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“Sorry, Gideon, not in the mood for bonding.”

Ryker walked past the two of them, went out the door, and headed for his Harley. He shook his head as he got on his bike. Even riding his bike wasn’t making him feel as good as it normally did.

When he got home, he checked his cell phone and saw that one of his baby sisters had called him again. This was the third day in as many days. Time to suck it up and call her back. She answered on the first ring.

“Well hello! I was worried you were on a mission and hadn’t sent a group text to the family that you’d be out of touch.”

“I’d never do that, I promise.”

“Then why in the hell did it take you so long to call back your favorite sister?” Carmen complained.

“You’re my favorite sister named Carmen.” Ryker smiled.

“I’m your only sister named Carmen, so I guess I can live with that.”

“You’re also my most whiny, annoying, and beautiful sister named Carmen,” Ryker added.

“Good thing you added beautiful.”

“It sure was great seeing you, Bill, and the kids. I had a blast last month,” Ryker smiled.

“I couldn’t tell, the way you moped around.”

“I didn’t mope around, did I?” Ryker was appalled at the thought that he hadn’t put on a happy face for his mom’s birthday.

“Don’t worry, I think only Derek and I noticed. Normally Mom would have too, but she was too busy being the Queen of the May. So what was eating you?”

Ryker sat down on his couch, leaned back, and looked up at the ceiling. He still needed to get rid of the popcorn ceiling. He put that on his mental things to-do list.

“Ryker, are you listening to me?”

“Yeah, just trying to get my thoughts together.”

“Is it a woman?”

“Yeah,” Ryker admitted.

“Are you telling me after all this time, some woman has you twisted up?” Carmen chuckled.

“Yep. That’s the problem, and I need some girly advice, so talking to the princess of girly is actually a good idea.”

“Ryker Orson McQueen, don’t even start with me, not if you want my help.”

“Okay, okay. I’m sorry. You’re not the princess. You’re the queen. Is that better?”

“Ryker, quit with the shit and tell me your problem.”

“I’m sorry about the teasing, Carmen. I didn’t mean it.” He glanced over at the photo wall that she had set up for him as a housewarming gift. There was Carmen and her brood. Could she be any more of an Earth Mother?

“Oh God, this has to be serious, if you just apologized. I better sit down.”

Ryker scrubbed his hand over his face. “I’m really, really, really gone for this woman.”

“I’m happy for you,” Carmen said quietly.

“Well, not so fast, she’s not talking to me.”

“Aw, damn, that doesn’t sound right. You’ve had women eating out of the palm of your hand all of your life.”