Page 39 of Ice, Ice… Maybe?

Matthew slung an arm around Travis’ neck and pointed to his nose.

“Don’t touch Jason’s Coors, or he’ll reset that for you.”

“Whoa boy…”

“He’s not that bad, Matty…” Luke laughed, leaping onto their backs playfully, obviously excited to be included and a part of meeting Travis.

“No – he’s right. That’s my beer, and it helps me sleep. No one touches my stash – and Toni made a big jar of sun tea that should be ready soon. You can drink that instead.”

“Ohhh, now we’re talking.”

“Sugar, caffeine, and the taste of home…” Luke sighed, licking his lips and smiling. “Becca – you and Travis need to come out more often. I like it when everyone’s in a good mood and acting happy. You belong here with us.”

Those words just hung in the air as the family looked at each other as the truth hit them all. It was true. It had been a long time since they all just hung out, talking and ribbing each other – and in the last few moments, it felt good.

“I’m so glad you are here,” Toni smiled tenderly.

“I’m so happy you all are meeting Travis,” Becca replied, looking at him walking past with her brothers and meeting his eyes. The corner of his lip curled slightly and she felt her heart turn over in her chest in awareness. Coming home felt so different this time around and she couldn’t be more excited for this weekend. “Let’s go tend to Bluebell’s stall and let them get acquainted. I wanna hear all about your mysterious Flyboy too…”

“Derek? Oh…” Toni hesitated and flushed slightly before grinning almost like Matthew – or the Cheshire Cat. Toni looked thrilled – and that looked bordered on deviousness or scheming, which surprised Becca. Her sister didn’t have a manipulative bone in her body, but she was tenacious. “Derek has no idea just how deep he’s in now that I’ve met him. That man’s gonna marry me – you just mark my words.”

“It’s like that, huh?”

“He’s mine – and what about your Travis?”

Becca looked at the men walking into the house and smiled.

“He’s mine,” she repeated softly, realizing that he was.

Travis was hers.

I'm just scared to make a wrong move…

Becca was walking backfrom the barn with her sister, and listening to Toni give her the dish about Derek – and his visit to Texas. Apparently the man was stationed in Afghanistan right now, and according to her sister, ‘That man’s as prickly as a cucumber and hotter than a firecracker.’”

It was so odd to hear her tomboyish sister who roped horses, tended to their cattle, and had been up to her knees in muck –suddenly acting and dressing feminine to get some man’s attention, listening to Toni ramble on as her words finally clicked in her head.

“Wait… rewind that last statement!You did what?”

“Nearly wrenched my arm too, if you wanna know the truth – and don’t you dare say a word. I dropped the box in the mail yesterday, so it’s just a matter of time and a little too late to worry now.”

“Toni… you didn’t do what my ears think you did – did you?”

“Oh, hush, and quit being such a prude, Becca. Nobody likes an uppity person, and the reality is when you meet someone, you wanna knock their socks off. Well, Derek is about to get his socks yanked right off his feet. I’m interested even if he’s not – and he’s coming back to see me, period.”

“You can’t force someone to love you.”

“Who’s forcing? I am just leading my favorite ‘horse’ to water…”

“You’re shoving his head under and praying he’ll drink – and not drown. If he’s not interested, then you are harassing him.”

“Oh, that’s a good one,” Toni’s laughter tinkled in the air as she smiled in delight. “I’ll have to email him that. I hope it makes him laugh or brightens his spirits. He’s so…fake.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s got this sweet smile, but it’s hiding something. His eyes are scared to death, and I can see it. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s true. If the eyes are the window to the soul, my man’s ‘house’ is haunted.”

Becca stared at the raw expression on Toni’s face as she stared off into the distance. She had never seen her sister so concerned or floundering. The woman was always so sure of herself, and she idolized her for it.

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