When You're Back(20)

“Your boyfriend been dancing any more with his cousin?” Captain, River, whatever his name was, asked.

I really didn’t like this guy. I managed a tight smile and shook my head no. Although they had gone horseback riding and to a cattle auction together. I had told Mase to do both in hopes that I could win Aida over as the laid-back girlfriend, but it didn’t do any good. She still glared at me or shot me triumphant little grins whenever she left the house alone with Mase, like she had won some sort of competition. It was incredibly weird.

“I’d watch that,” he said. “I asked Hawkins about them, and he said Aida wasn’t really Mase’s cousin. She’s his stepfather’s niece, and she’s also adopted. Girl looks like she has her eyes on your man.”

“Captain, that’s enough. Mase is very taken with Reese. She’s moved to Dallas to live with him. And the way he watches over her is the same way Rush watches over me. Don’t go giving her things to worry about.”

I appreciated Blaire’s words, but if what Captain said was true, then . . . was it possible Aida felt more for Mase than just a family bond? Did she want more? I cringed at the thought. That would be so messed-up if it were true.

“You ain’t seen his cousin,” Captain said in response to Blaire’s remarks. “Long blond hair, all legs and curves. She’s something to look at.”

What the heck? Was he trying to scare me? And why did this man dislike me so much? I hadn’t done anything to him. From the moment I met him, he’d been rude.

“So, Reese, what do you do out there on a ranch all day?” Blaire asked, obviously trying to change the subject.

Other than have sex with Mase, walk around, and clean, I did nothing, really. I needed to do something. I didn’t like living off Mase. I wanted to make my own money, and I wanted to get my GED. It was something I planned on talking to Mase about when we got back. I needed a plan for life.

“I visited my family in Chicago for a month, but ever since I got back, I’ve just been spending time with Mase and hanging around the ranch. I need to get a job first thing we’re back. I haven’t started looking yet, but I’m thinking maybe cleaning work. And I’d like to go back to school.” I didn’t mention that school meant classes to get my GED, followed by an online college program, if I could save enough.

“Do you enjoy cleaning houses?” Blaire asked.

Not really, but for so long, it was all I could do. Now that I could read better, I had other options. I was just worried about whether I could focus on reading and writing in a pinch if I got stressed out on the job. “It isn’t my dream job, but I’m good at it. If something better came along, I’d take it. I want to move on from cleaning houses.”

Blaire smiled. “Yeah, I wanted to move on from being a cart girl when I worked at the golf course, so I completely understand.”

“Reese.” Mase’s voice was a relief, and I looked up to see him standing in front of me. His gaze shifted from me to Captain.

“Kipling, was it?” he said, looking confused and a little angry.

“Colt, was it? I hear it’s actually Manning,” Captain replied, and he looked up at Mase with a bored expression.

“Mase, this is my brother, Captain, but his real name is River Kipling,” Blaire explained.

“Brother?” Mase asked, shooting her a curious glance.

She nodded. “Yep.”

“Small world and all that shit,” Captain said.

“Yeah,” Mase agreed, then held out a hand to me. “Thank you, Blaire, for watching over my girl and giving her some company. Harlow’s good and coming out to enjoy her daughter’s party now.”

Blaire looked relieved. “Good.”

I slipped my hand into Mase’s and stood up. “I enjoyed talking with you,” I said to Blaire, while avoiding eye contact with Captain.

I thought I heard a low chuckle at my obvious slight of him, but I ignored it.

“I’ll be by the ranch next week with Hawkins to see the cattle operation,” Captain said to Mase.

Mase nodded his head. “See you then.”

I could tell I wasn’t the only one who didn’t like Captain River Kipling.

We walked across the yard, and Mase got me another drink. As he turned to hand it to me, his eyes focused on something, or someone, behind me.

“Kiro,” he said simply.

Kiro. As in Kiro Manning. I’d watched Dean Finlay jump off a rock with his grandson into the water, and now Kiro Manning was standing behind me.

“Glad you made it. Harlow wanted you here,” a deep voice replied.

Mase glared at him. “I’ve never let my sister down.”