Roping A Cowboy (Blazing Eagle Ranch Book 2)

by Peyton Banks

  She and Joy strolled arm in arm through the crowd. The Country Festival drew a large amount of people each year it returned.

  Joy glanced around and shook her head. There were so many women barely dressed, and already drunk. Lots of sexy cowboys and men walking around almost caused her sister to get whiplash.

  Joy was enjoying the music and spending time with her siblings. Junior was ahead with his best friends, Mark and Sean. They had all gone to high school and junior college together.

  Mark had his dark brown hair tapered on the edges, leaving the top long enough to put in a man bun. Sean, on the other hand, was a ginger. He embraced his roots and kept his auburn curls neat.

  They would always tease him that in the summer, he couldn’t hang with the rest of them since he burned so easily.

  Though Mark and Sean weren’t black, they were still a part of their family. Race had never played a role in their relationship with Junior.

  “I can’t have you being a bump on a log,” Lexi murmured.

  “I’m okay,” Joy assured her. She patted her on the arm and smiled. It wasn’t her best one, but she tried to fake it. She was grateful for her siblings trying to protect her and make her feel better.

  “If I don’t get too drunk tonight, we’ll leave to go back to my house first thing in the morning,” Lexi offered.

  “I’m not drinking, so I could drive,” Joy mentioned.

  Lexi giggled. “That would work too.”

  Joy knew it would, and she was looking forward to going up to the city. Her sister could sleep off her buzz while Joy drove. She had been to her sister’s place quite a few times, so she wouldn’t need directions.

  “Let’s head over to the bar,” Junior suggested over his shoulder.

  “Hell yeah!” Lexi shouted. She picked up speed, dragging Joy with her to catch up with Junior, Mark, and Sean.

  Off in the distance, there was an enormous makeshift tent that housed a large bar and a dance floor. They stood in line for a few minutes, showed their wristbands to security, and were granted entrance.

  The tent had vaulted ceilings that were decorated with white string lights. The decor was that of an old country barn, with wooden tables and stools. It was such a massive place that there were twin bars located on each side of the space.

  The dance floor was packed with people doing the most current line dance. Music blared from the speakers, so loud, Joy had issues hearing herself think.

  “Come, sisters. Let’s go have a drink.” Junior walked up behind them and wrapped his arms around their shoulders.

  “I’m not really drinking tonight. Ya’ll go ahead.” Joy smiled. She didn’t have a problem being the designated driver. They all could have a great time, and she’d make sure they each made it home safely.

  “One drink. I know you can’t hold your liquor well, but we are going to celebrate you kicking that loser to the side.” Junior grinned.

  “Junior, that is not funny,” Lexi hissed. She faced him with a narrowed gaze.

  Junior rolled his eyes and guided them over to where his friends had saved them chairs at the first bar.

  Lexi turned a sympathetic eye to Joy as they took their seats. “Don’t mind your brother.”

  Joy laughed dryly. “I don’t half the time.”

  Junior got the attention of the bartender and ordered their drinks.

  Lexi scooted closer to Joy, since the music appeared to get louder as the song changed.

  “Are you going to be okay?

  “I’ll be fine. I don’t want to ruin everyone’s fun. But if y’all want to move on to do something else, that’s fine. I can just stay here.” She didn’t want to kill the buzz. They were here to have fun, but she just wasn’t in the mood for partying. The music was great, but she wasn’t ready to party and act as if everything was okay.

  “Hell no. We are not leaving you.” Lexi shook her head. “There are way too many people here. We’ll get lost, and there will be no telling how long it would take to find each other.”

  Joy smiled. Her sister was acting as if they didn’t have cell phones and could call each other.

  “Plus, if you need me, I’m here for you.” Lexi wrapped an arm around Joy and hugged her.

  “Drinks have arrived,” Junior announced. He helped the bartender pass out the shots. Junior stepped over to Joy and placed a glass in her hand. “You are drinking this. It will help you feel better.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead.

  Her muscles softened, and she relaxed slightly. Her brother could be rough around the edges, but he always meant well—in his own way.

  Junior, in his usual style and fashion, got the attention of everyone around them.

  “I need for everyone to hold up their glasses,” he announced.

  The entire bar, including Joy, did as he requested. All eyes were on him. Being the center of attention was right up Junior’s alley.

  “I want to make a toast. To good music, to friends—the ones you came with and the ones you meet tonight—and to one hell of a party.”

  “Hear, hear!” echoed around them.

  Lexi turned and held her glass up to Joy. “And to getting over heartbreak.”

  “Ain’t that the truth.” Joy clinked her glass to her sister’s. She knocked back the shot and set her glass down on the counter. She shook her head, feeling the burn from the vodka. A warmness spread through her belly.

  Oh, she was going to be feeling the effects soon.

  Junior was the life of the party. He called out for another round, but Joy shook her head no.

  He ignored her, and ordered her another one.

  Laughing, she turned to lean back against the bar and stared off at the crowd walking by. The atmosphere was electric. Everyone had the same goal in mind, to relax and have fun. Laughter and conversation filled the air below the music floating through the speakers.

  Maybe her siblings were right.

  She needed to relax, have fun, and try to get Wade Brooks out of her mind, starting tonight.

  Joy glanced over at her sister and saw Lexi gazing off in the distance.

  Joy nudged Lexi with her elbow. “What are you looking at so intently?”

  “Nothing.” Lexi was a horrible liar.

  Her eyes darted back to Joy, and something was wrong. Joy could feel it.

  She glanced around, but didn’t see anything.

  “What is wrong?” she asked again.

  “Maybe we shouldn’t have come.” Lexi gripped her hand. “I’m so sorry, Joy.”

  Joy’s heart raced. Now, she was getting upset.

  “Lexi, stop being so weird. What the hell is the matter with you?” She pulled her hand away and stood from her seat.

  Lexi closed her eyes and blew out a deep breath. She raised her hand and pointed to the corner of the other bar across the enclosure.

  Dread filled Joy as she turned to follow where Lexi was pointing.

  She froze.

  The air was ripped from her lungs. Her gaze was locked on Wade sitting at the bar with his brother, Carson.

  It wasn’t the fact that they were at the bar drinking.

  It was the woman hanging off of Wade.

  She was a tall blonde in a short skirt and a shirt that showed off her midriff. The mystery woman was practically crawling onto his lap. She whispered something in his ear, and was rewarded with a smile from Wade.

  Joy couldn’t remove her eyes from the scene.

  Nausea filled her.

  She had to fight down the bile that threatened to come up.

  Just that quick, she had been replaced.

  Joy fought back tears. Her vision blurred slightly. She sniffed and tried to look away, but she couldn’t.

  The girl whispered something else to him, and he shook his head. The blonde ran her fingers through his hair, and Joy just about lost her battle with her drink and the food she had eaten at the festival.

  Joy had loved running her hands through his thick curls.

  That was her t
hing.

  Wade would smile and lean into her hand. He had fussed about being overdue for a haircut, and she had loved how the tips of his hair curled underneath his Stetson.

  “I’m sorry, sis.” Lexi’s voice broke through her thoughts. She rested her hand on Joy’s arm.

  Joy blinked and spun away from the sight.

  “I’m okay,” Joy tried to assure her sister. “I broke it off with him, remember?”

  “If you want to leave right now, we can,” Lexi offered, but Joy shook her head.

  She had broken it off with Wade, and it would be unrealistic to think that they wouldn’t run into each other.

  “No, we do not have to leave the festival. Let’s just leave here.” Joy didn’t want her siblings’ time to be ruined because she was a mess.

  Lexi hopped down from her seat. “Let’s go.”

  Junior turned and glanced at them.

  “Where are you two going?” His eyes narrowed on Joy. “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s nothing.” Joy waved a hand. She sniffed and stepped away from the bar.

  “No, tell me.” He stepped in front of her to block her. “You look like you are about to cry.”

  “Leave her alone. It’s just that Wade’s here.” Lexi grabbed Junior’s arm.

  “Lexi!” Joy whirled on her sister. She brushed her hair that had fallen in her face, unable to believe her sister would tell Junior. It was like throwing gasoline on a small fire.

  “Where?” Fury rolled across Junior’s face.

  “Look, don’t worry about it. I just want to leave here and check out some of the little stores,” Joy lied. The festival included not only the four stages set up for concerts, but with food and merchandise vendors with booths out on the fairgrounds.

  Junior’s hardened gaze searched the tent, and he must have caught sight of Wade.

  “Well, ain’t this a bitch. See, this is what I was talking about, Joy. That motherfucker has already moved on. And you said he cared for you?” Junior snapped. His eyes darkened as he reached up and passed a hand over his face.

  Joy hated seeing her brother angry, and at the moment, he had alcohol flowing through him. The two were never a good combination.

  “What’s going on?” Mark asked. He was about the same size as Junior, but with wider shoulders.

  Sean left his spot at the bar and joined them. “Yo, what the hell got you so pissed off?” His blue eyes darted between Joy and Junior.

  “Does that look like he’s thinking about you?” Junior pointed off in Wade’s direction.

  Sean and Mark’s gazes followed his finger.

  “Is that the Brooks you said you fought the other day?” Mark asked. He set his glass down on the counter.

  “He was the one who had Joy crying?” Sean huffed, eyeing the other bar.

  Oh, fuck.

  Panic spread through Joy. This wasn’t a good idea. Mark and Sean were similar to her brother. They didn’t give a shit about brawling, and had tempers just as short.

  Joy stepped forward and reached for her brother. She didn’t want any trouble.

  “Please, Junior, don’t cause a scene. I just want to leave,” she practically pleaded.

  Junior clenched his jaw and shared a look with his friends. Mark, Sean, and Junior were extremely close, and the former were an extension of the Whitaker family. They had spent a better part of their summers at Fox Run.

  “Junior, listen to Joy. We are just going to leave, that’s all,” Lexi stressed. “We want to go enjoy the rest of the festival.”

  Junior wasn’t listening to either of them.

  Joy glanced at Lexi.

  This was not going to end well.

  “You want to leave?” he asked.

  Joy and Lexi both nodded. A small spark of hope filled Joy. Maybe this once they could talk Junior out of something.

  “I just want to leave,” Joy repeated. She reached out and gripped her brother’s arm. His muscles were taut under her touch. “Please.”

  He glanced at her, and the devilish glint that appeared in his eyes had that glimpse of hope fading fast.

  “Fine. We’ll leave, but we’re going to stop over there and say hello first.”

  23

  “Why don’t we get out of here?” Stephanie murmured in Wade’s ear.

  He was trying to be nice. They had history, one that Wade wasn’t interested in rekindling. They had dated a few years back when he was younger and carefree.

  He had scratched a few itches for her, and she’d returned the favor. It had been a while since he had seen her. They had mutually agreed they’d had a good time between them, but the relationship wasn’t going anywhere. Stephanie had been good company, but now, Wade wasn’t interested at all.

  Walking through the festival, they had run into each other. She and her friend, April, had attached themselves to him and Carson ever since.

  “I’m good. I’m here with my brothers,” Wade murmured. He took a sip of his drink and glanced over at her.

  For a second, there were two of her floating alongside him. He blinked, and his vision cleared.

  “That never stopped you before.” Her finger stroked his hair near his ear. She pressed closer to him, her breasts brushing his arm. “We used to have fun together.”

  “That, we did,” he agreed. He wasn’t in the mood to go down memory lane. They’d had fun together, but that was in the past, and that was where it was going to stay.

  Parker and Maddy had disappeared off to the dance floor. A popular song had come on that had Maddy dragging Parker off into the crowd. There were too many people, and Wade would pay to see his older brother out there cutting a rug.

  None of the Brooks brothers could dance.

  They couldn’t be good at everything.

  Stephanie was trying her best to get him to take her home, but it was not going to happen. Back in the day, he would admit the feeling of her hands running over him would get his motor running. But now, it did absolutely nothing for him.

  What he missed was the creamy brown-skinned beauty who loved her sexy lingerie, riding her horse, and who had his heart.

  Wade finished off his drink and set the empty glass down on the counter. He glanced at Carson, who was sitting comfortably with April in his lap. Wade stood, displacing Stephanie off of him. He turned and held up two fingers to snag the bartender’s attention.

  “Another round?” Wade asked Carson. He had lost track of how much he’d had to drink. He swayed slightly, but he would be fine.

  Hell, he was able to stand.

  That was all that mattered.

  “What are you drinking?” Wade asked April.

  “Jack and Coke,” she replied.

  Wade turned to Stephanie and raised an eyebrow. “You?” he asked.

  “Same.” She batted her eyes at him. Her red lips spread out into a wide grin. “You should remember what I drink. Nothing’s changed with me.” She flipped her long hair over her shoulder.

  He grunted, and bit back a snarky comment.

  He’d seriously forgotten all about her until he’d laid eyes on her tonight.

  Wade was feeling generous with buying drinks. After all, they were here to party and listen to good music. The plan was for him to get wasted, and that was what he was going to do.

  He hoped Carson and Parker were ready to carry him home.

  The need to have something help him bury the hurt and pain he felt deep in his chest was present. That was where the alcohol came into play.

  He was hollow on the inside without Joy.

  He would drink himself into a stupor and go home.

  Alone.

  “Yes, sir?” The bartender arrived in front of him. “What can I get you?”

  Wade ordered their drinks and rested his hands on the counter. Stephanie stood next to him, dancing in place, and tried to entice him to dance with her. He shook his head, forgetting about her playful side.

  Wade Brooks didn’t dance.

  Never had, and was n
ever going to start.

  Stephanie giggled and bumped her hip against his. He grunted, and attempted as best as he could to stand straight. The alcohol had definitely taken its toll on him. Running a hand along his face, he paused.

  He would have sworn he had heard someone call out his last name over the music.

  “Brooks!”

  There it was again. Wade glanced at Carson, who casually slid April from this lap.

  Carson grinned. “Excuse me, pretty lady.”

  April moved to the side to allow Carson to stand. They both turned around to see Junior Whitaker storming toward them.

  “You have got to be shitting me,” Carson muttered. His smile disappeared. He glanced over at Wade, having been brought up to speed about the confrontation at the ranch by Parker after it was over.

  Stephanie leaned against his arm and wrapped hers around his. She rested her head on his shoulder.

  “Who is that?” she whispered.

  Wade took a step forward and shook her off. If the snarl on Junior’s face wasn’t a clue that Junior wasn’t coming over for a pleasant conversation, he didn’t know what would be.

  “You might want to leave now,” Wade warned her. He gently pushed her away from him.

  This wasn’t going to be pretty. He may not want to go home with her, but he didn’t want her getting hurt.

  There was a resentment in Junior’s eyes that Wade had seen before.

  But that wasn’t what caught Wade’s attention.

  Joy.

  She was beautiful. Just one look at her had him wanting to go to her and plead for her to reconsider her decision.

  She was dressed in what looked to be a one-piece short outfit that highlighted her every curve. It dipped low, showcasing her cleavage, while displaying her toned thighs. Her dark hair flowed around her shoulders.

  He swallowed hard, drinking her in.

  It had been a few days since he had seen her, but it felt like an eternity.

  Her eyes shifted from him to Stephanie.

  Shit.

  This probably didn’t look good.

  “What the hell do you want, Junior?” Carson asked. He turned his baseball cap around so the brim was to the back.

  Junior’s pals flocked to both sides of him. They appeared familiar to Wade, but currently, he was too intoxicated to remember where he had seen them before.