Maizy the Bear Charmer(Diving Creek Ranch 16)(93)

“I’ll braid it next time,” she murmured. Cody noticed when she quickly averted her gaze and worry settled in. “Where are we going?” she added quickly as Spencer secured the backrest for the rear seat on the bike for her and climbed on. He started the bike, stabilized it so she could climb on behind him, and reached over his shoulder to take her hand. Cody helped her onto the seat behind Spencer.

“We won’t go too far. We just want to get you out of Divine for a little while. Hang on to me and enjoy the ride,” Spencer said as Cody and Heath climbed on their bikes and started them.

She wrapped her arms around Spencer and scooted forward until her body was practically wrapped around his. Cody smiled, thinking that must feel good to Spencer, given the satisfied smile on his brother’s face.

Cody reached out and lowered the face shield on her helmet and saw her smiling eyes through the tinted covering. Whatever was bothering her, they could work on it together. He let Spencer take the lead down the driveway and watched as she laid her head against his back and seemed to relax a little.

They drew a few stares as they took it slow through Divine on the way to Bowie Lake. They had perfect weather for her first ride and a couple of hours of daylight left before they stopped for supper. They arrived at the turnoff to Bowie Lake and Spencer pulled over at the first unoccupied picnic area and cut the motor on his bike. The picnic table overlooked the water and provided a nice view.

Cody helped her take off her helmet and steadied her when she made her first awkward attempt at climbing off the bike. “Don’t worry, baby. It feels weird the first time but you’ll be an old pro in no time,” he murmured as she collided with his chest.

“I tingle all over from the vibration but that was…exhilarating,” she said, seeming happier as she looked up at him.

“Good,” Heath said as they walked over to the picnic table and she sat down on it, facing the water. “What’s troubling you today, baby?”

She looked off over the water as the breeze ruffled her hair. “Mrs. Dumphrey paid me a visit today.” She gave them a brief rundown on the conversation and then added, “When I returned to my classroom after taking care of the kids until they were all picked up, I found my father waiting for me.”

That explains a lot.

Cody sat down beside her on the picnic table and put his arm around her. She leaned into him and slipped her arms around his waist. She already understood how they felt about her and what they were willing to do to make the relationship easier for her. It seemed more important to just let her talk.

“He wouldn’t tell me how he knew, but he knows about Spencer and demanded to know if I was involved with the three of you.”

Standing in front of her, Heath reached out and stroked her chin. Spencer sat on the table on her other side and she slid a hand over his thigh. Cody’s heart thumped as he waited for her to continue, wondering how she’d answered. Had she hid the fact that she was in a relationship with them? Or would she risk all and admit to it?

“I told him that it was none of his business what his grown daughter did in her private life and then I told him, yes, I am involved with the three of you…that I’m in love with the three of you. He wasn’t pleased at all.”

Cody lifted his hand from her shoulder and caressed the side of her head as she looked up at him. He kissed her temple and said, “I love you, too, angel.”

“I wanted to tell you that in a private moment, like I did with Heath and Spencer but I wanted you to know exactly what I told him, Cody. I do love you.”

He sighed and squeezed her gently. “I’m sensing a ‘but’ in that statement.”

She shook her head. “No buts about that. I love you. I do. But I also know something will have to give. Mrs. Dumphrey was very clear in her opinion. She may respect me as a teacher but she won’t hesitate to do what she feels is best for the school. This is going to come down to me making a choice.”

“Damn,” Spencer growled.

She rested her forehead in her hands and braced her elbows on her thighs. “I knew it would come down to this. I just hoped for more time before I was forced to make a choice.”

A hot pain entered Cody’s heart when he saw her brush the heel of her hand against her cheek and a soft sob escaped her. The three of them glanced at each other and his agony was reflected in Spencer and Heath’s eyes when they looked at him.

Heath shook his head and looked away across the lake with suddenly bloodshot eyes. Spencer slid his fingers through his closely cropped hair, and Cody had the impression that if it was longer he’d be yanking on it. The hurt was obvious in their eyes as they looked back at him. After a long hesitation they both nodded.