Girls' Night Out (Bad Boys) Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Maybe we should just call everyone and put off a visit tonight. The plane ride was really long and I’m feeling out of sorts.”
    Mama chuckled. “I’d like to see you try. We’ve had people calling since sun up, verifying the time of your plane’s arrival. You’re going to have to buck up because you’re something of a celebrity.”
    Miss Louisa nodded as well. “Oh yes. Going all the way to California. And then to have your folks come out. Gives everyone something to talk about, girl. You know they’ll want to know if you were hanging about the famous people and such.”
    Damn. She just had to pick L.A. It would be her fault Mama got plumb tuckered out. “Well, they’re just going to have to get their own life. Now aren’t they?” She’d said the words sharper than she’d intended. “I just mean, they can’t expect us entertain them. We’re not cable television. After all.”
    “No. We’d not want you to go out of your way. Not an inch.” Matt stood with his arms crossed over his chest. A scowl plastered on his face. He was the only person whose mood tended to run to black. Darker with his wife, Carolina, expecting the arrival of their twins any second.
    “Don’t go looking for trouble. You know what I mean.” She crossed the room and hugged him, whispering. “I don’t want Mama tired out.”
    “This is just what she needs. We’re all here to help. Trust us, we won’t let our mother do anything to compromise her health.” He released her and stepped back. Matt stared down into her face. “Whatever they’ve got going on in L.A. obviously seems to agree with you. I imagine you’ve been all over Rodeo Drive by now.”
    She laughed at his expression. Matt had always been one of the most protective forces nearby, after their parents. Probably why he found little humor in his wife’s desire to work during her pregnancy. They were expecting their first born, plural as a boy and a girl, and Matt reacted by almost demanding his wife be ensconced in a bubble. As a large animal vet, Carolina set up and ran the cattle and horse vaccinations on the ranch as well as provided routine animal care, and even managed the calving and colt deliveries. Until she became pregnant. Then Matt escorted her everywhere and required that she not be allowed near an animal larger than Chance, Gillian and Stephen’s Chihuahua. She’d managed to train Rory to take over, but she still snuck into the barn. And that was possible only earlier in Carolina’s pregnancy. By now, only weeks away, Cory’s big brother resembled an angry wolf ready to howl.
    “You know I’d be a downright liar if I said no.”
    He arched a brow and glanced over to Miss Louisa and Mama, then back down at her. “And school? You do go to class.”
    “Of course I do. School isn’t a vacation. I work my tail off.”
    “Hey, I’m only checking. Mama, Miss Louisa. I hope you hear this.”
    She huffed. “My classes have kept me super busy, and I intend on graduating ahead of schedule and head of my class.”
    Matt narrowed his eyes. “You really are growing up.”
    “I hope you see that side of me. I’m not a kid anymore.”
    Mama patted her shoulder. “Don’t get so hot under the collar. Everyone knows you’re a hard worker.”
    “In what interests you,” Matt added. “Glad to hear school is one of those things.”
    Miss Louisa turned and began to walk toward the kitchen. “Wait, I’ll come and help. Mama, what are you up to?” Cory asked.
    “I think I’ll go lie down for a short rest before dinner. Come up and get me in thirty minutes.” A light rap sounded at the front door. No one knocked around here except strangers, most often delivery people who confused the main house with the ranch office.
    “Sure thing,” Cory said and made to move toward the entry when her brother’s hand held her by the shoulder.
    “I’ll go get that,” Matt said. A few seconds later, her brother’s voice rose dangerously. “Woman, I swear to