The Naughty List Bundle - Kylie Adams [138]
“Hate to break it to you like this, Morgan, but you’re a man.”
“That’s not what I meant! What we feel—well, it’s mutual. Only she doesn’t want to get overly involved.” Almost as an afterthought, he added, “Any more than I do.”
“I thought you wanted to get married?”
He shook his head, wondering if Sawyer was rattling him on purpose. “I want a wife like Honey.”
Sawyer spewed coffee across the table. Morgan gave him a look then handed him a napkin. “I said a wife like her, not Honey, herself. I want someone domestic and settled and sweet….”
“You don’t think Misty fits the bill? What, she’s not sweet? She’s got a nasty temper?”
“I never said that,” he ground out between clenched teeth. He thought Misty Malone was about the sweetest woman he’d ever met, even if her temper rivaled his own. Or maybe because of her temper. He almost grinned. “You keep forgetting, Misty doesn’t want to get married. She’s told me that plain as day.”
Suddenly Sawyer’s eyes widened. “Good God. You’re afraid.”
Morgan slowly stiffened, and he felt every muscle tense. In a low growl, he asked his brother, “Are you deliberately trying to piss me off?”
Sawyer waved a hand, dismissing any threat. “You’re afraid you’ll ask her and she’ll turn you down.”
Even his damn toes tensed. “You’re a doctor of medicine, Sawyer, not psychology. There’s a good reason for that, you know.”
Sawyer started to laugh. “I don’t believe this. Women have been chasing you for as long as I can remember, and now here’s one you’ve got cornered, keeping her as close as you can get her, but you’re afraid of her.”
“Honey’s not going to like you much with a bloody nose.”
Morgan hadn’t actually raised a hand in anger toward any of his brothers since his early teens. He assumed that was why Sawyer so easily ignored his warning.
Sawyer was still laughing, and Morgan decided it was time to change the subject. “She’s taken another job.”
That shut him up. “Misty quit working for you?”
“No, she took a second job. But should she be doing that in her condition?”
“Her condition isn’t exactly debilitating,” Sawyer pointed out, then with curiosity: “What job did she take?”
“She’s working at the diner.” Morgan knew he sounded disgruntled, but damn it, he didn’t want her working two jobs. And he sure as certain didn’t want her out there where anyone and everyone from town would be able to look her over. The woman didn’t know her own appeal. Before she’d even be aware of it, she’d find herself engaged again. Morgan wasn’t about to let that happen.
“From what she said, I gather she plans to work there an additional six or so hours, all in the evening. I think it’s too much.”
Sawyer frowned in thought. “She’s a healthy young woman, and her pregnancy is still in the early stages, so it probably won’t bother her right now. But when she gets further along, there’s a good chance her ankles will swell and her back will hurt if she stays on her feet for that long.”
“Maybe you should try talking to her.” Morgan thought it was a terrific idea, and his mood lightened. “You’re a doctor. She’d listen to you.”
“I’m not her doctor, so it’s none of my business. Come to that, it’s none of your business, either.”
“Hmm. She hasn’t mentioned seeing a doctor at all. And shouldn’t she be taking vitamins or something?”
Sawyer gave it up. “Why don’t you ask her about it. I can give her the vitamins, but she should have regular checkups with an obstetrician. Being she’s new in the area, I could recommend someone.” As an afterthought, Sawyer asked, “How far along is she?”
“I think she said around three months. Why?”
Sawyer finished his coffee and stood. “No matter.” He looked his brother over carefully. “I’ve got to get to work. Are you going to be okay?”
Morgan immediately frowned again. “I’m fine, damn it.”
“Just asking.” He turned to go, but hesitated. “Morgan? At least think about what I said, all right? If you wait too long to figure things out,