Read Online Mara McBain by McCade's Way - Free Book Online Page B

brother had never possessed an ounce of tact, and work was a foul word to him. Cole stepped up beside him as Wade continued across the yard talking to his self.
    “Do we really have to feed the pansy ass?”
    “I think it would take longer to stand here and argue with him or dig a hole to bury him,” Trey said with an eye roll. “And I’m starving.”
    Brutus brought Wade to a sharp stop with a foot on the bottom stair.
    “Is this beast all bark and no bite, or is he serious?”
    “Deadly serious,” Trey answered, overtaking him and stepping up onto the porch.
    “He doesn’t listen to anyone but Trey. He’ll have to call him off or he will take a bite outa your ass,” Cole said, stepping cautiously past Brutus.
    Trey stepped in the back door and was immediately met by his wife’s lacy nightgown hanging from the rafters in the mudroom. He frowned at the dangling unmentionables including his own.
    “What the hell is this?” he snapped, sticking his head into the kitchen.
    “Laundry,” she answered like he was stupid and couldn’t see that.
    His eyes narrowed as no further explanation was forthcoming. 
    “I know what it is. What I want to know is why don’t you know how to do laundry?”
    She finally turned to look at him, a combination of confusion and annoyance marking her flushed features. “I did four loads. That is the last of it.”
    “We have a clothes line,” he barked, his patience at an end with people today.
    “The clothes line is outside,” she snapped back. “Was I supposed to wait until you got home to dry the laundry? Were you planning on hanging it out? In case you have forgotten I’m not to leave the house unless I want be—”
    Trey grabbed her arm and yanked her close, cutting off her shrewish temper tantrum. She jerked back, struggling against his hold for a moment. Her eyes widened as he snarled, “Do you really want to remind me what I promised?”
    He reached up to straighten his hat as her flailing hand hit the brim, and she flinched. Her struggles ceased and she turned her face away, waiting for the blow. The terrified resignation on her face sobered him.
    “She has a point. What did you want her to do?” Cole asked from behind him.
    “Get out,” Trey snarled.
    “Don’t want to beat your wife with an audience, big brother? Don’t forget Mama’s watching.”
    “Give me a God damn minute to talk to my wife!” Trey thundered, all patience fleeing him.
    “If I thought talk was—”
    Trey spun on his heel, his huge fists closing in the front of Cole’s shirt as he drove him across the room to slam against a wall.
    “Give us a minute, or so help me God. Mama ain’t here to protect you, boy.”
    Cole’s eyes were wide, but to his credit his voice was steady when he spoke. “I’ll give you two a minute. Don’t do something you’re going to regret,” he said and pushing Trey’s fists away, spun and walked out the door batting hanging laundry out of his way.
    Taking a deep, steadying breath, Trey turned back to his wife. She was gone. A low growl reverberated in his chest. If he had to kick down a door tonight on top of everything else, he was going to be very unhappy. He stepped around the table and stopped. Gen sat on the floor with her knees drawn up. He sighed and tossed his Stetson on the table. Leaning against the counter, he slowly slid down to sit next to her. Neither of them said anything for a long moment and then Genevieve whispered,
    “My father was right. I’m not cut out to be a wife.”
    “Maybe no more than I’m cut out to be a husband,” Trey said with a humorless chuckle. “But here we are.”
    “You’re everything a husband is supposed to be. You’re strong and steady, make a good living, provide and protect,” she protested.
    “I don’t believe a husband is supposed to be a jealous ass and take shit out on his wife because she’ll take it,” he said with a little sigh. “I’m not angry with you. I spent the whole day butting