Rough and Ready [Men for Hire 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (11 page)

“I’m sorry?”

Daisy had a way of looking at her that said she already knew the answer to her question. “I’ve been calling your name for the past few minutes. Girl, whatever, or should I say
whoever
you were thinking about has really got you hooked. Let me tell you, the expression on your face was priceless. I only wish I could afford that kind of look for myself.”

Alex glanced away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“The hell you don’t.” Daisy slid into the big armchair across from the desk. “If I was a betting woman, and I am, I’d lay odds that you were thinking about two very sexy cowboys. Am I right?”

The short time Alex had stayed at Daisy’s B and B had brought them close, almost too close. Sometimes she wondered if Daisy could read her mind. Although it wasn’t as though she had to. Alex had already spilled her guts about Jeff and Kane. Even about their time in the dressing room.

But the dressing room fun had been two days ago. Since then she hadn’t heard a word from either one of them.

The old familiar churning in her stomach came back, heralding the possibility that she’d fallen for their game. Now that they’d had her, they weren’t interested any longer.

Were they Destiny’s version of “Wham, bam, thank you, ma’am”?

All of a sudden, she wished she’d kept her mouth shut about them. Getting used was bad enough when only she knew about it. But it was worse that Daisy would know it soon enough.

“I’m going to change the subject now. If I don’t, I’m not going to get any work done.” She took a sip and got a blast of the “hot” in the Daisy’s toddy.

Daisy loved her spiked drinks. Or as she said often enough, “Ya gotta put a little starch back in your drawers at the end of a long day.”

“Okay, I’ll play along. So how’s it coming? Have you found a place for the Johnsons?”

“I think so. Maybe. But it’s closer to Tulsa than Destiny.” She frowned at the paperwork. “And the house isn’t very big.”

“No word on Doug’s place?”

Alex wouldn’t say anything bad about Mr. Wilkin, although she’d been surprised when he’d refused to let the Johnson family rent his extra house. It seemed not everyone in the small town was as kind as the people she’d run into.

Another twist in her stomach gave her a second thought. Maybe Jeff and Kane weren’t as friendly as she’d thought they were. She turned the bracelet Kane had bought for her around her wrist then forced the thought of them away.

“Mr. Wilkin turned us down.”

Daisy muttered a few choice words. “It doesn’t surprise me. Doug’s always been a tight son of a bitch. He’s probably holding out for more rent money since it’s coming from the state and not the Johnsons.”

“Maybe, but if he is, he’s going to be disappointed. It’s not in the budget. The home near Tulsa is, though. Milly and Gerald are up there checking it out.”

“Lucky dogs. A day away from their brood will do them good.”

Alex had to give Daisy credit. She’d taken the Johnson family in without expecting any payment. Plus, she helped Milly with the kids, too.

“Where are the kids, anyway? It’s way too quiet.”

“They’re upstairs, watching one of those cartoon movies. Not that it’ll last long. I’m sure Mikey’s already getting into trouble.” Daisy glanced upstairs then took a sip of her own drink. “I hope Milly likes the rental home. Any word on how soon they’ll get started on rebuilding their house?”

“I’m working with the insurance company, and they’re doing what they can to get things moving faster, but it’s still going to take a few months.”

“Okay. Until then, it’s up to their neighbors, excluding skinflint Wilkin.” Daisy couldn’t have said the man’s name in a more scornful way. “So how’s your brother working out at the ranch?”

What was it they said? No news was good news? “As far as I know, he’s still working. At least I assume he is since neither Kane nor Jeff has said anything.”

No word of any kind. Not about Avery and not for me.

She tried to tell herself that it didn’t matter in either case. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that everything wasn’t right with Avery.

They both turned toward the sound of a vehicle driving up to the house. The hollers of the Johnson kids and the sound of footsteps thundering down the steps brought them to their feet. Daisy pulled the curtain aside and peeked out.

“Were you expecting Kane?”

“No. Is it him?” Alex hopped up, then saw the grin on Daisy’s face. “Not a word. And no, I haven’t got a clue why he’s here.”

Daisy peered out the window again. “I think I know why. Come on, let’s check it out.”

Daisy was already at the front door, left wide open by the Johnson kids, before she noticed that Alex hadn’t taken one step. “What’s wrong?”

How could she tell her friend that she was embarrassed to see him? How could she tell her that she didn’t want to make herself feel any worse than she already did? Could she face Kane and act like nothing had happened? Or worse, would she turn into one of those women who demanded to know why a man hadn’t called her?

“Alex? I’m losing you again.” Daisy tilted her head in question. “Is there anything you want to tell me?”

Yes.

“No.” She moved even though her legs felt like wood, unbending and unable to hold her weight up. “Go on. I’m right behind you.”

“Cool.” Daisy swung open the door, and the sound of children’s laughter floated into the house.

By the time she made it to the door, Kane had unloaded a small black-and-white horse from the trailer and had hitched its reins to his pickup. The Johnson kids, happier than she’d ever seen them, did their best to listen to Kane as he told them to stand back. But kids being kids, especially Mikey, they couldn’t contain their excitement. They bopped up and down on their feet, laughing and giggling. Mikey reached out to pet the horse then shot his hand back when Kane gave him a stern look.

She wished she could’ve gotten Mikey to behave like that.

Kane’s gaze lifted to hers. The thrill of seeing him again wouldn’t be denied. It ripped through her, telling her that logic didn’t mean anything. She had to grit her teeth to keep from returning his smile. Her wooden legs of earlier were gone, replaced by a need to rush into his arms.

Alex Martin, if you have any pride at all, you will stand your ground. Remember, you haven’t heard one word from him since the barbecue.

He lifted his hand in greeting, then when she didn’t return the gesture, he motioned for her to come to him. She shook her head and lifted the mug that she’d unknowingly brought along with her. At least holding the drink gave her an excuse to take a seat in one of the rockers. It added to her attempt to appear aloof and unemotional.

Her act must’ve been convincing since he gave her a confused look. But the excitement of the kids drew his attention back. “Okay, let’s see who wants to ride on Jelly Bean.”

“Jelly Bean? That’s a cute name for a horse, don’t you think?” Daisy strode up the steps and leaned on the porch railing.

“Uh-uh.” The less she said, the less likely she’d lose control over her pretend cool composure.

“You’re not fooling anyone, you know.” Daisy rested her forearms on the railing and chuckled as little Julie, the sweet counterpart to Mikey’s mischievous one, squealed when Kane lifted her on top of the pony.

Leave it to Daisy to get right to the point.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She kept her attention focused on the rider and not the hunk of a man leading the horse around the front yard.

“Alex Martin, I may not have known you very long, but I do know you. You’re trying to act like you don’t give a flip, but I bet you’re wet between your legs.”

“Daisy!” She didn’t know what else to say.

“Oh, seriously. After what you told me about you and the dressing room, you can hardly start acting like a prude now.”

She was right. But did Daisy think she was a slut? “True enough, but, Daisy, I hope that doesn’t change things between us. You don’t think I’m a ho, do you?”

Daisy pivoted to lean her back against the railing. “Wow, maybe we don’t know each other that well after all. I’d never think anything of the like. Hell, if I had two guys lusting after me, I wouldn’t hesitate to get them into bed. Or into a dressing room. Or wherever I could.”

Daisy could always make her laugh. “Thanks.”

“What I do think, however, is that you’re dying to run out there and jump all over Kane, and for some ridiculous reason, you’re not doing it.”

“I can’t. I mean, I don’t know if that was just a one-time thing or what. Besides, there are children present.”

“Why would you think it’s a one-time thing?”

“Because he didn’t call. And neither did Jeff.”

“Pff. Is that the only reason?”

She gaped at Daisy then shut her mouth when Kane glanced over. “After what we did, don’t you think a call would’ve been the least they could have done?”

“If they were regular men, then yes. But you’ve got to remember that they’re part of the Cowboys for Hire organization. They might not have had a chance to call. Sometimes their missions take them away for a while and sometimes they can’t use a phone for fear of jeopardizing their client’s safety.”

“Really?” Hope sprang to life. “Do you think that was it?”

Daisy shrugged. “Either that or they wanted to dump you.”

The hope that had started growing deflated.

“Oh, hell, Alex. I’m kidding.” Daisy slid into the rocker beside her. “Look, I know these guys. They’re not that way. If they didn’t contact you, then they had a damn good reason. At least give them a chance to explain before you go all cold-ass bitch on them.”

She wanted to believe Daisy was right. She needed to believe in the men again. But the part of her that had gotten shot down so many times before held her back. “I don’t know.”

Daisy stood up, took Alex’s mug out of her hand, and put it on the side table. She grabbed her arm and hauled her onto her feet. “Well, I do. And there’s your chance.”

Once again, they turned together to see another pickup with its own horse trailer pulling into the yard. Jeff waved from inside the cab then pushed the door open. His long legs slid out as he dropped to the ground.

Jeff and Kane exchanged civil nods then Kane went back to putting Mikey’s often-tortured-by-his-older-brother sibling, Jeb, on the back of the pony. Kane led the horse around the yard, but his hard gaze never left Jeff.

Alex did her best to settle her breathing as Jeff made quick work getting to her. Just as Kane was a handsome dark-haired bad boy type, Jeff was the golden boy of every woman’s dreams. Alex still had a difficult time believing that not one, but two hotter-than-sunspots men could want her.

“Hey, Alex.”

“Hi.” She wished she had her mug to hold onto. All of a sudden, she couldn’t figure out where to put her hands. Her gaze dropped to his crotch. She knew where she’d like to put them, but that was insanity at its best.

Jeff was on the top step, only a couple of feet from her. She waited for him to speak, but he’d had the same idea of clamming up, waiting for her to say something.

Daisy glanced between them then let out a sigh. “Okay then, I guess I’m the chatty one. What’s in the trailer, Jeff? Your buddy Kane’s already brought a horse for the kids’ entertainment. I just wish their parents were here to enjoy watching their little hellions have some fun.”

Jeff spoke, but never moved his eyes off Alex. “Where are they? Their parents, I mean.”

“They’re checking out a possible temporary home near Tulsa.”

“Urgh. That far, huh?”

“Yep. Old Wilkin isn’t budging on the rental price for his home.”

Jeff shook his head. “It’s a sad thing when a neighbor won’t help another. And the even sadder thing is that if Doug ever needs help, the Johnsons would do anything they can for him.”

“So what’s in the trailer?” Daisy waved at Julie, Mikey’s sister, as she giggled and squealed at the horse.

“I spent yesterday rounding up some things for the Johnsons.”

“You did?” A part of Alex’s emotional wall came down. Was that the reason he hadn’t called? “What kind of things?”

“Go on and check it out, Daisy. But don’t go hauling any of it out of the trailer just yet. I’d like to keep it all packed in case I need to take it to their new home.”

Daisy touched his arm in a gesture of thanks and slipped past him down the steps and over to the back of the trailer to peer inside. Although Alex knew Daisy’s hand on his arm meant nothing more than that, she still couldn’t help but feel jealous.

“Look, Alex, I want to tell you why I haven’t called.”

Oh, crap
. Suddenly, she didn’t want to know. She didn’t want to feel the pain if he was about to tell her that he wasn’t interested any longer. That it had all been a matter of good fun between “friends.”

“Don’t worry about it.” She’d told them to think about it. Maybe they’d taken the couple of days to do just that. She couldn’t blame them for doing what she’d asked. Could she? But had they thought about her and decided she wasn’t worth it? “It’s no big deal.”

Jeff looked at her as though she’d suddenly grown an extra head. “It’s a big deal to me.”

A lump formed in her throat that threatened to bring out the tears. And she’d be damned if she was going to let him see her cry. “I don’t understand.”

He took her hand, eliciting a rush of sensations to course up her arm and break apart a score of emotions. “Don’t you get it? After what happened at Debbie’s, I would’ve thought you’d realize how big a deal it really is. How big a deal
you
are.”

Could she believe him? Oh, God, how she wanted to believe him.

“I didn’t call because Gabriel sent me out of town on a job. It was strictly a no-call situation. Then, once I got back yesterday, I figured I’d round up some toys, clothes, and other household items for the Johnsons. That way I could come over today and surprise not only them, but you, too.”

He squeezed her hand. Had he felt it shake? “That’s very nice of you to gather the things for the Johnsons. I’m sure they’ll appreciate it.”