“With a discounted rate for M&M horses?”
“I’m willing to pay in trade,” I told her with a mischievous glint in my eyes.
“My services are expensive. Very, very expensive.”
“Then how about we get out of here so I can start on a down payment?”
She weaved our fingers together and pulled me off the dance floor and out of the ballroom with a quick “See ya,” to Walt and Nancy. Inside the elevator she gripped my lapels. “Say it again Mason.”
One hand on her fine ass and the other cupping the back of her head, I dipped Sage low and grinned. “I love you Sage.”
Epilogue
Sage
3 months later
“I can’t believe today is finally here.” I stood in the room that for months had been my bedroom, staring at my reflection in the full-length mirror. The white dress I chose was simple, short and flirty. “I’m getting married!”
Sierra grinned at me but her eyes held a misty quality I chose not to comment on. “You look beautiful Sage.”
“I feel beautiful,” I told her honestly. Since we were having a backyard wedding I chose a high-low dress that showed off my legs in the front but remained traditional in the back. Sable cowboy boots with a matching belt cinched at the waist capped off my look.
“You’re missing something,” she told me and handed me a small white box with a silver ribbon. “This is your something blue and something new.”
I felt incredibly emotional today as I prepared to marry the man of my dreams, as well as becoming a mother to a little girl I loved as though she was my own. Opening the box, I couldn’t help but laugh at the turquoise and white garter belt with a strip of leather woven through it to match the rest of my wedding attire. “Sierra, I love it you crazy woman!” I wrapped her in a hug and held her for a long time. “Thank you.”
“I figured if you were going to show off those long legs of yours, might as well draw even more attention to them.”
It only took us eight weeks to plan this wedding and most of that was thanks to Tammy and Sierra and of course, Lily. Mason wanted to get married the week we came back from Houston but I told him that I’d been waiting a lifetime to marry him and I wouldn’t do it in some quickie ceremony.
“Oh I have something for you too.”
She took the box I handed her and opened it. “If you make me cry before your wedding photos, I’ll kill you.” Then she swiped away one tear as she opened the locket with two photos of us, at age ten and another one from the Double Barrel a few weeks ago. “It’s beautiful, Sage. Thanks.” She stood, fanned her eyes and turned to me. “Now let’s go get you married!”
We made our way downstairs where Tanner waited for me. I know it probably seems weird that my soon to be brother-in-law was walking me down the aisle, but when Mason took Jack as his best man I figured this was the next best solution. Besides I knew he would love the extra attention of walking me down the aisle.
“Damn Sage you look beautiful. Sure you don’t want to run away with the sexier Manning brother?”
I laughed and smacked his rock-hard stomach. “Oh please, you’d get bored of me in a week. And Mason would hunt you down.”
He shuddered at that thought. “Okay then, let’s get you up the aisle. Can’t have anything messing with this pretty face.” He batted his eyelashes, sending me into another fit of laughter.
The music started up and Lily began her walk up the aisle, leaving a trail of wildflower petals in her wake. She kissed Mason before taking her seat beside Tammy. Then it was Jack and Sierra’s turn and I couldn’t help but watch them and think what an odd but striking couple they made. The height difference was significant but they somehow made it work. “I think the next year will be very interesting,” I told Tanner who just laughed.
Then the wedding march began, and I straightened. Tanner turned to me and grinned. “I’m so happy my brother finally came to his senses. You’re a great girl Sage and I’m glad you’re my sister now.” He kissed my cheek and I blinked to push down those tears. This was a happy day and I refused to be one of those blubbering brides.
“Thank you Tanner.”
He winked at me and placed my hand around his arm.
We walked up the aisle and my eyes were focused on Mason, looking so incredible in his tux. His blonde hair had been freshly cut as evidenced by the pale skin at his neck, but it gleamed in the sun and the slight curl gave him a boyish handsomeness that made me want to run to him. Soon I stood before him with a goofy grin on my face.
“Lookin’ good cowboy.” He’d even left the scruff for me, which I couldn’t resist touching for a moment.
“But darlin’ you are the sexiest bride the good lord ever put on this earth.” Brown eyes heated me all the way down to my bones and I wondered if it would be rude to ask the pastor to speed things up.
Instead I went up on my toes to kiss him when I heard a throat clearing and turned to the pastor. “Oh, sorry.”
“That part comes later child,” Tammy called from the front row and everyone laughed.
“But he just looks so handsome ya’ll.” A blush stole up his face at the catcalls from the back though I’m pretty sure most of them came from the ranch hands.
The ceremony went fast because Mason and I decided we didn’t need all the pomp and scripture of a long ceremony. We promised to be good to one another, to love and cherish each other as well as our family and then we kissed. We really kissed. The kind of kiss that made me glad we’d opted for an outdoor wedding instead inside a church wedding.
“How do you feel Mrs. Manning?”
Mason held me close as my heart raced, my legs trembled at the knowledge that we were now married and would spend the rest of our lives together. “I feel like dancing, sweet husband of mine.”
“I like the sound of that.” His deep voice was low so only I could hear it as his lips brushed my ear.
“Me too.” I couldn’t stop smiling because that’s just how happy I felt. We’d been through a lot this past spring and summer, so much that I never could have guessed we’d be married by fall. “I love you, husband”
“And I love you wife.”
I felt a tug on my dress and looked down at my precious step daughter. “Mommy Sage?”
“Yes Lily bug?”
“Are you gonna make me a brother and a sister? I have a lot to teach them before I’m too old,” she said seriously.
Shocked, I had no idea how to answer that. Of course Mason and I already talked about having more children, but talk about putting me on the spot!
“Well then you should probably start writing it all down so you don’t forget a thing.”
Her eyes went wide and she darted after Tammy in search of a pen and paper.
Mason chuckled beside me. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell her.”
“We have another five weeks until it’s safe to tell people and Lily is worse than Tammy at keeping secrets.” That’s right, we’re already working on expanding our family and our businesses.
Life on the M&M Ranch is just about perfect.
The End.
Dear Reader, hope you enjoyed Sage & Mason’s story.
If you’re interested in Sierra and Jack’s story, you can check it out in Cowboy’s Barmaid next!
For more Small Town Romance, my Small Town Protectors Series is a great place to start: Mr. Savior, Mr. Medic, Mr. Cop & Mr. Justice.
Cowboy’s Barmaid
Sierra
“I made an offer on my old family ranch.”
I had no idea what I would do with the land. But it had belonged to my family for several generations before it was sold after my parents and my little brother were killed. That land was mine. For the past few years some city slickers had owned it, but they didn’t live there. Which meant the place had gone to shit. And that was before it sat vacant for a few years.
My best friend Sage shrieked, and her eyes widened with surprise. “You did? That’s incredible! But S
ierra, are you sure?”
I knew what she was asking, and I nodded. “I know that I have no time, practically no ranching or farming experience, and no one to help. But I’m sure that I want it. I have to get it back Sage.”
I understood why Mr. Winchester had sold the property. As a single father to two rambunctious kids with his own ranch to care for, he had neither time nor the manpower to manage two ranches. Especially after adding another kid to the mix. But I’d always planned to get it back, and now that it was on the market, how could I not try?
“I understand, really I do. But how do you plan to take care of a ranch and a bar full time?”
“That’s the rub. I’m prepared to hire someone, but before I can do that, I have to figure out what the ranch will actually grow. Or raise. Or whatever.”
Sage laughed, rubbing her growing pregnancy belly in slow circles. “Yeah you sound super ready to be a Gentlewoman Rancher, or is it a Ranchess?”
“I kind of like Ranchess, it sounds all dignified and shit.” Lord knows dignified would never be used to describe me. Stubborn maybe, ornery would certainly make the list, and probably loud-mouthed and fiery as well. “Besides I’ll need something else to keep me busy while you’re busy popping out a kid a year.”
“This is only my second baby,” Sage insisted.
“In two years, plus the one that came with the man.”
By spring Sage would be the mother of three, and I would still be a perpetually single bar owner with no prospects. Less than no prospects. The only man I wanted didn’t know I was a woman, and the rest were men I’d known since they were boys.
Sage shrugged, wearing that same blissed-out grin she had whenever she thought about her husband Mason. I was happy for my best friend. She’d been in love with Mason for as long as I’d had a crush on her brother Jack. But years later, fate had given her a chance with Mason and she’d taken it. With both hands.
“We wanted Lily to have time with her siblings while she’s still a child.”
“Yeah sure,” I rolled my eyes at her excuse. “It has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that you and Mason sneak off every chance you get and make another baby?” I held a serious look for a beat too long and we both burst out laughing.
“Okay fine we’re insatiable! Have you seen how hot my man is?”
Mason Manning was indeed a sight to behold, but in my opinion he was far too pretty. Not like Jack, with his buzz cut and clear blue eyes that I was pretty sure could see down to my soul. When he bothered to look my way.
“Yeah fine, he’s great. Gorgeous. A god among men,” I teased.
“You joke, but it’s true.” Sage stood and tended to her duties as a proper Texas hostess, pulling out lemonade, sandwiches and cookies for lunch. “There is one person I know who can help you with your ranch idea. Jack.”
“Jack has enough to worry about. And I thought he and Tanner were doing the horse training thing?”
The last thing I needed was to give Jack another reason to keep seeing me as the geeky redhead with a flat chest and braces from our high school days. It didn’t matter than I dropped the baby fat and filled out all over, or that the braces have been gone since my sixteenth birthday. The man saw me as some type of sexless creature he had to take care of, much like a little sister, but with extra frustration. “I’ll figure it out on my own.” It was already hard enough having Jack live in the apartment beside mine above my bar, the Double Barrel, but to deal with him on a daily basis would be a recipe for disaster.
“Well since Tanner is the top contender for a buckle, that’s been put on hold.” Mason’s younger brother Tanner was big shit on the rodeo circuit, with several shiny buckles in his collection. On his last visit home, Tanner had thought about staying, but the cash and fame called to him and he was back on the circuit in no time. Putting on hold his horse training partnership with Jack
So, I guess Jack was free. Not for me though, for something else. Anything else.
I shrugged, feeling defeated before I’d even begun. “I’ll figure something out.” Eventually.
Sage sighed and took a long sip of her lemonade. “I know what you’re thinking, and I’m going to tell you what someone really smart, if a little misguided, once told me. Don’t you think it’s time?”
I laughed. “Hell, I think it’s beyond time I gave up on my little crush. Which is another reason why I won’t be seeking your brother out for help.”
“Fine, but the only person better able to help you is Tanner. And he’s heading back out on the circuit with no plans of retiring now that he’s the golden boy of the rodeo again.” This town had a lot of ranches which meant anyone capable of running one already had a job.
Except Jack. Dammit. “I’ll figure it out.”
“Good, that means we can talk about what we need to do to get this place ready for the Halloween party.”
“What party?” Every year I have a costume contest and a few holiday themed drinks at the Double Barrel and that was it.
“The one we’re having at the M&M. I want a dance floor, a live band, lots of food and free flowing alcohol. Maybe even a costume contest with a gift basket prize, oh maybe something from all the little shops in town!”
“You can’t even drink!” Not to mention that I really didn’t want to help plan any party, never mind one where I’d be required to dress up. “And I’m not wearing a costume.”
“Sure you are. But first we need to make a list of everything that needs to be done. We don’t have much time.”
“Three weeks isn’t enough time for a simple Halloween party? Count me out you crazy pregnant monster!”
Sage laughed and pushed a peanut butter cookie my way. “It’ll be fine, you’ll see.” She produced a blue notepad and pen and started jotting things down with more energy than a pregnant woman should have.
An hour later we had a two-page list and I’d been given my orders for the damn party. In three weeks. “Now that you’ve added to my already huge load, I need to get going. The liquor delivery is coming today and I need time to sort and stack.”
“Fine. But think about asking Jack to help with the ranch.” She wrapped her arms around me in a move that was so nurturing and motherly I had to squeeze my eyes against the faded memories of my own mom. “I’ll see you later hon.”
“Stay off your feet!”
She laughed. “Okay. I’ll just go look online for your Halloween costume!”
I put my truck in reverse and smiled at her. “Remind me why we’re friends again?”
“My sparkling personality?”
“Must be that,” I deadpanned and hit the gas as her laughter sounded behind me.
Jack
I’ve been out of the Army for nearly two years and what do I have to show for it? Jack shit, that’s what.
No pun intended. I didn’t even have my own damn home, forced to rent a place from my kid sister’s best friend because that’s how my life was going these days. Thankfully, Sierra gave me a good deal on rent. I needed to save my money to buy a ranch of my own because I didn’t leave the Army to spend the rest of my life working for someone else.
I could probably have my own spread by now if I was willing to leave the Lucky Flats area. But I couldn’t leave Sage, my niece and my nephew, even though they had my best friend Mason to take care of them. I’d been too far from home for too many years to put more distance between us now. Even if it meant postponing my dreams.
It looked like my sacrifice was about to pay off now that the old Carmichael place was for sale. With a spring in my step, I left my apartment so I could head into town before going to the M&M to help Mason with a section of fence.
“Hey Joe, how’s Mary Beth? She have that baby yet?” Sierra was outside chatting with Joe Wilson, one of the few men in town who didn’t ranch or farm for a living.
His grin flashed wide and proud. “Not yet, but any day now. She says the heat is killing her and sent me out for spicy cheese puffs and chocolate mousse. I
had to go three towns over to find anything open at that hour. When I got back home, do you know she ate them together? Together! I’ll never understand pregnancy cravings.” His tone sounded like a complaint, but the man was all smiles.
“Just wait until that little bundle is in your arms.” Sierra looked wistful, which was weird. I never pictured her as the marriage and babies type. She was far too independent and spirited.
“Need some help?” She froze at my words, and looked over her shoulder so her gaze could eat me up. Once, twice they swept over me before landing on my face. That green gaze of hers had a way of sending fire straight down to my cock, but she quickly averted her gaze.
“Nope. I got it. Thanks.”
Damn stubborn woman. I picked up two heavy boxes and followed her from a distance. I could tell she didn’t know I was there by the way her shoulders relaxed and her steps were confident. Sure.
She turned and frowned when she spotted me. “I said I got it.”
“You’re welcome,” I told her and winked, enjoying the way she still blushed around me. Her crush was one of the worst kept secrets in town, but I didn’t acknowledge it because I didn’t want to embarrass her. Still, it entertained the fuck out of me.
“Right, thanks then.” She stared at me, those emerald green eyes looking so intense, so grownup, I couldn’t help but get lost in them. She sucked in a breath and the sound went straight to my cock, jolting me from whatever the hell this was, and I took a step back. She eyed me, and then looked at the door before she turned and shuffled through the doorway without touching me. “See you later.”
“Hey Sierra,” I called after her and she stopped but didn’t turn around. “Did you hear about your old land? It’s back on the market.”
“Yeah I heard.”
That’s it? That’s all she had to say? “I’m sorry. I know that place means a lot to you.” I promised myself I would take good care of her family’s property.
Cowboys & Bosses Page 10
