I gave Braun some attention before poking my nose in Bella-Boo’s stall. She was lying down, sleeping, so I left her alone.
Once I’d made a full round and was giving a good scratch to a young Shetland pony named Mia, Logan came and found me, bumping my leg with his monstrous head and almost knocking me off balance.
“Hey now. Don’t be a jerk, throwin’ your weight around.” I laughed and scratched him with my free hand. “Jealous, are you?”
Mia lost interest in having a pet with Logan’s arrival and wandered back into her stall. I patted my leg and whistled, heading outside again with Logan. I kicked the stump of wood aside and swung the door shut.
“Think anyone will notice if I head inside and change?” I asked Logan.
“I know I’ve been gone a while, but I’m sure Elaina’s temperament is as ripe as ever. I would think you putting on riding clothes and a hat would upset the woman, don’t you?” I didn’t have to see his face. I would recognize the mumbled drawl of my older brother’s speech any day of the week.
He came around from the side of the stable and greeted me with a wide smile that creased his mouth in the same fashion my smile did. We were a lot alike and a lot different. We shared height, muscle build, the lazy smile, and sloppy speech, but that was where the similarities ended.
JR’s hair was dark as night, and his eyes were as blue as Pyramid Lake in July. He might have been of a size like our father, but he was the spitting image of our mother. I was laid back, yet stubborn as a mule when it came to certain things, whereas JR was neurotic and easygoing for the most part. However, he could be a stubborn ass when it came to me, but that was the nature of brothers.
He engulfed me in a crushing hug. Although we’d talked earlier, preparing for the wedding had taken away from a proper welcome home greeting.
“You look great, little brother. The fresh mountain air does wonders for you.”
He slapped my back a few more times before releasing me.
“You look good yourself, old man. Stayin’ out of trouble?”
“As much as possible.”
I peered back at the gazebo. “How’s Paige doin’?”
“She’s tired.” JR squinted at the dancing and fun going on in the distance. His very pregnant wife was sitting at a table, chatting with Dad, one hand rubbing her belly.
“How long?”
“Two months yet.”
“Runnin’ outta time. You excited?”
“Like you wouldn’t believe.” JR eyed me, but he had that look in his eyes that told me what was coming. “What about you? Any prospects for your future? Is there a man in your life?”
I ducked my head, kicking at the rough dirt under my far too expensive fancy shoes. “Nah. Not at the moment. Ain’t got time for that shit.” It was a lie. I’d make time if the right guy came along.
“You’re not the only gay man in Jasper, you know.”
“I know. But I think I’ve dated every one who’s worth dating. The list of eligible and worthy bachelors is small. I’m picky as all hell, you know that.”
“And you should be. Never settle for less, and don’t give up.”
“It’s all right. I don’t need a guy. I got this place to run. It keeps me busy.”
JR swung an arm around me and aimed us back toward the gazebo. My escape was foiled. “Come on. No more hiding in the stables. You’ve got your dancing shoes on, you better use them.”
Halfway back to the gazebo, movement in a bush a couple of dozen feet away caught my eye. I halted, touching JR’s arm so he’d do the same.
He was about to ask why I’d stopped, but the look on my face cut off his question. I squinted through the dark, ears taxed, eyes sharp. Someone was there, hiding in the bush.
“Gimme a minute.” I patted JR’s arm and stalked forward. “Who’s there?” I called into the dark. “Get your ass out here and stop hidin’ in my bush.”
I was placing bets in my head that it was those damn teenagers who’d vandalized my property the previous week. Chief Windsor Elkhart couldn’t prove it, but I’d seen them skulking around more than once, looking for trouble.
The bush didn’t move. It didn’t make a peep.
“Huh, perhaps it’s a ’coon or a coyote. Maybe I’ll grab my rifle and take care of it.” I spoke loudly as though talking to