Page 28 of This Time Around

I’d already fed the horses and gathered eggs from the coop, which was always an adventure in itself.Typically, I escaped only after either being pecked a handful of times or my shoes sinking in chicken crap.

One thing I’d learned so far living in the country, was that even with all the fresh, unpolluted air, I almost always stank like shit.It came at you from everywhere.Horses, cows, goats, chickens, you name it, I’d stepped in it.

And now, I was with the goats, checking on them and giving them feed and water.There was one more goat getting ready to give birth in the next week or two.

I didn’t ask how Rebecca knew, but she did spend a few extra minutes with her every day we came and hung out with them.

The kid, Pepper, climbed into my arms and pressed his nose to my cheek.

“Yeah, I know, I like you too, but I got more stuff to do, so go play.”

Since she’d told me about the Jefferson family messing with her fences I wanted to drive around some of the pastures and double check them.We hadn’t done it in a few days, but after Gavin’s constant glares last night, it was prudent to stay on top of it.Who knew if he came home drunk and pissed off and decided to screw with her.

I set down Pepper and stood, but he followed me out of the pen where they were kept.During the day, Rebecca let them roam free knowing they couldn’t make it past an outer fence so I didn’t bother shutting the gate.

I reached outside, and squinted through the bright sunlight toward the main road.The quiet rumble of a vehicle kicking up gravel and dirt grabbing my attention.

By the time a black GMC Yukon came into view, I was close to Rebecca’s front porch, Pepper still following me at my heels.

The SUV stopped, the driver’s side door opened, and a man with dark black hair, and dark black eyes that matched Rebecca's appeared.He slammed the door shut and since his posture and movement toward me shouted confrontation, I planted my feet and crossed my arms over my chest.

“Can I help you?”

I’d already seen photos of this guy inside.Rebecca had been concerned he’d show at the bar last night and while I knew she had a younger brother, she didn’t talk about him much and she definitely hadn’t liked the idea of him showing at The Tavern.

“Yeah.You wanna tell me who in the fuck you are at my sister’s house and what the hell you’re doing here?”

The screen door slammed behind me and I spun to find Rebecca stomping out onto the porch.

Screw me halfway to Sunday.She was barely freaking dressed in shorts so short they could barely be called that, a tank top that clung to every inch of her skin and clearly proved she didn’t have on a bra, and a pale purple robe, flying out behind her.

Her hair was mussed, long and wild and blowing out over her shoulders and she didn’t stop moving until she reached the bottom steps, right next to me.

Fantastic.I now knew exactly how beautiful and fuckable she looked right when she woke up.Just what I needed.

“He doesn’t need to tell you anything, but you can explain to me why you’re here, shouting at my guest, Jordan.”

Ah.So I was right.This was the brother.

He also seemed like a dick.He leaned in, hands on his hips, and his voice was not kind when he barked out, “You know why I’m here.”

She whipped closed her robe, belting it at her waist—thank goodness for small freaking favors.“Yeah.I suppose I should thank you for waiting until this morning to come out here considering I’m sure Ryan called and told you all about it when he got home last night.”

He didn’t bother lying.“Left a message at one o’clock.Got it at six and it took me over thirty minutes to calm down enough to drive my ass out here.It’s all over town, you out with some guy I had no idea was even here, Rebecca.Two of my morning servers were dishing about it.”

She blinked and turned to me.“It’s after seven?And you’re already dressed and working?”

The sweet look on her face made me want to kiss her.I was so screwed.

“Figured you wouldn’t be up early today, I was and got moving.”

“Seriously?”Jordan barked and my head whipped in his direction.

“Watch it,” I clipped back equally as fierce as he did.“Obviously you’re Rebecca's brother, and you might not know me, but you know it can’t be right to show up at her place early on a Saturday morning being an asshole to her like this.So calm down, or go home until you can and then come back.”

Slowly, his lips spread into a smile and he turned to Rebecca.“I like him.Now who in the hell is he?Looks familiar.”

“You’re a pain in my ass.You know that?”

His grinned widened.“I’m your brother.It’s my job.”

At that, and both of their quiet laughter and the tension dropping in the air, Jordan walked straight toward us and when he got close, he yanked Rebecca into his arms, not even bothering to whisper as he said, “Still pissed as hell you didn’t give me a heads-up.Damn near had a heart attack when I got Ry’s message.”

“There was no reason for it.”She pulled back and held out her hand to me.“Cooper, this is my brother Jordan Marx.Jordan, Cooper Hawke.”

“Cooper fucking Hawke.Holy shit, I knew you looked familiar.”

Next to me, I practically felt Rebecca's eyes roll.

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