Page 34 of Pretty Little Scars

But I’m still the big brother, and I’ll threaten him all day long. I’m not a slouch myself.

“You have the hots for her.”

“So?”

Easton blinks in surprise when I don’t deny it.

“Who the fuck are you, and what have you done with my brother?”

“Why wouldn’t I like her? Look at her. Actually,don’tlook at her.”

Easton snorts at that.

“Do you think you’ll ask her out in this century?”

I don’t bother answering him as I stick the branding iron back in the fire and wait for the new group to be brought in.

“You’re not answering me.”

“It’s nothing for you to worry about.”

A group of calves comes through the gate, and we get back to work. It’s a long fucking day. Dirty, heavy work, and when it’s over, we’re all exhausted.

Thankfully, my sisters are waiting with food for everyone at the house. So, we all wash up and meet back at my place, and I’m surprised to see Holden and his wife have joined us too.

“I meant to get out here earlier,” Holden says as he holds his hand out to shake. “We had a new rescue horse get a bad case of colic, and I’ve been tending to her all afternoon. I’m sorry we didn’t come out and help.”

“It’s really okay,” I tell him. “Thanks for coming out at all. Is the horse okay now?”

“Yeah, we got her calmed down. I’ll check her when we go home.” His eyes, the exact same shade of glacier blue as his sister’s, scan the back patio and lands on Darby.

She showered, and now she’s in a clean white T-shirt and jeans. Her hair is down and freshly washed, and she’s laughing at something Scott just said.

Her gaze finds mine and she doesn’t lose her smile.

Fuck, that’s pretty.

Then she notices her brother, and she comes running over to give him a hug.

“You came!”

“Late,” Holden says and hugs his sister close. “Sorry, baby girl.”

“Nah, we were fine today.” She keeps her arm around his waist and smiles up at him with pure love on her gorgeous face. “Where’s Millie?”

“She just went inside with Ava and Harper,” I tell her.

“That’s where the food is,” Darby says, just as her stomach rumbles. “I’d better go get some.”

She smiles at me once more before she walks inside, the screen door shutting behind her, and Holden turns to me, his face completely sober now.

“Is there something going on with you and my sister?”

I don’t move a muscle, and I absolutely donotback down.

“Definesomething.”

Holden sighs and rubs his hand over the back of his neck.