Claiming the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 7)

“The queen of teasing!” she whisper-hisses so no one overhears. By now, more doctors and nurses have flooded in, which means all privacy has gone out the window.

“Not the first time I’ve been called that,” I admit, then meet up with Dr. Bernard, a cardiologist overseeing a few patients in the ICU.

Every day I come to work, I’m reminded why I love my job so much. On top of it being very rewarding, helping people and taking care of them is one of my greatest passions, and I know I’m making a difference.

Abbie and I stay busy throughout our shifts. Every time we run into each other, even if it’s only for a couple of minutes, I give her a few more details. She’s looked at me like she can’t believe half the things I’ve said. Honestly, I can’t either.

Once it’s time for lunch, we meet in the cafeteria. I grab a sandwich, and she gets a salad, then we sit at the farthest table.

“Yeah, so Kane showed up the next morning, absolutely furious,” I continue.

Her jaw nearly hits the floor. “Seriously? What’d he say?”

“After telling me how wrong Knox is for me, he confessed he has feelings for me and has for years.”

Abbie stares at me. “You’re telling me you have two hot twin brothers fighting over you?”

I finish chewing the big bite I just took, then shrug. “Kinda…Knox isn’t the settling-down type, so honestly, I’m not sure where his head is. We haven’t talked since yesterday morning when he left for work. But Kane is waitin’ for me to tell him if I have feelings for him or not.”

“So let’s assume Knox wants you too, because duh, who wouldn’t. Which one would you choose?”

I suck in a deep breath at the million-dollar question. “I have no idea. I never would’ve predicted this and don’t know what to do. Kane having feelings for me is something I didn’t see coming, and I only thought of him as a friend until he kissed me. It felt…way more intense than kissing a friend should. And Knox, well…I’ve crushed on him for so long, I don’t think I could just turn it off, even if I had feelings for Kane. But Knox doesn’t do relationships, so he’d inevitably hurt me. Kane would be loyal and sweet and the perfect boyfriend. They’re so opposite, I can’t even wrap my head around how any of this makes sense.” Just saying it aloud sounds insane.

How the hell did this happen?

“Jesus. I’m glad I’m married so I don’t have to deal with relationship drama, but I do enjoy living vicariously through you because I can’t wait to hear what you decide to do. I gotta admit, I find it pretty hot that twins want you. I mean…threesome…just puttin’ that out there.”

I snort. “Yeah, that’d low-key be hot. I mean, can you imagine?”

“Yes. Oh, yes, I can,” she hums and waggles her brows.

We burst into laughter, then finish eating.

Abbie’s phone rings, and she tells me it’s her husband before she answers.

“Hey, baby. Yeah, I’m sure. Sorry, I couldn’t get off for Thanksgiving because I have Christmas, alternating holidays and all that. You know the rules. Okay. Love you too. Bye.”

I arch a brow, silently asking if everything’s okay.

“He’s not happy I won’t be joining him at my parents'. I’ve told him not to go if he doesn’t wanna, but he’s stubborn.”

I listen to her chat about her hubby for a few more minutes, but my mind wanders. My mom always makes lunch for my little sister, Ivy, and me, then I go to the Bishops’ for a huge dessert buffet. After everything that’s happened, it’d be too awkward to be there.

“I’ll work for you,” I offer.

“But—”

“Trust me when I say I’ll be happy to cover your shift. I don’t wanna be around the twins right now. They fight enough without needing another reason. It’d be…tense.”

“But just think, instead of stuffin’ the turkey, they could stuff you,” she taunts as we clean up our mess.

“Stop puttin’ ideas in my head,” I mock as we take the elevator back to our floor.

“Are you really sure you’re okay with this?” she asks once we’re at our stations.

“Positive. You’d actually be doing me a favor because I’m not ready to face them.”

Especially at the same time.

She pulls me into a tight hug. “Thank you! You’re seriously the greatest. I can’t wait to tell him tonight. He’s gonna be thrilled. My parents can be a little much, and he’s super introverted, so he gets uncomfortable.”

“I understand. If your parents are anything like the Bishops, they’ll ask about every little detail of your life.”

She chuckles. “Yep, that’s exactly how they are. Gosh. Thank you again.”

“No, thank you. This buys me some time to figure out what I’m gonna say or do. I can’t just go there and act like nothing happened, and I guarantee you half the ranch hands already know the whole story. So avoiding it altogether and blaming it on work is the best option right now.”