Page 7 of My Cowboy Boss
“She’s notmysomeone. She’s the new ranch manager.”
My mother’s smile borders on a smirk. “I never said she was yours.”
I don’t know why I misheard her. I clear my throat, thinking carefully about what I should say. My mother’s dream, one that she’s expressed often, and keeps trying to plan for us is that her boys settle down and give her grandkids to spoil.
Before I come up with something, Arizona approaches, coming to a stop at my side. She holds her hand out. “Hi, I’m Arizona.”
My mother grips her it like she’s found her future daughter-in-law and is already over the moon at the thought. “I want you to stay for dinner. I’ve got some casseroles in the freezer. It won’t take long to get one ready.”
Arizona begins to protest.
“We need to discuss the ranch,” my father adds with a decisive nod.
I could have said it was futile to protest. feel like I should have warned her. My folks make a great team. When one of them wants something, the other one will always jump in to support that want.
“Oh…um,” Arizona says, glancing up at me. Or was that at my lips?
I raise an eyebrow, and she flushes. Then I look at her lips.
My mother catches the interaction between the two of us and her smile widens.
Shit.I need to nip this in the bud before I’m working on that grandbaby plan.
Chapter 4
Arizona
Flint’s parents are smiling at me warmly and though I try a handful of different excuses and even some bargaining that I can come in early tomorrow to discuss the ranch, they won’t budge. I almost let it slip about my sister but thankfully I caught myself and didn’t spill that.
“I’ll um…just go wash up, then.” I smile, uncomfortably aware of Flint’s scrutiny as I hurry to the guest bathroom.
After I shut the door and lock it, I hurriedly call Aspen since she’s expecting me back.
“They’re pushing for me to stay for dinner,” I say. “And I’ll be late so—”
“It’s fine. Donna’s here.”
Donna is our elderly neighbor, and she’s got such a cutting wit that my sister and I laugh ourselves to tears when she visits. “Stay and enjoy yourself.”
“Okay, then I’ll call you when I’m on the way.” Aspen likes me to let her know because of the questionable dependency of the car. I disconnect, wash my hands and take a deep breath before I head to the dining room.
For a few seconds, I observe the older couple moving around the kitchen in sync.
My parents used to share the chore of preparing dinner. I remember the laughter and occasionally the griping that someone didn’t put an item back where it belonged.
“There you are. Come sit.” Frances puts a hand on my arm and guides me to the long, farmhouse style table.
I’m seated at the end while Flint is on one side of me and Wilder on the other. If I were writing a story about this, I’d call it the hot cowboy and his brother. My brain begins to create a fantasy starring Flint cooking with me in the kitchen wearing only his hat and boots.
Sooo….hot…I have to end that thought or I’m going to drool into the casserole.
Across the table, the rest of the brothers are seated along with his brother Leo’s wife, Amanda. She’s bubbly and friendly and I can’t help but like her though I do feel a pang of envy at the love shining from his eyes when Leo smiles at her. It’s clear he treasures her.
The glances between them are like they’re in their own little world.
“Sickening, isn’t it?” Wilder says with a good-natured grin.
It’s not sickening at all seeing how much they love each other.
