1. Wyatt
CHAPTER ONE
wyatt
It’s been a long-ass day. Hudson, Kash’s grandfather, gave me a full tour of the Ford ranch, introducing me to people and extolling the virtues of just how important it is to have someone that can manage everything they’ve built throughout the years.
Aside from his obvious pride, I could sense something deeper underlying his words.
I’m pretty sure I know what he’s expecting, and I only hope Kash is finally ready to listen and keep an open mind.
Walking down the sidewalk with the warm sun high in the sky, I stare down the quiet street in the heart of Darling, Arizona, feeling a spark of excitement in my chest. There’s just something about small towns that hits a little different.
With miles full of pretty green pastures, evergreen trees, blue sky, and friendly residents, it’s a little slice of the south tucked into the northern Arizona mountains.
It felt like home the second we arrived.
There’s a sense of peace here I’m not sure I’ve experienced anywhere else.
The main drag is only a couple of miles long, leading straight to the town square.
It’s less than five miles from the Ford’s estate and the ranch we’re here to acquire as our second location for our Horses for Healing venture.
If all goes as expected, this quaint little town will become our home and we’ll be closer to Hudson.
My packmate might not admit it, but I know that’s the reason he’s willing to face off against the one woman he seems to loathe above all others even though he hasn’t seen her in over a decade.
Juliette Callahan.
From the way he’s described her throughout the years, she sounds hideous .
Blonde hair so tall Dolly would be jealous, a scrawny body that’d snap like a twig if you so much as breathe on her, and an affinity for sequins and glitter that would require you to invest in a lifetime supply of vacuums to keep shit clean.
Pretty sure the recurring description is shallow , followed closely by superficial.
Yet the second he got the call that the Lost Canyon Ranch was up for sale, he booked us flights and set up a meeting.
Of course, this is the moment we’ve waited years for.
All of our hard work and efforts are about to pay off.
Personally, I think he conveniently ignored the fact that buying the ranch will once again put him into close proximity with the Callahans because from the second we stepped foot off of the airplane, he’s been not so inconspicuously scanning our surroundings.
If I had to guess, he’s on high alert for any sign of the overblown beauty queen.
She was nowhere to be seen, of course, but now my curiosity is piqued even more.
I mean, how can it not be? Surely, she can’t be that bad.
This place is a hidden gem, and I can’t figure out why Kash has avoided it like the plague.
Now, the reason that his father tucked tail and ran is simple, really.
Jack Ford is a jealous son of a bitch who couldn’t stand to see the woman he claimed to care for, love his best friend instead.
Isn’t that how all good feuds begin? Over a woman?
Huh. Suddenly, everything is starting to make a lot more sense.
A quick tug on my pant leg brings me back to the present, and I spin around in shock.
Except there’s no one there. At least not until I glance down and find the biggest blue eyes staring up at me from under the brim of a pink cowboy hat.
She’s got a strawberry Twizzler hanging from her mouth like a piece of straw, which reminds me of Beck.
How often have I caught him doing the same thing?
She can’t be more than three or four, with long blonde pigtails and a frilly pink and brown bedazzled dress with matching cowboy boots. She’s adorable…but also a tad bit creepy since her way-too-shrewd gaze is obviously sizing me up.
“Hey, sweetheart. Are you lost?”
One blonde brow raises with a haughtiness that makes me grin.
“Nope. Are you?” she mutters around the Twizzler, surprisingly articulate for someone her age.
Shoving my hands into my back pockets, I can’t help but grin when her little hands go to her hips. “Nope.”
“You’re not from ‘round here.”
“I’m not. I’m from Austin, Texas.”
“My mama won’t like you.”
“Oh, why’s that?”
“You’re too pretty.”
I barely manage to withhold my chuckle. Something tells me she wouldn’t appreciate that.
“Is that so? And who’s your mama?”
“JJ Wilde,” she says, pulling the red licorice from her mouth and puffing out her chest with pride.
Shock filters through me. JJ Wilde is the famous—and slightly mysterious—rodeo phenom that never gives interviews and is pretty elusive when it comes to being caught on camera up close.
Details about her are scarce, but the rumors and conspiracies surrounding her are half the reason I’ve been in love with her for years.
The fact that she’s apparently got a secret daughter does absolutely nothing to detract from that.
Hell, I’m even more in awe of her if that’s possible.
Keep it cool, Wyatt. Don’t act a fool in front of the child of the woman you’ve been crushin’ on since your facial hair came in.
“Is that right?” I say, scanning the length of the empty street. “Where is your mama, anyway? Should you be out here by yourself?”
“She’s doing important stuff, but I wanted candy from Doc’s store. I didn’t go nowhere else.”
“Of course not.” I once again scan up and down the street, seeing no sign of anyone else that might be able to help. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”
“I ain’t supposed to give strangers my name.”
“Well, how about this? My name’s Wyatt.” I kneel and hold out my hand. After a brief hesitation, she sticks hers out and shakes mine. A hint of tart apples and vanilla fills the space between us. “Now we’re not strangers anymore.”
She contemplates that for a moment. With an approving nod, she finally says, “I’m Charlotte.”
She stuffs the candy back in her mouth, chewing contentedly.
“Nice to meet you, Charlotte. How about I walk you back to your—” The sound of a bell a few doors down interrupts my thought, and the little spitfire in front of me starts worrying her bottom lip.
“Charlotte Rose!”
When I turn, my breath stutters. Rushing toward me is a woman in skintight dark denim jeans covered in completely bedazzled chaps and a hot pink Western button-down with even more jewels encrusted on it.
But it’s not the long dark brown braid I expect to see.
No, her wavy blonde hair is flying out from beneath her brown Lucchese hat, framing a face so perfect, I’m struck speechless.
There’s no heavy makeup, no blue eyes. This close, I can damn near count the individual freckles splashed across her nose and cheeks.
Meanwhile, her big brown eyes are locked on her daughter and her plump pink lips are pursed in frustration.
But her body? Now, that I’d recognize from a mile away even with the bling adorning her outfit trying to distract me. It’s the one and only JJ Wilde standing right in front of me. Slowly, I straighten and wipe my hands off on my jeans.
Breathe, Wyatt. Breathe. Deep breath in through the nostrils and exhale through the mouth. There you go, buddy.
She smells of warm apple pie, making my mouth water. Something niggles in the back of my mind, but it sputters out as she heaves a relieved breath, her hands landing on curvy hips I’m tracing with my eyes. “Sweet pea, you’re gonna be the death of me. You can’t just wander off, even in Darling.”
“I yelled where I was going real loud before I left.”
Eyes narrowing, she starts to scold the precocious little diva, and my attention is locked on the gorgeous woman who’s played a starring role in some of my kinkier fantasies.
Now, I’m revising those a bit as I get a clear view of her big long-lashed doe eyes.
I can vividly imagine her staring up at me from her knees, blonde hair wrapped around my fist. The image is in high-quality definition, along with the pouty pink lips that I can picture wrapped around my cock.
“Young lady, you know you’re not supposed to talk to strangers.”
Another tug on my jeans startles me out of my technicolor fantasy.
“We ain’t strangers no more.” Innocent eyes peek up at me, begging me to agree. “Right, Mr. Wyatt?”
My smile spreads across my face as I prepare to woo her mama with every ounce of my infamous charm despite the exasperation pouring off her in thick waves.
“She’s right. We had our introductions, and so we are, indeed, no longer strangers. I’m Wyatt.” I lift my hat in greeting, then hold out my hand.
JJ eyes me from the tips of my boots to the Stetson on my head. Stepping forward, she slips her calloused hand into mine, sending a jolt through my already frazzled system. “I’m?—”
“JJ Wilde. I know who you are. I’m a big fan.”
“Hmmm. Are you now?” She might as well have rolled her eyes for all the sass in her tone.
“Yes, ma’am. I’ve followed your career. Pretty impressive, actually.”
“Which part, specifically, do you find the most impressive ?” she asks, expecting me to give some superficial answer. Little does she know.
“You hold the current world records in both barrel racing and breakaway roping. You were also the youngest female to win the Women’s Professional Rodeo Championship, and your skills in the bareback competition are second to none.
” Those pretty eyes have gone wide, her lips parting in surprise.
“Personally, I’m glad to see you made it back to the circuit after… well…you know.”
When her expression shutters faster than those records I just mentioned, I internally grimace.
Fucking hell, Wyatt. Way to put your foot in your mouth, dumbass.
“Charlotte, we need to go. Miss Georgia wants to finish my fitting, and you can’t be out wanderin’ the streets alone.”
“I’m not alone. Mr. Wyatt’s with me.” She slips her tiny hand in mine, and I swear I melt right on the spot.
I haven’t been around many kids, but something about this little girl sets off an unexpected yearning in my chest. Our pack has had a single-minded focus for so long, it hasn’t left much time for more than cursory encounters and absolutely no time or interest in finding and courting an Omega.
Of course, I’m not sure my big brother would have agreed even if our schedules were wide open. He’s been hung up on his mystery Omega for the last four years, barely giving any other woman the time of day.
“Charlotte, Wyatt has better things to do than babysit you all day. Now, come on. If you behave, I’ll swing by Bake Me Happy on our way home and grab some of those cupcakes you love so much.”
The little girl's eyes light up. “You promise?”
JJ nods. “Pinky swear.”
She holds out her hand, pinky out, and Charlotte curls hers around her mother’s. Then they shake on it. It’s simple and sweet, but more importantly it’s a true show of their close bond that sends another pang shooting through my heart.
No longer needing an accomplice, Charlotte releases my hand and tilts her head back to look up at me. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Wyatt.”
“Nice to meet you too, Charlotte.”
“Now run back to Miss Georgia’s shop. I’ll be there in a second.”
The little girl does as she’s told, her poofy pink skirt bouncing as she skips down the sidewalk.
“Sorry about her. She’s…a handful ,” JJ murmurs, shaking her head as the corner of her lips quirks up.
“She’s adorable. Didn’t know you had a daughter.”
“We try to keep her out of the press as much as possible. I’ve got a great, albeit expensive, team that helps with that. I usually don’t have to worry too much when we’re here in Darling. That’s why I’m like this…” She waves her hand down her body. “So I’d appreciate it if you?—”
“No need to worry. Your secret's safe with me.”
“Thank you, Wyatt.” Her hands slide into the back pockets of her tight-ass pants, which also pushes her chest out enticingly. “You just passin’ through?”
Why? Would you be interested if I said I was staying? Maybe let me take you out to dinner?
I clear my throat. “My pack and I are here checking out some local real estate and trying to decide if Darling is where we want to set up shop.”
She glances down the street, a wistful look on her face. “It’s a great little town. Small, but close enough to the city you don’t feel like you’re isolated. Some of the most wonderful people you’ll ever meet—if you don’t mind the nosey sort.”
My head tilts. “Why do I feel like there’s a but in there somewhere?”
Something flickers in her eyes that I can’t quite identify. “No buts. I’ve been back for a few years now and can’t imagine livin’ anywhere else. My entire life is here.”
“I could see how this place would be perfect for pack life.”
Am I fishing? Maybe a little. Who could blame me?
Her gaze clashes with mine. “I don’t have a pack.”
No pack? How in the hell has a woman like this managed to escape being snatched up by a pack? And if she doesn’t have a pack, who’s Charlotte’s father? She’s raising a child and re-establishing herself on the rodeo circuit all on her own?
“I can see those wheels turning, Wyatt, but I don’t want your pity. I like my life and refuse to let anything hold me back.”
“No pity here, Ms. Wilde. Just confusion as to how a woman like you isn’t being courted by every available pack within a hundred-mile radius and maybe a little admiration for all you’ve accomplished. That’s all.”
“Who said I wasn’t being courted?” She shoots me a wink as my gut takes a dive. “Gotta run. It was a pleasure to meet you, Wyatt. Hope your future endeavors turn out successful here in Darling.”
She turns to leave, and I can’t help but watch her tight, round ass bounce as she walks away from me.
“The pleasure was all mine, Ms. Wilde,” I shout once I regain control of my vocal cords. “Maybe I’ll see you around.”
She shoots me a look over her shoulder. “Bye, pretty boy.”
I choke out a laugh, crossing my arms over my chest. Apparently, the little diva knows her mama all too well.
JJ Wilde, queen of the rodeo, thinks I’m pretty .
Damn near feel like I’m walking on cloud nine with every step toward the diner down the street where I’m supposed to meet up with Beck and Kash.
My whistle floats on the breeze as my mind replays one of the most memorable moments in my life.
The woman I just fell a little harder for is the one we should be intent on pursuing—even if that wasn’t part of the plan.