for barrel racing. She seemed right happy to set eyes on the hombre, here." Chase pointed to Julian.
"I wonder if anyone ever told Miss Gwen that Julian was being an exceptionally fickle cowboy that night? First Miss Jayne, and then Miss Gwen." Brian shook his head as if he didn't know what to make of the situation.
"Well, now, I don't know if anyone mentioned that to Miss Gwen, or not. But I do know someone mentioned the fact to Morgan, Henry, Adam, and Jake Kendall." Chase smiled when he said that.
"A couple of someones did, actually," Brian corrected.
Julian sighed, and lowered his head for a moment. Then he looked up and skewered Brian with a stare. "Is that why Jordan's folks invited me to dinner? So their sons could have 'fresh meat' for their wit?"
"Hell, no. Aunt Samantha loves to entertain," Brian said. "Those Kendall brothers, on the other hand..."
Julian said, "Tracy took pity on me and warned me there'd be a lot of teasing, no matter what. Of course, she didn't realize that a couple of troublemakers would be stirring that particular pot." Julian sighed. "She said the secret to survival was to make a good impression on her mother-in-law."
Brian grinned. "Aunt Samantha is as much a force of nature as is our Grandma Kate." He thought about it for a moment. "Actually a good game plan would be to impress all the ladies. They're outnumbered by the men - but only in theory."
Carrie was as impressed with the fact that her lovers took pity on Julian as she was by this display of Mister Alvarez's good nature.
Julian nodded. "Thanks for the tip. Let's see...four women, four bouquets of flowers."
Brian and Chase both laughed. Julian just shrugged. "I meant to ask Jordan, but didn't want to sound nosy." Julian tilted his head as he considered his bosses. "Why do they call the house the New House? Is it new?"
"The New House was actually constructed in 1889," Chase said, "and is the traditional home of Jessop-Kendall branch of the family - just as the Big House - which was built about ten years earlier - has always been the main Benedict family home."
"It would have been at the Big House, then, where my ancestors worked," Julian said.
Brian nodded. "It was. According to all that we've read, Jose, Maria, and Rose Mendez were considered members of the family, even before their children and grandchildren married Benedicts, Kendalls, and Jessops. When they became too old to work, Sarah insisted that they remain in Lusty, in the house they'd always called their home, because as far as she was concerned, this was their town, too."
Julian nodded. "I have to get myself over to the museum one of these days. I might as well learn as much as I can about my roots while I'm here." He grinned. "But right now, I better get upstairs and get showered and changed. I don't want to be late for my own roast."
Chase grinned. "Have a good time." Then he turned his attention to Carrie. He leaned in and kissed her. "Hello, sugar. Forgive me for not kissing you straightaway. I was trying to show Chloe that I'm not just a horny guy trying to get into her sister's pants. I'm glad you're home."
Then Brian leaned over and kissed her, too. "Welcome home, darlin'." He eased back. "Why don't y'all head out onto the back patio? We'll bring you out a couple of beers and something to munch on. The two of you can sit and relax for a bit while we get cleaned up."
Carrie didn't know if she'd ever get used to their kindness and consideration. They took such good care of her. She felt absolutely blessed.
"Thanks, honey. We'll sit for a little bit but then I want to get dinner started."
"Nope," Chase said. "You cooked all day, today. We've got dinner covered. Won't be fancy, but it'll hit the spot, guarantee it."
Carrie grinned. "Are you going to heat up a couple of frozen pizzas?"
Brian tweaked her nose, but lightly. "Oh ye of little faith. You ladies just go on and sit and visit for a spell. We men will work our magic in the kitchen." He raised his eyebrows together in a suggestive gesture and winked.
Carrie laughed, because she understood the message he was sending her - that it wasn't only in the bedroom where he and Chase could perform miracles, or only there where they would exert their "bossiness" of her. Since they seemed