Page 10 of A Cowboy Of Her Own

Priscilla groaned. “Twice actually. Once was when I was writing an article on a western style wedding. I had written an article that no one was supposed to see. It was just me ranting. The bride had been a total bitch and I wrote some nasty things. I sent the wrong copy to Earl. He chewed me a new one. The other time was at a dude ranch. Bees stung me several times and I had an allergic reaction. I had to cut the trip short and Earl was not at all happy when he had to send out a replacement two days before the article was due. I’d been there a week and hadn’t written a thing. I was having too much fun.”

Roark chuckled. “I guess I’d better not take you to my cousins’ place then. They own a guest ranch here in Spring City.”

“You said uncles earlier. As in plural?” He nodded in response, but her curiosity got the better of her. “How many?”

“Four…three are married with sons. I’m real close to my cousins. Two of us, Reid and I, are the same age. Devin and Jackson are thirty-one.

“Four of you? Oh, wow. I bet you were a bunch of hellions.” She laughed.

“Oh, darlin’, you have no idea.” Roark chuckled.

“Do you all compete in the rodeo?” The thought of the possibility of three more like Roark made her heart speed up and other parts of her sit up and take notice. No way they could all be as hot as Roark—no way.

“Not anymore. Dev and Jax are both retired from bull riding now. Reid retired from bull riding about two years ago. He’s getting married this summer to Lucy Albright.”

Priscilla smiled because of the way Roark’s face lit up when he talked about his family. She was just about to comment when she noticed a vehicle coming up the road. Dust flew behind it, as it got closer to the house. When she glanced at Roark, she smiled seeing the big grin on his face.

“Speak of the devil. It’s Reid.”

She watched as Roark stood and walked down the steps. The truck came to a stop and dust swirled around it as the door opened and a tall man with a cowboy hat on stepped out.Wow.Were all the Callahan’s hot? She watched him grin atRoark and then they hugged. He glanced up and his brow furrowed when he saw her.

“Who’s this? You bringing ’em home now?”

Priscilla gasped and stood up quickly. “I amnota buckle bunny!”

Roark laughed. “Reid, this is Priscilla Butler. She’s a writer for Western Cowboy magazine. She was to follow me around the circuit and write an article on my activities but you know how that went. Priscilla, this is my cousin, Reid Callahan.”

Reid stepped forward and removed his hat. “I apologize, ma’am. I was just teasing Roark. It’s nice to meet you.” He put his hand out to her.

“That’s all right. It’s nice to meet you too, Reid. I hear you’re getting married.”

A big grin split his handsome face. “Yes, ma’am. Next month. I can’t wait.” He turned to Roark. “Since you’re done on the circuit, you can be in the wedding. You said you would be, if you were eliminated.”

“Shit. I did, didn’t I? All right. I’ll do it.”

“Great. You’ll need to be fitted for your tux. Go into Paxton’s as soon as you can.” Reid winked at Priscilla.

She couldn’t help but laugh at the look on Roark’s face. He looked like he’d just tasted something bad and had nowhere to spit.

“I’ll go inside so you two can talk.” She entered the house and closed the door.

****

Roark knew he was in for it when Reid turned to look at him and raised an eyebrow.

“If she’s supposed to follow you around the circuit and you aren’t on the circuit, why is she here?”

Roark groaned. “She begged me to let her follow me around here…you know, to show what a bull rider does when he’s not on the circuit.”

“And you agreed?” Reid burst out laughing.

“Piss off, Reid. What was I supposed to do? Earltold her he’d fire her if she screwed this up.”

“Sanders? Ah, hell. Okay, I get it now. Good luck. Get to town as soon as you can though. The wedding isn’t far off.”

“I will. Hey, you know I’m really happy about you and Lucy. I know Zeke would be happy too.”

Reid grinned. “He is.”

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