Read The Sextet Presents… By Male Order [In Days of Olde] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) for Free Online Page B

her farm.”
    “What she needs,” Abe said, “is another husband. Ain’t right for a woman in this wild country to stay single, especially when she’s got a farm far too large for her to manage on her own.”
    “Which is why she hired us,” Thomas said, stepping into the discussion. “Your concern is admirable, sir, but misplaced. Things are running quite smoothly now.”
    Alec smiled, knowing that no one else there could possibly know it, but Thomas seldom engaged in arguments. The time he’d blown up at Mrs. Finster was one of the few times he’d initiated a confrontation. Whenever Alec lost his temper, Thomas would simply walk away until Alec cooled down. To have him defend Hope spoke volumes of his feelings for her.
    “She needs a husband , not employees ,” Abe insisted. “What’s she gonna do when you both up and leave?” He gave them both a quick head-to-toe perusal. “You look like the type that might take off for the gold fields and leave her high and dry.”
    “Not likely,” Thomas replied. Then he dismissed Abe by turning to Annabelle. “I am also here to pick up a crate that was shipped from St. Louis.”
    “You’ll have to bring a wagon ’round back,” she replied. “It’s too heavy for me to carry.”
    “Hope, I’m going to drive the wagon to the back. Why don’t you and Alec finish getting our supplies and meet me there?”
    Hope gave him a curt nod.
    Alec didn’t like how quiet and intimidated his Hope was, and he placed the blame on Abe Driscoll. While he knew there was more to the story, he wouldn’t press her in front of witnesses. On the way home would be soon enough.
    Taking the list from her hands, Alec glared at Annabelle. “Let’s get the things we need. Then I can help Thomas with his crate. We wouldn’t want to keep ye from serving other customers.”
     
    * * * *
     
    They were well away from the town before Alec started in with his questions. For him, that was showing an enormous amount of self-control. “What is between you and that man, Hope?”
    “Man?” She kept her eyes on the horses’ rumps, but a blush covered her cheeks.
    “Abe Driscoll. What is he to you?”
    She gave him a dainty shrug.
    “Ye were frightened of him.”
    “I wasn’t.”
    “Then why were ye trembling?”
    Thomas rubbed her thigh. “You know that Alec and I will protect you—from anyone or anything.”
    “I thank you for that, but Abe’s not dangerous,” she whispered.
    “Then why the fear?” Alec asked.
    Hope’s stubborn silence ate at him.
    In his frustration, he reached over to snatch the reins from her hands, thinking he’d stop the horses and make her answer his question.
    Hope flinched, quickly turning away from him.
    He felt like an ogre. “I’m sorry, lass. I dinnae mean to scare ye.”
    She replied with a snort and faced him. There was a restrained fury in her eyes, and he wondered for a moment if she’d strike out at him.
    When he tried to hand her the reins, she shook her head. “You wanted them, you steer us home.”
    Since he’d had some experience handling a team of horses, he didn’t panic. The team was moving at a decent clip, and now that she had nothing to do, perhaps she would finally answer his questions. “Who is Abe Driscoll, and what does he want from ye?”
    “He owns one of the largest farms in the area. His land butts up to mine.”
    “Ah…so that’s what he wants from ye. The farm.”
    “Is he your friend?” Thomas asked.
    “He was Billy’s friend, not mine. He only wants one thing from me—my land. The only way he thinks he can achieve that goal is to marry me. Can we please quit this topic now?”
    “Not yet,” Alec replied. “I want to know one more thing.”
    “Then you’ll cease this inquisition?”
    “Aye.”
    “Then ask your question.”
    The words felt like poison in his mouth. “Do ye want to marry him?”
    “When hell freezes over.”
    Her answer restored Alec’s hope. “Well then, let’s go home.”

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