Free Men Times Three by Bonnie Edwards Page B

some late-night partying since Jon died. Now that we’re working there, I don’t want my equipment vandalized the way they’ve ruined the interior.” He shook his head in disgust and Alice clicked her tongue in sympathy.
    â€œYou’re finally adding those cabins?”
    He nodded and handed over his credit card. He waited, knowing she’d wind herself up, wishing she wouldn’t.
    â€œI hear the old man cut all his kids out of his will and left it to someone in the city.” She leaned in close. “That’s not all I heard.”
    He steeled himself. Right here, in this moment, listening to her giggle in anticipation of sharing her insight, was the reason Alice was off-limits. He held a distinct dislike for stupid women. He let the muscles in his face drop to blank. She didn’t even notice, just barreled on, listening to her own voice.
    In the typically gleeful voice reserved for the juiciest gossip, she kept to a stage whisper. “I hear he left it to a group of lesbians and that they’re going to move in. Think they’ll bring a bunch of gays here? Huh? What d’ya think?” Her avid expression turned his stomach. For a moment he wished what she said were true.
    â€œI think that’s as true as the last rumor I heard. That the place was haunted by the bodies of thousands of hitchhikers old Jon had cut up in the woods behind his house.”
    Her off-colored eyes went wide with shock. “Really? Is that what that old man was up to?”
    â€œKnow what else I think?” Alice should have hitched a ride with the old man.
    Avid Alice paused, caught by the image of Jon slicing and dicing innocent kids.
    â€œI think you should take payment for these lights and let me get back to work.” He forced his jaw to unclench. “Alice.”
    â€œOh, uh, sure.”
    Barry Fogarty snickered behind him and TJ cut him a glance. The snickering stopped. Barry always was a dickhead.
    On his way out the door, he felt the unmistakable relief of seeing Marnie again. Not only was she unbelievably easy on the eyes, she was smart and witty. Being with her made his steps lighter and his day brighter. And God, what a challenge she’d become. He hadn’t had this much fun with a woman outside of bed in, well…since that summer with Marnie nearly fifteen years ago.
    He wondered what she’d think of Alice and the inane chatter that made up most of his days in town. Putting Marnie in a place like this seemed a sacrilege.
    Some women were meant to live in the thick of things, in high-powered careers and stilettos. Marnie was one of them. Which meant even if they did share some good times, she’d be gone and he’d be here.
    Shit.
    He opened his truck door, but Barry called his name. He might be a dickhead, but they’d made a lot of money together over the years, so he turned and plastered a welcoming smile on his face.
    Barry hustled over. “God, that Alice can talk. Sucks a good dick, though.” He slipped his hands in his pocket and adjusted himself. “Maybe I should head back in?” He chuckled.
    TJ waited, trying to blank out the image of Alice and her overbite sliding over Barry’s distended skinny cock. Sometimes high school gym showers gave a guy too much information.
    But the whole thing made him think of getting head. Marnie. “Not a bad idea, Barry. Alice always liked you and right now, she’s peeking out the door. If you hurry you might get lucky.”
    Barry actually jumped and turned to look while TJ laughed and climbed into his truck. Christ, he just wanted to get out of here. Normally, he was fine with the quirks and idiosyncrasies of the people he’d known all his life.
    But not today. Not when Marnie was at the inn and his workday had just begun. He shouldn’t have left Deke there with her. His brother wasn’t blind. Any red-blooded male would want to take a crack at Marnie. And Deke, with his new