Monroe, Marla - Their Bartered Bride [Men of the Border Lands 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read Free Page B

clearing it out the first of the next week. They needed to see to the cows first since they’d been gone all day.
    He jumped down from the porch instead of taking the steps and headed for the barn to check on the four horses they had. They would need more of the hay they grew and hand cut. He and Joel hadn’t felt safe leaving them out in the field with the wolves around. Lately, the wolves had begun to become more of a problem then they had been.
    Joel found him there nearly an hour later. He had just finished grooming the last horse.
    “They doing okay?” Joel asked, indicating the horses.
    “Yeah. I’m sure they’ll be happier outside tomorrow, though.”
    “I think one of us needs to stick close to her for a few days until she’s used to the area. Want to work close to the house tomorrow while I check on the herd?”
    “Um, yeah, sure. I can work in the garden getting it cleared out and ready to till under.”
    “She’s a pretty woman, Jonathan. Sexually, I want her in a bad way, but there’s more to her than sex. She deserves a relationship, and that’s something that takes time.” Joel leaned back against the barn door.
    Jonathan moved the lamp to a nail on the wall and stood there trying to decide what Joel expected him to say.
    “You know I want her. Hell, she knows I want her. My fucking cock has been standing at attention almost since we first saw her, but I’m not going to push her toward a relationship, if that’s what you’re worried about. I have a hand. I can take care of myself.”
    “I’m in the same boat, Jonathan. I’m not accusing you of anything. I’m just telling you that I think we have a good chance at maybe having a family with her if we’re careful.” Joel pushed off the door with his elbows and opened it so that the last of the dying sun’s rays crossed the threshold.
    “I’ll see you when you come inside. I’m going to go ahead and get a shower. Going to be a long day tomorrow.” Joel walked off toward the house.
    Jonathan ran his hands through his hair and wondered how long a relationship took to build.

Chapter Three

    Leigh woke early the next morning, having slept like a log all night long. She had to admit, it was the first good night’s rest she’d had in a very long time. Lately, she was always waiting for someone to reach out and squeeze her breasts or try and get between her legs. The fact that she had slept without worrying that one or both of the brothers were going to come in and accost her said how much trust she had placed in Joel’s promise.
    She dressed in jeans and a slightly snug T-shirt before running the borrowed brush through her hair and pulling it back with one of the hair clips she found on the dresser. Everything in the room needed dusting, but then most of the house needed a good going-over as well, she was sure. She would know more once the sun shone in the rooms.
    She tiptoed down the stairs and found that she was indeed the first one in the kitchen. She located their coffee and the pot they had obviously used to make it. She figured she could make it if they could, and measured out enough for the three of them and turned on the burner.
    Then she began looking through the cabinets to find what all they had available. At first she didn’t think they had anything worth cooking until she found the pantry and cellar. There she found all their canned goods, cured meat, and staples. There were a few old potatoes almost beyond using, as well as a good amount of new potatoes they had obviously just gotten. She peeled the old potatoes and put them on to boil. She’d make them potato patties and some of their cured beef. It should keep them until lunchtime. By then she would have a better handle on where everything was located.
    She had just poured up a cup of coffee for herself when the clomp of boots hitting the stairs let her know at least one of the brothers was up and around. Joel walked into the kitchen and stopped as if surprised to see