Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29106 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29106 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
“Everything’s great,” I say, hiding the turmoil within. “I’m looking forward to the shindig they mentioned next week too. Let me know if there’s anything I need to prepare for the party, like glossing up the horse stock or even bringing food. I have a great recipe for buttermilk biscuits if the cook is amenable to another person in the kitchen.”
Winston throws me a strange look.
“Yes, the party,” he murmurs before looking away. “I’ll see if we need anything.”
Then, we reach the front door, and step outside into the sunshine. It’s a gorgeous day highlighting the beauty of the natural world, and Winston immediately begins launching into the daily workings of the ranch. I listen, but with only half an ear because why did the foreman act so weird about the party? It’s just a community get together … and yet somehow, I know the Madewell twins have something dirty in store for me.
7
Colt
“You think she’s going to buy it?” I ask my brother.
Cason snorts while grabbing his keys.
“Probably not, but does it matter? We’ve already got one foot in the fire, so we might as well go full-throttle.”
I nod because my brother’s right. We’re springing a surprise on Kiki today, and it could go well, or it could be a complete clusterfuck. Only time will tell. Meanwhile, I grab the sheet cake that our cook prepped, and then reach for my keys.
“Ready?”
My twin grins.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
With that, we step outside of the Big House and into the sunlight. Kiki’s already waiting for us by the truck, and the air exits my lungs at the sight of the beautiful blonde because she’s even more gorgeous than I remember. Her golden hair flows down her back in a luscious wave, and she’s got a tight red and white checked shirt on, as well as a denim mini-skirt which highlights those long legs. Cowboy boots sheath her toned calves and the finishing touch is a cowboy hat which somehow looks coy and saucy on her, and not at all gimmicky. I understand that fashion girls like to dress “Western-style” these days, and the result is usually more Coachella than genuine Yellowstone. But Kiki’s style is authentic, not to mention ravishing.
But there’s a problem because we’re not headed to a party at a neighboring ranch. Or rather we are, except the shindig’s at our sister Becca’s place, and there are going to be over thirty Madewells there. It’s a family birthday for her daughter Josie, and Kiki’s a little sexy for our conservative relatives.
“Tell her to go back inside and put more clothes on,” my brother mutters to me under his breath. I shake my head.
“Hell no. How would we even explain without letting the cat out of the bag? No, motherfucker, it’s not going to work.”
“Tell her,” he rasps, those blue eyes eating her up. “Or we’re fucked.”
“You tell her,” I shoot right back. “I’m not risking Kiki’s wrath again. That woman is a fireball, and you’ve seen how shit gets when she’s angry.”
After all, our encounter with Kiki in our home office hasn’t been forgotten. Was it only last week? She was all fury, sparks, and indignation, and we loved it. The young woman is filled with sass and spunk, and it only makes her more attractive in our eyes.
Unfortunately, we haven’t had a chance to interact with her since then. Kiki moved into the Big House, but we had to leave for a business trip to D.C. almost immediately, and only got back last night. Evidently, the President wants to talk to us about running for Governor of Montana in the next election cycle, and we knew better than to blow him off. Don’t get me wrong because my brother and I have no interest in politics, but it’s never a great idea to anger the big dog, and especially not when he’s got the brain of a ten year old.
As a result, we haven’t been able to talk with Kiki in the week that she’s been with us, but Winston tells us she’s thriving as a ranch hand. Maybe they haven’t set her on the wildest horses yet, but she’s doing well as the low man on the totem pole. She doesn’t balk at laboring overnight when there’s a cow in labor, nor mucking out the stalls each morning. Plus, Kiki’s developed an easy bond with Noodle, a fifteen year old runaway who showed up at our door last year. That boy is generally shy and withdrawn, but Winston tells us that he opened up right away to Kiki because of her easy manners.
So when she prances over to us, blonde hair flying, I smile.
“Hey sweetheart,” I say. “Ready for the party?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she says in an excited voice. “I’m looking forward to getting to know more people out in these parts. Don’t get me wrong because the Double C is great, and everyone’s been friendly. But it’ll be nice to meet some new people.”