Bossing the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch #4) - Kennedy Fox Page 0,17

a lot cheerier than I’ve ever heard.

He laughs, and it sounds foreign coming from him. “I know, sweetheart. Me too.”

It’s obvious from his tone that he’s smiling. I hear footsteps, and my adrenaline spikes as I take a step back, not wanting to get caught. His office door shuts, and his voice isn’t as loud, but I can still make out what he’s saying.

“Of course we’ll do it again. Can’t wait to see you again. I love you. Okay, baby. Bye.”

A lump forms in my throat at the realization he was with a woman today, one he loves. There’s no other explanation on how happy and chipper he sounded. I leave the break room when Connor opens his door, and he pretends I’m not even here.

After I’m done cleaning up for the day, I help Trina stock the patient rooms.

“You did an awesome job stepping in and helping when things got crazy,” I say. Connor’s not known to hand out compliments, so it’s the least I can do.

“Thanks, Elle. That means a lot,” she says with a big grin. Once we’re done, we grab our stuff, and I speak loud enough for Connor to hear me say goodbye to everyone. He’s been holed up in his office since he arrived. After our not-so-lovely interaction earlier, I’ve avoided him.

Exhaustion hits me on the drive home, so I decide to go to school in the morning. Waking up at four will suck, but I’m too tired to be on the road.

When I enter the house, the lights are off, and I know both of my parents are at work. A note scribbled in mom’s handwriting is on the counter to let me know leftovers are in the fridge. I take out the spaghetti and warm it up, then eat it while checking my phone.

Once I’m full, I head to the bathroom and get in the shower. The hot water relaxes my stiff muscles, and I actually feel a lot better afterward. Before I climb into bed, I put my books in my backpack so I don’t forget them when I leave for school in the morning.

Before I fall asleep, I get a text from my brother.

Ethan: Did you request off for my graduation like you promised?

I snort, then roll my eyes at the conversation it took to get that day off.

Elizabeth: Yes, I did.

Ethan: And did Dr. VetDreamy approve it?

I scrunch my nose. I hate that Kenzie started that shit, and years later, it still continues.

Elizabeth: He said it was fine. And don’t you dare call him that. Dr. Dickhead is more like it. How’s your girlfriend, I mean Harper?

It takes a minute for him to text back, and I chuckle at how much it gets under his skin when I tease him about Harper.

Ethan: If you mean her being a girl and being my friend, then she’s doing great. You gotta try harder with your digs, sis. You’re getting rusty in your old age.

Elizabeth: You better be glad you aren’t home. I’d kick your ass for that one.

Ethan: You sure you can raise your leg that high?

I send him an eye roll and an arm-flexing emoji.

Elizabeth: You coming home this weekend? I kinda miss your pain in the ass.

Ethan: Not sure yet. Maybe! Glad to know I’m still your favorite brother. It’s a hard job, but someone’s gotta do it.

Elizabeth: Ha! GOOD NIGHT!

I’m super proud of him and wouldn’t miss his graduation for the world, especially for Connor, who always has a stick up his ass. He’s not sure what he’ll do on the ranch yet, but Uncle John and Uncle Jackson have promised Grandma they’d figure it out. Ethan wants to help expand what the ranch currently does, and if anyone can do that, it’ll be him. He’s smart as hell, and his agricultural science degree will be put to good use.

Kenzie’s graduating too, but she’s planned her future career already. She’ll be using her education degree by teaching at the private school Aunt Mila started years ago after she moved here.

I look forward to the day when I’m not trying to do so much at once, but then again, I chose this life. Either way, I wouldn’t change a thing.

I take that back.

I would change one thing—Connor’s bad attitude.

Chapter Six

Connor

TWO MONTHS LATER

It’s hot as hell today, which is typical for the middle of June, and considering how busy we’ve been this week, I’m crossing my fingers there aren’t any emergencies this weekend. Since there weren’t many house calls scheduled