“Horny much, Kaylee?”
“My goodness. Save a horse and ride a Montana cowboy.”
I pulled up and parked to get a better look at Kaylee’s cowboy. Yep, he wore the part very well.
Cowboy boots? Check.
Black cowboy hat? Check.
Tight jeans that made his ass look like you could probably bounce a quarter off it? Check.
And he was currently making his way over to my car.
“Dibs,” Kaylee said, looking back at me.
“What? Did you really just call dibs on this guy?” I asked as I turned off the car.
“Yes, I really did.”
Before I’d had a chance to even open my door, Kaylee had jumped out of the car. I followed her lead, and Ty stopped in front of us while we both greeted him with a smile. Kaylee’s a little wide and a bit eager looking.
Ty grinned at us both before he focused on me. “Lincoln?”
I nodded. “That would be me.”
He reached for my hand. “It’s great to finally meet you.”
“It’s a pleasure.”
Turning to Kaylee, his smiled widened, and he didn’t hide the fact that his eyes swept over her. “You must be Kaylee.”
She turned back and looked at me. Her mouth dropped open. She mouthed I think I’m in love before placing her hand in his. “I am. Kaylee Holden. Pleasure meeting you.”
He tipped his hat. “Ty Shaw Junior.”
It wasn’t lost on me how Ty and Kaylee were staring at each other. It was like they were both trying to figure out what in the hell was going on. I hadn’t seen Kaylee look at another man like this in . . . well, I’d never seen her look at a guy like this. Not even John.
I quirked a brow and studied them for a moment. I finally had to clear my throat to get them to break the intense eye contact they had going on.
“Ty?” I asked, attempting to get him refocused.
He finally looked my way, and when his eyes met mine, my breath might have caught in my throat.
Okay, I totally got why Kaylee had been lost in this man’s eyes. They were bluer than the sky.
Wow.
“Like I said, it’s a pleasure finally getting to meet you, ma’am.”
“Ma’am?” I asked, my nose scrunching up. “Call me Lincoln, please. And you’ve met my best friend, Kaylee.”
He tipped his cowboy hat and smiled. “Will do, ma’am—I mean, Lincoln. Yes, we’ve met.”
The hungry look he threw Kaylee’s way made her turn pink in the cheeks.
I glanced back to the house. “Wow, it’s more beautiful in person.”
“I’m glad you like it. My mama’s great-granddaddy built this house.”
“The clapboard siding is just . . . beautiful,” Kaylee stated. “It’s been so well maintained.”
“Well, would you like to see the inside of your new place?” Ty asked, glancing between me and Kaylee.
“Very much so!” I stated.
Ty focused on Kaylee. “Are you, um, moving here from Georgia as well?”
Kaylee froze before looking my way. I arched a brow and waited for her answer.
“Well, no. I mean, I’m not really sure what my future plans are. Maybe.”
The hope in Ty’s eyes wasn’t hard to miss. It was fast, though. If I hadn’t been watching him, I’d have missed it.
Interesting.
He turned and started for the house—with a slight limp in his gait—as we followed.
“So, did you remodel this house?” Kaylee asked, practically skipping behind him.
He let out a hearty laugh. “Hell no. I’m a rancher, not a builder.”
“You don’t like working with your hands?” Kaylee asked.
I turned to look at Kaylee. What in the hell kind of question was that?
Ty shot a sexy grin over his shoulder as he replied, “I like working with my hands just fine. Do it every day on the ranch . . . and in other cases that warrant something needing a soft but firm touch. I’m pretty damn good at that, if I say so myself.”
Okay, that was a serious flirt directed toward her. Kaylee’s cheeks heated again, and she looked away.
Leaning closer to her, I said, “You asked for that one.”
She pushed me and shrugged. “I didn’t mean it that way!” she hissed.
Ty unlocked the door and then handed me the set of keys. “It’s all yours now, Lincoln. Mama wanted to know if you needed anything while you were getting settled in. If you need to be shown around town or anything like that.”
My goodness, are all Montana cowboys this sweet? With a polite smile, I replied, “No, thank you. I appreciate it, though.”
He nodded. Then he tipped his black cowboy hat again and grinned once more.
Is that a dimple?
Yep, that’s a dimple.
That was all Kaylee needed to see.
I stepped inside, followed by Kaylee. Ty walked around us once we were all inside the house.
“Back to your other question, Kaylee, I didn’t remodel the house, but my brother Brock did when he married Kaci. My parents gave them this house as a wedding gift.”
He smiled again, and this time his dimples were on full display. Kaylee moaned slightly from next to me, and I had to jab her in the side.
“Oh, that’s so sweet . . . but why don’t they live in the house anymore?”
Ty looked uncomfortable.
Lifting my hand to wave off my last question, I said, “Never mind. That’s none of my business, and I’m sorry I asked.”
A rush of embarrassment swept over my body. I of all people should have known better than to ask such personal questions. Here I was, attempting to start my own life over in a new town, and the first person I met, I asked a question that was truly not my business.
Ty let it go. “It’s been empty for a few years now. I think you’ll enjoy fixing the house up even more, with your career and all. My mother said you’re an interior designer.”
I nodded. “Yes, I am. I owned a pretty big design firm in Atlanta and needed a change. I sold it and decided it was time to explore something new. I’m hoping to find a simpler, less complicated life here in Hamilton.”
Ty’s eyes widened. “You’re not from a small town, are you, Lincoln?”
“No, born and raised in Atlanta.”
Glancing to Kaylee, Ty asked, “And you?”
“I was born in Georgia too.”
He nodded. “Your southern accent is heavier.”
Kaylee beamed with pride. “Well, I’m from a smaller town in Georgia originally, but I’ve been working on my southern twang for years. I think it’s finally set in.”
The poor man looked perplexed by my best friend. “Well, I’ll let you ladies go so you can explore the rest of the house. Do you need help with your luggage?”
“Yes!” Kaylee said at the same time I said, “No.”
Ty laughed. “If you pop the trunk, I’ll grab your stuff.”
I pulled out my keys and did just that. Kaylee and I stood there and watched as Ty stepped out of the screen door and walked down the gravel path.
“Is it just me, or does that man have an ass to die for?” she whispered.
I turned to look at her. It wasn’t like I wasn’t happy to see her showing interest in someone; I truly was. I believed it was time for her to jump back into the dating world. She needed to move on past the hurt. Back in Georgia, she’d never so much as looked twice at a guy, no matter how good looking he was. I wasn’t about to hold her back. “No, it’s not just you. He has a nice ass.”
“If that’s how they make the men up here in Montana, I just might be sticking around for a longer visit.”
Lacing my arm through hers, I grinned. “If there are more cowboys who look like that, you might never want to leave.”
“Right?” she said with a giggle.
Deep down in my heart, I prayed she would seriously think about staying. I wasn’t being selfish in my reasons why I wanted her here. Of cou
rse I wanted my best friend with me. I would miss her terribly when she went back to Georgia. But I honestly felt like a new start was exactly what Kaylee needed. A place that didn’t have a memory around nearly every corner she turned. A place where she could let go of the hurt and allow herself to move on. Somewhere to start over where no one told her what to do. A place to forget the past and look forward to a future.
I paused for a moment in my thoughts. Was that what I wanted for Kaylee . . . or for me?
I wanted that for both of us.
“How many brothers do you think he has? More than the one?” she asked as we watched Ty take our suitcases out like they weighed nothing.
Watching the muscles flex in Ty Shaw’s arms almost felt sinful. It had been a long time since I’d even allowed myself to look at a man like this. The last time I’d given my heart to someone, I’d ended up regretting it.
With a slight chuckle, I shook my head. Maybe it wasn’t time for only Kaylee to start dating but me as well. A nice Montana cowboy is exactly what I need. It had been over a year since I’d had a man’s hands on my body. I was beginning to remember what that pleasure felt like.
I took a deep breath and slowly let it out before I said, “One can only hope.”
Chapter Three
BROCK
I checked my rigging bag once more before I got ready to head on out and catch an Uber to the arena with Dirk. I heard the knock on my hotel door and made my way over and answered it.
Dirk Littlewood, my best friend since first grade, stood in front of me, a wide smile on his face.
“I thought we were meeting in the lobby?” I said.
“We were. Guess what I found?”
“What did you find?”
“Kara Lane.”
“Okay, I’ll bite, who’s Kara Lane?” I asked, motioning for Dirk to come into my room.
“She is, according to her, your number one fan. She wants to meet you.”
With a sigh, I shook my head. I didn’t hook up with a lot of women when I was out on tour. I did occasionally, though, when I needed the release. Dirk, on the other hand, wasn’t as picky when it came to the buckle bunnies.
“Let me guess: you want something out of this.”
Dirk smirked before dropping his bag and then himself into a seat.
“Normally I would say yes, but this lady has a kid with her. Cute little boy with Down syndrome. He wants to be a bull rider. She recognized me down in the lobby and asked if I could let you know how much it would mean to her and her son to meet you.”
“This isn’t a trick to get a hookup later, is it?”
Dirk looked slightly hurt. “You honestly think I’d make up that kind of story just to get laid?”
Rubbing the back of my neck, I sighed. “No, dude, sorry.”
He nodded as I grabbed my boots and started to put them on. “You talk to Blayze?”
“Yeah. Ty was going to show him how to rope a calf before I got home.”
I could hear Dirk mutter something under his breath, and I couldn’t help but smile. “Dick move, right?” I asked.
“Why is he so bitter? I mean, does he not get how much it tears you up being out on the road without Blayze?”
Shrugging, I answered, “I don’t think he means to do it on purpose. He’s been through a lot himself.”
Dirk agreed with a nod. “Still, he shouldn’t be using your kid.”
I stood. “I agree, a hundred percent. You got any T-shirts or anything for this?”
“Lloyd has some merchandise.”
Lloyd Webster was our Wrangler sponsor and could always be found carrying a bag of Wrangler merchandise.
As we headed to the elevator, two women made their way toward us. I cringed inwardly while Dirk let a smile grow across his face.
“Morning, ladies,” he purred with an accent that screamed he was country more than the boots and cowboy hat he wore.
The blonde waved her fingers at both of us and winked. “Enjoy your day, gentlemen.”
When they walked by, Dirk let his gaze follow them.
He smiled wider, and I shook my head as we walked into the elevator. “I may get lucky tonight after all. You sure you don’t want to go out later?”
“I’m positive. I’m sure I’ll be exhausted after today and ready to hit the sack when the day is over.”
“What if you ride good?”
I shrugged. “If I qualify, then I’ll need to ride tomorrow, and I sure as shit don’t want to have a hangover.”
He laughed. “When in the hell was the last time you had a hangover, Brock?”
The elevator doors opened to the main lobby, and Dirk and I headed over to Lloyd. I saw a woman standing there with a boy who looked to be about ten. The moment he saw me, his eyes lit up. His mother followed his gaze and wore a similar look on her face. Moments like these never got old, especially when they involved little kids.
“I promised you I would find and deliver him,” Dirk said as he reached the woman first. “Kara, I’d like for you to meet the current number one bull rider as of today.”
Shooting Dirk a smirk, I turned to the woman and shook her hand. “It’s a pleasure meeting you, ma’am.”
She blushed, then looked down to her son. “Billy, this here is the bull rider you’re always cheering on.”
The young boy looked up at me and gave me a full-on smile. Bending down, I got eye level with him as Lloyd handed me a baseball cap and a T-shirt. I signed them both as I spoke to Billy.
“You want to be a bull rider someday, Billy?”
“Yes, sir. I’ll be as good as you!”
“I bet you will be. Have you ever been on a bull?” I asked, handing him the baseball cap and laughing when he quickly put it on.
“Yes, sir. I have.”
“I tell you what, Billy; I’m going to make sure you and your mom have VIP passes today. You come on back and wish me luck, okay?”
His eyes lit up like Christmas morning, and before I knew it, his arms were wrapped around my neck. “Thank you! Thank you!”
Glancing up, I smiled at Kara. She mouthed the words Thank you. After Billy let me go, I handed him the shirt and stood back up. I signed another hat for Kara and gave it to her.
“You don’t know how much this means to me. Billy’s father passed away to cancer a few months back, and this is the first time I’ve seen him smile. He always watched you when you rode. You were his favorite, hence the reason you’re Billy’s favorite.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” I said.
Dirk was now talking to the little boy and signing the back of his shirt.
“Thank you. And thank you for coming down to meet us—I know you’re on your way to the arena for today’s event. You’ll never know how much it means to both of us.”
Smiling, I reached for her hand and shook it again. “You and Billy enjoy today. Lloyd here will get you taken care of.”
With a slap on my back, Lloyd moved in and began making plans with Kara. I leaned down and shook Billy’s hand.
“I’ll see you later, buddy.”
“Bye, Brock!” he shouted, then took off running toward an older woman. I was guessing she was his grandmother. Dirk nudged me with his arm, and we headed toward the exit of the hotel to make our way to the arena. It was bull-riding time.
“Hornet’s Nest. Just my luck,” I grumbled as I stared at the bull.
I’d drawn the number two bull. He’d been ridden only once in twenty outs, and that was by Cord Hansen. The bastard hadn’t stopped talking about it for weeks after he’d gotten the eight seconds required to get a score.
“You’ve got this, Brock,” Dirk said from next to me.
Turning his way, I smiled. Dirk was more than just my best friend; he was like a brother to me. The fact that we got to be on tour together, both doing something we loved, had probably saved my sanity. There were plenty of moments I wanted to give in to the guilt that felt like it ate away at me every second of every day. Dirk kne
w; he saw it every single time he looked into my eyes or hauled my ass back to our hotel when I’d been drunk out of my mind.
Would things have been different if Kaci had chosen Dirk and not me? I had no damn idea. All I knew was, Dirk had kept me going when all I’d wanted to do was give up and walk away. He pushed me because he knew I needed it. I had never told him before, and probably never would, but he saved my life five years ago when I’d started drinking too much.
“Shaw, heard you got your old buddy.”
I grunted as Cord walked up to me. I wanted to knock the smirk right off his face. The last time I’d been on Hornet’s Nest, he had thrown me after two seconds, and I’d seen Cord laughing his ass off as I got up. Asshole. He was a bitter jerk and pissed because I was currently in the number one spot, and he was trailing further behind in the number two.
“Hey, Cord. How’s it going?” I asked, not about to engage in his little game.
He frowned, disappointment laced on his face. Cord was like a female. Constantly trying to drum up some sort of drama.
“Good luck today, buddy,” Dirk said as he slapped the shit out of Cord’s back before we walked away. “Douche,” Dirk whispered, glancing back to Cord.
Even after giving Dirk every reason to hate me so many years ago, he still had my back, and I knew he always would.
Growing up, Kaci had been the one girl every guy in town wanted. But Dirk and I’d had her. Not in a sexual way. She was our best friend. The girl who went fishing with us. Hunting in the early hours of the morning. She even helped my granddaddy build the barn on my parents’ ranch for the goats she’d talked Daddy into getting.
Kaci was different from any other girl I’d ever known. She wasn’t afraid of anything. Gutting a deer was second nature to her. She could knock back Jack Daniel’s with me and Dirk like nobody’s business. She was also happy; sometimes it seemed like a forced happy, but she had a smile on her face most of the time.
Kaci could also make Dirk and me fight over the littlest things.
Everything had changed the day I asked Kaci to prom. Dirk had been pissed at me for going against our self-imposed rule. Kaci was off limits. I ignored the rule, and it had opened up a rift between me and my best friend. Neither of us knew how to deal with it besides going after each other constantly.
Never Enough Page 2
