Rough and Ready [Men for Hire 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (6 page)

The older woman who had worked so tirelessly behind the counter scurried over to their table. “Let me guess. This must be Alexia Martin. I’ve heard nothing but good things about you, young lady.”

Alex shook the woman’s hand. “And you have to be the famous Lena, owner of this cute place.”

Lena beamed. “Owner, waitress, scrub woman, and everything in between. But what I wanted to say was thank you for helping folks out around here.”

Alex felt the warmth of the blush fill her cheeks.
Why have I started blushing so much lately?
“I wish everyone would stop thanking me. It’s my job, after all.”

“Pardon my French, sweetie, but that’s a load of bullshit. People like you do the work because of their kind hearts, not because of the pittance of money they get in return.”

“Which is part of why I brought her here, Miss Lena. She deserves the best food in Destiny.” Jeff sat forward and handed Lena his menu.

Alex noticed that many people in Destiny and the surrounding areas referred to their elders with the respectful term of Mister or Miss. It was strange that they used Miss instead of Missus for a married woman, but she assumed it was a Southern tradition. She thought they did it to keep from referring to a woman’s age. She’d have to remember to use the respectful terms, too.

Miss Lena took the menu while shooting him a look. “Oh, horse hockey, Jeff. You brought her here because she’s a pretty girl and you love pretty girls. You’re showing her off.”

Alex smiled, hoping that her true feelings didn’t register on her face. How many pretty girls did he love? How many had he brought to Sandwiches and Saddles?

“True enough, Miss Lena. But she’s special.”

The little devil in that part of her that couldn’t accept a compliment waved her hands to get her attention.
“Don’t fall for his flattery.”

“Um, I’d like one of those juicy hamburgers, please. The aroma of that and the fries are driving me crazy.”

A tiny woman, her mother, appeared next to the little devil.
“Honey, you know better than to do that.
Don’t ever eat in front of a man. Are you trying to call attention to your weight?”

“I’ll eat what I want.”

“I’m sorry?”

Oh, crap.
Both Miss Lena and Jeff stared at her. “Oh, uh, nothing.”

Miss Lena gave Jeff a playful slap. “You take care of this one, young man. She’s a keeper.”

“I sure will. And I’ll have my usual, please.”

“Are you paying?”

Miss Lena’s bluntness surprised Alex, but Jeff took it all in stride.

“Of course. I wouldn’t let my date pay for anything.” Jeff made a face. “Why would you think any different?”

“Just something Kane said once.” Miss Lena patted him on the same spot where she’d slapped him. “Don’t worry. I know he’s just trying to get at you.”

Miss Lena ignored Jeff’s grumbles about Kane and turned back to her. “Alexia, when you come in on your own, you order whatever you want. On the house. But tonight, we’ll let Jeff pay.”

“Thanks, Miss Lena. And, please, call me Alex.”

The older lady winked. “Alex it is.” Miss Lena was off and scurrying back behind the counter, calling out their orders to Bob as she went.

“He eats with his mouth open, you know.”

Jeff’s pleasant expression died as his gaze slid behind her. “What are you doing here? And what the hell have you been telling Miss Lena?”

She twisted around to find Kane shifting to her side to take the chair next to her. His dark eyes twinkled with mischief and his incredible magnetism hit her hard in the core of her pussy. Again she was struck at the differences, yet similarities, between the two men.

Jeff to Kane. Like light to dark. Clear skies to thunderstorms. It takes one to appreciate the other.

“I asked you what you’re doing here, Kannal.”

Kane didn’t take his gaze off her. “A man’s got to eat. Food, that is.”

She would’ve sworn he could see into her soul as he added, “Among other things.”

Other things? Oh, my.

She took him in, more than aware of the sexuality pouring off him. The flash of an image swept over her. Jeff and Kane straddled her over the top of the table, one standing near her head, the other between her legs.

All at once, the temperature in the small diner shot higher. She swallowed hard.

Two men at once. I think little Mikey really did drive me crazy.

“A man doesn’t have to eat here. So pick your ass up and get going.”

“Are you telling me? Or asking me?”

“Take it either way you want, Kane, as long as you disappear.”

“Naw. I think I’ll stick around.”

“Kane, damn it. I’m warning you.”

“Warn away. See how much good it does you.”

She jerked out of the strange semitrance as the sound of chairs scraping the floor brought her back to reality. “What’s with you two?”

They stood, toe-to-toe, then turned to her then, almost as though they’d forgotten she was there.

So much for my ego.

The snarl on Jeff’s face was gone in a second, replaced once again by his smile. “I’m sorry, Alex.”

“Did she say you could call her Alex?”

Oh, for pity’s sake
.

“If it’ll make you two stop squabbling like Mikey and his little brother, then you can both call me Alex.”

Kane’s hand was on the back of his chair as he started to sit down again. “You don’t mind if I join you, do you, Alex?”

She didn’t, but she also didn’t have time to tell him that before he was already seated.

“Alexia Martin, right?”

She turned to the pretty young woman standing by the counter. Like the rest of the diner’s customers, the woman watched and waited to see what would happen next.

“Yes?” She stood, ready to take a break from the two men. They were sexy as hell, but she couldn’t handle their rivalry. Besides, she recognized the woman.

“Hi. I’m—”

Alex was over to her in a flash with her hand extended. “Sela Reynolds. I know. Oh, wow, I love your music. Especially your latest song.”

“Thanks.” Her wavy blonde hair bounced around her shoulders. “And thanks for being here to help.”

It seemed everyone in the town was out to thank her. She appreciated the gratitude, and coming from pop star Sela Reynolds made it all the more special. “It’s no problem. I’m glad I could be here to help.”

Sela nodded to Jeff and Kane, who were deep in discussion, then took Alex’s arm. They moved off to a small area of the diner that was set aside for games. “You’re kind of caught in the middle, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, I guess I am.”
What are they doing now? Playing darts? How did they go from squabbling to playing a game together?

“Don’t let it bug you too much. Jeff and Kane have always had this love-hate relationship.”

“I can see the hate part of it, but where’s the love?”

Sela’s laughter was as musical as her singing voice. “I know it’s hard to believe, but most of the folks around here think they actually like each other. Down deep, that is.”

“Down deep as in the center of the earth? Because I just don’t see it.”

Sela motioned for Miss Lena to put the burgers Alex and Jeff had ordered on the counter. “Yeah, I know. Truth is, I think they just need a common bond to bring them together. Like two halves to a whole, you know? Like the dark needs the light.”

“If you say so.” Hadn’t she thought the same thing?

Sela helped herself to Jeff’s hamburger. Hungry, Alex took a bite of hers. “Oh, my God. That’s the best burger I’ve ever tasted.”

“It is, right?” Sela took another bite, chewed, swallowed, then closed her eyes in pure joy before opening them again. “I’ve traveled a lot and eaten at places that claim to have the best food, but nothing beats Bob and Lena’s cooking.”

“So what are you doing in Destiny?”

“I live here. With the men of my dreams, by the way.”

It seemed Destiny had a lot of surprises. “Really? I would’ve thought you’d live in LA or New York.”

“Nope. I fell in love with three cowboys, so I live where they live.”

“Did you say three?” Alex hadn’t meant to speak with her mouth full. She covered her mouth and swallowed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound all judgy.” Truth was, she was impressed and intrigued.

“I don’t mind.” Sela, burger in hand, pointed at Jeff and Kane. “All I’m saying is that you should give them a break. They’re both really good guys. They’re men any woman would be proud to call her own. They’re honest, strong, hardworking, brave, and contrary to what you might think watching them right now, they’re intelligent, too.”

She wasn’t sure what to say. Instead, she remained quiet and studied them. Sela was right. She could see those qualities in them.

“Listen, Alex. I have a knack at recognizing when there’s something special between people.”

Kane bumped his shoulder against Jeff’s, knocking him out of the way for his next turn.

“And you think there’s something special between Jeff and me? Or me with Kane?” She smothered a giggle. “Or between the two of them?”

“Oh, you’re a funny girl. I like that. You’re close, but not close enough.” Sela popped a fry into her mouth and moaned. “Man, but the fries are to die for. I don’t get to eat much junk food.” She patted her flat stomach. “Got to make sure I can fit into my stage attire.”

Just once, I’d like to know what it feels like to have a flat tummy.

Instead, she nodded as though she knew exactly what Sela meant. “So what were you saying about them?”

Sela pushed the plate away with two-thirds of the fries and half the burger still there. Alex took another bite and told herself that she’d start a diet tomorrow. Wasn’t it always tomorrow?

“What I’m saying is that I see a spark between you, Jeff, and Kane.”

“You do? I was just kidding before.” Her attention jumped from Sela to the men. She tried to ignore the thrill that fluttered in her not-flat stomach.

“No, I’m not kidding. But you’ve got to do something about their rivalry at some point. Like pushing them to realize that it’s you or nothing. Together, rather than with only one of them.”

Alex couldn’t see it. The possibility that Sela spoke of was only a fantasy. Still, she couldn’t fight the excitement she felt. Jeff’s and Kane’s voice grew louder as they argued over the last point.

“You know what they’re doing, don’t you?”

“They’re arguing over a stupid dart game.”

“Yes and no. They’re playing a game to see who gets you.”

She had to force herself to close her mouth. “Now I know you’re kidding.”

“Nope. I’m sorry to say that I’m not.”

Anger flashed inside her. “What do they think I am? A prize at the county fair?”

Sela put her hand on her arm in an apparent attempt to calm her. “No, don’t go there. It’s wrong of them to do it, but like I said, give them a break.”

But she couldn’t. Men had treated her like less-than-the-skinny-girls all her life. Did they think that competing for her in a dart game would make her feel special? Or were they just that stupid not to know better?

“I’m sorry, Sela. I’ve had my fill of dealing with little children today.” She pushed the plate away, marched over and grabbed her purse. Pausing for a moment, she waited for them to notice her.

They’ve got to be out of their minds. They’re fighting over me, but they don’t even
see
me?

She waited a little longer and still nothing. It was getting more embarrassing the longer she stood there. Finally, she gave up and strode back to Sela.

“Would you mind giving me a ride back to Miss Daisy’s?”

* * * *

Kane lifted his arms above his head in the traditional victory salute. “You, bro, have been served.”

“Bro?”

Damn it.
He hadn’t meant to say that. It had just come out. “It’s just a saying. Don’t go letting your girly side get the better of you.”

Jeff tossed his remaining dart at the board, scoring a bull’s eye. “Damn. Of course, now I hit it.”

Kane gave him one of Jeff’s own shit-eating grins. “Leave now, loser, while you still have a shred of dignity left.”

“Fuck. Don’t look now but she’s gone.”

Kane had gotten so involved in the game that he hadn’t noticed Alex leaving. “Where’d she go?”

Miss Lena stood nearby with her arms crossed over her nonexistent chest. “You two take the cake, don’t you? While you were busy having your pissing match, that sweet young girl took off. And I don’t blame her one bit.”

Kane’s stomach flipped over. Why the hell hadn’t he noticed? But who’d have thought that she’d leave?

Jeff ran a hand along the back of his neck, and Kane could well imagine the tension setting up shop there. His own neck was getting stiff.

“We’re a couple of damn fools, Kane. There’s no telling if Alex will speak to either one of us ever again. I’d laugh about this if I wasn’t so pissed off.”

Jeff had a point. They’d tried so hard to win her that both of them had lost her. “Shit and double shit. Pardon my language, Miss Lena.”

“Boy, your language is the last thing you need to worry about.” She let out a couple of
tisks
then spun on her heel and headed back to the kitchen.

“Wait a sec, Miss Lena.”

The sweet older woman, a woman who had never failed to give him the warmest of welcomes, scowled at him. “Yes?”

“She came here with Jeff. Are you telling us that she walked back to Miss Daisy’s?” It was a long walk, but not a hard one. Still, even in Destiny, walking after dark wasn’t the best option for a young woman.

“Sela took her home.”

Jeff was out the door before him, but he wasn’t concerned. Jeff wouldn’t make it to Daisy’s before he would. He’d made sure of that before he’d walked through the door of Sandwiches and Saddles.

Kane slid behind the wheel of his truck then waited a moment. It wouldn’t take too long before Jeff found out about his little handiwork.