Hitching the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 1)

There’s my adventurous girl.

I kick Gable and rush after her. When I finally catch up, she’s laughing and smiling so wide, and it causes me to do the same.

“What the hell was that?” I ask once we both slow down.

“I’ve been taking some lessons,” she admits shyly.

“You have?” My jaw drops. “When?”

“While you’re at work. I didn’t want to embarrass myself again,” she confesses. “But I also really wanted to see the shock on your face, like right now.” She chuckles.

“Uh yeah, considered me shocked as hell. I can’t believe you did that.” I reach and pull her reins until she’s close enough for me to touch. Cupping her face, I bring our lips together, tasting her sweetness as she hums against me. “So which bastard gave you lessons behind my back?”

Zoey laughs, pushing against my chest. “I promised I wouldn’t rat him out.”

“Him?” I raise my brows.

“Calm down, cowboy. He only touched my ass twice, and once was an accident.”

My jaw tightens as I narrow my eyes at her. “Not funny, woman.”

Zoey is the only woman I’ve ever felt possessive over, and I’m quite sure she knows it too with the way she taunts me.

“Was it Fisher?” I ask when she repositions herself upright on the saddle, creating space between us. When she doesn’t answer, I keep asking. “I doubt it was Diesel; he’d tell me. In fact, he’d brag about it, so it can’t be him. One of my uncles? My grandfather?” He’s in his sixties and still rides, but he’s been pretty quiet, not giving an opinion about the marriage.

Zoey picks up her speed, making me chase after her. “Are you really not gonna tell me?”

She smirks, staying silent. Dammit.

“Colton?” I ask, then feel dumb for not guessing him first, considering he’s the one who gives lessons here. She turns toward me with a grin and shrugs. “I’m gonna kill him.”

She chuckles and shakes her head. “He was a complete gentleman. His wife even took some pictures for me so I could show my sister. Summer nearly choked when I sent them.”

“So Colton and Presley knew? But I didn’t?” His wife’s a photographer, so it makes sense.

“It was a surprise!”

“Do I get to see these pictures?” I ask as we approach our stop.

“Maybe. If you stop being a baby.” The corner of her lips tilts up.

I glower at her. “So you’d be okay with me getting my haircut by the stylist in town? Mary Sue is very flirty.”

“Mary Sue?” She snorts loudly. “I’m guessing she’s at least sixty and has been cutting your hair since you were a toddler. And you had to be held down because you were a wild child, amiright?”

“I’m gonna kill my mother for telling you that story.” I grunt because she already knew the details.

“Actually, it was Rowan.” She throws her head back and laughs.

I groan. Too many women in my family love to gossip.

We tie up the horses and walk hand in hand to the large backyard where picnic tables are set up. Grandma always invites half the town, which means a lot of food and people. Zoey immediately walks up and strikes up a conversation with everyone. She fits in so well; it’s as if she’s lived here all her life.

I leave Zoey with my mom and cousins while I help my uncles and Diesel set up the fireworks. They buy thousands of dollars’ worth every year, and this time is no different. A huge trailer is packed with all different types and sizes. Most of them aren’t legal, but out here in the middle of nowhere, it isn’t an issue. The sheriff and his wife come too.

Once it’s time to eat, I return and sit with Zoey, who’s talking to Rowan and some guy I don’t know.

“Who’s this?” I ask, setting a plateful of food in front of me.

“Trace,” Rowan answers happily. “He just moved here from Missouri. His parents are friends with the Cottons, and he’s living with them until he gets his own place. His job transferred him to San Angelo.”

“How old are you?” I ask before taking a bite of my burger. My dad mans the grill each year and does a kick-ass job on the meat.

“Riley!” Rowan scolds. “Be nice.”

“I’m just askin’! Geez.”

“I’m twenty-seven.”

I choke on my food, and Zoey pats me on the back, holding in her laughter. Rowan’s face pales because she knows I’m about to lose my shit.

“You’re too old to be around my sister,” I tell him matter-of-factly. “Best you hang around girls your own age. Try the senior center.”

Rowan rolls her eyes, then kicks my leg under the table. “You’re not the boss of me.”

“Do Mom and Dad know? Or do I get the pleasure of relaying the news?” I smirk, knowing that’ll shut her up.

“Mom has no problem with it. Plus, we’re just hanging out.” She looks at whatever the hell his name is and smiles. Fuckin’ great. Now I have to kill him.