Free Day, Xondra - Menage on the Prairie (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) by Xondra Day

mother loved the season.”
    “Ryan,” he replied, gripping the man’s hand. “This is quite the place you have here.”
    “My father started it, and when he passed on three years ago, I took hold of the reins. It’s a living, and a honest one, even if some folks in town don’t think so.”
    Their eyes met for a moment. A moment of understanding passed between the two men.
    Ryan lowered his eyes to the top of the bar, concentrating on finishing his drink. After downing the last drops, he asked for another.
    After his fifth, he tried to stand. He wasn’t much of a drinker. Taking two steps forward, the last thing he remembered was the floor coming to meet him.

    * * * *

    Once night had fallen, that’s when Joe started to get seriously worried. Ryan had yet to return, and his intuition told him that something had to be wrong.
    Even in Ryan’s most scatterbrained moments, he wouldn’t just run off like this, not for this long.
    Kate sat across from him, watching him as he ate. “He hasn’t come back,” she said, fiddling with her fork. “It’s just as I have suspected all along. If I had known that I would be putting someone out like this with my presence, I would never have come here. This was his home way before it ever became mine.” Pushing her plate away, Kate stood up from the table and walked to the front door. Opening it, she looked out into the night. “I just hope nothing has happened to him.”
    He should just tell her, be outright with everything. If honesty truly was the best policy, then it was the right thing to do. He opened his mouth and went to start, but words didn’t come.
    What made him think that Kate would be any different from the rest? The rumors about him and Ryan, the looks and the gossip that had hounded them. No, they certainly didn’t understand, and they had only just suspected. She wouldn’t either. How could she accept her husband sleeping with another man, or better yet, loving one?
    “If it’s meant, he’ll come back to us.”
    She turned and glared at him. “You don’t get it, Joe. I’ve done this. I’ve chased him off. I don’t feel right about this.”
    Her eyes flickered with concern.
    “Kate, there’s something I think you should know.”
    “Joe? I don’t like that look you’re giving me. What’s going on? I’ve stepped into something haven’t it?”
    He nodded. “Yes Kate, yes you have.”

Chapter Eight

    I’m dead. The two words that echoed first in his mind came out of his mouth. “I’m dead.”
    A voice chuckled. “Not dead, but I suspect you may feel like you are for the next day or so.” It was the bartender, Winter.
    “Where the heck am I, and what happened? Did someone take a swing at me? My head feels like it’s about to bust wide open.”
    Winter grinned. “You had a bit too much drink and when you went to stand, down you went. This is my room. I figured you needed a place to rest until you’re up and on the go again.”
    “Thanks—er, I feel fine now, so I can go and leave you be.” Ryan attempted to stand but fell back onto the bed. His head throbbed to no end. “Damn it!” he muttered.
    Winter sat on the bed next to him, his eyes wide with amusement and a smirk crossing his lips. “You’re staying put, at least until tomorrow.”
    “But—”
    “No buts. And that’s all there is to say about it.”
    Ryan settled back onto the bed, his head resting on the pillow. Embarrassment washed over him. “I never could handle my drink.”
    “No harm done.” Winter smiled, pressing one hand down upon Ryan’s shoulder.
    Hot damn, the guy had sexy eyes. Through the dimly lit room, he could see that they were light green with tiny specks of brown.
    “You’re tense,” commented Winter.
    Ryan nodded. He didn’t dare move an inch when Winter slipped his hand underneath his shirt. A small sigh escaped his lips. It felt so good to have a man touch him again. He craved the one-on-one intimacy.
    A look was exchanged between them.