Love All Out - Part 4 (A Stepbrother Romance) Read Online Free Page A

so empty and sad without Daddy there.”
    The night before, I’d attempted to sleep in my own bed. Instead, I’d laid awake all night thinking about all of the drama that had engulfed my life.
    “That’s completely understandable,” he said. “And you know you’re always welcome here… something smells good,” he added as he poured himself a glass of wine.
    “I tossed a roast in the oven. We’re also having mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits, and cobbler.”
    James smiled. “One last forbidden meal before we start Cole’s diet?”
    “Something like that,” I said, smiling back.
    “How long until it’s ready?”
    I glanced at my phone. “About twenty minutes. I just popped the biscuits in the oven.”
    “Perfect,” James announced. He took a long drink of his wine and set the glass on the coffee table. “I have a surprise for you.”
    I raised a curious eyebrow. “A surprise? What is it?”
    “Put your shoes on and come see,” he laughed.
    I slid my feet into my tennis shoes and quickly tied the laces. “Where are we going?” I asked as we stepped out onto the porch.
    “Nowhere,” James said. He lifted his arm and moved to wrap it around my shoulders, but stopped himself before we touched. His eyes darted around, looking for other ranch workers. Since Daddy collapsed, we hadn’t talked about going public with our relationship. I was grateful that he wasn’t pushing it, but I knew we couldn’t put off the conversation much longer.
    “The surprise is in my truck,” he explained as he continued on down the steps. “Part of it, at least. I’ve already set up some of the gear in your barn.” He opened the passenger door of Daddy’s truck and pulled out a small pet carrier.
    “No!” I squealed in excitement, hoping this wasn’t a joke. “Did you… really?” I gushed as he set the carrier on the ground. I rushed over as he opened the metal gate and a tiny white powder puff tumbled out onto the grass.
    “I got us a puppy… the ranch, I mean,” James said, and rubbed the back of his neck, looking embarrassed.
    I dropped to my knees and the puppy rushed into my lap. He brushed his head against my hand and rolled over onto his back. I rubbed his belly and looked up at James.
    “What were you thinking?”
    “You don’t like him?” he asked nervously.
    “I love him! What is he?” I asked as the puppy rolled over, bounced to his feet, and licked my face.
    “He’s an Australian Shepherd,” James said. “A cattle dog. They’re great for protecting livestock and I thought, with everything that’s been going on around here…”
    “He’s exactly what we needed!” I finished, already in love with the little fuzz ball. “What’s his name?”
    “He doesn’t have one yet. I thought you should do the honors,” James said, scratching behind the puppy’s ears. “I figured we could all love him, but he’ll be your guard dog. He’ll keep you safer than any security system. I didn’t know how Cole feels about animals in the house, but I figured if nothing else, he could live in your barn.”
    “He’ll do no such thing,” I insisted. I wrapped the puppy in my arms and carried him towards the cabin. “He’s my little buddy. He’ll go where I go.”
    I’d grown up with a handful of mutts running around the ranch. Daddy had always allowed them in the house, but after the oldest died while I was away at college, no one had thought to replace him.
    I stepped into the cabin and set the puppy down on the floor while I checked the oven. The biscuits were just starting to brown, so I turned off the heat and closed the door. I looked up to see James step inside carrying the pet carrier and a large plastic bag.
    “I have puppy chow, chew toys, a collar… everything this little guy needs. My buddy, Waylon, has his parents. He’s been working with him, said he’s nearly housebroken already. Which is amazing, considering he’s only ten weeks old,” he added as he offered the puppy a large