Stetson

by Danielle Norman

  As I stepped down from the stage, he handed me my beer, which I downed. A mixture of nerves and sweat from being center stage had a way of making a girl thirsty. When his strong hands removed the bottle and set it on the table next to me, he pulled me in tighter to his body.

  “Dance with me.”

  I nodded. I didn’t recognize the song at first, just the notes of a steel guitar but when the band joined in I recognized “Gonna Wanna Tonight” by Chase Rice.

  I wondered if there was something prophetic that he was trying to say with the words of the song. But I shook my head. This man was a man whore, right? I mean, he’d left me with just a note. I couldn’t be that mistaken about someone, could I? If this turned out to be one of his many moves he made to get women into the sack, I would geld him or I’d let Holland do it.

  “You smell like strawberries.” His warm breath played havoc on my body as it tickled the side of my neck.

  “It’s my shampoo.”

  “I wonder if you taste like strawberries too.”

  Before I could object, his mouth covered mine, and his tongue slipped between my lips. My tongue may not have responded, but my body had a mind of its own and was trying to meld into his on the fucking dance floor.

  When the song ended, my mind was mush, except for one thought: I’m kissing Braden fucking McManus.

  8

  Braden

  Leaving London at her front door was hard. I take that back, I was hard, leaving her was excruciating. But I’d fucked up our first night by leaving her. I’d overthought the situation instead of just letting it play out and seeing where it took us. I wasn’t going to jeopardize the second chance she was giving me. When we took that step, I wasn’t walking away again.

  I had no clue how I was going to get through the next few days. I’d agreed to work some overtime since one of the guys was on vacation, and for the first time, I regretted that decision. Up until this point, I’d eaten, slept, and drank being a deputy, but London had me wanting to sneak away and spend time with her at the ranch.

  It was after one in the morning when I pushed through my bedroom door. Grabbing the collar of my shirt, I yanked it up and over my head. The damn thing smelled like her and it made my dick hard. That particular problem, I ignored. Nothing but the real thing would alleviate the lust I had for that woman.

  The next morning, the first call I had was a fatal car wreck on State Road 46, and by the time traffic had resumed, it was well after lunch. My next call brought me out to Butterfly Lane. You’d think with a name like that it would be peaceful, but if drugs, prostitution, or attacks on law enforcement were going to happen, odds were it was happening there.

  When my shift ended, it was after midnight, but I still found myself driving to see London. Her front porch lights were illuminated, so I cut my lights and waited to see if there was any movement inside, but there wasn’t any.

  Not really wanting to give up just yet, I waited. A few minutes passed before a set of headlights cut through the darkness and unease tightened my stomach. The new vehicle pulled up to the side of the house. A tall figure emerged from the driver’s side, and from where I sat, it was easy to tell it was a man, but it wasn’t until he stepped into the pool of light by the steps that I could tell who it was—Ryan.

  He strode to the front door and waited. It didn’t take long before London opened it, and it took even less time for a weird sensation to work its way across my chest. I didn’t like the feeling at all. Holy shit, I was jealous. I was irritated with myself for feeling that way. I knew London had mentioned that Ryan was just another worker in the ranch–a friend. He’d been working there for fifteen years for fuck’s sake, but it didn’t take away this feeling.

  Staying in my Explorer I fought the urge to go up there since I didn’t want London thinking that I was a stalker. When Ryan leaned closer to London, I found myself gripping the steering wheel tighter and calling all bets off. I was going up. But before I could avert my gaze, she was stepping back from him, her arms outstretched to ensure he kept his distance. “That’s my girl.”

  Shit, where had that come from?

  It didn’t matter. All that mattered was that Ryan has spun away from her and was walking back to his truck.

  I tailed him, because...why wouldn’t I?

  The guy was slimy, and I was going to find out what he was up to, if for no other reason than to protect London and her sisters from that guy.

  I followed him over to the next town, where he finally pulled up to some bar. I had never been here before, and obviously, I couldn’t go in or he’d know that I had followed him. However, the Hitching Post was a dive if I ever saw one.

  I called David, figuring he’d know something.

  He answered on the first ring, “David here.”

  “Hey, it’s me. Tell me what you know about the Hitching Post?”

  “On 419?”

  “Yep, that’s the one.”

  “They’re not the biggest fans of sheriffs. The owners are all right, but the manager is a real piece of work. Why?”

  “I just followed that Ryan guy from the Kelly Ranch, I have a bad vibe about him.”

  “Why? He’s just at a bar, nothing funny about that, maybe he lives around there.”

  “Nah, he lives in Geneva, I ran him after the fire.”

  “Stay where you are, I’m on my way.” David disconnected.

  I kept my eyes on the bar, but my mind wandered to London. I needed to convince her that actions spoke louder than words. Any guy could tell her that he adored her, but unless he showed it, the words truly meant nothing. I needed to show her what I was feeling and what I wanted.

  Kind of made me think of Paris and Asher. That guy was head over heels in love with her. I wondered why they weren’t dating or hell, married.

  I was still trying to work that one out when David walked up and knocked on my window.

  Shit.

  I rolled down the glass and met David’s smirk. “Hey, is he still inside?”

  “Yeah, his truck is right over there.”

  “No problem, I’m trusting your gut even if I’m not trusting your reasoning.”

  David went left, and I went right. We both walked around the bar, and except for the loud raucous noise and the smell of old sweat, nothing seemed out of the norm. The crowd looked rougher but that was to be expected, and through the side window I could see Ryan sitting at the bar.

  “Do me a favor,” I said to David when we met back at my SUV. “When you are on shift would you add the ranch onto your routine patrol?”

  “Sure thing. This guy really bothers you, doesn’t he?”

  “Yeah, and I can’t figure it out, which pisses me off all the more.”

  9

  London

  I pulled on Mim’s reins and scanned the grazing cattle. I’d been worried about Bovine Respiratory disease since it was brought on by stress, but Asher had just checked them out and told me they were all in good health. I was still glad I’d had them checked. I figured running from a blazing field had to be pretty stressful, and I couldn’t be too careful.

  At least something was going right.

  Riding Mim over to a group of Sylvester palm trees, I got off her so that she could graze for a bit. Dad had planted the trees around the ranch since they were sturdy and required little maintenance, but his main intention was to offer a place for the ranch hands to have somewhere to rest, tie their horse, and eat. I could still see him and Wally sitting here eating their lunch. Sometimes they even brought the three of us and we’d join them.

  “You look comfortable.”

  I shielded my eyes from the bright sun and saw Ryan standing there. I fought back my urge to groan.

  “I’m headed out, anything else you need?”

  “Since you came in today, I’m assuming you are ready to work and respect me and my sisters as the owners and bosses of Kelly Ranch and Iron Horse Stables?”

  Ryan’s only answer was a chin nod.

&nbs
p; Damn it. It wasn’t the answer I wanted, but it would have to do for the moment.

  He turned his gaze toward the burnt field. “Have they discovered anything yet?”

  “Nope, not yet.”

  “Not to be rude, but maybe if the deputy would actually do his job instead of trying to win over Paris with the garden and you by helping with the pasture, maybe we would know something by now.”

  “Ryan, stop. You have no clue what you’re talking about. I’ve known Braden since we were eleven. He’s being kind and helping us, which is more than I can say about some people.” I wasn’t sure exactly what I was expecting, but it wasn’t for Ryan to take a step toward me, his face twisted in impatience and a hint of anger.

  He opened his mouth to say something else, but the sound of approaching hoof falls stopped him, and we both turned toward the sound.

  “Holy shit, he’s riding Jafar.” Not positive as to which was sexier—the stallion that was still somewhat wild or the man riding against the setting sun with suntanned skin, black hair, and a hint of danger to him. No, it wasn’t that he was dangerous in a physical sense. He was dangerous to my sanity and possibly to my heart.

  I turned back to Ryan. “Why don’t you go on home? We still have a lot to do around here, and tomorrow will be another tiring day.” When Ryan didn’t say anything or move to heed my word, I continued. “I think that it’s best that you leave now.”

  Ryan turned and headed back toward the horse he’d ridden over on.

  “What was that about?” Braden asked as he tied Jafar’s reins around a tree.

  “Nothing.” I watched him as he confidently moved around the horse. “When did you learn to ride?”

  “I grew up around here, did you forget that?”

  “No, just didn’t picture you as an equestrian.”

  “Well, I’m probably not as skilled as you are, but I know enough not to get killed. Maybe we can race some time and see who would win.”

  I let out a laugh. I’d been riding since I was three, roping since I was five, and jumping since I was ten. Yeah, it wouldn’t be fair, but I wouldn’t tell him all that. “Sure, why not.”

  “Now, are you going to tell me what Ryan wanted and why he looked so mad when I showed up?”

  “He was being typical Ryan.”

  “Giving you trouble?” Braden looked truly concerned as he slowly moved toward me.

  “Nothing more than usual. I just really need to hire someone though.”

  Braden stared at me as if carefully considering his words. “I can help on my days off.”

  “Thanks, but I can’t ask you to do that. If you could keep your ears open about anyone looking for a job, I would appreciate it.”

  Braden stepped forward and pulled me against him before placing a gentle kiss on the tip of my nose. “Okay.” He tucked a strand of hair that covered my face behind my ear. That was not the first time he did such a thing. It seemed extremely intimate, and I liked it.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I just got off, so I thought that I’d stop by and see you. Holland told me to head out to the pasture.”

  “But Jafar, I’m shocked that he’d let you ride him. He generally only lets Holland ride him.”

  “I don’t know what to tell you. Holland made me hold out my hands and walk from horse to horse. She said that she was judging how they responded to my scent.”

  “Yeah, she reads a lot of Native American books on how they lived ‘one with the land and animals.’”

  “I guess that Jafar chose me. He seems like a good horse, a lot of energy though.”

  I let out a laugh at his response. “Yeah, he’s a wild one.” Meeting Braden’s eyes was a huge mistake, they were too bright, and he was too handsome. Yep, Braden was very dangerous.

  “Let’s head back.” I looked toward the sun to keep my gaze off him and decided I’d been out riding for too long, and Mim had to be getting thirsty. Mounting my horse, I turned my focus to him. With Mim’s reins held tight, I got into position. A devilish idea played in the corner of my mind; if he agreed, I’d dash off like lightning.

  “Care to make a friendly wager?” I winked, daring him to say no.

  “Sure, what’s the bet and what are the stakes?”

  “A race back to the stables.”

  “What does the winner get?” He lifted one brow, and god, that gesture made me squirm. “How about the loser has to grant the winner three wishes?”

  “Huh?” Oh shit, that was some serious stuff, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to win the wishes or lose just to see what he would come up with.

  Decisions, decisions.

  “Not so confident now, are you? You afraid you might lose?”

  Braden’s taunting words hit their mark. “Fine.” I was going to destroy him. “First one to hit the dirt drive.”

  “Deal. Are you ready?” Braden gave me a wink.”

  I couldn’t believe that I had just agreed to race Braden fucking McManus, and if he won, he could ask me to do anything...as in anything.

  He cleared his throat. “On your mark, get set, go.”

  I dug my heels into Mim’s sides, and she was off. Lowering my body toward the crest, I grinned and knew she was happy that I was allowing her full reign.

  I glanced back, needing to see where Braden was, and almost fell. He was right beside me. I squeezed Mim’s sides a little more to spur her on, but Braden did the same thing and was already pulling up next to me.

  “Shit. Come on, Mim. Don’t let those boys win.” I heard Braden’s deep, throaty laugh as my words carried to him, but they only spurred him on.

  “You’re going to regret this, McManus.” But Braden was so far ahead he probably couldn’t hear me over the thundering of hooves.

  “Come on, Mim. We can’t lose this one!” Keeping up with Braden and Jafar had been harder than I thought. Jafar was a faster horse, but I was a better rider. My ego wouldn’t allow me to believe anything different.

  Mim raised her front legs and switched from a run to a canter, high-stepping as she fought me to turn away from the barn

  “Whoa, Mim, what spooked you?” I leaned forward and patted her. “Calm down, girl.” I turned at the sound of Braden, who was trying to calm Jafar. “Something isn’t right. Let’s go.” Lightly kicking my heels into Mim, I encouraged her to pick up her pace, and as she neared the stables, I heard it.

  “Something’s wrong.”

  “Slow down, London, don’t go running in there,” Braden ordered.

  “Don’t be silly, you were just in there a little while ago. It’s the horses, something’s wrong.”

  “I understand that, but I also know that we haven’t caught whoever charred eighty acres of your ranch either. You and I were out there at least an hour, that’s plenty of time, now stay back.”

  As his words sank in, I did as he’d ordered and slowed my pace. Sliding off Mim, I sent her out to the paddock with Jafar.

  Bending down, Braden pulled out a 9mm from his boot holster and held it down to his side. With his left arm, he held me back, urging me to go slowly. Our steps were soft as we moved forward, but the only sounds were from the horses and they were full of pain.

  The first stall was Shere Khan’s, and my heart hurt for him because he was on his side, sweat dripping down his forehead and sides.

  Before I took another step, I called Holland.

  “Hello? London? Are you okay?”

  Tears were streaming down my face. “Call Asher and wake up Paris. I need you both down at the stables immediately.”

  “Tell me what’s wrong?” Fear laced Holland’s words.

  “I don’t know what’s wrong, just hurry.” I disconnected and then stepped away from Khan to examine the rest of the horses.

  “The stables are clear,” Braden hollered from the other end.

  I nodded as I moved to Ursula, who was thrashing back and forth, her stomach making a loud rumbling sound. In the stalls behind me, Gaston and Tremaine were
equally as sick. I worked my way down, each one of them was sick...every one except Jafar and Mim, who had been out with us.

  “When do the horses get their last feed?” Braden was in full deputy mode.

  “At four o’clock.” I looked at the screen on my phone. “That was almost three hours ago.”

  “So, Jafar and Mim had eaten before I arrived, correct?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Then it wasn’t their food.”

  The high beams from the truck lights were aimed right into the open stable doors, then Holland jumped out as she ran to Shere Khan. Paris moved to Ursula and fumbled to get the gate open. “Asher is on his way.”

  “What happened?” Holland asked again.

  “I don’t know. Braden and I were out and when we got back, Mim and Jafar started acting weird, like they sensed something. When I got close, I heard them, they were all whinnying. But it can’t be something they ate because Mim and Jafar are fine.”

  “I’d say that it was colic, you know? The rolling over, the sweating, but there is no way they all have colic at the same time.” Holland was bending over to rip off first one boot and then the other. Apparently, in her haste to get out of the house, she’d put them on the wrong feet. At any other moment, that would have been funny.

  “It has to be Asher,” Paris said as tires sped over gravel.

  It was, and the second he jumped from the truck, he grabbed a large duffle bag and started barking questions, “What else, besides rolling? What other symptoms?”

  “Sweating and elevated heart rate,” Holland shouted as she moved to him.

  He nodded. “Marcus is coming behind me. I didn’t want to waste time hooking up my veterinary trailer, so he’s bringing it with the rest of my equipment and medicine we might need.” Asher stepped into the first stall to get a better look.

  My heart broke at the look of desperation in the horse’s eyes. They had no clue what to do. “It’s going to be okay, girl, Asher’s going to make you better, I promise.” I moved next to Yzma, a foal from early this year that had just been weaned. She was still so small that a churning fear took root in my stomach.