Dalton, Tymber - Hernando Heat (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Read Online Free PDF

eligible men who’d been by to help with repairs or check on her had made the slightest attempt to ask her out.
    Highly unusual. Normally she would have to turn away at the very least two or three invites to a church dinner.
    She pumped herself a large pot of water and heated it on the stove while she filled her small washtub with water. A warm bath would help soothe her nerves and make her feel better. She even unpinned her hair and washed it as well. She carefully dried her hair and pinned it up, even though it was still a little damp in back, and donned one of her best dresses. She couldn’t help but jump at the knock on her front door at six.
    Both men stood there, freshly shaven and their own hair damp from washing. Mason made the introduction. “Miz Dorchester, this is my cousin, Joseph Lansing.”
    He held out a hand. “Call me Joe.” If his playful blue eyes were any indication of his temperament, she suspected she might have a problem on her hands. His blond hair, lightened even further by working in the sun, stood in stark contrast to Mason’s dark hair. Approximately the same height, neither man was one she’d turn her nose up at.
    She swallowed hard. “You can call me Katie. Just let me check the back locks and I’m ready to go.”
    She fanned herself as she hurried to her room and checked the screen door, then the back door. Goodness, two handsome men! She chided herself for the next wicked thought that crossed her mind and sent pulses of need to her core. I am a widow. Who says I can’t let them both court me?
    The men smiled at her return. They waited for her to lock her front door and place the key in her reticule, which she hung from her wrist. “All right, I’m ready.”
    The men flanked her, both extending their arms. Laughing and feeling better than she had all day, she hooked her arms through theirs and allowed both of them to escort her across the street.
    When they reached the Fellowship Hall, Joe released her arm and held the door for her and Mason to go first. She didn’t miss how her popularity had suddenly risen as people she barely knew seemed to line up to talk to her. Not to mention several of the single girls shot her dark looks for being on the eligible bachelor’s arm.
    She also didn’t miss how Joe, despite drawing attention from several eager single women, made his way to a far corner and tried to keep to himself.
    Once she and Mason had freed themselves from the crowd, they made their way over to where Joe sat. “Have you given thought to our offer?” Mason asked.
    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