Lust Unleashed (Night Seekers, Book One) by Desiree Holt Page A

up. “No problem. You can do it while I fix us something to eat before we starve to death.” She grinned at him. “We’re using up a lot of energy.”

Chapter Five
     
    Donna Perkins thought living alone on a small farm was okay unless you needed some heavy lifting done. At the moment that was at the top of her to-do list. Even at fifty-four she didn’t mind the hard work her truck garden required. In the growing season she hired kids after school, and sometimes border crossers looking for under-the-table money. She planted, reaped, sold and then rented a machine to plow the fields under until the next year.
    But now the barn that housed her two milk cows and assorted machinery needed some repairs she couldn’t do herself. And she wasn’t about to hook up with some man who’d steal her money and property just to get handy labor. Not after all the trouble she’d gone to creating how the townspeople saw her.
    She watched the man approach from the road, the breeze kicking up dust around his feet. She didn’t trust what he might have in mind. Men always thought they could take advantage of a woman alone. Perhaps that was why she kept her rifle cradled loosely in her arms, both a symbol and a warning.
    He was fairly ugly and appeared to be very thin, but as he drew closer she could see his bones were roped with hard muscle. Stringy brown hair brushed the collar of the plaid shirt that, along with his jeans had seen better days. His work boots looked as if they’d walked a million miles.
    Donna stood on the porch, watching carefully. When he reached the edge of the driveway she shifted the position of the rifle.
    “That’s far enough. This thing is loaded and I’m not afraid to use it.”
    The man stopped and held out his hands, palms up. “I’m just looking for a bite to eat and some water. I’ll be happy to do chores for it.”
    Donna was a veteran of run-ins with wandering strangers. Most of them she ran off with a blast or two of the shotgun. But this one didn’t look as if he’d crawled over the border and she really, really needed a strong pair of hands. “What’s left you out here in the middle of nowhere?”
    “I guess you won’t believe me, but I got in a fight with the guy I was riding with and he dumped me out onto the road. I’m trying to get to Eagle Pass. Thought maybe I could find work there and get some bucks together.”
    He was close enough now for her to get a good look at his face. It didn’t look any better up close than it had at a distance. Strange amber-colored eyes looked out from an angular face distinguished by high cheekbones, a broad forehead and a sharp nose. For some reason, his face looked as if it had been put together with pieces that didn’t quite match.
    But he didn’t give off the sense of danger Donna had found with so many others. And as long as she kept her rifle loaded and handy she knew she could take care of herself. Besides, she figured it was a sign from the fates that he showed up just when she was praying for help.
    “There’s a hose in the barn.” She tipped her head in that direction. “I’ll make you a sandwich and bring it out here on the porch. After you fill your belly, we’ll talk. I need some work done around here. You game for that?”
    He nodded, studying her with those weird amber eyes.
    “What’s your name?”
    “Fred.”
    “Fred what?” she asked.
    “Fred’s all I use,” he answered. “What should I call you?”
    “Mrs. Perkins.” She shifted the shotgun. “Or the lady with the firepower. Either one works.”
    He tilted his head. “Where’s Mr. Perkins? How come he ain’t doing the work?”
    “That’s none of your business.” She clipped her words. “All you need to know is he won’t be around to bother you if you do good work. No go on and get a drink. I’ll fix your food.”
    There hadn’t ever been a Mr. Perkins, but he didn’t have to know that. She’d left Eagle Pass after high school, figuring there had to be