Free Her Cowboy Hero (The Colorado Cades) by Tanya Michaels

Springs that I thought all this fresh, open air would be good for him. I still stand by that, but I think it’s overwhelming, too. I’m constantly after him not to get too close to the pond or mess around in the rooms upstairs or go to the stables without supervision. It’ll mean a lot to a boy with Evan’s independent streak to have a place all his own. But I don’t under...” Was she afraid that if she pressed her luck by asking too many questions he might change his mind?
    “My brother’s getting married in a little over a month,” he said. “After that, I have another job lined up, but I can give you that long. If you still want it. Plumbing’s not my thing, but I’m decent at carpentry and have helped reshingle a roof or two. I can take over a lot of the stuff with the animals, too, which should free up some of your time.”
    “A month,” she breathed. Her face was radiant, making her look entirely too much like a lottery winner. “That’s fantastic! Come on, I’ll show you the upstairs rooms.” As she jogged up the stairs, she added, “They’re not much to look at yet, but you never know. A lot can happen in a month.”

Chapter Six
    It had never been Colin’s intention to grow a beard. Taking the time to shave now was simply a delayed reaction, not evidence that he was stalling or anxious about going to the main house for Sunday brunch. When Hannah had told him the Reeds were coming and asked him to join, there’d been no good reason to refuse. It was true that Colin had been trying to spend as little time as possible in the house, but he’d better get used to it since he was moving in this afternoon.
    The thought was jarring enough that the razor slipped in his hand, and he scowled at his reflection. Not “moving in,” he corrected. That implied a measure of permanence. His stay would be temporary, like renting a room in a hotel. Yeah, except you’re not paying a landlord. She’s paying you.
    As he was leaving the bunkhouse, his cell phone chimed. He glanced at the display screen and saw his sister’s name. Pulling the door shut behind him, he stepped into the spring sunshine and answered. “Hello.”
    “About flipping time!”
    “I’m fine, thanks. You?” Despite the sardonic greeting, he secretly loved Arden’s feistiness. It gave him confidence that she’d never take any crap from anyone. And he took a certain selfish comfort in her strength. It helped reassure him that he hadn’t screwed up too badly raising her.
    “Seriously, do you know how many times I’ve tried to get in touch with you?” she continued as if he hadn’t spoken. “You’re like the worst brother in the world.”
    “Don’t I get any credit for trying to call you two nights ago?”
    Her ffff noise seemed like the verbal equivalent of rolling her eyes. “I can’t believe the one time you bother phoning, I didn’t hear it ring. Hope’s cutting her first teeth, and she’s not happy about it. The volume level gets intense.”
    “You sound awfully perky about a shrieking baby.”
    “I am!” Her voice was full of maternal pride. “The pediatrician is surprised she’s teething this soon. He said he wouldn’t have expected it for at least another month. Considering the complications during her birth, I was expecting some developmental delays, but she’s been right on track for everything, even occasionally ahead of schedule. Garrett and I are really blessed. In fact...we’re expecting another baby.”
    He took a deep breath, offering up a prayer for her safety and the unborn child’s. “Congratulations.”
    As she chatted about the pregnancy, he got closer to Hannah’s, spotting the Reeds’ car parked out front. They were staying to help with the bunkhouse today. The four adults were going to rip up the ugly “all-purpose” carpeting and paint the walls. Hannah had ordered the replacement carpet, which they’d put down later this week. Meanwhile, there was a trailer full of furniture waiting