Catching the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch #2) - Kennedy Fox Page 0,1
stars.
“Alright, I’m gonna be late!” Rowan lifts the front of her ball gown, revealing cowboy boots, then walks out of the group. I smirk at her shoes, knowing she’d never wear heels unless she was forced. Hell, I’m surprised she’s even wearing such a poofy dress. She’s worn sundresses to church before, but never something this fancy. She’s a natural tomboy, born and raised on a ranch, and has always preferred getting dirty over pompoms. Riding horses is second nature to her, and she often gives me a run for my money when it comes to hard work and getting chores done. It makes me like her even more.
“You sure you don’t want a picture of you shoveling shit in the barn? You in your natural habitat?” I tease, knowing it’ll annoy the hell out of her.
“Now, now, Adam. Be nice and watch your language.” River steps forward, grabbing her phone from my grip, and gently pats my cheek.
“Yeah, Adam.” Rowan huffs and crosses her arms over her chest, which was a really bad thing to do. The movement pushes up her tits, and I immediately avert my gaze, trying not to stare. “Maybe you should go back into your natural habitat, in the mud, with the pigs.”
Riley howls, cracking up so hard, I’m worried he’ll piss himself. This is an ongoing thing in the Bishop house. Me teasing Rowan, her throwing it right back, and Riley laughing at my expense.
“You ready to go, princess?” Alex asks, digging his keys out of his pocket.
“You sure you don’t want me to take her?” Riley interjects. “I’m her big brother after all and way cooler than you.”
“Excuse me?” Alex nudges Riley in the arm, wearing a playful grin. “I managed to land your mother, didn’t I? I smooth-talked her into moving to Texas, after all. She had it bad.”
“According to my math,” Rowan chimes in, “and my sources, Mom was knocked up with Riley and came back to tell you, which means y’all had sex before marriage.”
My cheeks heat at Rowan’s bold words, but honestly, I expect nothing less from her.
“Rowan Rose Bishop!” River scolds. “Who told you that?”
“Grandma,” she reveals. “Like it’s a secret? Riley was born before your wedding date.”
“So Riley’s a bastard. What else is new?” I tease.
“Language, Adam.” River gives me a firm look before turning to Riley. I can’t help but laugh, considering the conversation. “We’re taking Rowan to the dance, but I need you to pick her up at midnight. I’m trusting you to be there on time.”
It’s Saturday night, and knowing Riley as well as I do, he’s not gonna like this.
“Ma, what? Why do I have to pick up the little rug rat?”
“Because you’re so cool. Also, your father and I are going to bed early so we can all get up for church in the morning,” she says pointedly. “I expect you to be there tomorrow, too.”
Riley groans with an eye roll, which causes me to snort.
“Yes, ma’am,” he begrudgingly mutters.
“Good boy.” She sweetly pats his head like he’s a five-year-old.
The three of them leave, and I’m anxious the moment Rowan’s out of sight.
“Thank God, they’re gone. Let’s go drink in the barn!” Riley shouts, pushing me toward his room. “I’m gonna shower first, though.”
“Did you suffer a blow to the head?” I ask as he follows me down the hallway. “You have to pick Rowan up in four hours.”
“So?” He shrugs without a care in the world.
“So you shouldn’t be drinkin’, smartass.”
“I’ll be fiiiiiine. Quit worryin’, pretty boy.” He slaps my shoulder. “You can be my DD.”
He knows damn well I’m only fourteen and don’t have my license, but that hasn’t stopped me from driving his drunk ass around before. I drive around the ranch sometimes, and I’ve had to take him home from partying in town a couple of times but never with Rowan in the truck.
Over three hours pass, and I’m stuck dealing with a shit-faced Riley in the barn we hang out in on the weekends. He invited a few friends who brought an ice chest full of their parents’ booze. I tried to slow Riley down, but he downed six beers and four shots of bourbon like there were no consequences. Now he’s three sheets to the wind.
“Dude, you’re supposed to pick up Rowan in forty-five minutes. You need to start chugging water,” I tell him. My last beer was over an hour ago, and I only had two total.