Maisey Yates - Bad News Cowboy

“Her ankles are swollen. It’s all my fault,” he said, but he didn’t look at all abashed. In fact, he looked rather proud. Love did weird things to people. It was kind of strange being surrounded by it like she was now.

Watching both of her older brothers fall fast and hard.

And she was just alone. But then, she was kind of used to that. And she liked it. She wasn’t beholden to anyone. It was secure. It was familiar.

Anyway, it made for a lot of free time available to ride her horse.

“Yeah, she makes a good case for staying far away from marriage and pregnancy—” Kate tucked a strand of hair behind her ear “—what with all the complaining.”

“Suits me just fine if you stay away from it for now,” Connor said. “Nobody’s good enough for you anyway.”

“I don’t know about that. But I haven’t met anyone with the balls to keep up.” That wasn’t strictly true. It was more true to say she hadn’t done any serious looking.

Really?

She gritted her teeth and ignored that thought.

“That doesn’t surprise me. What time do you get off?” he asked.

“Pretty early.”

“Are you coming out for poker?”

She was usually invited to the family game these days, after years of them behaving as though her presence stifled conversation. No matter whether she was three, thirteen or newly twenty-three, Eli and Connor looked at her like she was a child. Of course, Sadie and Liss weren’t much better.

And Jack was pretty much the worst.

She ignored the slight twist in her stomach when she thought of her brothers’ friend.

“Isn’t it my night to bring dinner?” she asked.

He leaned against the barn wall. “That’s one reason I was making sure you’re coming. If not, I was going to have to cook something.”

“By which you mean opening a frozen pizza box?”

“Yes. Because that is the extent of my skills and if I ask Liss to cook anything right now, I’m going to end up with a ladle shoved up where the sun don’t shine.”

Kate winced. “Well, out of concern for your...that, I promise to bring dinner.”

He pushed away from the wall. “Excellent. See you tonight.”

She hesitated before asking the next question. But she did need to know. “How many of us will there be?”

Connor screwed up his face, clearly doing mental math. “Six counting you.”

So that meant everyone was coming. Which wasn’t all that remarkable. It was more common than not. Considering that, her stomach should not have felt the way it did when she took an extra-sharp barrel turn while riding Roo.

“I might bring fish and chips from The Crab Shanty.”

“You don’t have to do that. It’s expensive. And greasy.” He paused for a moment. “You realize that expensive was the negative and greasy was the positive.”

She waved a hand. “I’m sick of pizza. I’ll spend my money however I damn well please. Anyway, I still have some cash from my last win.” The purse for the last amateur barrel racing event she’d won hadn’t been very big, but it had been enough to continue giving her the luxury of working part-time at the Farm and Garden while she kept honing her skills.

It was too expensive to jump into the professional circuit without the ability to back it up.

“Fine. Spend your money on seafood. In which case, I’ll take the lobster, thanks.”

“Liss isn’t the only one who might stuff things in places, Connor. I’d watch it.”

He reached out and mussed her hair, like she was a damn toddler. Or a puppy.

“Watch it, asshole,” she grumbled.

“Sorry, did I break one of the eggs in that bird’s nest of yours?”

She scowled. “I hope your wife punches you in the face.”

“That isn’t a far-fetched hope.”

“Excellent,” she said, knowing she sounded bloodthirsty. She felt a little bloodthirsty.

“I hope you don’t plan on treating your customers the same way you treat me.”

“No, I perk up for actual people.”

“I don’t really care how evil your mood is if you bring food. And money to lose.”

“Shut it, Garrett. You know you aren’t going to get any of my money.”

Connor’s smile turned rueful. “No. Because Jack is going to end up with everyone’s money.”

The outright mention of Jack’s name made her skin feel prickly. “Well, that’s true,” she said. “I don’t know why you invite him.”

Connor looked mystified. “I don’t think anyone does. He just shows up.”

“Ha. Ha.” Kate scuffed her boot through the dirt, leaving a line behind.

“I have to get a move on,” he said. “These cows won’t castrate themselves.”

“Damn lazy beasts. Also—” Kate held her hands up and wiggled her fingers “—no thumbs.”

“Right. It’s thankless work. It’s also the only magic trick I know.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Magic trick?”

“I’m off to go change bulls into steers. With the help of my lovely assistant, Eli.”

She snorted. “Yeah, well, enjoy that. I’m going to give thanks that I’m not on ranch duty today.”

“See you tonight.” And with that, he turned and walked out the alley doors.

Kate grabbed her brush out of the bucket, then tossed the pick back in. She straightened and ran the bristles quickly over Roo’s hair before taking the end of the lead rope and guiding her into her stall.

She unhooked the rope and patted Roo on the nose before scratching the white star on her forehead. “See you later,” she said, unable to resist dropping a kiss on the horse’s nose.

A day that started with a ride and ended with a poker game surrounded by her family could only be a good day.

And the presence of Jack Monaghan didn’t matter at all.

* * *

IT WAS A strange thing knowing that whenever a random expense came up, he had the means to handle it. After spending most of his childhood in poverty, Jack Monaghan was still getting used to having money. Not just in his pocket but in his bank account. In stocks and bonds. He even had a savings account and some set aside for retirement.

If someone looked at his finances, they might think he was responsible. Stable. Because on paper, he looked good. A person might be tempted to draw the conclusion that Jack was a steady, staid family man.

Yeah, that motherfucker would be wrong.

But Jack didn’t care either way. Because today his tractor was broken, and he was headed over to the Farm and Garden to get a replacement part and he didn’t have to beg anyone for a loan.

He killed the engine on his F-150 and got out of the truck, walked to the front door of the store and pushed it open. The little bell that was strung overhead signaled his arrival and a dark head popped up from behind the counter.

“Hey there, Katie,” he said making his way across the store.

The youngest Garrett narrowed her brown eyes, her glare as penetrating as a rifle bullet. “What are you doing here, Monaghan?”

“I’m a paying customer, twerp.”

“Did you just call me a twerp? Because I have the right to refuse service to anyone.” She flipped her braid over her shoulder, her expression remaining fierce.

“Yeah, that would go over real well with your boss. Especially since I’m here to drop decent money on a freaking carburetor.”

“We’re probably gonna have to order it. You could always go to Tolowa and pick it up at one of the bigger stores.”

“I’d rather get it here. Keep my business in Copper Ridge.”

The corner of her lips turned up in a bad approximation of a smile. “That’s appreciated.”

“It’s okay, Katie. I know you don’t appreciate much about me.”

“If you called me something other than Katie, I might.”