Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 69468 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69468 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
“No thank you.” I wanted to head him off before he could come around offering samples or some such.
“Still got manners, I see.” Kane had forever been teasing me about being polite. A good kid, like Colt. I’d tried to mimic Colt’s manners, and what I hadn’t learned from Colt, the military had filled in. Not that Kane seemed all that appreciative.
“Still finding trouble.” I gestured toward the back door of Mom’s house, where two women in their late twenties or early thirties had emerged, each with a toddler in tow.
“Hey, now, we all get along.” Kane held up his hands. “Was a bit of a surprise, but don’t be like Colt and get all judgmental over those of us allergic to monogamy.”
“Not judging.” I’d lived a fair number of years. I knew some folks with open relationships and such. Didn’t mean I trusted Kane to do it ethically.
“Good.” His smile turned thoughtful again. “You know, Keira has a sister…”
“No match…match maybe…matchmaking.” Crap. I’d gone and gotten too cocky about my earlier speech successes.
“Okay.” Kane pursed his lips like he’d tasted something bitter. He did an even worse job than Colt at covering his discomfort as he pushed back up to standing. “Listen, you take care of yourself. I better go help with the kids.”
“Will do.” I was honestly grateful when Kane walked away to greet his girlfriends or whatever the two of them were. He didn’t bother introducing me. Oh well. More solitude for me.
I was, however, damned relieved when Colt and Maverick showed back up not long after lunch and the cake were served.
“Ready to go?” Colt asked me. “It’s getting pretty hot now.”
“Yep.” I was happy enough to blame the weather, although this dry heat was nothing like the Middle East or jungles I’d been stationed at.
“Thank goodness.” Maverick grinned at me as we made our way to his truck. “You’re the perfect excuse for us to leave early. The girls are going to stay over with your mom.”
“Glad to help.” My voice was drier than paint chips, but Maverick didn’t seem to notice. “Got chores anyway.”
“Don’t work too hard in this heat.” Colt frowned.
“Says Sheriff Overtime.” I managed the quick retort, which earned a full-on belly laugh from Maverick.
“He’s got you there, Colt.” Sobering a little, Maverick turned toward me with a sheepish expression. “Sorry. We keep hovering. You’re doing an awesome job by all accounts. Keep up the good work.”
“Thanks.” I stayed quiet on the ride back to the ranch, content to let Maverick and Colt yammer on about the party and family politics. I escaped to the horse barn as soon as I could, though, eager for some alone time and a chance to stretch my muscles.
In fact, I was so intent on the job ahead that I almost walked right into Jude.
“Hey there.” Jude had a warm smile for me. In addition to Monday, I’d seen him around the ranch two other times over the course of the week, but only long enough for a wave and a howdy. “Figured you’d be at that party for your other brother.”
“Was. Back now.” If Jude was here on a Saturday, there had to be a reason. I scanned the row of stalls behind him. “Sick horse?”
“One of the stallions started limping, so Kat called me in to take a look.” Jude shrugged like he routinely worried over the fit of horseshoes on his weekends. I could relate because I’d never been able to fully go off duty myself. “I’m hoping it’s a shoe issue and not something more serious.”
“Hope so.” Horse feet were delicate things, and leg issues could be tricky, especially in a stallion worth more than a lot of fancy cars.
“And luckily, this was my last call for the day. I try not to take on too many weekend calls, but somehow work always finds me.” He chuckled.
Yep. Man like me. Kane might be allergic to monogamy, but I was allergic to vacations. It sounded like Jude was the same.
“Know how that goes.” I smiled knowingly at him.
“What work do you have left today?” he asked.
Thank God, he didn’t add on a warning about the heat or some such. From the start, Jude had acted like I could do this job, which I very much appreciated.
“Feed. Water. Not much.” I gave him an honest answer. Kat hadn’t assigned me many tasks, but I’d been happy enough for the excuse to use with Maverick and Colt.
“What do you say I give you a hand?” Jude offered. “I was thinking of heading into Durango to that veterans’ group I mentioned. I’d love some company for the drive.”
“Colt needs…” I groaned as I searched for the right words. “To stop meddling.”
“Not his idea or request.” Jude shifted his medical pack, but his expression was innocent enough that I believed him. “Just me craving a burger after the meeting and not wanting to eat alone.”