Catching the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch #2) - Kennedy Fox Page 0,16

a manwhore. I need someone I can trust and who will treat me right. I have more respect for myself than a one-night stand with someone like Diesel, who I’ll have to see every day for the rest of my life. Plus, there’s no doubt Riley would murder him. The thought makes me grin, and he notices.

“What?” he asks.

“Oh nothing,” I sing-song and lean further back in my seat.

Seeing baby Zach, and my brother so happy with his family, I’ve realized that’s what’s really missing in my life. I want a forever relationship, not one that’s just temporary, but after Nick smashed those dreams, I’m starting to think it’s not in my future.

Almost as if it’s a divine intervention, I get a text message from Trace, a guy I sorta dated for a short time two and a half years ago. When we first met, he’d just moved here because his job transferred him to San Angelo. He’s older than me, nearly thirty now, but mature and well established in his life, which is a change from the guys my age. Things ended mutually when I left to go back to college, and we kept in touch as friends.

My smile grows even larger.

Trace: Welcome back to Nowhere, Texas! I didn’t forget to text you when I got back in town, but wanted to give you some time to settle back home. Hope we can get together soon!

Rowan: I’m ready when you are! When are you free?

Trace: Next weekend?

I think about my plans with my cousins and know I can’t cancel on them. I wouldn’t anyway, especially not for a guy, but Trace is one of the good ones. He’s also not bad to look at either.

Rowan: Dang! I’m busy next weekend. What about the one after?

Trace: I’ll be traveling that weekend. Hmm…we’ll have to reconvene again ;)

Diesel shifts in his seat. “Are you talking to that old asshole again?”

Frustration is written all over his face, and I find it adorable he’s so damn jealous. When I first introduced Trace to everyone at the Bishop’s traditional Fourth of July party, Diesel and Riley nearly lost their minds. They don’t like the fact that Trace is so much older than me, but I am a grown ass woman and will do whatever I want. The last thing I need is their permission or approval.

“What’s it to you, Adam?” I say his real name and watch him stiffen even more.

“It’s nothing to me. When you’re in public, though, everyone’s gonna wonder why you’re dating your dad. That’s all.” The snark in his tone isn’t lost on me.

“My dad?” I laugh. “Trace isn’t much older than us,” I remind him.

“Nearly ten years, Rowan.”

“Seven,” I correct.

He scoffs. “You need someone who won’t pull their back out to keep up with you.” He tilts his head. “Someone who’s used to working hard and not sitting behind a computer all day.”

“Oh really? Someone like you?” I snort. “No, thank you.”

“Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.” He waggles his brows.

I think back to when he kissed me when I was thirteen, then I remember how he denied it, and I hated him for ruining the memory. All night I’d been rejected, and it was just another reminder that I wasn’t good enough to be claimed by anyone, not even him.

My phone vibrates in my palm as I watch Diesel from my peripheral. He’s trying to play it off like he doesn’t care, but it’s more than obvious he does.

I look around, making sure none of my family is close, and it seems most of them have cleared out. They’re probably all stuffed in Zoey’s tiny little room or waiting in the hallway to go inside. “I’d rather be alone for the rest of my life than try it. I don’t want to catch a disease. I have no idea where you or your traveling dick have been.”

“You can only deny me so much before you jump on board, Row.”

I scoff. “I’m not jumping on anything, especially you.”

“We’ll see,” he says confidently.

“Whatever. Shit in one hand and wish in the other. See what happens quicker.” I shake my head, knowing he’s trying to get under my skin. At times, I think he might really have a thing for me, but I’m convinced he flirts just to aggravate the piss out of my brother and me.

Instead of giving him any more attention, I unlock my phone and reply to Trace. We decide to play it by ear and plan