Chapter 2
lina
Turning off the highway, I rolled down the windows of my truck. Cool, fresh, country air wafted through, immediately lifting my spirits.
I sighed. “Home sweet home.” I leaned my head out the window as I turned down the gravel road, passing the Thornbrush Ranch sign, and sucked in the deepest breath my lungs could hold before releasing a long exhale. Breathing in all that fresh dirt and grass.
“We’re almost home, boy,” I said, as if Mushu could hear me from his trailer.
Sticking my arm out the open window, I rolled my arm like a wave through the breeze, feeling it energize me. I loved being on the open road, the excitement and high energy of the rodeo, but there was nothing like coming home.
I took in the expanse of fields, the canvas of ponderosa pines, the rush of the distant Deschutes River, the bawling of cattle. If I could envision heaven, this was it. This was where my heart was. Home was never at my mom’s place in Portland. She had another family to enjoy that with anyway.
I spotted Dad in a far field on top of Gus, and I gave him a big wave. He whooped, spinning his hat in the air. I laughed, giving him the most exaggerated wave I could muster.
He was probably out checking on the new calves. Spring in Oregon was always full of new life. Another reason why I was dying to come home. I had a baby to hold and a bachelorette party to plan. As soon as I unloaded and cleaned up, I was heading straight to Romy and Jude’s.
I pulled up in front of the stable, beside Reed’s Dodge Ram. Fucking Reed. Nothing could spoil my mood, though, not even him.
Hopping out of the truck, I slammed the door, coming around to open the trailer. Mushu’s ears twitched, his head turning and his nose sniffing the air.
“I bet you’re as eager to be home as I am, huh, boy?”
Taking his lead rope, I led him out of the trailer, walking him in a couple circles to help him stretch his muscles. I needed it as much as he did after that four-hour drive from southern Oregon. My body ached and I could use a soak.
“Let’s get you rubbed down and find you some nice oats. You did a good job, boy.” I caressed his neck as I praised him. Mushu snorted in response. I smiled, shaking my head at him. We entered the stables, my eyes adjusting to the dim light.
I almost stumbled in my steps because I had a clear shot down the center of the stable to the wide-open doors at the back.
The golden dusk glimmered off his wide, muscular back, bare and glistening with moisture.
I bit my lip before my tongue could dart out, imagining licking up the beads of water that dripped down his spine.
Shit! Why did he have to be so … so much man?
He hadn’t seen me come in, too busy hosing down one of the horses.
I watched with rapt attention while his large hands ran down the shoulder and legs of the mare, rinsing the suds from her coat.
My eyes zeroed in on those hands. They were strong and calloused, probably more than capable of squeezing the life out of someone, yet so gentle and tender.
My treacherous mind flashed back to our one moment of weakness during another evening.
One that had us on the far end of the ranch arguing about …
I don’t even know what it was about now.
Something to do with me going on a date.
I wanted to challenge him, to test him, to prove to him that he did nothing to me—until he’d lost his temper and pushed me against a fence post.
He had grabbed my throat to land a punishing kiss, while his other hand squeezed my ass.
My hips ground against his, needy for him.
Without a word, I unbuttoned my jeans, bringing his hand to my waistband.
I remember he’d tried to break his mouth away from mine to say something, but I bit his lip.
I didn’t want to hear what he had to say.
I just wanted one thing from him. I pushed his fingers beneath my panties until he was right where I needed him.
I rode that fucking rough hand until I was moaning into his mouth.
I cringed now, bringing myself back to the present.
That was also the night Frank Miller, Romy’s piece-of-shit father, let the horses out, and Junior Matheus pulled a gun on Romy.
If Reed hadn’t been following me around the ranch arguing—if I hadn’t been so weak-willed—we would have saved ourselves a lot of heartache.
Just another reminder why I should stay the fuck away from him.
Reed still hadn’t noticed me entering the stables, so I turned away, heading to Mushu’s stall.
The man was fucking poison. It didn’t matter that he had a body that could wreck me.
He was a dangerous distraction, one I couldn’t afford.
Not this time. Thank God he had a shitty personality.
At least that’s what I told myself. I wasn’t planning on giving him the time of day to show me differently, either.
I had to focus on breaking this year’s record.
This was my year to win the finals, and nothing was going to stand in my way.
“We’ll have music, dancing, a bonfire, booze. It will be like a good ol’ fucking barn raising,” I told Romy, who sat in the corner of the couch.
Her lips twitched. “Are you sure this is my bachelorette party? I mean, I can’t really drink, and it will just be Sage, you, and me.” She bobbed her head at baby Charli, who lay across the crescent-shaped pillow on her lap, nursing.
“Oh, you’ll know when it’s my bachelorette party. I’ll be going to Vegas.”
“You’re going to Vegas?” my cousin Jude asked when he walked into the large, open living room.
The house was something straight out of a Country Living magazine.
All glossy and beautiful. Two-story, floor-to-ceiling windows opened up to a view of the ranch, right out to the patio and firepit.
From where I sat on the large sectional facing the stone hearth, the open-concept kitchen led to the back, facing out over the bluffs toward the river and mountain range.
As soon as Jude retired from his championship MMA career, he went right to work building his dream home with the girl he’d been hung up on since they were kids.
He’d outdone himself with this one, but knowing Jude, he wouldn’t have had it any other way if it meant creating his forever with his best friend.
“Not anytime soon. I don’t plan to get married for a long-ass time—if ever. I mean, is there really a guy good enough for all this?” I gestured to myself.
Jude chuckled, bracing his hand against the back of the couch to lean down to kiss Romy. Her face lit up, smiling into the kiss.
“How are my favorite girls?” he asked, his lips still brushing against hers.
“Great. It’s so good to be home,” I told him.
His eyes cut to me, a scoff releasing through his nose. I loved poking the bear. I always had. Ever since we were kids, growing up together on the ranch.
He pressed his lips to Romy’s forehead before plopping down beside her, his tatted arms stretched out across the back of the couch.
She leaned into him, a soft smile on her face.
For someone who had fought this tooth and nail a year ago, she looked more and more as though she belonged here.
Even with the extenuating circumstances of her sister’s arrest, which brought her home in the first place, I was thankful she stayed.
I was happy for them, and it made my heart melt to see them so in love.
I wanted that for myself, too, but if it meant leaving the ranch, giving up any part of myself—no thank you!
“How long are you home for this time?” Jude asked, kicking his socked feet up on the oversize, leather ottoman.
“Just a couple of days. The Joseph Round-Up is this weekend.” I fidgeted in my seat, remembering the last time I was in Joseph.
I hoped they didn’t notice the flush creeping up my neck because I was sweating just thinking about it.
It didn’t help that I had to be graced with a view of Reed’s muscular back earlier—and those hands. Shit!
Romy was staring at me with a knowing look, and it made me uncomfortable. I cleared my throat. “Can I hold her?”
“Sure. She’s not even eating anymore anyway. I’ve become a pacifier.” Romy pulled Charli from her nipple.
“She has the right idea,” Jude said with a lopsided smirk. “Your tits pacify me, too.”
“They’re off limits to you right now, buddy.” Romy covered herself back up, adjusting to hold Charli against her shoulder.
Jude rolled his head back against the couch and literally whined. Romy patted his thigh, consoling the poor bastard.
“Sounds like a good time,” I grumbled. “I’d much rather have a man on my tits.”
“Lina, Jesus Christ. Can you not—” Jude chastised.
I smiled, pleased to get a rise out of him.
“So fun.” Romy rolled her eyes. “I’m a walking milk bag. Here, grab that burp cloth for me.” She gestured to the floral fabric on the ottoman.
I picked it up, throwing it over my shoulder. “Come here, little angel.”
I uncrossed my legs from beneath me, standing up to take Charli from Romy’s arms. The little cherub was sound asleep.
Her rosebud lips pursed and milky. Her legs curled up when I held her beneath her arms. It had been a long time since I’d been around newborn babies.
The last time, I was twelve, and they were my twin half brothers.
I knew enough to support her neck as I brought her to rest against my shoulder.
“She hasn’t burped yet. Pat her back. Otherwise, you’ll end up with baby puke all over you,” Romy advised.
I took a whiff of her feather-soft, dark hair. Babies always smelled the sweetest. “She looks like a Larsen.” I smirked, proud.
Jude beamed at that. Proud papa. It looked good on him. “But she has her mama’s mouth. You should hear the screams that come out of her.”
“Oh my God.” Romy elbowed Jude in the ribs.
“Ouch.” He laughed, holding his side as if she’d bruised him.
I patted Charli’s back, waiting to hear those little burp bubbles. “I can’t imagine her screaming. She’s so sweet. You two did good. I can’t wait to teach her how to ride.”
“Of course, she’ll be taught by the Columbia River barrel racing champ,” Jude confirmed.
“Almost circuit champion,” I nearly whispered. My record last year was ruined before it even started. Thanks to fucking Reed. Literally.
“This will be your year, cuz. I can feel it,” he encouraged.
“Shit, I hope so. The Joseph Round-Up ruined my chances last year. I need to win my event if I’m going to have a fucking chance, and I’m stressed.”
“You’ll do it. I have no doubt in my mind. And will you quit cursing in my daughter’s ear.”
I rolled my eyes at him, holding back my laughter. “She doesn’t understand a word I’m saying. I gotta say, fatherhood has changed you.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. After all, she’s my daughter. She’ll pick things up fast.”
“Okay, protective asshole.”
“Hey!”
I snorted a laugh. “She’s my niece. She’s going to end up cursing like a sailor and fucking like a rabbit.”
“Over my dead body,” Jude growled.
I laughed again. “Relax, Dad. I’m sure she’ll be a perfect angel growing up surrounded by cowboys.”
Jude glowered.
Romy giggled, giving me a hidden wink. “She already has him wrapped around her little finger. Pretty sure he’s in for some trouble.” She raised a hand, scratching the stubble on his cheek. “Did you find the lost cattle?”
“Yeah, but one has a nasty laceration on her chest.”
I stopped patting Charli’s back, sitting up straighter. Genuine concern overtook my entire body. I gently bounced Charli up and down, setting a rhythm for her so she could doze off. When I glanced down, she was already asleep. “From what?”
“Barbed wire, probably. Someone’s been cutting the fence lines.”
My mouth went dry. “What? Why didn’t Dad tell me?” I shook my head in disbelief.
Jude shrugged. “He probably didn’t want to worry you. Besides, we’re handling it. I just ordered some extra game cameras to set up around the ranch.”
“Dad’s been letting you do that? Pay for things?”
“I stopped asking for permission months ago. Hired a couple extra guys, too. Marshall and Jace are out with Reed right now, repairing it.”
At the sound of Reed’s name, I gulped, attempting to loosen the feeling of an electric current going straight to my chest.
I could go talk to Dad, but I already knew I wouldn’t get anywhere with him.
He never wanted me to worry while I was out on the circuit, and he’d just tell me what he wanted me to hear.
Jude would be honest with me, but he was too preoccupied with a new baby and planning a wedding.
He was doing his part getting the cameras, but I needed to know more.
“Um … here.” I needed to go. “It was so nice to hold her.” I handed baby Charli back to Romy. “I need to go find Dad.”
I did need to talk to Dad about what’s been going on at the ranch while I’ve been gone, but I also couldn’t sit still. It felt like my muscles were vibrating, and if I didn’t move, I’d go crazy.
“We’ll talk more about the party later, Romy. Thanks for the baby snuggles!” I called, shoving my feet into my boots by the big-ass double doors.
“Stay away from the southwest fence line!” Jude called after me.
He knew me well, but what he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.
I needed to go talk to someone. Someone who was a straight shooter and would be honest with me, even if I had to piss him off to do so.
I’d have to go talk to the one person I really didn’t want to talk to.
And I think I knew a way to get him to tell me exactly what I needed to know.