Chasing Tiger Tail [Tigers of Twisted, Texas 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 12

  * * * *

  Four days later, Danna stared at the letter then pulled the rest of the paperwork out of the special delivery envelope.

  I can’t believe it.

  She’d begun to think she wasn’t meant to become a lawyer. That she was being forced by fate, the Universe, or God, to stay in Twisted and do nothing more than work at whatever job she could find.

  Yet there it was in black and white. Her acceptance letter into law school. Better yet, not only had the school offered admission, they’d given her a scholarship. Along with the federal assistance loans and grants she’d already received, the school was giving her enough that, if she found a part-time job working nights and weekends, she’d be able to pay her way.

  I’m going to law school. Finally, everything I’ve dream of is coming true.

  She hugged the letter to her chest. Her smile widened then inexplicably lost its exuberance.

  Am I really getting everything I wanted?

  She’d lost the ranch. When she finished with law school, she’d have no home to return to. Her father was gone and her sister would have her own life with her mates, living on their own ranch.

  But I’m going to be a lawyer. That’s everything I want. Right?

  The joy she’d felt after opening the envelope was fading. Sadness threatened to sink its ugly teeth into her. She might have gotten even sadder if her phone hadn’t started ringing, interrupting her thoughts.

  A quick check of the caller ID had her ready to hit the red button and ignore Harriet’s call. That would’ve been her response before, but their relationship had changed, growing stronger. They were finally becoming real sisters.

  “What’s up, Harriet?”

  “You need to get your butt down to the Bank of Crosston right now.”

  “Why? The bank’s already foreclosed.” She glanced around at the boxes in the living room. “Tell Georgia I’m packing up as fast as I can. If she wants me out any sooner, she’ll have to hire professional movers to come in and pack everything. Which reminds me. You need to come by and get the rest of your things, too.”

  Harriet had moved into the Wills’ brothers’ home the day after the Nordstrom men had run Georgia and the sheriff off the ranch. Since then, she hadn’t heard from Cal or Phil. Not that she’d expected to. They’d probably changed their minds about signing over the ranch. Maybe even about her being their mate. Nonetheless, she kept looking every time she imagined she heard a truck pull up to the house. She’d look and then feel incredibly lonely when no one was there.

  “No, it’s not that. Cam and Phil are here. They’re signing the papers to buy our ranch.”

  Our ranch? Harriet had never put any work or care into the ranch. She bit back the urge to say so. Bickering and sniping was in their past. “They told me they were buying the ranch a few days ago. I don’t see why I have to be there to witness it.”

  “Because they’re putting the ranch in your name.”

  They’d really done it. They were giving her the ranch, keeping her in her home. And yet, she couldn’t figure out how she felt about it. She couldn’t take such an amazing, expensive gift. Not when she was planning on leaving. Not when she’d refused to take them as her mates. Not only was she leaving them alone for the rest of their lives, she was taking away their dream of owning their own ranch. She couldn’t and wouldn’t do both.

  “Tell them to stop everything. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  Chapter Nine

  “Where are they?” Danna stormed past Harriet, who stood waiting in the bank’s lobby.

  Harriet confirmed what she’d already assumed. “They’re in Georgia’s office.”

  She strode over to the office and shoved opened the door. Cam and Phil sat a table with paperwork strewn on top of it. Georgia stood over them, helping them get the paperwork completed.

  Cam finished signing a sheet then slid it over to Phil. “Hey, I’m glad you’re here. In a few minutes, the ranch will officially be yours.”

  “You can’t do this.” Danna sucked in a quick breath. She’d rushed over from the ranch, hoping to catch them in time. Had she gotten there fast enough?

  Georgia bent over Phil’s shoulder and pointed to where he needed to sign. “They can and they are.” Her sneer made her beautiful face appear evil. “I’ll be damned if I understand why. You don’t want to be their mate, but they’re still willing to support you. It makes no sense.”

  “You don’t have to understand.” Phil scrawled his name across the bottom line. “All you have to do is make it all legal.”

  “But you can’t do this. Owning your own ranch is your dream, not mine.” Danna pulled the acceptance letter out of her pocket. “I’m going to law school in Oklahoma. I’ve been accepted and I’m going.”

  “You’re still planning on coming back to Twisted, right?”

  She nodded at Cam. “Yes, but I can’t maintain a ranch while I’m at school. I’ll be working a part-time job at night and on the weekends. Even getting back here on school breaks will be difficult.”

  “Don’t worry. We’ll figure out a way.” Phil slid another sheet over to Cam.

  “Will you stop signing?” She reached for the paper, but Cam tugged it out of her grasp. “I don’t want the ranch. You’re paying for it. It’s yours.”

  “Sorry, but they’ve already put it in your name.”

  In her frustration, she whirled on Georgia. “Why didn’t you stop them? You could’ve turned down their offer and sold the ranch to someone else. Or at least stopped them from putting it in my name.”

  Georgia gave a very unladylike snort. “As the bank’s representative, I had to accept their offer. It was good one. As for signing it over to you, I can’t stop them from making a stupid mistake. As far as I’m concerned, you don’t deserve it.”

  “Georgia, watch how you treat my sister.” Harriet strode into the office.

  “I don’t give a damn.” Georgia moved to stand behind her desk. “If I found my mates, I sure as hell wouldn’t treat them like shit the way you have. Damn, Danna. Do you know how many women would kill for guys like these? And what do you do? You throw them over to go to school. I always knew your family was crazy, but I thought you were the sanest one of the bunch.”

  Cam and Phil were on their feet, both of them with snarls on their faces. Cam took a threatening step toward the desk and Georgia. “Lady, I suggest you stop talking now. Either do your job or get someone in here who will. Got it?”

  Being a panther, Georgia wouldn’t back down. But neither was she foolish enough to challenge them. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”

  Cam and Phil retook their seats. Danna moved closer. As far as she could tell, they’d completed most of the paperwork. The ranch would be hers in only a few minutes.

  “No. Please. This is too much.” It was hard enough to leave them, but to leave knowing what they’d done to save her home would flood her with guilt. How would she ever make it up to them? The only way she could do so would mean giving up school.

  “It’s what has to be done.” Cam scooted his chair back. “Hon, will you do us a favor?”

  “I don’t know.” She tried to shake the fog out of her head. A favor was the least she could promise them. “Sure.”

  “Go home and wait for us there. When we’re finished, we’ll come and explain everything to you.” He bent low, a small smile on his face. “Can you do that for us?”

  She started to refuse, to demand he explain everything right then and there. But they’d already given her so much and she’d given them nothing in return.

  I haven’t even told them that I love them.

  They were her mates and the men she’d fallen in love with. As hard as she would fight to keep her dream alive, to leave them behind, she couldn’t deny the truth.

  I love them.

  “So? Will you go home and wait for us?” Cam searched her, waiting for an answer. “Will you?”

  She wanted to say more, wanted to tell them ho
w sorry she was for hurting them. She ached to tell them how much she needed and loved them, but she couldn’t find the words. “Yes.”

  “Good. Then get going.” Cam took his seat again. “We’ll be there as soon as we can.”

  * * * *

  “We have to make sure she goes along with the plan.” Phil strode up the steps of Danna’s house. What would’ve been their ranch was now legally hers. Strangely, as much as he’d wanted a ranch of his own, he was even happier that they’d given the ranch to their mate. Even if they never shared it with her, at least they knew she’d always have a home. As her mates, they could do nothing less.

  “Then we don’t leave until she says yes.” Cam matched him step for step.

  Danna opened the door before he had a chance to knock. “You’re here.”

  She’d obviously been waiting, maybe even watching out the window for them to arrive. He wasn’t sure if it was a good sign or a bad one. “We said we’d get here as fast as we could.”

  She pushed open the screen door. “Come on inside. After all, it’s your house.”

  He wasn’t about to argue. They’d get everything straightened out soon enough.

  Once inside, however, he was thrown by the number of boxes in the living room. “You’re packing.”

  “Of course I am. This isn’t my home any longer.”

  Cam opened the box closest to him. “Why are you taking all this stuff to school with you? You’re not getting a big place there, are you?”

  “No. I’m going to be living in a very tiny and very cheap studio apartment.”

  “Then you won’t need all your things.” Phil peeked inside another box. “You’d better put them back for when you come home.”

  She glared at him, but it didn’t diminish the strength of the connection flaring between them. He’d get used to the sensation, but he’d never take it for granted.

  “When I come back to Twisted, I’ll find my own place. I’m not taking the ranch. As soon as I can, I’ll sign it over to you.”

  Phil sauntered into the center of the room, his thumbs hooked in his jean pockets. “It won’t matter if you do. As your mates, we’ll make sure it’s ready for your homecoming.”

  “Damn it. Why are you two being so stubborn?”

  He chuckled. “You’re calling us stubborn? Now there’s a good one.”

  “Please. Don’t make this any harder than it is.”

  Phil crossed the room and took her arms. “You’re the one making it hard. We love you. Not only because you’re our mate, but because you’re…” He searched for a better answer, but couldn’t find one. “Because you’re…you.”

  Cam slid the back of his hand along the curve of her cheek. “You’re the one for us, connection or not.”

  “How do you know?” She studied both of them, her expression intent as though his answer would mean the world to her.

  “How can you not know?” Phil took her hands in his. “Even if you didn’t feel the bond between us—and we know you do—you should still be able to tell we’re the right men for you. Tell us you don’t know what I’m saying is the truth.” He crooked his fingers under her chin and lifted her face higher. “Go ahead. Tell us.”

  She tried. Panic hit her eyes and her mouth twisted as she searched for the right words.

  “Is it because of what we are?” He’d never thought about it before. She’d grown up in Twisted around other shifters in a weretiger family. They’d simply assumed being shifters wouldn’t be an issue.

  “No. Of course not.”

  “Then is it because you don’t want to be changed? You can stay human, if that’s what you want.”

  Cam came beside them. “Hell, I never even gave it any thought, but Phil’s right. You can remain human. It’s up to you.”

  “That’s not the reason.”

  “Then tell us.” Phil didn’t want to push her too hard, but it was time they faced every bit of resistance head on.

  Finally, she relented. “It’s not you two. You’re both great. Any woman would be proud to have you as her mates.”

  He’d never been as relieved as he was at that moment. “Then spit it out. Tell us why you won’t say yes to us.”

  She pulled away. “I told you. I’m going to law school in Oklahoma. When I get my degree then pass the bar, I’m going to need to devote all my time to my practice. I’m not the kind of girl who wants to raise a bunch of kids.”

  “Who says you have to?” asked Cam.

  “You two want a mate who will have your children. You said as much. Didn’t you?”

  It didn’t matter if they had or not. The reality of it was the same. “We do. But no one said you have to be the one who stays home with them.”

  “Then who would?”

  “We would. Or we’d find a nanny. If being at home with the kids isn’t what you want to do, then we’re not going to force you to do it.”

  “Yeah,” added Cam. “And just so you know, we don’t care what the kids are. Human, hybrid, all weretiger. Whatever. We’ll love them no matter what.”

  “Answer this one question, baby.” Phil decided he’d make the leap of faith, trusting in the primal link between them. “Do you love us?”

  She sucked in a breath as though he’d physically struck her.

  “Tell the truth,” added Cam. “We’ll know it if you lie.”

  She bit her lower lip. Was she trying to keep from saying the words? “Yes. But it doesn’t change things.”

  “Maybe not, but it sure as hell makes me feel better.” Phil couldn’t contain his joy, letting it spill over into a huge smile.

  She dragged both hands through her hair, clutching it as she went. “I told you. I can’t promise to be your mate. Not with everything I want to do. Please. Just leave. You’re driving me crazy with this.”

  “Don’t you get it, baby?” Why couldn’t she understand what they were offering her? “You can do anything you want to do. We’ll run the ranch. You keep your home and you do the work you want. What more can we give you? Why isn’t this enough?”

  She stared at him as though he’d lost his mind. “You’re seriously saying you two are okay with the way I want things? Most male weretigers would never stand for it.”

  “We’re not like most male weretigers,” quipped Phil. “Will you at least think it over?”

  Her gaze scanned the room. Was she searching for answers? “If you’re sure…”

  “Damn it, baby, what else do we have to say? Yes. We’re positive.”

  “I need more time.” She glanced around, flustered. “I have to leave for school soon.”

  “Then think about it. We’re hoping you can give us an answer before you leave, but if not, then think while you’re there.” Damn, how he hated not getting an answer, but what choice did he have? He and Cam would wait forever if they had to.

  She was either going to laugh or cry. He couldn’t tell which. “Okay then. Yes. I’ll think it over.”

  He looked at his brother and saw the same spark of hope in his eyes. “That’s all we’re asking. We’ll go now and let you think.”

  Nothing could’ve hurt him more than to see her eyes fill with unshed tears. If they were causing her pain, they needed to leave.

  “Take your time. Take all the time you need. But remember. While you’re at school, we’ll be here running the ranch and keeping it safe for your return.” Phil held up his hand, stopping her from speaking. He doubted he could stand to hear another denial from her. “You’re coming back to Twisted one way or another. Just knowing that is enough for us. We’ll be here waiting for you for as long as it takes.”

  “Give us a call when you’ve changed your mind.” Cam strode toward the door. “And remember. We love you, mate.”

  Her mouth parted, stabbing a craving for her into Phil’s gut that almost brought him to his knees. Somehow, he stalked out of the house.

  * * * *

  Danna hadn’t said the words, but she’d admitted that she loved Cam and Phil.
From the moment they’d left, she’d felt alone, lost. Hearing them tell her they loved her was more than she could bear. But when they’d told her they’d live on the ranch and run it, keeping it safe for her, she’d felt the wall around her heart cracking.

  Think logically, she told herself.

  What they were offering was amazing. Almost too good to be true. But it was true. She had no doubt they’d meant every word.

  As soon as they’d left, she’d sat down on the couch and hadn’t moved for a couple of hours. Instead, she thought of them, of the life they could create together and of the incredible gift they wanted to give her. A life on her terms. A life that would include not only her work, but the two men she loved.

  And children.

  She’d never allowed herself to think much about having children. Whenever the idea had crept in, she’d shoved it aside. Her work as an attorney wouldn’t leave room for being a stay-at-home mom.

  Yet with the Nordstrom men, it could all come true.

  Now, two days later, as the afternoon sun beamed through the windows, she was more certain than ever of her decision. Taking her computer with her, she went to the kitchen table and started typing.

  A smile was still on her face by the time she printed the letter. After reading it for the tenth time, she picked up her phone and called Bill Broderick.

  The older man answered after several rings. “H’lo?”

  “Hi, Mr. Broderick. It’s Danna Harris.”

  “Danna? Oh, yeah.” He cleared his throat. “Listen, I’m sorry I didn’t make it to your father’s funeral. He was a good man.”

  He was. When he was sober.

  “It’s okay. Say, listen, can you get a message to the Nordstrom brothers?”

  “You mean your mates?”

  Leave it to a small town’s gossip mill.

  But for once she didn’t mind. “Yes. I know it’s silly, but we’re never exchanged phone numbers. Anyway, could you ask them to drop by my place later?”