Commando Cowboys Captivate Their Lady [Wyoming Warriors 5] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) (17 page)

Rae wandered around the open area they’d entered. Colorful sofas and chairs were grouped together and set in various parts of the room. Soft music played in the background. A striking brunette sat at a mahogany desk. A man came in and walked straight to her. He signed a paper and went to another elevator at the right side of the entry.

Cad strolled to her side. “Everyone who comes in and wants to go downstairs must sign in with their personnel number. Our receptionist would set an alarm if a stranger breached our other safeguards and got this far.”

“Below is where you do your research?” she asked.

“Yes. And there are halls connecting to other homes. It’s a complicated network.”

“Your compound is unique. I never expected anything like this.”

“My guess is, being used to the ranch, our facility will appear cold and impersonal.”

“True. I don’t think I could live here for a long time.”

“When our ancestors came here the records show it reminded them of our home planet. I’m sure they were comforted by the similarity. But times have changed that perspective.

“Many of our people want to live in homes built out in the open. The usual type of communities seen in America. Our younger generation are the most vocal about that desire. We’d decided to find a second place for the ones to live who prefer the modern community. If your brothers don’t agree to let us join your tribes, we’ll search for another spot,” Cad said.

“Is that why you moved to town?” Rae asked.

“Mainly.”

“Cad is going to show you all around and introduce you to our other leader, his twin brother, Lann Quinlain,” Garth announced to everyone. He walked over to join Rae and Cad. “I must check on my mother.” He took Rae’s hand. “I want to introduce you to her this evening. She’ll join us for dinner.”

“Remember, I have not agreed to anything,” Rae said. Cad and Garth both smiled. “You will not wear me down! I intend to make a logical decision of what is best for me.”

Garth brushed his lips across her mouth. “You talk too much, my love.” He strode out of the building.

“I do not,” Rae yelled after him then looked around and flushed seeing all eyes on her.

Cad put his arm around her shoulders. “We’ll take this elevator.” He spoke to all of them. “I’ll introduce Lann first, and then we’ll go deeper and visit our scientists.”

His brother, Lann, looked almost exactly like Cad except he had emerald-green eyes. When Rae glanced at Cad, he whispered, “Inherited from a great-great-grandfather. Most of us have the golden eyes, and a few the green. We’re fraternal twins.”

Cad introduced them. Lann had the same mannerisms and calmness about him that Cad did. When he got to Rae, he took her hand in both of his.

“My brother has described your beauty. He did not do you justice. Welcome to our family.”

Rae hesitated. She started to say, “I’m not going to be in your family,” but then she was part of the family already, if he was talking of the three tribes. For courtesy’s sake, she said, “Thank you,” and left it at that.

“Garth thought you might like to see what we’ve developed during these many years apart,” Lann said. “He hopes to convince you of our sincerity. I have agreed except for a few unique discoveries we will save until you are comfortable in sharing more with us. I, too, hope we can join together at last and be as one family. Cad, you will escort them to Pod Two and Three only.”

“As you wish. Shall we go?” Cad asked the others.

Mitch stepped forward. “I have a few questions.”

“Certainly. Please be seated.” Lann motioned toward two chairs for him and Mitch to sit in.

“If you move to our ranch what will you do with your headquarters here?”

“Some of our tribe prefers this area. They grew up here and do not want to move. We will leave them to maintain and guard our compound.”

“My other question is, when can we see your scrolls?”

“Before we all move, we will share the secret in the scrolls, and then you may read them.”

“We must trust your tribe more before we share ours,” Mitch stressed.

“Yes. After years of wondering about us, your trust will be much harder to earn, than for us to trust you.”

“I appreciate that you understand our position.” Mitch shook his hand and joined the group to get on the elevator.

Rae liked Lann. Her senses told her he was sincere, but he had hidden depths as all the men she’d met from the third tribe. The tribes needed each other now, but what would happen when the danger to them was past? If she married Cad and Garth would it help bond the tribes together? And if not, would she be taken from all that was familiar to her? More reasons to move slowly with Cad and Garth.

Rae had been escorted to a room in Garth’s large house. She’d found her small suitcase on the bed, and a shimmering purple cocktail dress with black patent high heels and matching purse to complete the outfit. Garth had left a note.

Tonight we will dress for the occasion. I bought this for you before I left Wyoming. I’m almost certain you did not bring a gown in that small suitcase. Please accept my gift. Garth.

She’d showered, washed her hair, and brushed it to a high gloss before deciding whether to wear the dress. But she couldn’t resist. It was lovely.

Just as the silky skirt had settled around her hips, someone knocked. She opened the door a crack.

“Are you ready?” Cad asked.

“Almost.”

“Can I come in or must I wait here?”

Rae opened her door and waved him in. “I only have to finish with my hair and put on my shoes.”

“Garth was right. That dress fits all your lush curves just right.”

Cad grinned, and Rae felt her face flush. Trying to ignore him, she went to the mirror and started to plait her hair.

“Leave it down.” Cad stood behind her. He took the brush in his hand and swept long strokes through her shiny, black hair.

“I should look more dignified.” She tried to take the brush back.

Cad held his hand away from her and glanced across the dresser top. Seeing a hair clasp, he picked it up and put it in his pocket. Taking her brush, he parted a section of her hair on each side and pulled it back. Then he used the gold fastener to secure it.

“There, you look very dignified.”

“Do you and Garth always have to have your way?”

He ran his finger down the middle of her forehead. “You will get wrinkles from frowning so much. And no, you don’t have to obey us. We’re not commanding you.” He motioned to her hair. “I call this a compromise.”

“You sounded commanding to me. So if I insist on plaiting my hair, you’ll back off?”

“Absolutely.”

To spite him, she undid her hair and quickly redid it in a plait. She’d never admit it to him, but she liked his way best. Still, a woman had to express her independence or they’d take over.

Cad stood back and viewed her from her head to her feet. “Almost perfect.” He reached in his pocket, and she saw a flash of gold. “Close your eyes.”

His fingers placed a cool chain around her neck. Then his fingers were at her earlobes. He turned toward the mirror. But before telling her to look, his hand curved around her wrist, and she felt the coolness of a chain again.

“Open your eyes.”

“Oh my, they’re gorgeous.” Her fingers brushed across the brilliant diamonds and amethyst in the necklace, bracelet, and earrings. A perfect accompaniment to her dress.

“Your outfit is from Garth. The jewelry I made soon after first meeting you and seeing your purplish-blue eyes.”

“They’re so valuable. I can’t accept such an expensive gift. I haven’t accepted your proposal.”

“Whatever happens, they were made for you with love.”

A lump formed in Rae’s throat, and she blinked tears from her eyes. Cad kissed her softly on her lips.

“Let’s go to dinner, my darling. You will wow them.”

Unable to speak, Rae nodded and took his arm.

* * * *

Dinner was held in a large dining room in Garth’s home. The room was aboveground, and the moon and stars looked close enough to touch. Fine china and silverware glistened in the light of the crystal chandelier. Red wallpaper had a swirling thread of gold woven through as a design. A hint of roses floated in the air, and music soared to the high ceiling.

Garth immediately came to her side. “You wore my dress and Cad’s jewelry. Magnificent, my hunger for you is roaring through my body,” he whispered.

He had dressed in a dark-blue suit that made his bright-blue eyes more noticeable. The room was full of handsome men and lovely women. Garth walked on one side of her and Cad on the other.

“We’ll introduce you all to our other guests.” Garth walked her and the others to the first group on the left.

All the people were gracious and of course curious about her and the men with her. After all the introductions, Garth led the way to the table. An older woman had just arrived and went to sit on Garth’s left. He took Rae directly to her.

“Rae, this is my mother, Aileen Sherwyn. Mother, this is Rae Stanton. I’ve talked to you about her.”

“Ah, yes, and you are as lovely as he described. We will visit privately later in my apartment.”

“Thank you. I’d like that,” Rae said. She sat to Garth’s right, and Cad was at her other side. Lann sat at the other end of the long table. Rae looked around Garth at his mother. She had lovely black hair and startling blue eyes like Garth, but he must have inherited his light-blond hair from his father. Mrs. Sherwyn smiled, and Rae realized she’d been staring. Quickly she turned her attention to her soup.

Conversation flowed easily among the guests, and the food was excellent. Rae, who seldom drank wine, didn’t notice the times her glass was refilled until she felt a bit tipsy.

She covered her glass with her hand when the waiter started to refill it again. “No more for me. May I have water?”

“Certainly, Madam.” The waiter returned with a tall, cold goblet of water.

“Afraid we’ll have our way with you if you’re inebriated?” Garth asked.

“I don’t like losing my control.”

“I’ve noticed. We must work on that lack of trust, my love.”

“Tonight, I’ll eat enough to balance the alcohol. It’ll take a long time to get my trust.”

“Maybe. We’ll see. I’m an incurable optimist.” Garth winked at her and turned to his mother, who had said something to him.

Cad put his hand on her leg under the table. Rae almost jumped, and her heart raced. “Don’t worry, sweetheart, we want you fully yourself, awake, alert, and willing, when we make love to you. We’d never try to get our way by deceptive tricks.”

“Maybe you. I’m not sure about him.” She nodded to Garth.

“He likes to tease the people he loves. That is evidence he truly loves you. For him to tease is an example of his trust.”

“You always stand up for him with me.”

“Just until you understand him better, then he’s on his own.”

After dinner, Garth escorted Rae and his mother to his mother’s apartment. It was attached to Garth’s home.

“Welcome, Rae,” his mother said. She pushed Garth toward the door. “I’m sure you and the men have plenty to talk about. Rae will be safe with me.”

Garth nodded and left. Rae turned to his mother.

“They’re having a meeting without me?”

“I believe they are. Your brother, Mitch, agreed you were not needed this time. And I have been so looking forward to meeting the woman my son has fallen in love with. Sit. We will have tea.”

An attractive young girl brought the silver tea tray and placed it on the table by Garth’s mother.

“This is one of my granddaughters, Mia. I am blessed with family who watch over my every need.” She patted Mia’s arm. “Go to bed, little one. I’m fine for the night.” Mia kissed her grandmother’s cheek, smiled at Rae, and left.

Rae watched as Mrs. Sherwyn poured the tea. Her hands were delicate and graceful.

“Do you take sugar and cream?”

“Two sugar, no cream. I’m afraid I may not have room for even one cup. Dinner was delicious and filling.” She took the cup handed to her. “Thank you, Mrs. Sherwyn.”

“Please, call me Mother Aileen.”

“I can’t. Your son has given you the wrong impression. I have not accepted his and Cad’s proposal. Nor am I sure that I will.”

“He has told me correctly. He said you were strong, independent, an intelligent, challenging woman. I expected the one he would choose for his wife would have those qualities. Anything less and he’d be bored. You must continue to be your own woman even after the marriage. Cad is different. He will be the balance between you two. May I hold your hands?”

“Why?”

“Truthfully, I’m a witch. My family married into the tribe many centuries ago. Our skills have been passed down through the ages. By touching you, I can see into your heart, if you are good or bad for my son and Cad. That is all I will search for.”

Rae was taken back. “I don’t believe in witches.”

Mrs. Sherwyn’s laughter was a light, tingling sound. Pleasant to the ears. Her eyes sparkled.

“You are such a delight and a mixture of contradictions. You live in a world of people including yourself who have many special skills. How can you not believe in magic and witches? I assure you I am a good witch. The bad ones were weeded out long ago. And if you don’t believe then how can my taking hold of your hands do any harm?”

Hesitantly, Rae placed her palms against Mrs. Sherwyn’s. First, she felt warmth, and then a slight tingle.

Mrs. Sherwyn closed her eyes and hummed a melody Rae had never heard. They sat in that position for several minutes.

“My son saved your life. He did not tell me.”

“Yes, he did, but I don’t know how.”

Mrs. Sherwyn smiled. “With one of those witches’ cures you don’t believe in. One used discriminately. Without a doubt, he loves you and has committed himself to your welfare.

“You love him and Cad, but fear and distrust are keeping you from acknowledging your desire. Do not wait too long to take what you want or you may lose it. Love does not wait forever. You already know that. My son must have an heir. Cad wants a family. They are thirty-two. Your time is now. Grab it.”