Tangled in Divine(Divine Creek Ranch 14)(147)
“Why didn’t you ever tell me about your money? Were you afraid I was a gold digger?”
He paused for a few seconds before replying. “In the past, I’d never tell women I encountered on the road, like Judith and her friends, for that very reason. I knew you were self-sufficient and wouldn’t accept help from anyone else to get your dream back. I knew if push came to shove I would do what I could. I don’t talk about the money because it doesn’t define who I am. It used to. It damn near cost me my life. But I never, ever thought you would take advantage of me for my money.”
“You have way more going for you than just that, handsome. And thank you. So I was driving to Colorado for nothing?”
Both men nodded.
Gwen had an idea. “Did you by chance bring your laptop with you on this trip?”
“Yes, why?”
“I’m hitting Roger up on Skype.”
Chris frowned. “Darlin’, there’s no signal out here.”
Gwen chuckled. “Let me take you on a tour of my former home away from home. It’s one big mobile hotspot. All I have to do is turn on a laptop and I’m online.”
Julián retrieved his laptop from its case in the truck and she hooked it up in the living quarters that were a far, far cry from the little bunk space she’d been making do with on her last trip.
She brushed out her hair as she collected her thoughts, then thought better of it and popped her fuzzy Elmer Fudd hat back on her head. She didn’t give a flying fuck what Roger thought of her appearance. Julián and Chris thought she was beautiful and that was all that mattered.
She placed the video call and waited for a response. She’d be disappointed if he didn’t answer. A shaky picture came on the screen and then Roger appeared, dressed in an undershirt, pulling a dress shirt on over it.
“Hello? Who is that? Gwen?”
“Yes, Roger.”
“Where are you?”
“Between Fort Stockton and Pecos.”
“You’d better get your ass back on the road if you want to see Zephyr again.”
“I will shortly, but I won’t be heading to Colorado.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?” His tone was condescending as though he was talking to a misbehaving child.
“You heard me. I’m going back home to Divine. I have everything I need. I have Julián,”—Julián leaned into camera view and smiled at Roger—“and Chris,” who waved from behind her, before stepping back to the door that led out into the luxury horse accommodations and opening the door. Gwen leaned aside and waited as the horse slowly came into focus through the webcam, so that Roger could make out Zephyr in the background. “And I have Zephyr, you unimaginable, lying, thieving prick. You’re also looking at the new owners of the Bucking H Ranch, neighbor. I hope you rot in hell.”
Roger flapped his jaws, probably trying to think of something vindictive to say as she clicked on the end call button and turned to her men, breathing a sigh of happiness. “That was fun. And thank you, Julián. I’m paying you for everything.”
Julián groaned and Chris muttered, “Not again. Please don’t go out on the road.” He put his hands together and said something that sounded beseeching and sexy in Italian.
“I’m not going on the road, unless it’s with the two of you. I’m paying you back from the fees I earn as a trainer and consultant. Now, can we go home?”
Julián and Chris smiled as they closed in on her. “To Divine?” Chris asked with hope shining in his sweet brown eyes.
“Of course, Divine. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
Julián took her hand in his. “One thing first.”
They stood side by side, looking at her like she was their last meal and they planned to share every bit of her. The oxygen left her lungs when they both got down on one knee. Biting her lip, she joined them on her knees and whispered, “What’re y’all doing?”
Julián’s eyes twinkled as he whispered back, “Proposing. Will you marry me?”
Chris tugged a lock of her hair gently. “And me?”
Gwen gasped and threw her arms around them both, knocking their heads together a little as she hugged them tight. She didn’t need fancy words or phrases. Her men “walked their talk” out there on that desolate roadside, rescuing her just when she needed them most.
“Of course I’ll marry you. I love you like crazy,” she whispered and then kissed each one in turn. Her pulse sped up and the fire inside her came to life as their kisses grew more intimate and sultry.
“I do believe this thing has a comfy bed, doesn’t it?” Chris said, glancing around.