Rustler's Heart (A Kinnison Legacy Novel) by Amanda McIntyre Page B

Liberty to stay on.”
    He shrugged. “Might’ve been nice.”
    “Didn’t think it’d disagree with you, being how you were her greatest ally when we were discussing whether to invite her here in the first place. You do remember that?”
    “I do.” He moved to the mane, using short strokes to work out the knots in the silky, dark brown hair.
    “Something change that I should know about?”
    Rein wondered if Liberty had spilled the news of their kiss to Aimee. “Not really. Just prefer to work alone on the design end of things. You know me. I have the ideas in my head until they begin to emerge on my workbench.” How could he tell him that Liberty wasn’t the problem, but how he reacted around her that concerned him? He didn’t trust himself. “Besides, she hasn’t really got a lot of experience.” Hell, maybe she had a ton of experience for all he knew, but for lack of a better excuse, he tossed it out there.
    Wyatt settled himself on the wood trunk where they kept the grooming supplies. “Well for the sake of argument, there are some who would argue that to gain experience, you need to start somewhere.”
    “Well, I don’t have time to take her under my wing and teach her. It would throw my schedule completely off, and this project would take twice as long to finish with her underfoot.”
    “Underfoot, huh?”
    He felt Wyatt’s gaze on him. “Yeah, you know what I mean.”
    Wyatt placed a piece of fresh straw between his teeth. “This doesn’t have anything to do with the incident the night of the wedding, does it? Because I’ve got to tell you, Rein. I’m a little concerned if there’s something you think I should be aware of. Is there something Liberty’s said or done that’s caused you to feel apprehensive about her? Do I need to speak with her? I’m getting ready to whisk my wife away on a much deserved honeymoon and I’d like to know you can handle things around here.”
    Rein’s mind darted back to the night and that kiss. His body tightened at the memory of her mouth on his, the taste of her lips, how she’d clung to him. And had taunted him. Such news would likely create a ruckus that none of them needed right now, not with Wyatt and Aimee preparing to go on their honeymoon. Besides, it wasn’t anything that he couldn’t handle as long as he kept his wits about him.
    “Listen, everything’s going to be fine. You guys go on your honeymoon and don’t worry about things here.”
    Wyatt nodded. “I have no doubt that you guys can handle the ranch. I guess maybe seeing how much Liberty’s helped Aimee these past few days and all her help with the wedding and the reception, I think Jed would have welcomed her just like he did us.”
    Rein waved his brother off the trunk and tossed the brush in. “Suspect you’re right about that.”
    “Aimee indicated Liberty’s old boyfriend—her boss—I understand, is a real piece of work. Course, I don’t expect it’s ever a good idea to get involved with your boss, but she’s young and she’ll learn. She ever talk to you about her past, or her father?”
    Rein shrugged. “Not really. Just that they didn’t get along. Guess there’s a lot we don’t know about her. Maybe I’ve been thinking more about that due to Aimee’s condition, you know?” Rein took a deep breath and finally met Wyatt’s eyes. He’d been pouring out one excuse after another, trying to convince himself that he had no interest in their little sister. And the comment about not messing around with the boss? Yeah, that didn’t settle too well inside him, either.
    “You let me worry about Aimee and the baby. Maybe you can get Liberty to open up to you.” He slapped him on the shoulder. “You’re going to have your hands full between her and Dalton. They’re two of a kind in some ways.”
    Rein followed his brothers departing form. Yet another thing to add to his list of reasons why he shouldn’t get involved with Liberty.
     
    ***
     
    “Miss? Miss? Could I