He was annoyed for even reacting when he saw a rider show up and walk over to the woman. Was that Clay? That piece of shit was trying to get into her pants. He was a player. Why should I give a shit? Like most women, his new young neighbor was probably trouble, anyway. He downed his drink and stumbled back over to the couch.
* * * *
The days had passed and Lena was getting used to people stopping by to say hello or to check on her. She had heard the screen door next door pop open and close a few times during the night, but she never got a glimpse at the man who lived there. She had an interview at Rocky’s Bar and Pub yesterday, and after one look at her body, Rocky hired her on the spot. The outfit was a bit wild and short, but when she visited on a Wednesday during the week, it was so crowded she knew that tips would be really good. She spoke to one of the waitresses, Stella, and she told her the average money she made in tips was about five to six hundred for a Friday or Saturday night. The other plus was that Rocky was willing to hire her without any identification and completely off the books. She had lied about her last name the night Kenny and the Sheriff caught her outside of Doc’s office. They never said anything about it and she wasn’t about to bring it up. She was twenty-one and old enough to work the bar scene. She was used to working the bar, but Rocky wanted her serving drinks and delivering food to hungry patrons. They mostly served bar food and sandwiches. These were the typical munchies people wanted as they drank themselves into a stupor. She thought about Sage again and wondered if she was still working at the restaurant in Detroit. She hoped that Ariel and the guys hadn’t stopped her. Sage was weak, and she needed guidance. If Lena made enough money, maybe she’d go back for Sage and bring her out of Detroit.
Tonight was going to be Lena’s first night working, and she asked Doc if she could leave early.
“You sure you want to work there, honey? There are always fights going on and people getting drunk. My son Kenny and the sheriff, Wyatt, get called there often.”
“I really need to work so I can start paying for things. I can’t allow you, Will, Frank, and Abigail to take care of me financially. I will be fine, Doc. I’ve worked as a bartender in some of the toughest places in Detr—” She stopped talking. That was her past life. This was her new life.
“You were going to say Detroit? Is that where you lived?” he asked.
“Lived? I don’t think that would be the best term for it, Doc. I’d say more like survived, because if I didn’t get out of there, I’d be dead right now. I’m going to take the bike, okay?”
“I can drive you or call one of the guys.”
“No. I need to do this, and I like the exercise. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Be safe, Lena.”
She headed outside and got onto her bike. She carried a small bag that had her uniform in it, which consisted of a short jean miniskirt and a low-cut tank top that said “Rocky’s” across the bust. It may as well have said “Hooters” because her boobs were big and the shirt was mighty small. She didn’t worry about it. She hoped that tonight she made some serious money.
* * * *
Doc Jones stopped by to see Bryant.
“I told you not to come by here.”
“This place is a fucking mess, Bryant. When was the last time you cleaned?”
“None of your business.”
“Bryant you need to come into the office for X-rays and to schedule more rehab.”
“Why bother? I’m all fucked up, and it doesn’t matter.”
“It does matter. If you would continue to do the exercises, then you would feel better. Drinking yourself into oblivion is not going to help you heal.”
“I like drinking myself into oblivion. Just leave me alone.”
“You look like you haven’t slept in a while. Are you in pain?” his father asked as he walked around the room, trying to pick up some of the garbage.
“I can’t sleep with that new neighbor living a few yards away. What the fuck is that all about anyway?”
“It’s about helping a young woman who was living on the streets. She’s a real nice young lady. She’s been working hard at the office and now at Rocky’s.”
“Rocky’s? What the hell? If you all really gave a shit about her, you wouldn’t throw her to the wolves like that.”
“I’m not happy about it, but she’s trying to make money so she can take care of herself. She doesn’t have any family.”
“Well, you should adopt her and leave me the fuck alone. Get out!”
Doc shook his head. It was becoming more and more difficult to handle his son’s disrespect and bad attitude.
“I know you would like nothing more than to be left alone, but you need help. You need someone to come clean your house, cook a decent meal for you, and help you with your exercises.”
Bryant ignored him.
“Bryant?”
“You’re still here?”
“What are you going to do if something happens when you’re here alone?”
“Die a lonely death. It’s what I hope for.”
* * * *
“She’s working where?” Kenny yelled as he, Quinn, Blake, Will, and Doc sat on the back patio of their house. Abigail and Frank were inside of the house.
“I know, I truly understand your concerns and upset, but she insisted that she could handle it,” Doc replied then took a slug of beer.
“Handle it? Little Lena, the same young woman living in that cottage that flinches every time one of us comes close to touching her?” Blake added, filled with annoyance.
Kenny glanced at his watch. “It’s eleven o’clock. What time does she get off?” Kenny asked his father.
“I don’t know, Kenny. She’s a grown woman, and we have to respect her desire and need to work for a living.”
“Fuck that. We should head over there and check on her. You know, make sure that no assholes are trying anything with her,” Quinn stated as he stood up and tossed his empty beer bottle into the trashcan.
“Is there any particular reason why the three of you are compelled to take care of Lena?” Will asked his sons.
The three of them stared at one another. Maybe his brothers didn’t have the guts to say it but he did.
“Since the moment I caught her, literally, running from your office and looked into those big, aqua-blue eyes of hers, I knew I was never gonna be the same. She pissed me off, insulted me, then gave me such attitude.” Kenny ran his hand through his hair and paced the porch.
“She definitely has attitude, but she’s also scared. I want to know where she’s really from. I want to know more about her,” Blake added.
“She gave you a fake last name, right, Kenny? That’s what Wyatt told me,” Quinn said.
“She sure did. I think the three of us should go check on her. What do ya say?” Kenny asked, and they all agreed.
* * * *
“So, what do you think?” Will asked Pete as they watched their three sons head toward town.
“I think if they show too much aggression that Lena is going to run like heck out of town.”
“No? Really, you think that?” Will asked.
“I, too, would like to know a bit about her past. She ran from a troubled life. Detroit she accidentally told me the other day.”
“Detroit? Hell, she’s a far ways from home.”
“When I asked if that was where she lived, she told me ‘lived’ wasn’t the right word, but she survived by getting the hell out of there. She thinks if she stayed, then she’d be dead by now. She’s tough, but she’s also very smart. She mentioned staying all day in the library during the winter months and reading and learning computers.”
Will shook his head.
“That poor thing lived on the streets?”
“I hate to think she did, but it seems like that’s what happened. The little bits of information she drops here and there say enough. She’s fearful and untrusting. We need to gain that trust.”
“Maybe our boys will be able to help a
nd at least provide some protection and safety,” Will stated and Pete nodded his head, hoping for some happiness in the family.
Chapter 5
Lena had been dodging hands all night. It was a wild crowd for a Friday, and the men were trying to grab her ass as they tucked twenty-dollar bills down her shirt.
“Excuse me, gentlemen, but I need to get by,” she stated to the backs of three very large, tall men. Their backs were wide and muscular, and she figured they were ranch hands or bronco riders. At least that was what Stella, her new friend and fellow waitress, told Lena. She had a tray of drinks in her hand and needed to get to table five before the guys got more pissed.
“Excuse me!” she yelled this time and was shocked when the man with the dark-colored shirt turned toward her. She looked up and up and finally locked gazes with Blake.
He looked her over and scolded her with his eyes. He would think that she liked flaunting her assets, but truth was she hated this kind of work.
“Blake, what are you doing here?” she asked in what sounded like mixed emotions to her own ears. She was surprised and scared.
Then the other two turned toward her. The three monsters surrounded her, looked her body over, and made her feel self-conscious.
“When did you start working here?” Quinn asked, looking angrier and angrier the more he absorbed her attire.
“Oh, for about four nights now. Listen, I can’t talk right now. I need to deliver these drinks.” She began to push past them when she felt the hand on her shoulder then the large, solid wall of muscle against her back. Kenny whispered in her ear.
“Come back over when you’re done. I have to talk to you.”
His warm breath collided with her already heated skin, and for crying out loud, her panties felt wet. How the hell did he have the ability to do that? Lately all she had been dreaming about were big, tall, handsome cowboys that lived minutes from her cottage and one sexy, intimidating deputy who seemed to spend a lot of time checking on her during his lunch hour.
Without taking a glance over her shoulder, she headed toward the table of men.
* * * *
“Do you see what she’s wearing? Holy shit, she looks like a fucking model,” Blake stated, sounding furious to Kenny. Kenny couldn’t even think straight. He saw red five minutes ago when she was practically bent over a table dropping off beers and some asshole tried to feel her up. Her quick move with her foot caused the idiot to fall flat on his face and miss his target. Damn it, Lena!
“I want to take her out of here now.” Kenny stated through clenched teeth.
“We can’t do that. As much as I would like to do that, we can’t and you know it, Kenny. She doesn’t exactly belong to us yet. We haven’t even discussed this or finalized our decision,” Quinn stated.
“My decision is made. I want her. The thought of another guy even talking to her makes me want to hit something,” Blake admitted. They locked gazes with her as she winked and smiled at the group of guys she just left. They were making lewd gestures with their hands and staring at her ass as she headed straight for Quinn, Blake, and Kenny.
Kenny pointed at the guys behind her as Quinn wrapped an arm around Lena’s shoulder to turn her away from the men.
Kenny mouthed that she belonged to him and his brothers. All the carrying on stopped until one guy shook his head no.
Before Kenny could go put the guy in his place, Blake pulled Kenny along with him.
* * * *
In a half a second flat, Quinn had Lena backed against the wall by the bar. He had one hand against the wall by her shoulder and another on her waist. The look in his eyes was like nothing she had ever seen before. She felt the warmth of his touch as well as the size of his hand. Quinn’s brown eyes bore into her. She absorbed the serious expression on his face as well as the fact that the man was in need of a shave. The short whiskers added to his appeal, making him appear dangerous and sort of wild. She wanted to reach up and touch them, or perhaps change that scowl to a smile. Where the hell did that thought come from?
Blake took position on her other side, and Kenny stood in front of her with his arms crossed in front of his chest. He looked pissed.
“What did you want to talk to me about? It’s really busy, and I’m not on break,” Lena asked over the loud music.
Kenny looked her over. He honed in on her breasts and how they flowed from her top.
She adjusted her stance and raised her eyebrows at him.
“What is it, Kenny? I really need to move it, or the other girls will get my tables.”
“I can’t believe you’re working here and wearing this,” Kenny stated as she watched his eyes take in her attire from breasts to legs.
She couldn’t believe that they were acting as if they cared about her and were protecting her.
“It’s the uniform, Kenny. All the waitresses have to wear them.”
Quinn squeezed her hip bone then caressed her torso where her skin showed.
“Quinn?” She said his name and looked up into his big brown eyes.
“We are worried about you. There aren’t a lot of nice people around here, darling.” He held her gaze.
“Listen, I don’t know why you are here, but I need to get back to work.” She began to push away from Quinn when Kenny pressed her against the wall, with his hand over her belly as he whispered in her ear.
“I don’t like this, Lena. It kills me to see other men want you and want your body. This conversation is not over.”
Kenny’s cell phone rang as he slowly pulled away from Lena. Her heart was pounding in her chest. Damn did he smell incredible. It was a combination of soap and outdoors. Quinn smelled like aftershave and Blake just looked delicious. She took a deep breath and tried to act nonchalant when really she was shaking in her boots. Their hands were no longer on her, and yet she felt the warmth remain where they touched and the need to have them touch her more filled her mind.
“I have to go.”
She shoved by them as Kenny looked at his cell phone.
“Shit!”
“What? What’s wrong?” Blake asked.
“It’s Bryant. He fell and is on the way to the hospital.”
“Shit!”
* * * *
“Well, we have to do something. He needs someone to help him. We should do like the doctor said and hire a cook and maid, maybe someone who can help him with the exercises and stop him from drinking,” Will stated.
“I agree with Will. He needs this or he’s going to drink himself to death or do something drastic,” Frank added.
“The person needs to be calm and compassionate but also tough,” Doc stated.
“I know exactly who we can ask. She needs the money and she’s tough,” Abigail interrupted.
The men looked at her.
“Well who? Who would be willing to take on a job where the boss is drunk half the time and meaner than a crippled snake?” Doc asked.
“Lena,” she stated.
“What?” all three men asked in unison.
“Are you crazy? How the hell can she handle that?” Doc asked.
“She’s tough, but she’s also caring and gentle. She needs work, too. You’ve been making stuff up around the office to keep her busy,” Abigail stated.
“Hey, it might not be a bad idea. We could see if Lena is interested. The men were pissed off last night when they found out that Lena was working at Rocky’s,” Will stated.
“Really?” Abigail asked, sounding thrilled.
“Don’t go trying to play matchmaker now. They were concerned over the outfit Lena has to wear to work there. It’s very revealing,” Frank stated.
“People are talking,” Will stated.
“What are they saying?” Doc asked, concerned.
“I was at the feed supply store, and some of the men were partying last night. They said Lena looked incredible and she handled herself well when a few men tried to get fresh with her. Then Kenny, Quinn, and Blake showed up and cornered her by
the bar. They were spreading the word that she belonged to them,” Will added then smiled at Abigail.
“Oh my God. Then they might be really upset if she works for Bryant, granted he doesn’t kick her out or scare her away,” Frank added.
“Bryant noticed her, too. He must have been watching her outside his window because when I showed up, he tried to act like he didn’t care about his new neighbor. However, when I dropped a few hints about her being homeless and her troubled past, he seemed affected,” Doc added.
“Well, I think that seems promising. She is a gorgeous young woman and very sweet. She can’t go anywhere in town without someone talking with her. We should ask her right now,” Abigail stated.
“Let’s ask her and see if she’s up for the challenge.”
* * * *
“Let me get this straight. You want me, a complete stranger, to force myself into your son’s house, clean for him, cook for him, and help him with his exercises even if he curses me out, throws things at me, threatens me, or tries his hardest to piss me off or hurt my feelings?” Lena asked as she stood before the Joneses.
She swallowed hard, thinking about how Quinn, Kenny, and Blake would react to this news. They were not on speaking terms with their brother Bryant at all. She gave her subconscious a shove and focused on the Joneses. Why she cared about what Kenny, Blake or Quinn thought she didn’t know. Although, the way they pinned her in the corner, looked her over with jealous, hungry eyes, then threatened that the conversation wasn’t over, had her up most of the night. They sure were acting rather strangely.
“Well, basically, yes, Lena. We know it’s a lot to ask, but you seem to be the perfect person for the job. He doesn’t know you. You won’t take any of his crap, and you know how to cook, clean and we can teach you how to help him with exercises for his leg,” Doc stated.
Lena's Happily Ever After [The Town of Pearl 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 5