Part 6 (1/2)

50.

”I know, but he still treats me like a child. I'm a grown woman now, and he's so protective. It's a habit, I guess, but he needs to just relax a bit, enjoy himself and let others worry about stuff for a change.”

”It's easy to fall into a particular pattern of behavior and hard to see when it's no longer relevant.”

”You see, you understand. You have a good way with words, Rachael.”

”Well, saying and doing are two different things. Maybe when you've finished college you could be more actively involved in the family business, and demonstrate that you are ready to take on some responsibility. The alternative is to do your own thing somewhere else.”

”That's something to think about,” she nodded.

Rachael took a last sip of her coffee. ”I'm afraid I have to finish a few ch.o.r.es today and be at my home for a delivery. It was really nice meeting you, Janet. I'll see you tomorrow evening. Good luck with your brothers.”

By the time she got to her car, Rachael had made a number of conclusions about the Rydens. They were from a menage family, so she guessed that Joshua and James probably wanted the same thing.

How disappointing, because she couldn't imagine being intimate with James. He was too much like both of her brothers. Joshua was controlling and dominant, but now she understood why. She had to admit she liked the way he was. It was s.e.xy, but she wondered if he would he ever be prepared to occasionally relinquish control. ”Now that I'd like to see,” she said to herself and then sighed, resigned to the fact that it wasn't going to happen.

Rachael drove to the cabin and quickly applied the second coat of paint. She made certain that all the doors were wide open to air the rooms. The mattress arrived, and she asked the two delivery guys, Lance and Paul, to help her put the old one in the rafters. It would do temporarily for guests. She offered them a coffee, and they both

51.

looked disappointed that they didn't have the time. They had other deliveries to make, and as it was their own business, they couldn't afford to be slack on the job.

”Are you going to the dance tomorrow night?” Lance asked.

”Sure am. I'm told it's a must-do thing.”

”Well, save a dance for us then, Rachael.” They grinned as they headed out to their truck.

She smiled and waved good-bye, feeling flattered by the attention but nothing more.

Rachael had already purchased linens and a few other items to allow more permanent habitation. The bed looked sumptuous with crisp, white Egyptian cotton sheets, and she couldn't help having a bounce on it. The cabin smelled like new and looked bright and cheery yet cozy. It would make a good little home.

For most of the next day, Rachael moved her few belongings from Colin's house, but left a suitcase of clothes there because she was going to get ready for the dance with Susan and she hadn't decided what she was going to wear. She arrived early that evening because Susan wanted help with her hair.

”What are you gonna wear tonight, honey?” Susan asked as Rachael used the curling irons on her long blonde hair.

”I'm not sure. What's the dress code?” Rachael had brought a few fancy dresses with her from England, but they seemed a bit formal for a county dance.

”Well, obviously, jeans if you've no imagination. You can't go wrong with jeans, but I bet you'd look great in those brown leather snakeskin pants I spied in your case.”

”Yeah, they'll do if I can fit into them. I can dress them up a bit with a gold strappy top I have. What about you?”

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”Jeans. I've no imagination.” Susan laughed. ”But I'll wear black ones and a s.e.xy sequined top. I have to keep my men on their toes, you know.”

Rachael showered, shaved, and plucked. She normally kept her p.u.s.s.y partially bare, with a tuft of fuzz for the sake of decency in the women's locker room, but tonight she shaved it completely. Often, she dressed in practical clothes and kept a professional exterior, so it was her erotic little secret. It made her feel sensual and naughty. Her hair took no time at all because it only did one style: a short, curly bob. She finished applying a little makeup and added some gold hoop earrings and a gold choker. To her surprise, the pants slid on fairly easily and didn't feel tight at all. There were days when she had to springboard into them. She reckoned it was all the running around getting the cabin ready, not to mention all the small worries a.s.sociated with relocating.

She checked herself in the mirror and was pleased with what she saw. Rachael wasn't pet.i.te. She had a body built for work, but instead of trying to starve herself thin, she had embraced her inherent strengthatoned up, got fit and built some muscle. She turned around and inspected the rear view. Her b.u.t.t actually looked quite good. It would never be described as small, but a little junk in the trunk was fas.h.i.+onable these days, and the thin, soft leather hugged her curves and hinted at the firm body beneath.

Her s.h.i.+mmering gold top revealed toned, slightly muscular arms that she worked hard to get. It wasn't simply a matter of vanity. She had to be able to cope with the physical demands of working with livestock. The top clung in all the right places, emphasizing her firm chest and flat stomach. It's only a county dance. He might not even be there. She cautioned herself about thinking of Joshua. If he wanted to share her with his brother, then it would have to be over before it really began.

She headed to the living room where Colin and Mark were waiting.

53.

”My, my, doesn't she look fine?” Mark sang.

”She does indeed. We'll be beating them off with a stick,” Colin replied.

”Well, I must say that you gentlemen look very das.h.i.+ng, too.”

”That's why I married them, only for their looks,” Susan chirped as she sauntered into the room.

Colin, Mark, and Rachael turned to Susan, who looked radiant.

Her long hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders and down her back. Both men appeared totally smitten and stood stock still regarding their wife, with love and desire stamped all over their faces.

Mark swallowed hard. ”You look so beautiful, darlin'. Colin and I must be the luckiest guys alive.”

Judging by the intense stares, Rachael guessed that some heated nonverbal communication was going on between the three of them.

”Don't even think about it. We've got a guest.” Susan chuckled s.e.xily and winked at her men. They groaned and rolled their eyes.

”Oh, cheers, I'd feel bad if I thought that you weren't going to be getting any later, but right now I'm Norma No-Mate, and I can't bring myself to feel sorry for both of you, so saddle up and let's go,”

Rachael ordered with a cheeky grin.