Free Monroe, Marla - The Ranchers Take a Wife [Men of Space Station One #1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Marla Monroe Page B

been this way. In fact, he had been almost lighthearted compare to how he was now. Was it her fault? Did her claiming them cause him to change? The more she thought about it the more she wondered if he had really wanted Rachel and not her. Tears pricked her eyelids, but she refused to let them fall.
    “You’re sure looking serious about something.” Phillip walked into the kitchen and grabbed the cup she’d left by the coffeepot for him.
    “Oh, thinking about what all I needed to get done today.”
    “Hmm,” was all he said.
    “Cam said to tell you he was checking the wheat field first.”
    “You saw him before he left?”
    “Yeah.”
    Phillip walked over and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “You okay, baby?”
    “Yeah, I’m fine. What about you? Did you sleep well?”
    “Yeah. What about you?”
    “Fine.”
    “Tell me what’s bothering you, Lacy. I can tell something’s up.” Phillip sat in the chair next to her and cradled his cup in his big hands.
    “Is Cam disappointed in me? Does he wish I hadn’t picked you two as my husbands?”
    “Lacy, he’s not disappointed. He likes you. He’s just got a lot on his mind with the farm and all. Like I’ve said before, he isn’t one to say a lot anyway. Has he said something to bother you?”
    “No. I guess he’s just different from you. I can talk to you, and we get along fine, but I can’t talk to him.”
    “Well, you can always talk to me. Relax around him and don’t try to push. He’ll come around more as we get used to each other. Things will be better once the crops are in.” Phillip leaned over and kissed her.
    Lacy smiled at him. She hoped he was right, but she was still uneasy about the entire situation. If he never loved her, she could live with it. Lots of people lived together who didn’t actually love each other, but they at least cared. She wasn’t sure if Cam even cared that much for her.
    “I better get out there and check on him.” Phillip stood up and drained his coffee cup before dropping a kiss on her head and walking over to the sink to leave his cup.
    “I’ll see you in a little while, baby. Try to stop worrying so much. It will all be okay.”
    Lacy watched him go and sighed. It was hard not to worry when all she had was time to think. Even when she was busy in the garden or canning, she thought about them, and ultimately, Cam. She wanted him to like her so badly it hurt.
    Well, there was nothing she could do anytime soon anyway. Harvest would soon be on them all and there would be little time for anything but eating and sleeping. Maybe she would be able to make some headway with him once the harvest was over with.

Chapter Eight

    Cam stomped off his boots at the back door right behind Phillip. He was bone tired but happy. They’d managed to get everything harvested before the rain and snow started. They would hitch the buggies up to the trailers and pull them to town the next day. Their part for the community would be over with for a few months. Relief pooled around him like puddles of water.
    As soon as he slipped out of his boots and shed his coat, Cam headed for the shower. Phillip normally showered in one of the other bathrooms while he showered in the master bath. That way they would both be down and ready for supper at the same time.
    It wasn’t until they were back downstairs that either of them noticed that Lacy wasn’t in the kitchen to greet them. Something smelled great, but she wasn’t there. Cam began to get worried. Where could she be?
    “Phillip?”
    “I don’t know. Let’s check the garden.”
    They both walked outside the back again and began calling Lacy’s name.
    “I’m coming. I was just trying to be sure I got everything before you plow it under.” Lacy appeared from between the rows of pole beans now brown and dry.
    “Damn, woman. You had us worried,” Cam said in a growl.
    “You okay?” Phillip asked.
    “Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry I worried you. I honestly didn’t expect you back