“What the hell just happened?”
“Welcome to Pearl, New York. I just hope you can cook as good as these people hope you can,” Marie replied then got up to walk over to Francine.
A moment later, the deputy appeared in front of Stacy.
“Good luck in the contest, Stacy. I’m sure your chili is the hottest,” Deputy Cantrell whispered with a smile as he placed his hand on his hip and one was sitting on his holster. “I’m sure you
r pies are sweet as can be, too,” he added, and she couldn’t help but think there was more to those statements then he intended. The man was a dream and, in uniform, lethal as they came.
“I don’t know exactly what I got myself involved in. I was just telling Marie that I could cook so that I can assist her back on the farm.”
“Well, that’s mighty nice of you. I heard you’re living in Millie’s old place. It needs a bit of fixing up,” he stated.
Stacy was a nervous wreck. She had worked with many attractive men, but none intimidated her like this small-town deputy. It must have something to do with the uniform.
“I’m looking forward to fixing it up.”
“If you need any help, my brother Eric and I are real good at that kind of thing.”
Now this was getting intense for Stacy. She went to take a sip of her drink and nearly spilled the glass. She had been fast enough to stop it from tilting over, but she made it quite obvious that the deputy made her nervous.
He smiled cordially. “I mean it, we would be happy to help you get settled in.” He looked her over, and her body tingled as if he touched her. The craziest part was that she was drawn to him and lost all perception of everything going on around them. Her nipples pebbled, and her belly quivered. She became somewhat restless in the seat, and when she moved, she felt the moisture against her panties.
One look at the cocky deputy and he seemed like he knew it. She noticed a small bit of a tattoo on his arm that was barely peeking out of his shirt sleeve. She also noticed the muscles in his forearms and the wide expansion of his chest. He was a pretty big man.
“Well?” he whispered, his voice sounding so damn seductive she placed her hand over her belly to attempt to stop the quivering it caused.
“I can handle it myself, but I appreciate the offer.”
He seemed to get the message as he frowned, or maybe he didn’t want to push the attraction they felt. That was fine with her. She just hoped someone would explain this whole chili and pie contest to her and how she can get out of it. Just then a small group came by the table saying good-night to the deputy and smiling at her. There was one woman with three men.
“I’m Melissa. I own the little dress boutique on the corner at the entrance to town.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Melissa.”
“These are my husbands, Frank, Paul, and Willie.”
“Howdy, ma’am.” All three men tipped their hats toward Stacy before placing a hand on Melissa and leading her out of the place. Stacy was dumbfounded. She must have misunderstood Melissa. Three husbands? How could that be?
“There are lots of different types of couples in Pearl, Stacy. Ménage being a main one,” Deputy Max stated as he move a chair closer, turned the back toward her, and straddled it.
“Three husbands? How can that possibly work out?”
“It’s not uncommon.”
“It is where I’m from.”
“That’s what you think. It’s happening everywhere, but in a lot of societies, it’s frowned upon and not understood. Here in Pearl, it’s acceptable, and it’s a safe place to fall in love and start a family.”
Her heart pounded inside her chest. She couldn’t even have a relationship with one man, never mind three. Feeling a bit uncomfortable, she had realized she was wringing her hands together until she felt Max’s hand cover her own. She jumped, and he stared at her, holding her gaze.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. You’ll get used to it, and who knows, maybe you’ll give it a try.” He squeezed her hand then rose from his seat before she could respond to his statement.
Chapter 3
“Okay, Millie, wake up and start talking or I swear I’m on the next flight out of here!” Stacy yelled into her cell phone as she plopped down across the bed. Marie had made her bed with fresh sheets, but Stacy loved her silk comforter with the burgundy butterfly appliquéd here and there along the black silk. She rubbed her fingers along the edge of one of the butterfly’s wings.
“You do know that there is a time distance between New York and Texas?” Millie stated in between yawning.