“Great,” Tarr said. “I just finished moving everyone, so we’ve got room for Rosie’s horses when they get here.”
“She’s ten minutes out,” Bobbie Jo said, glancing around as if she needed to hang a banner to welcome the barrel racer.
“Have you seen Briar?” Tuck asked.
“Not since this morning,” Tarr said.
The electricity had come on midafternoon yesterday, and with the furnace now functioning, they’d both retreated to their separate bedrooms. Tarr had slept, but not well, especially compared to having the warm, soft, very female shape of Briar in his arms. He wasn’t sure he’d ever truly sleep again without her.
His jaw tightened, and he swallowed, lest he blurt out anything he didn’t want Tuck or Bobbie Jo to know. “I’m probably going to move into one of those long-term hotel rental things when you guys get back.”
“You really don’t need to,” Tuck said. “You can have the whole top floor. It’s two bedrooms and a bathroom.”
“We’ve even put a microwave and a mini-fridge up there,” Bobbie Jo said. “Because that’s where Rosie and Cole will be staying.”
Tarr nodded. “I’ll think about it.”
“We go out at the same time in the morning anyway,” Tuck said. “And I know you—you’re in bed by nine o’clock.” He grinned, and Tarr couldn’t help returning it.
“It would make more sense if you were on-site,” Bobbie Jo said. “Especially in the winter.”
“Now you’re starting to sound like Briar,” he said.
“That’s because she’s smart,” Bobbie Jo said with a grin. “It’ssevenbedrooms, Tarr.”
“Three levels. You could live in the basement if you want. It’s just a lot cooler down there,” Tucker said. “And we’d have to open up all the vents.”
“I don’t want to live in a basement,” Tarr said.
The master bedroom, a guest bedroom, and two full baths sat on the main floor, along with an enormous kitchen, living room, and dining room combo with two-story windows. The steps led up to a loft that overlooked the downstairs living and sitting areas, and then the hallway branched down to the two-bedroom, one-bath suite Tucker was talking about. He’d even put a door on it, and out in the loft was the mini-fridge and the microwave Bobbie Jo had just spoken of.
“You can pay us rent if you want,” Tucker said. “As much as the hotel rental, even.” He glanced over to Bobbie Jo, grinning. “I mean, I’d take his money. Wouldn’t you?”
“It would feed a lot of goats,” Bobbie Jo said.
Tarr rolled his eyes. “How long have you guys been rehearsing this?”
“Just since this morning,” Bobbie Jo shot back. “Really, Tarr, it’s stupid for you to get a hotel, and you can’t live in the RV.”
“I mean, I guess you could keeping living with Briar,” Tuck said. “But honestly, she’s right across the hall, and you’re sharing a bathroom. How is that less close-quarters and intimate than staying with me and Bobbie Jo?”
“I’ll think about it,” Tarr said again.
The basement at Tuck’s mansion had three bedrooms, an additional one-and-a-half baths, a full kitchen, a theater room, and an open living room. The man definitely had way more space than he needed, even if he and Bobbie Jo started having kids immediately, though they both claimed they were going to wait a couple of years.
The sound of tires on gravel met their ears, and all three of them whipped their attention to the barn door.
“She’s here,” Tuck said.
“I don’t know why you’re so nervous,” Bobbie Jo said.
“I don’t know why you’re not,” Tuck said. “She’s only seen this place in pictures and video. She’s never ridden here, and what if she hates it?”
“Tuck, she signed a contract with you, bro,” Tarr said. “She can’t just quit. And besides, our facilities are the nicest in the state.”
“They’re nicer than where we train in Texas.” Tuck swiftly moved toward the door. He exited first, his laughter bouncing around in the doorway, and then his too-loud voice saying, “You made it!”
A lower male voice said something Tarr couldn’t quite make out as he followed his best friend outside. A tall, sandy-haired cowboy stood there, his hand in that of a blonde woman wearing a bright red, puffy coat.
