Page 40 of The Roper & the Author

What would he do if Easton didn’t give up his ‘dibs’ on a chance with Marci? His hand tightened around hers. He’d fight his brother if he had to, but what if Easton won her heart and either dumped her and ruined Walker’s chance or he had to watch yet another brother plan a wedding and honeymoon with the woman he wanted to be with?

The descent was much faster than the ascent. They caught up to Clint and Lily. Marci asked Lily a multitude of questions about being a labor and delivery nurse and how her family’s ranch helped those displaced from their homes. She was more thorough and smoother than an interviewer on a news magazine show.

When they got back to the house, Walker excused himself to go feed. Lily led Marci inside the house, saying they’d go help Mama get dinner out. Clint said he’d help Walker.

They walked to the barn together. The silence was thick. Neither of them said anything as they fed the horses and the bulls who only ate two, sometimes three times a day.

Finishing up, Walker waited by the barn door for Clint. His oldest brother sauntered up to him. He opened the door, but Clint held up a hand. “I came out here to talk to you.”

“You’re not too great at talking,” Walker teased, though his gut turned over uncomfortably. He didn’t really want to talk to his brother.

Clint smiled. “True. Except with Lily.” He leveled his gaze at Walker.

“I’m … happy for you,” Walker said. He meant it, but it was still awkward and painful, like a rope burn on his palm that took a long time to heal.

“Thank you.” Clint folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the barn wall. He wasn’t going anywhere soon. “Marci’s great.”

“She is.” Walker pulled off his hat and ran his hand through his hair.

“She’s into you.”

Walker shook his head and shoved his hat back on. “Easton called dibs.”

Clint snorted. “I thought we established that dibs is for teenagers.”

Walker blew out a breath and splayed his hands. “Easton thinks Marci is his one, the one to get him over Cassie.”

“He’s still hung up on Cassie Johnston?” Clint asked, his gaze narrowing.

“She broke his heart,” Walker admitted. “I don’t want to betray his confidence, but I know Cassie leaving and never coming back was the catalyst for him becoming such a player.”

“Dang.” Clint drew in a breath. “And you think Marci could help him heal? How is she different for him than the other thousand woman he’s gone on one date with?”

Walker splayed his hands. What did he know? Could Easton ever heal and settle down? But the magic ingredient was … Marci. “Maybe. Marci is the most incredible woman I’ve ever met.”

Clint studied him and thumped his fist against his leg. “It would be something if Easton stopped acting like a teenager chasing a different girl every week.” His oldest brother’s gaze grew reflective. “But if Marci is after you, it doesn’t matter much what Easton wants. Nobody owns a woman by calling dibs. We found that out with Lily.”

Clint’s words were factual, and Walker knew dibs didn’t really matter, more a term the brothers used to prevent a battle like this from happening. Lily choosing Clint stung, but it didn’t gouge and blister like it would’ve before he met Marci.

“As soon as Easton gets back here, he’ll charm her into wanting him,” Walker said softly. “You know he will.”

“I didn’t think you lacked confidence with women.”

“I don’t. I’ve always had plenty of women after me.” Walker rolled his eyes. He wanted to be the ‘sigma’ like Marci had said, but facts were facts. His twin was a charmer with ‘rizz’ and Walker was more serious and reticent. Not the one to step forward or draw attention to himself. “But it’s rare that a woman resists Easton if he sets his target on her.”

“Marci will.”

Walker really liked Clint’s confidence in him and in Marci. She was a rare jewel, not another woman to add to Easton’s string of dates. It was time to stand up for himself and Marci.

“I saw how she looked at you,” Clint said.

Walker’s heart sped up just thinking about the way Marci looked at him, the way she made him feel like he was ten feet tall and the most incredible man on the planet. Hervaquero guapo. Instead of admitting any of that to his tough older brother, he teased, “Man. Lily has really got you in touch with your emotions, eh?”

Clint chuckled. “She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I never imagined love could be so incredible, that I could find my missing piece.”

Walker wanted to tease that he’d never heard Clint get sappy, but he felt the same. Clint’s gaze focused too intently on Walker. Walker shifted his weight and waited for the advice that was surely coming.

“Let me ask you this. Do you feel more for Marci than you ever felt for Lily?”

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