Bad Boy Rancher by Karen Rock

Author:Karen Rock [Rock, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-01-11T19:22:33+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

JUSTIN THWACKED A saddle blanket with a broom, battering it until his muscles ached. Physical pain was better than dealing with the emotions unleashed during tonight’s meeting.

His nose twitched at the stable’s dust-filled air, and his eyes stung. Beneath his leather jacket, his body steamed despite the autumn chill. He yanked it off, tossed another blanket on the line and walloped it hard. White puffs rose from the woven material. He grunted with every whack, releasing his frustration, confusion and grief.

He should’ve trusted his gut and avoided group meetings. Tonight’s stories didn’t apply to him. He was not angry at Jesse. He smacked the blanket. Jesse had let him down, sure. Justin swung the broom again. But drugs were to blame. The blanket billowed from another blow. The dealers. They ruined Jesse’s life...both their lives.

Justin stopped and leaned against the broom handle, breathing hard, listening to the rain hammer the stable roof, wishing like hell he had a beer—the first time in years he’d gone almost a day without thinking of drinking, he realized with a start. Horses nickered at a distant roll of thunder. They stomped on freshly spread hay, as unsettled as he was.

Why was Cole’s story needling him? Raising disloyal thoughts? He and Jesse were blood brothers, womb mates, two hearts that once beat together. He was not mad at Jesse.

He swung the broom and whaled on the blanket again. And again. And again.

“What’d that blanket ever do to you?” a soft voice asked behind him.

He whirled and saw Brielle standing in the soft pool of light cast by the stable’s overhead dome. His heart lurched as his eyes drank her in with a greedy gulp. There was a simple beauty about her, a down-to-earth appeal that didn’t require any decoration. Rain had flattened her loose golden hair, and droplets clung to her lashes. Unlike him, there wasn’t a hint of restless energy surrounding her. A quiet sense of purpose emanated from her intelligent green eyes, a force of personality that even her long floral dress and knit shawl didn’t soften.

Clearly, she was a woman on a mission. What did she want with him, alone, so late at night?

His body tightened at the remembered feel of her mouth against his and her passionate response to their brief kiss. He turned away. “What are you doing here?” His voice emerged rougher than he’d intended.

“Looking for you.”

“Why?” He grabbed the edge of the workbench to stop from reaching for her. She’d called herself a life preserver at Al-Anon...and he was drowning...

“Group meetings can churn up a lot of emotions, especially your first time.” When her fingers smoothed over his back, he swallowed back a groan. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“I’m fine. And busy.”

“Can I help?”

“No.”

“But, I—”

“Go away,” he barked, his self-control breaking. Brielle was the last person he wanted around when he felt raw and exposed. She saw through him, even when he had his guard up.

“No.” She ducked under his arm and wedged herself between his body and the workbench.

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