Page 4 of The Best Friend's Billionaire Brother
Wyatt had to give him that. It would be nice not having to traipse back and forth between places. “I bet Mom and Dad love it.”
They’d tried hard to get their parents to claim the lottery money with them, but their dad wouldn’t budge. He wasn’t taking money from his children. It was the father’s job to provide, not the other way around. Stubborn old mule.
“They do. I just wish they hadn’t been so pig-headed about claiming the money with us.”
Of course, he and his siblings hadn’t let their parent’s refusal to take some of the money keep them from paying everything off. Not only had they paid their parents’ debt off, but Amos and Pauline Fredericks’s too. Family was family, after all, and the Fredericks were like family too. At least, that’s what they all thought.
“Is that Wyatt?” his sister called.
Carrie Anne had FaceTimed him the night before to tell him about her exciting news. Wyatt met her at the first-floor stair landing and swooped her into a hug. “I can’t believe my baby sister is getting married!”
Carrie Anne laughed as he set her back down. “What can I say, I found my guy.”
Israel was a good guy, too, a straight arrow, and there was no doubt he loved Carrie Anne. “Yeah, I guess he’s okay. I’m surprised he didn’t wait until Thanksgiving dinner and ask you in front of the whole family.”
“He got the letter, set the dinner up with Mom and Dad, and asked. I couldn’t and wouldn’t say no.” Her eyes glittered, and it warmed him to see his little sister so happy. At the same time, it put a spotlight on how lonely he was.
With as much as he traveled for the rodeo, it wasn’t fair to start something he couldn’t finish. Plus, that kind of stress never helped a relationship grow. In town one minute, gone two months in a row. That was no way to figure out if you could start a life with someone. He’d learned that lesson the hard way with his last girlfriend, Lori Edwards.
“Am I the last one home?” asked Wyatt as Bear joined them at the foot of the stairs.
“No,” Bear said, shaking his head. “Hunter and Josiah will be here tomorrow.”
Carrie Anne turned to Wyatt. “That reminds me. Gabby’s flying in tomorrow, and I promised I’d find someone to pick her up. Would you mind doing it?”
“Gabby?” She was his little sister’s best friend, like a second sister to him. He hadn’t seen her in years. Most of the time when their families were going to visit her, he’d have an event coming up and couldn’t go. He didn’t mind picking her up and looked forward to seeing her, but he’d just gotten home after being on the road most of the last year.
“Yeah, and I don’t want her stranded at the airport on her first visit home in five years. I’ve asked everyone, and they’re all busy. Even Bandit. He’s going to Lubbock tomorrow to visit his uncle.”
Wyatt liked Gabby, but he was hoping to stay put for a second. “Why can’t Bear do it?”
“I can’t,” Bear interjected. “Dad, Amos, and I are going to take the ATVs out and look over the property. I have a meeting with a cattle broker on Monday, and I need their input on getting this ranch working again now that the house is finished.”
“That makes sense.” Both of the older men had worked for the ranch when they were in their late teens and early twenties. They’d seen it in its prime. Getting their input on how things should be was a good idea.
“Plus, I told Mom and Dad that I’d be taking care of Thanksgiving dinner this year.” Bear grinned.
Wyatt chuckled. “Which means Bandit is doing the actual cooking.”
Bear shrugged. “He’s my best friend, and he needed a job. I’m trying to convince him to open his own restaurant, but he’ll hear none of it. Told him I’d do a contract and everything, and he’s still telling me no.”
“He doesn’t want your friendship ruined over money.” Carrie Anne touched Bear’s shoulder. “I think that’s sweet.”
“Yeah, but what good is money if you can’t share it?”
“Do Mom and Dad suspect we’re getting their house redone?”
Shaking his head, Bear smiled and said, “Nope, Carrie Anne and I have it all planned.”
Carrie Anne nodded as her lips broke into a wide mischievous grin. “They’re leaving for Hawaii for in February for an entire month. It’s perfect because they’ll just think we’re treating them to an anniversary gift.”
“If they’d just taken some of the money, it wouldn’t be a big deal.” Bear crossed his arms over his chest. “Don’t know why Dad has to be so stubborn.”
Carrie Anne and Wyatt raised their eyebrows simultaneously, snickering as they did.
“You’ve got no clue, huh?” Wyatt asked. His brother was as bull-headed as they came.
Bear narrowed his eyes. “Shut up.” He trudged off, and the next thing Wyatt heard was the back door slamming shut.
