Colters' Lady (Colters' Legacy #2)(27)

Dillon gripped the back of his neck and stared Michael down like he was a bug he was about to crush. “You aren’t convincing me that the three of us are destined to have the same sort of relationship with Lily that our dads have with Mom. That’s crazy.”

Even though Seth found it pretty crazy himself, he felt compelled to speak up. “Why is it so crazy? I mean obviously it’s happened in the past.”

Dillon shook his head. “You’ve lost your f**king mind. Think about what you’re saying. Since when have we ever planned on something like this? I mean yeah, I thought about it like when I was twelve and wondered if we were headed down the same road as the dads, but then I grew up.”

“Look, I didn’t plan on this either,” Michael snarled. “But I’ll be damned if I stand by and allow you or Seth to walk away with Lily. If you want to walk, fine, say the word.”

“Christ,” Seth muttered. “We’re taking a lot for granted here. We’re sitting around deciding Lily’s fate and not one of us has asked her what she wants. We know nothing about her past.”

“I don’t recall the dads asking a lot of dumb, sensitive questions when Mom hit their radar,” Dillon growled.

“Thought you weren’t considering a relationship like they had,” Michael snapped.

“I’m saying their method worked just fine.”

Seth stared hard at Dillon. “Yeah, well, they’re lucky Mom didn’t kick them in the balls. The caveman act might work for you, but it’s not what I’m doing with Lily.”

“You two are actually considering sharing this woman?” Dillon asked incredulously.

Seth’s breath caught. It had been hinted at. He and Michael had danced around the subject, but here it was in black and white.

“Let me ask you this,” Michael said. “If we make her choose. If she even did choose one of us, are the other two ever going to be content to watch their brother have a life with her? This isn’t some passing attraction—at least not for me. What is it going to do to our family for her to be with one of us or none of us? Can either of you really walk away?”

Seth pressed his lips together and ran a hand through his hair. Then he looked up at Dillon.

“This is crazy,” Dillon muttered. “People don’t fall in love at first sight. And definitely not with the same woman.”

“Tell that to the dads,” Michael said. “Tell that to yourself.”

“You want me to decide. Right here and now. I’ve spent ten minutes with her, and you want me to commit to sharing her with my brothers?” Dillon asked incredulously.

“No,” Seth said shortly. “But if we don’t handle this right, there won’t be a decision to make. She’s already run once. I don’t want her out there alone. Cold and scared. Hell, she could have died.”

Michael nodded.

“Jesus,” Dillon bit out.

“I’m going out to the house,” Seth said. “You two do what you want.”

He walked past his brothers and out the door, never looking back.

Thirty minutes later, Seth pulled into the drive of his parents’ home. Anticipation quickened his steps as he headed toward the front door. It had been too long since he’d been home. This was where he was most comfortable.

Before he could open the door, it swung open and his mom flung herself at him, wrapping him in her embrace. He braced himself and chuckled.

“For such a small woman, you pack a wallop, Mom.”

“I’ve missed you,” she said fiercely. “You waited entirely too long to come home.”

He winced at her admonishment. “Yeah, I know. But I’m here now.”

She smiled and patted his cheek. “Yes, you are. Come in. Your fathers will be thrilled to see you.”

She tucked her arm through his and herded him inside. His dads were sprawled in the living room, and the television was on. Adam punched the mute button on the remote and tossed it aside while Ethan and Ryan both stood.

“It’s about damn time,” Ryan said as he walked toward Seth, his arms outstretched.

Ryan hugged him and then scrubbed his hand over Seth’s head. “How are you, son? How’s the shoulder?”

“Good. I’m good. Should be back on the job soon.”

Ethan enfolded him next and caught him in a headlock. Seth laughed and allowed himself to be led over to the couch. Adam stood and locked arms with Seth before yanking him into a hug.

“Damn good to have you home,” Adam said gruffly.

Seth pulled back and frowned as he stared around the room. “Where’s Lily?” he demanded.

“Callie took her riding,” Adam said.

Seth’s mouth fell open. “Have you lost your minds? You let Lily go riding? Hell, she’s been shot!”

“Calm down,” Ryan said. “Callie’s not stupid. She put her on a good ride. Adam tended her arm.”

Seth grabbed the back of his neck and shook his head. “You all are crazy. Would you have let Mom on a horse right after she was shot?”

Ethan scowled. “Of course not.”

Holly rolled her eyes.

“Then is there any reason you let Lily go riding?”

“Relax,” Adam said. “I lifted her onto the horse. She’s got the gentlest mount we own, the one we reserve for kids when they come with their parents hunting. She can totally hold the reins one-handed and Callie’s horse will lead. They’re just going down to the meadow and back. Lily was so damn excited about the prospect of riding, I couldn’t tell her no.”