Love in Xxchange: Rory's Last Chance by Bailey Bradford (poetry books to read txt) 📗

got an earful. If he hadn’t known Rory and Chance were gay, he surely did now.

“Just get the boss and get yerselves up here.”

“You know we aren’t ready to hire anyone else yet,” Rory pointed out, but he did start edging Rama over towards Chance and Zeus.

“Then you and Chance can be the people who send this one on their way. Ain’t gonna RORY’S LAST CHANCE

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be me.”

Rory clipped the handset back to his belt and started working the herd with Chance. He would have been helping by now, anyway, Rory thought. It wasn’t his fault Chance looked so damned good on horseback—or on his back, period. Oh hell, Rory thought Chance looked good any which way he was.

“Max wants us up at the house.” Rory had to raise his voice to be heard over the racket of the cattle. “Says someone wants a job and he isn’t going to be the one to tell them no.”

Chance frowned as he worked the last bit of the cattle through the gate. “Now why would he have a problem telling someone no? He’s done it before.”

Rory hopped down from Rama and grabbed the gate, jogging to close it quickly before he slid the bar that held it shut in place.

“That’s what I’m wondering,” Rory confessed as he pulled himself back up into the saddle. He looked at Chance and shrugged. “Whoever it is, Max didn’t bother to hide the fact that we’re together. He kept giving me shit about gawking at you.”

“You do gawk at me quite a bit.” Chance leant over the saddle horn and leered.

Rory leered right back. “About as much as you gawk at me, lover.”

They both laughed and turned their horses towards the ranch, teasing and flirting in their normal way. Rory was watching Chance, telling his lover about what improvements he thought they should make with their breeding stock, when Chance pulled Zeus up short and grunted.

“Don’t think we’re gonna send this one packing.” Chance was looking in the direction of the house.

Rory followed his lover’s gaze and let out a whoop when he saw who was there looking for a job. He tucked his heels into Rama’s sides and took off, his eyes drawn to the pretty blonde standing on the porch with Max.

Annabelle ran down the porch steps and Rory leapt off Rama before the gelding had come to a full stop. He had enough time to fling his arms open then he was holding his sister, and rocking gently from side to side. He felt a tug on the reins and opened his eyes enough to see Max trying to take Rama for him. Rory let go of the reins and lifted Annabelle, spinning her around until she squealed with laughter.

“Put me down!” Annabelle playfully swatted Rory on the shoulder. “I want to meet your man.” She cut her eyes in Chance’s direction. “Damn, brother, he is hot!”

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Rory turned his head and looked at the sexy-as-fuck man sitting right where he’d reined Zeus in a few minutes ago. The brim of his black Stetson cast a shadow over most of his face, but there was no hiding the fact Chance was a handsome man—and kind enough to hang back and give Rory and Annabelle as much privacy as he could.

“God, Rory, you look like you just melted inside.”

Rory glanced at Annabelle and found her studying him. “Why wouldn’t I? He’s…he’s everything.”

Annabelle’s eyes had a teary sheen to them, but she blinked furiously and gave Rory a quick hug. “Then tell your everything to get his butt over here so I can finally meet him in person.”

Rory smiled at Chance and gestured him over. “You want to tell me why you’re here looking for a job, Annabelle?”

“Can I tell you once your sexy boss gets over here?”

Rory reached over and poked his sister in the ribs. “He’s gay, sis, and mine.”

Annabelle sighed and stuck her tongue out at Rory. “Doesn’t mean he isn’t sexy.”

Rory watched the blush sweep over Chance’s cheekbones and poked his sister again.

“Doesn’t mean he’s deaf, either.”

“Oops.” Annabelle walked over to Chance before he reined Zeus to a stop. “Sorry if I embarrassed you, but he is my brother—and you are sexy. And I’m Annabelle, as I’m sure you figured out.”

The saddle creaked as Chance leant down and clasped Annabelle’s hand. “Yes ma’am.

Chance Galloway.”

Rory wondered if the ‘yes ma’am’ was an agreement that she had embarrassed him or an admission that he knew who she was. He met Chance’s amused gaze and decided it was both.

“Here, boss, let me take Zeus so ya can sit down and tell this cowgirl how ya ain’t hiring.” Max grinned up at Chance.

“You could have mentioned the person enquiring was Annabelle.” Rory’s lips quirked as Max shook his head.

“Where’s the fun in that? ‘Sides, you two shoulda been done moving them cattle a good while ago.”

Chance’s brow furrowed. “Max, who writes out your paycheque? And we weren’t—”

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“Um, Chance—” Rory wasn’t sure what was fixing to come out of his lover’s mouth.

“As I was saying, I’ve got the biggest smartasses in the world working for me. And we weren’t doing anything!” Chance swung down from the horse and handed over the reins.

“‘Course not.” Max chuckled and led Zeus off.

“You ready to tell us what happened?” Rory checked his sister over thoroughly. Their father had never struck her before, but he’d never been as hateful as he’d become in the past year or so.

“I couldn’t take listening to him anymore, Rory.” Annabelle shrugged. “He’s full of so much hate and anger, and I’m not going to hide the fact that you’re my brother and I love you. If that means he sells the Mossy G, well…”

“You love that ranch, sis. We’ll figure out something.” Rory stopped because Annabelle was already shaking her head.

“That’s just a place, Rory. All the good memories are in here, and here.” Annabelle tapped her head first then her heart.

“You’re so hired,” Chance’s deep voice