Page 198 of Ride a Cowboy

“I’m Todd Branner, Steven’s other half. He was the tall, terribly handsome fellow who checked you in last night.”

Bridget nodded, smiling at Todd’s description of his boyfriend.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t greet you, but our ancient stove finally gave up the ghost in grand style. Nothing like going out in a blaze of glory.”

“So I heard. I’m relieved no one was hurt and there was no serious damage,” she said.

Todd shrugged. “Only damage was to my Baked Alaska, which was a crime of epic proportion. Besides, I always keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen for Steven’s night to cook.”

“I heard that,” Steven said, rounding the corner.

“Busted,” Todd joked.

They all laughed. Bridget felt the tension that hadn’t left her body in months begin to loosen. It felt good to be back in the land of the living, among people whose biggest concerns were issues at work and burned dinners.

The front door opened and her fears reappeared in an instant. It took all the strength in her body not to move behind the two large cowboys. They could shield her from the newest arrival easily with plenty of bulky muscles to spare.

Rodney entered and took in the scene in silence. She saw surprise, annoyance and anger cross his features in the span of a single second.

“There’s my baby brother,” she said with forced cheerfulness, praying Rodney would pick up her cues and roll with them. She’d shot their cover story to hell.

“Hey, sis.” Rodney appeared lighthearted, but his eyes were piercing hers. He wasn’t happy to find her out in the open with half the neighborhood in attendance. “I thought you had a headache.”

He was giving her a quick out. She needed it. “Just looking for some aspirin.”

“Oh,” Todd piped up. “You should have said something. Didn’t mean to keep you standing around. I have a big bottle in the kitchen. Let me go grab it.”

Matt turned to Rodney, reaching out for a handshake. “I’m Matt James and this is my brother, Mark. We live next door.”

At last, a name for cowboy number two. Matt and Mark James.

Bridget moved toward Rodney, who gave her a questioning look, uncertain what to say to these strangers. Filling in the blanks for him, she took over the introductions. “This is my half-brother, Rodney Carson. And I’m Bridget, which you already know.”

“You’re both from New York City?” Mark asked.

Rodney’s piercing gaze shot daggers in her direction, but she pointedly ignored him. “Yep. We’re both city slickers.”

Matt glanced her way once more. “If you’re serious about the cowgirl lessons, Bridget, you’re welcome to come over to the James Ranch. We’ll have you roping and riding in no time.”

She nodded noncommittally. “Thanks. That’s a nice offer.”

“Here we are.” Todd handed her two aspirin and a glass of water.

Rodney placed a firm hand on her lower back. For a minute, she expected him to pinch her in true sibling style. She could tell he was mad enough to. “I think maybe you should go back upstairs, Bridget, so you can lie down.”

“Okay.” Great, she wasn’t looking forward to the coming eruption. She’d never seen Rodney lose his temper, but she could tell he was on the verge of it at the moment.

Matt glanced at the kitchen door. “Guess we’ve put off the backbreaking reason we’re here long enough.”

“Backbreaking?” she asked.

“Matt and Mark came over to help us drag out the oven from hell. The replacement will be delivered this afternoon and I wanted a chance to clean up the mess. Little washing and touch-up painting and we should be right as rain. Dinner may be a bit late though, and I’m afraid lunch is just going to be cold-cut sandwiches.”

“No problem,” Rodney said smoothly. “Need a hand with the stove?”

Matt slapped Rodney on the back in a friendly manner. “Hell yeah. That fucker is ancient. Probably weighs a ton.”

Rodney turned to her. “Go on up, Bridge. I’ll be there in a little while. Once we’ve sorted stuff out in the kitchen.”

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