“Can I help you, sir?” the young ranch hand asked him.
Sir? Damn, he knew he was older than this kid, but seriously…sir? “Uh, yeah. Is Ash around?”
“He’s in his office in the barn. Is he expecting you?” He tipped his hat back with his thumb then placed his hands on his hips and stared up at Brayden.
Brayden bit back a grin. Cocky little watchdog. “No, but he’ll want to see me. Where is the office?”
The kid stared at him then gave a nod for Brayden to follow him. Once inside the barn, the kid led him down the aisle then glanced over his shoulder at Brayden.
“I’ll let him know you’re here. What’s your name?”
“I’d rather you didn’t. Which door?”
“Mister, I’m not losing my job over you. Name?”
Brayden stared at him and drew himself up to his full six foot five height then narrowed his eyes at him. “You won’t. I can promise you that. Which door?”
The kid hesitated then pointed to a door on the left. “You’d better at least knock. Ash hates it when he’s interrupted.”
Brayden chuckled. “All the more reason to do it.”
He stepped around the ranch hand, strode to the door, and pulled it open then without a word, entered the room.
“You’d better have a fucking good reason for entering without knocking,” Ash Beckett growled without raising his head.
“I came to see you, asshole,” Brayden said as he leaned back against the door and folded his arms.
Ash’s head snapped up and his eyes narrowed then a huge grin split his face as he stood then moved around the desk and strode to Brayden.
“Brayden,” he said in a choked voice right before he pulled him into a bear hug.
Brayden laughed and slapped his brother on the back. “Good to see you, Ash.”
“You too, Brayden. Where the fuck have you been?”
Brayden mentally shook his head. He should have just told everyone where he was going when he was released so he wouldn’t have to tell them all over, and over again.
“Camping.”
Ash nodded. “I can see that. Come on, let’s go inside the house, and have a beer. Have you seen anyone else yet?”
“I just had dinner with Mom and Dad. It was good to see them. I saw Gray earlier.” They walked out of the office and Brayden noticed the ranch hand standing in the aisle. Brayden gave him a nod and the kid let out a sigh of relief.
“Alex, this is my brother, Brayden. Brayden, this is Alex Marche, one of my ranch hands,” Ash said introducing them to each other.
Brayden stuck his hand out. “Nice to meet you, Alex. I told you, you wouldn’t lose your job.”
“If you’d told me you were his brother, I wouldn’t have been so nervous, but I see the resemblance now.”
Ash and Brayden chuckled then walked out of the barn, crossed the yard, and entered the house. After too much talking, and a few too many beers, Brayden didn’t get home until late.
Chapter Two
When he entered his home later, the red light on the answering machine was blinking. Walking to it, he pushed the button and grinned when he heard his father in-law’s voice.
“Hello, Brayden. I just wanted to see how you were doing, son. Call me when you get a chance.” James Greene had never doubted his innocence. Glancing at the clock, he saw it was only nine, so he picked up the phone and called James.
“Hi, James,” Brayden said after the man answered.
“Hi, Brayden, so how are things going at the new property and finding a vet?”
“The place is great, but I’m not having much luck in finding a fulltime vet to work here. This town and the next one over are rather small and between the two, have only one vet.”
“What about Melissa?”
“Melissa?” Frowning, Brayden hoped he wasn’t referring to the same Melissa he was thinking he was.
“Melissa Conroy, Maisy’s best friend. You don’t remember her?”
Melissa Conroy.
Brayden’s breath seemed to catch in his throat. He hadn’t heard her name in a long time. She and his wife, Maisy, had been inseparable and she’d even been Maisy’s maid of honor in their wedding. Her long coffee-colored hair had fallen in waves around her shoulders and her brown eyes always seemed to have a mischievous sparkle to them. A pert nose sat above a sexy pair of lush lips and even right now, his dick was trying like hell to snap to attention just thinking about her. It had been far too long since he’d been with a woman. He’d sought one right after his release but that had been months ago before he’d headed for the mountains.
“I think I do,” he lied.
“Well, she’s a veterinarian and the last I heard, she was looking for work. Some big company purchased the hospital she worked at and they let a lot of good people go.”
“What makes you think she’d want to come to Montana?”
“I’m not saying she would, but it couldn’t hurt to ask her. She’s single so she doesn’t have to worry about moving a family if she is interested in the job.”
“I could call her, I suppose.” Blowing out a breath, he wasn’t sure it was a good idea.
James’s laugh came across the line. “Don’t sound so chipper about it. You don’t have to call her just because I suggested it. I just happen to know she’s looking for work.”
“You have her number, don’t you?”
“I have it somewhere––”
“Yeah, yeah…just give me the damn number,” Brayden growled. Knowing James as well as he did, he knew James had the number in his hand.
James chuckled and told him the number. “Give her a call. It’s only a little after nine. She may be what you need. Gotta run. I’ll talk to you later.” His father-in-law hung up.
She may be what you need.
Surely, James hadn’t meant anything by that—had he?
Carrying the phone to the table, he pulled out a chair and took a seat then after staring at it for a minute or so, he dialed the number James had given him. His groin twitched when a soft feminine voice answered.
“Hello?”
Clearing his throat, he spoke into the phone. “Hello. I’m looking for Melissa Conroy.”
“Why?”
“Why?” Brayden repeated with a frown.
“Yes. Why are you looking for her?”
“I’d like to offer her a job.”
“What kind of job?”
“Christ, woman. Can I talk to her or not?” he growled through clenched teeth and ran his hand around the back of his neck.
A chuckle came over the line. “Temper, temper. What can I do for you, Mister…?”
“Beckett. Brayden Beckett––”
“Brayden?”
“Melissa, is that you?”
“Yes. How…how are you?”
“Fine. You?” Christ, he hated small talk on the phone—or anywhere else for that matter.
“I’ve been better since I’m between jobs right now. Wait. You said you wanted to offer me a job?”
“I do, but if you don’t want it—”
“I do.”
“Melissa, it’s in Montana.”
“Oh. How did you wind up there?”
“I bid on a property here when I…got out. I wanted to get away from Texas. I moved back home to Hartland.” Silence greeted him. “Melissa?”
“Yes, I’m here. How did you know to call me?”
“James told me about your job situation.” He sighed. “Look, I can understand if you’re not interested.”
“I am. Really, I am. Tell me about it.”
“I’m opening an equine rescue and sanctuary––”
“Equine rescue? You’re doing that for Maisy, aren’t you?”
“We had both wanted to do it,” he muttered as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Had she always interrupted folks this much when he knew her before?
“I’d love to work for you,” she said quietly.
“Well, I’d like to talk to you
in person first and let you look around…you know, get a feel for things.”
“Fine. When?”
“As soon as you could get here, I suppose. The sooner I get started, the better.”
“All right. Give me the address and I’ll see about getting a flight out.”
“I’ll pay for it––”
“No, Brayden, you will not. I’ll call you back to let you know when I’ll be arriving.” She hung up after getting his phone number.
Shaking his head, he hung up the phone and suddenly had a feeling he was going to regret this. Sighing, he stood then strode out the back door to head for the barn. As he strode across the yard, he wondered what he’d been thinking to call her. Glancing up, he saw the stars twinkling above in the dark sky. It was a good night to sleep outdoors since he wasn’t ready to sleep in the house yet.
****
After hanging up the phone, Melissa pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. He still had one hell of a deep, sexy voice. Brayden Beckett had been married to her best friend until someone murdered Maisy and the authorities accused him of doing it. Melissa had always believed in his innocence. He’d loved Maisy more than anything or anyone and worshiped the ground she’d walked on. Maisy had felt the same way about him and so had Melissa from the minute Maisy first introduced them. As much as she had envied Maisy having Brayden in her life, she never would have wanted any harm to come to her. She was the sister Melissa had never had. They’d been close since grade school and her life fell apart when Maisy died. It seemed so unreal that it had already been five years since her death. She’d still be a young woman at thirty.
Taking a deep breath to calm her excited nerves, she called the airlines and scheduled a flight out in two days. She’d call Brayden tomorrow. She didn’t want to talk to him again so soon.
Two days later, right before dusk, the GPS announced she had reached her destination. Melissa drove her rented SUV onto the driveway and pulled up to alongside the house. It was a beautiful place. The red brick house had white shutters and a porch ran along the entire front and down along the side. After parking the vehicle, she stepped out, shaded her eyes with her hand, and gazed around. The scent of honeysuckle, along with horses, filled the air. She headed toward the porch then walked up the steps, and knocked on the door. There was no answer.
Sighing, she looked to the barns and her breath caught in her throat when she saw a tall cowboy striding toward her from one of them. The white cowboy hat sat low on his forehead. Her eyes skimmed his body and she had to bite her lip to keep from groaning. His jeans fit him like a glove and her eyes instinctively went to the fly. This time, she did groan when she saw how they cupped his sex in a snug fashion. The well-worn cowboy boots he wore kicked up little clouds of dust as he walked. His sweat stained T-shirt was tight across his pecs and the sleeves stretched around his biceps. Dear God in heaven, he was magnificent.
Brayden Beckett.
Stopping at the bottom of the steps, he stared up at her as he took his heavy leather, work gloves off. His sunglasses hid his beautiful eyes, which she knew to be an ice blue in color. His hair was dark brown, almost black, and curled around the nape of his neck, and his straight and narrow nose sat over a sensual pair of lips. Dark stubble covered his lower face, jaw, and neck, and her fingers itched to touch it.
“Hello, Melissa,” he said in a slow, toe-curling drawl.
Suppressing a shiver, she smiled at him. “Hello, Brayden.”
Nodding, he climbed the steps and moved past her. Closing her eyes, she inhaled his scent of aftershave, sweat, horses, and leather. He smelled fantastic.
“Come on in,” he said, holding the door open for her.
Stepping into a large kitchen, she gazed around. The cabinets were dark oak with black hardware. The hardwood floor matched the cabinets, and the white appliances sat nestled between beige granite countertops. She watched as he entered a room off the kitchen and then came back out without his hat or sunglasses on. She was sure she had drool dripping from her mouth because a sexier man she’d never seen. His dark hair fell around his head in different lengths and she had to dig her fingernails into her palms to keep from raking her fingers through it.
Suddenly, she realized his beautiful eyes were staring at her. Feeling the heat in her cheeks, she glanced away. “This is beautiful property, Brayden.”
“I think so too. Let’s go into the living room and talk. Follow me.” He jerked his chin and started out of the room.
“To the ends of the earth,” she murmured.
“I’m sorry?”
“Nothing. I didn’t say anything.” Rolling her eyes when he turned away, she bit back a smile. He was so very tall. She knew he stood at least six foot five since she stood five six in her bare feet, and he towered over her. It was nice knowing there were actually men she didn’t have to look down at if she wore heels.
Walking behind him, she stared at how his jeans hugged his ass. Growing up in Texas, she’d seen a lot of cowboys but she’d never really been into them…that was until she saw Brayden Beckett. The man had definitely changed her mind about cowboys.
When he stopped, she ran into the back of him. He spun around and narrowed his eyes at her.
“Sorry,” she muttered as heat poured into her cheeks.
“Have a seat,” he said motioning to the sofa even as he frowned at her.
Sinking down onto the sofa, she watched as he took a seat in a wingback chair and rested one ankle on the opposite knee. “I never knew you went to veterinarian school.”
“Yes. I graduated from Texas A and M in Veterinarian Medicine four years ago. I actually specialize in equine.”
Nodding, he continued to stare at her. “That’s good. But it would mean a big move to come here, Melissa.”
“Why did you call me then? You knew I lived in Texas.”
“Because James recommended you,” he said seeming so relaxed while she was nearly sitting on the edge of her seat. “I don’t have a problem hiring you, but I just want you to realize you’ll be a long way from home.”
“So are you.”
“No. Montana has always been my home and I want nothing more to do with Texas. I have no reason to return there.”
“You can’t just forget about it. Maisy is there,” she practically growled.
“She’s not there. She’s always going to be with me wherever I am. Let it go, Melissa.”
Melissa noticed his hands clenched into fists on the arms of the chair and a muscle twitched in his cheek. He was no longer relaxed and she’d caused that. There was no way she was going to argue with him over Maisy. Taking a deep breath, she let her anger seep away.
“Where would I live?”
“There’s an apartment above the barn over there to the right or I can have one built for you in the larger center barn since it’s going to house the hospital part of the operation anyway.”
“Can I see the apartment that already exists above the smaller barn first?”
“Sure. Come on, I’ll show it to you.”
Melissa followed him out of the house and across the yard to the center barn where they turned to the right and headed to the smaller barn on the right. The heat of the day was scorching and she could feel sweat between her breasts by the time she got to the center of the yard. Glancing around, her gaze landed on the Glacier Mountains in the distance and she stopped in her tracks. They were so beautiful.
“I’ve never seen such beautiful mountains. I don’t think I’d ever get tired of looking at them,” she said in a low voice.
“I know I won’t.”
Glancing up at him, she smiled. As he stared back at her, a frown marred his brow for a moment but then he spun on his heel, and headed toward the barn.
“You want to see the apartment or not?” he snapped over his shoulder.
“Of course.” Frowning, and wondering if he was still angry about her bringing up Maisy, she ran to catch up with him.
Brayden led her through the barn
and up a set of stairs. After unlocking the door at the top of the landing, he motioned for her to enter. Moving past him, she stepped inside the apartment. The entire area was open with a small kitchen sitting to the right, a large living area was in the center of the space, and a bed sat against the far wall. Wrinkling her nose at the musty smell, she peered through a doorway to see a bathroom then looked at Brayden.
“It only has a shower,” she said frowning.
“Yes.”
“No. This won’t work. I like long hot baths at the end of the day, since I’m on my feet all day, and I’m not going to stay here in…this.”
“I know it’s not great, but––”
“That is an understatement. You’ll have to either really fix this space up or make a place for me in the center barn.”
“Not a problem. Whichever you prefer…in the meantime, you can stay in the house until we get a place ready for you. I have a construction crew coming in a few days.”
Stay in the house…with him.
She wasn’t sure how she’d survive that, but she nodded as she started down the steps.
****
Swearing under his breath, Brayden walked out of the apartment. He locked the door behind him and followed her down the stairs. Damn it. He never should have called her. She was too beautiful—always had been. Sure, he loved Maisy more than anything in the world, and no other woman had ever tempted him until he met Melissa Conroy. He swore he would never do that to Maisy however, since he believed in his marriage vows but there were times, when he’d see Melissa and wondered what would have happened had he met her first.
His eyes went to her tempting ass in those tight jeans. The red tank top she wore was tight and hugged her breasts so he couldn’t stop stealing looks. Hell! He needed to think about something else quick because he didn’t need a hard-on right now.
“Do you have luggage with you?” he asked a little brusquely as they continued down the stairs.
She stopped and turned around, and her eyes narrowed at him. “Yes. In the back of the rental, but I can stay in town, Brayden.”
“I’m going to Kalispell tomorrow to bring some horses, ponies, and burros back. I’ll need you here. Close by. Town is at least twenty minutes from here and I already know one of the horses is in bad shape, and I’m not sure she’ll make it. I’d like for you to be here just in case something goes wrong.”
Brayden : A Beckett Brothers Novel Book 1 (The Beckett Brothers) Page 2
