Cowboys Mine Read Free Page A

the days until she was considered
an old spinster.
    Her parents insisted she never had to worry about
money, being an only child, because the family ranch would pass on to her. But
how could she be expected to keep things running all on her own once her
parents were too old to continue? Her dad already relied on help from the
McReed brothers. What she needed was to fall in love, get married, and follow
her own dreams.
    Part of her felt the trip to Chester would be the
catalyst to a new life. Although change was scary, it was often necessary to
reinvent yourself.
    “She’s a beauty.” Her father’s gravelly voice sent a
wave of calmness through her system. She smiled to herself as she continued to
groom Bessie.
    “Think she’s a winner?”
    “You have a fighting chance,” said her father. “But
I need to talk to you about the trip.”
    Now she whirled around. “Oh?”
    “I was talking with Colton and North this morning.
What they said makes sense—”
    “You’re cancelling the trip!”
    “Hush now, darlin’. You’re free to go to Chester
with Bessie and Ruby—but you’ll also be carting the McReed boys. They promised
to look out for you while you’re away.”
    She had to pause to take in what he’d said. When her
father mentioned Colton and North, she was certain the trip was over. She’d
kill them for opening their big mouths after their claim of a truce last night.
But as much as she was pissed they’d be tagging along, at least she was still
allowed to go.
    “You’ve taught me how to use a rifle, daddy. I can
take care of myself,” she assured.
    “I’d just feel better. You’re my little girl, my
only one, and I can’t bear to have anything happen to you.” He kissed her atop
the head and then patted Bessie on the rump. “I’m sure you won’t even notice
the twins. They’ll be busy having fun of their own.”
    True enough. Colton would be chasing after every new
cowgirl he saw. She’d probably never see either of them. She returned to her
task, her initial worry fizzling away.
    Once she finished with Bessie, she moved on to Ruby.
She was the smaller of the two, but she had a beautiful coat with unique
markings.
    “Hey there, pretty girl.” Colton peeked from around
the corner with a few wild daisies in his hand.
    “I’m not talking to either of you. You promised not
to make trouble, but you went running to my dad as soon as I turned my back.”
    He ran a hand through his shaggy blond hair and sat
on the milking stool a few feet away. “We’re doing this for your benefit, Eva.
You think we have free time during fall harvest? We’ll be up to our ears in
work when we get home, plus we’ll have to leave our mother alone for nearly a
week.”
    “Then why bother?”
    He was quiet for a moment, looking up at her as if
she’d spoken a foreign language. “Because we love you.”
    She exhaled, all the bravado she’d built up since
yesterday draining down to her cowgirl boots. As much as they drove her nuts
most days, she loved the McReed brothers too, always had, always would.
    “Well…thank you for offering. I’ll help you with
your chores when we get home.”
    He rose to his feet, setting the flowers on the
stool before standing tall. And boy was he tall now. The brothers made her feel
like a prairie mouse in comparison.
    Eva tried to do everything around the ranch to ease
the burden on her parents, but Colton and North were built like workhorses,
able to do in an hour what would take her all day. She’d still try and help
them when they got home, even if it was just doing laundry and cleaning
chickens for their mother.
    Colt ran a hand over Ruby’s neck. “You’ll win,” he
said with a smile. She was glad for the change of subject. She wasn’t in the
mood for fighting any longer.
    Eva shrugged. “I have no idea what I’m up against.
Guess I’m kind of nervous.”
    “Nervous? Look at Bessie. She’s a regular
butterball. I’ve been dreaming of turning her into