Free Monroe, Marla - Love Between the Hired Hands [The Men of Space Station One #4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Marla Monroe Page B

they tried the knob.
    “Hey, baby,” Gray said and bent over to give her a kiss.
    Clint did the same. They were both dirty and removed their boots at the back door. Elissa appreciated that since she had just mopped the floors.
    “How was your first day out on the job?” she asked.
    “Tough, but good,” Clint said. “I missed being active. We’ve been cooped up on that shuttle for six months and gotten out of shape.
    “Speak for yourself, man. I’m still in good shape.” Gray flexed an arm muscle.
    Elissa laughed and shook her head. “Go shower and change. Dinner is just about ready.”
    They both hurried from the room. She could hear them climbing the stairs at a fast pace. She figured they were both hungry. Their dinner of sandwiches wouldn’t have lasted long considering they had an extra hour of work time. She was still trying to get used to the extra hour in the day.
    They talked all during dinner about their day and what they’d accomplished. When she began clearing the table, Clint asked about her day.
    “Um, I pretty much stayed inside.” She still didn’t want to tell them about the creature, but knew she had to. “I saw something when I went out and checked the garden, though.”
    “What was that?” Gray handed her his plate and utensils.
    “I don’t really know what it was, but it was ugly. I made a drawing of it and put it in the office for you. I was going to take a picture, but you took the camera with you. Besides, it was gone when I got back to the window.
    “You saw a creature?” Gray asked in a quiet voice.
    “Um, yeah, of some kind. It didn’t look like the dog thing you showed me yesterday. It looked like a cross between a large rat and a small dog. It had a mouth full of teeth.” She shivered despite her attempts not to appear upset.
    “You were outside when you saw it?” Clint asked.
    “Yeah, I had just stepped up on the porch when I heard something. When I turned around, it was in the garden looking at me. I did what you said and froze. I didn’t move a muscle thinking it would go away, but it kept watching me.”
    “What did you do?” Gray asked.
    “I stood there for what seemed like forever and finally decided to take a chance and go inside. I quickly turned the knob and ran in the house, shutting the door behind me. It made the weirdest hissing snort I’ve ever heard.”
    “What did you do after that?” Clint asked.
    “I looked out the window and the thing was on the porch sitting back on its legs like a kangaroo does. I locked the door and ran for the camera.”
    “Why didn’t you call us on the radio?” Gray still hadn’t raised his voice. His face showed nothing of what he was feeling.
    “I figured it was gone and there was nothing you could have done. If I’d had trouble, I would have called. I was inside and the doors were all locked.”
    “You call us next time, Elissa,” Gray said.
    “Okay, I will.” She would make damn sure she had that radio with her at all times from then on.
    Gray nodded and walked out of the kitchen without saying another word. Clint hugged her and followed him. She figured they were going to the office to look at her drawing and fill out their journals. She sighed, relaxing now that telling them was over. She hadn’t realized how keyed up she’d been all day waiting for them to come home so she could relate what had happened. Still, Gray’s quiet attitude worried her. There was something going on in his head, and she wasn’t sure she would like whatever it was.

    * * * *

    “Look at this thing, Clint. I’ve never seen anything like it in the booklets or in the notes from Cam and Phillip. One more fucking thing to have to worry about on this planet. This place is too dangerous for women.” Gray slammed down the drawing pad.
    “She did good, Gray. She didn’t run. She’s smart and won’t make a mistake around them.”
    “That fucking won’t do her any good when she’s on her way to or from Lacy’s in the next few