Page 78 of Cowboys Can't Kiss

Hunter purses his lips and ignores Griff’s comment. Instead, he focuses on me. “What do you need, Jack?”

“Well, I need some capable men to renovate a darling older woman’s house so she can move around and remain independent. Nothing too technical. A plumber is already lined up for that part, but we’d do the interior stuff and heavy lifting.”

“Is this for your hottie’s aunt?”

Griff elbows Jamieson. “Dude, he has a name. Don’t call him that.”

Jamieson frowns. “Did you actually tell us his name?”

“It’s Riley,” Griff informs him and I raise an eyebrow Griff’s way.

He shrugs. “I pay attention and listen. You talk about him a lot.”

Huh.

“I guess I do. You’re not wrong. It’s Riley.”

“We’ve got the Kissing Ridge rodeo this week and then we have one more road trip before the season ends. When do you want us to help?” Hunter is already scrolling the calendar on his phone and waits for my reply.

“I know it’s short notice, but if we could do some demolition before we leave on the road trip, it would get the plumber in faster. We can do the rebuild when we return. She’ll be in a rehab facility for a minimum of two weeks, but Riley wants her there until the house is completely finished. If the four of us work at it, we can have it done in a day or two.”

“We could demo for a few hours Thursday. None of us have events on and we all compete Friday evening and Saturday. We could maybe sneak in a few hours on Sunday, but we might need the time to prepare for the following week.”

Griff nods as he looks at his calendar while Jamieson peers over his shoulder. “I have less to do than you three. I could always drop in on my own while you guys pack on Sunday.”

“Honestly, I’m grateful for whatever you can all spare. I know the timing is shit, but I want to help keep her costs down.”

Hunter jams his phone in his pocket, and I catch his eye. Hopefully, he picks up on my unspoken words that I’d do the samefor him. He shakes his head briefly before gesturing back to the house.

“I have lunch started and we can hit the practice ring after.”

He leaves and Jamieson tags along after him rambling about grilled cheese sandwiches. Griff gestures to join him and I step over to the fence and lean next to him.

“Thanks for offering to help. I really appreciate it, and Riley will, too.”

“Of course. You’re welcome.”

He stares off into the mostly empty pasture now. Hunter has sold most of the rodeo stock and cattle. Only a handful of broncs and bulls remain. The older stock that breeders aren’t as interested in.

“Are you okay?”

Griff kicks at the dirt and stares at the ground.

“I don’t know if I can keep doing this. The bull fighting. It’s too much.”

“What? Why? I thought you loved it.”

His jaw works and I touch his arm. “For my ears only, Griff. If you want to talk, I’m here. If not, I’m still here later.”

“It’s not the bull fighting I love.” His eyes meet mine, and while Griff is normally less than sunny, he’s never troubled. “It’s Jamieson.”

“Of course you love him. He’s your best friend.”

Griff sighs and raises an eyebrow, giving me his bestare you that stupidlook.

Oh.

Oh!

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