Page 34 of Wrangling a Wild Texan

She shrugged. “Suit yourself. I’ll just be a minute.”

She wasted no time changing into her painting clothes and braiding her hair. She emerged from the bathroom only a few moments later to find Sophie sitting on the bed looking bored as Reid talked to Jesse about spring branding.

Jesse had been a professional rodeo cowboy so it made sense that Reid would talk ranching with him. What didn’t make sense was the way Sunny felt as she listened to Reid confidently lay out his plan for getting all the new calves vaccinated and tagged.

She loved helping out at the ranch, but people talking about it had never made her feel all breathless and lightheaded. The feeling only intensified when Reid glanced over and their eyes locked. He cut off in mid-sentence and there was this charged silence, similar to the one in Decker’s office, before he pulled his gaze away and returned to his conversation with Jesse.

“I guess you think cowboying is as dumb as I do.”

Sunny took a moment to regain her equilibrium before she turned to Sophie. “Actually, I kind of like it. What don’t you like about it? Don’t tell me you don’t like riding horses.”

The teenager shrugged as she stroked Patsy’s head. “I’ve never ridden. Horses . . . scare me.”

Sunny wasn’t surprised. She’d been a little scared of them too at first. “They are big and intimidating.” She nodded at the rabbit. “But they’re animals just like Patsy. Show them love and respect and they’ll show the same to you.” She sat down on the bed. “I bet you were surprised when you came home from school to find Patsy.”

A guilty look settled on Sophie’s features. “I guess I didn’t do such a good job of showing my appreciation.”

“I have to agree. Painting the sign wasn’t a good way to thank your uncle for getting you a cute pet.” She hesitated. “But maybe you can come up with another way.”

“Like what?”

“Like being helpful and nice rather than being belligerent and mean. Your uncle is doing the best he knows how.”

Sophie’s shoulders slumped. “I know. It was a stupid—” She cut off and cringed.

“What’s wrong? Did Patsy kick you?”

“No. I . . .” Sophie glanced over at Reid and Jess before she looked back at Sunny and lowered her voice. “I have really bad cramps.”

“Ahh,” Sunny said. “Those are no fun, are they? Did you take some ibuprofen?”

Sophie shook her head. “We were out.”

“Well, you need to take some.” She got up. “Slip off your shoes and climb on up in bed and rest while I get you a couple.”

“I can’t rest. I don’t want Uncle Reid thinking I’m trying to get out of painting the sign.”

“You’ll still get to help with the sign. I promise you’ll feel much better when the painkillers kick in.” Sunny plumped up the pillows against the headboard. “Now climb on in here. I’ll deal with your Uncle Reid.”

Sophie hesitated for only a second before she slipped off her sneakers. Once she was propped up on the pillows, Sunny went to straighten the covers around her when she noticed Mrs. Fields’s letter on the nightstand. In all the excitement yesterday, she’d forgotten all about it. She picked it up and slipped it into her back pocket to give to Liberty later.

“What’s going on?”

She turned to see Reid staring at Sophie propped up in the bed. “Sophie isn’t feeling well and she’s going to rest a little before she starts painting.”

“But—”

She cut him off. “No buts, no cuts, no coconuts. And since you decided you want to be here, you can help me while she’s resting. See those cans sitting on the counter? They need to be opened and stirred.” She glanced at his white T-shirt. “And unless you want a paint-splattered shirt, you’ll need to get on one of the paint shirts hanging on those hooks.”

Reid’s dark eyebrows lowered, but he didn’t say a word before he turned to the hooks where the shirts hung.

Jesse cleared his throat. “Well, it looks like y’all got things under control here so I think I’ll go. I never have been good at painting. I just throw it on and hope for the best.” If Sunny’s angry paintings were any indication, they had that in common. He turned to Reid who was picking out a shirt. “Make sure you call me when spring branding starts.” His eyes twinkled when he glanced at Sunny. “And maybe we can get Sunny and Sophie to help as part of their community service. I’m already putting together a list of things they can do around here to present at the next town council meeting.”

Sunny rolled her eyes. “Gee, thanks.”

He reached out and tugged on her braid. “What are big brothers for if not to make their sister’s life miserable?” Hewaved at Reid. “See ya, Reid.” He winked at Sophie. “Feel better, squirt.”

Once he was gone, Sunny got Sophie some painkillers and water. When she came out of the bathroom, Reid was standing on the other side of the room . . . shirtless.

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