Catching the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 2)

“Gross.” I stick out my tongue.

“You don’t mess around with men you can’t escape from, which means all guys on the property are off-limits. That’s my one rule,” she explains.

“Oh really? So if a superhot and charming cowboy starts working here and is sweet-talking your panties off, you’d still say no?” I challenge, raising a brow.

“Well…” She hesitates a moment. “I didn’t say it was a hard rule.”

We’re both laughing when my mother walks into the kitchen wearing her scrubs. She must be heading into work soon. “I thought I heard some giggling in here.” She smiles, then comes over and kisses my cheek. “What’re you girls talkin’ about?”

“Boys,” I tell her.

“Or lack thereof,” Maize adds with a groan. “We’re staying single forever and joining a convent.”

“That is not going to give me or your mother—” She points at Maize. “Grandchildren.”

“Riley and Zoey just gave you a grandson!” I remind her. “Shouldn’t that hold you off for a while?”

“Nope. He only made me want more,” she retorts with a smug grin.

“Well, don’t look at me!” I tease. “I’m not like Riley who just goes out for a weekend and finds someone to marry.”

My mom snorts, shaking her head. “Your father too,” she reminds me. I think it’s adorable how they met, but that’ll never be me. “It’s the Bishop male gene. Too bad you weren’t a boy. You’d be married with a baby already. Maybe even two.”

I roll my eyes. “Thanks for the reminder that my biological clock is ticking, Mom.”

“Oh, you have time, sweetheart. Ten years or so. But the sooner, the better.” She shrugs. “Especially if you want more than one.”

“Alright, got it. Find a husband, then get knocked up ASAP.”

“Your words, not mine.” She smirks. “But your grandmother did say she was hoping to have another great-grandchild before she kicks the bucket.”

“Oh my God, Mom!” I scowl at her. “Grandma isn’t dying for a long, long time.” Although she is in her mid-seventies, she still has a lot of life left in her. She’s too stubborn. The woman will probably live until she’s a hundred and twenty.

“Okay, girls. You two be good. I gotta get to work.” She gives me a hug, and we say our goodbyes.

Once she’s out the door and out of earshot, Maize speaks up. “Guess you better find yourself a ranch hand to procreate with very soon.” She smirks.

I narrow my eyes at her and walk toward the door, flipping her the bird. “Fuck off.” Then I turn around before leaving. “Tomorrow night. Come and hang out. Drinks are on me.”

Maize breathes in sharply through her nose, then exhales. “Fine. But you promised me fresh man meat, so you better deliver.”

I snort and wave goodbye.

Checking my phone as I walk to my car, I shoot Diesel a text.

Rowan: My mother wants more grandchildren.

Diesel: Now? Meet me in the barn. Haystacks.

Rowan: OMG, you animal!

Diesel: Only for you, baby ;)

Rowan: You’re lame.

Diesel: You adore me.

Rowan: Sometimes.

Diesel: You gonna come visit me or what?

Rowan: Where are you?

Diesel: Just got out of the shower.

Rowan: You’re done with work?

Diesel: We had extra hands on deck today, so I bailed early since someone’s been keeping me up all hours of the night.

Rowan: Then you should take a nap. I can come over later since I have the day off.

Diesel: Hell no! Get your luscious ass over here right now.

Rowan: On one condition…

Diesel: …what?

Rowan: You actually go to bed early. No more working on three hours of sleep.

Diesel: I’d sleep a helluva lot better if you were in my bed with me.

Rowan: Play your cards right, Cowboy and MAYBE.

Diesel: DEAL.

Though we’re not rushing into sex, there are times I’m tempted to rip off our clothes and give in to the emotions swirling between us. I gave in to my desires last week when I got down on my knees in the bar office. It was hot as hell and perhaps a little reckless, but the memory of it makes it hard for me to continue to take things slow. It’s not that I don’t trust him or my feelings, but once we cross those lines, there’s no going back. If something bad happens, and we break up, it’d be impossible to be just “friends” and pretend nothing ever happened. I know I’m over Nick, but it doesn’t mean I’m over how he violated my trust. Diesel would never intentionally hurt me like Nick did, but I still need to be cautious. My heart is still fragile.

I also know the moment Riley finds out, he’s going to be red-hot angry. Even though Diesel’s reassured me he’ll get over it, I don’t want to be the reason their friendship blows up. Since we were younger, Riley’s been clear about me being “off-limits” to his friends. While I’m not a child anymore and can make my own decisions, I only hope he’s not as mad as I think he’ll be when he finds out.