Bronto's Revenge (Barbarian Lust, #2)(47)

She sighed as Vulcan kissed Wisteria on the cheek then draped an arm around her shoulders, urging Wisty closer. “Ivy, I’m glad you’re feeling well enough to join us,” he said. “Does Bronto know you’ve ventured out?”

“I do now,” Bronto replied at Ivy’s back.

She glanced over her shoulder and her heart burst in emotion as he strolled forward, his eyes locked on hers. Warm flutters erupted in her tummy, replacing the hunger pains. Knowing he loved her, the handsome, muscular man with his hair dancing behind him in the breeze, took her beyond her expectations. She only hoped he felt as if he couldn’t touch her deeply enough, or get close enough or become the air he breathed as she felt about him.

She reached for his hand and the moment their palms connected and his large fingers folded around hers, tingles raced up her spine. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t want to wake you,” she said, watching as he brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back side.

“I’m not complaining, love,” he said as he sat beside her. “It’s great to see you socializing again.”

She raised her eyes. “I didn’t mean to confine you inside the hut.”

“Don’t, love. I have a mind of my own. I stayed because I wanted to stay.”

Then why’d she feel as though she hadn’t given him a choice? Had he shared in her fears the aliens would attempt another abduction if, in fact, they still existed? The thought caused her to shiver.

“Move out of my way, heathen!” a woman hollered.

Ivy looked at Wisteria, who was already peering at Ivy with her mouth agape. Ivy then glanced past Bronto’s shoulder.

Her momma was storming through the yard from the direction of the meadow path. Trice kept an equal pace behind her, flailing his arms while obviously trying to reason with her. Ivy giggled. He didn’t know Momma.

Wisteria assisted Ivy to her feet. “Wisty, don’t tell Momma about my abduction.” She glanced at everyone present. “No one tell her. Please.”

“Do you think that’s wise?” Bronto asked.

“You can tell her about the aliens, just not about what happened to me.”

Wisteria took off running. Ivy ambled behind her, anticipating the moment she and her momma embraced. It was going to hurt.

“Wisteria,” her mom wailed. “My baby.”

Ivy sped up as fast as the tug on her tummy allowed. “Momma!”

“Ivy. Oh Ivy. My baby. I’ve finally been reunited with my babies.” She embraced Wisteria. Even from the distance Ivy saw how tightly her arms squeezed Wisty.

It was really going to hurt.

Ivy stepped into her mom’s arms, sticking her butt out a little, avoiding contact between their bellies. “How did you find us, Momma?” she asked while her mom drenched her face in kisses.

She grabbed Ivy’s cheeks. “Your father hasn’t been home to stop me, and Shale had no choice but to let me go.”

Wisteria glanced over her mom’s shoulder. “Where is he? Is he here?”

“No, I came alone. I figured the barbaric killers would kill any man who wandered into their territory. If they had any sense of decency they wouldn’t harm an unarmed woman, though.”

“Momma, they’re kind people,” Wisteria said. “They’ve taken good care of me and Ivy.”

“They better have.” She held both girls at an arm’s length and glanced toward the fire. “Now where’s this man who took my daughter captive?”

Wisteria pointed at Vulcan, where he stood near the fire pit. “He’s right there. His name is Vulcan, Momma, and I love him. Be nice.”

She backed away from Ivy and Wisteria and stomped toward Vulcan. Wisteria was able to keep her pace but Ivy lagged behind.

Her mom stopped directly in front of him, fisting her hands on her hips. The top of her head barely reached his breastbone. She said not a word as she stared. Then she raised her hand and smacked him across the face. His head barely jerked but his teeth clamped together and his jaw twitched.

Wisteria gasped and cupped her mouth. Ivy cringed.

“That is for the pain and heartache you’ve caused this old woman,” Momma scolded.

While he stared into her eyes as if deciding the best way to handle her, she wound her arms around his waist and hugged him soundly. “And that’s for saving my baby from Sledge.”

Ivy glanced at Wisteria, who looked appalled, and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Did she suspect Vulcan would discipline their mom for her actions? Would he smack her back because of the do unto others rule? Gosh, Ivy hoped not.

He nodded once. “I’m sorry, ma’am, and, you’re welcome.”

Wisteria’s shoulders slouched and Ivy smiled.

“Vulcan,” Wisteria said, taking hold of his hand, “this is my mother Nodda.”

“Yeah, we just met.”

“And, Momma,” Ivy added, stepping beside Bronto, who’d taken a stance when her momma’s hand introduced itself to Vulcan’s cheek, “this is Bronto.”

Her mom looked at Ivy then at Bronto before she stepped forward and examined him closely, starting with his feet. Of all the days he hadn’t worn his furs.

“You,” her momma said when her gaze reached his eyes. “What are you to my daughter?”