Bishop Brothers Series: Four Book Complete Set

Chapter 1-1

Chapter One

ALEX

I watch the early morning fog roll over the hills as I walk across the pasture toward the barn. There’s something about waking up before the roosters crow or the sun rises that gets me going. Maybe it’s because ranch life is ingrained in me, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“What the hell?” Dylan shouts, carrying grain in buckets for the horses. I glance down at his boots and can’t help but laugh as he stands smack dab in the middle of a steaming pile of fresh s**t. He groans as he slides his boot across the wet, dew-soaked grass, but there’s not much hope for his boot.

Dylan’s mom and mine have been best friends since they were both kids, so we met when we were in diapers and have been inseparable ever since. Every summer since high school, he’s worked for my father until it became a full-time gig. He’s become my partner and sidekick around the ranch, though he’s definitely not the greatest influence. He’s always up for anything regardless of the consequences, which has gotten us into plenty of trouble over the years.

“You should be happy you didn’t trip and fall face first in it,” I tell him, chuckling. “It makes for a pretty shitty day.”

“Sounds like you’ve fallen a time or two.” He snorts, knowing damn well I have. Dylan struggles with smearing the crap off the sides of his boots because his hands are full.

“One time, after tripping and being covered in cow s**t, Jackson refused to let me go change. Basically, had to stay like that for the entire day. Eventually, it dried, but I swore I could taste it in my mouth for days.”

“Jackson can be such an asshole,” Dylan says with a laugh.

“It must be a Bishop thing.” I chuckle.

Once we’re inside the barn, we dump the feed into tubs for the horses in each stall, then head down to feed the pigs, chickens, and cows. By the time we finish, the sun is barely peeking over the horizon, and I know we need to get a move on if we’re going to finish our tasks on time. Though feeding the animals happens every day, what we do afterward that changes on a weekly basis and is usually discussed over breakfast with my father every Sunday morning.

Dylan and I make our way to the east side of the land where we’ll be replacing fences along the property line. It’s physically laboring work, but I don’t complain. I enjoy the hard tasks even when it feels like it’s going to kill me. I was born and bred to be a Bishop, and I’ve been helping my parents around the ranch since I could walk. One day it’ll be my and my three brothers' responsibility to manage, but for now, we all have our own tasks to focus on to keep everything running smoothly.

We drive down the old county road along the pasture, and from a distance I can already see a group of workers pulling metal pipes from the back of a lowboy and laying them on the ground. As soon as we park and walk up, I can tell Evan, my oldest brother, is in an agitated mood just by the attitude and stink face he’s wearing. His hair is a blond mess as pieces stick to his forehead and cheeks from the sweat.

Evan spends most of his time working at the hospital, but on his days off, Dad drags him out to help on the ranch. You’re still a Bishop, Dad likes to remind him, so Evan puts in his time when he can. He’s nothing more than a pain in my ass anytime he’s around. He’s years older than me, so we didn’t grow up together and bond like my older brothers did, but I still enjoy giving him hell when he serves it to me.

“Who smells like s**t?” Evan asks over his shoulder as he carries the post hole digger across the way so we can get started.

Dylan glares at me. “Do you think he can really smell it?”

Bursting out into hearty laughter, I shake my head at him and throw him his work gloves. “I have ever since you stepped in it.”

I stand by and watch Evan crank the driver. When he rams it into the ground, Dylan and I begin mixing cement. After each hole is dug, we slam the six-foot pipes in the ground and make sure they’re level before adding cement to set them in place.

“So I got some good news,” Dylan tells me as he fills the hole with the rock mix.

“Yeah? Mallory wants you back?” I like to give him s**t about his ex every chance I get because I warned him about her. Several times, in fact.

“Hell no. I wouldn’t take her back again.”

I glare at him in denial and snort. “That’s what you said last time,” I remind him.

“Shut up,” he fires back. “Honestly, after I found out how many times she cheated on me, I wouldn’t even f**k her with your d**k,” Dylan states, laughing in disgust.

“f**k you. My d**k takes offense to that. I don’t make village bicycles a habit,” I say matter-of-factly, slamming a pipe into the ground.

“That’s ‘cause you are the village bicycle.” He chuckles at my expense, and I groan. He’s damn lucky my hands aren’t free at the moment to slap that s**t-eating grin off his face. He clears his throat and tips his chin up. “Everyone with a tight p***y and big rack step right up!” he hollers, raising his arms up for emphasis. “Come and get a ride on the Wild Stallion, Alex Bishop! Six-foot something, dirty blond hair, and a smart mouth to boot! He may be a cocky son of a b***h, but don’t worry, his mama taught him right. He’ll wine and dine you before f*****g you till you forget your own name! Now ladies, who’s first?”