Zero Forks - Cat Johnson Page 0,16

was the one angry?

No wonder I was good with the kid upstairs. I’d had a lifetime to practice on Cash and his juvenile behavior.

I decided to change the subject to something away from Cash. That would piss him off nicely as well. He did love being the center of attention. Must be a middle child thing.

“Hey, Bart. You got anything going on after school tomorrow?”

He shook his head, never stopping his double-handed rubbing of Romeo’s ears. “No. Why?”

“I’m going to bring Stewie over to the farm. I wanted to see if you’d be home.”

The kid cocked up a brow. “Don’t lie. You’re bringing him over to see Romeo. Not me.”

I laughed. “And you’re too smart for your own good.”

He smiled. “Gotta be smart to keep up with you.”

I got a glance at Cash’s deep frown. Cash had taken Bart under his wing months ago.

It was clear Cash didn’t like my having an influence on the kid too, which was crazy. If I’d learned one thing when my family had taken in a troubled foster care child, it was that it would take the whole family to raise him.

Cash knew that too. It was just his ego getting in the way here. I should probably cut him some slack. But what fun would that be?

“So.” I slapped Cash on the back. “Thanks for coming over to get the dog. You saved me a trip since I’m sleeping here tonight.”

Cash shook his head. “Jesus, Boone. You’re such a man whore. Is there even one transplant from the city here in Mudville you haven’t fucked?”

Man whore? Jeez. That was harsh.

I shot a glance toward the doorway to make sure Sarah was still in the other room and out of earshot, before turning back to Cash.

Sticking to keeping things light, as hard as that was after that last insult, I said, “Yes, there is. I never touched Stone’s girlfriend. I didn’t touch Brandon, our latest transplant from the city, either, for that matter.”

Grinning at my own joke I grabbed Cash by the shoulders and turned him toward the door.

“So, thanks for coming. I’ll see you tomorrow. Have a good night.” Ushering Cash out of the kitchen with one hand on the back of his neck, I glanced back. “Come on, Bart. Time to go. Don’t forget Romeo’s chew toy.”

I’d had enough. Time to get this family of mine out of here before Sarah finished with her phone call.

I might have to put up with my family, but she did not. I’d consider it part of my duties here to keep them away from her.

Besides, it would be too much of a challenge to be charming with my brat of a brother around. And whenever Sarah was done with her call, I intended to be just that.

Freaking Prince Charming.

Hell, the way the air sizzled between us, I was pretty sure she’d be happy if I charmed the pants right off her.

That sounded horrible, even in my own head. But seriously, that was definitely on my mind. Why wouldn’t it be? She was smart. Sexy.

No one could blame me for wanting to get to know her much, much better.

Not even my damn brother.

SEVEN

Sarah

After walking into the living room, I had to ignore that I’d left Boone’s family in the kitchen and focus as I hit to accept the video call from my sister.

I hadn’t talked to her since taking possession of Stewie.

This was Liza’s first deployment, but we’d grown up with a career military father, so we were both used to the intricacies—and the challenges—of military life.

But more than that, this was her first time being away from Stewie for an extended period of time. I knew she must be losing her mind.

“Liza. Hi. How are you?”

“I miss my baby,” she said, the truth of that written all over her expression.

I ignored how the uniform made her look more like a stranger and less like the sister I’d known for the past twenty-seven years. “I know. He’s fine. I promise. He’s in bed.”

She sighed in disappointment, letting the breath out slowly as she visibly deflated. “Okay. Sorry I couldn’t get online any sooner.”

“Want me to wake him up?” I offered, ready to do anything to keep those tears I saw glistening in my baby sister’s eyes from falling.

My being a dozen years older than Liza meant I had a motherly protective streak a mile wide when it came to her.

If I didn’t think it would send me up the river for the rest of my life,