Read Naked Heat: Naked Cowboys, Book 7 for Free Online Page B

such a help to him with everything.
    The minute he walked into the kitchen tonight, however, he smelled a setup. He’d seen it before, blissful couples who all wanted to spread the happiness around and just couldn’t seem to stop themselves. If only he didn’t find himself attracted to this woman they seemed determined to put in his path. At the moment, he should only be thinking of one thing. Nothing else.
    It was obvious the others all knew each other well, yet they went out of the way to make him comfortable. Mac had to admit this was the friendliest place he’d ever been. Even though his visits into town had been brief, all the people Cade introduced him to had been very welcoming. He had to admit that while he’d only been here for a little less than two weeks, the town of Saddle Wells was beginning to grow on him, as were the people.
    “If you need protection,” the man introduced as Liam told him, grinning, “my fiancée works part time as a sheriff’s deputy.” He put his arm around a petite redhead standing next to him and pulled her to his side.
    “Forgive me if I sound sexist,” Mac told him, “but she doesn’t look like she’d be able to protect much of anything.”
    The couple looked at each other and laughed.
    “A lot of people have thought that and lived to regret it. Charity spent ten years with Dallas PD. I’d want her on my side in any fight.”
    “When you get to know her better,” Amy Montgomery put in, “get her to tell you about how she and my boss took down a drug dealer here in little old Saddle Wells.”
    Mac’s eyebrows lifted almost to his hairline. “You’re kidding, right?”
    “Uh uh.” Amy grinned. “She’s our local hero.”
    “Actually. That’s my boss,” Charity told him. “He’d be here tonight, only he and his wife had some big event they had to attend.”
    “Dillon hates it,” Liam said, “but his wife’s the publisher of The Hill Country Herald , and there are some things she’s obligated to go to.”
    Mac’s brain whirled. Publisher? Sheriff? Could they help him with his search? They certainly had the connections. He just had to decide if he could let them in on his secret. He was afraid Dillon would know he was out for revenge and sit on him. He’d have to think on that.
    “Steaks are done,” Cade hollered.
    In minutes, the food was carried from the kitchen to the porch table. Cade piled the steaks onto platters and then they were all sitting at the patio tables. Everyone coupled up, and surprise…once again he, and Nida were skillfully maneuvered so they were sitting next to each other.
    “The steaks are delish, Cade,” Cyn Orosco commented.
    “Did you put some of my wife’s special rub on them?” the man sitting next to her asked.
    “I think we decided to be good since we have company tonight,” Cade joked.
    Mac frowned. “Am I missing something here?” When no one answered, he looked at Nida next to him. “Nida? Is there something I should know?”
    “Um, Cyn has a store in town where she sells her special barbecue sauce and rub.”
    “Right.” Mac snapped his fingers. “I saw you standing out on the sidewalk the other day with a tray of some kind. That was you, right?”
    “It was.” The blush that crept up her cheeks surprised him.
    “Cyn hands out samples of chicken and beef with her seasoning on it,” the man next to her told him. He’d been introduced as her husband, Jesse. “You should stop by and try some. Use it on your barbecue.” He grinned at his wife.
    Mac slid a glance at Nida. “We have great barbecue in San Antonio too. What’s so special about this one?”
    She poked at a vegetable on her plate, avoiding his eyes. “It has, um, a special ingredient in it.”
    “Like what?” He had the feeling he was the only one here who didn’t get the joke.
    “We’re just joking around,” Buck Montgomery said also. “It’s pretty spicy and we didn’t know how much seasoning you liked.”
    He shrugged.