Page 2 of Wild Rose (Blue River Springs #1)

“What was she doing at the gallery?” I ask.

“I don’t know. It was a gallery. Tour guide?”

“If you don’t know what she did—and she clearly wasn’t happy—why send her back?”

“Because it’s safer.”

I nod slowly and sit back. Who am I to argue with that?

“Rose has a talent for finding trouble—and New York is the kind of place that sharpens that unfortunate skill. I’ve got to get her out of there.”

“Well, don’t come lookin’ to me for advice.

I’ve got my own shit to deal with. Dallas came home drunk again last night, and I need to deal with inventory, timesheets, and”—I blow out a breath—“fuck knows what else. I need to go to the Saddle Room and run through some schedules. After that, I’ll check on the south pasture and work my way up. ”

My head is all over the place. I worry about my brother. I worry about the ranch. Mostly, I worry about the town talk. If Ricky and Dusty Callahan from Callahan Ranch get wind of the disorganized mess we’re becoming, they’ll use it in the worst way.

Not to mention, they’ve got that big annual rodeo coming up that’ll make us take a hit with sales and bookings.

Wesley keeps his gaze on the fields. Just when I think he’s in his own head and barely listening, his eyes find mine with a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. “Sounds like you need help.”

I’m about to tell him I’ve needed help for weeks when the meaning behind his words hit me. I glare up at him. “Don’t even think about it.”

Wes holds up his hands innocently. “I’m just saying, maybe Blue River is exactly what Rose needs. She’s great with people, well-mannered—”

“Well-mannered?” I burst out with a laugh. “I’ve been your best friend for ten years, and for the last six , been hearing ’bout how you always have to step in and clean up her mess.”

He shrugs like I didn’t just flat-out contradict him. “Lord knows you could use the extra help around here. And she’s a helluva lot more well-mannered than you or Dallas at the moment, I might point out.”

“I ain’t ever been well-mannered.”

“Great. Then you two will get along just fine.”

“The answer is no.” Immediate and firm no. “This place is hard work, and Rose is .?.?.” I struggle for the right choice of words. “She’s not exactly built for ranch life.”

“She’s tougher than she looks,” Wes argues. “And she’s not a kid anymore, Wilder. Besides, you wouldn’t have to babysit her. I’ll make sure she pulls her weight.”

I shake my head. “I don’t have time to train some city girl who’s never been near a horse; I need someone to help me run this place. This is the busiest time of year, Wes. We’re already spread too thin for me to be watching her between tasks.”

“She wasn’t always a city girl, and we had plenty of horses down in South Carolina—not totally country, but close enough.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re missing the point.”

“One summer. And hell, if she’s not workin’ out here, I could use her help in the kitchen. That’s all I’m asking.”

“I yell,” I remind him carefully.

“She’s got thick skin.”

Yeah, but I remember cutting through it just fine when she thought I’d rat her out.

“I ain’t about to bite my tongue. No matter whose sister she is.”

“You really should consider anger management.”

“Forget it.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Rose worked for some ill-tempered people in New York; she’s used to it.”

That makes my chest tight with a different kind of rage. Protectiveness. Hell, I may not know her, but she’s Wes’s kid sister. Of course I’d feel protective of her.

I sigh. “I gotta look at the budget.”

Wesley gives me a look. He damn well knows more help is in the budget. And we’ve got plenty of room.

I sideways glance at him and push off the bench, knowing I’m going to regret this. But Wes has been there for me through some tough times. This is the least I can do.

“Six weeks.”

“Eight.”

“Six. I’m not committing to the full summer.”

“Deal. She can stay with me.”

I shake my head. “I’ve got an extra cabin.” Wes doesn’t live on the ranch. He’s got a one-bedroom apartment not too far out of the gates.

My friend hesitates.

I sigh. “Oh, is a cabin not good enough? Too country for her?”

Wes drags his hand through his hair. “No, it’s just—she’ll be all right here? Alone?”

I nod, understanding. My cowboys might be pricks to each other but they’re respectful of women. Any sign of disrespect, they’re off my field.

The only thing that could hurt her is if there’s another attack from our rival.

Last summer, the Callahans set a trap to spook our guests.

A gun went off during a big event and riled up the livestock.

It was a disaster. Slowed us down for weeks.

“I’ll keep an eye on her. Come to think of it .

.?. I might give her Millie’s old cottage while she’s here. ”

Wes glances back at the house, where we assume my brother is still asleep. “You sure?”

“It’s meant for long-term, really. Ginger used to live there before Millie. It’s fine.” I point a finger at him. “But she’d better be ready to work because I’m not going easy on her.”

Wesley’s grin returns in full force. “She’ll be ready.

I know she will. I think she needs a break from the city, you know?

She’s always so jumpy when I call or ask to come visit.

Maybe when she’s done here, she’ll calm down.

Hell, maybe a bull ride will give her enough thrill to keep her satisfied for a while. ”

I grin. “Or send her packin’.”

Wes drops the subject of his sister and starts talking about the week’s menu. But I’m barely listening.

I can’t shake the nagging feeling that I’ve just agreed to a whole new level of chaos for the summer.