Page 71 of The Cowboy Who Came Home

“He’s right here,” Alex said, and Finn turned to find him walking toward them with Link and Mitch.

“We’re done,” Edith said. “How are you feeling?”

“Hot.” Alex glanced over to Link. “Can these guys come to lunch with us?”

“Of course.” Edith smiled at Link and then Mitch. “I can’t do all the signs. Where do you want to eat?” She did a couple of them, and Mitch grinned, so he didn’t seem to mind.

He signed to Link, who said, “Mitch is craving a good old-fashioned burger,” with a smile that seemed abnormally large. Not only that, but they both looked at Alex. “He says he wants to go to Jurassic Burger.”

Alex rolled his eyes and said, “Subtle, guys.”

“What’s subtle?” Edith asked, and Mitch started to laugh. Finn liked his energy, and he’d always found Mitch to be a pretty joyful guy.

“Nicki Johnston works there,” Link said as he signed it. “And Alex has a big crush on her.” He started walking, and everyone fell into line beside him.

“A big crush, huh?” Finn asked as he linked his hand with Edith’s. He looked at her, and she had her eyes narrowed and locked on her brother, who walked on the other side of Link.

“I thought Nicki ran the feed store,” she said.

“She does,” Alex said without looking at her. “Her cousin owns Jurassic Burger, so she’s helping for today, because of the crowds.”

“I—” Edith started again.

“Leave him be,” Finn whispered as he pulled her closer and let Alex get a little ahead of them. “If you leave that farm, what’s he gonna do? Work it alone?”

Edith looked up at him, her eyes widening. “He hasn’t dated for a while.”

“Then let him flirt with this Nicki Johnston while we get burgers.” He kissed her quickly. “And then I’ll get you some more ice cream, and we can go take that nap together.”

She looked forward again and it took several steps before she said, “Okay, but if he starts flailing, I’m stepping in.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Finn murmured with a smile. He didn’t doubt that at all.

He’d have an amazing lunch, hopefully an amazing nap, and then he had to take Edith to Three Rivers Ranch for his family celebration. His pulse skipped, because he could already see his mother’s expression when she met Edith as his girlfriend.

And it would look a lot like the squinted glare Edith had for her brother. So Finn restarted the prayer he’d been recycling since he’d invited Edith to the Fourth picnic at the ranch. If anyone could help him enjoy tonight, it would have to be God.

Chapter Twenty-One

Edith laughed with Finn as he pulled up to the farmhouse. “I’ll admit,” she said. “I’ve never seen Alex so smiley.”

“He did smile a lot.” Finn glanced over to her. “And hey, he got her number.”

“Yeah.” Edith quieted, her own smile pretty permanent today. “He sure did.” She leaned her head back against the rest and turned it toward Finn. “Do you really just want to hang out this afternoon? Alex and I can drive out to Three Rivers tonight.”

Something crossed Finn’s face, but it marched across so fast, Edith couldn’t categorize it. Worry, maybe. He even swallowed. “If I go back to the ranch, I’ll be put to work.”

“Oh, so you’re playing hooky.” She grinned at him and twisted to get out of the truck. “All right. Let’s go get the she-shed cooled down.”

“I can do some work around here,” Finn offered as they slid out of the vehicle.

“Nah,” Edith said. “At least not until we have to leave tonight. We’ll feed the horses right before that.” She met him at the hood. “You sure it’s okay to bring my dogs to the ranch?”

“Yeah, sure,” Finn said easily.

Edith sensed something inside him. Something swirling and brewing and somewhat dangerous. “Are you okay?” she asked casually as they went through the shadows on the side of the garage and toward the backyard.

“Yeah,” he said, his voice pitched up a bit. “Why?”

---