Free Double or Nothing by N.J. Walters Page A

nodded. “Yeah, I just need a second.”
    Remy took the reins of all three horses and headed farther into the barn. Now that she was paying attention, Cherry could hear male voices in the background. She raised an eyebrow in question and Wes grinned.
    “That will be Dan Gibbons and Robert Vardy. They’re the two hired hands Remy mentioned when we were out by the creek. They help us care for the horses and do some basic training.”
    “I should get going.” It was fine to spend the night and even the morning, but the day was wasting and this was a working ranch. Both Wes and Remy had spent time with her they didn’t really have to spare. After all, she knew and understood the demands of a full-time ranch.
    Remy returned just in time to hear her pronouncement. He scowled at her and then at his brother. Wes raised his hands in mock defense. “I didn’t do anything.”
    Cherry frowned and started toward the door. It was more a shuffling than a walk until she got going. The more she moved, the easier it became as her muscles loosened up. “You’ve got work to tend to and I’ve got a hundred things to do with Dad’s estate, not to mention my own business.”
    Wes fell into step beside her. She had a feeling he was watching her every move in case he had to catch her if she took a header. “Your father mentioned you had a graphic design business.”
    “Yes. It was part-time for years while I built it from scratch, but now it’s full-time.” No more waitressing for her. She loved to draw and create and her own business gave her that opportunity.
    “What exactly do you do?” Even though Wes asked, she sensed a keen interest from both men. Quite frankly, it surprised her. She hadn’t figured they’d be interested in what she did in Boston.
    “I create and design logos and graphics for various companies. Most smaller businesses don’t have anyone on staff who can do that kind of thing for them, and a lot of larger companies have downsized and contract out that work now. I also have my own line of stationery and greeting cards that’s doing really well.” She hadn’t created any new designs in the past few months, not since she’d come home to tend to her father. The most she’d managed was to keep with the corporate and small business accounts she had.
    She probably had dozens of emails and a ton of work waiting on her laptop. She really needed to get back to the ranch and get to work.
    There was a low bark and then Bourbon came trotting toward her with Whiskey hot on his tail. Both dogs had been missing this morning when they left to go riding, but neither man had been worried about them, telling her the dogs liked to run in the morning when it was cooler.
    “Hello there.” She petted each dog, rubbing their sides and getting wet kisses and hand licks in return. Bourbon barked and Whiskey whined when she stopped. She had a feeling they’d stay there all day if she’d keep scratching them. “That’s it, for now.” She laughed at the two animals as they sighed and walked back to their shady spot on the corner of the porch. They stopped by their water bowl for a quick drink before plopping down onto the wooden deck.
    She went up the steps and reached for the handle on the screen door. “I’ll get my purse. Can one of you take me back to my truck?” She really hoped whatever was wrong with the truck wasn’t serious. She didn’t want to waste time or money repairing something she was going to have to sell. No way did she need a truck in Boston. The thought was absurd. She didn’t even have a car. Public transit was fine and cut down on the cost of living as garage fees were high if you didn’t have an apartment with a parking spot, not to mention the cost of gas and insurance.
    The screen door slammed shut behind them. When neither man answered her, she turned. They were standing side by side just inside the doorway, two tall, broad-shouldered men. Their cowboy hats were pulled low, covering most of