Jesse by C H Admirand

are an angel, Ronnie.”
    â€œHey.” Dylan moved closer, staking his claim and outlining his territory. If his brothers had their way, no one would get within three feet of their women. Normally he felt crappy about being envious of them all the time, but today was different—he had two pretty women waiting on him to finish his chores so he could pick them up and bring them out to the Circle G.
    If he played his cards right, he’d be kissing Danielle’s delectable lips this afternoon. He wondered if they’d be honey sweet or berry tart?
    â€œAre you all right, Jesse?”
    Emily’s soft voice jolted him to the present and the realization that he hadn’t moved. “Uh, yeah.” He walked over to the table and sat down. “Just low on caffeine.”
    Magically, a cup appeared at his elbow—milk and two sugars, just the way he liked it. He drank some down before looking up. “Thanks, Emily. I could have gotten it.” The grim look on Tyler’s face nearly had him giving in to the laughter building inside of him. It was just too hard to hang on to being mad when there was breakfast a man could count on to carry him through till noon, coffee just this side of perfect, and pretty women smiling and smelling like—he paused and, before his brothers could stop him, leaned toward Ronnie first and then Emily, breathing deeply. The ladies were an intriguing combination of rain-washed lavender and lemons.
    With a grin, he plowed through his meal while his mind wandered and he wondered what scent Danielle favored. Damn, he couldn’t remember. He’d have to get real close to her again and find out. He’d better get a move on with his chores and volunteer to head on into town to get the supplies. “So, need anything at Harrison’s?”
    â€œNah, Dylan’s got it covered. You and me will be riding fences today.”
    â€œSorry, Bro. I’ve got plans for this afternoon.”
    â€œChange ’em,” Tyler grumbled.
    â€œCan’t,” Jesse answered, surprised that he was in such a good mood. Was it the prospect of seeing Danielle again, or teaching a certain little cowgirl how to ride? Probably both, he reasoned before looking at both brothers.
    Dylan asked, “You got a special reason to want to head into town?” His brother’s gaze was watchful, interested.
    He shrugged, got up, and rinsed his plate and utensils. As he put them in the dishwasher, he looked up and caught Ronnie’s nod of approval. He winked at her and hotfooted it out of Dylan’s reach. Damn, but his brothers were touchy where their women were concerned.
    As the door closed behind him, he realized that he couldn’t wait to bring the Brockway ladies to the ranch and see how they fit. He was smiling as he made his way over to the barn.
    Dodge whickered a welcome as Jesse made his way toward his horse’s stall. His horse nudged him while Jesse placed the bit in his mouth and the bridle into place, keeping Jesse’s mind occupied and off of the dangerous subject of women. It wouldn’t be smart to be distracted working around large animals.
    â€œDodge, there’s a little lady who would love to meet you.”
    His horse nodded and whinnied, and Jesse couldn’t help but smile. Humming to himself, he checked the cinch and mounted his horse. Right on cue, Tyler opened the back door and before Jesse could look away, the oldest Garahan gathered his woman into his arms and held her tight, burying his face in her curly red hair.
    â€œDamn,” Jesse rasped. “To be loved like that.” Hell , he thought, to love like that . It must have been what his parents had shared before his dad had gone on that fateful mission to Beirut.
    He wondered if Danielle was the one… he had a feeling she might be and wondered if she would be willing to take a chance on another cowboy. Shaking his head, he wondered what the hell was wrong with