Mom's The Word

“I can account for roughly half of that in little knots of two or three strays. The missing might have merged with John Westin’s herd. I’ll ride past his spread and ask if he’s seen any of our brand mixed with his.”

Dillon gave his brother a playful nudge in the ribs. “This eagerness to volunteer to ride miles out of your way wouldn’t have anything to do with Ginalyn Westin, would it? Like, give you a chance to ask her to the fall harvest dance?”

“And have Gordy White punch my lights out? Do I look like a man with a death wish?”

“Gordy’s got no claim on Gina. If he did she’d be wearing his ring. But you’re so obtuse maybe you haven’t seen how the heir to the J & B pants after you, old son.”

“You won’t catch me in the stampede to her doorstep. John and Bonnie have spoiled her rotten. Can you really see me licking John’s boots and jumping through his hoops until he gets damn good and ready to hand over the ranch to his daughter? Her husband will always be a flunky. No, thank you.”

“Who mentioned marriage? I only asked if you were inviting her to the dance.”

Jake shot Dillon a quelling glance. “Yeah? So sue me for reading between the lines.”

Dillon laughed. “I’ll concede Gina isn’t your type. Hey, how about taking this Ryan woman? That way you can find out what she’s really up to.”

Jake shook his hand. “Oh, did I forget to say it’s Mrs. Ryan?”

“I’m afraid you left out that crucial fact. Okay, I’ll quit hassling you on that score. Too bad. Okay, go on. Ride out to the J & B. See if John can add to our steer count. You and I will touch base again on Saturday at the ranch. Until then, stay out of trouble.”

The brothers slapped each other on the back, saddled up and rode their separate ways. On the dusty ride to the J & B, Jake couldn’t seem to forget the idea of asking Hayley Ryan to the dance. But hell, it was still four months away. He was betting she’d be long gone and only a sweet memory by Labor Day.

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