Page 10 of Mad About Her Cowboys

At their place?

“If you’d feel more comfortable at Leena’s, that’s okay, too,” he added. “Zero privacy, but okay.”

That sealed it. They weren’t bent on getting her alone for something questionable. Beyond that, she believed Rayna and River and their assertions about the Quists. And she was unfathomably attracted to the four, mouthwatering, way-too-handsome men.

“Yes,” she said before she could chicken out again. “Dinner with the four of you sounds good. And I’d like to see your place. River told me you run a resort of sorts.”

He grinned. “Quist Encounters. We host destination vacations and retreats. I promise you won’t regret it.”

She wasn’t so sure of that, but if there were regrets, the fault would likely be on her. Madison’s attraction to them was too heady to ignore, and she had to fight to keep it in check. She worried that by the end of the evening, she might not want to, that she might dive head-first into whatever they offered.

And why not? a tiny rebellious voice inside her whispered.

Oh, about a million reasons…

Plus one big one that would be growing bigger and bigger over the next few months.

“What time?” she asked, derailing her second guessing. “Give me directions, and I’ll be there.”

“You can ride out with me,” he offered, his smile seductive and suggestive.

She shook her head. “I need to move my stuff from the B&B to the apartment upstairs. It’s not much, and it won’t take me long. And…well, I’d rather have my car with me.”

“Need help moving?”

“No, it won’t be much.” Rayna’s husband Jamie and his brother, Patrick had already volunteered to lug any heavy stuff for her.

“Fair enough. You can meet us out there. Here… Give me paper and a pen, and I’ll write out directions for you.” He stepped closer to the desk, his enticing scent wafting toward her. It took everything in her not to lean closer to breathe it in. Oh, she was in big trouble.

“You sure I can’t help? I don’t feel right knowing you’ll be moving stuff on your own. Your men…” He trailed off, but she could tell he was holding back something. “Well, you should let the boys and me help you.”

Oh, this had to do with that claim thing, and wasn’t that just the sweetest? Chivalry wasn’t completely dead.

“Jamie and Patrick got tapped for the job,” she told him. “Wouldn’t want to disappoint them.”

“Nope.” But Connor was gritting his teeth, his jaw tense. “At least, they’re taken,” he muttered.

“Very.” She smiled. “And it frees you up to cook for me.”

Again, he looked as if he were holding something back, but this time, he just winked then left her alone with the kamikaze butterflies in her stomach.

Chapter Six

Franklin paced the front room of the sprawling, one-story ranch house he shared with his brothers. Connor had gotten back a half hour ago and reported Madison had agreed to come to dinner. Since seeing her, she’d been all he could think of. Connor had been right. Doc’s new nurse was gorgeous, and Franklin didn’t need Connor’s gut feeling to know she belonged with them. He didn’t think it was wishful or mere lust. He just had this sense of rightness about her. Seeing her sent his nerve endings—and cock, to be truthful—jumping to attention. Conversely, around her everything calmed within him. It was a weird dichotomy he couldn’t explain.

Now, he worried. Would she really show up? Would she take a chance on them? Would she like the burgers they were grilling? Did she even like apple salad? Maybe, she was allergic. He should have asked. Should he have made more sides? What if she hated the homemade ranch dressing for the garden salad? Worse, what if she hated the four of them?

Connor’s heavy hand landed on Franklin’s shoulder. “Calm down. She’ll get here.”

“I know. I’m just uptight. I feel it too, you know? I feel the same thing you do. That she’s ours.”

Connor nodded slowly. “We’ll have to be careful not to scare her.”

“Yeah, that’s probably what has me all worked up. Overthinking things.”

“As usual,” Connor laughed.

“As usual,” Franklin echoed good-naturedly. “You’re not worried at all?”

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