Colters' Lady (Colters' Legacy #2)(28)

Seth sighed. “How did she take the family? Was she overwhelmed?”

Ethan chuckled. “A little nervous maybe, but not overwhelmed.” He paused for a moment and then looked up at Seth. “I like her, son. Ryan told us about her situation.”

“Yeah, it sucks. I don’t want her out there. I want her with me.”

Adam raised an eyebrow. “As does Michael, apparently.”

“And Dillon,” Seth murmured. “It’s so crazy I can’t even wrap my brain around it. I left Dillon and Michael in town because we were getting nowhere. I get so pissed off at them because they only just met her, so how the hell can they be so convinced? But then I have to remind myself that I only met her two days ago.”

His mom looked at him with worry in her eyes. “She means a lot to you already.”

“Yeah, she does.” He moved toward his mom and then sank onto the couch in front of her. “Tell me something, Mom. We’ve all heard the dads’ version over the years. We know they knew you were the one and that they took over, took charge, all that not very politically correct stuff men aren’t supposed to do. Did it scare you? Did you ever think about walking away? I’m scared to death of pushing Lily too hard, and yet I can’t let her just go back to her life without showing her what her life could be like with me—us.”

She sat beside him and wrapped her arm around his waist. “I don’t know that I was frightened. I never got the idea that your fathers would ever hurt me. Quite the opposite. I felt very safe with them. They made sure I felt safe. I was nervous and confused, though. I didn’t understand what they wanted from me, and when I did, I didn’t know how it could possibly work.”

“So how did you get through all that?”

“It came down to trust. And they simply asked me to give them and us a chance. It sounds so basic, but when put like that, what else could I say but yes? They weren’t making demands of me. They weren’t forcing me to make decisions I didn’t want to. They just wanted to take care of me and for me to give our relationship a chance. And so I did.”

“You do make it sound simple, like I’ve completely over-thought every aspect of this,” Seth said ruefully. “Maybe that’s all anyone can do is ask for a chance.”

“I just want you to be happy,” his mom said in her gentle, sweet voice. “I want all my children to be happy, no matter how it has to happen. I don’t doubt for a moment that the three of you could make Lily happy. But I want you to make sure you’ll be happy with this kind of arrangement.”

He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I love you, Mom. And thanks. It helps to get your point of view.”

“Where are your brothers now?” Adam asked.

“Probably right behind me. Michael’s pissed. Dillon isn’t much better. Dinner ought to be interesting tonight.”

His mom rolled her eyes. “Like the three of you bickering and carrying on at the dinner table is anything new?”

“I was your good child,” Seth reminded her. “Michael and Dillon were the demon spawn.”

“We can’t even argue that point,” Ryan said wearily. “Those two. I hope to hell Lily knows what she’s getting into.”

“How long have they been out riding?” Seth asked. He tried not to be anxious, but he was eager to see her again and see for himself that she was all right.

“Walk with me out to the barn and we’ll wait on them,” Adam said. “I need to talk to you anyway.”

Seth followed his dad out to the back, and they leaned on the fence so they could see the path the girls would take back up from the meadow.

“Have you given any more thought to taking over Lacey’s term as sheriff?”

“Hell,” Seth muttered. “I haven’t thought about it at all. This thing with Lily happened so fast. I mean one day I was looking forward to next week, getting my psych evaluation done with and getting back to the job. The next thing I know, I’m bowled over by a woman who’s in the worst sort of circumstances, and worse, I don’t know anything about her. And yet, she’s mine. And if that’s not crazy, I don’t know what is. So no, I haven’t given any thought to Lacey’s job.”

“Well, it seems to me it might be a godsend and fell into your lap at just the right time.”

Seth’s brow furrowed as he stared back at his dad.

“Think about it. Dillon and Michael are here. They both have businesses here. You’re three hours away in Denver. How the hell is that going to work if you’re all trying to work things out with Lily?

“I know enough about your brothers to know they’re tenacious as hell. No way they’ll let Lily go back with you. They’ll want her here with them. Your only choice might be to compromise.”

Seth swore long and hard under his breath. “You’re right. I mean, I know you’re right. But sheriff? That’s always been Lacey’s job. I can’t even imagine her not there. She’s well liked and respected here. She’s got tough shoes to fill.”

“If anyone can, it would be you. The folks around here would need a familiar, friendly face. They get nervous when outsiders come in and take over the job of protecting their interests. You lived here all your life. You grew up with these people. They trust you.”