“That’s one of the reasons we’re grateful to have you with us,” Ian said. “Totally different point of view.” He kissed her head as she preened inwardly at his praise.
“When we get our ducks in a row and begin to reach out,” Ken said, “we’ll ask for a tour of all the treehouses. There are four others here at this site, and a large ranch house with several bedrooms, all available to be rented.”
“I was thinking about something else.” Alice waited until they both nodded. “Maybe you should have a corner of the store you’re refurbishing feature local attractions—I know they’ll be on the website and that certainly is the way most travel business is conducted in these so-called modern times. But there will be local people coming into Edgers to buy all manner of goods you’ll have for sale. And I’m willing to bet most of them have no idea of what all their area offers by way of entertainment, attractions, and adventures. With ‘staycation’ now being a word in our lexicon, I just thought it was another string to tug.”
Ian gave her a squeeze, and Ken grinned.
“We were thinking the exact same thing,” Ian said. “I think that’s a part of human nature, to believe all our explorations have to be conducted far from home.”
Alice agreed. “Oh! I’ll bet you there are stats on local attractions and the attendance of locals to same. I could research it!” Just thinking about looking for those stats had her anal side revving.
“Your saying that just got me hard, sweetheart,” Ken said.
Alice giggled. They’d already made love that morning. But if her men wanted round two, she thought they just might have enough time before they had to officially check out of this place.
“That’s why you’re so perfect for us, baby,” Ian said. “You speak both our languages.”
It was a theme they’d been repeating for the last few days—their belief that she was perfect for them. She realized in that moment that she’d been a little stingy with similar, relationship-affirming comments. I haven’t said anything because opening my mouth often got me into trouble in the past.
When she opened her mouth this time, Alice discovered that sharing her thoughts, her feelings, with these two men was the easiest, most natural thing she’d ever done. “This is the first time, ever, that I’ve been in a relationship and felt…seen. You know me, you get me, and most importantly, you accept me as I am. Do you have any idea how…how miraculous that is to me?”
Ken pulled an actual handkerchief from his pocket and gently dabbed at the two tears that had overflowed her eyes. She didn’t really know how to hold back the water when her heart was engaged.
“We do,” Ken said. “Because we’ve known for years that we wanted to find a woman who would fit us both, who could love us both. And we honestly didn’t know if that dream would ever become reality for us.”
“You’re our miracle, baby, as much as we’re yours, and that is just the truth.” Ian’s extra little squeeze filled her with joy. Ken took her hand and brought it to his lips. His kiss was nothing short of reverent.
Maybe we will make love one more time before we leave.
It wasn’t time yet for declarations of forever love and looking toward a happy-ever-after. Alice’s anal side knew that. And for once, perhaps because of the richness of the promise she felt right here between these two amazing men, her emotional side was happy to cede to her logical side and wait for a while. They’d spend more time together, learning more about each other, and live day by day, building a bridge to that future.
Ian’s cell phone rang. He kept one arm around her while he used his other hand to reach into his pocket for the device. He held it up, and she could read the call display. I wonder why Jordan is calling.
And then Ian took the call.
“Hey, Jordan. What’s up?”
Alice couldn’t make out the words, though she heard the basic sound of Jordan’s voice. But it was the way Ian stiffened that immediately alerted her. Something had happened, and in her experience, that was never good.
“We’ll be leaving here in a few minutes. We’ll meet you at the store. It’ll take us a couple hours. Yes, please, and thanks for that.”
He hung up and sighed. “There’s been a fire at the store. No one’s been hurt, but there’s damage. The fire marshal has been called in.”
Alice moved out of Ian’s arms so she could turn and look at him. “The fire marshal? But doesn’t he only get called out in cases of…” Her words trailed off as the import of what Ian had just said hit her.
“In cases of suspicion of arson? Yeah, that’s what the authorities are thinking. The fire at our brand-new business is suspected to have been deliberately set. And Jordan thought, by the questions being asked, that Ken and I are the ones the cops suspect of setting it.”
* * * *
Ken spent his time during the drive back to Waco in the backseat of the SUV, working on his laptop. He built a file, in anticipation of all the questions he was certain he and his cousin were sure to have aimed at them the moment they arrived at the site of the fire.
The fact that the sales contract they’d had drawn up between them and Bob Travis listed the building that housed Travis Sporting Goods as an incidental asset would weigh heavily in their favor.
He and Ian hadn’t actually needed the building; in fact, they still hadn’t decided if they were going to build new or just refurbish the existing structure. It was the business they’d bought. Waco was a growing
