Rustler's Heart (A Kinnison Legacy Novel) by Amanda McIntyre Read Free Book Online Page A

Wyatt told us he preferred to have a family dinner this week and invite the attendants, so that’s what we’re doing. That’s about as crazy as Wyatt wants things just now.” He didn’t feel it necessary to explain between the wedding and getting used to the idea of being a dad, his brother had enough crazy going on in his life.
    “Fair enough. See you soon then, buddy.”
    “Okay, Hank. Safe travel.” He broke off the connection and stared at the wad of bubble wrap in his fist. Dalton had gone out to chop up some wood to bring in for the stove. Even though late spring, the mountains still got chilly at night. He heard a loud thump and his head jerked up. Liberty, who’d dropped her giant duffle bag, stood inside the front door, her gaze scanning the interior of the cabin.
    Rein frowned. “What are you doing here?” He hadn’t meant for the comment to come out quite so brusque. She ignored his blunt remark and continued to look around the room.
    “Aimee’s folks just arrived. I thought they should stay up at the house. They’re her family and besides, Aimee might like some private time with her mom.”
    June and Ward Worth were delightful people, full of fun and a true testament to the sanctity of marriage. They’d come for a brief visit early on in the engagement and fell into sync quickly with the ranch, the town, and Wyatt. You couldn’t ask for better in-laws. They’d lost their other daughter—Aimee’s twin—in a tragic car accident. That alone bonded Rein to Aimee in a way that only those suffering such a loss could understand. In honor of her sister’s dream to teach in an area of greatest need, Aimee relocated to End of the Line.
    “Besides, the maid of honor, Sally, has shown up every morning since she learned of Aimee’s condition. I figure even if the cabin’s only partway done, I can make do. I feel sort of in the way up there.”
    That , he couldn’t fault her for. He’d felt the same way after Aimee started staying there. Rein scratched the nape of his neck. A back up in orders had caused a delay in finalizing the plumbing in the other cabin, so he and Dalton decided to bunk in Liberty’s future cabin. He hadn’t anticipated Aimee’s sudden bout of morning sickness that occurred at all times of the day or night. He hadn’t anticipated news of Caroline showing up, or Liberty choosing to stay elsewhere. He released an audible sigh. This wasn’t how he preferred things to go. He liked organization. He liked schedules.
    “I suppose Dalton and I can bunk at the other cabin for a few days. We’ll just have to shower and use the facilities in the main house.”
    She folded her arms over her chest and tipped her head. “Why would you have to do that?”
    Rein forced his gaze from her tanned cleavage and pretended he hadn’t been debating whether or not she wore a bra. He averted his eyes, blaming his wayward thoughts on Caroline. Liberty, however, was as close to a little sister as he’d ever get. He needed to get his perspective straight, right quick. “I’m sorry, come again?”
    Her brows disappeared beneath the blue striped bangs she wore this morning. “Excuse me?”
    Realizing she wasn’t familiar with his comment, he explained. “I need you to repeat what you said, I didn’t hear you.”
    “Oh.” She dropped her arms and sauntered past him, running her hand over the cabinets he’d built. “Come again. It sounds like something else, entirely .” She glanced his way and smiled. “I suppose that’s the difference between city girls and country boys.”
    He shifted, feeling embarrassed to be having this conversation with Dalton’s little sister, when he might walk in at any moment.
    “What I meant to say, is you shouldn’t have to tromp all the way up to the main house. If the other cabin is close to this one, we can set up a bathroom schedule. I’m used to sharing with roommates. Besides, I normally shower at night. But we won’t go into that.” She opened the