More than a Maid Read Online Free Page B

determined to look impassive. He asked another question without missing a beat. "So, she's your maid, then." He shrugged. "That's fine. She can stay. I know you've gotten used to paying people to clean up after you." Ramon gave Victor a knowing grin.
    Victor ignored his brother's snide comment.
    Ramon didn't believe Victor's reason for inviting this woman. His suspicion was confirmed a few minutes later when Patty cleverly offered to switch seats with Marcy at the dinner table, putting her right beside him. When Ramon looked at Patty, she smiled at him with a mischievous glint in her eye.
    Ramon turned his attention to his food and stayed quiet during dinner, giving one-word responses to questions. Ignoring the sweet, perfumey scent of the woman sitting next to him.
    It wasn't hard to get through dinner without talking. The women at the table dominated most of the conversation, discussing flowers and dresses and all sorts of boring wedding crap he easily tuned out. He sneaked an occasional glance at Isaac and saw him playing with his green beans, looking every bit as bored as Ramon felt.
    Toward the end of dinner, Ramon yawned repeatedly. It would be a struggle for him to stay awake for much longer. Already running on a sleep deficit, a stomach full of rich food was sure to induce a coma. Unfortunately, he remembered some paperwork he needed to finish, or else the feed orders wouldn't be placed on time.
    With one more yawn, Ramon stood with his empty plate, interrupting Patty mid-sentence. "Sorry, guys. Got some work to do then I'm goin' to bed. Good night."
    Disappointed, Patty said, "No, we're about to have dessert and coffee. At least have some coffee. It'll keep you awake for a little while."
    Ramon shook his head as he headed out of the room. "Don't need anything keepin' me awake. Thanks."
    Patty left the table and followed him into the kitchen as Victor and Tom started a new conversation. She looked over her shoulder into the dining room and tapped Ramon's arm as he lowered his dirty plate into the sink. "Do you really have to go so soon?"
    "Yep." He headed away from her, toward the hall.
    Sighing, she trailed along after him. "Well, fine then. Is there anything Marcy can help with? Filing, typing, anything you need—"
    "Okay." Ramon turned around, glaring at Patty. "I know you did this."
    "Did what?"
    Ramon waved his hand in a vague gesture, too weary to put much effort into his words. "This. Marcy ." He groaned. "You know what I'm talkin' about."
    Patty smirked. "I'm not so sure about that." Then her eyes lit up. "But what do you think of her so far?"
    Ramon let out a cynical chuckle. "No one asked my permission to let her stay at my house. So apparently, whatever I think doesn't mean shit."
    Rolling her eyes, Patty said, "Don't be so grumpy. I just wanted your general first impression of your new house guest. It's a simple question."
    Ramon said the first thing that came to mind. "Okay. She's short and stocky." He shrugged. "There you go."
    Patty's nostrils flared, her head slowly shaking.
    Ramon laughed. "What? My business thrives on makin' cows gain weight. I didn't say it was a bad thing."
    Patty smacked his arm with the back of her hand.
    And then a throat cleared.
    Patty and Ramon both turned their heads to see Marcy standing there, holding her plate as she gave Ramon a hard stare.
    "Shit," he muttered, hoping she hadn't heard his flippant comment.
    Marcy quickly put her plate down in the sink, then she took a pie from the counter. In a haughty tone, she said, "I'll make sure to eat most of this now so you can sell me for a good price later. You know, like a cow."
    Ramon sucked his bottom lip between his teeth, embarrassed. But impressed by her quick retort.
    And pleased by the view as he watched her walk away.
    Clearly angry, Patty pointed at him. "You know, everyone talks about how rude you are but I always take up for you. Always. Don't make me regret it."
    "I'm sorry, Patty." He put a hand on each of her