Rodeo Hearts

Chapter 21

I hope you really enjoy this chapter. This is by far one of my favorite chapters. You're about to see much more exciting things happening in Rodeo Heart. I hope that you stick with me if these chapters seem boring, because there is big things happening in the coming chapters that you will not see coming.

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Brayden sat directly beside of me at the bar in the kitchen. The kitchen was furnished with sleek stainless steel modern appliances and rich dark oak wood counter tops and cabinets. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of fresh baked cookies and coffee.

"So, I hear you barrel race." Bell said, reaching a plate with a fresh batch of cookies my way.

I nod my head as I take a chocolate chip cookie from the hot plate. "Yeah, hopefully I can make it all the way to the NFR this year." I replied.

"I wish you luck. Brayden will hopefully rack up enough earnings to get to go too. I don't understand why he decided to bull ride. He could make more money here running the ranch and finishing his schooling." Bell said sighing.

"Mom. We've been through this already." I could tell Brayden was becoming frustrated by his mother's heedless comments.

"You're right and I'm sorry. I have to go pick up some things for the potluck dinner the church is having. I'll be back in a couple hours. You kids better be careful and have fun, but not too much fun. I have no interest in becoming a grandmother right now." Bell rambled.

My face turned beet red as I hid my face in Brayden's chest. I could feel his chest vibrate slightly as he light heartedly chuckled. I stayed hidden until I heard the door shut as Bell walked out. I peeked up to see Brayden looking down at me amused. I nervously smile before sitting up in my chair.

"Sorry, if my mom made you feel uncomfortable. She has the gift of making every first encounter with anyone more awkward." He said before finishing off the cookies that lay in front of him.

I looked down at my cup of coffee before taking a sip.

"It's okay."

I was still blushing from the chat we just had with his mom. I finished off my cookie and my coffee. Brayden took our cups and plates to the sink before sliding the plates of cookies into the now cooled oven.

"Do you want to take a tour around the ranch?" Brayden asked.

"I'd love to!" I said enthusiastically.

I jumped up from my seat and followed Brayden outside.

"My brothers should be around here somewhere." He said looking around.

As if on cue, two voices were heard coming from the barn.

"Let go of me, you demon!" A ringing voice shouted.

"You should've thought twice before you insulted me." A second voice spoke up and it was huskier than the first.

Brayden sighed before taking off towards the barn. I followed closely at his heels. As we walked into the barn a couple of things caught my eye. First thing was, a boy who looked to be around sixteen or seventeen was wrestling an older guy in the hallway of the barn. Brayden pulled them apart before smacking them both on the back of the head.

"You idiots are going to spook the livestock. "Brayden said with a slight smile playing on his lips.

I looked between the three brothers before clearing my throat. All three of their heads snapped toward where I was standing.

Before Brayden could introduce me to them, the oldest of the three spoke up, "Let me guess, this is Aurora."

"Aurora, these are my brothers Blake and Colten." Brayden introduced me.

I instantly distinguished the two apart. Colten had lighter hair than his other brothers. He had light sandy brown hair while his two brothers had dark brown almost black hair. Colten had the same blue eyes that Brayden and his mom shared. Blake, however had green eyes, which I imagine he got them from his father. Blake was a few inches taller that Brayden, around 6'5. Colten was shorter than both Brayden and Blake, around 6' foot. All three brothers shared similarities, but Blake looked far more stern than either of the brothers.

"It's nice to meet you both." I smiled at the two of them.

Blake looks over my appearance before nodding in approval. I shiver involuntarily. Brayden seems to sense my discomfort, because he puts his arm around my shoulder.

"Where's Holden?" Brayden asked, looking around. I was thankful that he broke the awkward silence.

"He's checking fences out by the summer pastures." Colton chirped.

"Why aren't you two helping him?" Brayden asked raising an eyebrow.

"This one had to open his mouth and insult me, so I tried to shut him up." Blake spoke up pointing towards his younger brother, Colton.

"Hey! It's not my fault!" Colton defended.

"Yeah it is!" Blake retorted.

"I'm just going to show Aurora around the ranch, so you all can carry on with your wrestling match once we're out of here." Brayden said before walking over to the stalls and leading out two horses.

One horse was a black and white paint and the other was a buckskin. Both horses were beautiful and well taken care of. Brayden disappeared into what I guessed was their tack room. Blake glanced over at me before following his brother into the room. I heard whispers coming from inside, but I couldn't make out what was being said. A couple minutes later, both Brayden and Blake emerged from the room carrying tack. I could tell something was bothering Brayden by the way his jaw was clenched. It wasn't my place to get involved in any family quarrels. Brayden began to take up his horse as Blake brought over some tack and set it down for me.

"Here you go. Do you need any help?" Blake asked.

Before I could politely decline, Brayden spoke up. "She's not some green-horn, brother. She has tacked up a horse before, you know."

Blake tensed up at his brother's seething attitude.

What's his problem? I asked myself. Blake was just being kind or was there something else up his sleeve. I'm the type of person who's trust is hard to earn. I'm weary of everyone I meet.

"No need to get your rope in a twist. I was just seeing if the beautiful lady needed help." Blake said smirking.

I see clearly now. Blake was being vindictive by using me to get under his brother's skin. How could guys like Blake ever get a girlfriend? Who am I to judge a book by it's cover though?

Brayden took a step forward to most likely use physical force to shut Blake up, but Colten stepped between them.

"Don't. Go take a ride and cool off before you do something you'll regret." Colten kept Brayden from getting any closer to his older brother.

The first thing that came to mind was that their little spat started in the tack room. When I first met Blake everything was rainbows and butterflies. Up until now everything seemed fine. My thoughts were interrupted by Brayden asking if I was ready to go. I nodded my head and mounted up. Brayden began to show me around their ranch.

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