Page 40 of Winning His Wager

24

“Brother-mine,are you sleeping with my woman’s baby sister?”

Fletcher grunted at his brother’s stupid question as he slid open the door to the far barn. “What do you think?”

“I think that Artie is about to have a conniption. So thank you, dear brother, for all you are doing for me. Thank you, I am greatly enjoying his struggles with Tyler-itis. As his bevy of beautiful daughters have said, the man may need more prunes in his diet. But it sure was fun to see his face when we found you.” Ben grabbed the bag of feed and got to work. “So?”

“Just fell asleep on the couch with her. That’s all.”

“Holding her, you mean. I saw where your hand was, bro. I saw, and I totally understand. I moved it before her old man could see it. Of course, she ended up sitting on your lap and everything. Which really increased his conniptioning. You probably wouldn’t mind doing more to her, I suspect. I know she…gets you going. I also know she always has. Probably from day one.”

“Aren’t you just the observant one?” Fletcher wasn’t in the damned mood for this. Waking to see that asshole Talley glaring down at him with murder in the man’s eyes wasn’t exactly a great start to his day. He’d had Dylan in his arms last night, and he’d imaginedwakingwith her in his arms this morning. Her father being there hadn’t factored into the picture at all. “What does asshole Talley want this morning, anyway?”

“Rumors. Apparently, you and his daughter are getting naughty with each other, and he’s freaking. Can’t have another of his baby girls falling for a dirty Tyler, you know. No help for Dusty, of course, but his precious baby-Dylan? I think he plans to rescue her from you.”

“She mentioned some rumors. About her and other men. But there is nothing to them. And when I find the people responsible for spreading them,I’lltake care of the problem. She doesn’t deserve that.”

“No, she doesn’t. And Dusty is certain Dylan never stepped outside of the community center with any man. So someone is making things up completely. Daddy Dearest doesn’t know that, though. But I figured you’d want to know.”

“Why would someone do that?” Fletcher bit back the anger. If someone was messing with Dylan like that, he was going to find them and deal with it. She had enough on her plate to worry about now.

“Not sure. But she was there with a Hollywood actor. That’s a good place to start. Could be simple jealousy. Dusty also said that Dylan is pretty well-liked by the staff at the inn and diner, but there have been a few women who have had problems with her for some reason.”

“Let me guess. Abby Vanderguard and that Braelyn Crandall girl. That cousin of the Rutherfords.”

“Nailed it. I think part of the problem is that Abby wouldn’t mind if you nailedher,bro. She was in a real snit after you refused to dance with her. She’s jealous. And Marin overheard her throwing a bit of a tantrum.”

“What is this, junior high? Abby was a bitch in junior high who told me I was nothing but dirty Tyler trash when I accidentally bumped her in the hallway one day. Apparently, she hasn’t outgrown it yet. Why would a guy want that?”

“Seems so. Marin was about to light into Abby, but Darcey stopped her. Said personal issues don’t belong in the inn’s staffing decisions. But Dusty and Marin are a bit overprotective of your little housekeeper in there, so they aren’t happy. Thought Darcey and Marin were really going to tangle again over it. Those two coven sisters arguing is alwaysreallyfun to watch, I might add. When Daddy Dearest showed up this morning to get more information, I waselectedto come over here with him while my woman is working. My woman gave me alook,and somehow, I just ended up here. Not sure how it happened, really. That look is dangerous. You should be prepared. I suspect it’s hereditary.”

“So that asshole’s in there, probably doing everything he can to manipulate her into going back to the inn. And we just left her? Shit.”

“Of course, we did. We have chores to do.”

Ben could be such an ass. Fletcher bit back another growl. “Ihave chores to do. Get your ass back in there until I can get everything finished. I don’t want her left alone with him. And I can’t guarantee I won’t kick his damned old ass for whatever he’s probably saying to her now.”

“Yes, bro. I shall go protect your woman-slash-my-woman’s-baby-sister right now.” Ben saluted, and spun around. Fletcher knew his brother always enjoyed giving Talley a hard time.

“Hurry the hell up, will you? Just go.”

25

“I won’t.”Dylan pushed the wacky hair out of her eyes and looked at the man responsible for her very existence. “You are being a butthead. I don’t care if the entire town is gossiping about me and Fletcher right now. I am not going to scurry back toyourinn and hide. Do you honestly think I am going to stay there for the rest of my life? Devvie isn’t going to, either. We both know that. She wants to be acounselor,Dad. A psychiatrist. To help people like Mom. That is going to take her a long time to do and lots of college, but she can do it. She’s so smart she deserves a chance to go for her dreams. Dorie and Dahlia deserve to have choices too.”

“And so do you, kid,” a male voice said behind her as the kitchen door opened. She turned quickly and then relaxed. It wasn’t the Tyler she thought it was. “Don’t forget that. Even if that choice is to wash my brother’s stinky undies and socks for the rest of your life.”

Ben sounded a lot like Fletcher. And she just wasn’t ready to faceFletcheryet. Not yet. That cowboy’s hand had beenunderher sweater. She was sure of it. Of course, it had been over her back, but…the man had a touch like fire. And…it may have been elsewhere in the middle of the night. Like under the front of that sweater. Doing things, touching things. Doing things she had liked.

“I know. I’m manufacturing my own choices, actually. Where is your brother? Kissing up to his precious cows?”

“Something like that. Love the hair. Little devil horns definitely suit you.” Her future brother-in-law patted her head lightly.

Dylan ran her fingers through the tangles. What was the point of worrying about her hair now? “Why are you not out there helping your brother?”

“He ordered me to get my ass back in here and take care of his housekeeper. He seems to think your father is a bully and a butthead and didn’t want to leave you alone with him. I’m supposed to protect you from your father until my baby brother gets back in here so he can protect you himself.”

“Ah, he can be so sweet when he’s not busy being a grumpy lunatic. I think it ties into his diet.” Dylan turned back to her father. “No. Repeat. No. Dylan is not going back to the TalleyInnright now. Dylan is Fletcher’s Fletcher-keeper. That requires Dylan keeping Fletcher. Here. Go back to wherever you came from, Father. I love you. Now shoo.”

---