Monroe, Marla - Their Bartered Bride [Men of the Border Lands 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Marla Monroe Page A

to stare at him. “What in the hell do you want from me? First you want me to lighten up and give in, and when I do, you fucking complain about that, too.”
    “I don’t want you to force yourself to do anything, because she’s going to know your heart isn’t in it.”
    “I don’t think anyone’s heart is in it yet, Jonathan. That’s what I’ve been worried about, fucking for the sake of fucking.” Joel huffed out a breath and double-checked the saddle.
    “I’m not planning on doing that, Joel, and you know that. I have feelings for her. It may not be love yet, but I have feelings for her. Are you saying you don’t?”
    “Hell, I don’t know. I just know that what we have—what we’re going to have isn’t going to be what I’m used to, and that worries me.” Joel led his horse outside, where the early morning sun was just rising past the tree line.
    Slivers of light played across the ground at their feet as they led the horses into the yard. Joel swung up into the saddle and waited for Jonathan to do the same. They rode in silence for a few seconds.
    “She’s a wonderful woman, Jonathan. She deserves the best that we can be for her. I’m not sure I can be my best at something I’m not used to. She’s going to know if I’m not satisfied. That’s going to cause problems down the road.”
    “Joel, maybe you will be satisfied. How do you know you won’t be until you’ve tried? Don’t go into a relationship expecting the worst. You’re only going to get it, and that will fuck us all up.”
    Joel didn’t say anything more. Instead, they began moving the herd to the next area, working in silence like they normally did. They each knew their part in the process, and soon the cows were settled in a new pasture.
    “Let’s check around the house for any signs of wolves. I want to see how close they are getting at night.” Joel climbed down off the horse when they got to the house and tied it up at the barn.
    They walked around the yard and the garden. Wolf prints were evident all along the tree line and as far as ten yards into the backyard. They didn’t find any evidence of them near the garden or the barn, though.
    After seeing to the horses, they checked around the outside of the house for any signs of problems before the winter snows set in. Usually, the men would sleep in the recliners during the worst of the winter cold to be close to the fireplace. But with Leigh, if they all slept together, they might be fine under a few comforters this winter. Jonathan hoped they would anyway.
    They pulled off their boots at the back door and went inside to shake off the cold air. Leigh was nowhere to be seen when they first walked in. Joel called out for her when they walked into the living room. She appeared at the top of the stairs.
    “I’m up here. What did you need?” she called down.
    “Just wanted to know where you were. We’re inside for a few hours. Don’t worry about lunch. We’ll fix ourselves a sandwich when we get ready for it.” Joel added a log to the fire and sat back in his recliner.
    “Hey, Jonathan.”
    “Hi, Leigh. What are you doing up there?” he asked.
    “Cleaning the bedroom. It’s got several years’ worth of dust on everything. Y’all okay?”
    “Fine. Go on back to cleaning. We’ll be down here if you need us.” Jonathan watched her ass when she turned around and walked away.
    “Go on up to her, Jonathan. I know you want to.” Joel’s voice sounded tired.
    “She deserves both of us, Joel. I’m not going to scratch an itch. I want it to mean something. That means you have to be a part of it.” He refused to let Joel start things off wrong.
    His brother cared about her. It was obvious or he wouldn’t be worried about hurting her in the long run. He was just stuck on his need to be in control. Jonathan had never needed that in the relationship and had always let Joel do the leading. Joel could do the leading now as far as he was concerned.
    “Can one of you