Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 95273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“No.”
“What was that? I know for a fact you didn’t just tell me no.”
“I can’t travel, Sandy. I’m a real cowboy, and we’re in the middle of a bitch of a winter. If they want photo shoots and video, they’ll have to come to me.”
“Hmm.” I can practically hear her tapping her long fingernail on her chin. “You know what, that’s good. Can they shoot at the ranch?”
“I’ll double-check with my brother, but I don’t see why not. They’ll have to pay for it.”
“Of course, honey. You know I have your back there. Okay, let me make some calls, and I’ll take care of it. Talk soon.”
She hangs up before I can even reply, and I sit for another moment, not a little shocked.
This will be the highest-grossing year of my career. It’s a good thing I have my brother, Ryan, helping me with investments.
Pulling out of Abbi’s driveway, I head into downtown and park in front of Bitterroot Valley Coffee Co. My little sister, Millie, bought this place last year. She’s changed a few things in the past year, bought new tables, updated the signs, and added some things to the menu. We’re all damn proud of our baby sister.
I’m the only one in the place when I walk inside, and I grin when Millie smiles over at me.
“Good morning,” she says. “You want your usual?”
“How do you remember everyone’s usual?” I ask her, leaning on the counter.
“Steel trap,” she replies, tapping her head. “You want?”
“Yes, please.”
“I hear you spent the night with Abbi.” She turns and grins at me, and I narrow my eyes.
“How the hell did you hear that?”
“Well, Rem told Erin that you were there when he took Daisy home, and Erin called me this morning. Not to gossip, we had to talk about the New Year’s Eve party for the collective, but she happened to mention it to me. So. Spill it.”
“Fuck that.”
“Come on.” She finishes my coffee and adds a lid. “She’s my friend, and you’re my brother. Don’t give me details, because gross, but what’s going on? Are you a thing? Are you sleeping together?”
“We’re…” I shrug and sip my coffee. “Friends. I helped with Daisy. She was really sick.”
“Poor baby,” Millie says, frowning. “Was she better this morning?”
“They were sleeping when I left. Hopefully, she’s through the worst of it. I’m meeting Rem here.”
“I know. Erin called.” Millie winks at me. “And you’re not going to tell me any more, are you?”
“No.” I sip again. “I’m not.”
The bell over the door chimes when Remington walks in, takes his hat off, and nods at us. “Mornin’.”
“Good morning,” we reply in unison.
“How’s Holly this morning?” I ask him.
“Sleeping. Puked her guts out last night. Daisy?”
“Same.”
“He won’t tell me anything,” Millie says as she passes Rem his coffee. “It’s damn annoying.”
“Nothing to tell,” I reply, ignoring them when they both narrow their eyes at me. “Let’s sit.”
I gesture to a table, and Rem and I have a seat. A few seconds later, Millie walks over with two slices of huckleberry-lemon pound cake.
“On the house,” she says with a wink. “’Cause I love you.”
She bustles away, and I take a bite.
“Damn, this is good. So, what’s up? Do you want to drill me about Abbi, too?”
“Not drill,” Remington replies slowly, watching me. He’s always been the most serious, the broodiest out of all of us. And although I’m close to all of my siblings, Rem is the one I’m closest to. “But I am curious.”
“I like her.” I shrug. “It’s really that simple.”
“Yeah, except you don’t date.”
I nod, thinking it over. He’s not wrong. “Not usually. We talked about it last night, and we’re just taking it one day at a time for now, and we’re both okay with that. I’m not dicking with her or lying to her. I’m not an asshole.”
“Not usually,” he echoes.
“She’s a good mom,” I say quietly, fidgeting with my coffee cup. “And Daisy’s the sweetest. I tried to stay away, but damn it, I’m attracted to her. She’s so fucking beautiful. Who wouldn’t be attracted to her? Hell, I was pissed last night. Mad at myself, irritated with her. So, I went downtown, and Jen ended up being there.”
His eyes narrow, and now I can’t stop talking. It’s like the faucet’s been turned on, and it’s all just rolling out of my mouth.
“And I went back to her place.”
“Whoa.” Rem holds up a hand. “Are you telling me that you fucked around with the barrel racer and then went to Abbi’s?”
“I didn’t have sex with Jen,” I reply, scowling. “Jesus, I couldn’t. I kept thinking about Abbi, so I told Jen the fuck buddy thing was over, and then I couldn’t help myself. I drove over to Abbi’s place.”
“And then the girls got sick and ruined your plans.” He laughs now, and that’s unusual for my oldest brother. I don’t love it when he laughs at my expense. “Oh, man, you’re fucked.”