Page 141 of Duke
A Can of Whoop Ass
Duke
Holy shit, Wheeler looks exactly like her mom.
That’s my first thought.
My second:Who the fuck is the asshat in the pink polo and boat shoes?
“Preston Rankin.” He gives me a once-over before shoving his hand in my direction. “Huh. A real cowboy.” He glances at Wheeler. “Didn’t think you were telling the truth.”
I give him a handshake that’s firm enough to border on pain. “I’m a real cowboy, yes. Nice to meet you, Preston. I’m Duke Rivers. Welcome to my family’s ranch.”
“It’s so beautiful!” Mrs. Rankin lifts her arms, clearly inviting me in for a hug. “You are too, Duke. Goodness, Wheeler, you should’ve warned me he was this handsome.”
“Fran,” the man behind her groans. He’s a rotund version of Preston, right down to the polo embroidered with a country club emblem and those dumbass boat shoes.
Who wears those things to a ranch?
“It’s all right.” Laughing, I give her the hug she’s looking for. “I see where Wheeler gets her good looks from. Y’all could be sisters.”
“Shameless,” Wheeler says, but when I lean back, I see that she’s smiling. “Haines! Hi!”
Her younger brother launches himself into her arms. “God, I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too.” Her voice is a little thin.
Haines gives me a hug next. “You sure you’re ready for this?” he whispers.
I laugh. “I’m sure.”
He steps aside, but Mr. Rankin stays awkwardly in place.
“Sir.” I extend my hand. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
Eyeing me, he takes my hand. “Tim Rankin.”
“I’m grateful y’all took the time to come all the way out here. How was the drive?”
“Oh, I drove. Please call me Frannie, by the way.” Wheeler’s mom smiles up at me. “And the ride was fine.”
Interesting.This man has the gall to not even split the drive with the woman he’s put through hell.
“Glad to hear it. Why don’t y’all come inside?” Patsy opens the door a little wider. “We’ll get you settled, and then we’ll get you fed.”
Tim makes a noise, like he’s already fed up. “Not sure that we’re hungry.”
“Dad, if you wanna lie down, go lie down. The rest of us will eat.” I can tell Haines is trying very hard not to roll his eyes.
I grab Wheeler’s hand again. Preston watches me do it, his expression carefully neutral.
“I need to use the facilities,” he says, then brushes past me inside. Tim follows closely behind.
“I’ll be there in a minute,” Frannie says. “I just need to get our luggage—”
“I’ll get your luggage.” I glance over my shoulder. Were Tim and Preston going to come out after lunch to get the bags? Or were they really going to let Frannie carry it all in?
“Tim has a bad back,” she says, reading my mind. “And Preston will help after he uses the restroom. I don’t mind, really—”
