Lumberjack Weekend(Divine Creek Ranch 21)(16)

“You did?” Her tone carried regret as she looked between the two of them. “I’m sorry for not being honest with you about what I was doing this weekend. And I’m not unhappy you’re here. It’s just that this is supposed to be an anonymous weekend, you know?”

Josh smiled. “What happens at Hazelle House stays at Hazelle House?”

“Something like that.”

With each of them holding one of her hands, Josh said, “That’s what we agreed to, Violet. Far as we’re concerned, this weekend is totally off the record. We won’t breathe a word to anyone in Divine. Did you think we were here to swing or play with strangers?”

Her nod and the beautiful pink staining her cheeks told him a lot. “I’m only dipping my toe in the water this weekend, and I don’t think I could watch you…with others.” The realization looked as if it surprised her, going by the way she cast her gaze around the expansive central entry. “Of course, if you wanted to, you have every right. I’d just…”

“If you leave, we leave,” Lucas said, gesturing at the door. “But if you stay, you’re our only focus all weekend long.”

With big eyes, she looked between them. “Even knowing what I told you last weekend? No strings attached?” Her hand trembled in his as she spoke.

Lucas glanced at Josh, and then he nodded, even though Josh knew the true answer was a resounding “hell no!” She wasn’t ready to make such a leap yet. It was up to them to convince her. Even more importantly, he noticed she didn’t specifically rule out a ménage fantasy.





Chapter Four




Violet sat with Josh and Lucas at a table for three in the dining room. She’d still been in shock Josh and Lucas were there when another weekend attendee walked up and invited her to sit with him and his friends, two other men who were all watching her intently. She smiled and turned him down politely, feeling a bit like a field mouse who had just turned down a hawk on becoming its next meal. Josh had shot the men a glare before guiding her to a table with Lucas flanking her other side.

Her upper arms and back tingled, and when she glanced around, it was to discover she’d somehow drawn the attention of other men in the room, and that sense of being in over her head increased. She felt naked despite the fact she’d dressed conservatively, and she held on securely to Josh’s hand, now so very grateful they were there, despite the disturbing discovery. The attendees were by no means a pack of ravening wolves out to make her their next meal, but she knew if she’d truly been alone, she would’ve been making a hasty exit.

Lucas held her chair out for her with a wide smile on his handsome face, and she sat down, wondering if she would come to regret this weekend.

Josh’s and Lucas’s warm gazes reminded her of the way they’d sometimes flirt with her while they’d been working on the Emporium. And it was amazing how a tool belt slung low on a pair of trim hips could rob her of brain cells. Especially when said tool belt framed a tight ass as it walked away or climbed a ladder.

She cleared her throat and blinked then blushed when she realized they were watching her with avid interest, even as other women in the room were ogling them.

Lucas winked at Josh. “Wonder what she’s thinking about.”

Unsettled by the flare of possessiveness she felt at the thought of women approaching them, she said, “Never you mind, Lucas Abbott. How’s your dad?”

Chitchat? Really? Anything was better than imagining them playing with the other women in the room.

Josh smirked as if he was on to her. “He’s good.”

“Was he put out with the two of you for taking off for a weekend?”

“No. He’s more likely to get on us for not having a social life. Says he and Mom are getting old and want to know where the grandchildren are going to come from if we don’t find us a sweet woman.”

“Woman? Don’t you mean women?”

Lucas grinned at her. “He doesn’t care as long as he and Mom get grandchildren to spoil. They’re pretty progressive about their views.”

She would’ve thought the elder Mr. Abbott was more conservative about such things, but she hadn’t had as much contact with him as she had with a few of the Abbott brothers. Then she imagined Josh and Lucas as fathers. They’d be wonderful. Involved, teaching their boys how to swing a hammer and throw a ball and their little girls how to ride a horse on their family ranch. But the thought of them married and settled was more disturbing than she wanted to admit. She glanced up and saw them watching her expectantly.

“I’m sorry, what?”