Read Armando Returns (Barboza Brothers) for Free Online Page B

inside the door. “Hey.”
    Ramon looked up from his computer. “Hey. Thought were you already down for the night.”
    “ No. Just Isaac. I don’t know what you put him through today but he’s out like a light way before his usual bedtime.”
    Ramon chuckled. “No doubt. I turned him over to Silas, one of the ranch hands. He’s great with kids. Said Isaac did a good job today. Need me to keep him busy tomorrow, too?”
    Victor shrugged. “I don’t think you could keep him away from helping, after all the fun he had today. Seems like he took to the animals, fast.”
    “ Hmm.” Ramon nodded, thoughtfully. “So, does that mean there’s a chance my oldest brother might relocate his new little family soon? There’s plenty of room here to build a house or two.”
    “ Nah, you’re getting ahead of me.”
    “ No, I’m not. You’re still proposing on Friday night, aren’t you?”
    “ Shh!” Victor glanced over his shoulder to make sure Cara hadn’t quietly wandered downstairs. “Not so loud. It’s a surprise.”
    Ramon smirked. “You really think she doesn’t suspect?”
    “ No. Not at all. I wanted it to be a surprise, and that’s how it’s gonna be.” Victor’s eyes narrowed as he pondered his conversation with the woman he met today. “Speaking of Friday...” He shut the door behind him and took a seat in front of Ramon’s desk. “You remember Katie McCormack?”
    Ramon winced. “Of course I do.”
    “ I met her for the first time today. She works at the restaurant where I’m proposing to Cara. When I introduced myself, the very first thing she said to me was, ‘You’re Armando’s brother.’”
    Ramon snorted. “Yeah. She probably heard what she was missing out on.”
    “ Maybe.” Victor shrugged. “Armando had the weirdest reaction when I mentioned her name. It sounded like he left the basketball game and went running out to his car.”
    Ramon ’s eyes rolled. “Damn. I can’t believe he’s still hung up on that girl.” Then he produced a big yawn.
    As Victor watched his tired brother, he was thankful he decided to take an extended leave from work. Originally it was to spend more time with Cara and Isaac. But this week, after seeing how much Ramon worked and how little care he took of himself, Victor realized he needed to use that time to be a better brother to Ramon. It was obvious that since Henry Platt sold out of the ranch and took off for a long vacation, Ramon was in over his head, trying to keep the business going.
    This was only Victor ’s second day on the ranch in Turnbrook. And already, he was more worried about his youngest brother than he wanted to show. But knowing Ramon and his pride, he’d probably tell Victor to pack up and leave if he knew how concerned he was.
    Victor planned to keep his eyes open and watch out for Ramon. And after tonight ’s phone call, he wondered if he needed to do the same for Armando.
    “ So,” Victor said, “You ever take any time off? You look exhausted. I’ve barely seen you since I got here.”
    “ Yeah.” Ramon nodded. “Saturday. I try to take the whole day off. Sunday’s a different story. It’s the one day I’m usually not bogged down in paperwork and I actually get to go out back and make sure the boys are doing their jobs when I’m not here.”
    Victor frowned. His brother was obviously much more overworked than he wanted to admit. “Well, let me know if I can help. It can’t be easy running two other ranches in addition to this one. I don’t know how you do it.”
    Ramon smirked. “A lot of coffee and reliable employees. That’s how.” Then he sighed. “I’ll try to be home earlier from now on.”
    “ Good. Again, if you need my help, please tell me. Especially with the business end of things. That’s sorta one of my specialties, you know?”
    Ramon cocked his head to the side. “I’m all right, Victor. Now go on upstairs and take care of your woman.” He yawned again. “I gotta get a few things