A Buckhorn Bachelor by Lori Foster Read Free Book Online Page A

“Safe and cared for, but of course, it’s not an ideal situation.”
    â€œThose poor babies.” She hadn’t even met the other cats, but already her heart broke for them.
    â€œThe key,” Adam said, “is to get as many of them fixed as we can. That’ll at least slow down the population.”
    â€œIs there any way I can help?”
    All the men grinned at her, and even more odd than that was Adam’s look of approval...or maybe even pride—though that didn’t make any sense. But then he draped a possessive arm over her shoulders, and the rest shared a knowing look.
    â€œAll right,” Isabella said, flattening her hands on the table and glaring at each man, especially Adam. “ What is goin’ on here?”

CHAPTER FIVE
    W ITH PROPITIOUS TIMING , the waitress brought their food, interrupting what looked to be a small explosion in Issy’s attitude. Course, she hadn’t missed the way his relatives kept sizing her up. Although favorably, it still had to be a little disconcerting.
    Leaning in, Adam whispered near her ear, “Relax. They just like you. That’s all.”
    â€œIt’s more than that,” she muttered back. “I’m startin’ to feel like a virgin sacrifice.”
    Morgan guffawed, making Issy go red and drawing the attention of other diners.
    Sawyer elbowed him. “I’m sure you weren’t supposed to hear that.”
    â€œNot like we’re deaf,” Morgan said, defending himself.
    Jordan smiled at her. “We’re aging, but haven’t yet lost our faculties.”
    Issy picked up a giant loaded burger that matched almost exactly what the rest of them had ordered. After saying, “You’re all outrageous, that’s what you are,” she took a big bite.
    And damn if that didn’t earn even more approval from the elders.
    Morgan opened his mouth, and Adam rushed to say, “You’re going to scare her off. You realize that, right?”
    â€œIs that so?” Jordan asked, munching on a fry while scrutinizing Issy. “You quick to turn tail and run?”
    â€œNo.” She took another bite, eyed them all while she chewed, and after a drink of her cola, she asked, “Mind tellin’ me why I’m being sized up, though?”
    This time there was no shushing Morgan. “The boy’s been hanging with all the wrong kind of girls.”
    Smiling with false sweetness, Issy chided him. “I presume you mean women?”
    â€œI’ll call ’em what I like, and sometimes, with Adam’s preferences, girl is more apt.”
    â€œMostly vacationers,” Jordan said with a lot of meaning.
    Issy cocked a brow. “What’s wrong with vacationers?”
    â€œThey’re temporary.”
    â€œAh.” She looked more confused than ever.
    â€œYou’re different,” Sawyer tossed out.
    â€œI’m definitely local, if that’s what you mean.”
    â€œSure, that—and more.”
    Adam watched her so closely, he caught the glare she flashed his way. “You mean I’m mature .”
    So she was still smarting over that? Adam hid a grin. It hadn’t been one of his finer moments, but damn, Issy threw him off—in wonderful ways.
    â€œWe mean,” Morgan said, apparently speaking for all of them, “you’ve got more going for you than just good looks.”
    A blush crawled up her neck all the way to her forehead.
    Jordan slowly smiled. “You know you’re attractive, right?” Then to Adam, “You’ve told her she’s attractive?”
    That, and more, but he only said, “Yup.”
    Issy appeared momentarily nonplussed, then she let out a breath and pasted on a smile. “Thank you?”
    The men all glared at him. “You’re sure you’ve told her?” Morgan demanded.
    Giving up, Adam shrugged. “Let’s just say I’ve been less than smooth in my