Awakening Veronica(Divine Creek Ranch 17)(73)

With the help of all the individuals behind the scenes, the day went forward as though it’d been planned for months in advance. After lunch, the ladies had the opportunity to take a horseback ride with the ranch hands and see a working cattle and horse ranch firsthand.

Maya Warner, Emma Rivers, and Rosemary Garner arrived. They talked about being involved in a ménage, from the standpoint of a businesswoman, and Rosemary went on to talk about being a mom in a polyamorous relationship. The ladies’ questions flew fast and furious and the gathering was filled with laughter and gaiety as the readers wrapped their minds around how those ladies made a fantasy relationship work for them in real life.

Travis was awed, as he watched Veronica handle the crowd, which grew to fifty ladies by the time late afternoon flowed into early evening. She answered their questions and talked about what the future held for her as a writer of erotic romance. He watched and listened carefully, because the worry had crept into his mind that perhaps the perpetrator was among the group, but none of those ladies seemed like the type.

Travis listened as the women stood and asked questions about her inspirations and her struggles. Veronica blended vulnerability with professionalism, letting them see into her writing day, without letting her boundaries down completely. And she never revealed her arrangement with him and Hank.

The topic shifted and she shared a few of her struggles when one lady asked her how she maintained a private life. Travis could tell that the day had worked magic with the readers when several vowed to help counteract such attacks online, both with her and with other writers. Veronica cautioned them, stressing that it wasn’t worth drawing fire from individuals who clearly had a lot of technology at their disposal and possible sociopathic tendencies. She asked instead that they simply enjoy her books and the books of other authors and continue encouraging writers.

Travis was glad when Ace and Kemp gave an impromptu talk about how they could protect themselves from online predators and still fully enjoy social media and online forums.

Hank arrived late in the afternoon and Travis waved him over to where he sat with Jack and the others at one end of the small arena. Right then, Kate was sharing the story of how she came to live in a special small town in Texas near the end of World War II, and how two flyboys won her heart and her hand.

One of the ladies asked about the connection between Kate and Veronica. Kate looked over at her for approval and then explained that she was Veronica’s distant relation, but never revealed the name of her town. Travis wasn’t surprised when the next question was asked.

“Veronica, since you have family roots based in ménage, would you ever consider being part of a ménage relationship?” Several ladies in the audience sighed dreamily and drew giggles from the others.

Veronica joined Kate at the microphone and said, “Only if I felt the men involved in the relationship were extremely mature and had good communications skills. Ladies, what I plan to write is complete and total fantasy, but that’s not to say that some real-life love stories can’t be fantasies come true.” As she said the last part, she slid her arm around her elderly Grandma Kate and hugged her.

After a couple more questions, Ethan joined Veronica and Kate in the center of the gathering and a number of the ladies’ attentions perked up. He spoke softly to Veronica and then announced over the microphone that dinner was served in the backyard of the Divine Creek Ranch.

Travis held out a hand to her as Veronica separated herself from the crowd when she saw him and Hank waiting off to the side for her.

Travis’s heart thumped in his chest when Veronica reached them and shared a few words and hugs before moving on to escort the group to the canopied area where the food was being served. She looked wired and exhausted. She might make it look easy but that was far from the truth. Doing what needed to be done was taking its toll on her.

As if to prove the point, Hank pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and whispered that Grace had just texted and showed Travis the message. “How’s Veronica doing?”

Hank made a quick, reassuring reply and then slid the phone into his pocket.

Kate came over to greet them and said, “Well, that was tremendous fun.”

Travis and Hank both proffered arms for her and she smiled as she allowed them to escort her to the dinner.

Travis said, “Kate, I enjoyed hearing your story. What an incredible life you’ve lived.”

Kate smiled and nodded. “It has been full…and full of love. The fact that I’ve lived to see today is another one of my satisfying moments in life.”

“What do you mean, Grandma Kate?” Hank asked as he steadied her over the uneven gravel drive.