Her Secret Cowboy by Marin Thomas

Author:Marin Thomas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-05-24T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

“What are you and Ryan going to do?” Conway asked.

“I have no idea.” Will stood next to his brother Friday evening staring out the barn doors as they watched Ryan and the twins play tic-tac-toe in the dirt by the porch.

“He doesn’t look happy,” Conway said.

That was the truth. Ryan hadn’t smiled once since he’d driven off with Will after working at the church. “Got any plans with the twins tomorrow?” Maybe Will and Ryan could tag along.

“Isi wants me to paint over the water stains on the ceiling in the upstairs hallway.” Conway grinned. “Want to help?”

“No, thanks.” The last thing Will cared to do with his day off was home repairs. “I thought about taking Ryan to the junior rodeo in Growler, but he doesn’t like rodeo.” He wished his son felt differently about the sport. He would have loved teaching him how to rope a steer.

“You’ll think of something to do.”

Will checked his watch. Eight o’clock. Bedtime was at least three hours away. He cut across the yard and stopped in front of the group.

“We’re bored.” Javier pointed a dirty finger at his cousin. “Ryan’s bored, too.”

“Ryan’s mom wouldn’t let him bring his e-reader, so he can’t read us any stories,” Miguel said.

Now he understood why Ryan wouldn’t make eye contact when they’d waited for their burgers at Vern’s Drive-In—the teen blamed Will for having to leave his favorite hobby at home. “What do you say we head to the swimming hole?”

The twins popped up and shouted, “Yeah!”

When Ryan remained silent, Javier said, “You wanna swim with us? There’s a board we can jump off.”

“It’s called a pier, dummy,” Miguel said.

“Do you know how to swim, Ryan?” Will asked.

“Yeah, but I didn’t pack my trunks.”

“I’ve got an extra pair you can use,” Will said.

When Ryan remained silent, Javier tugged his arm. “Uncle Porter taught me how to do a cannonball. Can you do one?”

Ryan nodded.

“Mig and Javi, go change into your swim shorts and don’t forget towels.” The twins raced into the house.

“I’ll find those trunks for you.” Will walked off, hoping they’d swim for at least a couple of hours, then maybe Ryan would be tired enough to go to bed and Will wouldn’t have to worry about entertaining him.

Forget a long swim—in less than an hour Will and Ryan were back in the bunkhouse, twiddling their thumbs. “Is there a TV show you like to watch on Friday nights?” Will pointed the remote at the big screen mounted to the wall across from the beds.

“I don’t watch a lot of TV. I mostly read.”

Determined to find a program they’d both enjoy, Will flipped through the channels then stopped when he came across a documentary on the Hoover Dam. Maybe Ryan would be interested in the science behind the construction of the dam. “You like popcorn? I’ve got the microwavable kind in the cupboard.”

“Sure.” Ryan stretched out on Johnny’s old bed and listened to the TV.

Will handed Ryan a bag of popcorn, then sat on his bed.

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