Free By the Book Bride: Ryder (A BBW Western Romance) (Matchmaking A Marriage 1) by Patricia Mason, Joann Baker Page A

and Silas had set up a chess board and played that while she and the three brothers scrambled to buy up as much property as they could. Cal, she discovered, really was a financial genius if his game playing real estate skills were any indication. Gabe, she realized, would probably be lucky to have a roof over his head if left on his own since he eagerly traded properties for kisses. Feeling confident in the attention the three big cowboys were throwing her way, she took advantage of Gabe’s generosity, flushing with feeling at the dark scowl that appeared on Ryder’s face each time she allowed Gabe to kiss her cheek.
    The night had flown by and Georgie couldn’t remember a time when she’d enjoyed herself more. As the others had said goodnight one by one and gone to bed, she’d waited for Ryder to help her to her room. He hadn’t. Instead, when the room was clear, he’d picked her up and sat with her in his lap on one of the oversized leather chairs. There, he’d made her pay for her flirtatious behavior with his brothers. A price she was more than willing to ante up.
    They’d explored each other innocently, kissing and touching over their clothes.
    She sighed and rolled over to her back, smiling up at the ceiling.
    “Well, well, Little Miss, what put that smile on your face this morning?” Gabe’s voice sounded from the doorway and she gave a little squeak, quickly pulling the covers up to her neck.
    “What are you doing in here?” Even as she asked the question, she realized he was holding a tray of food. A wave of guilt swarmed over her. She really did need to go back home. She couldn’t have everyone waiting on her.
    “Just bringing you a little lunch, lazybones.” He walked over to the bed and placed the tray on her lap. She knew as he leaned over her, he’d done it deliberately. What was his game, she thought to herself? Flirting with the new girlfriend to see if she were true to his brother? Gabe might have ‘player’ and ‘good time guy’ written all over him, but she’d already sensed the streak of loyalty that ran through all three brothers.
    “Thank you.” She let go of the covers, folding them primly across her waist. She wore one of the oversized nightshirts Ryder had picked up for her along with a matching set of underthings. She had on as much clothing as she would any day of the week. She grew slightly nervous when he sat down on the edge of the bed. To hide it, she picked up a fork and took a bite of the scrambled eggs Pops had made for her. There was also three slices of crisp bacon, toast with butter and jam as well as a bowl of freshly cut fruit. It was food good enough to be served in any five-star restaurant.
    “So, aren’t you going to ask me where Ryder is?”
    She swallowed her bite of eggs and took a drink of the freshly squeezed orange juice also on the tray. “No. I figure he’s working.”
    Immediately, she remembered that she should be working and frowned. For a brief moment, she’d forgotten about her job. A job she needed in order to pay her rent and stay in this town.
    She glanced up when Gabe nodded his head. “And you don’t like that do?”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “You’re frowning. You don’t like the fact that Ryder is spending so much time working and not paying attention to you.”
    She narrowed her eyes at the cowboy trying to make trouble. “Look, Gabe, I don’t know what your game is, but my relationship with your brother is none of your concern.” She pushed the tray down her body, indicating she was through with their conversation, and he should move out of her space.
    In the span of an instant his face changed, dark thunder clouds appearing to mar the usually happy-go-lucky look he wore. He rose to his feet, then leaned over her once more, forcing her back against the pillows. Although she knew he wouldn’t hurt her, his stance was slightly intimidating.
    “That’s where you’re the wrong sweetheart. Everything about this