Espino, Stacey - Hardcore Cowboys [Ride 'em Hard 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Stacey Espino Page A

just a look, a few words?
    As much as she wanted to fall for Val’s sweet comment, it couldn’t be real, not when she’d been on the farm only a few days.
    “Are your brothers as willing to have a woman on the ranch?” She referred mostly to Cord, and the awareness in Val’s eyes told her he understood. Although Cord made it clear he wanted her, and they seemed to love each others’ company, he kept their new relationship a secret from friends and neighbors. He wasn’t open with his emotions and very set in his ways. It was difficult for her to read him, which only made her more eager for his acceptance.
    “He’s my twin, Samantha. I know him more than I think he knows himself most days.”
    “Okay, so how does he feel?”
    Val tucked an escaped curl back into her hat. He was wearing a thick plaid jacket and scarf, hiding the muscled body she loved. His handsome face was reward enough. “Well, I think he’s tired of living alone in that big house. Tired of working with no one to enjoy the fruits of his labor. I’m also positive he’s sick of sleeping alone at night dreaming of a cute little brunette to tuck close.”
    “Are you sure we’re still talking about Cord?” She could barely speak, so enamored by his loving confession.
    “We’re twins.” He kissed her lips. She closed her eyes, thankful for the much desired intimacy. “We usually know how the other thinks.” More kisses. “We do everything together.”
    She reached up and grabbed his neck, pulling him closer so he’d shut up and kiss her like she needed. The twins certainly did everything together, and very well. The Carson brothers had such a rustic appeal. Val didn’t even shiver, his body hard and well adapted to working outdoors in the long Canadian winters.
    It was difficult not to image him during the summer months—sweat glistened, bronzed skin, and lots of exposed muscle. She’d be long gone by then. A heavy sense of gloom settled over her from just imagining the day she’d leave the ranch. She knew it would be soon because this wasn’t real and had to end sooner or later.
    “Val, why are none of you married?”
    He shrugged. “Haven’t found the right woman, I suppose.”
    Was she the right woman?
    His mood shifted as if avoiding the new line of conversation. It only confirmed that they didn’t want her long term. “Come on. You haven’t seen the chickens yet. Maybe they’ll be more to your fancy.” Before they set off for the chicken coops, Val grabbed the butt end of a pitch fork and used the impressive strength in his arms to shovel over enough hay to keep the cattle happy for a while. His breathing didn’t even quicken. He just took a deep breath and stabbed the pitch fork back into the ground before wrapping an arm around her shoulders to lead her away.
    The coop was bustling with life, a micro environment oblivious to the outside world. Val handed her a wicker basket and urged her to enter with a gentle hand to the back.
    “Come on now...” He reached into one of the nests and passed her an egg. It wasn’t white and clean like the ones she bought in the grocery store. There were bits of dried blood on it, and it was speckled brown. When he placed it in her hand she noted the warmth and held it as if it were priceless. The chatter of the birds was almost comical and lifted her spirits.
    She smiled as she explored. “Wait ’til you see the chicks,” he said. “We don’t have any now, but just wait until the snow melts. There’ll be plenty of little ones running around the yard.”
    Samantha used the opportunity to mention the fact she was leaving, hoping there was an answer other than saying goodbye. “I’ll be gone by then.”
    He frowned but quickly smoothed the lines away with a dismissive wink. She followed him out the door and back into the cool air.
    “I love this land, darlin’. I can’t imagine leaving. I’d hope that you’d grow to love it in time, too.”
    “It’s not my home.” Her head