Page 6 of The Rough Rider

“Alaina?”

She turned around. It was dark, but she knew who it was.

Gus McCloud.

The savior she’d never asked for, but who was always there when she needed him. Even if it drove her nuts.

Gus McCloud, who was as ugly as his brothers were beautiful.

Maybe that wasn’t fair. Gus had probably been as beautiful as Hunter and the others at one time, but she didn’t remember it. Because she didn’t remember his face before it had been burned. Scarred up by an accident he never talked about.

People whispered it was something his father had done to him.

The father it was also rumored he’d killed.

But she didn’t believethat.

Gus was a lot of things. She didn’t think he was a killer.

Gus was big, broad and imposing. An inch or so taller than Hunter, and a lot thicker.

He was solid. He reminded her of the big bulls that grazed in the pastures on Four Corners. Thick. Solid. Mean-tempered.

Protective.

One of her indelible childhood memories was the time when she and Elsie had been up to no good and had ended up in the pond. Elsie had gotten out and Alaina had been bogged down by water lilies and pond scum, hollering like a cat.

Until Gus had plucked her out. Just like the kitten she was, practically by the scruff, and carried her to dry land. Then he’d wrapped her in a flannel and given her a scolding.

She’d been afraid of him. Of that rough face and his mean eyes. She’d never seen anyone with scars like his.

She’d also never felt quite so protected.

She shook the memory off.

Why the hell had he followed her out here?

Why was he always showing up to the hour of her disgrace?

“What do you want?” she asked, miserable.

“To know what the hell is up.”

She scowled down at the ground. “I’m sorry, why do you care, Gus?”

“I’m not an idiot. Contrary to popular belief. What did my brother do to you?” She could feel his gaze burning hot in the darkness.

“Nothing,” she said, rejecting that immediately.

She didn’t know if she should be irritated, relieved or horrified that people still thought her mood was about Hunter and Elsie. She’d hung out with Elsie since. Maybe not a ton because her friend was busy being loved up and Alaina was busy hiding morning sickness, but they were clearly speaking to each other.

“Good. Because if he was messing with you...”

“He didn’t.” Then she tilted her chin up. “I wanted to but he never...he never liked me that way.”

There, let him sit with that truth.

“I see.” He shook his head. “And he’s marrying your friend. And you’re heartbroken enough that it made you throw up.”

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