Free Runaway Cowgirl by Cheryl Dragon Page A

not totally sure you want me forever”—she folded her arms tightly over her bare chest—“then don’t marry me, either one of you.”
    Nakedness was feeling far too natural for her. Plenty of women wouldn’t approve, but she loved it. Being bare felt like she could bare her soul to them as well. They hadn’t put down her desire for the vote or her wish to help the saloon girls.
    “That’s not how the world works,” Jack said.
    “If you want to follow how the world works then you’d never marry a woman who has had sex with two men. In fact, you’d never marry me because I’m not a virgin anymore.” She felt the ache inside her. It was very real and there was no going back.
    “A man takes responsibility for his actions.” Jack flopped next to Henry.
    She sighed. “That’s not what I want. I’m not your responsibility. I’m not a child. I don’t have to marry either one of you. I can move to Denver and live with my sister. They wanted me to stay with them, but they couldn’t force me to remain there. You can’t force me to stay, either. You have to want me.”
    “You doubt that we do?” Henry asked.
    She grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around her. “I don’t doubt the lust or the feelings. You love each other as well. It’s not fair for me to jump into the middle of your relationship. I’m not going to get married because I have to or you feel some sense of obligation.” She stretched out on one side of the bed. Jack lay in the middle with Henry on the other side.
    “I was only suggesting that you take a little time to be sure. You should think about what you really want. We already know what we want.” Jack yawned.
    “He just means we’re not rushing you. There is time before a baby would show.” Henry hugged Jack.
    A baby. She had changed her life so quickly. Jack was right about considering all the possible repercussions. “I understand that. I can’t give this up, but even if it’s not right, I won’t expose your truth. Your intimacy. Don’t think you have to marry me.”
    She’d rather go live with her sister than let men run her life.
    “We’d never think that,” Jack grumbled. “We’ve mucked this up with too much talking. We all need to get some sleep and talk in the morning.”
    “I’ll have to go home.” She yawned and tried not to think about it.
    “We’ll be up early and we’ll be clear that we’re engaged. We need to rest now.” Jack reached across her then turned down the oil lamp on the bedside table.
    She cuddled to him. They needed to know she wasn’t mad. However, she refused to let them decide her future or marry her out of obligation and guilt. She had absolutely no remorse about anything she’d done today.
     
    * * * *
     
    Emily slept and she’d certainly earned it. Jack should’ve felt shame for taking her virginity and letting it get out of hand, but she responded naturally to them. She wanted more.
    Henry slept too. The man tossed and turned until he was curled in a ball, as usual. His orphan days still haunted him. Jack spooned Henry and kissed his neck until he woke slowly.
    “What’s wrong?” Henry asked.
    “Shh, let’s not wake Em. We need to talk before the sun comes up and the mob returns.” Jack tugged Henry carefully out of bed and over to a corner of the room.
    “Why are you second-guessing everything and making this hard?” He hugged Jack. “It’s what we want. It’s what she wants. You’re afraid to be happy. I know your family wasn’t happy, but we’re nothing like your father. She’d never tolerate it. Stop making her think we’re using her and backing off.”
    It was true. Two men alone could handle their issues like men. Everything was equal. When women and children entered the picture, it was easier for things to get out of control. Men could abuse their power.
    “I know you want a family. I want to give you and Em everything. It’s just happening so fast.” Jack rubbed his temples.
    Henry frowned. “You