Nothing Sweeter (Sweet on a Cowboy) Read Online Free Page B

waiting to be called to dinner. Luis, Armando, Manny, Pedro. She worried about matching faces with names. All were tanned and tough-looking, wearing ranch uniforms of worn jeans, boots, and cotton shirts. They appeared of Latino or Indian descent and avoided her eye. She spotted Wyatt waving from across the room. Odd, but next to the real thing, Wyatt seemed a pale, city version of a cowboy. With his refined good looks and blond hair, he shone like gold among quartz.
    She trailed Max to the kitchen, where a doughy Hispanic woman worked at a feverish pace, cutting tomatoes, flipping tortillas in a pan, and shredding cheese almost simultaneously.
    Max came up from behind to lift the stout woman off her feet, hugging her tightly. Aubrey stood stunned. It was as if a roaring grizzly had suddenly turned playful. “And this is Juanita Peña, the real boss around here.”
    “Maxie! You put me down.” He kissed her ear before complying. She swatted his arm with a wooden spoon.
    He turned to Aubrey, playfulness gone so fast she felt delusional. “Tia Nita, this is Bree. She’ll be working for us.”
    The round woman stared up in surprise. “Good to meet you, Miss Bree.
Mi hijo
, you take her to sit down. Dinner is ready in a few minutes.”
    “Let me help you.” Aubrey reached for the cheese grater, but Max grabbed her forearm, tugging her away.
    “She won’t let anyone help.” He led her from the kitchen to a table where Wyatt sat drinking iced tea.
    Wyatt patted the bench next to him, inviting her to sit. “We’ve all tried to make Tia slow down, but she’s more stubborn than Max, if that’s possible.”
    Max scowled. “You just think that because I don’t agree with you. If I’m stubborn, what does that make you, I wonder?” He rounded the end of the table to lower himself to the bench opposite them.
    “It makes me correct.”
    Max ignored his brother’s smug smile, put his elbows on the table and leaned in. “Wyatt, you should see the barn office. You won’t recognize it.” He arched a dark brow at Aubrey.
    “That reminds me.” Wyatt dug in the pocket of his jeans to retrieve a key, which he handed to Aubrey. “Not that you’d have any problems, but I’m sure you’ll sleep better knowing you’re locked in.”
    A rush of freedom blew through her like a strong breeze. Her fingers closed around the key. Not long ago, that scrap of metal represented power. Power she did not possess.
    “She is
not
bunking in the stable.” Max’s face darkened. “It’s not safe. Or appropriate.” He glanced around the room. “She’s a beautiful woman, and town’s a long way off.”
    Ignoring heat that was probably a blush, Aubrey snatched the gingham napkin beside her plate and shook it open with an irritated snap. “I happen to be present and am capable of answering for myself. I hardly think mystaying in the house with two single men would be seen as appropriate either.”
    Max sputtered, “Tia Nita is nearby. You’d be safe.”
    She glanced at the tawny skin at the top of his chest, exposed by his denim shirt. Lust filled her bloodstream and carried over to her nerve endings.
Maybe, but I’m not sure you would be.
“Thanks, but I’ll be fine in the barn.” Her voice sounded harsh to her own ears, but no one was going to dictate where she slept. Ever again.
    “Three mules in one harness. It will not be boring here, I think.” Tia Nita stood at the table’s edge, her arms laden with steaming plates. The two men jumped up to take them from her.
    “
Venido!
Or I’ll throw it to the chickens!” she called to the cowboys, then shuffled back to the kitchen. The men bolted to the tables, elbowing one another for a seat. They hurried to pass bowls and dig in to heaping plates.
    Max passed a plate of enchiladas to Aubrey. The corner of his mouth kicked up when her stomach growled.
First I almost wet my pants in front of him, and now…
She took a healthy portion. Others passed her plates of refried beans and