Cowboys Mine by Stacey Espino Read Free Book Online Page B

Colton’s eyes, and there was no way in hell he was worthy of her attention.
    When the couple leaned in close, every muscle in
Colton’s body turned stiff. Their proximity had a direct effect on his mood…and
sanity. His earlier indecision was resolved for him when Wade kissed Eva. He
swore a fucking floodgate of fury broke free inside him. North kept pace beside
him as he stormed toward the rail fence where Eva sat with the cowboy.
    “There you are,” he called out before Wade could
strike again.
    Eva looked like a child caught with her hand in the cookie
jar. Then she grew bold and narrowed her eyes at him. He knew that face. She
was ready to ream him out for being overprotective. Colton wasn’t sure what the
fuck his role was any more. It seemed somewhere along the line Eva grew up
without him even noticing. Now she was a woman and a damn fine one at that.
    “Why are you looking for me? I don’t need a
babysitter.”
    “We expected you home hours ago,” said Colton. “With
all the scumbags prowling these rodeos, we thought we better save you.”
    “I don’t need saving! Go home, both of you!”
    She turned to Wade with a look of apology in her eyes.
    “Eva, we ain’t leaving you here,” said North, suddenly
showing his usual protective nature.
    “Wade will bring me home later. You don’t have to
worry about me. Not one bit.” She scowled at him with enough venom to make most
men cower, and then shifted her body to face the cowboy, effectively cutting
them off.
    He grabbed North’s shirt and started to walk away.
What was he supposed to do? Make a scene for half the rodeo? Normally nothing
would stop him, but then again, Eva had never shown such genuine interest in
another man. For some reason it struck Colton the wrong way. Maybe the
introduction of a love interest would deem Colton and his brother irrelevant. He
needed her, and even though she wasn’t his woman, he still didn’t want to share.
    “Where you going?” asked North, continually looking
back over his shoulder. “Fine, I take it back, I do give a damn. Now let’s go
back and get her.”
    Colton shook his head. “There’s no point. She’s made
her mind in the matter. If she wants that cowboy, more power to her.”
    “You trust that piece of shit? Did you see him kiss
her?”
    “It was just a kiss. Maybe he’s Prince Charming. I
don’t know.” Colton had no right to steal any happiness from Eva. She’d been
his rock since his dad walked out on them. Without her, he’d never have made it
through in one piece. Now she was old enough to move on with her life, to start
a new generation of Fords. For years, he’d protected her, coddled her, and kept
men at bay. Now she was a beautiful twenty-two year old woman ready to spread
her wings.
    “He sure as hell ain’t Prince Charming!” North
shrugged him off when Colton attempted to steer him towards the trailer.
    “As long as she’s home before dark, it’s her life to
live.”
    ****
    North was ready to brawl. In fact, he craved it like
never before. Pain would be preferable to the ache in his heart. Somewhere
along the line he began to see Eva as more than the sweet girl next door.
Somewhere along the line he’d fallen in love.
    What he didn’t understand was Colton’s sudden
disinterest. Their feelings for Eva always mirrored each other’s. Half the time
when he’d escape to the Ford house, Colton was already there. They’d come on
the trip specifically to keep Eva out of trouble, but instead, his twin was
turning a blind eye.
    They ate dinner in silence. North watched the sky
turn from blue to black, every darkening shade bringing his anxiety to a new
level. She still wasn’t back. God knows what that cowboy was doing with little
Eva. The thought of his filthy hands on her made his blood boil. He wasn’t sure
how much longer he could sit still with his imagination running wild.
    He was just about to bolt from his seat when the
door to the trailer opened. Cool air flooded