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CHAPTER 12

Reagan

“Wow.” Harley slowed the car to a crawl as she leaned forward to get a better view of the ranch. Maxie and her husbands had a beautiful home and a massive property which made me think I could take up ranching if it meant I got to wake up to their views every morning.

Mason was still in a bad mood but even he let out an appreciative whistle.

“I thought ranchers were supposed to be poor.”

Harley laughed.

“Ever heard ofYellowstone?”

Lucky was in a mood of his own as I pulled him out of the car. He screeched and yanked on a fistful of my hair. I took a deep breath and nearly choked on it when I saw the most beautiful horse striding over to us. I loved animals. Especially large ones.

The giant black horse stopped next to me and sniffed my head before lowering his nose to do the same to Lucky. Lucky gurgled happily and my heart doubled in size as I watched him get as excited as his momma over an animal.

“Bob!” Maxie came charging down the front steps of her porch with a worried look on her face. “He can be an ass! Don’t let him close to Lucky!”

Bob huffed and scraped one of his back feet on the driveway. He even shot a look at Maxie that seemed like a lot of attitude went with it. As if to prove a point, Bob rested his chin on top of my head.

“I don’t even know how you got out, Bob!” Maxie swatted the horse’s back end lightly with a laugh. “I’m so sorry. He’s mine and he’s got an attitude problem ninety-nine percent of the time. It seems like he likes you, though.”

I reached up and patted Bob’s thick neck.

“He’s beautiful. I never would’ve believed you about him having an attitude if I hadn’t just seen him side-eye you.”

Lucky laughed his squeaky little laugh and blew spit bubbles at Bob. Mason eased closer and patted the sassy horse. We were all mesmerized by his size and beauty while Maxie watched with a giant smile on her face.

“We both want to work with animals. Mason’s going to be a vet.” I smiled proudly. “He starts college in the fall.”

“Wow! Maybe you should open your first office around here. We could always use a vet that specializes in large animals.” Maxie’s smile stretched even wider. “I think this little guy is going to join the family practice eventually. I wasn’t sure he had an expression that wasn’t a scowl.”

“Dinner’s ready! Come on in!” Arlo called from the porch and waved at us. “I’m eating in two minutes and if ya’ll aren’t there, I’m eating without you!”

Maxie rolled her eyes.

“Get him a ranch and he suddenly thinks he’s from the eighteen hundreds.”

Rhett stepped out on the porch and pointed at Mason.

“Hey! It’s the kid who swung on Mills! Come here, kid. I’m going to teach you some techniques that’ll guarantee a hit next time.”

Harley hurried after Mason.

“I’m going to learn them, too, because I have a feeling that ass is going to need to be punched more than just once. No offense.”

“None taken.” Maxie held her hands out to Lucky to see if he’d go to her and he looked between her and Bob a few times before reaching for her. “Things won’t be easy with my brothers, Reagan. Especially Mills. Honestly…I wouldn’t wish co-parenting with my brothers on my worst enemy. They have giant hearts and they mostly mean well but they’re so off course most of the time. I don’t know what you’re hoping to get fromthem, if anything other than just a dad for Lucky, but I hope it’s not a fairytale romance.”

Her words hurt but I refused to acknowledge even to myself why that could possibly be.

“They bought a night with me during an auction at a sex club. I hardly expect a fairytale to spawn from that.”

We slowly walked toward the house with Bob at our side.

“If you only knew how much crap they gave all of us over our relationships. They acted like we were monsters for loving the way we do. And then they went off and did the same thing?!”

I blushed again at the memories from that night. They hadn’t dulled for a single moment.