In Too Deep Read Online Free Page B

home?”
    Julia arched a brow at Rafe.
    With a sheepish jerk of one shoulder, Rafe said, “Well, Ethan’s okay. He’s the one Audra needs to marry.”
    â€œI’d be proud to marry you, Audra.” Seth sat down on the ground and started pulling off one of his boots. “It’s more fun in the caves barefoot. The rocks are nice and cold. Ethan, get Maggie’s shoes off.”
    Ethan swallowed so hard, Audra thought he must feel a noose tightening around his neck. “Maybe she could be our housekeeper,” he ventured.
    Audra scowled at him. “I can’t live in a house with two unmarried men.”
    â€œWhy not?” Ethan looked offended.
    The idiot.
    â€œWe’re decent men. We wouldn’t treat you wrong.”
    â€œAs long as the food was good.” Seth was tugging on his sock. If he got his feet stripped down and headed for the cave, Audra decided she’d just let him go and live in there forever. But without Maggie. She didn’t have a baby in her arms, which left her free to punch someone. Her only problem was deciding who.
    â€œNo, you need to marry her.” Rafe pulled his hat off his head. Audra sincerely hoped his hatband was too tight and that would explain his idiocy. “It don’t make no sense to put it off. You’re bound to marry her eventually.”
    â€œWhy would I do a thing like that?” Ethan shifted Maggie on his hip. She grinned at him and pulled his hat off his head and swatted him in the face.
    â€œBecause she’s young and beautiful, and she’s taking care of your house.” Rafe’s voice rose as if he was sick and tired of everyone not falling in with his plan. “She’ll be cooking and sewing for you, and you’ll be supporting her. Maggie already treats you like you’re her pa. And you’re bound to figure out she’s your wife in every way except you can’t sleep in her bed at night.”
    Utter silence cut through the group. Ethan’s eyes swung to Audra.
    Audra was pretty sure either her cheeks had caught fire or she was turning a ridiculous shade of red. Julia bit her lip, so maybe she had something to say but thought better of it. Seth’s toes were wiggling and distracting him.
    Maggie swatted Ethan again and said, “Papa.”
    â€œI’ll take the housekeeper job.” Audra said it quick to forestall Rafe’s charming proposal. And to get Ethan to quit looking at her.
    Then after she’d said it, it sounded a little like she was angling to get herself into Ethan’s house.
    â€œNope, you can’t live in a house with two unmarried men.” Rafe crossed his arms. “Ride on into town now and get it over and done. The parson is still around. We saw him.”
    â€œRafe Kincaid!” A voice Audra had never heard before came from her lips. “You need to quit talking. Now! I’m not letting you order me to get married to anyone and especially not to your grinning fool of a brother.”
    â€œNow listen here.” Ethan shifted Maggie to his other side. “There’s no call for you to keep calling me a—”
    â€œWhose side are you on?” Audra snapped.
    Ethan fell silent.
    â€œAnd if I’m the housekeeper, I can not live in a house with two unmarried men. You and Seth have to move out.”
    â€œMove out?” Ethan’s brows shot up. “What’s the point of having a housekeeper if we don’t have a house?”
    â€œHe’s got a point, Audra.” Seth looked up from the ground and smiled. “I’m looking forward to getting home. I don’t want to move out.”
    â€œWell, you’re doomed to be disappointed then.” Audra preferred to be kinder to Seth. She had a lot of compassion for him. But right now kindness was beyond her. And her main compassion was for herself. Somehow she’d dug deep, despite her near panic over Maggie, while she’d talked to Seth.