Page 35 of Breaking the Cowboy's Rules

Ashni wrapped her arms around the horse and squeezed it tight. He thought he saw a hint of tears. She definitely looked off. She’d lost weight, her complexion was pale for her, and her eyes didn’t have their usual sparkle. Usually, Ashni glowed.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “You remembered I’m teaching the art class. So sweet, Bodhi.”

Definitely tears. And her musical voice was chokey.

“I’m just the delivery guy,” he said firmly, resisting the urge to ask her what was wrong—he knew, and he was trying to solve it. Beck was sometimes an idiot, but he loved Ashni, worshipped her. “Beck won the horse for you at the Panhandle. He was missing you.”

“If he missed me so much, he could have gone to Reeva and John’s wedding with me,” Ash said, peeking over the horse. Her eyes now held a hint of fire. “Not the whole time but at least for the actual weekend of the wedding.”

Damn. He’d repeatedly told Beck to go, which had only dug Beck’s stubborn boot heels in deeper. Beck had fallen behind on points this year, while Bodhi had soared ahead. He was the man to beat this season, and every cowboy, including his younger cousin, was gunning for him.

Good luck, boys.

“Besides, you are the one who loves the carnival games,” Ashni said. “Thank you, Bodhi. You’re so sweet.”

“Stop saying that. My rep!”

“You need to ditch your rep,” Ashni said. “Let a woman in to see the real you.”

Perfect opening, and Bodhi swan-dived in. “Intend to, Ash. Met a girl last night. Took her to my stargazing spot.” He started to spin his story.

“Did you see any actual stars?” She smirked.

“Dang, girl,” he repeated. “You are suspicious.”

Ashni laughed. He felt better.

“I was a perfect gentleman. Didn’t even kiss her good night. Well, a peck on the check when I dropped her off. And I’m taking her to breakfast before the Three Tree labor camp kicks off this morning. The Bash is going to be the biggest and best one ever,” he said, hoping to rope her into helping, but wasn’t that Beck’s job? Time to stop spoon-feeding his cousin.

Ashni’s face shadowed.

“But the horse was Beck’s idea,” he insisted. That part was true.

She buried her nose in the horse as if to hide another swell of emotion.

This was worse than he thought.

What if Beck had left it too late? What if…? He shut down that thought. No. That much love couldn’t die. Not now when Granddad’s happiness and perhaps his health were on the line. All of their futures. He’d always pictured the three of them on the ranch with Granddad. Beck with Ashni and their little ones, and then Bowen would find a woman who would understand him and light up his world and give him a few little ones to look after, and Bodhi would be there watching out for them all.

“Hey, let’s take a selfie so I can prove I delivered the goods.”

“I just went for a run. I’m a wreck.”

“You’re gorgeous,” Bodhi said automatically, but instead of the vision of Ashni twisting his insides, Nico with her creamy skin, large, pale green eyes that tilted at the corners and held so many secrets, and her enigmatic smile that teased her lips but never went full grin, popped into his head.

He wanted to make Nico smile. And make her laugh even more, especially after her nightmare last night.

“C’mon, girl, if I’m not triggering Beck, it’s not a good day.”

Ashni obligingly turned toward his phone as he held it out. The horse’s face dominated center screen. Bodhi grinned. Ashni scrunched up her face and stuck her tongue in the horse’s ear, which made them both laugh, and Bodhi snapped several pictures like they were in a photo booth.

“My work here is done,” Bodhi said. “Keep the monsters in line today, and I’ll see you at the ranch soon.”

“Bodhi,” Ashni said softly, her demeanor drooped.

He impulsively kissed her cheek, not feeling the usual rush or need to shut himself off. She felt like family. Not the girl he’d lost. Dismay swept through him. It was good to no longer be obsessed with a woman he could never have, and yet he’d felt like he’d lost something, left a piece of himself somewhere.

“You’ve hit a rough patch. And Beck slides stupid at times. I can kick his ass for you.”

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