Fever for Three Read Online Free PDF Page A

The question from Josh came out of left field.
    “I…” Okay, weird. Was it weird to sit here with Paulo and make a date with Josh?
    Paulo rumbled a little, the sound one she felt more than heard. “This is only her second week of school, Josh. Let her rest this weekend.
    Josh’s nostrils flared. “I think the drive out to the old grounds is real restful.”
    “Old grounds?”
    Paulo nodded. “Indian dwellings. There are drawings and such.”
    “Oh how fun!” That would be so neat to see. And she just hated to offend anyone.
    “I’ll pick you up Sunday at noon? We’ll take a picnic lunch out and explore.”
    “I… Okay. Okay.” God, she had guilt.
    That calloused hand of Paulo’s landed on her leg again, squeezing. Comforting. Maybe it was okay. She sure hoped it was.
    The biggest pieces of meatloaf she’d ever seen landed on the table. There had to be a pound of meat on her plate. There was also gravy and mashed potatoes, but the meat… Heavens.
    “That’s huge,” she murmured, trying not to admit that it made her mouth water.
    “Yes ma’am.” Josh grabbed his fork. “It’s good for you.”
    She wasn’t sure about that, but it sure looked fine. She tried a bite and she couldn’t help but moan a little. Oh that was yummy.
    Paulo shivered next to her, then tucked in, and then there wasn’t any more talking because they were eating. She made it through about a quarter before she had to slow down, but the boys, lord, they devoured it.
    When she pushed her plate away halfway through, they fell on hers like starving men too.
    “Y’all don’t get fed enough.” She needed to get her little kitchen completely unpacked, make a brisket for…one of them.
    “Well, I ain’t a cook.”
    “You’re not much of anything.” Paulo’s laughter rang out, making her and Josh both stare.
    “I’m a cowboy.”
    “Do you have horses?” She loved horses. She used to have one when she was a girl, a pretty paint named Hannah.
    “I do. Anytime you want to go riding…” Josh trailed off, his cheeks going red. “Either or both of you.”
    Paulo chuckled. “I’ll call. I have plans tonight.”
    Her heart sort of flopped down into her belly with the meatloaf. Paulo had a date? With someone not her?
    “You do?” Josh arched an eyebrow.
    Paulo nodded, took Cheri’s hand. “I’m taking Miss Cheri to get ice cream, and then I’m going to take her home.”
    Oh.
    She smiled so wide her cheeks hurt a bit. “I’d like that a lot.”
    “Good.” Paulo nodded as if it was all settled.
    Josh crossed his arms, leaned back in the booth. “What’s your favorite ice cream, girl?”
    “I like java chip best. Chocolate and coffee, you know?”
    “You like your coffee. I like pistachio. Paulo likes cherry vanilla.”
    “Mmm. Can you get good ice cream close by?”
    “Sure can. At the Dairy Dawg. They have hot dogs and fries, but the best is the ice cream.” Paulo looked so tickled. She’d had a Dairy Dart where she grew up. She’d bet this was the same kind of place.
    “The Dairy Dawg? I love it. I’m so there. Well, after I digest. My goodness that was a lot of meatloaf.”
    “ Esta bien .” Paulo licked his fork, a motion that struck her as oddly erotic.
    She bit her bottom lip then slid from the booth. “Ladies’ room. Be right back.”
    She needed to wash her hands. Powder her nose. Maybe splash cold water on her face.
    They were enough to set a poor schoolteacher on fire.
    * * * * *
     
    Paulo watched the gentle sway of Cheri’s ass as she walked away. Then he turned on Josh. “Will you stop pushing? She needs to be wooed, vato .”
    “Pushing? You’re the one who came to her work, babe.”
    “For food! I’m not asking her to go cruising.” He couldn’t stay mad though, not with Josh grinning like a fool and a belly full of meatloaf.
    “Uh-huh. You’re going to get her ice cream. We all know how that ends up.” Josh licked mashed potato off his fork.
    Paulo watched that pink tongue move,