Free Beauty and the Beasts [Bride Train 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Reece Butler Page B

need.”
    She sighed into his fur. He was the only male creature she knew would never, ever, betray her. He struggled to get down. When she let him go he went to the door and stared at it, tail flicking in impatience.
    “Typical male. Get the loving you demand and then you’re eager to leave.” She opened the door. He stepped out, shook a wet paw, glaring up at her as if the rain was her fault. “Don’t climb any more trees unless you can figure out how to get down!” A final tail flick and he was gone, leaving her alone once more.
    “Get used to it,” she told herself. “No man is worth losing control over your life.”
    Gabe came to her mind and her nipples puckered. There was one form of control that she wouldn’t mind losing. She craved orgasms with an ache that centered between her legs. But if she let a man into her life, he would think he owned her.
    Kisses, hugs, and orgasms? Or freedom?

Chapter Nine
     
    Monday, June 3 rd , Tanner’s Ford Bakery
     
    Sarah pulled another batch of fruit turnovers from her new bakery oven. These were dried apple and cinnamon, with a touch of lemon peel. Two dozen more, canned peach and shaved ginger, cooled on the wooden counter in the front room. Ten minutes later she set the last of the pastries on her tray. Frank Chambers stood on one side of the door, and Sarah on the other. Frank was no longer the sheriff, but though he’d complained about leaving as soon as possible, he stayed for the triple wedding. Owen Barstow, his replacement, had made him a deputy while he hung around. With Frank there to back him up, Barstow had taken his family to visit the Elliotts’ Bitterroot ranch. His wife, Mary, met Florence Elliott on the Bride Train the previous fall.
    “Are you ready?” asked Frank. “There’s a few Elliotts out there, and Gillis MacDougal, of course. He’s fit to be tied that you said the first thirty would get a free little pie, and he’s number thirty-two. I told him you might have made a couple of extra.” Frank chortled. “Gillis is chomping on his beard, he’s so eager for a sweet treat.”
    “I made four dozen, though I also put some aside for you, Nora, and Billy.”
    Frank winked in appreciation before opening the door. He was an old man, but he was still the law. When he stepped out, silence descended.
    “I want a single line right down the edge of the sidewalk. Anyone who pushes or shoves gets thrown to the back of the line.”
    Sarah, standing right behind Frank, saw them shuffle and nudge, but soon a fairly straight line emerged.
    “Any questions?”
    “How many pies are there?”
    The worried voice came from near the back of the line.
    “Count yourselves off.” Frank pointed to the first bleary eyed man. “You start with one, you’re two, and the rest of you keep it going.”
    It took a few minutes as some of the men needed help once they got past twenty. The last man yelled out, “Thirty-nine, dammit.”
    “You there at the back! No cussing in front of ladies.”
    “Pardon me, ma’am. It’s just that I been hungering for pie all winter.”
    “Hold your horses, I counted at least forty in the kitchen,” said Frank. The man whooped, his glum face now big smiles. The rest of the men shuffled forward eagerly.
    Sarah made sure to smile as she filled each man’s palm. Some hands were dirty, some clean, but all were callused. Many men shyly said how much it meant to them to have something sweet given to them by a pretty lady. For some, it had been a year or more since they’d had something other than bacon, beans, bread, and beer. They had coffee too, and whiskey of course, but little else. Certainly nothing sweet made by a woman’s hands.
    Oz and Gabe said hello when she gave them their turnovers, but Luke only nodded. Oz disappeared but the other two stood near, looming over anyone who looked like they might pay attention to her.
    She recognized the other bachelor ranchers from the recent wedding party, so smiled at them. Cole