Rough, Raw, and Ready (Rough Riders #5)(84)

That surprised her. Chassie wondered if his family was privy to his plans to move away from the McKay stronghold.

“So do we have a deal?” Colt asked.

“Yes!” Chassie launched herself at Colt, hugging him tightly. “Thank you. You have no idea what this means to us.”


“Yeah, little cuz, I believe I do.”


“Contrary to what you think, you are a good guy,” she whispered. “A credit to the McKay name. Dag would be proud of you and I’ll try like hell to live up to your faith in me.”


“The fact you were one of the few who never lost faith in me is worth every damn penny.” He hugged her and climbed in his truck without another word.

“That bastard stole my thunder,” Edgard groused.

“What?”


“I’d planned on talkin’ to you and Chass about me making the down payment for Gus’s place with the money from selling my ranch in Brazil.”


Trevor caught Edgard’s golden gaze. “You serious?”


“Serious enough I spoke to Gus yesterday and guaranteed you and Chassie had the cash and asked him not to contact the McKays.”


Trevor didn’t—couldn’t speak.

“Hell, you ain’t mad, are you?” Edgard twisted the toe of his boot into a pile of snow.

“Not mad. Just wonderin’ why you did it.” Wondering why Ed hasn’t said anything when they’d talked last night.

“Time was running out. You were both preoccupied with family shit and I couldn’t stand it if we lost out on something important to all of us because of pride or fear or mixed signals. I waited until Chassie got home to discuss it because it’s her future too.”


Trevor’s heart damn near danced out of his chest. Everything he’d ever wanted was within reach; he just had to grab it with both hands. He circled one arm around Chassie’s shoulder and the other around Ed’s. “Come on inside. Too damn cold out here.”


In the kitchen, Chassie said, “Trev, what happened with your dad?”


Trevor poured milk in Chassie’s favorite cup and put it in the microwave. “Pa’s fine.” He relayed the trip, detailing events even when he’d rather avoid discussing them.

“Hope you didn’t have your heart set on cozyin’ up to my family.”


“You’re my family. You deserve better than the way they’ve treated you and I’m damn glad you didn’t knuckle under.”


“Amen.” Edgard gently swept a piece of Chassie’s hair away from the bandage on her forehead. She smiled, showing her acceptance of Ed’s easy affection. It also showed Trevor how badly Edgard needed to share that side of himself with someone who not only welcomed it, but appreciated it and reciprocated.

It brought a lump to Trevor’s throat and a balm to his soul to think Chassie was the bridge that allowed him to connect to Edgard. Without her, he’d be lost on so many levels. She’d taught him he was worthy of love. She’d showed him how to love without conditions. She’d proven understanding and acceptance were not parts of love that could be parceled out, but real, honest love needed all those components to be successful, fulfilling and long lasting.

Without Chassie, Trevor never would’ve reached the point that he could accept how he felt about Edgard, say nothing of flying in the face of conventionality and proposing what he was about to propose.

“As long as we’re spilling family secrets, Ed, did you tell Trevor everything that happened the last year you lived in Brazil?”


He nodded. “I shoulda told you both right away, but I didn’t want you to feel sorry for me and realize I didn’t have anywhere else to go.”


“Which brings us back to what we’ve been talkin’ about.” Trevor focused on his wife. “How would you feel about all three of us livin’ together like we’ve been? On a permanent basis?”


Chassie’s fingers relaxed around her cup and her gaze zipped between his and Edgard’s faces. “I thought that was a given.”


“You did?”


“Didn’t you? Both of you? I mean, come on. After all we’ve done, not just sexually, but emotionally? We’ve already begun to form a weird sort of three amigos thing. I hated it when Trevor was gone and I imagine you two missed me. And I can’t fathom Trevor and me standin’ on the porch waving at Ed as he drives away for good.”


The mental image of Edgard leaving brought back the acute ache Trevor never recovered from that day in Cheyenne—until now.

Chassie set down her cup and covered his hand with hers. “Trevor, as much as I loved our life before, havin’ Edgard here makes it better because you’re happier.”


“With this many people involved, the three amigos—as you’ve called us—decisions can’t be based on just one person’s happiness when that decision affects all of us. Does Edgard bein’ here make you happier, darlin’?”


“Yes.”


Not a bit of hesitation in her answer, which boggled Trevor’s mind. “Why? I mean you’ll be sharin’ me on a permanent basis.”


“I don’t mind sharing you, especially since he’s brought to life the part of you that’s always been missing, a part I never had in the first place. Edgard’s given me a gift by letting me see all of you, not just the part you wanted me to see because you were ashamed of the rest.” She winked at Edgard. “Plus, Ed can cook.”