“It’s so pretty here, don’t you think?” Renie asked, motioning toward the wide-open vistas of the ranch.
Blythe nodded. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and maybe, if she got lucky, she’d meet one of the many cowboys who worked the Flying R Ranch when they rode out.
They were almost inside the barn when someone drove up in a truck and honked the horn. It came to a stop, and Blythe watched as two crazily good-looking men climb out of it.
“Hey, there,” one of them shouted to Renie.
“Who. Is. That?” Blythe asked.
“Jace and his brother. I’ll introduce you,” she said over her shoulder.
“There are two of them? Oh, my God, I’ve died and gone to heaven.”
One of the two men raced over, picked Renie up, and swung her around in a circle. The other frowned.
“Who’s this?” the sullen one asked.
“This is Irene,” the other said. “Irene, meet Tucker. And this is…I don’t know who this is.”
“This is Blythe,” answered Renie. “Her mom and my mom are best friends. We are, too. Have been since we were five years old. Blythe, this is Jace Rice.”
Blythe hoped her palms weren’t as sweaty as she was afraid they were when Jace shook her hand and held on a little longer than necessary. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said softly, making her blush.
“I’m Tucker,” said his twin, who walked forward and took her hand in his. She couldn’t explain the tremor she felt at his touch, or the heat that spread throughout her body when she met his penetrating gaze.
Renie cleared her throat. “We were headed out for a ride.”
“We’ll let you be on your way, then.” Tucker slowly let go of Blythe’s hand, breaking the spell he had her under.
When she turned around to follow Renie back to the barn, she caught a glimpse of the scowl Jace was leveling at his brother.
When he saw she was watching, Jace smiled at her. “I’ll look forward to seeing you when you get back.”
“Likewise,” she answered but then looked at Tucker. “I guess I’ll see you too.”
Tucker didn’t respond, but the smoldering look he gave her said everything.
“Are you ready?” Renie snapped, startling her with both the tone she used and the daggers she shot in her direction.
What had she done wrong now? This nonsense was quickly getting old. Once they were out on the trail, Blythe intended to give Renie a piece of her mind. Just because Renie had decided to alter her personality did not mean she had carte blanche to suggest Blythe do the same.
“What the hell is your problem?” Blythe said when they were far enough away from the barn that no one could hear them.
Renie shrugged.
“Seriously? That’s it? What happened your promise to be more forthright with how you feel about things?”
“That’s Jace,” she murmured.
“Yes, I know. You introduced me to him.”
“I spent the summer with Jace while Billy and I were apart.”
Interesting. So, was his flirtation only intended to make Renie jealous? “Well, all-righty then. Scratch another one off the eligible-bachelor list. How about Tucker? You haven’t had a fling with him too, have you?”
Renie rolled her eyes. “No, Blythe. I haven’t.”
“Maybe it would be easier for both of us if you gave me a list of the men you’d like me to stay away from.”