Page 7 of Mad About Her Cowboys

Right.

No matter what she thought or how attracted she might be, no was always the correct answer with the men of Daly. Especially with her past.

River planted her hands on her hips. “As amusing as this is, gentlemen, you can’t camp out in this office. Come back in an hour.”

Ignoring the order, one of them asked after River’s health, genuine concern in his amber eyes, making him as appealing as Connor, so appealing Madison had to swallow back her desire and remind herself they were off limits. She was in such big trouble.

“Y’all still can’t hang out here,” River said after she’d answered his enquiry. “Go check out the new shipment over at the Farm and Feed or hang out at Leena’s. Madison is working.”

“Ms. River…” one of the pair in back protested. Madison decided the two who stood slightly behind were younger than those up front. Probably not by much though.

Connor held up a hand, stalling the complaint. “No, it’s okay. We’ll come back in a little while.” Looking past River, he gave Madison a lingering look then nodded. With an air of unhappiness, the four left. At least temporarily.

Madison watched them go, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth. Their sculpted asses with worn denim molding them. Mmm… What was that old snarky phrase about it being oh so good to see a guy go? The Quists had backsides that should be immortalized in pictures.

Chapter Four

“You’re drooling,” River teased.

Madison looked over at her friend. “That was…something. Those guys… Did they just claim me?”

River laughed and patted her on the shoulder before taking her seat again. “Buckle in. This is just the start.”

“And you’ve had four years of this?” How had she held out with all these freaking hot guys who wanted to shower presents on their intended woman, worshipful intent in their eyes?

“No. Like the boys said earlier, Seth and Tai dissuaded the full-court press from the other men around here. I met them within minutes of coming to Daly…literally, they were the first people I met. From then on, they made it clear to all that I was off limits.”

“I’m not sure if that makes you lucky or not.”

“I think the Quists might decide the same about you. All the men today were interested, but those four…?” She fanned herself. “The temp went up about thirty degrees with the way they looked at you. Do yourself a favor; if you end up being interested in them, don’t wait years like I did. You never know what will happen next week.”

After working in an oncology office and seeing what was happening to her best friend now, Madison knew that. Since embarking on this new phase of her life—motherhood, a new job, a new town, all the old dreck left behind—she’d vowed to live each day to her fullest. Did she think the Quists would be involved? No. But she understood the importance of being fully present for each moment of life.

“I promise.” Madison leaned back in her chair. This conversation had gotten heavy, fast. “I can’t believe it’s Friday already—your last day! Do you guys have big plans?”

“Not really. Just settling into Seth and Tai’s house.”

They talked about the move for a while, and while the Bed and Breakfast, as well as the O’Keefes, was great, Madison couldn’t wait to move to the apartment upstairs. She didn’t want to rush River, so she wouldn’t bring her suitcases over until tomorrow. The things she’d shipped via UPS were already here and stored in a closet upstairs. The move would be easy.

Before she knew it, the Quists had returned. She caught her breath, wondering how she’d forgotten how breathtaking they were. It had only been forty-ish minutes.

“I’ll go see if Doc’s ready,” River said, getting up then leaving Madison alone with them. What had she said about the heat earlier? A wave of prickles skated down her spine, and she fought to keep her breathing even as blood rushed through her, throbbing at the base of her neck. Her core clenched again, making her all too aware of her reaction to these cowboys.

“You can have a seat,” she told them, needing them to step away and give her the space to get herself under control.

Connor leaned his hip against the counter. “Have dinner with us tonight?”

“Smooth,” the one beside him muttered. It was the guy with amber-colored eyes. He turned a smile on Madison. “I’m Franklin, the one with the appointment.”

“It’s nice to meet you.”

He indicated to the other two men. “That’s Neal.” Blue eyes. “And that’s Edison.” Silver-gray eyes. “We’d all be mighty happy if you came out to the Lazy Q and have dinner with us tonight, so we can get to know you. And maybe, you could get to know us.”

She studied them, trying to ignore the flutters in her belly—flutters that definitely weren’t from the baby. “That’s…that’s really nice of you, but—”

“Don’t say no,” Connor interrupted. “We’re not like all the yahoos who’ve been traipsing through here today.”

Whew, didn’t she know that?

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