Roping Ryan (The West Series Book 6) Read Online Free PDF Page B

stepped out onto the porch, he saw his brother standing by a truck with a pretty blonde in a sundress and boots. They were hugging, but when they heard the screen door shut behind him, they looked up.
    Reece was across the space quickly, and Ryan met him at the bottom of the stairs. Ryan clenched and prepared for the blow that he knew was coming. But instead of a fist to the face or gut, he was engulfed in a hug that almost broke a few of his bruised ribs.
    Ryan blinked a few times and then hugged his brother back. And for the first time in years, he felt forgiven and loved.
     

     
    Nikki watched from behind the screen door, standing behind Lauren. She heard Lauren sniffle into her apron and open the door.
    “If you two are done, breakfast is getting cold. Come on, Missy, you can help me make up some more eggs.”
    The men pulled apart and smiled at one another with matching smiles. Melissa walked up and stood next to Reece. “It’s good to have you back.” She hugged Ryan, who nodded and hugged her.
    When Lauren walked by her, she said, “How come she can help out, but not me?”
    Lauren laughed. “Missy is family. You’re a guest. But if you want, you can get some more place settings.” She took her arm and walked her back to the kitchen.
    By the time she had set out two more sets of dishes, they heard another car drive up. “That will be Alex or Haley.” She dried her hands and started walking towards the door.
    Nikki sat back as the large kitchen filled up with people. She’d met Melissa and Reece before, when she’d interviewed them in Houston about Ryan. She was quickly introduced to everyone else as they arrived. She met Lauren’s sisters, Alex and Haley, and their husbands, Grant and Wes. Alex and Grant’s daughter, Laura, was there too, and she could tell that there was a little brother or sister on the way as well. Haley and Wes had twin boys, Conner and Cooper, who were a smaller match of Ryan and Reece yet still managed to look like their father. Wes showed up in his police uniform, but then had to go back out on a call shortly after arriving.
    After everyone was done eating the huge breakfast of waffles, eggs, and bacon, they sat around and talked for a while. She noticed how Ryan avoided the story of how they had come to be in Fairplay. Or how they had met. He kept dodging any questions; she tried her best to do the same. For now, she didn’t want anyone to know that they might be hunted down or that they were even hiding out. For the most part, everyone avoided asking Ryan where he’d been for the last seven years. At least for now.
    Nikki’s head started feeling heavy, and she caught herself sliding further down in the chair. Her eyes felt red and swollen, and she desperately wished for a bed. Any bed.
    “I think we’re going to call it a day. We’ve been traveling all night.” He looked over at her, and she was grateful he’d noticed how tired she was.
    “Let me get you the keys to the place.” Lauren got up and grabbed a key ring from the hooks by the back door. “You’re welcome to use the spare truck.”
    “Old Betty?” Ryan asked.
    Lauren shook her head. “Nope, the tornado killed Betty. We had to replace her with Bertha.” She laughed and pointed at her sister Alex. “That’s what she calls it.”
    Alex shrugged her shoulders. “She’s a big ‘ol gal.” Ryan laughed.
    “The closest ranch house is open at least until next month. Then we can move you into the bigger one indefinitely. We’re a few weeks away from selling time.” She looked at him. “Could use an extra hand.”
    He nodded. “I don’t know how long we’ll be around, but if I’m here, you can use mine.”
    She nodded, then walked over to him and hugged him. “It’s good to have you back.”
    Nikki watched as Ryan hugged her back. Then he turned and shook his brother’s hand. “When’s that wedding of yours?”
    “A few weeks from now, November sixteenth.”
    Ryan nodded. “I’ll stick