Chapter Five #4
It was part of training and eventually helped both rider and horse, as he was
sure Brooke’s brother would explain in better detail. No one rode a damn bull
into town or out on the range. So it seemed kind of mean. Huh, he bet Nell
would approve.
He still wasn’t giving up his bacon.
“Hmm, I guess I didn’t think of it that way,” she replied.
“So you’re living out on this ranch? There must be a bunch around here.”
“Not really. There are a couple of small ranches, but only
one big one. It’s called the G. It’s run by some real nice folks. The
Glen-Bennetts and the McNamara-O’Malleys. They treat all their hands like
family.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard some rumors about why everyone seems to
have hyphenated names out here.” Her smile became seductive. At least he
thought those were the vibes she was sending off. “Tell me something, cowboy.
Do you have a brother?”
Yep. He was feeling cornered. This was not about where the
cheese could be found. What did he do? He glanced around but Laura had turned
down the aisle with baking mixes and spices. Little Sierra snuck a box of
cookies into her cart and did not care that he might be dealing with real-life
sexual harassment. The bell jingled at the front of the store, and he wondered
who’d walked in and if they might be willing to help a brother out.
Where were all the horny dudes when a girl needed one? Not
that he wasn’t horny. It had been a real challenge to slip out of that bed and
not wake Brooke up. She’d been curled around him with Bay at her back. She’d
been so stunning in the early morning light, with her hair caressing her cheeks
and her skin all warm and inviting.
They never slept with a woman. They were always up and out
before dawn so no one saw them.
That was what Brooke had wanted, too. At least she’d
intimated that was what she wanted.
Would she think the same if it was only Bay in her bed? Bay
was the talented one, the legitimate one. Bay’s birth hadn’t ever been
described as an affront to the natural order of things. He still didn’t
understand how it wasn’t natural to have a baby when two people screwed like
bunnies without protection. No matter their marital status.
“Uhm, yes, ma’am. I do have a brother. His name is Bay, and
he is waiting back at our girlfriend’s place for this bacon.” There. That was
how he got away. He had a girlfriend. Well, she didn’t know it, but he was
going to behave like a good boyfriend, and that meant chucking her right out
there any time a strange woman came onto him.
“Girlfriend?” She looked at him skeptically. “I don’t know
many cowhands who can keep a girlfriend. Not that you’re not good for a girl.
No offense. Just you’re not usually boyfriend material. Does she live with you?
Are you screwing the rancher’s daughter?”
“Uhm, Miranda is five. Brooke has her own place out on the
Harper Stables.” It was time to move on. “And I need to get back there. I’m
making her some breakfast.”
“Mr. Kent, what are you making? I like breakfast,” a soft
voice said.
He glanced down and saw something way scarier than the
sexually aggressive chick.
Poppy Flanders. She was three or four, and she obviously had
inherited her parents’ intelligence and their deep belief in protesting
anything they felt harmed the environment or impugned on the rights of the
humans and creatures they shared that same earth with.
He gave the girl a smile and tried to hide his basket. “Hey
there, Poppy. Where’s your momma?”
“I’m right here.” Nell walked up, a hand on her belly. She
was wearing a sunny yellow dress that showed off how close she was to giving
Poppy a sibling. She looked at the other woman and then back to Shane. “Can I
help you, Miss? Shane here is in a hurry to get back to his fiancée.”
Shane nodded and then stopped. “What?”
Nell gave him a smile. “You probably should check your
messages. Apparently Max and Rye went by Brooke’s tiny house, and now you’re
getting married. It’s okay. Happens all the time here in Bliss.”
“I thought she was only a girlfriend,” the young woman said
with a frown.
He pulled his cell out and sure enough, there was a message
from Brooke’s phone.
Hey, you’re kind of needed back here. Forget about
breakfast. I need help moving out and finding a place to stay, and also
apparently we’re doing this fake fiancé thing because I lost it with my
brothers, so if you don’t mind… Also, I could use some of Teeny’s
muffins if she has any left.
There were a bunch of emojis. A couple of hearts. Some
prayer hands. A muffin. Oh, and a bagel. He should get some bagels, too.
What had happened?
And how did she know his name? The half-dressed chick. Not
Brooke. He’d made certain Brooke knew his name.
The young woman looking for bacon had clearly called him
Shane, and they hadn’t exchanged names. He looked back up and she was gone.
“Where did she go?” Shane asked, glancing around.
Nell frowned. “Oh, I’m sorry. I thought you had the look of
a man who didn’t know how to get himself out of an uncomfortable position. If I
was wrong, I apologize. I thought with the news…”
“Why was he talking to that lady if he’s supposed to marry
Paige’s aunt?” Poppy asked.
The Flanders women could do judgment.
“Look, I’m not sure how we ended up engaged, but I’m happy
about it, though you should know Brooke’s not going to be. Not now. However, I
will use this time to prove we can be good for her,” Shane announced.
Nell’s expression went bright. “Oh, I would bet Max and Rye
caught her with your brother and they were obnoxious, and she decided to show
them. It’s a good start. Good trope. I approve of everything except the odd
woman hitting on you.”
“I didn’t realize she was hitting on me.” He heard the bell
jingle again and knew it was her. She was gone. “She knew my name.”
“Everyone does,” Nell agreed. “You’re settling in nicely.
Did I thank you for helping Henry with the fencing? I never thought we would
fence in any of our property, but it’s safer for the goats we’re rescuing. I
think the idea of a home for abused and abandoned animals is so beautiful.”
Those goats wouldn’t have to worry about being milked or
used for anything but emotional support. “It was an honor. I’m glad they’ll
have somewhere to go, and I would like to volunteer if you need help.”
“That’s wonderful. I think it’ll bring the whole community
together.”
He let go of the odd woman who’d hit on him. He’d probably
told her his name. Or she’d heard Teeny call it out as he’d walked in. But he
had questions. “How did you know I was fake engaged before I did?”
Nell waved a hand. “Oh, it’s the Bliss grapevine. Rachel
called me and Callie the minute Max and Rye got back and Paige told her
everything that happened. Also, you should tell Bay that he should ice his
shin. Paige kicks harder than you would think.”
“I’m not supposed to kick people. I’m supposed to use my
words,” Poppy said with a nod. “Words are powerful.”
Okay, he might like Poppy better than Paige. “Did Paige tell
Rachel that I had to leave the comfort of my fake near-marital bed because her husbands ate all the bacon?”
Nell frowned. “Yes, I do believe that was brought up as
well.”
Poppy’s eyes shimmered with tears as she looked up at him.
Like she was straight out of a Dickens novel, and he was the evil villain who
would throw her to the wolves. “Did you kill the poor pig yourself, Mr. Shane?”
Nope. He was back to preferring Paige. He also slipped the
basket behind him, dropping it on top of the aforementioned bacon. “I was going
to grab Brooke some muffins. No more bacon.”
Nell bit back a laugh and put a hand on her daughter’s head.
“Sorry. She’s passionate about animals. And you should know Rachel is deeply
upset that Brooke is leaving. I’m think she was counting on Brooke babysitting
a couple of times while she’s here. So where are you planning to stay? There
are some cabins open for rent. That is if you intend to work after you get
married.”
He didn’t think the getting married thing was actually
happening. At least not anytime soon, but he was confused. “Why would I stop
working?”
Nell’s eyes narrowed. “Well, it’s a question a lot of women
get asked. Do you think only a woman is capable of handling the home and
children?”
Yep. There were traps everywhere today. “No, ma’am. I think
we’re all going to work, and I’ll check into the cabins.”
How much would it cost? Bay would just tell her they had
some money saved up. He wouldn’t think about the fact that they’d had to
replace all four tires, and that had eaten into their savings. Which was never
much. He would have to figure something out.
“Oh, I don’t think that will be necessary.” Beth
McNamara-O’Malley pushed her cart up to join them. She had a car seat locked
into the cart, and it looked like Tanner was taking a nap. The G was flush with
kiddos, and Shane kind of liked it. Miranda and Kade kept every adult on their
toes, and Tanner would get there. Hope Glen-Bennett was about to have her
first. It made a man think. “I heard the good news, Shane.”
Did everyone know? Was there a flashing sign somewhere? “Uh,
I don’t think it’s real, ma’am.”
Beth shrugged. “It’s Bliss real. That’s all that counts, and
why don’t y’all move into the foreman’s house? I’m going to warn you, the
basement is our play space, but Trev doesn’t mind sharing. I need you to know
it’ll be used at least once a week. But it’s got a separate entrance. You’ll be
comfy there. I’ll call and have Bo air it out. And get it ready for Brooke. I
should get flowers. Make it sparkle a little.”
“Rachel is going to be upset,” Nell said under her breath.
“You snooze you lose. I promise my husbands
aren’t going to do anything to piss Brooke off. I heard she likes
snickerdoodles. I think I’ll make some this afternoon,” Beth mused as she
started to walk toward the baking aisle. “See you at home, Shane. We’ll get
someone to move your stuff over. It’ll be good to have a threesome in the
foreman’s house.”
The foreman’s house was real nice. It was three bedrooms and
a kitchen and a bath and a half. Way bigger than the tiny house.
And they would have a playroom.
“That is trouble,” Nell said with a shake of her head.
He was missing something essential, but all that mattered
was he had good news. “Thanks for the save, Mrs. Flanders. See you soon. Bye,
Poppy.”
“You forgot your basket,” Poppy pointed out.
Nope. Not going there. “That’s not mine. I’m a muffinterian now. Y’all have a nice day.”
He grabbed the requested muffins and bagels and cream
cheese, paid, and managed to not look guilty at all as Marie complained about
someone leaving a whole basket in the meat section.
It was all looking up until he got to his truck and the door
was open.
He knew he’d closed it.
He sighed and was happy when the fucker started up. Maybe it
had been some kids or something, or maybe he actually hadn’t shut it tight. Mel
swore Sasquatches liked to get into unlocked cars.
It didn’t matter. It wasn’t like he had anything to steal.
He pointed the truck toward Harper Stables and let go of
everything except his good news. For once the world was looking up.