Her Forever Mountain Read online

“I haven’t seen you around here before. Are you visiting someone?” he asked.

  “No. I moved here about a year ago. I’m surprised I haven’t seen you around,” she said.

  “We don’t get out a lot,” Andy said.

  “What do you do?” Cindy asked.

  “We run a diesel mechanic shop on the edge of town,” he said.

  “That probably does keep you busy, off the interstate like Cozy is,” she said.

  “Yeah, we stay pretty busy. What about you? What do you do?”

  She bit her lower lip then sighed. “I write articles for online magazines and papers.”

  “Does it keep you busy?” he asked.

  “As busy as I want it to. I can write as much or as little as I want to. It all depends on how much money I need to make each week. Some weeks I write more than others. I do okay,” she said.

  “Sounds like a pretty cool job,” Andy said.

  She smiled and had started to say something else when Beverly returned, laughing with her dance partner.

  “Thanks.” Beverly sat down and grabbed her beer. She looked at Andy and lifted her brows.

  “Andy, this is my friend Beverly. Beverly, this is Andy. He and his friend run a diesel garage on the edge of town,” Cindy told her.

  “It’s great to meet you,” Beverly said.

  “How about that dance now?” Andy asked.

  Cindy bit her lip again but stood. She suddenly felt nervous about dancing with the man. The music was slow and sexy, a country ballad. He pulled her into his arms and gently rocked her to the music. She fit into his arms as if she’d been made for him. It all felt perfect. She loved the feel of his strong embrace, like he could handle anything the world could throw his way. Could he handle her secret? Would it change him?

  What am I thinking? I just met the man. I have no business even contemplating anything like telling him my secrets when I may never see him again. Just because he feels so right doesn’t mean he is.

  But he did feel perfect there in her arms. She sighed and enjoyed the feel of his arms around her and swayed to the music. All too soon, it was over and they were headed back to the table.

  “Thanks for the dance,” Andy said. “Maybe another one later?”

  “Sure. That would be nice,” Cindy said.

  She couldn’t help but watch as he walked away. She loved his tight rounded ass as he made his way between the tables to where his friend sat against the back wall.

  “Well?” Beverly asked.

  “He’s nice. I like him. He’s kind of gruff, but nice,” she said.

  “He’s kind of good looking in a rough sort of way. Not really handsome, but not really all that hard either. Edgy is a good word,” Beverly said.

  “Maybe he’ll ask me to dance again later.”

  “What about your guy? What did you think about him?” Cindy asked.

  “Handsy. I can do without him. I had to dodge his hands the entire time we were dancing. I swear he had more than two of them. I won’t be dancing with him again.”

  They chatted about the different men they saw when someone walked up next to Cindy. He cleared his throat.

  “Excuse me. May I have this dance?”

  She looked up and found the other man who’d been with Andy. He had green eyes with warm chestnut hair that was just long enough that he could pull it back. He was maybe an inch shorter than Andy and just as muscular as his friend.

  “Um, sure.” She stood and shot a look of surprise toward her friend, who was grinning like a deranged clown at her.

  The stranger led her out onto the dance floor, where another slow country ballad was playing. He pulled her into his arms and soon had her swaying to the music.

  “I’m Joe. Andy said your name is Cindy. It’s good to meet you, Cindy,” he said.

  “It’s nice to meet you, too,” she said.

  “Andy’s right. You do smell like fresh air after a summer rain, and you’re as soft as a downy pillow,” Joe said.

  “I don’t know what to say,” Cindy said.

  “You don’t have to say anything. We think you’re gorgeous.”

  “You do?”

  “Yep. Love your rocking body and all that pretty hair the color of a dawn sky, strawberry blonde,” Joe said.

  “You know how to throw out the compliments,” she said.

  “I don’t give them out blindly, Cindy. You’re a beautiful woman. Andy and I would love to take you out to eat at the steak house next weekend,” Joe said.

  “But you hardly know me,” Cindy said, pulling back to look up at him in surprise.

  “The only way to get to know each other is to go out, right?” he asked.

  “Well, I guess,” Cindy agreed.

  “So? Will you let us take you out?”

  “Both of you?”

  “Of course.”

  “I don’t get it. Why both of you? Usually a date only includes one man and one woman.”

  “Haven’t you heard? In Cozy there are threesomes here. Those of us living on Ménage Mountain date in threes,” Joe said with a wink.

  “You’re playing with me,” she said, though she’d heard rumors.

  “No. I’m completely serious. The mountain has been unofficially renamed Ménage Mountain, and everyone who lives on it either lives in a ménage relationship or plans to. Andy and I live on Ménage Mountain. We’re looking for that kind of relationship. That’s why we both want to take you out. Are you woman enough to see where this leads?” Joe asked.

  Cindy nearly missed a step as what he was asking sank in. He was asking her to see if the three of them could make a go of a threesome relationship if things progressed in that direction. Was she strong enough to handle two men? She hadn’t been strong enough to handle Mark. Yeah, well, he’d been a schemer and a cheat. That was different. How would they react to finding out that she was a millionaire? Would it change them or how they were with her?

  She was attracted to both men. Was being attracted to them both enough to go out with both of them to see where it all led, or was she asking for trouble?

  It’s a simple question, Cindy. Yes or no?

  “I’d like to go out with you. I’m just nervous about it. That’s all,” Cindy said.

  “It’s okay to be nervous. You’d be nervous with any first date. That’s all this is, a first date. It just happens to be with two men. Say yes, Cindy,” Joe said.

  “Yes,” she said in a soft voice. “I’ll go to the steak house with you.”

  * * * *

  Joe grinned as he returned to the table where Andy sat waiting on him. The man looked anxious as he waited for him to sit down.

  “Well?” he asked the second Joe took his chair.

  “She said yes.”

  Andy let out a whoosh of air and slammed back against his chair. “Thank fuck.”

  “She’s nervous, but she’s willing to give it a try.”

  “And she does realize it’s with both of us? Not just you?” Andy said.

  “Yes, she knows. I told her all about Ménage Mountain. Didn’t want there to be anything between us. She’s still willing to go out with us,” Joe said.

  “Wonder what her friend is going to say. Think she’ll try to talk her out of it? What if she manages to do that?” Andy asked.

  “I don’t think she will. We’ll dance with her again later tonight to be sure she’s still planning to go out with us. Plus, I want to get her address. I got her number but didn’t get her address,” Joe said.

  “Good idea.” Andy signaled for another beer to the waitress that walked by. She nodded and turned around to head toward the bar.

  They talked about work and watched the ebb and flow of the customers in the bar, making note of the men who stopped by Cindy’s table. She got up and danced with a few men, but mostly it was Beverly who danced. He hadn’t liked that Cindy had danced with any other men, but they didn’t have a hold on her and couldn’t really say anything about it. He could tell that Andy was holding it toge
ther by a thin thread. The other man wanted to go stomp on each man who had put their hands on the woman he was already seeing as theirs. He needed to talk to his friend about the chances that Cindy wouldn’t turn out to be the one for them.

  He managed one more dance with Cindy before Andy tapped in to take his turn. He asked her for her address and enjoyed the feel of her body next to his. She was soft in all the right places, and he longed to touch every one of those places. More than anything, he wanted to kiss her and taste those luscious lips. It was too soon though. They weren’t on a date, and kissing her would be pushing things a bit.

  He waited for Andy to finish his dance and take her back to the table where her friend waited. Joe watched as Andy bent over her and whispered something in her ear, making her pretty cheeks heat in color again before she covered her mouth with her hand. Then he was sauntering his way back to the table again.

  “What the hell did you tell her that had her blushing all over?” Joe asked.

  “Told her those sweet lips of hers were ours the next time we saw her,” Andy said.

  “Hell, man. Don’t scare her off before we even get to go out with her. She can still call us and cancel you know,” Joe said.

  “She won’t. Now she’s curious,” Andy said.

  “You better hope she is.”

  “Let’s go so we can watch when she leaves. Need to make sure she makes it to her car without some asshole trying to jump her and her friend in the parking lot.” Andy stood.

  Joe agreed with him and downed the last of his water. He’d switched to water an hour earlier so he’d be sober enough to drive. Now he followed his friend outside to their truck. They pulled down the tailgate of the truck and sat on it to wait, talking about the trucks they were working on.

  Thirty minutes later, Cindy and her friend walked out, laughing and talking, followed by several others in their wake. The men instantly went on alert to be sure no one gave them any trouble. They made it to their car without incident. No one stopped them or called out to them before they were inside and had driven off.

  Joe jumped down and climbed into the driver’s side as his friend climbed into the passenger side. They were silent on the drive home. Neither of them seemed to have anything important to say. He was thinking about Cindy and how perfect she seemed on the surface for them. She was the right size and had all the physical attributes they were looking for in a woman. Only time would tell if, underneath, she was the woman for them.

  They wanted someone who was fun-loving but who could be serious when it was warranted. Someone who knew how to take things in stride and who wouldn’t wilt with the rumors and nasty comments that might be circulated around town about her being with two men. She’d have to be strong and be able to stand up for herself, but he and Andy would do their best to protect her from anything they knew about. They wouldn’t stand for anyone bad-mouthing her.

  Joe liked what he’d seen so far. She didn’t appear to let it bother her that both of them planned to take her out. She’d seemed more curious than anything. Would she tell her friend about it, and what would her friend say? Would she encourage her or try to talk her out of it? Would she let the other woman talk her out of going out with them?

  That would say a lot about her in the long run. He wouldn’t try to talk her into going out with them if she let her friend talk her out of it. That right there would say that she was easily swayed by how others saw her.

  Joe said goodnight to Andy and took a long hot shower before climbing into bed. He was sure he’d be dreaming about a strawberry-blonde beauty with sky-blue eyes and a sweet smile

  Chapter Three

  “Are you kidding me?” Beverly squealed. “You’re going out with two men at one time? That’s insane.”

  “Well, I am. They both want to go out with me. What can it hurt? They’re part of that group up on the mountain,” Cindy said as she turned down Beverly’s street.

  “They live in threesomes. Everyone talks about them. They don’t bother anyone, but people talk, you know? Are you seriously going on a date with them?”

  “Yes. I think it will be fun. They’re both nice.”

  “I can’t believe it. You’ve got to tell me all about it,” Beverly said.

  “I will. We’re going to the steak house.”

  “At least they’re taking you somewhere nice. I hear the men treat their women like queens. If that’s so, maybe I’ll look for a couple of them myself.” Beverly fanned herself. “I can’t imagine two men treating me like a queen.”

  “I’ll let you know. I’d settle for treating me like a woman and not a slave. You know. ‘Fetch me a beer, and how about more chips? I’m watching the ball game.’” They both burst out laughing.

  “I still can’t believe that asshole did that on your second date. Took you home to wait on him while he watched a ball game. What a loser,” Beverly said.

  “No kidding.” Cindy sighed. “That’s about all I’ve been able to attract lately. I’m beginning to believe that’s all we have in this town.”

  “You may be right. Maybe we should cast the net a little farther from town,” Beverly suggested.

  “Agreed. If these two don’t pan out, we’ll look farther out. I feel like I’m trolling for losers going to bars. I want a partner, not a dictator,” Cindy said.

  “You mean a dick-toter, don’t you?” Beverly said, laughing.

  Cindy burst out laughing with her. She pulled up into Beverly’s drive. The other woman climbed out and waved. As soon as she was sure the other woman had gotten in safely, she backed out and headed for home.

  She shared her little bungalow with her cat, Rascal. The fourteen-pound Maine Coon feline ruled the house. She knew he’d be angry with her for being out so late. She’d have to grovel when she got home to get into his good graces again. She chuckled as she unlocked her door and walked in.

  Sure enough, the cat was waiting by the front door with a disapproving glare and a tail that pounded the floor in a staccato rhythm, which brooked no argument would be accepted.

  “I know, I know. I’m late. Come on, give me a break. I get to go out sometimes.” She put her purse and keys on the table by the front door and headed toward the kitchen. “I’ll give you a treat for waiting up for me. That will help, won’t it?”

  Cindy poured out a few treats in Rascal’s bowl then fixed herself a Diet Coke and watched as the disapproving cat nosed around the treats before ignoring them and sitting across the room to glare at her a little longer before finally eating the treats.

  She shook her head and smiled. The cat could always be counted on to forgive her for treats, but how long it took was always the question. She still wasn’t off the hook. Rascal might have eaten the treats, but his tail was still swatting flies coming and going.

  She walked into the living room and sat in her favorite chair to enjoy her Diet Coke and think about the two men who’d asked her out. Joe had been nice. He was easygoing and open. She liked that he had a ready smile and seemed fun to be around. Andy was much more serious but someone she felt as if she could count on to always give it to her straight. He didn’t mess around but was honest and open.

  Both men were serious about wanting to take her out, and the last thing Andy had said had told her he was serious about getting to know her.

  He says my lips are theirs the next time they see me. How do I handle that? Cindy fanned herself just thinking about it.

  Would she let them kiss her when they took her out next weekend? Did she have a choice? Of course, she did. She didn’t have to let them do anything. But how could she pass up a chance to find out what it would be like to be kissed by them? Beverly would laugh at her and tell her she was a fool if she didn’t kiss them.

  Two men. She was really thinking about going out with two men at one time. What had gotten into her? Beverly was right. There weren’t any good men left in Cozy. She’d been scraping the bottom of the barrel lately. Maybe these two would prove to be different.

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; Finishing the Diet Coke, Cindy rinsed out the glass and headed for bed. She took a quick shower then climbed under the covers. She was exhausted and had a lot on her mind. She was afraid she wouldn’t get to sleep, but she was gone almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.

  * * * *

  “Text her,” Andy said.

  “Why me?” Joe asked.

  “’Cause I’ll say something inappropriate.”

  “Why should we text her at all?”

  “To keep us on her mind, idiot,” Andy said. He didn’t want Cindy to forget about them until the weekend. He wanted them on her mind all week.

  “Fine. What do you want me to say?” Joe asked.

  “I don’t know. You’re the one with the right words.”

  “Crap.”

  “I wouldn’t say that.”

  “Asshole.”

  “Wouldn’t say that either,” Andy said, flashing a rare grin.

  Joe shook his head and pulled his phone out of his back pocket. He pressed a serious of characters then shoved it back into his pocket and strode across the shop back to where he’d been working on a Peterbilt before Andy had called him over.

  “Hey! What did you say?” Andy called out.

  “You should have texted her. Then you’d know,” Joe said.

  “Fucker!”

  Andy returned to work on his truck, muttering under his breath what a cocksucker his friend was, then watched when Joe pulled his phone out of his back pocket once more and read something before texting back and settling it back into his pocket and returning to work. Andy tried to work, but anger and a hefty dose of curiosity got the better of him, and he dropped the wrench in the toolbox and stalked over to where Joe was working.

  “What the fuck did you say, and what did she answer back?” Andy asked.

  “Told you. Should have done it yourself.”

  “Stop with that already. Just fucking tell me.”

  Joe sighed and pulled out his phone.

  “Here. Read it for yourself.” He handed it over to Andy.

  Andy scrolled to Cindy’s name and read the text.

  Hey, beautiful, how’s your day going?