Page 30 of All in with the Maverick Montana

“Amy,” Josh said as they drew near, “this is Noah and Ryder Trent.”

“In case it’s not clear, I’m the good-looking younger brother,” Ryder said, reaching for her hand.

Amy shook it.

“So, this is Amy,” Noah said, also shaking her hand. He had a kind smile but looked exhausted. “We’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Have you?” she said, glancing at Josh, who was now conveniently looking everywhere but at her.

“What’re you two up to?” Noah asked, smirking like he knew exactly what they’d almost been up to.

Josh cleared his throat. “Took a bit of a break from work this afternoon. We just got back from walking the old trailhead.”

Ryder made a face. “That’s definitely a…choice.”

Amy and Josh laughed in tandem. “It was nice,” she said.

“You don’t have to pretend for us, Amy,” Ryder said. “Blink twice if you need to be rescued from this guy and his horrible attempts to show you around town.”

“Really,” she insisted. “It was great.”

“Nah,” Ryder said, looping his arm through hers. “For example, if you’d allow me to escort you this way—” he steered her down the sidewalk, gesturing with his hand “—I’d like to draw your attention to this here alleyway where our little Joshy had his first kiss.”

“I didn’t know this kind of tour was an option,” Amy joked with Ryder. “Tell me more.”

“How about we don’t,” Josh said.

Noah needled him in the side, making Josh flinch. “What were you, Joshy? About fourteen, I’d say. A whole group of us saw it.”

Josh dropped his head into his hand and massaged his brow. “Which is why we don’t need to relive it.”

“I think Amy would like to hear the story,” Ryder said.

“Actually, I would love to hear the story,” Amy teased.

“I hate you both,” Josh muttered to the brothers.

“He was shaking so bad I don’t know how he even stood up straight,” Noah said.

“I imagine you were an adorable, sweet-talking young man,” Amy told Josh.

He laughed. “Oh, I was shy as anything. Couldn’t get a word out. Luckily there’s not a whole lot of talking needed when you’re kissing.”

“It went well, then?”

“Lord no.” Ryder cackled. “They never spoke again after that.”

“Anyway, this was my first job outside the ranch,” Josh said, pointing out the barbershop.

“Stop trying to change the subject,” Noah said.

“I’m not. I’m just saying, I swept up after school sometimes for extra cash.”

Ryder winked. “‘Cause he clearly wasn’t sweeping up with the ladies, if you know what I mean.”

“Okay!” Josh said, steering Ryder away. “I think she’s heard enough.”

Amy could just make out what they were saying from where she stood.