On My Own [Liberty, Wyoming 2] (Siren Publishing Menage Amour) Read online

  

  Liberty, Wyoming 2

  On My Own

  When ranchers Clay and Royce Jacobson noticed a young beautiful woman and her small son sitting across the room, they are immediately drawn to her, and they feel the instant possessive attraction that they know will change their lives. When they get close to her and they see the fear and the stress that she’s under, their protective instincts are ignited and they will do whatever it takes to keep them safe.

  Isabel Walsh noticed the two men staring at her in the café and although she finds them very attractive, she doesn’t have the time or energy to let herself feel. Her and her son’s life are on the line, and it’s up to her to keep them safe. They have to keep ahead of the man who has already destroyed their lives and now wants to imprison them.

  Isabel finds men that not only can protect her but can make all her late night fantasies come true.

  Genre: Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre

  Length: 59,126 words

  ON MY OWN

  Liberty, Wyoming 2

  Lara Jones

  

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  ON MY OWN

  Copyright © 2018 by Lara Jones

  ISBN: 978-1-64243-171-1

  First Publication: April 2018

  Cover design by Harris Channing

  All art and logo copyright © 2018 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  If you find a Siren-BookStrand e-book or print book being sold or shared illegally, please let us know at

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  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  DEDICATION

  To my husband who put up with my late nights and distracted awareness of the world around me. To my mom and sister who believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Lara Jones lives with her husband, three rowdy boys, three dogs, and two cats in the Midwest. Books have always played a profound role in her life. She started reading romance novels when she was thirteen years old and found they got her through her crazy teenage years. Lara started writing for her own enjoyment and, after twenty years, Lara, with the help of her sister and mom, finally found the courage to publish her work.

  When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and, animals, gardening, doing anything outdoors, and, of course, reading romance novels.

  For all titles by Lara Jones, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/lara-jones

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  On My Own

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  On My Own

  Liberty, Wyoming 2

  LARA JONES

  Copyright © 2018

  Chapter One

  The Wyoming weather was beautiful in the fall. Although the colors of summer grasses and trees had faded, the color of fall was just as vibrant with the deep reds, yellows, and oranges. The landscape was as different from the lights of the city of Dallas as they could be. The hustle and bustle of the city couldn’t compare to the wide-open spaces that were absolutely breathtaking. You couldn’t paint a more beautiful picture, with the mountains as a backdrop and the hills and valleys at your fingertips.

  Isabel would have appreciated it more if stress and fatigue hadn’t started to beat her down.

  “Mommy, I have to go potty.”

  Isabel looked distractedly at her son in her rearview mirror. “I know, baby. There’s a town just up ahead. We’ll stop there, okay?”

  “Okay, Mommy.” Tommy sat back in his car seat.

  Isabel looked forward, focusing on the town in the distance. She lifted a hand to the back of her neck, rubbing the tight muscles, trying to relieve the tension and stress from running for so long.

  What in the hell am I going to do? I’ve got less than a hundred dollars in my purse. All the money Mora gave me is about gone. She thought about asking Mora for more money, but she’d asked her friend for so much already. She needed to stop soon and make some money so they could move on, keeping ahead of the man who would likely imprison them if they were caught. I don’t know how much longer I can run. Besides the money issue, I have so little strength left. She hadn’t realized how hard it would be to travel across the country and with a small child, never staying in the same place for more than a week or so.

  Isabel’s hand came up suddenly, shielding her eyes from the sun’s glare as she drove into the town. She sighed in relief that her secondhand Ford actually made it to town. Isabel would have to see about getting another car, sooner rather than later.

  Everything looked so pristine and well cared for, from the houses to the businesses to the streets and sidewalks. She would have loved to have the energy and time to look around the town, and in a few shops that looked interesting, but her main concern right now was getting Tommy to a bathroom.

  A sign a block up indicated a café, the only place on the main road that seemed to be open. “We’re almost there, honey,” she said in a weary tone, as they pulled into a parking slot in front of the café. Isabel took a deep breath and made herself move her tired body. She opened the back door, unbuckled her son, and lifted him with a slight groan.

  “Hurry, Mommy.”

  Once inside the café, she looked around frantically until she spotted the bathroom sign.

  She didn’t notice the sudden silence and everybody’s attention. She was too focused on getting Tommy taken care of. After taking care of her son and herself, they walked out to the front, freezing when the conversation stopped suddenly, and every eye was on her and her son.

  She jumped and spun when she heard a voice just over her shoulder.

  “Hi, hun, don’t worry about them. They don’t mean to be rude. Are you and this handsome young man going to eat?”

  The older woman had dark hair, sprinkled with an abundance of silvery gray streaked through, and pulled into a loose bun at the top of her head. It was her sweet, understanding smile and kind eyes that helped Isabel’s heart settle and let her muscles relax.

  Isabel started to shake her head.

  “Mommy, I’m tursty.”

  Her heart clenched tightly in her chest at the fatigue on her sweet baby’s face. Isabel knew she was running to protect them. Even knowi
ng she was doing the right thing, would the guilt ever stop?

  She looked back at the older woman, giving her a shaky smile. “That would be great, thank you.”

  The waitress grabbed a booster. “This way, you two.”

  Isabel followed the waitress to a booth in the back. After sitting her son down, she sat across from him, so she was able to watch the doors, the people, and her son closely.

  Most everyone started talking again except two very large men across the restaurant. Both were big, extremely handsome, and from what she could see of them, very well built. One had thick chocolate-brown hair. The other had a darker brown. They looked similar enough that she guessed they were brothers.

  The man with darker hair smiled at her, making her heart beat heavily in her chest. She felt a fiery blush slide up her face and turned away when she realized she was staring blatantly at them. She reached for a menu behind the salt and pepper shakers. “What sounds good, honey?”

  She smiled her thanks when the woman came back with two glasses of water, one in a glass and one in a sippy cup. Tommy yawned, blinking sleepily at his mother. “Can I have a cheeseburger?”

  Isabel’s stomach clenched. They hadn’t eaten in hours except for the cracker’s she’d given Tommy an hour ago. She looked at the price and decided if she had a bowl of soup they’d be able to get that cheeseburger. “Absolutely, honey.”

  A frown puckered her brow. “Are you feeling okay, Tommy?” Isabel knew her son was tired, but with the lights in the diner, she noticed the red tinge across his cheeks.

  “I’m tired, Mommy.”

  He sat so still. Tommy usually had so much energy he bounced off the walls. She reached across the table and placed her palm across his forehead, frowning at the warmth of his brow.

  “Are you sure you’re hungry?” She relaxed a little when Tommy nodded. He never ate when he didn’t feel good.

  “What would you both like to order?” The waitress came back and looked expectedly at Isabel.

  “We’ll take a small cheeseburger with a small fry and a small milk.” Isabel looked down. “What kind of soup do you have?” Isabel missed the expression of concern that crossed the waitress face.

  “Chicken noodle or beef and barley.”

  Isabel smiled. “A cup of chicken noodle sounds good, please.”

  The waitress waited expectantly. “What are you going to have, hun?”

  Isabel looked confused by the question. “Um, I’m having the soup.”

  “That’s it?”

  Isabel squirmed, uncomfortable with the troubled expression on the waitress’s face. “Yes, I’m sorry, but is there a problem?”

  The waitress smiled at her. “No, hun, I’m sorry, I’ll get your food for you. Can I get you anything else? Something to drink?”

  Isabel gave her a small smile. “No, thank you. Water is fine for me.”

  “I’ll get the order in for you. By the way, my name is Carol, so if you need anything, you know who to call for.”

  She hesitated. “My name is Isabel, and this is my son, Tommy.” Her stomach always knotted in unbridled panic when she gave people their real names.

  “You two sit tight, and I’ll be right back.”

  Isabel became concerned again when Tommy laid his head down on the table. She stood up and reached for him and bit back a groan as she lifted and slid him over the table into her arms. She laid her cheek against his forehead and frowned when she realized his head was warmer than she first thought.

  A spear of alarm hit Isabel hard. Oh God, please don’t get sick, baby. She held him against her chest, murmuring softly to him. She looked around for Carol and after catching her eye waved her over.

  “Carol, I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to cancel my order. Tommy isn’t feeling good, and I need to find a place for the night so I can get him settled.”

  Carol frowned, worried. “Oh, hun, I’m so sorry. Where are you all headed to all by yourselves?”

  Isabel looked away, not comfortable with lying to anyone. “I…I…we’re going to visit family up north. Can you tell me if there is a motel near here where I can get a room?”

  Carol looked at the boy in concern. She suddenly smiled. “You don’t need a motel. Come with me, sweetie. I’ve got the perfect solution.”

  Isabel hesitated then lifted her son, trying not to grimace under the weight of Tommy. Her son was a large child at three. His father had been over six feet tall, and it looked like Tommy was going to take after him.

  She knew the majority of her lack of strength came from deficiency of sleep and food. But also, Tommy was growing so fast. It was hard to keep him in clothes right now. Thank God for the Goodwills around the country.

  She hadn’t had a full night sleep since her husband died a little over seven months ago, and enough food and rest were a thing of the past right now. Looking in the mirror anymore upset her. She’d never before been this thin or looked so old.

  Isabel would eat whatever food she could, but most of everything she had went to her son, Tommy. The only rest she got was after Tommy went to sleep at night, but even then she couldn’t make it through the night without fear interrupting her rest several times.

  She followed Carol through the kitchen, ignoring the look of shock and curiosity on the cook’s face, and out the back door. Isabel looked up at the short flight of stairs. “I’m sorry, where are we going?” Isabel looked around worriedly.

  Carol turned. “I’m sorry. I know you’re probably apprehensive. I get that, but I really do want to help you, and you look like you’re on your last bit of energy. We have a little apartment up here that would be perfect for you. You’ll be close so I can help with whatever you need to take care of that sweet child.” She kept talking as she walked up the stairs, unlocked the door, and walked into the room.

  Isabel didn’t understand. “Why are you doing this?”

  Carol turned and smiled gently. “I’m good at reading people, and I think you need some help right now. I’d be honored if you’d let me be the person to help you.” She held up a hand when Isabel started shaking her head and opened her mouth. “No, please listen. Once upon a time someone helped me when I desperately needed it, and I want to be able to do that for you. Please let me. I’ll probably ask a lot of questions, but you can just tell me to mind my own business when I get too pushy.”

  Isabel chuckled, as tears pooled in her eyes.

  Carol hurried to her, putting her arms around her and Tommy. “Oh, hun, it’ll be okay, you just wait and see. Why don’t you get him settled and I’ll be right back?” She held up a hand again when Isabel opened her mouth to argue. “You hush and let me help you. You look like you’re about ready to keel over yourself. Now put that child down before you hurt yourself or drop him.” She turned and was gone before Isabel blinked.

  Taking a deep breath, she looked around and slowly walked down the short hallway, murmuring softly to Tommy who had fallen asleep in her arms. “Oh, baby, I’m so sorry. Mommy is here, and I’ll make sure you get better.” She nuzzled his hair, then kissed his forehead. She found a small bedroom with a queen-size bed and a small dresser. All the walls in the place were painted a creamy white color. Wood floors were throughout the apartment. The mattress looked wonderful. It was covered with an old quilt and colorful pillows that leaned against the wooden headboard and a dresser that had seen better days. She laid Tommy gently on the bed and took off his shoes, socks, and pants, brushing his hair off his forehead before bending to kiss him. Isabel was tucking Tommy under the blankets when Carol came back.

  “I set some food on the counter in the kitchen. I know you probably don’t want to leave your baby, so I’d like to help you get any luggage you have in your car.” She waited expectantly with her hand out.

  Carol was right. Isabel wouldn’t leave Tommy, but she knew she was too tired to carry him down the stairs and get their things and then come back up. She didn’t have a choice but to trust her. Isabel knew she was just about at the end
of her rope, and she needed to stay strong to protect Tommy.

  “That would be great. Thank you so much for your help.” Isabel impulsively hugged Carol, surprising them both. It felt wonderful hugging someone besides Tommy. Isabel was an affectionate person, so to have no human physical contact in months distressed her.

  She followed Carol out of the bedroom, found her purse, pulling her car keys out as she described her car. She smiled tiredly at Carol and watched her walk out the door again. Feeling her spirit dragging, she pulled out a chair at the kitchen bar and sat down, needing to lay her aching head down just for a second. She felt like she had just closed her eyes when Carol came back and brought with her more trouble than she could handle at that moment.

  Chapter Two

  Carol inserted the key into the car’s trunk when a voice behind her made her turn. The Jacobson brothers stood beside the car, frowns etched into their brows.

  “What’s going on, Carol? Is this that woman’s car?”

  Both looked the car up and down. From their scowls she knew they weren’t happy with what they saw any more than she was. The four-door car was decades old, and it showed it. It used to be a dark shade of blue, but the sun had faded the color to a dingy gray. Rust was creeping around the tire rims and on the edges of the door frames.

  “I’m getting Isabel’s luggage. Her son’s not feeling well, and she doesn’t want to leave him.” She started pulling the bags out, saddened by the small number of things they had.

  “Carol, I asked you a question,” Royce said gently.

  Carol wiped the sheen of sweat from her forehead with the apron. “I’m sorry. I’m listening now. I’m just worried about them.”

  Royce leaned against the car with a scowl. His arms crossed over his wide chest. “You just met them, right?” At her nod, he said, “What do you know about her?”