The Rebel of Copper Creek Read Free

branding.”
    â€œCan’t be helped.” Mad shared a knowing look with the foreman. “We can tag a cow’s ear or implant a chip, but the process our ancestors came up with is still the most efficient. The state of Montana is open range. We’ve got thousands of acres of rangeland. Those critters can hide in canyons, wander into forests. But the state demands that we register our brand with the state brand office. Not only the brand, but the exact location on each calf. That’s why we’ve got that MK on the right rump of every one of our cattle. It’s pretty hard for a thief to explain what he’s doing with your property.”
    Griff shook his head. “All I know is, I’m glad that particular chore is finished for the year. Now I can get back to learning the easy stuff.”
    â€œYou think tending herds in the high country in blizzards or summer storms is easy? You like mending fences and mucking stalls?” Ash shared a look with the others. “I guess that’s what happens when you survive three tours with the marines in Afghanistan. Everything after that is gravy.”
    The others around the table joined in the laughter.
    Myrna Hill, plump housekeeper for the MacKenzie family, set a tray of brownies on the table before passing around hot fudge sundaes. “You have Brenna to thank for the dessert. She drove all the way into Copper Creek, to that cute little shop I’s Cream, for Ivy’s special chocolate marshmallow walnut ice cream.”
    Ash nudged his bride, Brenna, seated beside him. “Is this a special occasion?” He put a hand to his heart. “Don’t tell me I’ve forgotten an anniversary or something already.”
    â€œNow you’ve done it, lad.” Mad’s Scottish burr thickened along with his laughter. “Don’t you know that the first rule of a new husband is to never admit that you’ve forgotten a special day? You’re supposed to just smile and remain silent, and your bride will think you’ve known about it all along.”
    â€œNow you tell me.” Ash put his arm around Brenna’s shoulders and nuzzled her cheek. “Whatever the occasion, you know I’m happy to be celebrating it with you.”
    â€œUh-huh.” With an impish grin Brenna smiled at Myrna, whose cap of white curls bounced with every step she took. “I suppose, if you’re feeling guilty enough, I could get a new washer out of this. Or maybe something really big, like a new truck at Orin Tamer’s dealership. But the truth is, babe, you haven’t forgotten a thing. I just thought you’d want some comfort food after dealing with all that branding for the past week.”
    â€œWhew.” Across the table, Whit made a big production of wiping imaginary sweat from his brow. “You really ducked a trap this time, bro.”
    â€œYeah.” Ash lifted Brenna’s hand to his mouth and planted a wet kiss in her palm. “See how she pampers me?”
    â€œDon’t be fooled, bro.” Whit dug into his sundae. “Our Brenna’s smart. That means she’ll figure a way to get what she wants even without playing on your guilt.”
    Brenna dimpled. “Better eat that dessert as fast as you can, or you may find it dumped over your very adorable head, my sweet brother-in-law.”
    â€œThat’s ‘bro-in-law’ to you, Bren.” He held up his now-empty bowl. “And you’re too late.”
    Around the table, the others enjoyed the banter while they finished their desserts.
    Afterward, they lounged comfortably, drinking coffee and discussing the week’s activities on the thousand-plus acres that made up the mighty MacKenzie ranch.
    With the sudden, shocking murder of Bear MacKenzie, the operation of the ranch had fallen to his three sons and his widow, Willow. Since Maddock’s accident, he’d merged his ranch with that of his son and had