The Cowboy's Christmas Proposition. Silver James

know I can hear you, right?” Deke scowled at them.

      His brothers burst out laughing. Dillon, approaching the back door and holding a plastic bag at arm’s length, jerked his head around. “What’s so funny? What’d I miss?”

      “You’re too young to understand,” Cooper teased.

      “Seriously? You’re going to pull that crap on me now?” Dillon waved the sack to emphasize his point then gave Deke a sideways glance. “They’re right about one thing. She is pretty. Think she’d go out with me?”

      Bridger smirked. “Naw. You’re too young for her.”

      “Hey, I’m twenty-two. I’m right at the peak of my sex—”

      “You boys do know that Trooper Kincaid and I can hear you, yes?” Katherine didn’t need to raise her voice to be heard.

      “Yes, ma’am,” four voices replied in unison, with Dillon adding, “Well, do you? Because she’s really hot.”

      Bridger rolled his eyes. “Dude, we can’t take you anywhere. You do realize that you’re bird-dogging the woman our big brother is interested in, right?”

      “Not to mention you’re a baby,” Cooper added. “She wants a real man, not a pimply-faced—”

      Dillon shoved Coop. “I don’t have pimples!”

      Deke wanted to bash all three of his brothers. This was normal behavior anytime two or more Tates shared the same space, but today he needed a huge helping of regular normal to deal with the trooper. He couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking. She looked stern in her dark brown uniform and black leather Sam Browne belt, but he caught a hint of humor around her eyes. At least he hoped it was humor. Did she have a boisterous family like his? That would be a good thing. She’d understand the ribbing and his frustration.

      “I still think she should go out with me.” Dillon was a persistent little bugger.

      “Then you think wrong. She thinks you’re too young,” Quin called out. She didn’t even look their way but her voice carried.

      Was she teasing Dillon? That made Deke feel like a fool because he was suddenly jealous of his little brother. He needed to get some space and think through this situation—and this woman. She was not his type, not in any way, shape or form. Except it was turning out that she was exactly his type in every way, shape and form. He was so screwed.