Free His Tempting Bride (The Brides of Paradise Ranch - Spicy Version Book 5) by Merry Farmer

in town. Thought , being the operative word.
    Cody opened his mouth to speak, but the little girl blurted out, “That China woman called you ‘handsome cowboy.’”
    Stunned to silence, Cody just looked at the little girl.
    “Millicent, say you’re sorry,” Athos whispered to the girl.
    “But he’s a handsome cowboy.” Millicent shrugged.
    “I’m a ranch hand,” Cody corrected her, the last of his patience draining away, fast. “Cowboys are lazy troublemakers.”
    “Handsome cowboy,” Millicent repeated with a giggle.
    Cody sighed.
    “Sorry, Cody.” Athos sent him a twitchy grin, as though he might start calling Cody ‘handsome cowboy’ behind his back too.
    That was all it took for Cody to launch into his mission. “You’re not having supper with Miriam tonight.”
    Athos blinked and took a step back. “Well, uh, she did say yes to my invitation.”
    Cody took a step closer to his friend, towering over him, little girl by his side or no. “You’ve just remembered you have a previous engagement,” he said. “You’ve remembered that you’ve got no one to mind your kids while you go out.”
    “Well, Piper is going to be home tonight.” Athos’s voice gradually shrank as he made his excuses. “And Mrs. Evans next door is always willing to lend a hand.”
    “You’ll go apologize to Miriam for forgetting that you couldn’t possibly meet up with her,” Cody insisted.
    “But…the children will be doing homework for the most part. It won’t be any trouble.” Athos knew he was defeated, but Cody had to give him credit for scrambling to keep up the fight.
    Cody leaned closer still, almost to the point where he could whisper in Athos’s ear. “ I’m the one who sent for her. If you want to have supper with a pretty girl, why don’t you send to Hurst Home for one of them yourself?”
    Athos gave up with a sigh. “That’s what everyone keeps telling me.”
    “Then why don’t you do it?”
    Athos shrugged, glancing down at his little girl.
    “Yeah, Papa,” Millicent scolded. “Why don’t you do it?”
    For a moment, Athos looked like he would burst into a laugh. Then Miriam walked by.
    “Oh, Miss Long.” Athos stopped her. He handed little Millicent off to Cody, then chased after Miriam for a few steps. “I’m afraid I spoke too soon when I asked you to supper tonight…”
    Cody grinned, satisfied that he’d gotten his own way. And since Miriam was free tonight, maybe he’d swoop in and ask if she wanted to have supper with him.
    “Handsome cowboy.” Millicent giggled at his side, taking his hand and swinging his arm. “Will you send away for me when I’m older?” She looked up at him with eyes so sweet that Cody felt cold fingers down his back.
    “Oh, I’m sure you’ll have more than your fair share of boys your own age to choose from when the time comes.”
    He was spared any further awkwardness when Athos scrambled back over to them and took Millicent’s hand from Cody. “Come along, Millie. We’ve got to catch up to the others.”
    Athos zipped out of the assembly hall so fast Cody was surprised he didn’t ruffle papers on the way. That left Cody standing there with a sense of pride in his accomplishments that he hadn’t felt in ages.
    At least until he glanced ten feet away to where Miriam was standing with her hands on her hips, a scowl marring her beautiful face. “I was going to go out to supper.”
    “You can still go out to supper.” Cody grinned and sauntered toward her.
    “I suppose you’re right.” Her expression shifted to something sly and dangerous. She stepped forward until she reached him, sliding her fingers down the front of his shirt. Cody’s heart thumped faster, other parts of him standing to attention. Until Miriam twisted to the side and said, “Miles, do you want to have supper tonight?”
    Miles straightened from his work, cheeks flushing with mirth. “Uh, I actually have a previous engagement tonight.”
    Cody chuckled. Miriam’s