* * * *
I’M AN IDIOT!Jesse paced the floor in the small cabin he and his brother shared. What was he thinking to go racing with Summer? He should have known she would try and cheat just to win. And then, when he tried to keep her from winning, she took a different route and was thrown from the horse, only to land in a mud puddle.
He raked his hand through his hair. Thankfully, she wasn’t physically hurt, just her pride. But guilt continued to eat at his gut. Because she was still injured from the stagecoach attack, he shouldn’t have suggested the race. And when he brought Summer home dirty and limping from sore muscles, Rosie snapped at him for not thinking of her sister’s welfare.
Indeed, he was a fool.
He moved to the window and looked at the signs of early evening. The dusky velvet sky highlighted the descending sun. As he thought of the afternoon with Summer, a smile stretched across his face. She had changed, he’d give her credit for that. Perhaps there was a small amount of maturity peeking through her stubborn streak. Then he realized his inconsistent thinking, remembering how he’d struggled with her to hog-tie her back on his horse yesterday and how his panic heightened when she was thrown from her horse during their race.
He rubbed a smudge off the dirty window, turning his thoughts to Rosie. Now, there was a real lady. A sweet, genteel woman who always thought of others. So much like her mother. Totally uncomplicated and predictable. Rosie would make him a good wife. She’d keep his home immaculate. She’d be the perfect wife.
Boringly perfect.
And lately, he didn’t know if he wanted perfection. He wanted a woman to make him laugh and smile just thinking about her. One who loved to ride and shoot, just as he did. And one with a fiery temper...
What am I thinking?He tried shaking the image of Summer from his head. Heavens, that woman wasnotthe one for him. In fact, she was opposite. Thankfully, it didn’t matter because she was already promised to a man she met through a newspaper advertisement.
Jesse chuckled. When she announced she was marrying Adam Fairbanks, it shocked him senseless, just as he was sure Rosie felt the same stunned feeling. Jesse didn’t know the man well, but there was something about him he didn’t like. Perhaps it was because his father and grandfather weren’t the most trusted men in Colorado. Because Jesse and Cal worked for the law, they knew things other residents in Aspen didn’t, and both he and his brother kept their money in a different bank.
Part of him wanted to warn Summer of her hasty decision, but then the sensible part of him didn’t want to start an argument. She wouldn’t listen to him anyway.
He shoved open the screen door and stepped out. Looking out over the peaceful landscape of his property, he tried to capture some peace for himself. The setting sun spread a deep golden-red tint over the land. He took a deep breath of air, enjoying the breeze at the end of a hot day. Autumn wasn’t very far away, and he couldn’t wait for the cooler temperatures.
In the distance, Cal galloped toward the cabin. Jesse’s heart warmed when he thought of his brother. Cal looked like an older version of himself, same blue eyes same build, except Cal’s hair was slightly darker in color.
“Howdie, stranger,” Jesse greeted as Cal tied his horse to the railing. “Didn’t think I’d see you this soon.”
Cal smacked the dust off his pants. “Well, I just completed the project I’ve been workin’ on, and I couldn’t wait to come home and tell you about it.”
“You’ve been workin’ on a project?”
Cal laughed and removed his hat. He swiped his gloved hand over his sweaty forehead. “Actually, I’ve been buildin’ somethin’ for you. I planned on givin’ it to you as a weddin’ present, but that lovely woman of yours keeps postponin’ the happy day, so I guess I might have to give it to you early.”
Jesse moved closer to his brother. “Now you’ve got me curious. What is it?”
“Why don’t I show you and Rosie at the same time? In fact, why don’t you round together whoever might want to come along while I get cleaned up?”
Excitement danced in Cal’s eyes, and Jesse didn’t want to disappoint him. “Are you sure?” He glanced toward the sun as it dipped below the horizon. “It’ll be dark soon.”
“’Course, I’m sure. Now, skedaddle before we lose any more sunlight,” he ordered as he walked into the cabin.
