Double or Nothing by N.J. Walters Page B

now. All she needed was her computer and good internet access.
    She closed her eyes and took a deep, calming breath. Now was not the time to make any rash decisions. Not when she was in such an emotional state.
    Cherry decided that a cup of tea was what she needed. It had been a scorcher of a day and would be another hot night, but there was something soothing about a steaming cup of tea. She went down to the kitchen, filled the kettle and set it on the stove to boil.
    The kitchen wouldn’t look like this for much longer. Mr. Riker was full of plans to remodel the house, explaining he and his wife had four children and five grandchildren who would be visiting. She liked the idea of the place being filled with children and laughter.
    She placed a hand on her stomach. Would she ever have a family, children? She’d always thought she’d at least be married by now. But none of the men she’d met had inspired her to want to settle down.
    Wes and Remy popped into her head and she gave a small laugh as she got a white ceramic mug down from the cupboard and dug out a teabag. Those two were constantly on her mind. The kettle was steaming so she took it off the heat and poured boiling water into the mug.
    The phone rang just as she set the kettle back down. She knew without looking who it was. “Hey, Remy.”
    “Evening, darlin’.” His smooth voice wrapped around her like a warm hug. “What happened with the Realtor today?”
    Funny, but as soon as Mr. Riker and the Realtor left she’d wanted to call Remy and Wes and tell them the news. Maybe she should have. “I sold the ranch. Well, almost. The paperwork still has to be signed. And speaking of paperwork, I was talking to the lawyer and you and Wes need to go into town to Jefferson Dalton’s office and sign the paperwork for the land you’re buying. The survey is done and the deed is in order.”
    “We’ll do it first thing tomorrow,” he promised. “I want to see you.”
    She wanted to see him too. Maybe it was crazy to stay away from Remy and Wes, but she had to be sure. Their relationship wouldn’t be easy if she decided to pursue it. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea,” she began.
    “Damn it, Cherry. You shouldn’t be dealing with all this alone. It’s killing me to stay away.”
    “I’m sorry.” She hated knowing she was hurting both him and Wes.
    “Shit, don’t be sorry. I promised I wouldn’t push you.”
    A small smile played at the corners of her mouth. “I know it hasn’t been easy for you.”
    He gave a gruff laugh. “You got that right.” His voice sank even lower as he continued to speak. “I wish I was there right now. I’d take you up to bed, strip you naked and love you nice and slow.”
    Cherry shivered, all too able to imagine such a thing.
    “I could be there in a few minutes.”
    “What about Wes?” This was the problem. She didn’t want to end up hurting one brother or possibly even both.
    “Ah, darlin’, there will be times we want to be alone with you and times when we can all be together. We’ll work it out.”
    “I’m not ready.” And she might never be. She wasn’t really stalling. She was such an emotional wreck she had to be sure about what she felt for both men before she made such a huge and unconventional commitment.
    “I’ll try to be patient a while longer.”
    “Thank you.” She sipped her tea, which was cool enough to drink without scalding her mouth.
    He gave a gruff laugh. “Don’t thank me. I don’t have much choice. I frightened you away when you were a teenager, I don’t want to do that again.” He paused a moment. “It’s been a long ten years, Cherry.”
    She set down her cup and closed her eyes, nodding even though he couldn’t see her. It had been a long ten years for her as well, too many years away from the place she called home, too many nights spent wondering what might have happened if she’d stayed.
    “Good night, Remy.” She ended the call before she started crying