nervous and protecting her kittens with a paw over them.

  “It’s okay, little momma. I won’t let anything happen to your babies.” She’d transferred her to a larger box for transporting her to the vet.

  One of the cats she’d noticed in the office walked over and sniffed the box then walked around Rayna’s legs before sauntering back through the door leading to the back.

  “Miss Collins. The doc is ready for you.” A vet tech stood in the open doorway leading to the back. “Do you need me to carry them for you?”

  “No thanks. I’ve got them. Momma cat is a bit nervous.” Rayna stood up and crossed the floor to the open door and entered the exam room.

  “What do we have here?” The tech opened the box and smiled. “Pretty kitties. Momma looks a bit malnourished.”

  “She is. I found her last night in my storage shed and took her inside. She had the kittens sometime before midnight.”

  “I’m going to take momma to weigh her. Be right back.” The tech gently extracted Patches from the box and disappeared through another door.

  “Mommy will be right back, sweeties.” Their high-pitched whines jerked at her heart.

  When the tech returned with Patches, the cat leapt into the box with her babies.

  “Here you go. She only weighs five pounds.”

  “That’s bad?”

  “Yeah, for her bone structure and paw size, I think the vet is going to want to put her on some sort of supplement. He’ll be in soon.” The tech drew up medications and set out various tools the vet might need.

  Rayna sighed. She hoped Patches would be okay. Though she’d never thought of having a pet, she was already attached to the new mother. Finding homes for the kittens wouldn’t be all that difficult she was sure. There were only four of them.

  The opposite door opened, and a handsome man stepped into the room wearing surgery-green scrubs. He was at least six feet tall with a runner’s body, trim and strong. His dark brown hair was cut short and a light sprinkling of facial hair covered his lower cheeks and chin, with a well-trimmed mustache. She was sure her mouth fell open before she managed to regain control and stop looking into his warm chocolate-brown eyes.

  “Hi, I’m Dr. Kenny Long.” He held out his hand. “I hear you’ve been blessed with a litter of kittens.”

  Rayna shook his hand, warm and firm, then twisted her fingers together. She’d never been nervous around other people before, but for some reason, she felt uncomfortable with the attraction that had instantly fallen over her for the good-looking doctor.

  “She had them sometime before midnight last night. I found her in my storage shed.”

  “She’s very underweight. The kittens look good though. Nature tends to take care of them at the expense of the mother. I think with the right food and good care she’ll recover nicely though.”

  “The tech mentioned something about a supplement.”

  “Right. It’s an appetite stimulant and high-calorie paste you can squeeze on her paw so she’ll lick it off, or if she likes the flavor, you could probably just squeeze it on her food.” He felt her belly and checked her ears, nose, eyes, and mouth. “I’m going to clean her ears and apply flea medicine. It won’t hurt the kittens, and they’ll benefit, as well. Also, I’m going to trim mommy’s claws so she won’t accidentally scratch one or you.”

  “Dr. Long. When is she safe to get her spayed?” Rayna didn’t mind the initial kittens, but she didn’t want any more of them.

  “Call me Kenny. I’m not formal. Normally I’d say in six weeks, but it’s going to depend on when she gains up to a safe weight and is healthy again. We’ll check her in six weeks to see where she stands. You can bring them all in, and we’ll vaccinate the kittens then, as well.”

  She watched as he gave Patches something in a syringe then gave her two injections before clipping her nails. He smiled and rubbed the cat down her back then scratched her behind her ears.

  “You’re ready to go. It was great meeting you, Rayna. I’ll see you in six weeks unless you need me before then. My tech will give you the supplement to get you started. You can buy it and Momma cat food at the local pet store. Feed her as often as she’ll eat.”

  “Thanks, Doctor…um…Kenny. I appreciate it.”

  Rayna carried the box out to the front desk to make another appointment and pay. The tech gave her some handouts on caring for new kittens, a tube of the supplement, and a coupon for cat food. She thanked them and carried Patches and her kittens back to the car. She’d take them home then return to buy the necessities she’d need for her new cat.

  She decided it was best to take the cats home before picking up the supplies she’d need to care for the new addition to her family. She returned to town and headed straight to the store.

  While she was loading up on cat paraphernalia, Rayna wondered why she’d been so attracted to the cute vet. She hadn’t gotten that kind of rush from any of the other men she’d dated. It boggled her mind that she’d turn into a bundle of hormones over the man. Yes, he was good looking, but so were most of the men she’d been out with. None of them had caused her pussy to flutter with need like Kenny had.

  I must be feeling my age. I’m only thirty, but I guess that’s old to not be married already.

  The truth was she’d never met anyone she wanted to spend the rest of her life with before. Now, she could see her future with this man.

  I don’t really know him. He might already be married or in a relationship.

  She hadn’t noticed a ring on his finger, but that didn’t mean anything these days. A lot of men didn’t wear wedding bands for some reason. It had always made her wonder if they were truly committed to being married.

  Once she’d managed to make a good dent in her checking account, Rayna loaded up her car and returned home where Patches had gotten out of the box sitting a yard from the fireplace and lay stretched out between it and the gas logs. She looked happy and comfortable, so Rayna didn’t bother her. Instead, she unloaded the car and set up the litter box in her laundry room where she’d placed a temporary box with shredded paper overnight.

  I’m going to like having a cat. I can already tell. The house feels more alive with her in it even though she’s only sleeping.

  Once everything was in place and the new food in the brand-new food bowl, Rayna returned to her office to get to work. She handled insurance questions for an insurance company. She was one of hundreds of people across the nation who fielded questions from beneficiaries. She logged into her account and settled the headpiece on her head to answer her first call.

  In between calls, her mind kept returning to Kenny. She liked the slightly scruffy look with the beard and mustache that was just barely there. It made her want to scratch her nails over it and feel it against her cheek. She groaned and squeezed her thighs together. She had to stop thinking about the man.

  I’m obsessing over my veterinarian. That’s crazy.

  Well, it was better than obsessing over her OBGYN. That would be sick. No, she’d take the vet over her doctor anytime. She was sure the attraction would fade over time. She wouldn’t be seeing him again for six weeks. She’d be back to normal by then.

  Maybe. But he’d be a good image to fantasize about when she fiddled with her BOB at night. She could easily see him looking down at her from his position over her. Maybe she’d have her hands on his chest or maybe she’d have them wrapped around his neck. Rayna shivered and cut off the image before she soaked her panties again.

  I can think about him, but he’s off-limits.

  Or was he?

  Chapter Two

  Kenny had a difficult time concentrating the rest of the day after meeting Rayna. Her curvy body and thick, loose curls of bright red hair remained in the back of his mind. She’d smelled of something rich like vanilla and cream. It was a good thing he didn’t have any emer
gencies or problematic patients that day.

  I’m obsessing about a woman I just met. What’s up with that?

  He could still see her mesmerizing green eyes and luscious pink lips. She hadn’t been wearing any makeup that he could tell, and the soft sprinkle of freckles across her nose was cute. Then her body. Lord, just thinking about those soft curves had his cock rock hard. He hadn’t been this turned on since he’d been a rutting teenager full of hormones and the hots for anything in a skirt.

  Jay will tease the crap out of me when he finds out.

  Normally it was Jay who went after the women they dated. He and Jay had been sharing their women since they’d met in college. The other man had lacked the skill to keep a relationship going at the time while Kenny tended to get too serious too fast. They’d been the perfect combination, each helping the other to rein in their weak areas.

  Nowadays, they didn’t date quite as much since they’d grown weary of losing interest after a few weeks. They hadn’t been able to find the one perfect woman for them in Riverbend or the surrounding communities. It weighed heavily on them.

  He thought about Rayna and wondered if she might be someone they could enjoy getting to know. He already knew he was attracted to her physically. He’d liked that she’d brought the momma cat and babies in to be checked. That proved she was sensitive and probably a really nice woman. Maybe, when she brought them back at six weeks, he would have thought up a good way to ask her out. He doubted Jay would have any objection. The man loved first dates.

  Later that evening, Kenny returned home and found Jay locked in a battle of wills with Chester, their mastiff. It looked like Chester was hogging Jay’s favorite chair and refused to get up.