Read A Four-Gone Conclusion: Lone Star Lovers, Book 5 for Free Online

the subject of love comes up. Maybe you have a point.”
    Johnny didn’t like her agreeing with that sentiment. He’d want her happy. Satisfied with her life. If she fancied herself in love, she might stick around longer. Not that he believed in a roses and promises kind of love either. Love of family, now that he believed in. He had that now.
    Killian gave her a smile. “So how’d you end up here?”
    Ellie grinned, looking a little sheepish. “I ran out of gas.”
    “Seriously?”
    “Yeah, right on Main Street. I wandered into Katie’s Diner and asked for the nearest station. Katie sent Ole Win with a gas can to get me fixed up, served me a meal, and by the time I was done, offered me a job. Katie had been desperate to find someone to take over for her. The hours were long and she wasn’t up to it, not fighting morning sickness and swollen feet. And her husband, Cutter, hovered over her. ’Bout drove her crazy. It was sweet, but he was driving her nuts.”
    “So it all worked out,” Killian said.
    She nodded. “Yes. I like Two Mule. It’s small. You get to know people. I’ve never really had that.”
    “Bein’ on a ranch is smaller,” Johnny said.
    Killian gave him a frown then gave Ellie an easy smile. “We have hands and they come and go, but it’s the same guys, seasonal work. No women around.”
    The way they all homed in on her had her twitching in her chair. Now she knew for sure she’d be the lone woman among a pack of lonely men.
    “A woman might get lonely for girl talk,” Johnny said, ignoring Killian’s warning glances. Ellie had a right to know, up front, what it would be like.
    “I’m not much for girl talk,” she said.
    Did that mean she was thinking about it? A foot connected with his shin.
    Johnny eyed Killian who sat opposite him. He didn’t need to be reminded he hadn’t said a positive word. He turned to Ellie. “You’d be too busy to be lonely.”
    The twins frowned.
    Killian snorted. “Bro, we’re trying to woo her not scare her away.”
    “That’s okay,” Ellie said. “I’m not scared of hard work, but I haven’t said I’ll stay.” She set down her fork. “I’m not doing dishes. Who’s taking me home?”
    “You’re not goin’ anywhere,” Johnny grumbled, then cursed to himself for being so blunt.
    Her hands folded tightly in front of her. “You mean you’re going to keep up this farce? We’ve had our date. I made you dinner. Now I’d like to go home. I have work in the morning. A diner to run.”
    “Stay closed,” he said, afraid he sounded like a cranky bear because he was growling. “Call Cindy and say you’re sick. She can put up a sign.”
    “I’m not sick.”
    “You’re also not goin’.” Johnny stood slowly, until once again, he dwarfed her.
    Her gaze rose and rose. Her jaw lost its stubborn edge. Again, her tongue darted out to wet her lips.
    Was she hoping for another kiss?
    “We thought we might have some fun,” Jason said as though he hadn’t a clue about the tension between him and Ellie. “Show you what it’d be like.”
    She blinked and glanced sideways toward him. “We?”
    “Wouldn’t you like to know who you like best before you decide?”
    “Who I like best?” Bright red spots stained her cheeks again. “What are you planning on, takin’ turns so I can judge?”
    The way her voice rose with each slowly enunciated word said more about her agitation than the spark of anger in her eyes.
    “Choose two,” Johnny blurted.
    “Choose two for now,” Killian amended.
    “Which of us do you want?” Mace asked.
    “Or we could draw straws,” Jason said, then nodded to his brother.
    “Draw straws?” Her hands hit the table and she shot up from her chair. “Why do you need my input at all? You choose and just let me know what you decide.” She turned sharply and walked toward the kitchen door, the one leading to the living room.
    “Where ya goin’?” Jason called after her.
    “Home. Walkin’ if I have to.” And