Frisco Joe's Fiancee. Tina Leonard

a pleasant person in general.” He glanced out at his brother. “It’s Frisco who’s had a problem. Unless I miss my guess, it’s well on its way to being fixed.”

      “You’ve missed more than your guess before,” Tex mumbled as he cracked open a beer.

      But Laredo ignored him. “There’s just two things that worry me,” he murmured.

      “Can’t imagine that it’s just two.” Tex sighed. “They must be big, combo worries.”

      Laredo looked around the corner to check on Frisco and Em. “One,” he said thoughtfully, “We’re going to have to figure out how we talk Mother Delilah into leaving Annabelle here. She distinctly said she wasn’t leaving without her—and there’s a reason she’s being so over-protective.”

      “I knew this wasn’t going to be easy,” Tex said with a sigh. “And, two?”

      “Em is only two months old.” He came and sat down across the table from his brother. “And that means that somewhere, there’s a father who just might show up any time.”

      Tex swallowed. “Suppose he doesn’t?”

      Laredo shook his head. “Think of Annabelle in that towel, and then ask yourself how long you’d stay away.”

      “Five minutes, tops.”

      “I’d last three. Not that she’s my type, but all things being equal, you know, three minutes. I’d want my baby and my woman all to myself.”

      “Maybe he’s married.”

      Laredo shook his head. “I don’t think so. Annabelle doesn’t seem the type to fall for a married man, and Mother D didn’t strike me as putting up with monkey business.”

      “Could be she dumped him, I guess.”

      “Or he dumped her.”

      They stared at each other.

      “That would explain Mother D’s protective stance.” Laredo considered his beer for a moment. “There is a father involved, but he wouldn’t be the first man in history who turned tail and ran at the thought of commitment.”

      “Witness the twelve of us.”

      “Precisely. Except we’d live up to our responsibilities,” Laredo said sternly.

      “And wear condoms,” Tex agreed easily. “Don’t get your dander up. I’m just saying none of us have been keen to marry anyone. Possibly, neither was Annabelle’s boyfriend. As I mention, this is the problem. No matter how much we might think occupying Frisco with a woman might be just what he needs, the fact is, we don’t know anything about this girl. She could be a real disaster. And even if she’s not, even if we discovered she was the sweetest thing since southern tea, Frisco might resist her just on principle.”

      “He’s that ornery.” This was something none of the brothers would deny. Not that Frisco had ever been an easy brother to live with, but he had been known to lighten up occasionally. These days, it seemed a pattern was set: Mason rode Frisco, and Frisco rode anyone within earshot.

      It made for damn unpleasant living conditions. With it being winter, and them cooped up more than usual, Frisco’s mood needed a shot of sweetness.

      “Does it really matter who she is or what her problems are?” Laredo mused. “We’re not looking for her to be Frisco’s dream woman. We would hire her as the housekeeper. Whatever happens after that would have nothing to do with us.”

      Tex nodded. “Mason apparently thought we needed her.”

      “Well, someone. Preferably middle-aged, though I’m not sure why he’d feel that way. Annabelle would be much easier on the eyes than Delilah. Not that Delilah’s unattractive, but Annabelle’s kind of hot.”

      A cough escaped Tex. “I’d agree with you there.”

      “Annabelle might get lonely here, but she has the baby to keep her occupied.”

      “And all of us.”

      Laredo eyed him. “In a brotherly sort of way.”

      “Exactly. And the minute she’s unhappy, we’ll personally take her back to her home.”

      “Think we can get Frisco to buy it?”

      “Hell no,” Tex decreed. “That’s why you’re going to have to go around him on this one.”

      “Me?” Laredo straightened. “Am I the twin with the brains?”

      “I’m the twin with the good ideas. You merely execute them.”

      “I was born first.”

      Tex shrugged. “Technically, only because the doctor reached in and grabbed you first. It doesn’t give you leverage or bragging rights. You figure out a way to convince Frisco that Annabelle is just what he needs.”

      “In a manner of speaking.”

      “Yes. She just might be what we all need, but since that sounds kinky, we’ll say she’s for Frisco.”

      “You know,” Laredo said slowly, “this isn’t a half bad idea. In a way, Annabelle is perfect for us. None of us are interested in settling down. But the ad Mason wrote clearly illustrates his belief that we need a housekeeper, a woman to set things straight around here. You can figure that Annabelle is no more interested in us than we are in her, simply due to the fact that Em is about two months old. That means Annabelle’s been through some difficulty recently, and more than likely another man is the last thing she needs!” He sat up, snapping his fingers. “It’s a win-win situation!”

      “Do you know how few of those there really are?” Tex warned. “Think about it. Every time someone tries to manipulate us into a so-called win-win, it’s usually when someone wants something from the Union Junction ranch.”

      “This time, we’re doing the negotiating. Piece of cake.” Laredo got up, peering out the kitchen at his brother. “If that baby’s father walked out on her, she’ll have twelve men to make up for it.”