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Neither he nor his brothers knew why their father had chosen the large-bodied, hearty Australian breed to raise here in Wyoming, but Dad liked different, as proven by his blatant, constant womanizing. Being one of the wealthiest cattle and oil barons in the state had often landed Casey Kincaid in the society pages, but his numerous affairs with women who kept getting younger as he aged sealed his notoriety. Growing up with gossip and photos circling around their father and his latest conquest attending a public social function or just out to dinner had resulted in him, Brett, and Slade throwing more than one punch at school recess. The summers they spent running wild on the ranch following their parents’ divorce didn’t make up for the humiliating ribbing from friends. Turning a deaf ear wasn’t as easy as their mother had instructed or portrayed.
Reed nudged Apollo with his booted heels, sending the stallion into a trot toward the lake for a drink before he started back to the ranch. In the last eight months, he hadn’t regretted resigning from law enforcement to help Slade run their ranch, which entailed raising eight hundred cattle, a slew of annual crops, and maintaining two productive oil wells. They employed an ample number of cowhands to cover the work, and could easily afford more if necessary, but working alongside his younger brother appealed more to him now than his job with highway patrol had for some time.
Keith, one of four college students Slade had hired at the start of summer last year, reined to a halt alongside Reed. “Hey, boss. Do you want us to drive them south a few miles, closer to the ranch?”
“No, they’re fine here for a little longer now that we’ve found the wanderer.” Reed checked on the tan-coated calf again and spotted her grazing next to her mom, appearing calm and content. “She’s fine, so we’ll head back and you guys can enjoy what’s left of the weekend.”
Keith’s white grin flashed in his sun-kissed face as they turned their mounts. “Jeff and I have hot dates. Sisters. What are your plans?”
Not a date,he thought, almost envying the younger guys their fun. He tried to recall the last time he’d taken a woman out, but, ever since John’s suicide left him reeling with guilt, he’d worked from sunup to sunset and only socialized at their play parties on the upper floor of Casey’s. He refused to admit Allie’s suggestions were correct, that he was pining for Lily’s return, even if he wondered on a regular basis how she was doing. When Brett and Allie went into Creative Events to book their wedding, Lily’s boss, Trina, had mentioned being shorthanded due to Lily’s extended leave. Since he hadn’t heard of her return yet, he assumed she was still away, and in the last months, the urge to go to her had dwindled. Nothing, however, seemed to keep him from thinking about her often, too often. He’d never pined for a woman in his life, not even the few he’d developed deeper feelings for. He didn’t regret those relationships or the end of them but blamed himself for not noticing John’s despair over losing Lily and the extra pain his suicide put her through.
Reed shrugged then whistled for Evan and Riley to join them before replying, “Hanging out at Casey’s, maybe. Slade is scheduled to assist Jordon.”
“Do you ever do anything besides go to Casey’s on the weekend?” Evan asked, riding up alongside Reed with Riley.
“Sometimes, when the mood strikes for something different. You and Riley going to hang out?” He kicked Apollo into a brisk walk, the others following suit.
“Not this weekend. I’m headed to Cheyenne for my mom’s fortieth birthday as soon as we get back. See you at the stable.”
“I’ve got a paper to make up,” Riley stated, looking unhappy about spending a Saturday night doing homework. “See you two later.”
Evan’s mother was young to have a son in college. It was nice hearing the young man’s plans as he was not the most responsible when it came to his job. Apparently, his work diligence didn’t extend to his education.
“He’ll catch up and ace the class. He always does,” Keith said.
“I know Slade mentioned giving you fewer hours or days off for schoolwork whenever you need them. Don’t hesitate to take them.” They rode into view of the barns and stable, the horses prancing in eagerness for a run home. Chuckling, Reed patted Apollo’s neck. “Let’s go.”
Slade strolled over as he dismounted at the corral and looped the reins over the rail. “Found the stray. We’ll need to keep an eye on her scraped side for a couple of days. Otherwise, all is good.”
His brother’s lips curved in a teasing grin that put Reed on alert. “Hold that thought. Allie wants you to come by the house.”
They liked it when their soon-to-be sister-in-law kept Brett on his toes, but not so much when she turned her attention on them. He and Slade were happy with their lives, but Allie seemed to think they needed their own happily ever afters now that she and Brett were solid.
“Why? Did she say?”
“Nope.” Tugging his hat lower over his brow, Slade’s barely there grin kicked up into a wide smile. “But I wouldn’t put it past her to track you down, so you may as well go see her and get it over with.”
Slade walked away, whistling. He might not care for public socializing, but Slade enjoyed ribbing him and Brett and cutting up with the hired hands he was in charge of as senior manager of the ranch.
Reed finished tending Apollo, removing the saddle and giving him a brush down before turning him out to the pasture to graze. Striding around the stable to his truck, he hoped Allie wouldn’t keep him long. He was ready to kick back for a bit before going to Casey’s tonight.
He parked in front of Brett’s stucco-and-wood-framed house, a few acres separating each of their homes. Despite spending limited time with his sons while they were growing up, Casey had wanted to keep them close, even as adults. Their foreman, Wade Hughes, had done his best to keep them out of trouble while teaching them the work and responsibilities it took to run such a massive spread, and they’d grown to love and appreciate both their inheritance and their father.
Dad would have liked Allie,he mused, ambling up the walk to the front porch to knock on the door. Maybe a little too much, considering her age. The older Casey had gotten, the younger his conquests, right up to his death a few years ago.
“Hey, Reed. Come in.” Allie held the door open, smiling. “Thanks for stopping by. Come here. I need a favor.”
Uh, oh.He never could resist her when she asked for a favor. Following her into the den, his gaze zeroed in on what looked like Brett’s Don Juan costume for the charity masquerade tonight lying on the leather sofa.
“What’s up, Allie? Where’s Brett?”
She averted her face, another telltale sign she was up to something. “He’s delayed with one of his pro bono clients, and I’m not feeling well.” Turning a cheeky grin on him, she stated without embarrassment, “That time of the month.”
Reed held up a hand, suspecting where she was going with this. “No, I’m not filling in for him. They have your money. That’s all that matters.”
Allie shook her head then placed a hand on his arm, blue eyes soft and pleading, and damn it, irresistible. “But the Kincaids won’t be represented, and you know that’s important, Reed. There’s no way Slade will go, and that leaves you. Please don’t make me be the cause of letting the family down.”
His lips quirked with amusement even as his eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Is Brett aware of you changing his plans? And don’t lie.”
