“Doesn’t make me wrong,” Rory drawled.
Marlie took another sip of beer. “How many brothers do you have?”
“There are six of us,” Rory said easily. “Bosco is the baby.”
Bosco hip-checked his brother. “By one year. Seriously.”
“I’m much more mature,” Rory said, dragging over another black-topped stool. “So, you haven’t said. What brought you to Timber City, Marlie?”
“A job at the college,” she replied, taking another drink and enjoying the slide from hard rock to Christmas music. “I teach Chinese, and there was an opening with a tenure track.”
Bosco handed her a dart. “Very cool. Why Chinese?”
This close, he smelled like the outdoors. “My mom was from Indonesia, and I grew up speaking several languages. Have a knack for them.” The food arrived, and her stomach growled.
“What about Italian?” Rory drawled.
She nodded. “My grandmother on my dad’s side was Italian, so it was one of the languages I wanted to learn. I may teach the Intro to Italian class at the college, as well.”
Bosco hissed in a breath. “Not a word, Rory,” he muttered.
Rory barely kept the amusement out of his eyes as he handed out small and cracked plates. “Where did you move from?”
“Seattle. I taught at a school there but was ready to get out of the city.” She dug into the chicken wings, feeling comfortable and accepted by these guys. Country boys and tough guys, who were happy that their older brother was in love. “Why would Quint have to change his job working as a forester?”
Bosco grinned and finished a chicken wing. “He’s a smoke jumper for the forest service.”
Apparently, the Albertini boys were all adrenaline junkies. “Okay. Let me get this straight, Bosco. You work for the military, Rory works for search and rescue, and Quint jumps into fires. What about the other three brothers?” An unusual longing for a big family hit her. Her parents had both passed away in a car accident, and she hadn’t had any other family.
Bosco nudged the potato skins toward her. “Vince was honorably discharged from the Marines after being shot too many times and now owns and runs an outfitting company on the river. Finn and Knox are co-owners, also ex-military, and have a couple of other businesses. And, for the record, search and rescue is Rory’s hobby. His job is a big ol’ secret.”
Rory tossed a napkin at his brother.
Marlie chuckled. “Excuse me, boys.” She set her beer down and wound her way through the crowd to the restroom, where she stood in line and then took care of business. She walked back out into the heat and noise, surprised when somebody grasped her arm. She turned and then relaxed and smiled. “Mark Jones.”
“Hi.” The young professor stood near the bar, looking handsome in dark jeans and a thick sweater. He taught philosophy at the college, and they’d met during orientation since they were both new at the school. “I see you found the local hangout for winter fun.”
She nodded. “Yeah. This place is wonderful.”
“Me, too.” He nodded toward three guys playing pool. “Bob and Joe teach in the mathematics department, and Frank is in HR at the college. Would you like to join us for a game or two?” His eyes were an intriguing light blue, his shoulders wide, and there was no doubt he was smart.
“I would, but I’m here with friends.” She noticed the interest in his gaze, and while he was cute, she didn’t need to get involved with anybody from the school. At least not before she even started work. Her gaze caught on his ring finger, which held a white line she hadn’t noticed before.
He sighed. “I moved here because of my divorce. Was married for three years. She left me for a guy she worked with.” He scrubbed a hand through his thick black hair. “I wish this stupid line would fade.”
Marlie smiled, feeling for the guy. “Maybe go to a tanning booth and tan your whole hand.” She patted his arm. “A fresh start is a good thing.” The skin at the base of her neck prickled, and she turned to see Bosco leaning against the far wall next to his brother, watching them. Well, watchingher. His gaze was unreadable, but her heartbeat kicked right into gear anyway.
Mark followed her gaze. “Oh, crap. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were on a date.”
“I’m not,” she said, turning her attention back to him. “These guys are just my friends, but they seem the alert type. I’ll see you at the school.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” Mark proved he hadn’t lost the ability to flirt after his divorce.
She chuckled and turned to wind through bodies to reach the Albertini men.
“Meet a friend?” Bosco asked mildly.
“Yeah,” she said, reaching for her beer and hopping up onto a stool. “Mark is a fellow professor at the college.” Not that it was any of Bosco’s business. The guy was kind of sending her mixed messages, and she wasn’t into playing games. “Why do you ask, Bosco?”
