Rough and Ready [Men for Hire 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  “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 w
orry 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.”

  His radiant smile was back. It made her feel warmer than the hottest day in July ever could.

  “Yeah, well, like I said. It gave me two reasons to come here.” He still hadn’t turned her hand loose. Not that she minded. “Of course, you’re reason enough.”

  Kane, who had handed over horse duty to Daisy, sauntered up. “I hope Jeff told you where we’ve been the past couple of days. He got back to town before I did.”

  She wanted to shout for joy, but she managed not to. “Yeah, he did. Sort of.”

  “Let me guess. He didn’t mention that I was along for the job, did he?”

  Jeff faked a stunned look. “Oh, were you? I didn’t even notice.”

  “That’s what I figured.”

  She pulled her hand from Jeff’s and pressed it to her mouth to stop the giggle. Sometimes the way they squabbled was downright funny. Even endearing.

  Only the ringing of her phone brought her back from the giggles. “Hello?” She listened to the woman on the other end and was relieved when she told her that the rental home for the Johnsons had been approved. Milly had been overjoyed at the place.

  “That’s wonderful. When can they move in?”

  Jeff and Kane waited, each leaning on one of the railings. Although she had to pay attention to the instructions the lady gave her, she couldn’t help but feast on the amazing men. They were the type that people said were comfortable in their skins. But they were more than that. They oozed a confidence that she could only dream of possessing. It wasn’t cockiness, but a secure knowledge that they were in the right place and doing what they were supposed to do. Jeff’s crisp white T-shirt highlighted the outline of his muscular physique while the black denim shirt Kane wore, along with his black hair and eyes, made him even more mysterious than usual. She felt the now-familiar warmth grow between her legs. If they’d wanted her right then, she would’ve invited them up to her room.

  But she had work to do. She blinked and answered the lady on the other end of the call. “This is great. We’ll get them relocated as soon as we can.” She lifted her eyebrows in question. “Hopefully, we can get some men to help them move.”

  Jeff and Kane both nodded that they’d be happy to play movers.

  “Thank you so much. I’ll be talking to you again soon.” She punched the button to end the call and grinned at them.

  “I take it that the Johnsons have a new home?” Kane jerked his head at Daisy and the kids, who were still having a great time taking turns on the pony. “I’ll give them a little longer then load up and take Jelly Bean back to the ranch. The day’s almost half over now, so is it okay if we move them up there tomorrow?”

  “I’m sure they’d appreciate it.”

  Jeff leaned on the railing. “This sucks, you know.”

  “Why?”

  “Because now we don’t have an excuse to come out here and visit you.”

  Relief, pure and unfiltered, made her knees weak. They still wanted her.

  “When he’s right—which happens less often than a seeing a three-legged bird on a snowy morning—he’s right,” added Kane.

  “Who says you need a reason to visit?” It wasn’t her usual style to be so bold, but something about the men brought it out in her. Besides, she didn’t want them to stop visiting, either.

  But there was another problem. “My job here will be ending soon now that the Johnsons are settled.”

  “Hell, I didn’t think about that.” The sincerity in Kane’s voice stroked her heart.

  “Although I’m still trying to convince the mayor to put a preparedness plan into action.”

  “Yeah, you should really do that.” Jeff exuded sexual allure with just a look. “We don’t want to get caught unprepared, you know.”

  “Nope.” She adopted a serious tone. “We sure don’t.”

  Kane nodded. “Yeah, you’ve changed my mind about that. We need to be prepared.”

  “Good. It’s settled.” Jeff’s golden hair shone under the bright sunlight. “You’re staying. At least for a while longer.”

  “I think the mayor has to make that decision.” Somehow she’d have to convince the mayor that the town needed her.

  She was about to ask about her brother when a car drove by on the main road then stopped in front of the driveway. Squinting, she shielded her eyes and tried to see who it was. The men turned and watched, too, and as though by unspoken agreement, they waited for something else to happen.

  She never expected to see her brother’s body pushed out of the car. He rolled then came to a stop and didn’t move.

  “Avery!” Alex sprinted off the porch and past the stunned children and Daisy. Jeff and Kane soon ran past her with their long legs eating up the ground.

  Please, please, please, please.

  The litany continued even after Jeff and Kane slid to Avery’s side. A stab hit her under her rib cage, but she kept going. Her vision blurred as she fell to the ground next to her brother. She lifted his head and cradled it in her lap.

  “Avery, open your eyes. Oh, please, God, don’t let him be dead.”

  Jeff skimmed his hands over her brother’s body, then shook his head. “He’s banged up a bit, but I don’t see anything major.”

  “Major?” He was on the ground unconscious. “How much more major can it get?”

  “Major as in any knife or gunshot wounds,” answered Kane.

  She sucked in a hard-fought breath and struggled to keep from crying. His chest rose and fell, so that was a good sign. “Is he going to be okay?”

  Jeff patted Avery’s cheeks. “Yeah. I think so. Avery, man, come out of it. You’re scaring the hell out of your sister.”

  “Half sister.” She didn’t know why she’d said that. It was an automatic thing they’d done all their lives.

  Avery groaned, giving her renewed hope that he wasn’t hurt too badly. When he opened his eyes and saw her searching his face, he attempted a wan smile. “How’s it going, sis?”

  Years of dealing with Avery’s troubles forged an angry spiral in her that wouldn’t be contained. She pushed his head off her lap and onto the hard ground.

  “Ow!”

  She stood, her fury sending her pacing back and forth. Jeff and Kane helped Avery sit up. “Ow, my ass. You almost gave me a heart attack.” She pointed back to Daisy and the kids. “And to have this happen in front of impressionable children makes it even worse.”

  “Calm down, Alex. Let’s find out what’s going on.”

  She snarled at Kane. “I know what’s going on. This has happened before.” She fisted her hands on her hips and glared down at all three of the men. Were men worth the problems they caused?

  “What do you mean?” Jeff spoke softly, trying to placate her wi
th his gentle tone.

  “My brother is always getting into trouble. What’s it this time, brother dear? Have you gotten another girl pregnant? Or is it the usual business? How much do you owe? Was it horses, poker in Vegas, or what?”

  Jeff and Kane got to their feet then stepped back. They’d let her handle her brother.

  “Alex, come on. Not in front of them. I work with these guys.”

  Did he really think she cared? “Do you? Has he been working at the ranch? Are you sure you’re not missing things like saddles or even silverware?”

  “Gabriel wouldn’t know good silverware if you stabbed him with it.”

  She narrowed her eyes at Jeff and wished she had could tape his mouth closed. “You know what I mean. Don’t even try to make this into something funny.”

  Jeff lifted his hands palms out, showing he’d gotten the message. Oddly enough, it was Kane who came to Jeff’s rescue.

  “As far as I know, he’s done a good job. I think Gabriel was going to ask him to stay on as a permanent member of the ranch.” Kane shrugged. “But once he hears about this? All bets are off.” He cringed when she shot him a hard look. “Sorry. Bad choice of words.”

  Avery pushed himself to his feet, groaning as he did so. “Sis, please—”

  “Don’t even try. Tell me, Avery. What’s going on?” When he didn’t answer right away, she slugged him in the arm. “Tell me!”

  He backed away from her and dodged her second hit. “Okay, okay. Shit, calm the hell down.”

  “Alex, maybe you want some privacy for this.” Kane took another step away, as did Jeff.

  “No, it’s okay. You should know the man that’s working with you. Spill it, Avery, and don’t you dare leave out any details. If you do, I’ll do more than punch your lights out.”

  Avery had always known when to confess his sins. Sometimes, she thought he liked doing so, thinking that it would gain him sympathy.

  “Here’s the thing. Before I came here, before I decided to turn over a new leaf, I had a run of bad luck.”