Page 92 of Embracing Desire

Without another word, the two men turned and all but ran to their car.

The crowd let out a cheer.

“Now let’s get this celebration back to being fun,” the mayor announced.

Katie let out a laugh, and Ry knew they were going to be okay.

* * * *

Later that night, just as it was turning dark, Katie sat between Ry and Jed on a blanket underneath one of the oak trees.The fireworks would start soon.Katie glanced at the two men.They really hadn’t talked about what had happened earlier.She didn’t want to spoil their evening, but they needed to discuss it.

“Ry, Jed—”

Her grandmother meandered up to them.

Both men started to rise, but Gran waved them to stay seated.“Everything okay now?”she asked.

“I think I’m still in shock,” Jed said.

“I don’t know why.”Gran put her hands on her hips, and Katie smiled.

“I’m with Jed,” Ry said.

“You two boys should know by now almost the entire town would support you.Heck, everyone knew about your parents, and no one cared.What you do in your private life is your business and no one else’s.But you had better take care of my Katie, or you’ll have to answer to me.”

Both men nodded before Gran grinned at her.“I won’t expect to see you until tomorrow at the booth.”And she ambled off.

Ry and Jed both let out a laugh, and Katie grinned.Gran was something else.But now, she needed to talk with the guys.She’d blurted out she loved them in front of the whole town without telling them first.

Katie rose to her knees and faced the two men.“We need to talk about today.”Nerves had her twisting her fingers together.

Jed groaned, and Ry shook his head.Both men reached over, untangled her twined fingers, and each took a hand, holding it lightly.

“Do you really love us?”Jed asked.

“Yes,” she whispered.“I think I’ve loved you since I was a teen.”The pressure in her chest eased.

“I love you.”Ry’s fingers tightening on hers.

“And I love you,” Jed said.

Her heart lightened.They loved her.

“And with that…” They rose to their knees in front of her.Oh, God, what were they doing?

“Katie Crane,” Jed said.“I love you, and I want you to become my wife.”

Her mouth dropped open as her gaze flicked from Ry to Jed, and back again, then back once more.

“Katie Crane,” Ry said.“I love you more than life itself and would be honored if you’d become my wife.”

“But…” She swallowed, her stomach rolling and dipping.“I can legally only marry one of you.”

“We know.”Reaching underneath the blanket they each pulled out a box.

Shivers of excitement slid through Katie’s veins.

“This is for our wedding night,” Ry said.He opened his box to show the beautiful collar, two strands of pearls connected with a black clasp at the back.The front had three silver, entwined hearts.“We picked it up this morning in Monroe.”

---