Branded as Trouble (Rough Riders #6)(19)

No, for the familiar face.


Lots of dark-haired men, but not the one she was looking for.


She bulled her way through the crowd, smiling at the folks she knew, ignoring the pointed stares of the ones she didn’t. She finally saw a face she recognized. Buck McKay, her sister’s brother-in-law.


Sometimes India forgot Buck and Kade were identical twins because their personalities were so different. Heck, to her, they didn’t even look that much alike. In the last year, Buck had grown a soul patch and shaved his hair to stubble. Good thing the man had a gorgeous skull. He had a gorgeous everything.


Not as gorgeous as Colt.


Dammit. She was trying not to obsess about him.


Buck opened his arms in welcome and she hugged him. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Buck.”


“Same goes. Normally, it’s not my thing. But I promised Hayden if he helped me fix fence for two weeks without complainin’, we’d bid on the fly-fishin’ weekend. He upheld his end of the deal, so I’m upholding mine.” He set his hand on the slender shoulder of the boy beside him. The kid’s slight build and fair complexion made him look about seven, but his eyes behind thick glasses were wise for such a young age.


“This is my buddy Hayden. Hayden, this is India Ellison. She’s Skylar’s sister.”


“Nice to meet you, Hayden.”


“You own India’s Ink, right?”


“Yep.”


“When I’m eighteen, I’m going to get a tattoo just like Buck’s.” He gave Buck a look of absolute adoration.


India smiled. “It’s never too early to start thinking about the perfect design. I’ll look forward to seeing you in a few years.”


“Why don’t you grab us each a cup of punch before the band gets started?” Buck suggested. Hayden took off like a shot.


“What a cutie. He seems like a nice kid.”


“He’s great.” Buck’s gaze followed the boy across the room.


“It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done. Don’t know if I ever said thank you for givin’ me a dose of tough love.”


“You’re welcome. I’m just glad to see it’s working out.” A few months back, during a dinner at Sky and Kade’s place, Buck had spent the evening whining. His twin was happily married. His cousin Colt had built a new place and sold the Boars Nest to Cam.


Poor Buck was left homeless and lonely—a fact he’d bitched about until India snapped. If he was so damn lonely, there were plenty of boys in the Little Buddies program who needed time and attention from an adult male. It’d shocked her a few weeks later when Kade mentioned Buck had taken her advice and signed up for the program.


“I didn’t expect to see you here either.”


“Domini’s idea. But I’d hoped to run into Colt. Have you seen him?”


Buck’s eyes avoided hers. “Uh. Yeah.”


“Where?”


“He’s around.”


When he stayed mum, India demanded, “What’s going on?”


“You tell me. I figured you and Colt must’ve had a fight or something.”


“Why?”


“Because he’s here with a date.”


A sucker punch couldn’t have hurt worse. “What?”