“No. There was some sort of screw-up. That job isn’t available anymore,” Syd said as they got into the car.
“How the heck can that happen? They don’t have anything else?”
“Nope. But the nice lady I was talking to gave me the number of a dance hall and prestigious club a town over in Fisher that is hiring. Always looking for singers and some other things. She knows the owner I guess.”
“Well are you going to call?”
“I will. Later on today when I’m not feeling so disappointed about what happened.”
“That’s why we’re going out tomorrow night to check out the saloon. Tonight is that concert on the park lawn in town. Which, by the way, is going to be boring unless we meet some more cowboys.”
“I’ll think about going to the Saloon with ya. Not sure if I’ll be in the mood.”
As they headed out of town and back toward Pearl, Syd thought about the card Gabby gave her. Was it a waste of time? Was Gabby just trying to be nice because the company messed up and gave her job to someone else? Syd didn’t know but she hoped things would start to look up. They had to.
* * * *
Deputy Atlas Aubrey just walked out of the sheriff’s department to meet up with his brother Orsin. Orsin got back from Washington a few days ago and was already asked to help out with a case involving some local teenagers and the Internet. He spotted the beat-up blue Mazda immediately as it pulled into one of the parking spots near the department. The town was pretty small, but they were all trained to identify new and uncommon vehicles in the area and keep an extra eye on them and their occupants. This car, however, belonged to friends of Matt McCullough. They arrived in the beginning of the week.
The moment he took in the sight of the gorgeous brunette getting out of the driver side of the vehicle, he nearly lost his footing. A quick glance around to see if anyone else noticed her was like some animalistic instinct staking claim to her. His gut clenched when he saw heads turn, and then a group of young cowboys driving by in a pickup truck honked the horn and hollered at the two women. It annoyed him as he walked across the street, completely forgetting about meeting Orsin and instead directly crossing paths with the two women.
He heard their exchange of words.
“I’ll go see about this part-time help. Where do you want to meet up?”
“I’ll be in one of the stores. I also want to check out the Dojo and see what other classes they offer.”
“Okay. Wish me luck.”
“Good luck, Ella.”
“Afternoon, Miss,” Atlas stated, and when he locked onto her gorgeous green eyes he felt every ounce of him awaken.
“Oh my, yes, good afternoon, um officer, deputy I mean,” she said as her eyes locked onto his and then roamed over his body and his badge. He smirked slightly.
“It’s Deputy Atlas Aubrey, ma’am.” He reached out his hand and she looked at it, pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, and appeared shy. His cock hardened. Damn, she was gorgeous.
“Ya have a name?” he asked when she didn’t offer.
“Oh, God, yes, I’m sorry, I guess around here deputies come up to people all the time and introduce themselves or say hello or whatever. Not used to that. The name is Sydney. Sydney Foster,” she said and reached her hand out to shake his. The attraction was instant, and both of them stood there a moment, absorbing one another and remained holding hands.
“Atlas.”
He heard his name and she pulled her hand away and stepped a little away from him. Atlas looked and saw Orsin approaching and looking angry as usual. He and Hart were such hard men. Barely ever smiled.
“Sydney, meet my brother Orsin. Orsin, meet Sydney Foster. She’s new in town.”
He watched his brother look Sydney over then reach out his hand to shake hers. “Nice to meet you, Sydney. Where did you move here from?” he asked. Atlas noticed Sydney immediately pull her hand away then caress it.
“New York,” she replied softly.
Atlas couldn’t help but stare at her. She was incredible, from her gorgeous green eyes, olive complexion, and white teeth to her sexy, curvy body. She was all woman, and considering that he was over six feet three, he liked that about her. No skin and bones.
“I’ve been to New York a few times for business. Where in New York are you from?” Orsin asked.
Sydney had to step to the side, and so did Orsin and Atlas as a group of people came down the sidewalk and needed more room to pass by.
Atlas couldn’t help but reach out and hold her elbow to lightly guide her out of their path. She didn’t pull away, and he was grateful. He wanted to learn more about her.
“Queens. My mom, sister, and I moved here in the beginning of the week. It’s so nice, the town I mean. I don’t think I’ve ever been to any town that was so welcoming and well maintained.”
“Well, we take caring for the town and its residents very seriously around here. If you’d like, we could show you around,” he offered.
“Oh, that’s okay. You’re probably on duty and I’ve taken up more than enough of your time,” she said, twisting her fingers together and looking away so shyly again it made his cock harden. This was ridiculous. No woman ever did this to his body just from conversation. She was that appealing in every way.
“We’re not too busy. My brother just ended his shift. How about a quick tour?” It was Orsin who stepped up, and it shocked Atlas. Orsin was the silent, brooding type. He didn’t flirt or do conversations with women. When he wanted sex, he disappeared for a day or so and didn’t kiss and tell. This was definitely different.
“I’m here with my sister. She just went into the boutique to see about the part time job,” Sydney told them.
“Well, we won’t go far. It’s a beautiful day out and not every day do new residents get a personal tour from one of the deputies,” he said and smiled.
She chuckled.
“Really? I was kind of thinking this was a regular routine for you, Atlas.” She said his name and held his gaze. He stared right back at her. “A first for me actually, Sydney.” He watched her cheeks turn a nice shade of red as she lowered her head and started walking.
“Well then, I’m honored. So, what can you tell me about your beautiful Town of Pearl?” she asked as they began walking. He placed his hand at the center of her lower back as Orsin took position right beside her on the other side remaining close.
“Lots of things, like when the town was started and why.” He began to explain the history of the town of Pearl and the beliefs about protecting women and children and how every man in town was responsible for their well-being. When he mentioned guardianship and staking an official claim to a woman she was shocked, but her cheeks turned red once again and she conveniently changed the subject. In a matter of fifteen minutes he was done for. Atlas needed to find out everything he could about Sydney. Plus, it seemed his brother was thinking the same thing as he asked her if she worked and where and what she liked to do in her free time. Yes, it seemed that Sydney Foster had gained the attention of even Orsin, and that wasn’t an easy task to achieve.
* * * *
Sydney couldn’t believe how funny Orsin was. When he took out reading glasses to read one of the plaques below the statue in town by the gazebo, she had to cover her mouth to stifle the laugh. He was very attractive and not nerdy in any way. The glasses just didn’t seem to fit his personality.
And Orsin, God, he was a sight in his uniform and bulging muscles, plus he was trying to act so cool and macho. It was so strange but she liked them. Both of them, and that’s what got her to put on the breaks. Mom explained about the ways things work around Pearl and even the other towns. She didn’t need to gain the attention of brothers. It was bad enough she had very little experience dating and more experience telling guys off because all they were after was sex.
She took a deep breath and released it, looking around for her sister. Where the heck was Ella anyway?
“Is everything all right?” Atlas
asked. She looked at him standing there with one hand resting on the butt of his gun and the other on his hip. Damn, he was very good-looking. Plus, she could smell his cologne every time a small breeze squeezed between the three of them.
She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and lowered her eyes. She felt so insecure at the moment. Usually she was pretty confident because she was used to being on guard when it came to flirtatious men. It seemed she had a soft spot for these two and that was scary.
“It was very nice meeting you both. You’ve explained an awful lot to me and I appreciate the warm welcome. I need to look for my sister,” she told them and then glanced past Orsin and caught sight of Ella walking out of the boutique.
“There she is now. Thank you again,” Sydney said and started walking when Atlas touched her hand to stop her.
“Maybe we could do this again sometime? Perhaps the three of us could meet later or get together for dinner if you’re free?”
She swallowed hard. She really wanted to accept the invitation, but she had to get her priorities in order. First she needed to call that owner of the Rusty Horn and try to get an audition. The last thing she should be doing was leading these men on and making them think she was interested in this town’s way of dating or whatever they called it.
“I don’t think so,” she whispered and instantly felt guilty. Especially when she saw the flash of disappointment on Orsin’s face and then Atlas’s shock.
“I don’t mean to insult you. I truly appreciate how kind and welcoming you both have been. You see I just arrived here in the beginning of the week. I have to organize my priorities, find a job, because the one I thought I had set up in Croton fell through. I may have an interview for something else but still no definite plans and then there’s these activities around here my mom and…other people want me to see. I’m sorry. I’m rambling.” She said and lowered her head again. A moment later she felt Atlas touch her under her chin and tilt it up toward him. She was shocked at the attraction she felt. She held still, afraid to breathe or she might moan or purr like some lovesick kitten. God she felt defenseless to his attributes. All of them. Orsin stepped closer too and it was too much. She stepped away and thank goodness Ella arrived.
“Hey, Syd, I was looking for you. Is everything okay?” Ella asked and eyed both men over.
They were all silent.
“She break a law or something?” Ella added and chuckled.
“No, ma’am, just showing your sister around the town a little.”
“Hmm, how nice of you,” Ella said and eyed both men over. When she tried flirting with them, both Orsin and Atlas appeared disinterested. Both men kept their eyes on Sydney.
“This is my sister Ella. Ella, meet Deputy Atlas Aubrey and his brother Orsin.” Sydney introduced them and Ella shook both their hands. She stepped back next to Sydney, and Sydney gave her a pleading look.
“Well if the tour’s over we need to head back to the ranch. Mom called.”
“Oh, okay then we should head back. Again, it was nice meeting you both. See ya around,” Sydney stated.
“Yeah, see ya around,” Ella added then looped her arm through Syd’s, and they headed toward the car.
“I leave you alone for twenty minutes and you land yourself a deputy and some sexy business man? You go girl. Poor Hart is going to be jealous.”
“Quit that will ya. Hart doesn’t like me.”
“You so don’t get men.”
Sydney glanced over her shoulder and both Atlas and Orsin were watching her. Atlas nodded his head and Orsin just stared straight faced.
She quickly turned back, her heart racing and a feeling of interest deep in her gut. She couldn’t entertain this. Not now. Not when she needed to focus on making her dreams a reality.
“So how did it go? Is the boutique hiring?” Syd asked Ella, wanting to change the subject.
Ella chuckled. “Actually they are. The owner Melissa is very nice. She said her sister Diane has to travel a bit more during certain months of the year because of modeling shoots. She’s looking for a part-time assistant but it has potential for full time.”
“That’s great. How did you like the boutique? I mean the style of clothing, was it with the current trends?”
“Surprisingly, yes it was. But considering Diane’s sister is a fashion model and into all the current styles and trends, it isn’t surprising.”
“Do you get any discounts off the clothing, maybe family discounts, too?” Syd asked and winked. Ella chuckled.
“She mentioned something but I wasn’t really too worried about that. The pay is good and the hours perfect. As long as I don’t have to be at work before nine in the morning on a Saturday, I’m good.”
Syd chuckled then added, “Your twenty-first birthday is next Friday night.”
“Shit,” Ella said, and Syd chuckled as they got into the car.
“I’ll have to see if I can skip the first Saturday. That’s if Diane hires me.”
“Hey, she’ll hire you. Remember, this is your chance to start over, so don’t screw it up and make any mistakes.”
“I won’t. Just some final craziness this weekend and then I’m good,” Ella said, and Sydney didn’t know what she meant and figured she was just putting a deadline on her last days of being twenty and taking shortcuts. It was time to take on responsibility and stay out of trouble.
Chapter 4
“So let me get this straight. You both met Sydney, too?” Orsin asked Juno and Hart as they sat at the kitchen table. Hart remained straight faced and didn’t look ready to verbally respond.
“Sure did. At Matt’s ranch. That’s where her, her sister, and her mom are staying. Just moved here from New York. Matt is Sydney’s biological father,” Juno told them.
“I didn’t think Matt was serious when he talked about inviting Stella and her two daughters out here to live. I thought he was just trying to make up for lost time and reading into those phone calls from Stella,” Atlas said to them.
“Apparently not. They’re here now, and Matt’s daughter is gorgeous,” Juno said.
“She sure is, but real shy. When we met her today I swear she was feeling an attraction just like Orsin, and I felt for her. But she got all nervous and wanted to make a quick getaway. When we mentioned getting together again, a tour, lunch or dinner, she kind of seemed panicked,” Atlas told them.
“She sure was panicked. Looked around for her sister and, of course, she headed over to us and they made an excuse to leave,” Orsin said to them.
“Maybe it’s the whole ménage thing that freaked her out? After all, they’re not used to the way things run around Pearl and other towns. Maybe Matt hasn’t explained it too well since they only arrived a few days ago?” Orsin asked.
“Could be. Her younger sister, Ella I think she said her name was seemed more forward. Was flirting with Orsin and I right off the bat,” Atlas said.
“More outgoing I guess. But there’s definitely something about Sydney. She was real easy to talk to,” Orsin told them then looked out the window. Hart knew that his brother had been affected by Sydney. That wasn’t easy to do considering Orsin kept to himself and had some reservations when it came to being intimate with a woman. His scars on his chest were reminders of the time he served on missions as a Marine. He’d also lost some eyesight due to the damage of shrapnel when a roadside bomb exploded. A soldier all his life, he tended to shy away from any deep connection with anyone. Atlas was pleased that Orsin let his guard down with Sydney. It had to mean something more.
“Well, what about you, Hart? You met them the day they arrived in town. What do you think about Sydney?” Juno asked his older brother.
“I don’t think anything.”
He stood up walked over toward the counter.
“Come on, Hart, you have to admit, she’s gorgeous,” Atlas pushed.
“There’s more to liking a woman than good looks and a real hot body,” Hart said.
“Ahhh, so you did check o
ut her body?” Juno asked.
“Who wouldn’t notice her sexy figure and mature personality? She’s got class and sweetness,” Orsin said.
“Could be hiding trouble underneath it all. Watch your steps with her. You don’t want to lose our friendship with Matt over thinking with your cocks instead of your heads,” Hart said and headed out of the room.
Atlas had a feeling that Hart wasn’t so unaffected by Sydney either. He felt the excitement fill his belly. He couldn’t help it. Sydney gained the attention of him and his crazy, scarred, defiant brothers who had more hang-ups than there was time to list. But they were all good men. Loyal, trustworthy, and respectful men. Perhaps their wish to share a woman would become a reality after all? That’s if everyone could admit to their emotions and just let go and see where it led. That was a chance even he wasn’t sure he felt confident enough to take.
Like his brothers, Atlas wasn’t one to get into intimate conversation with a woman. It was always so awkward, and it made him feel on edge, even unsure of what to say. He mostly felt like it didn’t matter. That it was all talk, chatter to get more comfortable when it came to having sex. But the oddest thing happened today. Despite the instant attraction he felt for Sydney, the need to get her number, flirt with her and get to know her, disappeared once they started talking. She was really easy to talk to, and both he and Orsin fell into synch immediately with her. It was like nothing he’d ever experienced before. Like having a good friend but wanting way more than friendship. Sydney was a very sexy young woman.
“What’s going through your head right now? You got awfully quiet?” Juno asked him.
Atlas shook his head and glanced at Orsin.
“How’d ya feel conversing with Sydney today?”
“What do you mean?” Orsin asked.
“You know, did you feel comfortable? I mean, you seemed to be, considering you barely came up for air between sentences.”
Orsin looked at Juno then back at the table where he played with his coffee cup with one hand, tracing the rim with his pointer.
Sing Me a Song Page 5
