The Reluctant Cowboy by Kate Pearce

Author:Kate Pearce [Pearce, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2016-09-20T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

January glanced over at Blue as he efficiently mucked out Nolly’s stall and dumped a load of soiled hay in the barrow. He was slightly shorter and broader than Chase and had more obvious muscle, which, seeing as he was a marine, made sense. His eyes were blue but far colder than his brother’s and didn’t make her feel very comfortable. But then she hadn’t liked the way he’d looked at Chase last night, so she might already be prejudiced against him.

“Thanks for helping out,” she said.

“You’re welcome. I like to keep busy.” Blue forked up another load of flattened hay. “Ruth said that if I want to ride I should take Messi. Do you know which horse that is?”

She pointed at the stall opposite. “He’s the paint over there. Miguel’s away this week, so he’ll be pleased if Messi gets some exercise.”

“Messi’s a funny name for a horse.”

January chuckled. “He’s named after Lionel Messi, the soccer player. Miguel’s Argentinian.”

“Makes sense. I haven’t ridden for a while. I used to love it when I was a kid.” Blue picked up the handles of the barrow. “I’ll just dump this.”

January kept him company as he walked around the barn. Chase had gone out early in his truck to see Roy and hadn’t yet returned.

“Ruth said you’ll be stationed near Bridgeport for a while.”

“Yeah.” He glanced at her as he emptied the wheelbarrow. “I’ll be around a lot more, so you don’t need to worry about my asshole of an older brother selling the place out from under you and Ruth.”

“I don’t think he’s planning on doing that.”

“Then you don’t know him very well. When he gets the bit between his teeth, he’s impossible to stop.”

“Funny, he said the same thing about you.”

Blue stopped walking and faced her, his expression serious. “Look, I’m on your side. I want to save this place. It’s my family home. TC—I mean, Chase wants to get rid of it because it makes him feel guilty.”

“Guilty about what?”

“What he did.” Blue shrugged. “It’s ancient history. You should ask him about it.”

“I have.” She picked up her bucket and took it back into the barn. “He was just a kid like you were. How come everything was his fault?”

“It’s not that simple. He was the oldest—”

“He was twelve when your mother died or disappeared or whatever happened. He wasn’t an adult, and he wasn’t ultimately responsible for the decisions the adults around him made.”

Blue let out his breath. “He was involved in those decisions. He made his choices, and what he did split our family apart.” He shook his head. “I didn’t expect you of all people to defend him.”

“Why shouldn’t I when no one else will?” She held Blue’s gaze. “Your brother is a good man. Give him a chance.”

“I’ve already promised that I’ll listen to what he has to say. But I know how it will go. He’ll try to get ’round me with logic and spreadsheets and projections until I end up agreeing with him just to make him shut up.

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