Capturing Our Lady's Heart [Commando Cowboys and Renegade Texans Unite 1] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance)
Page 1
Commando Cowboys and Renegade Texans Unite 1
Capturing Our Lady's Heart
Bernardo Aznar and Lann Quinlain want Bliss Meades for their wife. Bliss wants to open a lingerie shop and doesn’t want any help, not even financial, from Bern and Lann. She fears being controlled as her father did to her mother and her brother tried to do to her. Capturing her heart won’t be easy. Still, her mind might reject Bern and Lann, but her body doesn’t agree. Bern and Lann are determined. Once they make love to her, she fears she’ll have to choose between her dream of having her own business and her growing love for them.
Lann takes her to Wyoming and the history of his family is revealed to her. She is stunned and overwhelmed by the disclosure. But her love isn’t shaken.
Back in Texas, Bern and Lann go on an assignment. While they are gone, Bliss realizes she wants her men and her shop. Can she have it all?
Genre: Multiple Partners, Paranormal, Western/Cowboys
Length: 65,852 words
CAPTURING OUR LADY’S HEART
Commando Cowboys and Renegade Texans Unite 1
Paige Cameron
EVERLASTING POLYROMANCE
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Everlasting Polyromance
CAPTURING OUR LADY’S HEART
Copyright © 2013 by Paige Cameron
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62740-108-1
First E-book Publication: June 2013
Cover design by Les Byerley
All art and logo copyright © 2013 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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DEDICATION
To my husband, Steve, the best man I know. Thank you for your continued encouragement.
CAPTURING OUR LADY’S HEART
Commando Cowboys and Renegade Texans Unite 1
PAIGE CAMERON
Copyright © 2013
Chapter One
Lann Quinlain watched his closest friend, Garth Sherwyn, pace around Lann’s living room.
“You’re excited.” Garth spoke accusingly.
“Of course I am.” Lann frowned at Garth.
“I can’t believe you’re really leaving in the morning.”
“I’ve waited a long time for this.”
“I know I’m being an ass. I ought to be happy for you, but Texas seems a long way from Wyoming.”
“Only a short time in the jet. I’m sure Mitch will let you use it anytime you want to visit.”
“You said your house is finished already.”
“I gave the plans to a contractor before our battles started here, and they began building shortly afterward. With the delay in moving, it means as soon as I get my furniture I can move in.”
“You’ll be closer to New Mexico.”
“I plan on visiting our tribe members who decided to stay there instead of moving to Wyoming.”
“I think my mother and some of the older members of the tribe plan to go back and stay in New Mexico during the coldest months here.”
“That sounds like a good idea. I’m looking forward to winters that aren’t so cold. Garth, I meant what I said, come visit anytime. My new ranch house is large, and I’m having the old ranch house, well it’s more of a cabin, redone for guests.”
Garth grinned for the first time that evening. “You’re planning on lots of visitors.”
“Don’t disappoint me. Mitch, Daren, and Sara have already said they’d be down after I get settled.”
“How do you feel about Kira?”
“I like her, and she’s already made a good impression on our tribe.”
“Yeah, I think she’ll do almost as good as you have.” Garth grinned and hit Lann on the shoulder. “I’ve got to get home. I’ll be at the airport to wave good-bye to you guys.”
Lann stood at the door and watched Garth drive off. He was going to miss him, but he’d looked forward to having his own life, doing what he wanted, and being free to have a wife and family for what seemed like forever.
He could have married as Mitch and Daren did with Sara, but he wanted more freedom, something else. Hopefully he’d find it in Texas with his renegade friends.
* * * *
Their jet landed on Bernardo Aznar’s runway. He and four of his men driving large trucks met the plane. Lann let the others disembark ahead of him. He turned to Ethan, who’d flown them here.
“Thanks for the ride. Won’t you get off and stay a night? I can show you around.”
“I can’t this time. It’s too close to the time for Morgan to give birth. But keep the invitation open.”
“I understand. Bring the whole family when the babe and Morgan can travel. Tell Justin and Morgan hello for me.”
“I will.”
Lann started to walk down the plane’s steps. “What do you want, a boy or girl?”
“A girl, who looks just like her momma, but it really doesn’t matter as long as the baby is healthy.”
“Good luck.” Lann wav
ed and took the steps two at a time. When he put his feet on the ground, Bernardo walked up.
Bern looked at Lann’s boots. “You’re on your way to becoming a Texan.” He grinned and shook Lann’s hand. “Welcome friend.”
They walked to a large, shiny black truck. Before they got in Lann turned and waved as Ethan took off.
“Is he a good pilot?”
“The absolute best. Sometime, I’ll have to tell you about how he flew a heavy plane like it was light as a feather and saved a number of our people from dying.”
“Do you suppose he’d like to join our group?”
“No. His home is in Wyoming.”
“Too bad. One of our pilots quit. We’ll be looking to fill his slot.”
Lann got in the truck, and Bern drove toward his house. “How is the Black Scorpion business going?” he asked Bern.
“Fine, but I’ll be glad to have you and your men join us. You can lead some of the groups and relieve me.”
“Is the leg giving you trouble?”
“Sometimes. It hates cold weather. I guess the Army Rangers were right to put me out after I got wounded.”
“You still can do lots more than most normal folks.”
Bern laughed. “I sure can’t compete with you and your relatives. By the way, I rode by your place yesterday. That’s a beauty of a ranch house you had built.”
“I’m anxious to see it.”
“We’ll go by later today. I have a barbecue cooking. I’ve invited some of our nearest neighbors and my men to meet you and your cowboys.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“One of the neighbors I invited is the Meades family. He owns the land next to yours. The land you were thinking about making an offer on. But I don’t know if he’ll consider selling.”
“My meeting him on a friendly basis will be the first step toward seeing if he’d consider an offer for the ranch.”
“We have about an hour before the barbecue. You are planning on bunking at my place until you get yours furnished, aren’t you?”
“Yes. But I hope to get that done soon and not wear out my welcome. The bunkhouse is ready for my guys. Later they can choose a spot and build a cabin or whatever they want. We’re in this together.”
Bern parked his truck, and they went into the ranch house. Lann carried his luggage to the room he usually used when visiting.
“It’s yours as long as you need.” Bern stood in the doorway. “Are you still wanting us to find a wife and settle down as we’ve talked about before?”
“Definitely. Have you changed your mind?”
“Not at all. I have someone I’d like us to consider.”
“Who?”
“I’m not going to tell you. I want to see if you are as drawn to her as I am.”
“This should be interesting.”
“Interesting and fun.” Bern walked down the hall. “Join me when you’re ready.”
Lann unpacked, and then he stared out the window. The scene was different. There were the usual pastures, but the land was flat with rolling hills. A breeze ruffled the leaves of the trees and a crystal-blue sky shone above.
He opened the window and breathed deep. It was still a ranch and familiar scents floated in on the breeze. He heard voices in the distance. He’d better go outside with his men to get acquainted with the people and the different environment.
* * * *
“Damn, I wish Aznar hadn’t asked us to this barbecue, and I don’t know why you accepted,” Alan Meades snapped at his sister, Bliss.
“We can’t be antisocial. The children like to get to play with others, and I like to talk with the ladies.”
“But I didn’t need to come. I have work to do.”
“You’ve skipped the last three social outings. Your children want your attention.”
“Don’t you understand we’re on shaky ground financially? If you’d loan me the money you saved for your silly lingerie shop, we’d be in better shape.”
“It’s my dream. And though I agreed to help with my niece and nephews for a while, it isn’t forever. Any money I gave you would just go to your lawyers trying to get full custody of the children.”
“I deserve it. My wife left me for two men, and once the divorce was final, she married them.” Alan got right in Bliss’s face and yelled.
Bliss backed up. “Get over it. Go on with your life. I’m giving you three more months, and then you’ll have to hire a nanny.” Her heart raced. She hadn’t given Alan an ultimatum before, but she was tired of his demands, his anger, and her dream not being fulfilled.
“I can’t afford a nanny. You won’t leave the children alone.”
“You haven’t given me a cent, and I’ve had to dip into my savings. This can’t go on.” Bliss turned toward the kitchen counter so he wouldn’t see her tears.
“Auntie Bliss, can we go now?” her nephew Buddy asked as he ran into the kitchen.
“Yes, we’re ready. Where are Mark and Clara?”
“Here we are.” Clara ran and threw her small arms around Bliss’s legs. “I’m happy, happy, happy. Daddy is coming with us.” She ran to her father, and he picked her up in his arms.
He frowned at Bliss as he walked by her. “This discussion isn’t over,” he warned as he walked out to the truck.
She took Mark’s and Buddy’s hands and led them to the truck where they got in the backseat. Clara climbed over Mark to sit in the middle.
Once Bliss got in the front, Alan took off, throwing dirt behind him.
“You’re acting like a teenager.”
“Leave me alone,” Alan snapped.
Bliss leaned back and took a breath. The past two years had been miserable. Her brother’s attitude stayed negative most of the time.
No wonder his wife left him for others. Bliss knew the two men she’d married. They had a profitable ranch in the next county and were highly respected. There wasn’t any reason Alan and his ex-wife couldn’t share custody. But he’d gotten a temporary order, from a judge, in a neighboring county. His ex-wife couldn’t see the children except for visits on the ranch when Alan was present. Bliss thought her brother was wrong and being mean, but there wasn’t any talking to him.
Alan turned into the long drive at Aznar’s ranch. As they got closer they saw a large crowd, a mixture of families and cowboys. The smell of barbecue made her stomach growl. She’d skipped breakfast getting the children ready and dealing with her resistant brother.
“In this crowd of men maybe you can find a husband,” Alan sneered. “Although I doubt if anyone would want the bitch you’ve become.”
The sound of the slap shocked both her and Alan. She hadn’t been aware of her hand moving so quickly to hit the side of his face. They stared at each.
“Auntie Bliss, you hit Daddy. You have to go to time out,” Clara said from the backseat.
“You’re right, honey. I’m going to leave you three with your daddy, and I’m going to take time out.” She glanced at her brother. “You have thirty days.” She got out of the truck and didn’t look back.
Tears filled her eyes and she stumbled once getting across the yard. She headed toward the side of the barn. She walked around to the back and stepped into the cool, dimness. A few horses neighed and moved around. Finally, she let the tears flow.
* * * *
“Who is that?” Lann nodded toward the tall woman with midnight-black hair who stalked straight from the truck she’d ridden in to the side of the barn and disappeared.
“Bliss Meades. Her stupid brother has probably been giving her a hard time again. I found her crying once before. He’s divorced and has her taking care of his kids and being a general flunky. I’d like to sock him, but it’d upset and embarrass her.”
“I think I’ll go check on her.” Lann strolled toward the barn. She wasn’t standing on the side. He walked to the back door and listened. He heard her soft crying, and his fist clenched. He agreed with Bern. He’d like to punch the brother, too.
&nb
sp; He didn’t see her at first in the dim light. But then he saw a movement by the hay. She was lying back on a pile of fresh hay with her eyes closed and a handkerchief in her hand. He moved carefully so as not to startle her.
When he got closer, he saw her more clearly. She was dressed in a long-sleeve shirt, a pinafore-type dress, and old boots. Her hair had been pulled back in a bun. Her outfit looked strange on a young woman. She must have sensed him. She opened her eyes.
She jumped backward further into the hay. “Who are you?”
“Lann Quinlain. I’m part of the group just moving here. I saw you headed this way and thought you looked upset.”
“I’m fine,” she said and started to stand.
Lann put out his hand. She hesitated, but then she reached out and he pulled her upright. When their hands connected, Lann felt a jolt. She did, too. Her eyes opened wide, and she snatched her hand back as soon as she was on her feet.
“Thank you. I have to get back. The children will be looking for me.”
“Bern said you take care of your brother’s children.”
Her chin went up in reaction to his remark. “I suppose, like the other nosy people around here, you wonder why I haven’t married and had my own.” She stepped closer and stood on her tiptoes to face him. “I don’t want children. I want a career. If I wanted a husband, I’d get one. But after living with my brother for two years I’m certain marriage isn’t for me.”
“Well, now there are benefits in a marriage that you don’t have helping your brother.” He couldn’t hold back a smile. He loved her outspokenness. She was putting him in his place.