Branded as Trouble (Rough Riders 6)

Chassie grinned and pulled herself onto a barstool. “I can’t sleep so I’ve turned into Betty Crocker. It’s sort of embarrassing. I started baking. Bread, rolls, cookies, muffins, you name it. Trev and Ed can only eat so much, so poor Colt is stuck with the remnants.”

“As a bachelor, I imagine he hates getting fresh baked goodies.” India smiled. “Is the baby keeping you from sleeping?”

Chassie’s hand caressed her rounded abdomen. “The fear of childbirth is keeping me awake most of the time. I hate doctors and hospitals.” She shuddered. “And I can’t convince my boneheaded men that I’d rather have a midwife deliver the baby at home, in our bed, where he was conceived, instead of in an impersonal hospital.”

India admired Chassie for bucking conventions and living with and loving two men, despite the many tongues wagging in the community about the arrangement. “Sky was terrified of giving birth. But when the time came…she was fine. Afterward, she said the unknown was the worst part for her. It couldn’t have been too bad because she went through it again fifteen months later with twins.”

“I was really surprised Sky and Kade jumped on the McKay family ‘let’s have a kid every other year’ bandwagon that our other McKay cousins are on.” Chassie cocked her head. “Was that beep a signal the coffee is done?”

“Oh sure. Sorry, I’m not much of a hostess.” She smiled sheepishly. “Then again, this isn’t my house.”

“Then again, isn’t most of the décor in this place your doing?”

Chassie asked.

“Yes. I didn’t want such a beautiful house to be a typical bachelor pad. Luckily, Colt has great taste.” India grabbed two mugs and moved on the other side of the counter. As she poured, she said, “Anyway, I think Sky and Kade decided if they were going to have more kids, they should do it sooner rather than later. They just didn’t bank on twins.”

“And twin girls to boot. If I decide to go through this again, I hope we have a girl.”

Chassie sighed. “We still have three months before we have to decide on a name, which is a good thing.”

India spun her cup on the counter, biting her tongue because the question she wanted to ask was wildly inappropriate.

“I know tattooing me and Trev and Ed doesn’t mean we know each other very well, even if Colt talks about you all the damn time—”

“Really? He talks about me?”

“Constantly, but just ask me whatever’s on your mind, India.”

“Are you talking about what first name you’re gonna give the baby, or the last name?”

“First name. The baby’s last name will be Glanzer, like ours.”

“Ours?” India frowned. “But don’t you guys have two names?”

“Not any more. Earlier this year, when Trev, Edgard and I celebrated our first…anniversary together, Ed legally changed his last name to Glanzer.”

“Why?”

“Mancuso was his stepfather’s last name. Since he’s broken all ties with his family in Brazil, and he has no living relatives here in the US…it just seemed right he have our name since he’s a part of us.”

“That makes sense.”

“Plus, as a bonus, Trevor knew it’d piss his dad off.” She winked. “So enough about me, tell me about you and Colt. When did you and my cousin start…”

“Start dating? Two weeks ago.”

Silence.

Chassie sighed. “I just bared my soul and that’s all I get?”

“Yes, ’cause Indy ain’t the kiss-and-tell type like some people I know.” Colt set his hands on India’s shoulders and leaned in, mock whispering, “Although, there is plenty to tell after last night, huh?”

He kissed down the side of her neck. “Mmm. Mornin’, sugar.”

Goose bumps broke out in the wake of his warm kisses and sweet words. She closed her eyes and sank into him. “Morning.”

“Thanks for makin’ coffee.”

“Like I had a choice.”

She felt him grin against her cheek. “Is that a complaint?”

“No. Hell no.”

His smile widened, if anything. “Good to know.”

“But I am going to insist on no more betting today.”

“You’re the one who always starts it.”

Chassie snorted. “You two are so whipped. It’s as sweet as it is nauseating.”

Crap. India had forgotten about their guest. She opened her eyes. “Chassie brought caramel rolls.”

“Lucky us.” Colt gestured to Chassie’s coffee cup. “You ain’t supposed to be drinkin’ coffee, Chass.”

“So don’t tell.” At Colt’s continued hard stare, she said, “But I know you will. Fine. Dump it out, meanie. I probably better get home anyway.”

“What are Trevor and Edgard doin’ today?”

“Probably screwing around.” Chassie slid off the barstool.

“Nice seein’ you, India. Nice boxers, Colt. Next time, I’ll knock.”

She shuffled out.

“I like her,” India said.

“She’s ornery and sweet with a big heart. Kinda like you.” He grinned. “Which is probably why she and I have gotten on so well over the years.”

“Is that part of the reason you built out here?”

“Maybe. By the time I got my life back in order, Chassie had married Trevor, Edgard had moved in, and havin’ family close, but bein’ in my own place, appealed to me. I get along great with all of them, sometimes better than with my brothers. Heck, the four of us have even partnered up breedin’ stock.”

“But you still work at the McKay Ranch?”

“Yep.”

“I don’t understand how that works.”

“The ranch is run like a corporation. We’re all shareholders.

We take care of the ranch as a whole, but we’ve divided it into four sections. Each one of my uncles and my dad is an original owner.

But when the main owners started havin’ sons, they divided their individual sections up again. So, we’ve all added separate parcels.

Like Cord and my dad bought the Foster place a few years back.

Colby and my dad bought an acreage north of Colby’s place up in the mountains. That’s where Kade was during Skylar’s pregnancy.”

“I’d wondered about that.”