“Ian’s been warning me about the dangers of southern belles.” Jesse said just to see her reaction.
To Jesse’s amusement, she shot her husband a dirty look. “Is that right?”
Ian flushed and sat up straighter in his chair.
“Just telling him not to be fooled by the accent. You ladies are some ferocious adversaries when you’re pissed off.”
Piper laughed. “That’s right.” Her eyes moved to Jesse. “You listen to old Ian here. He’s had years of experience dealing with us.”
They watched in silence as Piper continued into the house.
“She’s got you well trained already.” Jesse remarked.
“Yep.” Ian said. “She sure does. And I don’t regret it a bit. She’s well worth any trouble.”
“Hm.” He responded. “If you say so. I thought you were some badass warrior dude. If you’re not careful you gonna get your man card revoked.”
Ian reached out and punched him in the arm. “No way. Never happen.”
Chapter 2
As Harley Ann Sanderspulled her car into the driveway at Ian and Piper’s house, she noticed a stranger sitting on the porch with Ian.
Good looking if you liked that dark, brooding kind of look. Not her taste though. Besides, she wasn’t in the market for romance, or the trouble it brought with it. She was too busy building up her flavored jams and jellies business, Jammin’.
Stepping out of the car, she held down her mid-thigh length full skirt as a gust of wind threatened to show her panties to the two men on the porch. She slammed the car door as the breeze died down, slung her purse onto her shoulder and sauntered up the front walk.
She put a little extra swing in her hips, making her skirt swirl around her thighs and flipped her heavy auburn braid over her shoulder. Just because she wasn’t interested in romance didn’t mean she couldn’t flirt a little bit. When a broad smile lit the face of the dark haired stranger, she smiled inside.Nice.
“Hey, Ian.” She said as she climbed the steps. Is Piper inside?”
“Yes. She just got home.” He gestured to the man next to him. “This is my buddy, Bird Dog Miller.”
She turned her eyes to the stranger. “Bird Dog? That’s an unusual name.”
The man stood, taller than her own 5 feet, nine inches. He must be over six feet tall. And all muscle from his bare arms to his sculpted chest under a snug t-shirt.
“It’s a nickname.” He paused, staring into her eyes. “Because I’m so good at sniffing things out.”
She struggled to control a blush that threatened to climb her cheeks at the look in his eyes. This guy wasn’t one to play with lightly. However, she was up for a distraction.
She dragged her eyes away from his only to see Ian sporting an amused grin behind his friend. He pointed to his friend’s back and rolled his eyes at her.
“Yes. Well. I’ll just go on in and find Piper. See you later, Ian.” She risked one more look into whiskey brown eyes of Mr. Hottie. “You too, Bird Dog.”
“You can call me, Jesse.” He replied, grinning.
She pulled open the door and fled inside before she said something stupid. Standing just inside the closed door, getting herself back under control before Piper saw her, she realized she could hear the men talking out on the porch.
“Well now.” Jesse’s voice sounded amused. “Things are definitely looking up in this town.”
Ian laughed. “You don’t want to try any of your tricks on Harley Ann. She’ll burn you down with a smile on her face.”
Jesse chuckled. “Challenge accepted.”
“Don’t come crying to me when she breaks your heart.”
“That’ll never happen.” Jesse vowed.
