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Then the strangest thought flitted through his head much like a butterfly in a field of daisies.
It was the strangest of sensations, absolutely laughable, and yet…
This almost felt like he was coming home.
CHAPTER NINE
“Have you seen Mike yet this morning? I thought we could carpool. My car was making some funny noises yesterday and I think it would be smart to take it into the shop.”
Rose grabbed a bagel from the breadbox by the fridge. She sliced it as she glanced over her shoulder where Becca and Ethan were seated, their voices hushed.
When neither one of them answered her, she faced them with exasperation. “Did Mike get up yet?”
“How would I know?” Ethan murmured. “I’m not the one who invited him.”
Becca elbowed him in the side. “Be nice. You said it was fine for him to stay with us.” Her bright brown eyes sparkled with mischief. “You sure look nice this morning. Any special occasion?”
Rose turned away from her sister-in-law and put the bread knife in the sink. “I don’t look any different than I normally do.”
She’d taken care to put a little curl into her curtain bangs, but the rest of her hair had been pulled away from her face. And perhaps she’d put a little more makeup on this morning, but only Becca would have been able to notice.
Unfortunately, now that she was pointing it out, Ethan would take notice as well. Hopefully he wouldn’t pay much attention.
“Like I was saying,” Rose tossed the words over her shoulder, “I wanted to catch a ride with him. Is his truck still here?”
“You could look out the window and check for yourself,” Ethan murmured.
“Ethan! Be nice. What’s gotten into you?”
He huffed, pushing back his chair as he got to his feet. “I am being nice. No one is paying attention to whether Mike decides to get up on time or leave before the sun came up. If you wanted a ride from him, you needed to plan ahead.”
Rose spun around and stared at him. This wasn’t the Ethan she was used to. The painstakingly patient big brother who was willing to come to her rescue no matter what sure sounded like he was at the end of his rope. Was Mike’s staying here such an inconvenience that she had finally pushed him too far? What else was she supposed to have done? Mike needed to have someone looking out for him.
Ethan caught on to her surprise and let out a sigh. “Yeah, I think I heard his truck leave about an hour ago. He got up before all of us. I guess he didn’t want to have to deal with us during breakfast.”
“Us?” Becca snorted.
“Fine. He didn’t want to have to deal with me, okay?”
“Can you blame him? You haven’t exactly been all that welcoming,” Rose murmured.
She turned away from her brother before she got that look he always gave her when he wanted her to shut her mouth and listen. There would be a lecture coming, she could already feel it. Ethan had a way of making sure she knew exactly what she was doing wrong.
“I’m sure Ethan could take you to the house on his way to the ranch.”
“It’s not on the way. It’s the opposite direction,” Ethan argued with his wife. There was a moment of silence and Rose didn’t even have to turn around to know that Becca was warning him with her eyes. Ethan groaned. “Fine. I have to head into town for a few things, anyway. I could drop you off on my way back. I’m gonna take a shower. Be ready when I’m done.”
Rose waited until Ethan retreated before turning around and mouthing the word “thanks” to her sister-in-law.
Becca winked. “Us girls have to stick together.”
“Who said I’m flirting? I’m not flirting. I can do my hair a little different without it meaning anything,” Rose snapped.
“I’m not saying that you were flirting—” Ethan growled.
“Yes, you did. You said that I shouldn’t make him think I’m interested. That’s flirting.”
Her brother sighed, dragging a rough hand down his face. “What I meant is that Mike has a reputation. He’s not an honest guy. There’s a trail of broken hearts all over the country because he has never had a long-term relationship.”
