Page 7 of Rodeo Cowboy
“I’m McKenna Benton, and let me tell you, Uncle Sammy is the best uncle ever. I mean, he goes above and beyond for us.” She glances between her aunt and me, and a broad smile spreads. “Last month, when Aunt Ayla was sick and puking up everything, Uncle Sammy cooked all our meals while running the ranch and caring for our aunt.”
“You’ve been running someone else’s ranch?” Silver snarls. “While I’ve been taking care of the horses you bought and abandoned?”
“I sold you the ranch for a reason.”
“Half the ranch. I didn’t buy the whole damn thing. And you didn’t even contact me directly. You had Topaz at the real estate agency file everything.”
“Anyway,” McKenna cuts in. “At first, we thought maybe she was sick because Uncle Sammy knocked her up.”
Hesitant eyes briefly meet, then quickly dart away as a heavy and palpable silence falls over us. Not that any of the Benton’s understand why. They don’t know my secret. The secret that’s not so secret in Whiskey Ridge Creek.
“Spoiler alert, she isn’t pregnant.” McKenna lets out a deep inhale. “They didn’t get hitched ‘cause they had to. Nope, they’re madly and crazy in love.”
“Alright, we get it.” Willow wraps her arms around her younger sister and pulls her body against hers.
“They are so in love,” Bode agrees. “And Uncle Sammy always takes us on fun adventures. He took us on a journey through dangerous mountains and scary swamps once. We faced all kinds of dangers along the way until we got to a castle. Once inside, Uncle Sammy defeated the evil Voldemort alone and returned my Aunt Ayla from the dungeon.”
I feel all eyes on me. I swallow hard and chuckle, gripping Bode’s shoulder. “We read together every night, and the books take us on wild adventures. Sometimes we name the characters after ourselves, right buddy?”
My family stares at me.
What the fuck happened to fifteen minutes? In and out?
“I guess.” Bode shrugs.
“We were just going to get the kids noisemakers and hats.” Ayla smiles at me. “We’ll just give you a few minutes to catch up before the countdown.”
“We’ll join you.” Ford’s wife, Hope, breaks the circle.”And we will keep the busybodies from bombarding you with questions.”
The rest of my brother’s wives and girlfriends huddle outside the circle waiting for Ayla and the kids. Elsie didn’t join the family formation, but I saw the hurt look on her face when I introduced my wife. Her hurt resonated in me more than she knew. It was never my intention to hurt her—my best friend. Now, she can barely look at me. I deserve it.
“I recognize you,” Bode tells Wheeler’s wife, Lena.
Wheeler chuckles. “Not unless you read romance books, boy.” He’s teasing, but I watch Bode’s eyes flicker with knowledge.
“You’re Dianna Jenkins. My grandma loved your books.” Bode pulls on Willow’s arm. “Remember all the books grandma used to read? Those were Dianna Jenkins’s books.”
Lena beams. “I’m impressed.”
“Don’t be.” McKenna rolls her eyes. “He is a walking talking Siri that doesn’t shut up.”
If Elsie were here, she’d chip in with a comment about Lena, her sister, also being a walking and talking Siri.
Ayla reaches up and kisses my cheek. Part of the show. But damned if my dick doesn’t spring to life in my pants. How the hell am I going to go back to working for her after this?
“It was so nice meeting y’all.” Ayla ushers the kids out of the circle of death my family has formed.
“It was a pleasure meeting you!” My ma calls after her with a big wave. Once they’re out of sight, that hand hits my head. “Don’t you ever take off like that again. I’ve been worried sick.” She hugs me again.
“Knock up a woman.” Dean snorts. “I guess you haven’t laid everything out on the table yet.”
“Fuck you, Dean.”
“No, fuck you, bro.” Dean stalks at me. “I’ll grab his arms.”
Before I can stop them, my brothers move quickly and efficiently, enclosing on me. Dean and Silver grab my arms. Ford and Wheeler seize my legs. No amount of thrashing stops Hart from tying a thick rope around my wrists. Beck binds my ankles, and I’m grateful they fasten the knots in my front.
“Have fun, boys.” My pa’s voice chases us as my brothers haul me up by my legs and arms and carry me away from the party.
