“Me and Joe?” Buddy gave him an innocent look. “You gonna tell me what you two were howling like hyenas over?” Tate and Abby were still sitting on the swing. “’Night.”īuddy waited until the truck pulled into the driveway then walked back to the porch. Maybe by then he’ll figure out what’s going on.” He opened the truck door and climbed in. That brother of yours is about as dumb as a sheep when it comes to some things.”īuddy finally got himself under control. And you know what’s even funnier? He doesn’t even know what’s wrong with him. You don’t expect me to miss an opportunity like this do you? It’s the most fun I’ve had in years. “You were doing it on purpose.” The teenager wiped tears from his eyes. “He caught me looking at her legs,” Joe howled gleefully. “Did you see him trying to pull Abby’s skirt down?” I would have bet good money that Tate didn’t have a jealous bone in his body.”īuddy cackled, holding his sides for support. “Squirt, I don’t have a clue, but it’s the funniest thing I’ve ever seen. What the heck did you do to get him that jealous?” Tate.” He gave him a curt nod.īuddy glanced back at the porch to ensure they were out of earshot before he spoke. “Goodnight, and I’ll run those roses by tomorrow. One of these days I’ll return the favor if you aren’t afraid I’ll poison you.” He touched the brim of hat. If Tate yawns one more time he’s going to suck down a bumblebee and I’d really hate to see him choke.”īuddy leaped to his feet. “Well, guess it’s time for me to head home. She slapped at his hand and he stopped, giving her a hurt look. The elastic she’d used in the waist was already slipping down. And if he didn’t stop he was going to pull it right off of her.

She suddenly became aware that Tate was surreptitiously tugging on the hem of her skirt. “They sure do,” Abby responded fervently. At least, now they just ignore me unless I’ve got food.” “Well, I did get a few bites the first couple of days, but I think they’re getting used to me. “Didn’t have any trouble getting them? Most city slickers don’t know a thing about gathering eggs.” I had no idea a dozen eggs a day would mount up that fast.” “Remind me to give you some eggs before you leave. “Heard Hank brought you some chickens, Abby. When she sat down, he draped his arm casually across her shoulders and shot Joe what she would have sworn was a defiant look. Why would he be jealous of a woman he hadn’t wanted to marry in the first place?Īs soon as she appeared on the porch, Tate shifted to make room for her next to him on the swing. If she didn’t know better, she’d think the man was jealous. Even as they wiped tears of laughter off their faces, they had denied everything.Ībby hung the dishcloth over the draining pan to dry, thinking about the conversation with Tate in his office. When Tate had demanded to know what was so funny, it had set them off again.

What price paradise by katherine allred