Kickin' Up Dust: Operation Cowboy, Book 1 Read Online Free Page B

We’ve got work clearing out some of the ruined buildings around town.” Garrett poured himself another mug of rich, dark coffee. They didn’t get coffee like this in a mess hall or a makeshift base camp.
    “That was fast. A three-man crew?”
    “We’re hoping you can make it four.”
    “That’s what I was gonna tell you. I’ve got some work ahead of me too. Right here on the ranch, and on the Popes’ ranch.”
    The name of their platoon leader dropped into the room, silencing them. Then Wydell cleared his throat, and they all started talking at once.
    “Is it true Matt’s little sister’s all grown up?”
    “I heard she’s a hottie. Might make me a trip over there today.”
    “I hear there’s this schoolteacher in the next town over who’s been trying to get a ring on her finger.”
    Brodie’s head spun with all this information. A protective pressure built in his chest, and he leveled his gaze at Garrett, and then divided the rest of his stare evenly between Wydell and Boyd. “We ain’t talking about Matt’s sister that way. Show a little respect.”
    Garrett dipped his head first. “Yeah, you’re right. So what’s the plan with the ranch, Sergeant?”
    “Combine them.” His Texas twang was more pronounced now that he was home. It sounded good to his ears. “We lost our bulls in the storm and we need calves. The Popes have bulls and a lot of broken fence. We’re going to combine efforts.”
    “Your father’s on board with this?” Wydell rubbed his hands together, a nervous gesture he’d picked up in combat. The swishing noise reminded Brodie of holding his breath, of waiting for a kill shot. Adrenaline spiked in his system, and he started counting by fives.
    “My pa’s happy to let someone else take over for a while. And the Popes…well, you understand.”
    They nodded all around. For five minutes nobody spoke, drank, or nibbled one of his momma’s cinnamon rolls. Time would have continued ticking by if Garrett didn’t finally speak.
    “After we get the debris cleared, we’re going to put together a construction team.”
    “That’s a hella-good idea. You think some of the residents will want to return?”
    “We’re hoping.”
    “But the businesses would take a lot to resurrect. There’s nobody in town to even support the Chug-a-Lug.” The bar where the five of them had shared their first celebration of legal drinking age had been flattened.
    Brodie shook his head, a weight settling over him again. “There’s got to be a way to bring people back. New prospects.”
    “Yeah, but until that happens, the insurance companies are paying people to have their land cleared. We can do that.”
    “And I can get the two ranches left standing in the black again. Tomorrow Danica and I are mending fences.”
    Garrett’s eyes twinkled.
    Brodie reached out and cuffed his ear. “Stop thinking that way about Matt’s sister. She’s the same as always.”
    “Not what I hear,” Wydell drawled.
    That crawling sensation overtook Brodie again. “Just what have you been hearing?”
    “That’s she’s as tall as a model with legs for miles.”
    That was true. “But who’s saying it?”
    “The whole county. I was thinking we should head up to the Popes’ and pay our respects. I figure if we see her, it’s a bonus.”
    Brodie pressed his lips into a line and tried to think of a way to deter his friends from visiting the Popes but couldn’t think of any. They had as much right to be there as he did.
    And if Danica took a liking to one of them…
    “What about this teacher who wants to put a ring on her finger? Who is he?” He tried to sound cool, but his voice was strained. He wished like hell the guys didn’t know him so well.
    “The man talks about her all over town.”
    Damn.
    “Saying what?”
    Garrett raised a shoulder and let it fall. “We haven’t met him, but anyone who knows us knows about Matt…and that means they know Danica. People say things because of the