When Bruce Met Cyn by Lori Foster

of course, is my not-so-mean husband, Bryan.”
    The girl gave a sheepish grin and accepted handshakes. “Cynthia Potter. ‘Cyn’ to my friends.”
    Bryan still struggled with disbelief. “You say you spent the night with Bruce?”
    â€œOn his couch,” she clarified. She doctored the coffee with cream and sugar. “He gave me a ride into town and it was late and so he let me crash. I’m hunting up a job today.” She glanced up and grimaced. “And a place to stay.”
    Bryan saw his wife go on the alert. Shay couldn’t resist helping people, and he loved that about her, but her efforts to save the world sometimes exhausted him. Since they’d finished their house, a huge undertaking all on its own, she’d been on a regular rampage of town improvements. From the fire department to the sheriff’s office to the schools, Shay wanted a hand in making everything better.
    â€œAny luck finding a job yet?”
    Cyn shook her head. “Not even a nibble. I guess I need to get settled first so I can give a place of residence and phone number and all that. I’d wanted to get the job first, but…” She shrugged like someone well used to adversity.
    A wolf whistle was heard above the din of conversation and Cyn stiffened. Chagrined, she glanced toward the men ogling her, then away again.
    Bryan, too, looked at the men, and his smile wasn’t nice. It was the same look he used to discourage men from ogling his wife. And as always, it worked like a charm.
    Shay laughed. “Yep, mean.”
    Bryan disregarded her teasing; he knew Shay enjoyed his more possessive tendencies. “Sorry about that,” he told Cyn. “Some guys have no manners.”
    â€œIt’s because you’re beautiful,” Shay said. “I imagine you get that a lot.”
    Cyn looked more pained by the moment.
    Sympathizing with her, Bryan folded his arms across his chest and settled back in his seat. “Shay, didn’t you need to be on your way?”
    She waved that off. “In a moment.” And then to Cyn: “If you don’t mind me prying—”
    â€œAs if anyone could stop you,” Bryan said, and got an evil look from Shay in return.
    â€œWhat type of job are you looking for?”
    Cyn relaxed at the change of subject. “I’m not in a position to be picky. Anything would do, as long as it pays enough that I won’t starve.”
    â€œMy do-gooder wife and saintly brother would never let that happen.”
    Shay kicked him under the table and Bryan jumped. “Damn it, woman, that hurt.”
    â€œThen behave and it won’t happen again.”
    Cyn laughed. “You and your brother may look alike, but you’re plenty different.”
    Bryan rubbed at his shin. “In some ways, yeah, but don’t let him fool you too much.” He scooted out of reach before Shay could land another kick.
    â€œHe told me you’re a bounty hunter.”
    â€œUsed to be, yeah. I like being with my wife too much—when she’s not violent—to be on the road for weeks at a time, and that’s what it takes to be a bounty hunter. You go where the criminals go. Now I’m a domesticated lamb.”
    Shay gave a rude hoot of laughter over that exaggeration. Bryan just grinned. “Actually, I own a warehouse that distributes security equipment. It’s about an hour north of here.”
    Glowing with pride, Shay added, “The business is new, but Bryan’s drawing customers from everywhere. He’s used most of the equipment that he sells, so he knows what works and what doesn’t. People trust him. He’s got a mail order catalogue and Web-based sales, too.”
    Suddenly Bruce appeared beside the table. He was with Julie Rose, the schoolteacher. The two saw each other whenever Julie Rose was available, and though she was engaged, she was available more often than not.
    Sometimes, Bryan wondered