Siren's Call Read Online Free Page A

couldn’t make out the gist of the conversation, he clearly recognized the anger filling two female voices. An argument was under way and getting louder by the moment. Neither one of the participants was happy.
    Feeling a little bit like an intruder, Kenneth tightened his hold on the motor. By the sounds of things, the girls were going at it tooth and nail. They probably wouldn’t welcome any interruptions, especially from a stranger who’d invited himself onto the property.
    Maybe I should go while the going’s good . . . .
    Despite the thought, his feet had other ideas. He’d come here for a reason, to settle his mind. Leave now and he’d just be back to that first frustrating square.
    Walking with more confidence than he felt, Kenneth skirted the side of the house, skimming between the hedge and wall. He emerged into an overgrown backyard.
    His gaze settled on two women standing beside the remains of a derelict swamp cooler. Someone had taken off the panels and gutted it, scattering the parts without much thought toward reassembly. Perched on a base constructed of cinder blocks and plywood, the old air conditioner looked ready to topple at any given moment.
    His gaze shifted, refocusing his attention. Two women, two fiery redheads, were squared off against each other. The fur was flying, fast and energetically furious. By the look of things, neither was backing down.
    Kenneth dragged in a breath. Talk about timing. He’d blundered straight into a hornet’s nest.
    He grimaced. It’s my own fault if I get stung .
     
     
    Tessa Lonike’s eyes narrowed as she caught sight of the stranger. If she hadn’t been so damn spitting mad at Gwen, she might even have welcomed his arrival. He carried the much-needed motor for the swamp cooler, back-ordered for more than a month. She’d been waiting all day for Lucky to show up with supplies. What she hadn’t counted on seeing was a total stranger.
    A twinge of suspicion rose. “You know him?” she demanded peevishly.
    Gwen followed Tessa’s gaze and shook her head. “No, but I hope to.” Pasting on a grin, she lifted a hand in the air. “Over here,” she called, motioning for the stranger to join them.
    Screwdriver in hand, Tessa waved the tool toward her sister. “Don’t lie.”
    Realizing the jig was up, Gwen pled out. “I put another ad in the paper,” she admitted sheepishly. “I was beginning to think no one was going to show.”
    Shooting a glare toward the man, Tessa frowned. Gwen was determined to step all over her authority as the eldest. “I’ve told you before I don’t want strangers here. I can handle this place myself.”
    “No, you can’t.” Gwen’s hand shot out, delivering a sharp jab to Tessa’s chest. “Now, be nice and hope he wants to work.”
    Grumbling under her breath, Tessa rubbed her aching boob. This was the last thing she wanted to deal with today. Her to-do list was already too long. “I have no intention of being nice.” Hot and sweaty from wrangling with the swamp cooler, she didn’t feel like kissing ass.
    Gwen ignored her. Quirking a brow, she gave the approaching man an appreciative twice-over. “He’s got potential.”
    Eyes rolling skyward, Tessa huffed. That was Gwen. Hot for anything in a pair of tight jeans.
    Folding her arms across her chest, she narrowed her gaze toward the oncoming man. He stood well over six feet, most of it long, endless legs. Lean and buff to the max, he appeared to have a strong physique. Broad shoulders ruled over a rippling abdomen and narrow hips. His short-sleeved work shirt revealed biceps well defined from heavy lifting. Though faded, his jeans were clean, fitting him like a second skin. His confident stride ate up the ground.
    As the distance separating them narrowed, Tessa got a clearer look at his face. His features reminded her of the rough- hewn statues of ancient athletes: subtly, oddly imperfect yet nevertheless appealing. He wore his brown hair short and spiky, a style