Their Blue-Collar Girl (The American Soldier Collection 4)

“Well as soon as Ben gets up, we’ll head over. This is terrible. I wonder who would do something like this?” Maggie asked.

“J.R.’s involved now, so hopefully he’ll figure out who’s behind this,” Lori said.

She told the men she was ready to head back.

* * * *

Charlie noted that Lori was on a first-name basis with the sheriff already. J.R. was too old for Lori but some women found the whole lawman quality very attractive despite the age difference. The more he thought about her with another man the angrier he became. He had no right to have these feelings and he wanted to avoid them. He would refuse to give in to temptation no matter what happened.

He felt like hitting something. He was pissed that someone was trying to hurt or scare the Cantrells. He was annoyed at the talk around town about the hot new bartender at Carl’s place knowing it was Lori, and he hated the fact that he was turned on walking across the field with her and his brothers. He liked the idea of her flanked between the three of them. Trevor behind her, him on the right and Dante on the left. It brought some wild images to his mind and sexual ideas he hadn’t thought about since before the war. He knew a lot about sex and satisfying a woman as well as his own sexual needs. But when he walked with Lori, watched her converse with others, he felt something tug at his heart. The fucking organ was dead until she showed up. How the fuck could something like this happen? Who was she really? What did she want in a man, in life, and would she even consider a ménage relationship? She seemed so innocent and sweet, yet her body told a different story. Maybe that was his hope. A no-strings-attached sexual encounter with her and then be done. He shook his head. That wouldn’t work. There’s something about her that makes me feel. How can she do that? Who is she? I’m going to find out, no matter what it takes. Dante and Trevor need me to protect them. They’ve had enough heartache and pain in their lives. They don’t need any more and neither do I.

Chapter 8

Andrew showed up at his parents’ house with loads of questions and concerns. His brothers were there and they were talking about Jerry Connor.

“Is the sheriff going to question him?” Andrew asked.

“How can he accuse him without any evidence? There’s no legitimate reason for questioning Connor,” Dante stated as he took a seat on the back porch railing.

“It’s damn obvious he’s responsible. He’s been after that land for two years now and he’s threatened the Cantrells,” Charlie said as he sat in a rocking chair next to Jasper.

“Power and money, brother, that’s what this is all about. The best we can do is try and keep an ear opened around here and a lookout for anyone suspicious in the area,” Matt said as he rose from his chair.

“I’m worried about all the neighbors and our place,” Trevor said.

“Yeah, and what about the Henleys? We’re building that loft and apartment for Lori. There’s opportunity for this asshole to do something there on site,” Dante said.

“Shit. I didn’t think about that. Maybe we should ask the sheriff to patrol a bit more?” Andrew suggested.

The men talked for a while then had some lunch. Charlie was sitting outside on the porch again preparing to start the day’s work.

“You headed back

to the office?” Charlie asked.

“Yeah I have a patient coming in at 3:00 p.m. Then I’m busy for the rest of the day.

“That’s cool.”

* * * *

Trevor and Dante stood next to Andrew.

“The patient is Lori and I’m not looking forward to arguing with her. She’s one stubborn woman, let me tell you. She’s insisting that I take her cast off. I think it has to stay on another week.” Andrew leaned against the porch post. He knew his brother Charlie was attracted to Lori and he wondered why he hadn’t made a move. Then Matt mentioned that Trevor and Dante liked her, too. He was concerned, knowing Lori’s past and all the fears of everyone involved here. Not that Lori would say yes to dating Charlie, considering how rude he’d been to her. Perhaps the four people could help one another heal?

“Well you’re the doctor, you should know,” Charlie said dismissing the conversation.

“I don’t know how she’s bartending with that cast. So far I’ve heard she’s doing great. Carl was in the other day and said he swears the place has been busier because of her. You know Carl though, he’d love to get his hands on a fine woman like Lori,” Andrew said, testing his brother’s denial of caring about Lori.

Charlie swung around toward his brother, angry as hell with his fists clenched at his sides. Dante and Trevor did the same, cornering Andrew.

“Don’t talk about her like that. She not some damn piece of meat.” Charlie caught himself and settled down.

“She’s too young for him, she’s only twenty-one,” Trevor added.

“If he touches her, I’ll fucking rip Carl’s head off,” Dante stated.

“Twenty-one and gorgeous, a great personality…the list goes on. Why are you guys getting so mad?”