Free Rough and Ready [Men for Hire 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Jane Jamison

chances.”
    “That sounds bad. Is it?”
    “Yeah. He’s gotten into trouble before with a bad crew. Gambling on the horses and more.” She shook her head, obviously reconsidering giving her brother the benefit of the doubt. “Look, Kane, if he causes trouble, any trouble at all, you have my permission to kick him to the curb.”
    “Wow, you are one hard sister.” He regretted his words as soon as they’d left his mouth. Her pained expression made him feel like a heel. “Sorry. That was harsh.”
    “Half sister. And no, don’t be. I really need to lighten up on him. After all, he is my only brother.”
    “One chance. That’s all he gets, but, hopefully, that’s all he’s going to need. Like I said. Everyone deserves a chance.”
    He could sense her eyeing him, once again catching the underlying meaning behind his words. But he’d meant what he’d said. After all, she’d given him a chance. Could he do any less for her brother?
    He pulled the truck onto a gravel parking lot at the end of town. A large cream banner with the words Welcome to Destiny’s Annual BBQ written in bold red letters across it was tied from one side of the street to the other. Tables strewn with the wares of each business ran along the sidewalks while a local band stood on top of a makeshift platform and belted out a favorite country song.
    Alex leaned forward, her hands flat on the dashboard, and took in the sights. “This is so cool. I don’t think I’ve ever been to anything like this.”
    “For real? Don’t they have BBQs in Tulsa?”
    “Not like this one. This is so cozy and welcoming.”
    That was the perfect way to describe Destiny. Although he’d grown up in a small Texas town, he’d found his real home in Destiny. He loved everything about the small town and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.
    He drew in a long, slow breath. “Ah, man, I can already smell it.”
    She followed his example. “Mmm, that does smell good. So what are we waiting for, cowboy?” She was out the door before he was.
    They strolled together down one sidewalk, not hand in hand, but with their fingers grazing each other’s. They hadn’t made it half a block before she came to a stop in front of one of the long display tables.
    “These are so great,” cooed Alex as she lifted a bronze-colored bracelet up to admire it.
    Betsy Ralins of Lost Treasures beamed behind the table strewn with jewelry and other items. It was all girly stuff, and he wasn’t sure what some of the things were. “Thanks. That’s a one-of-a-kind bracelet made by one of our local artists.”
    “Really? I love that.” Alex slipped it over her hand and onto her wrist. “It’s so pretty how the sunlight captures the different colors in it.”
    Kane stood back, letting her go on about the bracelet. As far as he was concerned, nothing could compare to her beauty. Her dark hair shone under the sun, and for the first time, he noticed the glimpses of red in the locks. He yearned to take a strand and let it slide between his fingers, to find a bit of the red, but he didn’t dare do that in front of what appeared to be most of the town. Although Alex was dressed casually in a pair of jeans and shirt with simple white tennis shoes on, she was more alluring to him than a goddess would’ve been. She had a way of holding her body in a regal way that made him both ache to touch her and afraid to do it. The fact that she had so many curves only added to her beauty.
    “We’ll take it.”
    Alex jerked her head up to gape at him. “No, no. I can’t afford it.”
    “You don’t have to. It’s my gift to you.”
    A frown creased her forehead, and his fingers itched to smooth out the wrinkles. “I couldn’t do that. I don’t make a habit out of accepting gifts from men I barely know.”
    “You’re not making a habit of it.”
    He caught her hand as she tried to slip the bracelet over the widest part of her hand, then couldn’t resist putting his lips to her wrist. Her