Amanda’s Patient Hunks Read online

  Jimmy was the one she had known the longest. With every encounter, her body reacted to him. But what about her heart? Pondering him for a bit, she found she looked forward to him coming by when he would bring her flowers or candy. When she had to stop him because it was causing too much of a ruckus with the other staff, the nurses going all gaga over him, she was disappointed when she didn’t get to see him anymore. She missed him.

  With Terence, she had noticed him the first night he had worked at the hospital. He was as handsome as Jimmy was. Her body did the same thing, her girly parts perking up. And she did look forward to seeing him each shift.

  She had to admit she wanted both of them.

  The other morning, when Terence had come rushing out because Jimmy had been waiting for her, Amanda thought the two were going to throw down right there in the parking lot. Testosterone surrounded her as she watched the tension in both men as they stood there looking at each other.

  Then, yesterday, when Jimmy had come over to sit with her, she felt as if he were stalking again. But he took the time to listen to her. He didn’t go running in the opposite direction as she thought he might when he found out about the baggage she carried. The kiss was something she had wanted to do since she had first seen him in the hospital, and it was everything she could have wanted in a first kiss.

  It was hard to admit that she wanted a relationship with him. And she wanted one with Terence. She didn’t know what she was going to do about it, but when she asked about what they would do about him, Jimmy had said he would take care of him. That worried her.

  The rest of the evening was spent in relative silence. Amanda was enjoying the fire while the weather outside raged. A storm had moved in, and she had to hope that both her men were somewhere safe.

  Yup. You’re a goner when you’re already thinking about them as being your men. I just hope my heart can take this.

  * * * *

  “All right, let’s get them up on the horses,” Running Wolf called out as he moved from horse to horse.

  The kids had mastered the grooming part of working with the horses. They had bonded with the animal so that the horse was putting their trust in the kids. Two days of that was what the kids performed the previous week. Now, it was time for the good stuff.

  Not having to deal with Elsa since everyone thought it best to board her at the Circle G, Jimmy arrived several hours ago. He spent lunch and afterward talking with Storm and Austin about ménage relationships. Terence had met him there to learn about them also. Trey had to work, so he wasn’t involved in the conversation, but it was enlightening to both Jimmy and Terence.

  They had heard the kids arriving with their parents or guardians and gave them time to get set up before heading out to the arena. Amanda was sitting on the same bench she had each time she had come. For consistency’s sake, the handlers thought it best if the horses were in the same place each time.

  This time, as Jimmy left the house with a travel cup of coffee, he had picked one up for Amanda, too. It would help warm her hands, besides her insides. After each session, Martha brought out hot chocolate and cookies for everyone, but Jimmy had noticed Amanda didn’t partake in the hot cocoa. He had to wonder if all those boxes of candy he had brought her went uneaten.

  The two men had many conversations on the phone and in person. They had a lot in common. Both graduated from the same school, although Terence was a couple years behind Jimmy. Hunting and camping were also interests, and they both liked archery. However, Terence hadn’t been for a while since he was needed at home. Terence also liked to ride horses, but again, his time was taken up elsewhere.

  As the men came up the backside of the benches, Amanda didn’t seem aware of them, which was what they were going for. Jimmy slid onto the bench from her left side with the cup of coffee extended in offering. She turned her head toward him, surprise lighting up her face. Her hair bounced around her shoulders as she moved. He loved to see her hair down. It looked like silky champagne even in the depths of winter.

  Taking the cup, she smiled brightly at him. She turned her head when Terence sat on her other side, the smile disappearing. She looked back at Jimmy, then Terence, and again at Jimmy.

  “What’s going on, Jimmy?”

  Jimmy cleared his throat and drew from his bravery deep inside. This could go one of two ways.

  “I told you I would take care of things with Terence. We knew you’d be here, so here we are.”

  Blond brows knit together as her confusion was evident. Then, after looking between the two men again, a small smile appeared as she looked down at the cup in her hand.

  “Are you all right, Amanda?” Terence asked tensely as he slid his arm around the back of the bench.

  A slight nod was given as Amanda continued to look down. Jimmy glanced over at Terence, who was looking at him with concern. Perhaps this wasn’t going to work.

  As if she were trying to stall to figure the situation out, she took a sip of her coffee before wrapping her bare hands around the cup. Looking around at the other parents, Jimmy saw that they were wearing gloves to ward off the cold. He couldn’t remember if she had worn them the other times she was here.

  “Amanda, don’t you have any gloves? It’s cold out here,” he said softly so as not to disturb the others.

  A quick nod. “Yes. I just couldn’t find them today. I think they may be in the laundry.”

  “Well, we’ll have to get you a couple extra pairs to have on hand,” Terence offered.

  “I don’t need you two buying me things,” she snapped. Then, as if she realized she was being rude, she added, “I’m sorry.”

  “We know you don’t need us to,” Terence said. “We want to. Your comfort is very important to us, and I’m sure being a nurse you can’t have chapped hands.” He reached around with his free hand, for he had set his cup on the bench, and placed it against hers.

  A blush rose in her cheeks at the touch, or perhaps the words, Jimmy couldn’t tell. She took another sip of her coffee.

  “I wasn’t sure what you liked in your coffee. I thought you are really sweet, so some sugar might be needed.” Jimmy wasn’t sure what to say to her, for she was having a slight difficulty in getting used to both men being there.

  “Thank you. It’s good. I usually use artificial sweetener, and I do like some of the flavored creamers in mine.”

  “I noticed that you didn’t drink any of the hot chocolate when it was offered the last time,” Jimmy said as he set his right hand on her knee. He hoped she wasn’t going to deck him for the gesture, especially with all the people coming forward with sexual harassment accounts lately.

  “I like it, but I need to watch what I eat. Hot chocolate is fattening.” She had glanced up at Jimmy. Her tongue darted out to lick her lips before she looked over at Terence. A shy smile was on those now wet lips.

  Oh, how he wanted those lips to be pressed against his again.

  “You don’t need to watch your figure, honey,” Terence announced as he winked down at her. “We’ll do that for you. Besides, we like you the way you are.”

  “I’m too fat,” she whispered, as if afraid others might hear her. “I don’t even understand why either of you like me.”

  Jimmy reached over and took the travel mug from her hands. He set it on his other side. He then reached back around and placed his fingers gently under her chin. She looked up at him, her dark blue eyes shimmering under tears that had flooded them. Sadness had settled on her face and in her eyes, causing sorrow to fill him.

  The comment about her weight was uncalled for, and she needed to understand that. “The day I met you in the hospital, you were terrified someone was going to get hurt. Do you remember the lady who was nearly shot that day?” He didn’t let her respond. “She lives here, by the way. Her, and her three husbands. Anyway, your concern for her, and other acts I have observed, tell me that you have a huge heart. You care about people other than yourself, and in this day and age, that is a wondrous thing. I
fell in love with you because of your generous heart.

  “You’re beautiful, Amanda. Your body is fantastic just the way it is. With curves in the right places, you look like a real woman, not a matchstick dressed in women’s clothing.” A small giggle escaped at his analogy. “You have curves that allow a man to hold onto while making love with you. And,” Jimmy added, “I want to make love with you, so badly. You do unspeakable things to my body when I’m around you.”

  Her eyes grew wider at his words as the blush deepened, overtaking her whole face.

  “I feel the same way, honey,” Terence chimed in. “I have had to suffer every time I see you at the hospital. I would have to stay at my desk just so people wouldn’t see what you do to me. I fell in love with you, probably the first day I saw you, if truth be told. When you would barely say good-bye, or hello to me, I thought perhaps you were taken. I’m glad you aren’t.”

  There was a pause as both men looked at Amanda. She looked out into the arena, her eyes searching for something. Probably her brother. When she turned them back on Terence, she inquired, “So you know about Jasper?”

  “No. Jimmy told me that was your story to tell. There’s no pressure. However, I can tell you have your hands full, and what we are asking for is more of your time, but you need a life also. We can help you with your life.” Terence smiled weakly. “That is if you will allow us to be a part of it.”

  Those tears that had filled her eyes were now streaming down her cheeks. Jimmy knew she was willing to try when she whispered, “I’m afraid. I’ve never even been out on a date with one man, let alone two. In high school and college, before everything happened, I was too concerned about my grades, so I never had time. Please, just go slow with me.”

  Those words were a delight to hear from the woman, but Jimmy was surprised that she had never dated. She had to be at least twenty-four, perhaps twenty-five, and never been with a man. That she was a virgin was a special gift that she could give him and Terence.

  “We’ll go as slow as you want, baby,” Jimmy assured her. “Is Jasper going to be all right with all this?”

  Amanda shrugged as her gaze remained out in the arena. “I’m not sure, especially the two men part.”

  Both men chuckled.

  “Why don’t you catch Terence up on Jasper?” Jimmy suggested as he patted her thigh. “I’m going to go talk to some of the guys. I’ll be back in a bit.”

  As he stood, she clutched his hand, drawing his attention back down to her. Nervousness was evident on her face as her hands shook. It touched him that she had reached for him, for it showed she trusted him. “It’s okay. He’ll be patient with you, and he’ll understand.”

  Terence nodded as he took her other hand in his. “You couldn’t tell me anything that would have me running in the opposite direction.”

  Leaning over, Jimmy touched his lips to hers in a quick kiss before walking away. The electricity he had felt made him smile, although he craved a lot more with her.

  He didn’t have to talk to anyone, but he felt that Amanda needed some alone time with Terence.

  * * * *

  It had taken a few minutes for Amanda to compose herself, or at least that’s what Terence thought, before she began to tell her story. Once the tale had unfolded, Terence’s heart was breaking. He couldn’t imagine what Jasper had been through or seen, even though Terence had seen some atrocities while in the army.

  As Amanda’s tears fell, Terence admired her for the strength she showed and the love she had for her brother. He also saw the pain in her deep blue eyes. Pain that he wanted to erase from her life.

  Gathering her in his arms, he held her. He reveled that he finally got to hold her in his arms.

  They unraveled from each other long enough for Terence to tell her about his parents, and she cried for them and him. Jimmy had been right. A huge caring heart was what made up Amanda.

  Glances had been thrown their way as he had continued holding her in his arms or he had her hand in one of his. He had to suspect that was because they had seen her with Jimmy before, but he didn’t care what they thought. Of course, he did care what Jasper thought, and Terence hoped the boy would be open-minded about it.

  With concern written on his face, Jimmy returned. He sat next to Amanda, who looked at him, her brows knit together.

  “What’s the matter?” she asked.

  “It’s Lyndee. She’s having contractions and wanted to know if you’d mind riding with her on the way to the hospital.”

  “How far apart are the contractions? Has her water broken?” Amanda fired out the questions as she stood and picked up her purse. She had gone from a beautiful woman to a beautiful competent nurse in one second. Terence was impressed.

  “They’re about ten minutes apart, and her water hasn’t broken yet. But since it’ll take a bit to get there, she just wants peace of mind,” Jimmy said quietly.

  Jasper was in front of them now, looking at Amanda expectantly.

  Her lips were pursed as if she was thinking about what she was going to say. Dark eyes glanced between Jimmy, then Terence, and then Amanda before moving them back around the trio. Terence hoped there wasn’t going to be a meltdown.

  “Ah, Jasper, the lady who lives here is in labor, and I have been asked to ride with her to the hospital. Would you be able to ride with Jimmy and Terence into Kalispell? They’ll meet us at the hospital, or they can take you home.”

  Jasper’s large brown eyes moved over to Terence. It was as if Terence could read his mind. Luckily, Amanda must have realized she hadn’t introduced the two. “Jasper, this is Terence. He is a friend of Jimmy’s, and now, mine. They both want to spend more time with me, so they want to get to know you better too. And I trust them.”

  With hesitancy, Jasper looked between Terence and Jimmy. Agitation was evident in the trembling in the boy’s lips and hands. Terence was certain Jasper was going to bolt.

  Terence’s heart beat wildly in his chest as the seconds passed in anticipation. Finally, Jasper nodded.

  Jimmy gasped as the boy extended his hand, a gesture of universal greeting, but it meant so much more to the small group. After he shook hands with Jimmy, Jasper turned to Terence to shake his hand also.

  Amanda visibly relaxed at the step of trust Jasper had taken in those few moments. Terence followed suit.

  “What’s up?” the man who led the therapy session asked as he walked up to the group.

  The man was obviously Native American by his physical features. High cheekbones, almond-shaped eyes, and his black hair, along with his copper-toned skin, spoke highly of his heritage. He was comfortable in the role he had taken with the horse therapy and quite knowledgeable from what Terence had observed.

  Jimmy performed the introductions. “Running Wolf, this is Terence Hawkins. Terence, this is Running Wolf. He is Austin’s cousin, and he’s married to Angela, and Lawrence is her other husband.”

  As the introductions were made, Terence shook Running Wolf’s hand. Both men said, “Nice to meet you,” at the same time.

  Jimmy continued as he began to lead Amanda out to the area where the Goodalls parked their vehicles. Running Wolf followed him. “Lyndee’s having contractions and wants Amanda to go with them, just in case she’s needed on the way. She said something about ‘we don’t want any repeat performances.’”

  A chuckle sounded from Running Wolf. “She’s referring to Angela and when she delivered our son. It was at a party, and once she announced she was in labor, the baby pretty much came right away. What she didn’t tell you was that Angela had been in labor for hours and hadn’t said anything because she didn’t want to ruin the party.”

  Terence turned Amanda to him when they stopped next to a black pickup. “We’ll see you when you are finished. I’ll miss you.”

  Surprise registered in her beautiful face as a small gasp escaped her. He wasn’t sure why she reacted that way until she saw her eyes slide over to her brother. Deciding to go on the way they intended to g
o, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips.

  A sigh sounded from her before she nodded and let him help her up into the back seat. Lyndee was in the front seat, breathing heavily, while Storm joined her on the other side of the truck from Amanda. Austin stood on the driver’s side, giving Running Wolf instructions.

  “If we’re not back by morning, have the guys check on the herd in the south pasture. There have been wolves patrolling the fence lines between ours and Connor’s place. I want to make sure they don’t do any damage, especially to the heifers. We’ll round them up in a day or two to bring them into the back pasture, so they can calve closer to the barn.”

  “All right. Take it easy. Take deep breaths so you don’t feel like you’re going to pass out,” Running Wolf offered as Austin climbed into the driver’s seat.

  “Thanks, cuz. We’ll be in touch as soon as that little one has made her appearance.”

  “I’ll keep everything running like clockwork.” Running Wolf apparently was not just an equine therapist, but a worker on the ranch also, Terence observed.

  The foursome drove away, Terence’s heart feeling lonely the farther Amanda went. He knew he was in deep with her.

  Chapter Six

  “We’re going to have a baby,” Trey singsonged through the truck’s speakers that were connected to a Bluetooth since he wasn’t with them. Amanda found out Trey was Lyndee’s third husband. A truck door opened and closed before the ignition started.

  Storm must have cut off the call from his end, for Trey was no longer talking. Amanda had sat back and watched the attentiveness of the men as they moved along.

  At the hospital, the pickup came to an abrupt stop in front of the emergency room doors. A handsome, muscular man in an officer’s uniform arrived with a wheelchair within moments after they had come to a stop. Concern was written on his face when he saw Amanda.

  “Hey,” he said quietly. “Is everything all right?”