Who I Am With You

by Amanda Lanclos

  Copyright © Amanda Lanclos 2016

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of Amanda Lanclos, except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976.

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Thank you for downloading/purchasing this ebook. This ebook and its contents are the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied, and distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download/purchase their own copy. Thank you for your support.

  This book contains mature content not suitable for those under the age of 18. Involves strong language and sexual situations. All parties portrayed in sexual situations are adults over the age of 18.

  All characters are fictional. Any similarities are purely coincidental.

  1st Edition Published:

  Editing by: Joanne Thompson

  Cover Design by: MGBookCovers

  Formatting by: Brenda Wright, Formatting Done Wright

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Epilogue

  Author Biography

  Acknowledgements

  Dedication

  To every woman who’s ever had her heart broken by a cowboy. Here’s to hoping it can be mended.

  Prologue

  “I’m going to be just fine,” I mutter, knowing Casey will hear me through the microphone in the car.

  “I don’t know, Kennedy. You aren’t used to snow by now, even driving in it for ten years. I mean you’ve lived in Texas most of your life.” Casey’s tone comes through the phone, sounding more worried than she has before.

  “You’re right about that. It is way different here in Montana than Texas, for sure.” I laugh softly as I grip the wheel a little tighter.

  It didn’t seem to matter to her that I’d lived here for almost ten years now. She always worried about me, since all of my family was back in Texas. Which, if I’m being honest, was for the best. My father passed away when I was fourteen years old, leaving my mother to raise me alone. While she did a great job, I still felt his loss daily. It was easier to be away from him. It was also easy to be further away from the man that made me run away in the first place. My heart never was the same after leaving Barlow Texas.

  “We should go back there one day,” I don’t have to see her to know that her smile takes up her whole face, and her tone is laced with sarcasm. “I’d like to meet real a cowboy.”

  “They sure are,” I don’t get the sentence out before a muffled yelp comes through my mouth. An animal I hadn’t really seen, but assumed was a deer, was in the middle of the road and my car was barreling toward it. I jerk the wheel to the left to swerve, making my tires slide on the icy road, causing me to lose all control. Before I can regain it, the car flips and slams into a tree. The last thing I remember before the world went dark was Casey screaming my name while my head pounded.

  Chapter One

  “Come on boy,” I grip the reins on Neco’s back a little tighter as I kick my boots into his side. The cattle are running around, and Austin is working hard to get them back into the pasture so we can repair the fence on the south side. Neco shakes his head from side to side, his brown mane blowing in the wind, before he takes off even faster toward the cattle.

  “Come on! You two are slower than molasses!” Austin screams over his shoulder as he barrels toward the cattle.

  “Let’s not let the young ones show us up, huh Neco,” I say with a grin as my horse whinnies and picks up speed. This was always my favorite place to be. Riding the ranch with my best buddy Neco. I never expected this life to be mine, but when the opportunity presented itself, I took it and ran.

  “Wait up!” Austin yells as he 'hiyahs' his horse, nudging her side with his boots, before the sounds of Miya’s hooves hitting the ground as she runs to catch up, fills my ears. “Damn Dallas, I had no clue ole’ Neco could run like that still.” My brother is panting from the exertion of trying to catch up to the old dogs on the ranch.

  I look him over, seeing much of myself in him. I knew the day I bought the ranch from old man Timmons that it would be restored. I’d gotten it cheaper than expected, because he didn’t want it to go to the auction block. I’d worked for him for several summers during my younger years; spending my days on this old ranch was something I’d always hated. I’d have rather been with my girlfriend than chasing around a bunch of cattle. But now, as I sit here chasing these bulls, it’s something that lifts my spirits.

  “Hey, where’d your mind run off to?” Austin questions, gripping his reigns a little tighter as the last of the cattle runs through the gate.

  “Just about how I’m gonna make that fence sturdy again,” I grumble. I know before he even speaks that I’m gonna get caught in my lie. So, instead of saying anything else, I look over at the property that I now call my own. I take in the one hundred acre ranch, filled with cattle and livestock that roam the place. I love watching the sun setting from over by that big oak tree near the lake. I shake my head at the thought of that old tree, heading toward the expansive red barn we had just built about a month ago.

  “Thinking about her again?” Austin asks quietly, because he knows that I don’t like to talk about it. I glare at him as I slide off of Neco, patting his neck. “I get it, dude. You don’t like talking about it, but dammit Dallas. It’s been ten years since you’ve seen her.”

  “Enough.” I glare at him as I grab a treat for Neco out of the barrel. He takes it greedily before heading into his stall. I slowly remove his saddle, making busy work for myself to get Austin off my back. I really should hire some ranch hands around here, just to give the ass something to do. Other than bugging the hell out of me.

  He just lets out a laugh, as he throws his tools into the back of Bessie. That’s what Gramps had named the old faithful Chevy truck he’d had since 1979. The damn thing was rusting and didn’t even have a tailgate anymore, but it was reliable and got from point A to point B on the ranch without any problems. Austin jumps into the front seat as I stalk toward the driver’s side.

  “When are you going back to Waco?” I look in his direction, not really wanting him to leave, but when he brings up my past, I want him to just disappear into thin air.

  “I’m hurt,” he splays his hand over his chest and acts as if he’s been wounded. “I come out here to help my big brother and he can’t wait to ship me out back home.”

  “Well, Mom and Dad may miss you,” I retort as I drive toward the fences that need mending.

  “Hey, I’ve lost like fifteen pounds and bulked up in the past three months,” he flexes his chest muscles under the tight grey t-shirt and smiles. “I think working with you was the best diet I’ve ever been on.”

  “Come on, let’s get serious,” I mutter as I pull up t
o the fence. I let out a sigh as I see the broken pieces of wood and the barbed wire that’s been snapped from the excessive rusting.

  “Look, I’m sorry okay. I didn’t think she still got under,” but before he can finish I cut him off.

  “Just drop it,” I snarl. “I don’t want to talk about her!” Jumping out of the truck, I grab my tool belt and throw it on. If he knows what’s best for him he won’t start again.

  “Why don’t we go down to Swinney’s tonight? Get your mind off of all the stress and have a good time?”

  “You’re buying.” I mumble as I pull at the barbed wire that seems to be the only thing holding the fence up right now.

  “Works for me,” he smiles as he grabs the wood out of the truck, carrying it over to where we plan to work and throwing it on the ground at my feet. “I’m taking a break, I need some of that lemonade Mrs. Stella made.”

  “Stella made that for me,” I gripe as I secure the barbed wire with the tightener, a grunt expelling as it finally goes taut. “Don’t you dare.”

  He has the nerve to laugh before downing the sweet lemonade Mrs. Stella made this morning. She is the little lady that owns the trailer down the road. She always stops by with a bunch of sweets. I often wonder if the woman has anyone else. This may be a small town, but she moved here about a year ago and she is always baking. I don’t even know how I haven’t managed to gain fifty pounds with the stuff this woman brings over. But, I don’t complain. She is in her sixties and knows all about soul food. I love listening to her stories of growing up in New Orleans, Louisiana. Some of the stories aren’t always that great because of her sad upbringing. It amazes me that, considering her past and how people used to treat her, that she even cares about a white man and making sure he is fed.

  We’d struck up a friendship one day when her car broke down and I was passing by with hay for the horses and cows. It was raining cats and dogs that day and the sky was almost black because of the hurricane coming in from the Gulf, but seeing her on the side of the road drenched in rain pulled at my country heart. So, I’d pulled over, towed her car to her house and made sure she was okay and prepared for that storm. Even after it was over, I was out there helping her pick up the limbs that had fallen from the oak trees on the acre of land her trailer sat upon. Ever since then, she’s gone out of her way to make sure I am fed. Even though I’d cooked enough for myself to be able to do take care of myself, I’d never turn down some of her creole dishes.

  “I left you a little.” Austin slaps my back as he grabs some wood and we begin to work in a companionable silence, mending the fence.

  Why in the hell did I decide to come to Swinney’s?

  “Because, you needed a night out,” Austin yells over the music blaring through the bar. He takes a swig of his Bud Light before his eyes follow a girl’s ass that just passed by.

  “I think you’re the one who needs a night out.”

  “Dude, get over yourself. Come on, I mean damn, grow some balls.” His green eyes glare into mine. “You’re messing up my game.”

  “Austin, you mess your own game up. You have no game.” I laugh as I take a pull from the long neck bottle in my hand.

  “You’re supposed to be my damn wingman. Not a cock block.” He growls as he leans forward, putting his hand on my shoulder. “Look, there’s a hot redhead over there. Why don’t you get some of that? I hear them bitches are CRAZY,” as he says crazy his eyes go wide.

  I can’t help but laugh as I shake my head and take another swallow from my beer. He is a train wreck waiting to happen and I am happy with just sitting here and letting it play out before my eyes. He jumps off his bar stool, almost busting his ass when the heel of his boot gets caught on the footrest. Stifling my laugh, I watch him saunter, and yes, he fucking saunters to the dance floor to the brunette that caught his eye. I have to give him some props, because the woman is beautiful. She has a natural beauty, the kind that draws someone to them. The little blue jean dress that she’s wearing with the cowboy boots is a pretty perfect combination to pair with the long curls she’s sporting.

  A slow song comes on and I tip my beer bottle back as he works what I like to call the idiot magic, because I have no clue how he does it.

  “Tap her shoulder, take off the hat and bow and then hook, line, and sinker.” I shake my head as he does each move. Something my dad taught us, but Austin’s the only one who ever listened to his advice. I never had to, because the one woman I wanted; had always wanted me in return. Until she decided that designer school in New York was better than what I could offer. Maybe that redhead is just what I need.

  “Can I get a shot of Jack?” Turning my head to Swinney, he sits it down in front of me.

  “Thanks,” I reply as I slam the shot back. Standing slowly, I rub my sweaty palms on my Wranglers. After she left me, I’d run through women like I’d never be able to quench my desires. But, eventually I realized what I was doing. I was doing everything in my power to forget the love I’d had with her, but it never faded. She was that once in a lifetime kind of thing and ten years ago she walked away. I never expected her to come back, but I just couldn’t move on. So two years ago, I stopped looking for a hook up because it never led to anything more.

  Tonight though, it was just what I needed and that redhead knew it. The way her eyes were trailing up and down my body let me know that she was just as ready to go home, as I was willing to take her there.

  “Hi there,” red says as I walk up to her on the dance floor. She looks amazing in her white shirt that’s hanging off her right shoulder and showing a little hint of her slim stomach. My eyes trail over the dark denim daisy dukes she’s wearing and all I can think about as I take in her cowboy boots is how much I want them wrapped around my waist. Her eyes sparkle with mischief as she slides up against me, sliding her finger over my t-shirt. “Like what you see?”

  “Very much,” even I can hear the husky tone that’s taken over. I haven’t had any desire to be with anyone in at least two years. There just never was someone who did it for me, but red, she may just be the one to take my mind off of her.

  “I’m Bailey.” She rubs her hand up my chest until its wrapped around my neck and she slides her body against me to Luke Bryan’s Strip it Down.

  “Dallas,” I grumble as I feel her hard nipples graze against my chest. Damn, if she doesn’t stop, I’ll be fucking her against the bathroom wall.

  “I wouldn’t mind that,” she says with a naughty smile.

  “Fuck, I have got to stop thinking out loud,” I say with a chuckle. She rubs against my cock in my jeans with her hips and I swear I’m about to blow my load like a freaking kid who’s never been with a woman before.

  “You’re cute, wanna get out of here?” She bites her lip, her green eyes shining as she rubs against me again.

  “Sure as hell do. Let me just make sure Austin is okay.”

  “Who’s Austin?” Her lips turn into a pouty pose and I immediately second guess my decision. I’m not looking for more than one night.

  “My brother, but he’s busy. He’ll find a ride,” I point in the direction of my brother, who is practically dry humping the brunette he took an interest in.

  “He’s your brother?” She gasps as she looks at us both in shock.

  “Um yeah? Why?”

  “You two just act completely different. He’s kind of an ass.” She scrunches her nose as I let out a heartfelt laugh.

  “Oh yeah. Sadly, it runs in the family,” I smirk as I grab her hand. “You coming?”

  “Oh, I hope in more ways than one,” she squeezes my hand as she follows me.

  Out of the corner of my eye, a blonde blur passes, but when I turn in that direction it’s gone. I get this weird feeling deep in my gut, but I can’t seem to put my finger on it. Shrugging the feeling off, I take Bailey to my truck.

  “Milady,” I grin as I open her door, grab her hand and help her into my truck.

  “Oh, what a gentleman,” she pulls me to her, kis
sing my lip. After she pulls away, she smiles. “I prefer my men a little rougher.”

  “You haven’t seen anything yet. I happen to like a lady in the street and a freak in my sheets.” I wink as I close the door. The woman wants it rough? I can make that happen, for damn sure.

  Chapter Two

  “Come on out here boy!” Stella’s voice comes through my window as I roll over, hitting a warm body. I look up, seeing red hair splayed out all over my pillow and the events of the night before come back.

  “Who’s that?” Bailey asks, her eyes flashing with anger before she reins it in.

  “My neighbor,” I murmur as I roll out of bed, grabbing my Wranglers and jumping into them, pulling them over my bare ass as I walk barefoot out of the room. “I’ll be back,” I call over my shoulder.

  “Boy, it’s eleven o’clock in the morning! What are you doing in bed still? You sick?” Stella asks as I step on the porch, running a hand through my unruly hair.

  “Good morning, Stella. Can’t a man sleep in late?” I mutter as I sit down in the rocker beside her.

  “Depends. I’m not used to not seeing you outside, tending to this place.” She pats my hand, just as the door opens and Bailey walks out in just my t-shirt. Great. “Well, now I see why you were still in that bed of yours.” She smiles, before looking me over.

  “Mrs. Stella?” Bailey’s cheeks flush a little as she sees Stella there.

  “Well, good morning to you too, Bailey.” Stella winks as she looks at me. Why in the world do they know each other? “I see you’re branching out from doctors now? Working on a rancher?”

  “Stella!” Bailey turns red as she jumps to her own defense. “You know nothing about my personal life. Just because I was dating my boss, that doesn’t mean anything.”

  “Well, I’m sure he’d love to hear about how you ventured onto the ole’ Garrison Ranch next time I go up there.” She takes a sip of the sweet tea in her mason jar. That woman carries that thing around all the time.