Free Farmer Wants a Wife: Love and Friendship, Book 3 by Shelley Munro Page A

clothing.
    “Not a hope.” Julia had changed into a figure-hugging blue dress with a slit up one side. “I’m going to do the intro thing because we’re packed already. You’re on soon.” She started to leave before strolling back into the room. She grasped Tyler’s arm. “Since I can’t trust the two of you alone, you’re coming with me.”
    Giving in gracefully, Tyler blew Susan a kiss. The smile that spread over her face pumped lust afresh. Once Susan finished work they’d have the rest of the night to talk and get to know each other, and hopefully most of Saturday and Sunday morning before he caught his flight back to Napier.
    Julia towed him back to her friends. “I found them in a lip lock,” she announced.
    In the short time he’d been away, the club had filled with both men and women. Soft music played in the background and waitresses scurried to and from the bar with trays of drinks. Two female bartenders moved with practiced efficiency behind the bar.
    The group of friends exchanged glances before focusing on him. Tyler stared back, determined not to speak first. He didn’t owe them explanations. This was between him and Susan.
    “Do you play rugby?” Connor asked.
    Tyler blinked. “I played at high school and university, but I don’t get much free time on the farm.”
    “Position?” Connor asked.
    “Occasionally winger but mostly a back.”
    Connor grunted. “We’re a man down for our game tomorrow afternoon. Are you interested?”
    “It depends on Susan,” Tyler said. “She might have other plans.”
    “We’re all going to watch the game,” Julia said.
    Another thought occurred. “Are you intending to beat me into a pulp on the rugby field?”
    Julia’s husband laughed and the other guy—Caleb—joined him. “You catch on quick, country boy,” Ryan said.
    “Are you playing?” Tyler asked him.
    Ryan shook his head. “Caleb and I don’t play. We have more sense than Connor.”
    Why not? Tyler decided. Fitness wasn’t a problem. “Sure, I’d love to play.”
    Connor nodded.
    “You’d better grab your table before someone decides to ignore the reserved sign,” Julia said. “What would you like to drink, Tyler? A beer?”
    “That would be great.”
    Julia nodded. “Everyone else want their usual?”
    Minutes later, Tyler found himself seated at a large circular table, hemmed in by Connor and Christina, and waiting for character assassination, for potshots, for concern.
    “I hear you have a daughter,” Connor said.
    Tyler relaxed at the non-confrontational question. “Yes, Katey is four.”
    “A similar age to my son, Alex,” Ryan said. “Who’s looking after her this weekend?”
    “My in-laws,” Tyler said. “Josie—that’s my mother-in-law—she’s taking her shopping and for afternoon tea. She wasn’t happy about me going on a plane without her, but the promise of afternoon tea smoothed the path.”
    “Susan said your wife died a few years ago,” Maggie said. “I’m sorry. That must have been rough.”
    It had also been a relief, but Tyler didn’t intend to share that particular snippet. He’d get to the dark details of his past with Susan, once they knew each other better.
    The drinks arrived, interrupting his need to reply straightaway. He gripped his beer bottle, tension sliding across him to settle in his shoulders. When the waitress departed he said, “Yes, she died way too young. My in-laws were great and they continue to support me. I’m lucky.”
    “Do they know you’ve come up here to meet a woman?” Caleb asked.
    “Yes.”
    “Do they know her identity?” Maggie asked, shooting to the heart of the line of questioning.
    “No. I told them I met her on the internet.”
    “They were okay with that?” Ryan asked. “My parents would have asked a hundred questions, given me a hundred lectures.”
    Tyler smiled. “Oh, they asked nosy questions but I told them I didn’t intend to answer any until I knew if things were going to work