Page 71 of Take Me Please, Cowboy
Andrea exchanged glances with Ansley.“Don’t let them intimidate you,” she said, patting his back.“Just like their dad, their bark is worse than their bite.”
“That’s reassuring,” he said, smiling at her.“But to put you at ease, I’m not worried.”
“He’s a professional cowboy, Mom,” Ansley said, linking her arm through Rye’s.“He deals with tough animals for a living.”
“That’s good because your brothers are wanting to talk to him for a few minutes without you there.”
Ansley groaned.“Mom, that’s not happening.”
“I don’t mind,” Rye said.“In fact, it might be better that way.They’ll have questions and we can talk freely without worrying about your feelings.”
Ansley tugged on his good arm.“But what aboutyourfeelings?”
He smiled down at her.“Not easily hurt.”
Ansley looked at her mother.“I don’t think this is a good idea, Mom.I don’t.”
Her mother shrugged.“He’s a man.He can handle himself.”
Rye eased his arm from Ansley’s hold and kissed her forehead and then her mouth.“Don’t worry.I’m fine.”
“He’s right,” Andrea said.“It’s not as if your brothers will hit a one-armed man.”
Rye laughed.“Where are they?”
“In the living room.”
Still smiling, Rye climbed the farmhouse steps and opened the front door.It wasn’t a long walk to the living room, and they were all there.Brother after brother after brother.Rye counted five.So, all five of Ansley’s older brothers had made it to Cold Canyon Ranch.Interesting.They must have been seriously concerned.
The living room had been buzzing with conversation, but once they saw him all conversation ended, the deep voices falling silent.Rye almost smiled.He’d been through so much in his life that facing five Campbells didn’t intimidate him.He would have preferred they were all seated, and that there was a chair for him but no matter.
“We’ve never met,” Rye said, his gaze sweeping the room.“I’m Rye Calhoun.You’re Ansley’s brothers.”
There was a murmur of agreement and one of the brothers introduced each of them, pointing at them as he did so.“I’m Van, and that’s Knox, Lachlan, Duncan, and Finlay.”
Rye inclined his head.They were big guys, tall and broad shouldered, and nearly all fair like Ansley.“What brings you to Montana?”
“You do,” the man—could have been Lachlan—standing in front of the fireplace said.“Dad couldn’t be here so we thought we should meet the man who has captured Ansley’s heart.”
“I’d do the same,” Rye said.“I have two sisters.”
“Either of them married?”Fin, the youngest, asked.
Rye shook his head.“Hannah, she’s been seeing someone seriously, but I’m not okay with it.Not okay with him.”
Van crossed his arms over his chest.“Why?”
Rye shrugged.“He’s not good enough for her.”
“And what if we don’t think you’re good enough for Ansley?”the brother by the fireplace shot back.
“I’d say you’re probably right,” Rye answered easily, smiling.“But then, I don’t know if any man is good enough for her.Your sister is pretty much perfect.”
The guys laughed, some shaking their heads.
“Wait until you really get to know her,” the one Van had introduced as Knox said.“She’s tough.She knows what she wants and, apparently, she wants you.”
“Which is why we’re here,” Vander added.“We thought you’d appreciate the support.”
