The Bull Rider's Twin Trouble

by Ali Olson

“Have you lived here your whole life?” she asked, pulling him out of his reverie.

  That simple question was always a difficult one to answer, and even though he felt like Cassie was a person he could confide in, he wasn’t ready to explain the whole situation to her. He stuck with his honest-but-short response, hoping she wouldn’t ask for more details. “No. I lived in San Diego for a while when I was little.”

  “Surfer-turned-cowboy, huh?” she said with a smile.

  Her fun tone made him want to joke with her, but he couldn’t bring himself to do more than give her a small smile. The image of his father teaching him to surf always brought with it an unpleasant ache in his chest. Despite all the extreme sports he’d tried as an adult, he’d never been able to get back on a surfboard. “Something like that” was all he said.

  She seemed to sense his unwillingness to discuss his life in San Diego, because she didn’t ask him anything more about his childhood.

  * * *

  CASSIE WASN’T SURE if she was happy or not that the walk was over as they finished the loop around the paddock. It was hot, and she was looking forward to the cool and shade of the house, and to an icy drink, but she couldn’t help but wish she and Brock were still ambling on beside each other. He somehow managed to set her on fire and soothe her soul at the same time, and she worried the feeling would disappear once they were back in the house, away from the great expanse of land that surrounded them.

  They stopped walking, and Cassie lingered an extra moment. Brock made no move toward the house, either, and they stood there quietly as the boys ran inside.

  “So, what’s the verdict? How much do I need to replace?” she asked, not yet ready to go inside.

  Brock smiled at her, and she felt her heart thump. “Not much, actually. It’s better than I would have expected, and the paddock shouldn’t take more than a bit of lumber and a few hours’ work before it’s ready to hold your horses.”

  Cassie felt relief course through her. Maybe she would be able to make this work, prove to herself that she could do it.

  She looked into his eyes, and the heat around them grew even thicker with unsaid thoughts. Cassie was wondering what it would be like to kiss him when the slam of the screen door came as a welcome diversion. She turned toward the house, creating distance between her and the smoldering man beside her.

  Both of her boys were running across the golden grass toward her, leaving a woman standing on the back porch. Cassie squinted in the bright sunlight to see who it was.

  Carter skidded in front of her, already talking. “Momma, Miss Emma is here. She brought a pie. She said it was for dessert, but can we have some now? Please?”

  “Is that Emmaline Reynolds?” Brock asked from behind her.

  Something like jealousy popped up in Cassie, but she quickly tamped it down. She had no call to feel possessive about Brock, she reminded herself. He could date Emma all he wanted.

  She couldn’t stop herself from saying a quick prayer that he wouldn’t, though.

  “I haven’t seen her since grade school. Didn’t even know she still lived here. You sure make friends fast,” Brock commented.

  Her mood suddenly lifted, she flashed him a smile. “When you have a sweet tooth and two young kids and you move to a town with one bakery, you get to know the owner of said bakery very quickly. Especially when the boxes of kitchen supplies go missing for a week. We’ve also made friends with the owners of the pizza place and the café.”

  Brock chuckled, the sound reverberating through her body, and his grin caught her off-guard, turning her legs to jelly. She started to regret saying something amusing, looking at him and having a sex drive at all, because this man was certain to be her downfall if a laugh and a smile could do all that to her. Apparently not noticing her discomfiture, he said, “I’m going to go do another check of the paddock real quick, just to be sure we didn’t miss anything, and then it’s probably best we take a break anyway. You’d be surprised how fast the heat can get to you.”

  It wasn’t the heat that was getting to her, but she wasn’t about to say that.

  “I’ll go see what Emma wants. Come on in whenever you’re done,” she said to him as she turned away.

  She was going to need to be very careful around Brock McNeal.

  At the back porch, Emma smiled at her friend. “I came to tell you that I need some more of your business cards to put by the register, because people have been taking them left and right. You should expect to start getting calls for appointments any time now. My neighbor, Mrs. Edelman, asked me to bring her in just as soon as you’re open for business. In fact, I’m not working the day after tomorrow, if you’ll be ready by then”

  Cassie couldn’t believe it. “I may not have my office perfect yet, but I’d be happy to meet her then, if that works for you.”

  Emma nodded, satisfied. “And you really ran through all those cards?” Cassie couldn’t help but asking.

  “What can I say? People here are excited to have a doctor in town,” Emma responded.

  Cassie had given Emma a stack of cards only a few days before, in the hopes that she could start meeting with patients as soon as the office was completed. If they were gone already, and if she had her first appointment lined up, her practice might get a running start after all, and she would be able to pay for whatever new expenses cropped up.

  Emma’s voice broke through her thoughts, bringing her back to reality. “Also, I brought you an official ‘welcome to the neighborhood’ pie. And it’s a ‘thanks for treating my burns’ pie and an ‘I’m glad to have a friend who’s also the town doctor and plan to keep her very happy’ pie, too.”

  Emma tilted the pie in her hands so Cassie could see the laced top, beautifully browned with dark berries peeking out and sugar crystals sprinkled on top. The sight made Cassie’s mouth water. She laughed. “Pies convey a lot of meaning, huh?”

  Emma shrugged. “I just want you to know that I’m glad you moved here, Doc. You have great timing.”

  When Emma had burned her arm badly the week before while Cassie and the boys were at the bakery, Cassie was happy to help treat the wound. That and Emma’s amazing cinnamon rolls had started a quick friendship, one that Cassie was very grateful for in her new life.

  “Your very meaningful pie looks amazing, Emma,” she responded, inhaling the wafting smell of pastry and berries.

  “I thought you could probably use a treat, but,” Emma added, nodding her head toward Brock in the distance, “it seems like you already have a sweet treat here. Who is that?” she asked in a gossipy whisper.

  Cassie looked toward Brock, whose muscles looked almost heavenly in the bright sunshine as he moved about the paddock that would one day hold her horses. “It’s Brock McNeal. His parents live next door and he’s giving me a little help fixing this place up. He said he knew you from school.”

  Emma whistled a low note and leaned back against the doorjamb. “Brock McNeal. I haven’t seen him since we were kids. He did a great job growing up.”

  Cassie ushered Emma into the cool, dim kitchen, where they put the pie on the counter. Emma kept looking out the window at Brock, leaving Cassie feeling more agitated than she’d like. “Did you two date in high school? I imagine everyone in such a small town must’ve gone out with each other at some point. Unless you’re related, of course,” Cassie said as nonchalantly as she could.

  Emma’s head whipped around to stare at Cassie, and she gave her a conspiratorial smile. “No, we never dated. I moved away in middle school and only came back two years ago to start the bakery. I missed my chance, I guess.”

  Cassie tried to pretend she didn’t hear what her friend was implying. “Let me take a look at your burn. I want to make sure it’s healing.”

  Emma’s expression made it very clear she wasn’t fooled by the change of subject. Cassie couldn’t help but laugh when Emma rolled her
eyes and crossed her arms, refusing to cooperate until she was given more details. “He’s attractive,” Cassie admitted, “but I’ve got my boys and too much to do around here as it is. Brock’s just helping me fix up the ranch. Nothing romantic going on. I’m not about to start any messy relationships.”

  “A messy relationship could be really fun,” Emma said, slipping Cassie a wink and rolling up her sleeve. Cassie inspected the nearly healed burn, happy with its progress and that Emma didn’t push the subject of Brock McNeal any further. Cassie was quite aware of how fun a messy relationship with the man could be, and she was determined not to allow that thought to go any further than it already had.

  After ensuring herself that Emma had taken care of the burn as directed, Cassie released Emma’s arm as Brock came in the door, carrying a couple short planks of wood and a hammer. “Hey, Brock. Long time no see,” Emma said.

  Brock smiled at her. “Good to see you, Emma. I’d shake your hand, but—” He trailed off, gesturing at the lumber in his arms. “How’s your brother?”

  “Oh, he’s fine,” Emma said, leaning against the counter. Cassie couldn’t say for sure if Emma was being casual or flirty, and immediately wanted to smack herself on the forehead for even caring. “He’s saving lives in Cambodia. Making the rest of us look bad. You know how it is.”

  Brock chuckled, but this time the feelings it created in Cassie’s belly weren’t nearly as nice as before. She wished Emma wasn’t quite so tall and leggy. Next to her, Cassie felt tiny, almost invisible.

  “I know how that is. My sister’s the same way,” Brock said before turning to Cassie.

  When his eyes locked to hers, Cassie’s heart began to pound. She suddenly felt anything but invisible. “I’m just going to fix that bunk bed real quick, then I’m going to go home and get cleaned up. Is it okay if I come by in a few hours, though? Once it cools down a bit, I can bring over a crowbar from our place and start tearing out boards in the paddock that need to be replaced.”

  Cassie felt nearly breathless with his generosity. “You don’t have to do all that,” she answered, aware that Emma was standing right beside her. “It’s too much to ask.”

  Brock shrugged. “I’m not doing much else but getting in my ma’s way. It’s nice to feel useful. And those kids won’t be able to properly settle into their room until that bed’s safe enough to withstand a hurricane. I’m guessing they’ll push that furniture to the limits as much as the Wilson boys did.”

  Cassie returned his smile. She had been worried about the same thing, and her heart filled with gratitude. “Thank you so much, Brock,” she said, putting a hand to her chest in a show of earnestness.

  It was only when Brock’s ears reddened slightly that she realized where her unconscious gesture directed his gaze, and she quickly dropped her hand to her side. Intensely aware that Emma was watching, Cassie tried to lighten the mood. “I’ll need to make another stack of pancakes to thank you. And you’re welcome to a slice of delicious pie, thanks to Emma,” she finished, pointing toward the dessert.

  Brock smiled at her. “Can’t say no to that,” he responded. “I’ll just go take care of that bunk bed and then I’ll be out of your hair for a few hours.”

  With that, he was out of the kitchen. Cassie waited, listening for Brock’s footsteps to fade.

  It was only after he was definitely out of earshot that Cassie turned to Emma, hoping her friend had missed that short moment of tension—if that was what it was, which Cassie had probably misinterpreted anyway—and had only seen an innocent conversation. Cassie was proud of herself. Really, she thought, Emma couldn’t possibly have cause to think their relationship was anything but neighborly.

  Which is all it is and will ever be, a stern voice inside her scolded. The reminder didn’t cheer her.

  Emma looked at Cassie and shrugged. “Fair enough,” she said. “I’ve never had luck with love anyway. Maybe you will.”

  “What does that mean?” Cassie asked, praying Emma didn’t mean what Cassie knew she meant.

  “Don’t even try that,” Emma responded, wagging her finger at Cassie. “I know when a guy’s hooked. His eyes were locked on your face that whole time, except for when he was distracted by your...hand,” she said, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. “He could hardly manage a glance at me, and he didn’t even look at my pie, which is a first.”

  “Maybe he doesn’t like pie,” Cassie suggested, trying to brush away Emma’s insinuations.

  Her friend snorted in response, as if the very idea was preposterous. “Well, I need to get back to the shop, but I expect to hear more about Brock McNeal the next time I see you.”

  After giving Emma another stack of business cards and saying goodbye, Cassie went to Zach and Carter’s room. She walked in to find the boys at opposite ends of the bunk bed, pushing and pulling at it with all their might, giggling hysterically in the process. Brock was standing a few feet away, watching with his hands on his hips.

  None of them seemed to notice her arrival, so she stood in the doorway and watched as the boys collapsed on the floor, laughing breathlessly.

  “I told you that it wouldn’t budge an inch,” Brock told the boys.

  Cassie moved forward into the room and looked closely at the bed, noting the boards Brock had used to steady the wobbling top bunk. Before she could think of what to say, Zach and Carter were on her, pulling her over to show her exactly what Brock had done to make their bed safe.

  She allowed herself a quick glance in his direction to find him suddenly looking slightly awkward, and before she could say anything he hooked his thumb toward the door. “I’m going to go home to wash up and change, but I’ll be back this afternoon.”

  Hardly waiting for a nod from her, he strolled out of the bedroom. She faintly heard the front door open and close, and he was gone.

  Why had he disappeared so quickly? She hadn’t even been able to express her thanks for what he had done for Zach and Carter.

  “He’s nice,” Carter commented, climbing up into his new bed. Cassie had to agree.

  Nice, and sexy. And a little bit confusing.

  With a deep exhale, she headed to the shower to wash off the sweat from the heat of the day. It also gave her time to think.

  Her first thoughts as she stepped into the water strayed to Brock. Showering. With her. Emma’s words rang in her head. I know when a guy’s hooked...

  The idea made her stomach flutter with excitement. She immediately shoved her head under the cool spray, biting back her sexual frustration.

  Why, why did the man willing to help her need to be quite so perfect?

  Men weren’t an option right now, Cassie knew, but oh, man, if they were, she knew right where she’d go.

  Cassie sighed and turned off the water, feeling cleaner but still very unsatisfied.

  She would need to be careful if she was going to avoid rumors getting around town that she and Brock were an item. She didn’t want the boys to hear anyone suggesting that she might be replacing their daddy.

  She could just imagine the whispered talk, the way people would look at her, wondering how much was true...

  She’d been through that too recently for the idea of it starting all over again to sit well.

  And if she knew Emma at all from their short friendship, she guessed talk would be all around town in a matter of days. The thought made her skin crawl.

  This time, though, she could at least make sure the rumors had no truth behind them, no teeth to sink into her and hurt her.

  Chapter Five

  “Thanks, Diego,” Brock said into his phone as he sat on his childhood bed. “I’ll let Cassie know you guys will buy the hay.”

  “No problem. She’s doing us a favor, really,” Brock’s adopted brother answered. “Tomorrow when we get into town, Jose and I will drop by to meet her and hammer out the details.”

&n
bsp; They said their goodbyes and Brock hung up. Since he’d been home, he had eaten, showered and called his brothers about the hay. He looked at the clock and knew he should kill some more time before heading back to Cassie’s.

  Brock glanced around the room, at his high school rodeo trophies, snapshots of him with his friends and siblings, and a picture of him bungee jumping when he was seventeen—Ma had been so mad when she’d found out, but she still didn’t have the heart to get rid of the picture, apparently. All these relics of his life in this home hardly registered, though. His mind was listening to the slow ticking of the clock, and thinking of the woman a house away.

  After deciding to wait another half hour, Brock stood and paced as best he could in the cramped room. He probably wouldn’t have lasted another thirty seconds, but luckily, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He looked at the screen to see that Jay, one of his rodeo buddies, was calling him.

  He swiped the screen and put his phone to his ear. “Hey, Jay. Did you make it in the money?”

  He had left too early from the last rodeo to see Jay ride, but his friend was one of the best bull riders on the circuit, and he was sure the man had done well.

  “Second place,” Jay said. “Your uncle was hopping mad that you didn’t get a chunk of the purse.”

  Brock shrugged, even though his friend couldn’t see it. He’d expected as much. “Uncle Joe is hopping mad about half the time. I’ll do better in the next one,” he added, more for himself than anything.

  “Speaking of the next one,” Jay said, no doubt getting down to his reason for calling, “you’re going to the rodeo in Glen Rock, right?”

  That was the one coming up in two weeks. It was about the closest big rodeo Spring Valley had all year. “Yeah, I’ll be there,” Brock said, wondering where this was going.

  “Well, I found out there are some abandoned mines about an hour out of town, and I’ve been looking into mining exploration. How about a group of us head there and check them out on our way out of town the day after the rodeo? I’ll bring rappelling gear and flashlights. I’ve been reading up on it, and we might be able to find something down there. I’ve heard of people stumbling onto rubies the size of your fist in abandoned mines.”