Total pages in book: 296
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
I roll out of bed before my alarm even goes off. There’s too much excitement streaming through me at seeing Zoey again. Not to mention, I have an assload of chores to do before Rowan’s surprise party today.
After lunch, the plan is to get Rowan to the bar without suspicion, and I have the perfect idea. What I didn’t prepare for was having to introduce Zoey to everyone in the family. I doubt my parents told anyone already, though it’s possible, considering the rumor mill in this small town.
I’m not trying to steal Rowan’s spotlight, but I know the questions will be never-ending. After I get dressed and make some coffee to go, I burst inside Diesel’s room being loud as fuck.
“What’s wrong with you, asshole?” He throws a pillow in my direction, groaning. “I still have an hour of sleep. And I was dreaming about your sister. She was just about to—”
“I wouldn’t fuckin’ finish that sentence,” I warn. No matter what time it is, he knows how to aggravate the piss outta me. “I’m getting started early, fuckface. Text me when you’re up and ready so I can tell you what I took care of,” I say before ripping the covers off his body.
He rolls over without a care and shoos me away. I leave with a grin on my face as I drive to the other side of the ranch and check the water troughs and feed the working horses that the ranch hands ride when they’re herding cattle from one pasture to the next. After I quickly muck out the stalls, I stop and take care of the chickens, then drive over to meet up with my dad. Without a doubt, he’s already in the office, mapping out what needs to be done for the day before Rowan’s party.
Ranchers never stop working. Tasks always need to be done.
As soon as I walk in, Dad’s busy drinking his coffee and writing in a notebook. I clear my throat, and he looks up at me. “Mornin’,” he says, seeming more tired than usual. “You’re here early.”
“Just takin’ after you.” I snicker. He’s the best role model I could’ve ever asked for, and I hope to be exactly like him when I have kids. Mama keeps telling me I’m the spitting image of Dad as if it’s a warning, but I see it as a compliment.
“Your mother’s still in shock that you’re a married man.” He gives me a somber expression. “I think I am too,” he admits, but then he smiles.
“I know. I blame Diesel, but then again, I’m not mad about it,” I say, refilling my mug with coffee.
“Marriage is important, Riley. It’s not a game. It’s not something you do on a whim.” He looks at me with soft eyes.
“I know, Dad. But it could be worse. I could’ve gotten her pregnant, and she could’ve shown up at the ranch with a Bishop baby bump,” I remind him of his own story. “But I didn’t. We’re trying to be responsible and see if we should be together. There’s something special between us. I knew the moment I met her.”
“I felt the same way when I met your mother too. So I get it, more than you know.”
His words are comforting.
“Us Bishops have a way of falling head over heels the first time we meet a woman. Guess it runs in the family. And I can’t fault you for it. Just be smart. Don’t want you getting hurt, son. I saw the way you looked at her.” He arches a brow, smirking.
I stare out into the barn, replaying everything that happened in Vegas and how shocked I was to see her at the B&B, but I’m determined to give us a chance.
“Your grandma is gonna be pissed,” he warns. “But I’m lettin’ you deal with her.”
I roll my eyes. “Thanks, Dad. So what’s the plan today? I already fed the horses on the north side.”
“That’s my boy,” he says, proudly. “Taking charge. I like that. Since you already took care of the horses, the utility barn is in need of some repairs. I noticed some of the panels were corroding at the bottom, and before it becomes a mess, I thought we’d change ’em out. There’s enough time to get it done before ten since you got a head start.”
I sip my coffee. “Yep. Shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll text Diesel and tell him to meet me, and we’ll get it done.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Dad says.
I get up to leave, but he stops me.
“Son.”
“Yeah?”
He’s smirking.
“Try not to give your grandmother a heart attack today. We did that enough growing up.”
I snort and shake my head before walking out. I’ve heard many stories of how much trouble my dad and uncles would get into, how the sheriff was around regularly, and how they caused mischief everywhere they went.