Two Men for Piper [The Men of Space Station One #7] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Marla Monroe Read Free Book Online Page A

around the house amused her. The clock on the stove wasn’t made for the planet’s quirky hours.
    She passed the time studying the book she had on gardens and made notes as to what plants she would plant next to each other. She had just closed the book when she heard the men stomping off their feet at the back door. She smiled. They had remembered.
    Hurrying into the kitchen she greeted them with a smile. They were grimy and obviously tired.
    “Wash up in the laundry room while I put the bread in the oven.”
    “Do you mind if we take a shower before dinner? We’re really nasty. I don’t want to eat like this.”
    “Of course not. I’ll hold off putting the rolls in for another few minutes. Go ahead. You’re right. You’ll feel better being clean.”
    They filed out of the kitchen heading for the stairs. She heard their boots clomping up as they walked upstairs. She set the table and began warming up everything. After taking the roast out of the oven, she poured up iced tea and finally put the rolls in to cook.
    Twenty minutes later, the men arrived looking much better and little less worn out. The showers had indeed revived them. She should have thought of that. She frowned.
    “What’s the frown for, baby?” Tripp wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
    “Nothing really. Just thinking. The rolls should be ready in another five minutes. Why don’t you sit down and I’ll pass everything around. I cooked the currick in with the roast and potatoes. It’s really a meat substitute, but it tastes a little like small potatoes.”
    “I guess we have to get used to some of the natural food.” Keith didn’t sound very enthusiastic.
    She suppressed a smile. She’d already tasted them, and they tasted pretty good to her. She hoped they would like them. It would be a staple since they had to use the meat they were producing on the ranch sparingly. There were plans to enlarge the herd once they had enough men to work the spread.
    They sat down to eat. Once the rolls were ready, the meal progressed quickly. The men were hungry and had seconds. She was glad she’d cooked so much. She really wasn’t sure how much they would eat after working. Now she knew.
    “We managed to get half the poles set today. We’ll do the other half tomorrow and then work on the garden while the concrete cures.” Tripp leaned back in his chair.
    “I’ll help with the garden. You’ll be out there with me, so I ought to be able to help.”
    The men looked at each other warily. It was obvious to her that they hadn’t planned on her being outside. Well, she planned on being out there helping. She wanted to help plant. She’d stay inside while they plowed, but come planting time, she was going to help.
    She lifted her chin a little and stared back at each of them. Tripp’s jaw worked as if he were trying to control his temper. She certainly hoped he would be able to. She didn’t want to fight.
    “We’ll see.”
    Keith merely shook his head and got up from the table. “I’m going to climb into that recliner. I’m bushed.”
    “I’m right behind you.” Tripp still looked upset.
    Piper sighed. She’d stirred something up and really hadn’t meant to. Damn her stubborn streak. She really needed to work on that. Should she apologize for pushing him? She wasn’t backing down on helping. Maybe saying she was sorry would ease things if she did.
    She cleaned the kitchen and stood at the door wringing her hands. This was not something she did very often, but maintaining peace in their marriage was something that needed to be done. With another deep breath, she walked into the living room. When she did, the men grew quiet. She could tell they had been having words, and it was all her fault.
    “Um, I’m sorry for snapping at you. I can be stubborn, and you backed me in a corner. I came out fighting, and that’s no way to act.”
    Tripp ran a hand over his face then motioned for her to come over. She looked at Keith before walking over.