Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 103159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
The smile was back. “That does sounds nice.”
“I’ll drive.”
She chuckled. “That’s good, because I only know how to get from your parents’ house to here and the main barn.”
Holding open the passenger door of my truck, I motioned for her to get in. “Your ranch chariot awaits you, milady.”
With a bow, she replied, “Thank you, kind sir. I’m longing to see your kingdom.”
We spent the next hour driving around the ranch. I showed her which roads led to the private ranches owned by my aunts and uncles, and to my brother Blayze’s house. It was after a comfortable stretch of silence, where we both took in the view, when Kipton asked, “Why don’t you bull ride?”
“I do.”
I could see her look at me from the corner of my eye. “You do?”
“Not professionally, but I can.”
“Do you not like it?”
Glancing at her, I asked with a dead-serious expression, “Do you want me to hurt this face?”
For a moment, she didn’t seem like she was going to respond, before she finally stated, “Your father and brother are still handsome. Not to mention Bradly.”
I gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter. “You think Bradly’s handsome?”
She laughed like I’d said something insane. “Hello? Whatever’s in the water here is producing some very attractive people. Lily, Rose, Morgan…your mom and all your aunts. My gosh, even your grandmother is beautiful. And your grandfather is a silver fox, so it’s easy to see why all the men are handsome.”
“Bradly isn’t a blood relative,” I stated dryly.
She shrugged with one shoulder. “His father is handsome, so…” Her words trailed off before she spoke again. “He asked me out.”
I nearly slammed on the brakes. “Uncle Dirk?”
Kipton’s head whipped around. She had a horrified look on her face. “Of course not! Bradly asked me out.”
“What? He’s two years younger than you, Kipton.”
She stared at me like I’d grown two heads. “First of all, I don’t know why that matters. Two years is nothing. And second of all, I wouldn’t go out with him, anyway.”
A sense of relief washed over me at the idea I wasn’t going to have to beat the hell out of my cousin.
“I thought it was really sweet that he asked, but I told him I didn’t think it was a good idea.”
All I could do was nod while I gripped the steering wheel even tighter.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Y-yeah,” I sputtered out. “I told him not to bother you like that. I can talk to him again if you want.”
“There isn’t any need. He understands, and he’s been nothing but a gentleman since.”
“Good, I’m glad. I’m surprised he asked you. Josh or Nathan, I could see, but I thought it was made clear to Bradly.”
Kipton laughed. “Joshua and Nathan have asked me out, but they were being silly. Besides, I like that Bradly asked me out. Who wouldn’t? Especially after Rose told me how shy he is.”
“He’s apparently not that shy.”
I felt her eyes on me. “Does it bother you that he asked?”
“Of course not. Why would it bother me?”
Her eyes searched my face before she forced a smile. “No, I guess it wouldn’t.” Turning to look forward, she asked, “Where are we going now?”
“My uncle Ty’s. I thought maybe you’d like to see the bulls he raises.”
A wide grin erupted on her face. “That sounds awesome!”
I pushed away the jealous feelings and gave her a smile.
I also made a mental note to talk to Bradly…or beat his ass, I’d decide when I got there.
Chapter Twelve
HUNTER
The moment Rose found out Kipton was here, she put on a coat and boots and rushed out of the house to show her around the arena. They’d hit it off immediately, and I could see them being the best of friends, even after the show. They were both independent women who weren’t afraid to say what was on their minds.
“Rose and Kipton seem to be hitting it off,” Aunt Kaylee said as she handed me a Thermos of hot coffee.
I nodded, laughing slightly, since my aunt read my mind. “They’re both a lot alike.”
Kaylee drew in a breath and exhaled. “Rose has been enjoying seeing the filming process. I’m also glad to see her enjoying her break from school. She’s so laser focused when it comes to her education. She could have graduated this semester, but I don’t think she was ready just yet.”
Turning to look at her, I asked, “Isn’t that a good thing?”
She nodded, but something like sadness flickered in her eyes.
“You’re afraid she’s going to leave, aren’t you?” I asked as I looked back over to Rose, who was introducing Kipton to Manty. He was one of Uncle Ty’s prized bulls, and he gave the cowboys hell in the arena. But here in his own space, he was like a puppy dog. And he loved women.
“Ty keeps telling me that not all of you are going to be coming back and living on the ranch, and I understand that. I knew when Rose told me she wanted to design houses, and barns, and high-rises,” she said with a sad smile, “there was a solid chance Hamilton wouldn’t be her final landing place. It’s just hard letting go.”