“She’s got an attitude,” Memphis stated.
“She does not. You put her on the defensive with your comment about being provoked,” Cash said to Memphis.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa…slow down and back up. Tell us everything from the beginning so we can understand.”
Coast leaned back and listened to Cash explain about this woman, Cassidy. The more he talked about her, the more intrigued Coast began to get. Especially when he figured out that both Cash and Memphis were attracted to her.
“I get it now. You both like her,” Coast said.
Cash made a sound, and Memphis slowly turned his beer bottle.
“You do?” Stryker asked, sounding pissed off.
“Did you see her while you were looking through the binoculars? What man in their right mind wouldn’t find the woman sexy as damn hell?” Cash stated to Stryker.
Orlando chuckled. “I’m glad I’m not working tomorrow. I have got to see this woman who is turning the place upside down.”
Cash threw a napkin at Orlando’s head.
But Coast was most interested in Stryker’s reaction.
“What?” Orlando asked, chuckling.
“She’s not moving in yet,” Memphis added.
“Oh, so she decided to stay at your dad’s house after all? That’s interesting.”
“No, it isn’t, Orlando. She’s painting the place while Memphis works on the electrical problems in the house,” Cash told him.
“Which means, since you’re not working on the computer, then you can help me out over there tomorrow,” Memphis said.
Orlando rubbed his hands together. “Nice, I get to see her up close and personal. You know once I start talking to her none of you will have a chance.”
That started a whole lot of yelling and teasing then opening up another round of beers.
“Oh, you may want to be careful with the flirting, Orlando. She’s got a collection of guns and knows how to use them,” Cash teased.
“Nice, I like a woman who can handle the wild and intense side of things. Especially in bed.”
“You say anything like that to her, and I have the feeling Cassidy might take a swing at ya,” Memphis teased.
“You guys must have really put her on the defensive. What are you so worried about? That a chick on the ranch will alter the masculinity of the place?” Coast asked.
“We don’t need any women around here. Marine or not,” Stryker said and then slowly stood up with the assistance of his cane.
He painstakingly made his way out of the room, and none of them stopped him. They all pretty much had come to terms with Stryker’s bad attitude and negative outlook on everything in life. But at least he’d sat down and had a few beers with them tonight.
Once he was out of the room, Cash leaned forward.
“If Stryker gets upset with her being around the ranch, then I’ll ask my dad to make other arrangements for her.”
“You can’t do that. Your dad offered her the cottage. Why would Stryker have a problem with this woman being on the ranch? He’ll probably never see her,” Orlando said.
Coast looked toward the doorway then back toward the others. “Because he was watching her through binoculars, feeling just as curious about her as the rest of you.”
“He could feel like he has to remain in hiding instead of getting out of the house now that the nicer weather is here. You know he doesn’t like the way women react to his scars and injuries,” Orlando stated.
“I don’t think Cassidy would give any negative reaction at all, considering her line of work,” Memphis added.