Page 14 of Wrangled Love

I avert my gaze from Charlie, running my finger along the rim of my coffee mug. “I didn’t pay much attention. My focus was on getting him and Caleb settled in.”

Charlie snorts. “Right. If Miss McGregor, who can’t see two feet in front of her without her inch-thick glasses, noticed how handsome he was passing by in Earl’s taxi, you sure as hell could with him under your roof.”

My cheeks turn warm, and I scramble to think of a way to explain myself without admitting she’s right. It doesn’t help that I keep replaying the way his breath grazed against my neck when he stood behind me at the door of Caleb’s bedroom. Luckily, I’m spared from answering when Charlie suddenly freezes, her gaze locked on Heath, who’s picking up an order from the counter.

She frowns, narrowing her eyes in his direction. “What’shedoing here? Last time I checked, this was our spot.”

I arch a brow. “You do know this is the only coffee shop in town, right?”

“Why can’t he go to The Screwy Nut?” she asks like it’s a viable solution. “They have a coffee machine and vanilla creamer pods at the back of the store.”

I spread cream cheese on my bagel as I answer. “Just to be clear, you want him to go to ahardware storeto get his coffee so he’ll stop coming to Lasso & Latte?”

“It’s a brilliant idea, right?” Charlie beams. “Most of the tools in there are small and unpowered. Just like him in bed, according to Beverly Smith.”

I scrunch my nose in disgust. “I did not need to know that.”

Charlie and Heath have never gotten along, and things have only escalated over the years. Now, I’m stuck dealing with their constant bickering whenever they’re in the same room, which I try to keep to a minimum. Unfortunately, it looks like it’s unavoidable today.

I take a quick bite of my bagel, bracing myself for the drama brewing between them.

Heath strolls over with his thermos in hand. The shop doesn’t allow outside cups, but one flash of his crooked grin and the baristas fall over themselves to fill it. He’s broody by default, but turns on the charm when it suits him. Plus, as the owner of a thriving ranch, he could wear a burlap sack and still get any woman he wants—except Charlie.

“Hey, sis, fancy seeing you here,” he says, his voice light with amusement. “I spoke with Jensen this morning, and he told me you decorated Caleb’s room. That was really nice of you.”

I smile. “I’m happy I could do it.”

“Thanks again for letting them stay at your place.”

I give him a sideways glance. “You didn’t exactly give me a choice,” I retort.

“Heath doesn’t concern himself with how his actions will impact others,” Charlie interjects, sending him a sharp look.

He glowers back. “Maybe you should start charging for thatunsolicited advice, Charlie. Too bad no one’s interested in your greatest hits of passive-aggressive commentary.”

“Oh, now you’re a wisdom guru?” she asks smugly. “Weren’t you the one who got stuck in a fence last week trying to untangle that stubborn pet cow of yours? Not exactly the kind of person I want to take professional advice from, but thanks anyway.”

“Petunia isn’t my pet,” Heath grumbles.

Our friend Birdie is an animal activist. She’s not exactly a fan of my family’s ranch, since we raise cattle for beef. When she was visiting last year, one of the cows died during labor. She begged Heath not to raise the calf for meat, saying it was too tragic. When she started crying, he caved and agreed to keep it in the barn for a while. Fast-forward a year, and he has a full-grown cow named Petunia. He totally treats her like a pet, but I’m not about to get involved in this debate.

Charlie tilts her head, wearing a self-satisfied grin. “Uh-huh. Because hauling in that fancy hay she likes from two towns over, even though you’ve got plenty of the regular stuff at the ranch, makes total sense,” she says sarcastically.

Heath’s eyes flicker with surprise, but his expression is quickly replaced with an unreadable mask. “How the hell do you know about that?” he snaps.

Charlie smirks. “It’s shocking how chatty people are when they’re browsing my shop. I hear all sorts of things.”

“I didn’t think you had time for idle gossip,” Heath says dryly.

Charlie takes a drink of coffee before responding. “I prefer facts over fiction. Now don’t you have a ranch to run or something?” she asks, waving toward the door.

“God, you’re insufferable,” he mutters.

“Right back at you,cowboy.” She winks.

Heath tightens his free hand at his side, before glancing in my direction. “Do you want to leave with me? I can barely standfive minutes with this one.” He nods toward Charlie who rolls her eyes. “I don’t know how you’ve put up with her all damn morning.”

I chuckle. “Thanks for the offer, but after we finish, I have a few errands to run.”

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