The Third Wife Read online

  "Babe I can take care of myself, don't worry about me."

  "That's just it, it's my job now to worry about and take care of you so I want to hear you say it." He shook my shoulders playfully. As we were about to get serious again, maybe have another round of morning goodness there was a knock on the door. "What the..." He broke off his sentence as he left the bed. Pulling on his pajama bottoms he headed for the door.

  "The kids wanted to see their father." That's all I heard the bitch say before he turned and looked back at me. The look on his face was priceless he was pissed. He turned back to her and I could tell he reined it in for the kids' sake. "Leave." One word, not even shouted but the way he said it, I hope he never got that mad at me. Sharon took Katie and Crystal's hands and scurried away.

  Poor thing, he had a houseful of bitches to deal with. He came back to kiss me goodbye before heading out the door with an apology. I stayed in bed a little longer, pondering his words. Trying to find the best course of action to deal with my new reality. It was obvious that he had feelings for me; it was also obvious he had feelings for them. I could let that shit consume me, or I could sulk till I get my way.

  Somehow I don't think sulking is gonna make him do away with his daughters and his wives. It will be hard watching him have any kind of intimate interaction with them I'm sure. That's what I needed to concentrate on, how to deal with the fuck storm that that was going to bring on. I hope this little valley was ready for the storm of the century cause no matter what, a bitch like me knew it was coming.

  Cody

  I have to go in to the office today. I'm a little hesitant after that stunt Sharon pulled this morning. I'm not sure if she thinks I'm a green boy or just plain stupid. But if she thought for one second I was going to allow her disrespect of not only me, but Alana as well she was sorely mistaken. In order for me to keep order in my home, things had to work both ways. There was only one ruler in my house and that was me. As the head of my family that's my position, I will not brook any form of insubordination, from anyone.

  Allowances had to be made for Alana obviously because she was new to this. I expected Sharon and Arlene to make her feel welcomed. I wouldn't force friendships between them though it was my wish that they all got along. But I did expect, and will demand respect for each other. In all the years they've been with me neither of them has ever pulled his stunt before, which told me they were even more threatened by her than I first thought if they were willing to incite my wrath.

  "Sharon, a word with you please." I found her in the kitchen with Arlene in deep hushed conversation. I took in her pinched features with a sigh. When did she decide that I was her pet to be led around on a leash? Had I become so disinterested in my life that I had allowed her these liberties without realizing it? Whatever the case may be I was going to put a stop to it and right quick.

  "You want to explain what that was about this morning?" I kept a tight rein on my anger, patience was needed here not a hot head.

  "What, what did I do that was so wrong? I would think that after not seeing them for two weeks you would want to spend as much time as possible with your children before going back to work.

  "So now you're questioning my love for my children?" I guess she finally caught on to her plight when she heard the cold fury in my voice. Her quick step back might’ve been a very wise move on her part. I don’t think I’ve ever been this pissed at her before.

  "I didn't mean...I..." She folded her arms and looked down.

  "Do you want to go spend some time with your family Sharon?"

  "Oh no please don't send me away..." Her eyes were suddenly wide with fright.

  "I'm not sending you away, I just think you might need some time away. You see I want, no need, my wife to feel comfortable in her new home. Just as I wanted you to be when you first got here. But since you seem to be having a problem understanding that I think it might be best if you're not here while she adjusts. My daughter stays here of course."

  "I will behave." She huffed at me, yeah right. I'll have to keep an eye on her. I didn't believe for a second that Alana would tell me if anything happened while I was away. She just struck me as the stubborn handle it myself type. We'll just have to wait and see. It’s my job to protect her from all comers and that’s a job I intend to take very seriously.

  "This was your first real warning, you get three. Now send Arlene in when you leave." I was suddenly very tired. Then I remembered my wildflower's laughter on the island and I smiled. I could do this. To secure her happiness I would do anything.

  "You wanted to see me husband?" I studied her for a long minute before speaking.

  "What's the plan?" She looked at me askance. "Okay keep your secrets, but know this. If you clasp hands with Sharon against my wife it will go badly for you. Did you stop being my wife when I married Sharon?"

  "No." She was the more timid of the two, the more easily led. I know that whatever scheme Sharon concocted she would drag her along with her. I hoped she heeded my warnings because I meant what I said. None will stay if she's not welcomed.

  "Have I treated you poorly? Is there anything you wanted or needed that I have not provided?"

  "No husband." She twisted her hands in the folds of her dress skirt.

  "Good, then there should be no problem. Remember Arlene, do unto others as you would have done unto you, you may go." She left the room in a hurry and I sighed. To think the day had only just begun, I miss the island.

  Chapter 7

  Alana

  I forced myself to go down to breakfast. I couldn't hide out in my room forever now could I? The two witches of Endor were there the girls were off playing somewhere. I got a glass for my juice and snagged a banana. I wasn't about to eat anything these bitches cooked, they'd probably poison my ass first chance they get.

  "Good morning chicas." I dropped down in a chair at the table just any old random chair.

  "That's my seat, and we don't care for your urban greetings." Oh it was like that was it? Come bitch bring it.

  "What do you mean your seat, your name on this shit?" I facetiously looked to the back of the chair for her name.

  "No my name's not on it but it's where I always sit. And please try to curtail your language, there're children in this household."

  Huffy bitch. "I'll give you that one about the swearing, but I'm not making any promises. I'm liable to drop the F bomb once or twice dealing with you and the walking dead over there. As for the chair business, I saw Big Love bitch, no one's running me so you better get that through your head real fast. And I'll watch the early morning sneak attacks, especially if you plan on bringing the kids with. I can get pretty noisy if you know what I mean." Oh this bitch wants to belt me one. See I picked my battle station and I’m manning it. I might have to share him, but fuck if I'll let them rule me.

  Cody

  End of day I wonder what I had awaiting me at home. I'd purposely neglected to call to check in though I'd reached for the phone a number of times. Whatever was waiting the night promised to be a doozy; I have to spend the night with one of the others and since Sharon was on semi punishment it would have to be Arlene. I wouldn't bring her to my bed. That was too close to Wildflower too soon.

  So I would have to go to her. Shit I wonder not for the first time why this was proving so difficult. I didn’t face any of his angst with Arlene when I brought Sharon home. It wasn’t just that I’m in love with her, or maybe that’s exactly what it was. The thought of hurting her hurts me. Sharon and Arlene knew the ways of our life their whole lives, she ‘s only had a few weeks to get used to her new reality and I cant help but feel like it might just all become too much for her.

  I can’t and won’t neglect my first two wives but I don’t want her hurt. Please let us survive the night. I finished up my business and headed out the door for home. On the way I got them each a bunch of flowers; that too posed a problem. Since Sharon has been making everything into a competition if I got one red and the other another color
that just might set off another one of her snits. And since when do you let her stop you from doing what you want? Maybe that’s part of the problem. Maybe you’ve been letting your women rule your home for too long.

  Your disinterest in the past has led to this. No wonder they were feeling threatened. I’d stopped being there one hundred percent and now with Alana in the picture it was as though I’d come alive again. They couldn’t have missed it and that maybe why there’s so much animosity. Shit. I really made a mess of things. I can’t go back and change that now but I can do something about it now. It’s time to take control again.

  I'm almost afraid of what I'm going to find when I walk in the door. I should've called her, it was her first day alone and I had left her. I thought it best to let her get settled in on her own, now I feel like such a bastard.

  I should've known better than to doubt my wildflower, she could handle any situation I was sure. She was in the kitchen of all places. Music blasting, pots and pans all over every surface and what looked like enough pies to feed a small army. That's not what captivated me though. It was her dancing to some very racy song on the radio and gyrating her young compact body like a dancer's dream. Damn. I forgot everything else as I walked towards her dropping the flowers on the table.

  I hugged her from behind and she gave a little yelp before she realized it was me. Then she kissed me like it had been weeks since she last saw me. I could get use to this. "What are you doing baby?" I had to shout over the music. I don't think I've ever heard such loud music in the valley before. She looked so happy though it just made me smile.

  "Where is everyone?" I kissed her cute little nose and hugged my girl close. I’d missed her like hell all day, that sassy mouth of hers and her flirting ways. I looked around for the others but she seemed to be alone here.

  "Hell if I know, I started baking and they all disappeared."

  She shrugged her shoulders and I looked into her eyes to make sure that her feelings weren't hurt. I know Sharon accused me of babying her but I couldn't help it, she’s my baby. All the same she seemed fine so I guess her day had gone okay. "What's all this wildflower?" I pointed around the kitchen at all the pies she had lined off. Walking over I sniffed hat looked like my favorite strawberry rhubarb. “Umm, this smells amazing but I don’t think I can eat all these.” I grinned at her as she flitted around the kitchen.

  "They’re for Mrs. Brewster for her bake sale, her arthritis is acting up and she needed the help so I told her I would help out. I only made you three of your favorite.” She wiggled around the room in her little skirt and tank top looking like sex on legs. Damn, get your mind on something else. You’re going to have a hard enough time with tonight no point in making things worse by taking her first.

  "How do you know Mrs. Brewster?" I don't recall introducing the two of them."

  I met her today when I was out for my walk."

  "You walked all the way to the village?"

  "Yep, I love to walk you know that, besides it's great exercise." She laid another toe curling kiss on me.

  "Baby what in the world are you listening to? And I hope you don't dance like that in public." I felt just a little jealous at the thought of her dancing like that in front of anyone else.

  "It's Rihanna's Cockiness and all my dances belong to you now. I love it, I love it, I love it when you eat it." She did some kind of booty shaking move that had me going hard, shit.

  "Who did they belong to before?" I grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into me.

  "Me and my crew silly."

  I find I’m very possessive of her and everything to do with her. She’d shared her life with me. The way she’d been raised was so completely removed from my won upbringing. She was always quick to reassure me that there had never been any boyfriends not even when she was a young teen. Her parents had explained to her that that wasn’t a possibility. I can’t say that I’m sorry for it. I hate the thought of anyone else ever having any part of her. Yes I see the incongruity of my feelings but there you have it and I make no apologies. I kissed her once before letting her get back to what she was doing, placated by her answer.

  She danced her little hot ass all over the kitchen. What the hell was the song saying? I don't even want to know, but my girl knew every word it looked like as she sung along and danced. And here I was worrying about what kind of day she had. I knew the others deserting her might just be their way of showing their displeasure but I can’t force the issue. They’ll come around eventually or I’ll just have to step in and make sure they all got their shit together.

  I went up to my room to shower and change. I was happier than I have been in a long time, I hoped like hell the feeling would last. She was finishing up dinner by the time the others returned. It looked amazing. She'd made a healthy meal of roasted chicken and steamed vegetables with new potatoes, my mouth watered. She constantly surprised me with the things she did. Her mom had really taken her training seriously as far as I could see she’d taught her daughter all the ways to please her husband.

  Sharon and Arlene came in and I remembered the flowers. I’d gotten wildflower her favorite pink roses and got red and yellow for Sharon and Arlene. They all seemed pleased enough and went off to find vases for them. I spent some time with my daughters before dinner and got up to take them in to the dining room when Alana called dinner.

  "Where are you two going aren't you having your dinner?"

  "We already ate." Sharon said it with a smirk that I wanted to wipe off her face. Arlene just hurried out of the kitchen with little Katie. I was about to say something but was cut off by Alana’s next words.

  "Oh goody, so it's just us two, excellent." She grabbed my hand and led me to the table. I'm thinking that backfired rather nicely on Miss. Sharon. I hope she grew out of her piqué soon because it was going to get old real fast. She stormed out of the kitchen, but I didn't spare her another look. I’ll have to let both of them know in the future if they wanted to play this game that was fine but my children will be eating with me.

  "You okay Alana?" I knew what they were trying to do, but if I folded at the first sign of trouble nothing would ever be resolved. I’d really made a hash of things. I don’t remember my father ever having to deal with this shit. Then again who knows what I missed when I was a kid?

  "Why wouldn't I be?" She looked at me as if she really had no idea why I would be asking her that. It gave me hope that the night would turn out okay. I just shook my head and sat down to the meal my wife had made for us. We held hands like two kids while we ate and went over our day. She’d done a lot on her first day alone and I have to admit to being pleased that she’d taken the initiative to get to know her new home. I just hope she wasn’t doing it to escape any tensions in the house.

  "Will you walk with me to take the pies when they cool?"

  "I'll drive you, you're not walking anywhere after dark."

  "But I wanna walk I even got a nice pully wagon thingie to take them in.” I leaned over and kissed her pouty lip.

  "Stop pouting sweetheart it's not gonna work, not about this anyway." I kissed her again to let her know she was loved. She had turned the radio off and we sat in blessed quiet while we ate. Feeding each other tidbits from our forks like the newly weds we were. I knew I was being extra attentive to ease the blow of what I would have to do later. I had no stomach for what was to come. I wondered why? When I brought Sharon home I had no problem visiting Arlene's bed. I’d told myself it was because this was all new to her, but I knew better. I wondered how it would be after having her, after knowing what she meant to me? Would I be different? I didn’t want to slight my wife in anyway. It wouldn’t be right to make Arlene feel less than or that I wasn’t with her one hundred percent but this was my new fear. Maybe after tonight I can get past this.

  If I wanted them to go on as normal then I too would have to do the same, it had to happen sometime. I wasn't going to cast them aside after all; there was no danger of that happening. But I swear
it’s never been this hard before. I’ve always just gone where I felt like in the past. There was never any issue with whose bed I shared on any given night. When I’d first brought Sharon home we’d spent a lot of time together as well since she was finding her place in our family. That’s why it’s so hard to understand her attitude towards Wildflower.

  I took her back to Mrs. Brewster who couldn't stop singing her praises. I was so damn proud of her, she saw a need somewhere and she stepped up to the plate. The two women visited for a bit before we took our leave. The night was clear and the air was fresh as we walked back to the car arm in arm. It was a short five-minute drive back to the house. I steeled myself against whatever was coming and prepared to shatter her. Whatever happens in the next few minutes will decide how we went on from here. I’m hoping and praying it all goes well.