Читать книгу A Cowboy Returns - Kelli Ireland - Страница 13

5

ELI’S LEGS WERE sore by the end of the first hour. By the end of the second, he wasn’t sure he still had an ass. He shifted in his saddle as Ty reined in next to him, a wicked smile decorating the kid’s face.

“You ever do those Buns of Steel videos?”

The casual inquiry caught Eli off guard. “What? No. Why?”

“I was thinking I might market a cowboy version, Buns of Leather. You know—ride ’em rough, ride ’em tough, fifteen minutes is never enough.”

Eli laughed out loud. The ranch hands glanced their way before casually returning to their own conversation. They’d extended due courtesy to Eli. Their words and behaviors stopped long short of respect, though. To Ty, on the other hand, they were deferential. It chafed.

Ty caught him shaking his head. The youngest Covington reached over and punched the elder in the shoulder. “Give them time, Eli.”

“Time to what? Drown me in the stock tank? Drop a branding iron in my lap? Dump my ass in the bull pasture before they take off with my horse? No, thanks.”

“I’d forgotten Cade and I did that your last summer at home. Dad was pissed.” His mouth twitched. “If it makes you feel any better, the bulls are on the south side of the place now.”

Eli shook his head. “You guys almost got me killed.”

“Never saw a guy climb a windmill so damn fast.”

“I was up there overnight!” Reaching out, he flipped his little brother’s hat off his head.

Ty caught it before it hit the ground, grinning. “And you’re still whining about it.”

“Shut up.” Eli smiled through the grumbled command. In a weird way, it hurt to remember the good times. He’d spent so many years hating who he’d been and where he’d come from that looking back with affection felt wrong, like a betrayal of who he’d fought so hard to become. Being reminded that it hadn’t all sucked...it stung.

Then there was the little bit he’d overheard of Reagan’s admission to Ty. That more than stung. Way more.

Clearing his throat, he twisted in his saddle and found her. She rode among the men with the surety of one who belonged. He envied her the ease with which she fit in. She’d always been that way, though, so confident and aware of where she belonged. He’d had to scramble to keep up, always feeling one step behind.

Her eyes met his.

A shock of awareness burned through him. He twisted around so quickly he nearly unseated himself.

“She’s an amazing woman,” Ty said softly.

“Always was.” The admission scraped at emotions that were already raw. He adjusted his sunglasses. “When did she marry?”

Ty slouched in his saddle. “Eight years ago.”

So long. “Any kids?”

“No. They never—”