Espino, Stacey - Midlife Ménage [Ride 'em Hard 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Stacey Espino Read Free Book Online Page B

drifter like him? She’d been through the death of a husband, raised four children on her own, and ran her farm without the help of hired hands. He was just a greenhorn in her eyes.
    “Mrs. McCay here?” he asked, his fire dashed.
    Wade crossed his arms over his chest. “Who’s looking?”
    “Jackson Taylor. I live with her. Heard she’s unwell and came to pick her up and bring her home.” He wanted Wade to believe there was more between them than there was. Since he’d only known her a week so far, he felt the need to offer more validity for his attachment to her.
    He unfolded his arms, his brow furrowed. “You’re her son?”
    So Wade didn’t know the family intimately. That was a good sign for Jackson. He was worried Mrs. McCay may have a thing for the cattle rancher, but if they had a relationship surely Wade would know more than he did. “No, I’m not her son. Is she here? Christine said she was here.” He tried to look past him into the house.
    “She’s resting. Come in.” The man didn’t sound welcoming, but unimpressed, the same as Jackson. They sized each other up without saying a word.
    He followed Wade into the house. The first thing he noted was the air-conditioning. He could feel the heat escaping from his collar practically sizzle as it met the cool air.
    When they turned the corner, he saw Mrs. McCay reclining on a sofa, water bottle in hand. She was only wearing a white robe which stopped him dead in his tracks. Were they lovers? It really was none of his business considering he was just a boarder—here today, gone tomorrow. He hadn’t even made his move, though he’d been tempted the last couple days when they were out mucking the barn together. Jackson had caught her staring as he worked shirtless. When he’d turn and meet her gaze, he would find a carnal lust which made his cock hard. She’d be a vixen in bed. But as soon as he’d take a step forward or attempt to say a word, she’d blink and the desire was gone.
    “Jackson? What are you doing here?” she asked, sitting upright.
    “We were worried about you. I came home to an empty house, and Christine was in a frenzy wondering where you’d be without your truck.”
    “I’m fine. I may have pushed myself a bit too hard considering the heat. How’s the crop looking? Did you stop by the orchard?”
    Wade sat beside her on the sofa, resting a hand on her knee. “None of that,” he said with warning in his voice. “You’re supposed to be taking care of yourself, not worrying about your crops. Ain’t that how you got in this predicament in the first place?”
    Jackson could hear the genuine concern in his voice because it mirrored his own. It tore him up on the inside knowing that strong but petite woman had been battling the drought all on her own. She should have a man to love her…but he supposed she did once upon a time. Why hadn’t she remarried? Mrs. McCay was a blonde beauty with a petite, youthful figure.
    He sat on the opposite side of her. “I can’t say I don’t agree. The last thing you need to worry about are your crops. If Mother Nature wants them destroyed, there ain’t nothing you or I can do about it. We can only wait and see.”
    “I don’t like those odds,” she said. “A cowboy wouldn’t talk like that. He’d do anything to make things right and save his crop. Without a harvest I have nothing. I can’t pay my mortgage, bills, anything.”
    “A mortgage? I’ve been next door for fifteen years and you were already well established when I arrived. Surely your house is nearly paid off?”
    “I’ve refinanced the mortgage every few years to get cash money. Farming natural isn’t easy. I don’t have fancy equipment, hired hands, or irrigation systems in place.”
    “Like me?” Wade said with a sarcastic edge. “How can I be to blame for what’s happening to you? God knows I’ve tried to lend a hand.”
    Her face visibly fell. Jackson didn’t even think before he wrapped his arms around