The Cowboy Next Door by Trish Milburn

Author:Trish Milburn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance
ISBN: 9781949707670
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Published: 2019-01-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Wes’s mood didn’t improve over the next couple of days. If anything, it got worse. And evidently he wasn’t able to hide it.

“You need to go see Claire,” Justin said as they loaded up a few head of cattle they were selling.

“What makes you say that?”

“Because you’ve been sticking to the ranch the past couple of days and you’re about as pleasant to be around as a ticked-off porcupine.”

“I thought I was supposed to hang around the ranch since it’s my job.”

Justin pointed at Wes. “See? That. You usually joke, but now you’re just being a snappy smart-ass.”

Wes spun toward his older brother. “Make up your mind. First you tell me to be careful around Claire, like you’re warning me off her or something. Now you’re telling me the opposite. What the hell, man?”

Damn if Justin didn’t smile. “Dad was right. You’ve got it bad.”

“What? A case of annoying family?”

“I warned you off because I know your usual dating M.O. But it’s different this time. You really like her.”

“Of course I like her!” He started to repeat what he’d said to Parker, that Claire was nice, but he stopped himself. It was more than just admiring her or thinking she was a nice person. Something else was going on, something with which he was severely lacking in experience.

“Then stop moping around here and go tell her.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“You said it yourself. I’m not serious when it comes to dating.”

“Maybe you haven’t been before because you hadn’t met the right woman yet.”

“I barely know her.” That didn’t feel true even as the words left his mouth. If he looked at the situation honestly, he could see that he’d felt drawn to her from the beginning. It had been different than just physical attraction, which honestly was what always drew him first. He supposed he wasn’t different than most people in that regard, but something beyond her looks had pulled at him, making him want to get to know her better. It was almost as if he’d crossed some cosmic magnetic line that refused to free him. He wasn’t even sure he wanted to be freed.

“You don’t have to know someone a long time to like them.”

“I can’t figure you out. One day I’m sure you think I’m not responsible enough to date seriously, and the next it feels like you’re convinced I’ve found my one true love.”

“I don’t know if Claire is your one true love, but it’s interesting that that thought even crossed your mind.”

“Melody has rubbed off on you too much.”

“I can think of worse things.” Justin shut the gate on the back of the cattle trailer. “All I’m saying is that I’ve never seen you this way before. You seemed to have a good time with her, and then all of sudden you just stopped.”

“I don’t want to hurt her.” Wes wondered if that was the most honest, most vulnerable thing he’d ever said to his brother.

“Then don’t. The fact that you’re worried about that tells me a lot.

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