The Cowboy's Summer Love Read Online Free PDF Page A

than they probably should. Born not even a year apart, Brice knew they could have grown up fighting a lot and resenting each other. Instead, he felt closer to Tess than he did their older brother Ben, who was currently working for a barge company based out of Portland. Brice was excited when Tess decided to take the physical therapist job in The Dalles and move home for a while, at least until their mom’s wrist healed completely. “You know Travis will be thrilled to have you watching from the stands.”
    “I know nothing of the sort,” Tess said, trying to ignore the little pang of excitement that shot through her.
    Travis always had a variety of talents and hobbies He somehow managed to come up with a look that matched whatever interest he was pursuing at the time. She’d seen him dressed as everything from a ski bum and preppy school kid to grunge rocker and athlete. Her favorite way to picture Travis, though, was in cowboy mode.
     It was in that persona that he seemed most at ease with himself and in his own skin. Tess thought being a cowboy and ranching was at the very core of who he really was. Photos Brice shared when he was in the Army showed Travis looking all spit and polished, but there was just something about him on the ranch wearing his faded Wranglers, scuffed boots and old Stetson that tugged at her heartstrings. It had since she was old enough to notice boys.
    Tonight, she’d get to see him in full gear right in the thick of the action.
    And she’d be sitting there wearing bright pink scrubs and her comfy, but not particularly stylish, work shoes. Her irritation at Brice’s lack of planning rose to the surface again as he pulled into a service station at Biggs. While he fueled the truck, Tess ran into McDonalds and ordered them dinner, hurrying back out just as he finished up.
    “Did you get extra fries?” Brice asked as she climbed in loaded down with bags of food and big cups of iced tea.
    “Don’t I always?” Tess asked with a smile. It was fun to spend time with Brice. She had thoroughly enjoyed getting to know him better on their commutes to and from work. Although they were siblings, there was a lot they learned about each other in those talks, things she knew they’d never discuss if they hadn’t been stuck in a vehicle together two hours a day.
    It was a little after seven when they pulled into the rodeo parking area. Tess looked down at her scrubs and released one more sigh before she picked up her purse and put on some lip gloss.
    Feeling a little remorse, Brice came around and opened her door. Taking her hand, he gave it a squeeze.
    “You look great,” Brice said as they walked to the gate to purchase their tickets.
    “You’re a very good liar,” Tess whispered as he paid their admission and steered her toward their seats. A couple of guys Brice knew saved them a space on the top row closest to the chutes, so they could get a great view of the action. The guys gave her a nod as she and Brice sat down on the end of the row.
    Tess loved to go to rodeos and liked watching all the events from the kids’ mutton bustin’ right on to the bull riding. Brice went to get them a pop and a snack during the team roping event and the two guys that saved the seats moved closer.
    “So, you’re with Brice?” the lankier of the two asked. Tess thought Brice introduced him as Ken.
    “Yes, I am,” she said, not taking her eyes from the ropers in the arena. Technically, she was with Brice. Not in the way Ken was referring, but if they weren’t smart enough to see she and Brice looked alike, she certainly wasn’t going to set him straight.
    “And you’re a nurse?” the other one asked, leaning around his friend to get a better look at her. Tess knew she didn’t look her best. She had her hair pulled up in a clip at the back of her head and after a long day of work, her scrubs were less than fresh and pristine. Not only that, but she wasn’t one of those wispy girls who ate celery and