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

was all he could do to keep from punching in their faces.
    Trying to maintain his calm façade, he turned to Brice and they talked about the motorbike race coming up, the rafting trip that Trent and Lindsay were joining in, and the quality of the stock at the rodeo. Tess didn’t really care what they were saying as she lost herself in the cadence of Travis’ voice. She loved to hear him talk, listening to the deep rumble he acquired in the years he’d been gone from home.
    “Right, Tess?” Brice asked, catching her daydreaming.
    “What’s that?” she asked, flushing slightly, grateful that it was getting dark and the two men sitting next to her wouldn’t notice her red cheeks.
    “I asked if you are going to go on the rafting trip with us,” Brice said, giving her a curious look. Something was going on with his sister and he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Given more time, though, he’d figure it out.
    “I don’t think so,” Tess said with a firm shake of her head. The very last thing she wanted to do was put on a bathing suit and be seen in public. She might have accepted her body, but that didn’t mean she was going to put it on display for a whole group of people to see, especially if one of the group was Travis.
    “Oh, come on, it’ll be fun. I think Trey even talked Cady into going,” Travis said, hoping she’d agree to go along, knowing they would all have fun. “It’s just for one day. Surely you can squeeze a little time for us into your very busy social calendar.”
    Brice nearly spewed Mountain Dew out his nose. When a coughing fit ensued, Travis thumped him on the back a few times.
    “You okay, man?” Travis asked, giving him another thump. Brice held up a hand and drew in a deep breath.
    “I’m fine. Just don’t make a joke like that when I’m swallowing,” Brice said, grinning at Travis. “You know good and well Tess doesn’t have a social life. She goes to work, comes home, helps around the ranch, attend church and that’s about it. Social life? That is really funny.”
    Tess leaned around Travis to shoot her brother a glare that would have seared most men into cinders. Brice looked at her with a devilish grin. “Can’t fight the truth, Tessie.”
    Giving him another hard glare, she returned her attention to the arena. There were just a couple of events before the bull riding would begin and the arena lights kicked on.
    Travis grabbed the cup from her hand and took another long drink before handing it back to her. “Guess I better go, it’s almost show time.”
    As he turned to leave, Tess grasped his hand in hers, ignoring the electricity dancing up her arm. “Please be careful, Travis. We’ll be cheering for you.”
    “Thanks, Tessa. I’ll be watching for you to wave at me,” he said with a heart-stopping grin before running down the bleacher steps and disappearing behind the chutes.
    Although it was late May, the evening air still held a chill making Tess wish she had a sweater or jacket. She was cool enough when Travis was sitting beside her with his arm around her. When he stood to leave, the cold seeped into her and nearly made her teeth chatter. Wrapping her arms around herself, she didn’t know how she was going to manage to stay warm long enough to watch the bull riding.
    Brice looked over and noticed her discomfort. Sliding close, he put his arm around her and pulled her against his side.
    “You might not like cozying up to your little brother as much as you do Travis, but I bet I can at least help you stay warm,” Brice teased.
    “Thanks, BB,” Tess said, using her childhood nickname for him. “I appreciate it. If I’d known we’d be out after dark, I would have brought along a sweater.”
    “Sorry. I promise next time I plan to kidnap you, I’ll give you plenty of advance warning,” Brice said with a laugh.
    “Good. I promise the next time you kidnap me, to only complain half as long and enjoy it twice as much,” Tess said smiling. “I