Cowboy Casanova (Rough Riders #12)(2)

When they reached Quinn’s place, Ben asked, “We usin’ the horses for anything early

next week?”

“A couple things we need to check in the northwest corner that’s easier to get to on

horseback than with the ATVs. Why?”

“I’d like to leave Bongo here until then.”

“Not a problem.”

Ben dismounted and unhooked the cinch strap.

“Is there a woman in Gillette you’ve been keeping secret?”

Ben tossed the saddle over the split rail fence. “Wouldn’t be a secret if I told you

now, would it?”

Quinn dropped his saddle next to Ben’s. “Why do you drive to Gillette to get laid and

get drunk when there are plenty of places around here? And plenty of women who’d be

happy to be in your bed for more than a weekend.”

He snorted and removed the wet saddle blanket, draping it over the rail. “Who’d you

hear that from? Tell? Or Dalton?”

Quinn pitched Ben a currycomb. “Neither. I heard that from my wife.”

Ben brushed Bongo with long strokes. “Trouble in paradise? Has Libby been hanging out

at Ziggy’s bar again?”

“Fuck off. No, a couple of the new, single teachers have asked her about you.”

“Teachers? Definitely not my type.”

“Why not?”

He patted Bongo’s withers. “I have a hard time believing a teacher would make a good

student.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Thinking out loud always got him in trouble. “Nothin’. I’m just touchy about all of

our damn family members, including your wife, thinking I need to be paired up and

married off now that Chase and Ava have tied the knot. Not everyone wants to be chained

down with a wife and kids.” From the corner of his eye, he noticed Quinn bristle.

“Sorry. Between our married relatives lookin’ at me like a loser terminal bachelor,

and the single chicks at the local bars angling to tame one of the last wild McKays, I

’m better off finding my hookups in Gillette.”

“I gotta be honest, it’s good to hear you’re hooking up with women.”

“Why’s that? You worried I’m secretly craving cock?”

Quinn shook his head. “I wouldn’t give a shit if you were. But it’s been so long

since I’ve seen you with a date you can’t blame me for wondering what kind of woman

is worth the drive.”

An obedient woman.

Not that Ben could explain that, either. He grinned. “A woman who doesn’t want more

than a night or two.”

His brother laughed. “Daylight’s a’wastin’. Get a move on. I’ll finish up.”

“Thanks, bro. See you Sunday.”

Ben sped home. A shower and a change of clothes put him in a good mood and he whistled

while he packed for the weekend. House secured, he headed to the barn to refill the

dogs’ food and water bowls. Ace and Deuce leveled baleful looks at him. “You mutts

are spoiled livin’ in the house.” He petted their heads. “Be good guard dogs, ’kay?

”

An hour later, Ben cruised down Main Street in Gillette and parked in the back lot

behind the Rawhide Bar. When he crossed the alley, the streetlight sizzled and popped

before it flickered out, putting the doorway in shadow.