by K. F. Breene
“Good morning, young lady. My, you’re looking gorgeous as ever.” Greg smiled as he rushed forward to take her purse.
Sara shook her head. “My eyes are brownish yellow with the faded bruises, and half my face is still swollen. I’m not looking my hottest, that’s for sure.”
“True. You look fierce. Like a cage fighter. I like it.” Greg laughed as he took her arm and escorted her toward the main house. “Here to see May or Dan?”
“Yes. I’ve been out for a couple of weeks. I need to see what mess this place is in.”
“Where’s your bodyguard?”
“Survival class, as usual. News got out that he was stranded with another person and kept us both alive. He’s getting even more press. Next season is already sold out and he’s been approached for a reality survival show.” Sara laughed and waited patiently while Greg opened the door. “The man won’t let me catch up with the achieving. Which I am convinced I will. Somehow.”
“I think he’s working hard to make sure you have an empire. He’s on fire.” Greg shoved his hands in his pockets as they neared the office. He had her purse over his shoulder. “I hear you guys are having another try for a baby. Congrats.”
Sara could feel her face turn red. She shrugged, a move having her wincing again. “Not right at the moment. I need to heal first. But we will. We both want the same things, so we’ll try again.”
Greg nodded, his eyes focused on her face. “I’m sorry about what happened. Seems like you’ve been getting the short end of the stick lately.”
Sara waved the thought away. “I’m okay. Duke’s in jail—that’s enough for me. I’ll heal and be right as rain. Things could’ve been a lot worse.”
“Too cheery by half.” Greg flashed her a grin and backed up. “Well, I think we’re all supposed to go to dinner tonight, so see you then.”
“Yup. Bye—but can I have my purse back? It looks good on you, but I have my lipstick in there. It’s not your shade.”
Greg smiled and unslung the handbag from his shoulder. “Just call me mule. All right, see ya.”
Sara watched him walk down the hall before she took a big breath and entered the office. She’d done some good work while she had actually been working, but she’d had so much crazy go down since she got here that she hadn’t done enough of it. She needed to know where she stood.
May was sitting at the desk with her head bent over some papers when the door opened. The older woman glanced up, and her eyes widened when she saw Sara.
“My goodness, child, what are you doing out of bed!” She hurried to Sara, took an arm, and escorted her to a chair. “You’re supposed to be resting.”
“I just wanted to check in. There’s bound to be some things not looked after while I’ve been gone.”
May glanced at the desk. “Don’t you worry about it! Now, you need to go back—”
“What is it? Let me see.” Sara held out a hand for the papers, a smile tickling her lips.
May sighed and handed them over. “There seems to be a problem with some delivery or other, but the boys didn’t remember receiving it at the barn. We got it, because we have some supplies, but we don’t know if we got it all or—” May waved her hand. “I’d forgotten how long all this takes. Seems like it goes so smoothly when you take care of it. It really takes hours, though.”
Sara’s chest filled with warmth. “I’ll take care of it.”
“No, dear. Oh no, I couldn’t have you do that. You need to get better. I can handle it.”
Sara tucked the page in her purse. “I’m sore, not decrepit. I’ll do what I can, and boss the boys around to do what I can’t.” She laughed. “Being needed means I still have a job, so that’s fine by me.”
“Well, of course you have a job. And did I hear right, you’re staying in the area? Because all the boys keep threatening to leave unless you stick around. Seems managing the supplies at the ranch houses has won a lot of votes.”
A shadow passed over May’s face. She clasped her hands and bowed her head slightly, pursing her lips. She’d apologized directly to Sara for what happened, feeling like it was her and Dan’s fault that Sara hadn’t been safe on their lands. She’d also said, though, that she wouldn’t mention it again—every time she did, tears choked her voice.
Three close friends of Duke’s had been fired. Dan and May were loyal, but when pushed, they reacted quickly and harshly. Anyone that sided with Duke, in any capacity, was thrown out of Dodge. No one was sad to see them go.
Sara smiled. “I’m trying to find some room in the budget for a weekly cleaner. We’ll see.”
“Oh yes, that would be nice. And a budget? My goodness, we’ll be just like all the big ranches.” May laughed in a carefree sort of way. “Well, we’d be happy if you stayed on with us. You fit in here. And if you stay, we know Mike Frost will, too. He’s nearly family now, so we’d hate to see him go!”
Sara’s eyes moistened. “Well, I’ll get to it. Probably a lot to do.”
May helped her up and walked her to the door. “But don’t tax yourself, you hear! Ah, here we are. He’ll watch over you.”
Mikey came striding down the hall, tall and handsome. When he reached her, he took her arm gently and thanked May. “How are you, sugar monster? Doing well?”
Sara laughed at the term of endearment. He thought it was hilarious to keep coming up with weird names to call her. “I’m good. They want me to stay on.”
“I told you they would. Everyone here loves you. Jake won’t even make a decision where it concerns your job. He has that much faith in you.”
“Nah. He just doesn’t want to get yelled at.”
“Exactly.” Mikey laughed. “Where to?”
“I think I’ll take a look around and see what state everything is in.”
He gave her a slow kiss. “Okay, but keep it light. Call me if you need anything. I have another class in ten minutes, but after that I’ll be free.”
She nodded and let him escort her as far as the barn. Once there, she just took it all in. The beauty, the looming sky dotted with puffy white clouds, and the fresh country air. God this land was beautiful. She’d finally come home.
* * *
It was a long road to recovery. Duke had cracked two ribs, broken her nose, and deeply bruised a few places on her body. And while she woke up a few nights whimpering, clutching Mikey with claw-like hands, her body and will both only got stronger. She’d survived a soul-crushing breakup, being lost in the wilds, relocating to a new life, and losing a baby. With Mikey by her side, she would keep surviving. She’d take his hand, raise her chin, and walk into the fires if she needed to, knowing that whatever they had to endure, they’d do it together.
Epilogue
“Would you come on? Seriously!” Christie shouted from the bottom floor of Sara and Mikey’s house.
“I’m coming, Jesus! Hold your horses.” Sara came down the stairs wearing a white dress that Christie made her borrow. It was really cute, and cut beautifully, but it was made of satin and felt expensive. It was a bit much for an “I’m all better” date with Mikey.
“Don’t use the Lord’s name in vain. He might take away all the gifts He’s given you in the last eight months when you showed up on the ranch a depressed mess!” Christie smiled when she saw Sara descend the stairs. “Perfect!”
“It’s a little… matrimonial,” Sara said in a dour tone, swishing the long dress.
“It’s fine. ’Kay, c’mon. I’m driving you because I want to borrow your car.”
Sara scanned her face in the hall mirror, fingering her new nose. She’d had to get surgery. It was a little smaller, but mostly the same. All the bruises were long since gone, her ribs and other injuries long since healed, and Duke secure in jail. The only thing not long gone was the horrible—horrible—Montana winter. She hadn’t realized winter could crack a person’s bones.
Now, in the spring, things weren’t so horribly cold. The dude ranch would start up soon for tourists, making thing
s much busier with Sara as Mikey’s helper, since Sam had decided to get back together with his girlfriend. He wanted to marry her, and being away for a summer would accomplish the opposite.
Christie still, after hanging out for a winter with Greg, hadn’t consented to a date. Poor Greg was still in the friend zone. Christie wouldn’t talk about why, though, so they all just kind of waited and hoped—Greg most of all.
“Hurry up!” Christie roared, standing by the door.
Sara rolled her eyes, adjusted her makeup, and walked out. “It’s a date with my boyfriend, in the middle of the day, Christie, why all the dramatics? We live together, for cripes’ sakes.”
“I’m impatient, and that’s that.”
They drove up to a spot beyond the ranch, Mikey wanting to picnic with the sweeping skyline behind them. They parked, and to Sara’s surprise, Christie got out beside her.
“What are you doing?” Sara asked, slowing so her friend could catch up. “And why are you so dressed up? Are you going out with Greg, because I’ve noticed that you make more and more of an effort when you go out with him…”
“I’m doing my duty and organizing,” Christie said cryptically as they turned on the path. A heavyset man with a mustache waited for them, dressed in a gray suit that looked fresh off the rack.
“Dad?” Sara breathed out. “No one mentioned that you were coming. What are you doing—”
Beyond him, in front of the sweeping scenery and limitless sky, was a grouping of people nestled between a giant and gorgeous spread of flowers. An aisle led up the middle of seated people, all turned in their seats to look back at her. At the end of the wide, natural corridor stood Mikey in a tux with Greg and his three brothers, identically dressed.
“Oh my God,” Sara said, butterflies erupting in her stomach. “Is this…”
“We always knew you’d end up with Mikey Frost.” Her dad held out his arm, his smile infusing his eyes. “He was always the best of the bunch. You couldn’t have picked better.”
“How…” Sara’s eyes filled with tears, as she walked forward on wooden legs. Mikey was facing her, his hands clasped in front of him patiently, smiling that million-dollar smile that lightened her feet and tingled her heart.
“Thank goodness you’re so dense,” Christie said with a smile, signaling a string quartet to commence playing. “We’ve been planning for months. It’s not easy getting a wedding together.”
“He didn’t even mention it. Or propose,” Sara said in a wispy voice.
“He probably thought you’ve been engaged enough,” her dad said, patting her hand. “Now, c’mon. He’s waiting for you. And don’t mind Jack’s scowl—he doesn’t approve of anything his son does.”
Sara’s gaze whipped around from Mikey and settled on her dad. “Jack Frost. Oh my God! How did I never realize how funny his name was?”
“Best not to mention that, either,” her dad said, stifling a laugh. “Your mother makes fun of him for it every time she’s had too much wine.”
Christie hurried ahead, taking a measured pace once she got to the aisle. Then came Sara, eyes on the handsome Mikey, standing at the front, waiting for her with soft eyes. She could barely feel her feet as she walked down the beautiful floral aisle. As she reached him, her dad stepped away to shake his hand. Each of his brothers, all smiling, nodded hello as she took her place beside her prince.
“Hi, baby,” Mikey said quietly, holding his hand up, palm out.
She matched palms with her own and threaded her fingers through his. Her body filled with that familiar hum. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”
“I wanted to save you from freaking out.” He laughed, turning her to the pastor.
“We gather here today…”
Sara let the words curl around her as her eyes drifted back to Mikey, the love of her life, the one she could not do without. His eyes followed a similar path, connecting with her, and then reeling her in. Her anchor. Her guiding light.
“May we have the rings?” the pastor asked.
Greg stepped forward, handing Sara a plain gold band. Mikey got something much more sparkly.
“Mike, please say the vows you’ve prepared,” the pastor said.
“Sara, you were my true love before I even knew what that meant. It’s been you and me our whole lives, and it’ll continue to be you and me well beyond it. You are my forever, and when we leave this world, hand in hand, we’ll stay together for all eternity. If I have you, I’ll want for nothing. With this ring, I thee wed.”
With steady hands, he slipped a diamond and sapphire eternity band onto her ring finger. “It’s my birth stone and yours, wound together.”
She nodded, hands shaking. Tears dripped down her cheeks.
“Sara, would you like to say a few words, or repeat after me?” the pastor asked softly.
Through blurry eyes, she looked at the man that had saved her from so many dangers—most importantly, an emptiness she’d never been able to fill since he’d left. “I’ve never been happier than these last six or so months. Not even when we were kids. But you’ve surprised me with this perfect wedding, so I’ll surprise you with something I realized this morning.”
She leaned in to him, waiting for him to lean his face down to hers. Into his ear she whispered, “I’m pregnant.”
The smile took up his whole face. “The best day yet. I love you, sugar britches.”
“I love you, Mikey. Forever.”
“You may kiss the bride.”
Mikey wasted no time. He scooped her up and hugged her tightly, giving her a gentle and loving kiss.
The End
* * *
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About the Author
K.F. Breene is a USA TODAY BESTSELLING author of the Warrior Chronicles, Darkness Series, Jessica Brodie Diaries and Growing Pains Series. She lives right outside of San Francisco, braving the summer fog.
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Also by K.F. Breene
Jessica Brodie Diaries (Contemporary Romance)
Back in the Saddle, Book 1 – FREE
Hanging On, Book 2
A Wild Ride, Book 3
Growing Pains (Contemporary Romance)
Lost and Found, Book 1 - FREE
Overcoming Fear, Book 2
Butterflies in Honey, Book 3
Love & Chaos; Cassie’s Story
Surviving Love (Contemporary Romance)
Darkness Series (Paranormal Romance)
Into the Darkness, Novella 1 - FREE
Braving the Elements, Novella 2
On a Razor’s Edge, Novella 3
Demon
s, Novella 4
The Council, Novella 5
Shadow Watcher, Novella 6
Jonas, Novella 7
Charles, Novella 8
Warrior Chronicles (Fantasy)
Chosen, Book 1
Hunted, Book 2
Shadow Lands, Book 3
Try another book by KFB
Love and Chaos, a stand alone novel.
Synopsis:
It was supposed to be easy... Just a quick trip to the wine country to help her good friend, Peter.
She never expected to meet his bad boy brother...
Muscled, tattooed, and riding a Harley, Jace has Cassie’s heart racing and blood boiling. Struggling to keep her desire on a tight leash, she must do everything she can to keep Peter’s secret. But resisting that dimpled smile is harder than she could’ve ever imagined…
Excerpt:
Wine, wine. Should she buy wine? They were in wine country, after all. And the house certainly had wine, but you could never have too much. Plus, it was classier than beer. But what if the family didn’t drink? Although redneck definitely meant beer.
“But aren’t rednecks keen on a certain type of beer?” she mumbled, still scanning the huge array of wines in front of her. She hadn’t even bothered to tear her eyes away to glance at the plethora of beer to her back.
“Excuse me?” a deep voice rumbled next to her.
Startled, she glanced up with an easy smile, used to people catching her talking to herself. She met beautiful, light brown eyes with a burst of gold at their center, staring at her with intense focus. High cheekbones and lush, shapely lips set off a defined jaw.
