by MISSY HARPER
“You two peeing on trees again?” Rylee asked as she stepped down off the stairs into the kitchen. She glared at Ethan before turning the same look on Bart. Bart smiled at her as Ethan continued to stare at him, fists at the ready. Tanner placed his hand on Ethan’s shoulder and Thor gave him a stern look before Ethan finally sat back down, but he never did take his eyes off the other man.
“Sorry, Rylee. You know how it is when there’s two or more men in a room discussing a pretty little thing like you.” Bart offered her a sexy smile and wink that earned him a low growl from Ethan. Tanner leaned into him as if to warn him he would tackle him if he had to.
“You both seem to have trouble behaving in hallways, too, as I remember.” She reminded him that she was still not very happy about the fact he hadn’t been completely truthful the night she and Ethan had shared heated words at the nursing home. Bart put his head down like a chastised child, but it was only to hide his grin.
“You two aren’t too good together in parking lots either, if I remember correctly. Lets see if we can’t fix this little problem you two seem to have with each other because, to tell you both the truth, it’s really starting to piss me off.” Rylee turned to look at Ethan and tried to understand why the man was growling at her date. What the hell was his problem? He’d made it clear, on more than one occasion, that he wasn’t interested.
“This is how it’s gonna work from now on, are you listening to me?” She asked with an authoritative tone to both men. “Good.” She continued before either of them could say anything.
“From now on, when you two come across one another, you will be civil to each other. I don’t particularly care if you like each other, but cha both better damn well fake it! Bart, that means no more smart ass comments about you getting to date me over Ethan’s objections. And Ethan, no more threatening my dates, and no more punching them and no more of your caveman shit period! You had your chance. You passed. Now deal with it!” She said, pointing her finger at both of them in turn. Now, if she could just get her stupid girl parts to behave, everything would be fine!
“I’ll tell you just like I told him, Ethan.” Rylee said, thumbing her finger in Bart’s direction.
“He can beg, plan and plead all he wants, but I’m not sleeping with him or anyone else until I have a ring on my finger and he’s signed on the dotted line. I deserve to actually matter to the man I’m sleeping with, so back the hell off!”
“Now, I have travel information for all of you.” Rylee announced, changing gears without breaking stride. “I’ve made each of you a copy so no one has an excuse to be late, or miss a flight, or anything else that might make me real easy to get along with.” Rylee said as she began handing out the papers to both her brothers and Ethan in a manner that told everyone the prior conversation was now over. The issue, settled.
“I gave yours to mom.” She told her father. He nodded in understanding and seemed to be relieved of the responsibility. He only dealt with his daughter when given no other choice. If he didn’t have the information, it couldn’t be his fault when one of them screwed it up. He could sit back and enjoy the trip… he was in the clear.
“The flight and hotel information, plus the competition schedule, are all on this one piece of paper.” She held it up and shook if for emphasis while scanning each of their eyes and daring them to screw up her schedule.
“I have everyone’s tickets to the competition and for the flight. All you guys have to do is pack a bag and show up here at the highlighted time on the sheet of paper I just handed you. It’s almost impossible for any of you to screw this one up.” She looked at each one of them individually.
“Did she really highlight it?” Bart whispered to Oliver. Oliver offered him a peek at his paper and gave him a shut your mouth before you get us both in trouble look.
“Be here… at 9:45… on Friday… with a bag packed. Got it?” Rylee continued after offering Bart one of her best glares. Oliver shook his head when the man simply grinned at her. He’d obviously be learning the hard way.
“Does this mean your gonna be out of town this weekend, Beautiful?” Bart asked with a smile as he placed his hand on her lower back.
“Remember, I told you about Rory competing in the world finals in Las Vegas.” Rylee reminded him.
“Oh, that is this weekend, isn’t it? Yeah, I remember. Ya told me when we went to see that movie the other night.” He said with a little too much grin. Ethan’s fist hit the table and he glared at Rylee.
“I thought we discussed this already? I don’t like this guy anymore now than I did then, Rylee!” Ethan informed her with a glare in Bart’s direction. “Do we need to take our discussion a little farther?”
“We did. And I decided that you two would learn to get along… I even went as far as to explain to you how you were gonna do it. I have to tell you boys, you both pretty much suck at it!” Rylee answered, refusing to acknowledge Ethan’s last comment.
“Damn it, Rylee!” Ethan warned her.
“Why are you here anyway, Ethan? You do realize you live on the next ranch over and that it has a kitchen, right?”
“I need to talk to you about my ranch.” He mumbled.
“Well, I obviously don’t have time right now, but just leave whatever it is and I’ll look at it in the morning and give you a call… that is if you’re not already in my kitchen again!” She said as she allowed Bart to help her into her coat.
“Son of a…” Ethan trailed off as Thor began to mumble. He hated the fact Bart was helping her into her coat and not him.
“It’s your own damn fault, boy. She didn’t have time for datin when she was runnin two ranches and a restaurant. My plan was working wonderfully till your brilliant ass showed up.” Thor grumbled just under his breath, but loud enough for Ethan to hear. Ethan’s eyes shot up to Thor’s and then moved to Rylee with a sly grin.
“I can’t just leave it.” Ethan confessed with a bit more smile than was necessary for the situation. Thor muffled a chuckle behind a cough. “I’m afraid I may need to take you up on that offer you made to help with my ranch for a while. I’ve just got too many irons in the fire these days… with dad and the ranch and learnin how to run the business side of it. I think it might be best if you took back over.” Rylee sighed heavily and looked up at the ceiling before she looked back at Ethan.
“How much have you screwed it up?” She asked as she pinned him with those beautiful eyes. Hell, he’d volunteer to live at the conner of Rylee’s Pissed and Rylee’s Shit List for the rest of his days if he could just see those beautiful eyes staring into his on a daily basis.
“Probably a lot. It could take all night to figure it out. Wanta come over and start workin on it now?” He asked with a sexy grin for Bart’s benefit.
“Your funny, Ethan.” She said and offered him a belated sarcastic smirk. “If it’s that bad then I’ll have to look at it while we’re in Vegas and we can talk on the flight home.”
“That’s…”
“The best you’re gonna get.” Rylee said, cutting him off. “I have plans tonight, so good night and I will see you all in the morning.” Rylee said to the room as she began to usher Bart toward the door.
“Morning!” Ethan shot out of his chair. Thor never moved from his chair but did look over his big shoulder to meet Bart’s gaze.
“I expect her home tonight, Bart.” Thor told the younger man. “I also expect you to treat her with respect. Otherwise, I’ll have to turn Ethan loose on ya.” Thor mumbled the last under his breath with a little grin for the boys.
“Yes, sir. I expect that you would.” Bart replied. Ethan didn’t miss the fact the man didn’t say he’d have her home or that he had any intention of being respectful.
“Unless your plannin to elope with her tonight, it’s not optional. You will bring her back and in the same condition she’s leavin here. There better not be a hair out of place, Kyle!” Ethan warned. “Don’t think I didn’t catch your little play on words there, you dirty rat bastard!” E
than confronted him.
“Ethan!” Rylee shot him a mean look. Bart reached up and ran his fingers through Rylee’s hair pretending to mess it up just a bit.
“Don’t know if I’ll be able to oblige ya there, Buddy. We are goin to a carnival.” He turned his best Cheshire cat grin on Ethan before he walked out the door.
“What’s your problem with Bart Kyle, son?” Thor shook his head in exasperation. It was one thing to be protective of the girl. It was another to want to take the guys head off every time he saw him.
“He ain’t the mannerly gentleman he’d like ya to think. Rylee’s got no business with that guy. He’s way too much rough cowboy for her to handle.” He turned when he got to the door and pointed his finger at Thor.
“Mark my words on this one, she’s gonna get hurt with this guy.” Ethan warned them.
“Nah.” Thor slouched down in his seat then grinned up at Ethan. “She won’t have time for this fella now that she’s got her job back.” Thor said, crossing his arms over his broad chest.
Chapter 14
Quality Time With Pop
“Oliver! This car is leaving in two minutes, with or without you!” Rylee yelled up the stairs as she headed for the back door.
“I’m comin, I’m comin.” Oliver complained as he ran down the stairs with his duffel thrown over his shoulder.
“I said nine forty-five. Does this look like nine forty-five to you, Oliver?” Rylee demanded as she pointed to her watch. “I even wrote it down for you!”
“Sorry.” He grumbled as he pushed past her and grabbed the last biscuit left sitting on the table.
“Seriously? How long does it take a man to throw a couple pairs of underwear and blue jeans into a bag?” She questioned when her father raised his eyebrows at her.
“Well, I see you’re as cheerful as ever this mornin, Runt.” Ethan said as he entered the back door grinning at the beaten down, snarling dog look already on Oliver’s face.
“Cheerful as a barracuda in heat.” Oliver mumbled on his way out the door. Rylee was the only woman on the planet Oliver allowed to treat him that way. Any other woman would find herself firmly planted across his knee!
“And I see that not only are you as punctual as ever, but you’re in my damn kitchen again.” Rylee shot back at Ethan.
“Mornin, Runt.” Ethan smiled at her and offered her a wink.
“Don’t think for one minute I can be charmed by that sexy wink of yours. You’re still late, Hawkins!” She jabbed her index finger into his hard chest as she walked past him.
“Everyone get in the car before we miss our flight.” Rylee ordered as she headed for the door.
Ethan’s grin morphed into a full smile as she walked away. This was just too good to pass up. He jogged up behind her and slipped his arm around her shoulders as she walked.
“So, ya think my wink is sexy, huh?” He wiggled his dark eyebrows at her after winking at her one more time. Rylee kept her eyes forward and never stopped moving.
“I’d tell you to bite me, but I already know you’re into that kinky stuff, so I guess the only way to get rid of you is to talk about my date last night.” She shrugged his arm from around her shoulders and tried to walk away from him.
“Play nice, Kitty.” Ethan teased. “What do ya say, Runt? How about a truce for the weekend?” Ethan asked, oozing as much charm as humanly possible. “You be sweet to me, I’ll keep ya outa trouble… maybe wink atcha every now and then…”
“Not a chance, Hawkins. I plan to give you every single little detail… every moan… every sigh… every oh baby that feels so good!” Rylee cooed at him as she walked toward the vehicle with Ethan growling beside her. Thor shook his head and placed his hand on Oliver’s shoulder.
“It’s gonna be a long ride to the airport.” Thor moaned.
“You think that’s gonna be fun? Wait till they try to pat her down when we go through airport security.” Oliver huffed, actually feeling sorry for the poor bastard that got that job.
“Ten bucks says she gets arrested.” Tanner piped up.
“Twenty says the guy will limp home and she’s already allotted time for the whole damn thing.” Thor remarked as he approached the driver’s door of the vehicle.
“I heard that Daddy!” Rylee grinned at him as she answered her cell phone. All the laughter stopped when they noticed the change in Rylee’s facial expression. Their eyes turned toward her, and they all listened to the one sided conversation.
“Yes, sir… I understand… but is he alright?” Rylee asked as she looked up at Ethan. He knew in that instant the phone call was about his father.
“What happened?” He demanded in a whisper while she continued to talk. Rylee held up her hand for him to wait while she got more information from the man on the phone.
“I’ll be right there…. I’m sorry… no, thank you.” She ended the call and looked back up at Ethan.
“You’re dad got into a fight with another patient. He fell during the fight and hit his head…”
“Oh, my God…” Ethan ran his hand over his face.
“He’s okay, but they think he needs stitches so he needs to go to the emergency room.” She looked so disappointed.
“You guys go on to the airport.” She told them as she looked down into her huge purse and started digging around for the tickets. It was a rare moment when Rylee seemed frazzled or unorganized, but this was one of them.
“I’ll take that flight leaving in the morning. I’ll meet you all at the arena on Saturday, or at the hotel, whatever. I’ll call you.” She added, aggravated that she didn’t have all the particulars in order as she usually did.
“Not this time, Runt.” Ethan told her, taking the plane tickets from her hand and shuffling through them until he found his own ticket.
“I’m taking my ticket and going to take care of my own father while you go on to Vegas with your family now.” He instructed in a tone that left no room for argument.
“Ethan…” Rylee attempted to argue her point anyway.
“Don’t argue with me, Rylee. It’s your brother ridin in this competition. You need to be there. If he gets bucked off tonight there won’t be a ride on Saturday. Tonight could be your only chance to see him ride in the world championship competition.” He explained as he grabbed both of her wrists and looked down at her. There was no room in his tone, or his expression, for further argument, but he could see she was thinking about it anyway.
“I’m not getting on that plane today, Rylee.” Ethan squeezed his hands tighter around her wrists. “Don’t make me force you to shut up.” He warned, pulling her closer and moving his eyes down to her mouth.
“Oh…”
“Go, Runt. I can take care of my father for a change.” He turned her around toward the car and swatted her bottom.
“Go bite your nails while Rory rides one of those stupid bulls. I’ll meet you there, promise.” He kissed her cheek before pushing her head down into the open car door as if he were a cop putting a criminal into the backseat of his car.
“Don’t let them give my room away… or me and my sexy wink will be sleepin with you.” He grinned at her as he leaned his head down into the doorway.
“Enjoying that fantasy much, Hawkins?” Rylee sarcastically remarked.
“On second thought, I think I’ll call and cancel my reservation.” He grinned as he stood up and began to close her door.
“Oh, wait, I forgot to tell you all about my date!” She returned with a devious look in her eyes.
“Ah hell, baby. Once I cancel that reservation you can just show me all you learned.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her and slammed the door as Thor started the car. Rylee frowned at him. He grinned even bigger, knowing she hated being beaten at her own game.
Ethan walked into the Yesteryears Nursing home and it looked as if a bomb had gone off. There was food running down the walls, tables turned over and chairs strewn all over the place. Many of the other residents were huddled together crying, a
nd some were walking around yelling at the air around them. The workers were buzzing around trying to get the residents back into their rooms and get the mess cleaned up. The old man had certainly done a number on the place. It was a wreck!
“Mr. Hawkins!” Ethan turned to see a very unhappy nursing home director looking at him. “Right this way, your father is waiting for you.” He announced while pushing his glasses up his nose with a shaky hand. It seemed as if the words your father had tasted bad to the guy.
“You mind tellin me what happened here?” Ethan asked as he looked around the man standing in front of him.
“Your father is what happened, Mr. Hawkins.” He answered in a self-righteous tone as he attempted to look down his nose at Ethan.
“So, the old man stirred up some trouble?” Ethan said with a chuckle and a shake of his head. He didn’t know what he found more amusing, the fact that his calm, quiet father had started the equivalent of a nursing home brawl or this guys attitude.
“I fail to see the humor in this situation, Mr. Hawkins.” The director chastised him.
“I’m sure you do.” Ethan mumbled under his breath.
“A huge mess has been made, our other residents have been disturbed, and your father is in need of medical attention. I can hardly see what you might find so funny at a time like this!”
Your prissy ass attitude for starters! Ethan kept his thoughts to himself, but continued to smirk at the little man.
“I apologize. What were they fighting about anyway?” Ethan asked trying not to smack the guy just to prove how prissy he was.
“The television. Your father thinks you are riding in some championship bull riding event today and insisted we find the correct television station and keep it on that station until after he saw you ride your bull.” He offered in a disgusted tone, as if bull riding was the worst thing a person could possibly be involved in and, by the look on Mr. Prissy’s face, certainly something Ethan was incapable of mastering. Ethan strongly considered sticking around to see just how much he could make this little worm squirm, but his father did need medical attention.
