Catching the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch #2) - Kennedy Fox Page 0,5
and be as happy as a hog here because this place is my own personal heaven on earth. I’ve grown up here, and the Bishops are my chosen family.
Trust me, I’ve done my fair share of bitch work over the years because nothing is handed to anyone. Everything here is earned, which I respect and appreciate.
I pull up to the metal building and see no other vehicles except for Alex’s old beat-up truck he drives around the ranch. The bumper is dented from dumbasses backing into random things, and there are scratches all over the paint. Honestly, I don’t blame him for using it because I’ve done my fair share of damaging it, too.
Before I get out, I grab my cowboy hat and place it on my head, then take in a long, deep breath. When I walk inside, he’s drinking a cup of coffee and gives me a smug look. He’s like my second dad, but I’m actually afraid of Alex’s repercussions. The man could kick my ass all the way to the border of Texas and back. I’d never want to intentionally cross him.
His steel blue eyes glance up at the clock on the wall, then pierce through me. “One hour and twenty-three minutes late.”
“Sorry,” I say. Walking over, I grab a cup and pour some steaming hot coffee into it. “I…”
“Don’t lie to me,” he snaps.
“I wasn’t going to. I drank too much and—”
“What’s on your damn neck?” Riley asks. I didn’t even realize he’d walked in. I glare at him as he wears the cheesiest expression ever. He comes closer and tugs on my shirt to fully reveal the marks. All I can do is smirk.
“That’s how you get a disease,” he explains. “Lettin’ strange women suck all over ya.” Riley chuckles, but Alex shakes his head, unamused.
“Well, not all of us went to Vegas and came back with a wife,” I throw at him. Three years ago, as a twenty-first birthday present, Riley took me on a surprise trip to Las Vegas. When I think about it now, I smile because it was a weekend to remember. Riley found Zoey, and I ended up hooking up with one of her friends. The only difference is I didn’t put a ring on it, and I don’t even remember her name. However, a lot has changed since then because while I go to the Circle B Saloon often and have a few drinks, I’m not into the one-night stands like I was years ago. That’s why Ms. Hoover Vacuum didn’t come home with me last night, which is probably for the best. I might not have survived her sucking powers.
The Circle B Saloon is also owned by the Bishops. Riley’s uncles John and Evan invested in the property and fully remodeled an old building downtown. It now consists of a large beer and liquor selection, a pool table, and a quaint seating area. Before the Saloon opened, there were zero places for people to hang out at after dark, so it became an instant moneymaker. It’s done really well, and everyone in the family helps run it, especially Rowan, who’s taking over now that she’s graduated. Their cousins Ethan and Kenzie bartend a few nights a week when they’re home during college breaks.
“It looks like she bruised you from the inside out,” Riley taunts with a grin. “You might wanna get that checked out.”
“I’ll live.” I glower, ready to give him a snide comment about wishing it was his sister who marked me. But since their dad is within earshot, I hold my tongue. I’m already in the hot seat with him for being late so I don’t push my luck. These Bishops aren’t always mild mannered—the men or the women—if I’m being honest.
“Anyway,” Alex drawls, “it’s supposed to start raining this afternoon, so I’m not sure how much you’ll be able to get done, but you can try. I had Grayson start since you were nowhere to be found.”
Grayson was hired this past year to help with the cattle. He’s my right-hand man and super dependable, so it doesn’t surprise me that he stepped up today. He saves my ass when needed, which is great, considering Riley and I work in different areas now and can’t cover for each other anymore.
“Sorry about that, sir,” I apologize again, taking a sip of coffee because I need to wake up. “Won’t happen again.”
Riley chuckles. “Yeah right.”
“Shut the hell up.” I punch his shoulder, then look at his dad.