KIDNAPPED COWBOY by Lindsey Brookes Page A

him.
    He took a calming breath and then met his brother’s narrowed gaze head on.  “The least you could have done was to listen to what Caitlin had to say.”
    “You might not agree with the way I handle things, but I don’t see you doing anything to give you the right to question me.  It was your choice not to be involved in the business.”
    “I did what I had to do.”  He had made the decision years before to leave Lone Tree, because he didn’t want to end up a carbon copy of his father. 
    “So did I.”  Brandon cast an impatient glance at his watch.  “I have to go.  I’ve kept my business associates waiting long enough.”  He turned and walked away.
    The snow crunched beneath his boots as Brandon departed.  Cold air carrying crystal flakes swirled about his brother’s feet as he walked back to the plow truck where the others awaited him. 
    Dalton watched his brother walk away and climb into the ranch’s plow truck.  Then with a roar of the engine, he drove off down the freshly plowed road.
    “Damn it!”  Dalton brought a fist down onto the snow covered porch railing, sending a spray of icy snow up into the air. 
    A gentle hand settled on his shoulder.  He turned to find Caitlin standing there, her expression one of pure misery.  Misery his brother had caused.
    “It’s not your fault,” she said, her words coming out in tiny puffs of steam in the cold morning air.  “You tried to talk to him.”
    He caught her by the shoulders and looked down into her beautiful misty green eyes.  “I’m not giving up.  I’ll talk to him again when we’ve both had a chance to cool off.  I promise.”
    She smiled.  “I appreciate the offer, Dalton, but I’m not gonna be responsible for more tension between you and your brother.  Family is too important.”
    He looked at her in amazement.  “How can you still be so positive?”
    “I have no choice.”  There was a slight quiver to her voice as she spoke.  “Those kids need me.  And I’m not about to let them down by being a quitter.  I’ll just have to find some other way to get your brother to listen to what I have to say.”
    Things had been strained between him and Brandon for years.  They each had their own idea on how life should be lived.  Brandon’s being a lot like their father’s had always been.  Unfortunately, he and his brother had yet to find a way to meet in the middle on things.
    “We’ll talk about it over dinner.  Now let’s get you inside where it’s warm.  Then I’ll see about digging your car out of the snow.”  Placing a hand to her waist, he guided her back into the cabin.
    She cast a side-glance his direction.  “It amazes me how two brothers can look so much alike and yet be so different.”
    “But you gotta admit that I’m the better looking one,” Dalton said, trying to lighten the mood that had been set by his brother’s unexpected arrival.
    “Yes, you are.  I’m just thanking my lucky stars, if I actually have any, that I kidnapped the wrong brother the other night.”
    “To be honest, I’m not sure which one of us is actually the lesser of two evils.”  Dalton let his hand fall away and reached for his coat.
    “From what I’ve seen, it’s definitely you.”
    “I’m not sure everyone in Lone Tree would agree with that.  I’m the son who bailed on his family to ride the circuit instead of sticking around to help run the family business.”
    “You can’t live your life for everyone else.”
    “Why not?  You do.”
    As he had hoped, his last statement brought an end to their conversation.              Caitlin had enough problems in her life without having to worry about his, too.  But he had to admit it was nice having someone take his side for a change.
    He zipped his coat and started for the door.  “I’ll have your car dug out in no time.”
    She grabbed for her coat.  “I’m coming with you.”
    He shook his head.  “There’s no sense in both of