Dalton, Tymber - Hernando Heat (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (5 page)

She licked her lips to wet them and buy her a moment. “I would hate to be a burden on you like that. Taking me into town every day.”

Joe’s eyes never left her face, but he didn’t speak. Mason said, “Ma’am, you might find us to be a burden on you.” He smiled. “We are in dire need of a woman to keep us on the straight and narrow.”

She wondered if Joe normally remained so silent. She addressed her next comment to him. “You’re rather quiet.”

When Joe smiled, she felt his deep sadness. She sensed he’d lost someone as surely as she had. “I don’t have much to say, ma’am. I’m in agreement with Mase, that we’d welcome your help.”

Mason looked hopeful. If she ever lost her heart to anyone, she suspected it would be him. “I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to do very much,” she admitted. “Not with the shop and all. That wouldn’t be fair to you, and to be frank, I don’t want to give up my shop.”

“Joe’s men take care of most everything on the ranch. We’d just need someone to cook for us. Laundry. Cleaning around the house. No milking or anything like that. And we know you’d need to take care of your business first. I come to town every day anyway. I can make sure you get back and forth safely.”

They fell silent when Reverend Anderson called for quiet. He gave a brief talk about events going on in town that weekend before saying the blessing and opening the line for food. When he finished, she looked at the men. “Why don’t we enjoy our dinner, and then I’ll give you my answer when you take me home? By then we should all know if we’d at least like each other or not. You might decide you don’t want me working for you after talking to me for a while.”

Mason grinned, an easy, open look. Joe’s sad smile nearly broke her heart. Mason said, “Katie, believe me, we’ll still like you after dinner.”

* * * *

By the time they finished dinner, she did feel comfortable saying she enjoyed the company of both men. Despite her earlier wanton thought of letting both men court her, the reality of the situation sank home. She didn’t want herself, nor either man, to be spoken ill of. Not that she cared so much what people said about her, but as a respected businessman, Joe had a reputation to preserve. Not to mention that Mason was a deputy in line to be sheriff, if town rumors were accurate.

As Reverend Anderson made his rounds of the attendees and approached where they sat, an idea formed in her mind.

The older man smiled at her and shook her hand as he pulled up a chair. “I hear you had quite the scare this morning, Katie.”

She nodded. “Yes, unfortunately.”

“I’m glad you weren’t harmed.” He glanced at the two men. “I don’t see you boys in my church pews very often.”

Mason reddened slightly in the face. “Joe has to work the ranch because his men get the day off. I’m usually helping out on the ranch on my day off, Reverend.”

The minister smiled. “Then that’s an admirable excuse, and perfectly acceptable. I grew up on a ranch myself. I understand the duties.”

He stood to go, but she reached out and stayed him. “Reverend, I have a question for you.”

He relaxed in his seat. “Of course, Katie.”

She glanced at the two men. “Mr. Lansing and Deputy Carlisle have made me an interesting and generous offer, but I’d like your opinion before I give them my answer.”

The reverend looked curious but nodded. “All right.”

“Would there be anything improper about me moving in with them to be their housekeeper, and still run my shop?”

“You mean, live with them?”

“In a private room of her own, of course,” Mason quickly added.

Reverend Anderson smiled. “Are you asking me if I think lips will flap and mouths will run?”

Her turn to redden in the face. She nodded.

He laughed and patted her arm. “How about I spread the word that it was my suggestion? I personally think it’s a good idea. You’re a widow, and they’re men with honorable reputations.” His expression darkened as his voice dropped. “I’ve heard stories about your former father-in-law, Katie. Frankly, I’m surprised he hasn’t tried to hurt you sooner. If you don’t move in with these boys, you’ll end up with an armed posse taking turns sitting on your back porch every night. There are plenty of men here in town who’d like a chance at the son of a gun who tried to hurt you.”

She glanced at the cousins, who nodded in agreement.

The reverend’s smile returned. “So does that answer your question for you?”

“Yes, sir. Thank you, it does.” She looked at the cousins. “So when would you like me to move in?”

* * * *

She didn’t have a lot in the way of personal belongings to move. Joe and Mason had ridden their horses to town, so Joe rode back home to fetch their wagon while Mason stayed behind with her and helped her pack.

And protect her.

She picked up her picture of Paul and stared at it.

“Was that your husband?” Mason asked.

She sadly nodded as she let her fingers caress the frame. “Yes. He was a good man. I truly loved him.” She carefully laid it in her trunk, padded by a dress so it wouldn’t get damaged.

“How’d he die, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Pneumonia.” She felt her melancholy return for the first time that evening. Talking and laughing with the two men had made her feel alive, for once. “He got sick and wouldn’t rest. Then he got sicker and…” She couldn’t finish. She couldn’t talk about him like that yet. It still felt too raw in many ways, hurt too much. She needed to get her mind off of him. “Do you mind me asking a question, Mason?”

“Of course not.”

She turned. “Why is Joe so sad? And why haven’t either of you eligible men found wives yet? If I may be so forward, you’re both handsome men. I would imagine from what I’ve heard around town that you could have your pick of ladies.”

She didn’t miss the subtle shift in Mason’s expression. “Joe’s fiancée, Laura, died eight years ago. He buried her three days before they were supposed to be married.”

A rush of sympathy filed her. “I can certainly understand that then. But what about you? Why is there no Mrs. Carlisle yet?”

His face reddened. “Just never found the right woman before now.” His gaze snuck her way.

Heat filled her as she deliberately ignored his implication. “That’s a shame.”

One of his eyebrows rakishly rose skyward. “Perhaps not, ma’am. Not if it means I missed finding the wrong woman. I don’t like silly women.”

“No?”

He fully turned to her. “No.” He stepped forward, until only inches separated them. Her breath came in a gasping rush as his brown eyes filled her existence. When he next spoke, the deep, passionate sound of it resonated throughout her body. “It’s hard to find a serious woman who’s also a beautiful and kind woman, and who hasn’t been married off already.”

“Really?” She felt like a silly woman right now, wondering what his strong arms would feel like crushing her against his broad chest.

“Really.” His voice softened. “May I be forward, Katie?”

“Please do.”

He gently stroked her cheek with a strong, calloused hand. “You’re beautiful. I had more than one reason for wanting you to move in with us.”

“You did?” It surprised her to realize she didn’t mind.

“I’m hoping perhaps in a few months you might decide you don’t want to leave.”

“But what if you or Joe find a wife, Mason? She wouldn’t want me there.”

A smile that sinful should be illegal
.

“I think I already have found her. Maybe one day she’ll decide she wouldn’t mind having me as her husband. After she gets to know me better, of course. I wouldn’t want to offend her by being too forward too soon.” He stroked her cheek again before stepping away. “But don’t expect me to take too kindly to men asking to call on you for anything other than mending.”

When she swallowed, she felt a dry click in her throat.

And a warm, pleasant dampness between her legs.

Chapter Five

By the time Joe returned with the wagon, Katie and Mason had packed most of the personal items she wanted to take. The rest she could get the next day.

“Don’t forget this.” She turned at Joe’s teasing tone and saw he held her shotgun. It was one of the few times she’d seen him smile all evening.

She returned his smile. “Do you think I’ll need it at y’all’s house?”

“Probably not. But make sure you bring it to work with you every day.” His smile faded as he started helping Mason move her things to the wagon.

The men wouldn’t let her carry anything. She stood and watched them work. Despite Mason’s declaration, she knew it wouldn’t be as simple as losing her heart to him. She already felt a subtle draw to Joe as well. From what she’d heard about the cousins, she knew they were close. The last thing she’d want to do was come between them.

No, perhaps a little friendly courting wouldn’t be improper, but she refused to interfere with their relationship. And she knew nothing could come between friends, brothers, or cousins faster than jealousy over a woman.

She thought about Paul’s picture safely tucked inside one of her trunks. On second thought, keeping a little emotional distance might be the safest thing for all of them.

The three of them wouldn’t fit on the wagon seat together. Mason rode his horse while Joe and Katie rode in the wagon. Katie suspected from Mason’s alert, wary manners as he rode that he preferred the mobility of the lone horse. First riding ahead, then behind, rarely alongside for more than a few minutes before he was off again investigating something.

When he disappeared behind them, Joe noticed her glance back to check on him. “He’s paranoid.”

“I gathered as much. About what?”

While still sad, his gentle smile softened his expression. “Be prepared for both of us, but especially him, to keep a close eye on you. At least for the next several weeks or until they catch the man who tried to attack you. He’s very protective.”

“I’ll admit I’m not used to having someone hovering over me.”

“If it gets to be too much, let me know and I’ll have a talk with him. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable with us.”

“Was this his idea or yours?”

“Do you want an honest answer?”

She tried to gird herself. “Yes.”

“It’s nothing personal, but I’m fine without a woman around.” He glanced at her. “We have something in common, although I don’t claim to compare your loss to mine. I wasn’t married to her yet.”

“He mentioned your fiancée.”

His expression hardened, as did his voice. “Did he?”

She took a chance and touched his arm. “Please don’t be upset with him. I asked. You looked so sad at dinner, and I wanted to know why.”

Like a fickle summer rain shower, his expression cleared. “I’m sorry. I just don’t like to talk about her.”

They rode in silence for a few moments, Mason checking on them before riding ahead. “Sometimes,” she softly said, “it does help to talk about the ones we’ve lost.” This was a subject she had unfortunate experience with.

“I think the worse part,” he finally said, “is some people don’t understand why I don’t just move on. They don’t understand it’s not that easy. No, we weren’t married yet, but I loved her fierce. I was ready to spend the rest of my life with her.”