B and B Chapter 2

Hi everyone!

A little while ago I provided the first chapter (in 4 excerpts) to my next adult horse novel, B and B. I wanted to follow this up with the second chapter just to provide a bit of an idea for potential readers! This book will be available for sale in 2016!

Now for some more of the novel:

Once the last horse had been rugged and turned out for the evening Ben found himself finally smiling.
“What an afternoon!” he said.
Jake nodded in agreement.
“Indeed. Boy did that Janine have a thing for you! Maybe she likes the tall, dark, brooding sort. Personally, I like a bit more fun and conversation,” he teased.
“Ha ha,” Ben replied sarcastically, “but seriously, thanks. I had no idea how to respond to her.”
“You can thank me by coming into the main house for dinner. At least you can talk with some people you know and work with.”
Ben knew that Jake’s comment wasn’t a suggestion. He sighed, but realised that although an evening alone was all he wanted, he had to oblige his mate for saving him from an awkward situation. He paused in confusion as Jake started toward his cabin.
“I thought you said we were going to the main house…” he started.
Jake turned back to him and raised his brows.
“Of course we are, but you don’t expect me to go like this, do you? I’m going to shower and change first! It’s not just Margaret and Peter anymore,” he said, as if that explained everything.
Ben sighed, realising he should have known. Of course Jake would want to look – and smell – good for the new cook. He realised he should also shower. It was the least he could do for Margaret and Peter before entering their house.
—
Half an hour later the two men made their way up the front steps of the long farm house. Whenever Ben was by himself, he would knock before entering but in typical Jake style, the younger man opened the door and cheerfully called out.
“What’s for dinner? We’re starving!”
“Come in and find out!” Margaret called back, causing Ben to smile.
The two men made their way down the hallway and into the dining room where Margaret was setting a last place at the table. Ben knew she’d added an extra spot for him, not having expected him for dinner before Jake announced their arrival. He was thankful she didn’t make a big deal of it and welcomed him in, simply by making room for him at the large dining table.
“Huh, to what do we owe this pleasure?” Peter asked Ben, gazing at him from over the paper he was reading.
Obviously Peter wasn’t as subtle. Ben shrugged.
“Actually, we’re a consolation prize,” Jake started seriously, causing Ben to question where this conversation was headed.
“You see, Ben had this hot date tonight but because he had to tend to the horses, he turned her down. We’re the next best thing,” Jake finished, causing Peter to look between the two of them in interest.
Ben pulled out the chair at the extra place he’d seen Margaret set at the table. He sat down and glanced over at Peter, not surprised that the older male was still looking at him thoughtfully.
“What?” Ben asked, not sure that he really wanted to know.
“You should have gone out. I’m sure the others would have tended to the horses quite capably without you.”
“I’m sure they would have,” Ben replied, not committing to make comment about the young woman.
Peter sighed.
“And that is why you two will spend the rest of your lives here, old and alone!”
Jake looked indignant.
“Now that’s hardly fair, Pete. You know me, I’m just waiting for the right woman,” he said in sincerity, winking at Brooke as she entered the room, holding the hand of a little blonde girl.