Page 54 of Road to a Cowboy

“Also Las.”

“Uh-huh. And who snuck out with one of my horses on graduation day?”

“That was Las too. Or maybe Ben. Probably both,” Austin said, throwing his wayward brother under the bus along with Las. He pasted on a smile that was charming as hell.

Or would’ve been, if Whitney didn’t already have his number.

“You know how they were when they were teenagers,” Austin said with a casual you know how it is shrug. “Attached at the hip and always getting into trouble.”

“Mm-hmm. Except I don’t remember ever catching them canoodling in the barn.”

Austin nodded sagely. “I think maybe you didn’t look hard enough.”

That... was actually true. Because Cal had found them canoodling in the barn, more than once, back when they’d been an item. And just last summer, he and Austin had witnessed Las and Marco walk the walk of shame after an overnight in the barn.

Popular place, the barn.

Whitney sighed, but her lips quirked. “Austin?”

“Yes, ma’am?”

“Get out of here and let my foreman do his job.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He turned a bright smile on Cal, gave him a peck on the cheek, grabbed his hat from the ground, and backed out of the stall. “See you later.”

And he was gone, leaving Cal to face the music.

Face flaming, he tried not to fidget under Whitney’s gaze. “Sorry. Won’t happen again.”

She snorted a laugh. “Somehow I doubt that. I’m glad the two of you have finally gotten your heads out of your asses, but maybe save the hijinks for home?”

He winced. “Yup. Will do.”

She shook her head. “Go get lunch, Cal.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

And he fled.

Chapter Sixteen

On Wednesday morning, Austin left Marco at the gallery to make a quick run to The General Store. A new display stand had arrived at the gallery yesterday, and when he and Marco had tried assembling it, they’d somehow lost one of the screws. Rather than call the company for a replacement, Austin figured he’d find what he needed in town.

The General Store sold everything from tablecloths to groceries to puzzles to seasonal clothing and everything in between, like home décor and greeting cards. Austin found what he was looking for in a bin in the home hardware aisle and took his purchase to the front counter, where the owner was speaking with one of his delivery drivers.

“No, not that one.” Bradley pointed something out on his clipboard. “See here? That order’s for pick up. Cal will be by for it later.”

If Austin were a cat, his ears would’ve perked at the mention of Cal’s name. “I can take it for him and drop it off at his place.”

“Thanks, Austin,” Bradley said, shoving his clipboard into the front pocket of his apron. “But it’s actually for his mom. Her weekly grocery order.”

“I can take it,” Austin insisted. “I’m here anyway. It’ll save him the trip into town. I’ll let him know I’m dropping it off at his mom’s.”

It would save Cal the trip to Barbara’s too. Austin didn’t particularly want to see her either, but if he could save Cal one day of Barbara’s sparkling personality, he’d do it. Hell, he’d help more if he could, but Barbara’s summons were always last minute, and Cal wasn’t the type to foist his mom on anyone else if he could help it, including Austin.

“If you’re sure.” Bradley nodded. “Thanks, Austin. There are a couple of items missing that should arrive with tomorrow’s delivery, but if you could take the rest, that’d be great. Davis, can you run Barbara’s order to Austin’s car?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Austin said as Bradley rang up his purchase. “My car’s at the gallery. I’ll grab it and swing back before heading to Barbara’s.”

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