Chapter 2
Maverick
Stretching out my stiff body, I put on my jeans and thick jacket before stuffing my feet into my boots.
It’s later in the morning than I would have liked to start the day, but I couldn’t get out of bed for anything.
I’m surprised Duke wasn’t knocking on my door either since we’re supposed to be tagging the new calves.
Splashing water on my face, I grimace at my brown hair tickling the back of my neck, and I scratch my chin, the overgrown beard prickling my fingertips.
I’m due for a shave and trim, but I just don’t give a fuck.
I make myself a cup of coffee and head out the door, choosing to walk off the grogginess of sleep.
When I find the barn empty, I frown and head over to the animal pens, becoming irritable when they’re empty as well, besides a few employees.
None that I’m looking for though. I know Colt was heading into town to grab a few supplies because we can’t wait for the delivery to arrive, but they ain’t here either.
The crunch of tires pulls my attention back to the barn and whoever is pulling up to it, and I walk out the doors just as Colt, my ranch manager, and Brooks, one of my ranch hands, climb out the truck. My temper soars at the sight of café cups in his hands.
“Where the fuck have you two been?” I ask, hearing a bit of my alpha bark slip before I can control myself.
Brooks grimaces, but Colt turns to me, pissed. “I warned you if you did that again, I’d fucking quit.”
Brooks moves in front of us, as if anticipating a fight, but it’s not needed. Colt is right. I shouldn’t have used it, so I attempt to explain where I’m coming from.
“I can’t find Duke, then I come to help you two unload supplies, and you’re almost an hour late.”
Colt shakes his head, moving to the bed of the truck.
Brooks shrugs when I look at him. “He’s the manager, Mav, and he has been for years. You gotta trust him like your dad does.”
It’s a truth that doesn’t need to be repeated.
I do trust Colt more than anyone else on this ranch.
Sometimes it feels like they don’t trust me though, even though my father officially handed over the ranch to me over two years ago.
Some of the logistics have taken a bit to get used to, but this part, with our boots on the ground, was easy.
Brooks scratches the back of his neck. “Did you check Delilah’s cabin?”
I glower at him, because I’ve warned all my ranch hands away from my cousin. “For Duke? No.”
He holds up his hands in surrender, backing away slowly. “Just a suggestion.”
“Him and Delilah? Since when?” Delilah barely turned eighteen over the summer, but I have some faith that Duke is better than that.
“You’d have to ask them.”
Colt walks back to us, carrying a large bag of feed. “Are y’all done gossiping like a bunch of schoolgirls or can we get some work done?”
I nearly laugh at the irony. “We ain’t fucking gossiping,” I mutter, before heading to the back and grabbing an extra bag to show off.
“Also,” Brooks says, “we were late because some smokeshow of a woman is going around town asking about your dad.”
I stumble a step, not expecting what he said. There’s a shout in the distance, but I turn back to Brooks.
“What the fuck you just say?” My voice is hoarse, almost growly. Fuck, damn it.
Colt jogs over as he hears my voice raise. “Goddamnit, Brooks. Why can’t you just keep your mouth shut for once?”
The menacing man raises his hands again, concealing a smile. “Didn’t know it was a secret.” He enjoys riling people up too much, and Colt steps toward him, just as irritated.
I toss a bag into Colt’s chest, having lost the momentum to carry both, and take a deep breath. “What do you mean she was asking for my dad?”
Brooks shrugs. “I don’t know. I didn’t get any details. Ask Colt.”
Colt moves toward the barn, and I follow him to stack the other bag behind him. Brooks leaves us, heading toward the back stalls.
“What’s going on, Colt?”
He sighs, rubbing a hand down his face. “She has a photograph, and it looks a hell of a lot like your dad. Didn’t say his name.”
My ears ring, and it’s like I’ve been sucker-punched. It’s been like that for the past two years, as soon as I feel I’ve caught my breath…
Boom, another hit.
I’d just settled my cousin in her own place after finding out she was in an abusive situation, and my father injured himself.
After months of dealing with my dad and his healing process, I moved him into a care facility.
Since I took over the ranch full time, we’ve had two buckle bunnies come and claim men knocked them up during the rodeo circuit.
One of them was true, the other a money-hungry groupie.
Now, according to what my men are telling me, there’s a girl sniffing around town asking about my dad, and I can only think of one thing: she wants to claim some kind of relationship and a piece of the inheritance.
I can’t deal with the burden of a long, drawn-out court battle if she does.
I focus back on my ranch’s manager, wondering if I can ask him for help with what’s going on.
“All I know is that she has a photo that looks like a much younger Levi, and she’s asking around for him,” Colt repeats, rubbing his jawline when he sees my inquiring look.
I blow out a long breath, the heavy weight of the ranch’s responsibilities bearing down on me. I’d like to go a month without some type of shit happening, but it doesn’t seem like that’s gonna come true. “She look like trouble?”
Colt gives me a sideways glance, a smirk pulling up at the ends. “Depends on the trouble you’re asking about.”
I swallow back the growl growing in my throat; my patience is limited this morning. “The kind I don’t want to hang around.”
He sighs, lifting his broad shoulder in a shrug.
“Time will tell, but something in my gut says no. But after last year, we must be cautious. Her friend seems a little wild.” I know he’s trying to joke around, something he’s done more and more often since my father handed over the reins last year, but I can’t seem to open up to anyone, like the gate is welded shut.
Nodding, my eyes track over the horses roaming the field. Last year, a woman from the rodeo circuit tried to sue us for more money than we’re all worth, aside from Cooper, claiming some bullshit. It was heresy, but it’s made all of us more wary.
“You can come with us. Tracy gave me the heads-up that they’re starting tonight,” he offers.
I’ve worked hard to create distance between me and the men. Taking over for my dad didn’t grant me immediate respect, especially when some of them are older than me. While I want a glimpse of the woman claiming to know my dad, I’m not sure I want to grab a drink with them.
Ignoring Colt’s suggestion, I focus on another problem. “Where’s Duke?” I ask as Dallas walks by. He would know better than anyone where his twin brother is.
His boots skid to a halt, and there’s hesitation before he gives me a charming smile and shrugs. “Ain’t got a clue.”
Colt rolls his eyes. “Try again.” He’s not bothered in the slightest I’ve dropped the topic. We’re a lot alike.
The man glares at him before turning back to me, scratching his jaw. “I think I saw him, like—”
“Is he at Delilah’s? At the house I explicitly told all of ya to stay away from?” I growl. The irritation at some buckle bunny looking for my father boils over into a fiery anger.
Dallas shrugs. “They’re both adults.”
Brooks nudges him, shushing as he comes up to his side. “Not helping.”
He cuts him a look, then glances over at me. “I’m not trying to. Duke can make his own decisions, and I’ve met Delilah once, but she’s old enough to make her own as well. Nothing good comes from coddling, Mav.”
My jaw works back and forth. “I just think she deserves better than a quick fuck from a ranch hand.”
Dallas’s face grows darker. “My brother wouldn’t be disrespectful.” He drives the shovel into the gathered hay and stands a bit straighter. “And I would watch the way you talk about us ranch hands, the ones who run your fucking ranch.”
I run my tongue along my lips and take a deep breath before nodding. “You’re right. I meant no disrespect. You know I appreciate all the hard work y’all put in.”
Colt clears his throat. He glances between all three of us and raises an eyebrow. “Problem?”
I shake my head, leaving them to walk back out of the barn. I should have taken the damn truck, but I know I need to calm down before I reach Delilah’s cabin.
It’s been a fucking morning, and it’s not even eight o’clock.
I didn’t expect to wake up and be bombarded with the possibility of another buckle bunny claiming to be my father’s long-lost daughter.
Another thing to add to my never-ending list of responsibilities.
The worst part is I can’t say if it’s true or not because a few decades ago, my father was a goddamn whore who sowed his seed wherever he could.
Then he claimed to lose “the one” and calmed down.
I pound the door with my fist. “Delilah! Open up.”
I can hear muffled voices through the door, and my temper starts to blaze again.
I told the ranch hands to stay away from my cousin.
When she came to me looking for a safe place to stay, I didn’t think twice.
I didn’t visit my mom much, but I knew her sister always looked down on my father’s ranch.
If they only knew the money it was worth, they would be changing their tune.
It’s hard, honest work, but we make and invest money in all aspects of this life.
The door flies upon, and my eyes roam over her disheveled appearance. The red puffiness circling her eyes has me narrowing mine, and I can slightly scent Duke on her, but it doesn’t have the stench of sex, which leaves me even more confused.
“What?” she asks, irritation clear in her tone.
“You alone?”
Her eyebrows furrow, and she frowns. “That’s an odd question. Why?”
I swallow back the growl. “Because you’re barely eighteen, and I told all the men to stay away from you.”
A throat clears behind her, and Delilah slumps forward as Duke walks to the door.
“Nothing happened between us, Boss.”
I scowl. “Why you sleeping over then?”
Delilah groans, pushing at my chest. “Oh my god. Stop it. Duke is just a friend. It’s been nice to talk to someone, okay?”
A huff puffs out my chest, my pride taking a little bit of a hit. “You can talk to me, Delilah. Sorry if I don’t believe the rodeo man whore is simply comforting you.”
“Hey!” Duke snaps.
I raise an eyebrow. “No offense.”
He glares. “Some taken.”
Shrugging, I cross my arms. “Actually, I don’t give a fuck. I’ve heard the stories, Duke. You ain’t looking to settle down.”
Delilah waves her arms. “And neither am I. Holy shit.”
Duke rolls his eyes, snatching his boots off the floor and shoving his feet into them before grabbing his large coat.
“Shit. What time is it?” His fingers trudge through his black messy hair.
He has the looks of a model; I’m not blind to what makes women flock to him.
I hate that my cousin has fallen for his charm.
I nod, jerking my head toward the cattle barn. “Later than we should have started. If we put off tagging any longer, it’s gonna be a bigger problem for us all.”
He grimaces. “See you later, Dee. If I survive.”
I scowl as he walks past me and focus on my cousin. “He won’t be seeing you later.”
I tug her door closed and find Duke deeply breathing in the morning air, then he slates me with a look. “Where’s your truck?”
My fist curls to the point of pain, and he shakes his head, clearly seeing my irritation and walking ahead of me toward the main house. “Mind if I take a shower before we work?”
Yes, but I don’t want him smelling like Delilah all day and giving the other ranch hands the wrong idea. “Nothing happened between you two?”
He frowns. “Yeah, it’s not like that. I promise.”
“I’d appreciate it if you’d stay out of her cabin anyway. Don’t need anyone getting any ideas.”
Duke looks at me like he wants to say more, but he shakes his head again and goes inside my house to shower.
We keep a ton of extra clothes in there for the men to use if needed.
Sometimes the main house is closer than the cabins they all occupy on the outskirts of the ranch near the back roads.
I sit on the porch steps, staring over the land that’s been in my family for generations.
As much as I don’t want to go to Sweet Whiskey, I might have to take a look at the woman claiming to know my dad.