Sweet Mercy - Lynn Hagen Page 0,10

rustic furniture.

They walked into the kitchen, and Mercy sat at the country-style table. “All I have is a hot water bottle to use for heat,” Mercy said.

“Where is it?” Ford looked around. The kitchen was spacious, with a large island in the middle. Above the island, pots and pans hung from a rack, which made Ford wonder how Mercy reached them.

“In the junk drawer.” Mercy pointed toward the fridge.

Ford pulled three drawers open before he found the right one. Then he took the teakettle to the sink and filled it. While he waited for the water to heat, he took a seat at the table. “Let me see your leg.”

Mercy winced as he lifted it, and Ford settled it on his thigh. He ran his fingers over Mercy’s calf, massaging it but also enjoying the fact that he was touching him again.

“It’s already starting to ease.” Mercy’s voice had grown soft and sweet. “I might not have to smell like an old man.”

“It wouldn’t bother me if you did.” Ford glided his fingers along Mercy’s silky skin. The guy barely had any leg hair. He feared his hands might be too rough, but Mercy didn’t complain.

Mercy jumped out of his chair when a guy with disheveled brownish-red hair and green eyes walked into the kitchen. The stranger looked between them before smiling. “Go ahead with your bad ass, Mercy.”

“It’s not what you think,” Mercy quickly said. He waved a hand at Ford, nearly knocking Ford in the eye. “This is one of the new ranch workers, Ford Bowers. Ford, this is Red. He’s my brother’s boyfriend and resident computer entry guy.”

Ford nodded.

“Crap, I’m talking too much.” Mercy held the back of his chair. “I think my biscuits are done.”

Ford arched a brow. “You’re not baking any biscuits.”

Red chuckled. “Was hoping some coffee was ready, but I’ll come back.” He winked before he walked out of the kitchen.

“Relax,” Ford said. “He’s gone.”

Mercy’s hand fluttered to his throat. “I need to get breakfast started, and I’m sure you have to get ready for work.”

Ford knew when he was being dismissed. He didn’t like it but didn’t argue. “Tomorrow morning?”

He wanted to get outside and do a little investigating. Ford was dead certain someone was watching him, and he wanted to find out who it was and why.

“Yeah, sure.”

Mercy hobbled to the counter, and Ford wanted to offer his assistance but walked out. He couldn’t let his emotions get the better of him. He was there to do a job, hopefully help Mercy start his bakery business, and then blow this town.

Ford didn’t need an entanglement.

* * * *

Mercy cursed when Ford left. He shouldn’t have been so rude, but…damn it. The more time he spent around the muscled guy, the more charmed Mercy became with him.

It wasn’t as if Mercy wanted to stay stuck in the past. Of course he wanted to forget what Lloyd had done to him and to enjoy his life. But every time he thought of moving on, thought that he could be a normal guy, his fears gripped him and made him take a step back instead of forward.

The one thought that gave him hope was the fact that he wasn’t a complete wreck like he had been when he first arrived at the ranch. Back then Mercy had been afraid of his own shadow. He hadn’t gone near any of the workers, and even Lincoln’s large size intimidated him.

Mercy had hid in the house for an entire year, and if it hadn’t been for Lincoln’s patience and love, Mercy wasn’t sure he would have even gotten this far in his recovery.

“Is the coast clear?” Red walked back into the kitchen and headed for the coffeepot.

“Ford was just helping me after I got a charley horse.” Mercy limped to the fridge and pulled out the pack of bacon he’d put in there the night before. He cut the teakettle off, deciding to put heat to his leg later.

“You don’t have to explain anything to me.” Red turned and leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. “Your personal life is your own. He does seem like a nice guy.”

Mercy set the pack of bacon on the counter and bit his lip. He was dying to talk to someone about the turmoil inside of him. Mercy leaned on Lincoln for a lot of things, but he was still embarrassed that his brother had had to rescue him from an abusive ex and didn’t want to tell him that he