Page 22 of Loving Carter

I’m not about to say I think it’s a good idea. “Why don’t you bring up your idea at the committee meeting tomorrow night? See what folks think.”

“I will, but I was hoping to get some support before heading into the meeting.”

I worked in finance long enough to know what that meant. She has a crazy idea that people are going to revolt against, and she wants to persuade a few to agree with her before the meeting.

As the old saying goes, this isn’t my first rodeo, so I hold firm. “Let’s see what the committee says.”

After Tina hangs up in a tiff, my phone rings again. Out of habit, I answer it and only then consider it might be Skylar.

“What is wrong with you?”

I wish I knew.

Thankfully, the caller isn’t Skylar. “Hi to you too,” I say to my other brother, Ryker. “Nothing’s wrong with me.” I’m lying, I know, but I can’t tell him what happened.

“Then why are you avoiding Skylar?”

Kellan. He must have told Ryker what was happening because Skylar wouldn’t have told him. She and Ryker hardly know each other. Sure, they were both part of our group when we were kids, but they never hit it off. Not like she and I did.

“I’m not avoiding Skylar. Did Kellan also tell you that the ranch is at maximum capacity as of this morning, and we’re still short-staffed? Ever thought about pitching in?”

As I expect, I receive no sympathy from Ryker. “You’re the businessman. Figure it out.”

“I am, which is why I’m busy. I have to lead a group of guests on a trail ride in a few minutes. Did you only call to give me grief?”

“Yes, that’s exactly why I called. Did it work?”

“Not in the slightest.”

Ryker laughs. “Okay, well, I tried. But you should call Skylar. She must be upset if it’s clear to Kellan. Let’s face it, he’s not the most observant person around, at least when it comes to women. Remember that girl who broke up with him in school, and he never noticed?”

I laugh at that. Ryker has a point. Skylar must be really upset if Kellan noticed. Don’t get me wrong. I love my brothers, and I’m not trying to be mean to Kellan, but I can’t stop myself from laughing. When Kellan was twelve, he was “going steady” with a girl in his class. Going steady only meant they sat next to each other at lunch. When she said she was through one day, he thought she meant she was through with lunch. It was two more lunches before he figured out what had happened.

“So when are you going to help?” I ask my brother.

“Maybe I’ll stop by when it gets closer to the date of the expo. I’ll have to see what my schedule is,” Ryker says.

Ryker took off when I came back to run the dude ranch. Now he pretty much goes around the country, competing in rodeos. He should put down roots; he’s the type. But I’m the last person to suggest that. I’m trying my hardest to avoid putting down roots.

I want to be rootless.

“You should give up the rodeo. You’re too old,” I tell him, knowing it won’t do any good. Neither of my brothers likes taking advice.

“You should stop avoiding Skylar,” Ryker says.

I plan to ignore him just like he’s ignoring me.

“Are you okay?” I ask. He may be a royal pain, but he’s still my brother, and what he does is dangerous.

“Yeah. You?”

“Yeah.”

“Call her,” Ryker says, then hangs up.

I look at my phone and feel like a louse. It bothers me that she’s upset. I need to buck up and face her. One time in all the years we’ve known each other I was attracted to her. Big deal. I’m sure it was just one of those fleeting things, and it won’t happen again.

I’m sure of it.

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