Redeemed Cowboy (Whiskey Valley Bryant Brothers)

"King didn't look too happy about me being on his ranch, but at least he didn't try to stop you from going out with me."

I shrug my shoulders. "Yeah, I don't think King cared much. Ryan, on the other hand..."

I let my voice trail off, and Brent looks at me questioningly. “Oh yeah, did he have a problem with us going out to dinner?"

I try to keep my voice steady. “I think he has a problem with anything I do. I already heard it from him earlier today when I helped the vet out with one of the new horses. And then again, when he found out I was going on a date with you." I get lost in thought, thinking about Ryan. He's so confusing, and I can't help but wonder what is crossing his mind. He's never seemed to care what I've done before, but all in the matter of one day, it's like, that's all he wants to do is worry about what I'm doing.

"How long have you been in love with him?"

My eyes jerk back to Brent. Surely I didn't hear him correctly. "I'm sorry, what?"

He just looks at me with a smile on his face. "I said, how long have you been in love with Ryan?"

Instantly, I deny it, and I stutter the whole way through it. "I'm not in love. I don't...you know... I don't love him."

Brent laughs good-naturedly. "Are you sure about that?"

I put my head on my hand and lean on the table. "My gosh, I've made such a fool of myself. I mean, you might as well know. Everyone else seems to know that I've had a tiny bit of a crush on Ryan, but it's over. I'm over it."

Brent knocks on the table beside my head. "Sounds to me like he might feel the same way about you if he has a problem with you going out with me and all."

That I definitely can deny. "No, it has nothing to do with me going out with someone. It's the fact that you're a McCoy.” As if realizing what I just confessed, I crinkle my nose at him. “No offense."

He laughs good-naturedly at that. "No offense taken. I completely understand, but honestly, I don't think it has anything to do with me being a McCoy."

I lean across the table. "I'm sorry, do you even know Ryan? He's like the cowboy playboy. He's not into settling down. He definitely does not think about me that way."

He draws in a deep breath and looks at me confidently. "Trust me, I know Ryan Bryant. One thing about men in general is we all grow up at some point and then we find out exactly what we need."

I think about what Brent said the whole way back to the Double B Ranch. There's a part of me that is hopeful that maybe Ryan could see me that way, but in the end, I know that that's not the case.

"I'm sorry I wasn't more fun tonight," I tell Brent as he pulls down the long driveway and stops in front of the house.

"I had a good time, Mia. We're friends, right?" I smile back at him, a little relieved. I'm glad that he wants to be friends because quite frankly, I can't imagine feeling anything more for anyone else at this point. I know I need to get over Ryan, but I'm beginning to realize it's going to take some time.

"I'd like to be friends with you," I tell him honestly. He turns off his truck and walks around and helps me down. He walks me up the stairs, talking about the rodeo he's going to be in the next weekend.

"Maybe the next time I'm in town, we can catch dinner again."

I look up at him and tell him honestly, "I'd like that. And I promise to be better company too." As we get to the door, he leans down and kisses me on the cheek. It’s a simple, friendly kiss, but just as soon as his lips touch my cheek, the front door opens, and the porch light is turned on, blaring me in the eyes. Ryan is standing at the door with his arms over his chest. He's staring at Brent, who is at least a foot taller than him, but he doesn't look intimidated at all.

Brent leans toward me and puts his hand on my shoulder. With a nod at Ryan, he says, "Think about what I said."

And then he's gone off the porch and back to his truck, driving off down the road.

Ryan opens the screen door. "Are you coming inside?"

I don't answer him. I just walk through the door under his arm and start to go straight to my room. It’s been a long day. I’m physically and mentally exhausted. Ryan follows behind me, but I try to ignore him. When I walk into the door of my room, I'm about to shut it, but he stops it from closing. I swear I don’t think he’s ever been in here before, and already in one day, he’s been in here twice.

"I don't like this, Mia. I don't like you not talking to me. I don't like you going out on a date with Brent McCoy, either."

I am at my wit’s end at this point. I don’t know what he wants from me. I told him before I left that everything was fine. "Look, we're fine. I’m talking to you, and Brent and I decided that we're going to be friends."

Ryan searches my face as he comes over to stand in front of me, his hands going to my shoulders. "There's something that I need to tell you," he says.

I take a deep breath, not ready for what he's going to say. I feel like I've been on a roller coaster today, and I need to get my emotions in check. I know he said that I always have a job here at the Double B Ranch, but has he changed his mind? I look up at him and steel myself against his gaze. Being this close to him makes my heart rate pick up and goosebumps bristle on my arm. Right now, I hate my traitorous body.

"What is it?" I ask him.