Page 20 of Healing Her Cowboys
Before she could move, she had to untangle them from around her body. She was comfortable nestled between the two solid forms of Atlas and Brik, and she didn’t want to move, but she had the urge to make them and everyone else breakfast.
She did her best not to wake the guys, which was hard since Atlas had her whole body in a bear hug and Brik had an entire arm clinging to her waist. Atlas slept without even stirring, which made her happy. Brik also had a peaceful look when he wasn’t scowling at people. It was a miracle she didn’t wake either of them up.
Her jeans were easy to spot on the floor, but she couldn’t find her flannel top, so she grabbed Brik’s shirt from his desk chair instead. It was so big that it hung past her knees, but the lingering scent of him surrounded her and gave her a bit of nostalgia from the previous night.
She made her way to the kitchen, humming to herself as she took out all the ingredients for breakfast. What could she make that would feed all the men of the ranch? She settled for eggs and bacon when she realized there was more than enough to fill them up.
Her joyful mood almost made her miss Tony walking in on her.
“Morning, Reese,” Tony greeted. His tone seemed normal, but his eyes lingered a little too long on the shirt she wore.
“Morning, Tony.” She shook off the odd feeling he gave her and continued prepping food. She was grateful she was at least completely dressed.
“You seem chipper today,” he said.
“Do I?” she asked, not paying too much attention to him, so he’d take the hint to leave.
“Absolutely. What’s made you so happy?”
She wanted to tell him it was none of his business, but she didn’t think he was trying to be rude. “We went to the fall festival last night, and it was the break I needed.”
“Glad you had fun. I don’t remember ever being that happy about the fall festival, but I guess it’s different for everyone.”
“I guess so.”
Tony moved closer to her, and he was making her feel uncomfortable.
“Looks like you’re fitting in around here faster than I did when I arrived.” He eyed her shirt again.
“Thanks, but I still don’t know that much about the ranch. I’m sure you know a lot more than I do.”
His fingers brushed against the hem of her shirt, and a shudder spread through her even though he never really touched her.
She still gave him a polite smile, but her eyes stayed sharp.
“I’m sure you’ve seen a lot more than I have around here,” he said.
She breathed in a sigh of relief when Brik walked into the kitchen, but she was sure he still saw Tony release the hem of her shirt, a shirt that belonged to him.
“Don’t you have chores to get done, Tony?” Brik said.
“Yes, Sir. On my way out now. See you soon, Reese.”
She didn’t respond as he exited out the back door.
“What was that all about?” Brik asked.
“I don't know,” she said.
“Are you okay? Do I need to say something to him?”
She grabbed Brik before he went after Tony. “No, I’m fine. He was probably just teasing.”
“I don’t like it,” he said, watching Tony as he walked across the yard to the other hands.
She didn’t either, but it was rare to see Brik in a good mood. She didn’t want to ruin it by misinterpreting the encounter with Tony.
“Ready for round two after breakfast?” she asked, changing the subject.
