Free True Blue Cowboy (The Cash Brothers) by Marin Thomas

mentioned one of his brothers ran the farm during the chuck wagon cookout with Roger Kline and his business associates.
    As much as she was intrigued about seeing the property, she wasn’t eager to meet Mack’s siblings and answer their questions about her relationship with their brother. “I’m not sure what I’m doing,” she hedged.
    “Check your schedule and let me know.”
    Aside from Mack showing her a good time today, he’d also helped her realize that she needed to quit focusing on him and make some decisions about her future.
    A future without Mack in it.
    * * *
    “W HAT ’ S GOING ON that I’m out here two weekends in a row helping with trail rides?” Porter asked Mack.
    “Hoss thinks Jake fell off the wagon again.” Mack nodded to the grooming kit. “Hand me the currycomb.”
    Porter tossed the rubber device through the air and Mack caught it with one hand. They’d spent the better half of an hour brushing the horses after bringing them in from the trail.
    “I didn’t know Jake had a drinking problem,” Porter said. “Shoot, he’s close to my age, isn’t he?”
    “Twenty-eight. He’d been sober for a year when Dave hired him last summer.”
    Porter snapped his fingers. “Is that why he dropped off the rodeo circuit?”
    “I’m guessing that was the reason.” Mack felt sorry for Jake. The man’s drinking problem had already cost him his marriage, and if he didn’t get his act together he might lose shared custody of his daughter, too.
    “I don’t mind pitching in on weekends, but I’m not looking for a permanent job at the dude ranch.”
    Mack stopped brushing Speckles. “Are you ever going to get serious about your future, Porter?”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Porter scratched Doink’s ears. The horse was Porter’s favorite—maybe because they were both goof-offs and acted as if they didn’t have a care in the world.
    “You haven’t held down a forty-hour-a-week job in I can’t remember how long.”
    “Since when have you been concerned about what I do and don’t do? You and everyone else were off chasing girls and rodeoing when I was little. Where was your concern then?”
    Mack opened his mouth to respond then changed his mind. Porter was right. As the youngest brother, he’d gotten overlooked and had often been told to stay behind or get lost. “You should decide what you want to do with your life before you reach thirty.”
    “Okay, big shot.” Porter punched Mack’s shoulder. “You’re gonna be thirty this year. What’s your game plan?”
    “I’m not certain, but—”
    “See!” Porter pointed a finger. “You’re doing that...black-pot-kettle thing Grandma Ada always said to us.”
    “You mean the pot calling the kettle black?”
    “Yeah, that’s it.”
    Mack set aside the currycomb. “I’ve been giving the future a lot of thought.” Especially since Andy, the band’s drummer, had announced he was quitting the Cowboy Rebels at the end of the year. Andy’s wife was tired of him being gone every weekend, and she wanted him home with her and the kids. “I like what I do at the dude ranch.”
    “Can you earn a decent living here if you work full-time?”
    “I’ve talked with Dave about adding a cattle drive to the activities at the ranch.”
    “What do you know about cattle?”
    “More than you,” Mack said. “I herded cows at the Triple D for three summers when I was in high school.”
    “What did Dave say?”
    “He’s considering it. I figured it would bring in additional income during the summer when cabin rentals decrease.”
    “Would you work more hours then?” Porter asked.
    “Yep.”
    “What about the band?”
    “I’m getting burned out on the music scene.” Meeting Beth had confirmed in Mack’s mind that he was ready to give up the nightlife and superficial flings with buckle bunnies. Beth made him want more. Something deeper...richer...rewarding. And permanent.
    “What do you think of that lady