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River, wearing scuffed-up boots and a black leather jacket, stomps in. “Hey, kid.” He squeezes Wells’s shoulder as he passes by. The typical Weston way to show affection.

I groan when I see the small bundle of fur strapped to his chest. “Christ, not another one.” River’s never said no to a rescue animal.

“You’re late,” Warren notes as he looks River over.

“Had to stop by the ranch and get Evvie’s old baby carrier.” Unfazed by Warren’s bark, River unhooks the carrier and sets the puppy on the wood floor. Tattooed hands flexing, he pats the puppy’s bluetick belly until it flops onto its side. “Gotta give this little fucker a name.”

Wells is already on the ground, ruffling the puppy’s ears and getting acquainted.

A vein pulses in Warren’s temple. “The dog pisses in here, it’s your ass.”

I look at River, eyes narrowed. “Where have you been?”

A muscle in his jaw twitches. “Got sidetracked.”

“With what?”

He leans back against the bar and crosses his arms. His dark brown hair is mussed from his helmet. “Something pretty.”

Warren and I share a doubtful glance. River’s been a damn monk since April disappeared.

Satisfied they’re all here, I run a careful eye over my brothers. Warren, my ally. River, our rebel with a cause. Ezra, the steadfast, if not frustrating, voice of reason. Wells, the baby. And I couldn’t get by without any of them.

“By the way.” River shrugs. “Saw a light on in the Creek House. Think the wiring’s acting up again.” He turns to pour himself a drink, but not before I see a smirk flash across his face.

“Shit.” I run a hand down my stubbled jaw, mentally tallying up tomorrow’s list of ranch work. “I’ll handle it in the morning.”

River snorts. “All you do is work, brother. Ever think of taking a break? Getting a life?”

It’s big brother instinct to throw it back in his face, What about you? But I bite it back. I don’t need to remind River. He lost his life a long time ago.

So I settle for grunting. “I have one.”

“Bulls and barrels don’t count.” River’s lips turn up. “What about a girl?”

I glare at him. Out of all my brothers, River’s the one who pushes my buttons the most. He also gives me the most worry.

I cross my arms and sink back in my chair, wanting to avoid this entire conversation. “No time.”

I’ve seen all four of my brothers lose someone they love because of this town. Getting close, committing is not in my cards. Love. Happiness. Neither is something I need in my life, that’s for damn sure.

“Now that we’ve got Cole’s love life out of the way…” Snickers from Ezra and Wells as Warren lifts a big hand and surveys us. “Let’s get down to business. We need to talk about the launch.”

Every year, at the end of the summer, we host a launch party to announce our limited-edition fall whiskey. Everyone from town is invited to Copper Run Ranch to celebrate.

Ezra ticks off a list on his fingers. “We need a name for the new release. We need a label. We need a party that blows the roof off all past launches.”

I bite back a smile. Ezra would talk whiskey in his sleep. He lives for the science, the nerding out. As the distillery manager, he’s the one who keeps Weston Whiskey on track. Though I know he aims to take over the title of master distiller from our Uncle Vaughn one of these days. Although, he’s been stretched thin recently with Evangeline’s recent epilepsy diagnosis.

Like he’s read my mind, Warren gives Ezra a look. “You can handle all that?”

“I have to.” Ezra shrugs.

Wells glances at me. “You’ll be here for it?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” The question stings, and I realize that since our parents died, I haven’t been home for a launch party.

Fuck. Eighteen damn years.