His Sweet Best Friend: Foster Brothers Ranch Romance, #3

By Kadi James

Best Friends forever. Romance? Never together.

They've been best friends since kindergarten and after watching Kevin go through girlfriend after girlfriend, Grace for sure never wants to change their "just friends" status.

Grace Kavanagh, lives and breathes Potter Valley, her own small town. even though she was valedictorian of her class there was no way she was leaving the valley. Now, ten years after graduation, she's frustrated working part-time on her family ranch while following her passion for growing flowers and organic herbs. She's just so ready to start her own business if she could just figure out a way to do it.

Kevin Foster has lived up the street from Grace his whole life and they were inseparable as kids. Even though he works as a firefighter and dates every pretty woman who comes along, they have remained best friends. But when he must take over part of his family ranch, he panics. He's a firefighter, not a rancher. When Grace offers to help, it's a Godsend.

But building a business brings them closer and Grace suddenly finds it harder and harder to stick to her "Never Crush on Kevin" law. And he has a strict "Never Think of Grace as a Girl" philosophy. Can they make this business work without destroying their friendship? Or even worse, falling in love…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Agropoli Publishing
• Release date: Apr 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393182979

Book preview

Books by Kadi

FOSTER BROTHERS RANCH ROMANCE

His Sweet Arrangement

https://books2read.com/u/38QeAL

His Sweet Boss

https://books2read.com/u/38QeA7

His Sweet Best Friend

https://books2read.com/u/3Gv5ln

His Sweet Wager

https://books2read.com/u/4jA5DX

His Sweet Ex-Girlfriend

https://books2read.com/u/bORNpW

His Sweet Enemy

https://books2read.com/u/3GvZxn

GUARDIANS OF COYOTE VALLEY

To Hold a Rancher’s Hand

https://books2read.com/u/bMRMO7

Chapter 1

THE SMELL OF SWEET, barbecued chicken wafted through the fresh spring air as hungry patrons formed an ever-growing line at the Potter Valley Fire Department’s Annual Spring Barbeque. Kevin Foster was wearing his fire uniform and walking through the crowds letting them know the classic half-chicken was as good as every year they’d ever been before Even though he worked for CAL FIRE, Kevin had volunteered at PVFD since he was 18. The annual fundraiser was just another opportunity to volunteer.

Dad, you just gotta tell Robb to let me off the hook, Kevin was pleading with Pastor Don Foster, who was on one of his rare outings from the house.

His dad chuckled. Even if I wanted to. Even if the estate allowed it, your brother Robb would never agree. You know you’re locked in, son. You’ve known that since before we adopted you.

I didn’t know then I wanted to be a fireman and not a rancher. Kevin moaned. I just want to stay focused on my career.

Your career will be the ranch, Pastor Don stated. That’s the way of it.

Kevin tilted back his head and closed his eyes. He had known for years this day would come but he hadn’t expected it to be so upsetting. Working at the fire department gave Kevin a sense of fulfillment he was helping his community and the camaraderie he craved since his brothers had left town. But now Dad was convalescing, and his brother was in charge, so there was no doubt things were going to change for all of them.

Maybe you two can work something out, Kerry, Robb’s bride said. She had been hired to take care of Pastor Don after his stroke, but she and Robb had fairly quickly discovered they were a perfect match. Now she filled a gaping hole that had been left by the death of their mother ten years earlier when the boys were all in their late teens. Robb isn’t unreasonable, and he won’t want you to be unhappy. Why don’t you ask him if you can have a project or something?

Right, Kevin said. Because Robb takes direction from his younger brothers so well.

At least you aren’t the youngest, Kerry smiled.

Or clearly the smartest. Notice how they haven’t come home yet? There’ll be no more rodeo circuits for them once Robb gets a hold of them, Kevin muttered.

Quit moaning, Pastor Don said. We were enjoying a pleasant afternoon at the barbeque, weren’t we, Kerry?

Why yes, we were, she said with a warm smile.

Go find him if you’ve got something to say to him. Pastor Don motioned Kevin away.

Kevin glanced around the gathering, breathing in the support and enthusiasm the locals had for the fire department. Potter Valley was a small, tight-knit community of ranchers who had seen too many close calls by the ravaging California forest fires. They understood the value of the fire department and when they needed to raise money, people came out in droves.

Kevin watched his dad catching up with his ranching friends who he didn’t get to see much. It was planting season, and everyone was so busy preparing the soil, they didn’t have a lot of time to visit or they were too exhausted in the evenings to take the time. Everyone was used to seeing the pastor in the church and couldn’t wait to get him back to the pulpit.

His dad had turned to deep in discussion with Rex, the Associate Pastor, who was covering for Pastor Don while he was recovering from his stroke.

Go on, Kerry said to Kevin, who had just spied his brother Justin in the line. I’ll stay with your dad.

Kevin gave her a brief nod of appreciation before he stood and strode over to Justin.

Nice to see you holding the line, Kevin slapped Justin on the back.

Shouldn’t you be cooking or something? Justin chuckled.

Probably. As much as you should volunteer to be a firefighter. Kevin brushed imaginary dust off his forearm.

Well, up until now I haven’t exactly had time, have I? Justin shook his head at Kevin’s antics. Maybe now you’ll be willing to help out a little bit and I’ll have more time on my hands.

I’ve been willing to help out, Kevin frowned shoving his hands in his pockets. But a man has to go to work. Until we figure out how to make the ranch pay us all, I’m a firefighter.

Yeah, it’s a catch twenty-two, Kevin. We need people on the ranch to do the work that will make more money.

I know, Justin shrugged his shoulders. Fortunately, the people who have to solve that problem are above our paygrade.

Well, I’m still a volunteer with the fire department, Justin said. So, I’m fine with you volunteering at the ranch for now.

Buy twenty raffle tickets and you’ve got yourself a deal, Kevin grinned, holding out the roll of red tickets.

What’s on offer? Justin smirked. Some plants from Emily’s? I think we’ve got enough plants.

No, I think she moved over to Redwood Valley. Marrying a Callender Boy or something. But you might like some of the things in the drawing. Grace Kavanugh is giving away a year’s worth of bouquets. You might want to win that for Trisha. Kevin enjoyed teasing his brother about the ranch manager who was new to the Foster Ranch and now Justin’s girlfriend.

How many is a year’s worth of bouquets? Justin asked.

Well, I think twelve seems reasonable, don’t you? Robb Foster asked as he walked up behind the guys putting his hands on each of their broad shoulders.

Still a shock to see you around all the time, Kevin grinned giving Robb a hug, like back in the day.

Since when are we so old we’ve got a ‘back in the day’. Justin shook his head.

Need to buy some raffle tickets, brother. Kevin held up the red ticket roll.

We’d be happy to support. Robb pulled a one hundred dollar bill out of his pocket and handed it to Kevin. Make sure those tickets have Foster Ranch written on them."

Aye, aye, boss. Kevin waved a hand by his forehead.

Robb reached over and grabbed the bucket Kevin was holding the raffle tickets and money in. He handed it to Justin. Little brother, why don’t you take this around. I want to talk to Kevin.

Justin looked a bit surprised but shrugged. No, problem. They had been brought up to listen to the head of the household and do as they were told. Even though their dad was getting better daily, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind Robb was the head of Foster Ranch now.

Kevin glanced over at Kerry who

Reviews for His Sweet Best Friend

[Dianne Hope Muyco Pilien · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Very easy to read. It is a reminder if your teenage years