by Calista Fox
“He’ll get a kick out of it.” The line was silent for a moment, then Sam said, “But it’s not necessary for me to file with you. Regardless of what physical arrangement we make with Midnight, you know we’ll grant you full ownership, right?”
Her breath caught. Her eyes squeezed shut. Then she said, “Thank you. I can’t tell you how much that means to me, Sam. I love that horse.”
I love you too.
The words echoing in her head took her by surprise. Sky said, “I’ve got to go now. Thanks for considering a setup on your property for the horse.”
“I want to keep talking, Sky. Maybe not tonight, but regularly.”
“I have to go, Sam.”
She disconnected the call. Pulling her legs up to her chest, her feet pressing against the cushion on the sofa, she rested her chin on a knee and gave serious thought as to what to do about Sam Bennett.
Then she made another call.
“Skylar Anne Travis,” her father said when he opened his front door and swept her into a bear hug. “What a wonderful surprise!”
Sky hung on tight, emotion washing over her. “Daddy. I’m so sorry it’s been so long since I visited.”
“You’re a busy girl.”
She pulled away and said, “Never too busy for family. From now on. I promise.” Turning to her sisters beside her on the porch, she added, “Macy and Morgan wanted to see you too. We’d like to meet Tara.” The new girlfriend. Although Sky suspected the relationship was more serious than her father had let on, since he’d been so nervous to unveil Tara and have everyone meet her, including his own sister, Ruby.
Bill Travis reached for her again and said in a low voice, “I’ve been so worried about you, Sky. Even when you’ve called to say you’re fine, I’ve been so concerned about you lately.”
“I know, Daddy.”
“Tara too,” he said. “She’s been ribbing me to take a trip to Wilder to see you, but you kept saying you were all right and I didn’t want to push too hard.”
“Daddy, it’s okay,” she insisted. “I’m getting through it all. I’ve learned that I can’t pretend it didn’t happen or that no one knows about it—I can’t hide out, hoping people will ignore it. I have to face the whole situation and find a way to move past what happened to me in Nashville and in Wilder.”
He squeezed her tighter.
“Daddy!” she squealed. “You’re crushing me!”
Immediately releasing her, he said, “Sorry. Sorry.” He cupped her cheeks with his hands and added, “This isn’t an easy thing for a father to deal with.”
“I know,” she said. “That’s why I’m here. To talk about it, so you can get past it too. I spent last night with Macy and Morgan. They’ve been upset as well. But we can deal with this as a family, right? Tara included?”
Through warm, watery brown eyes, he said, “You bet, kid. It’ll all be okay.”
Tears tumbled down Sky’s cheeks, but being with her family made her feel less off-kilter. They toured the house, she and her sisters selected guest rooms and spent the weekend. Sky hadn’t felt this close to her family since her mother had died, and though it was a tragedy that had brought them together, as was sometimes the case with families, she knew their bond had been strengthened by the outreach…and the acceptance on everyone’s side.
A week later, Sky had her first-ever Luckenbach singing debut. She hadn’t yet found that place inside herself where she could belt out the songs she’d recorded in Nashville, nor was her newer material ready for a live audience, so her set was based solely on the songs from her first CD. No one seemed to mind her performance didn’t include fresh and unexpected tunes. They sang along with her, danced, cheered and made her feel right at home—in Luckenbach tradition.
Her sisters were in attendance, as well as her father and Tara. Sky hadn’t told anyone other than them that she was performing. She needed to get a strong set down pat before she invited Reese and Caleb out.
She finished up and left the stage, to the overwhelming hugs and wells wishes of the crowd, which choked her up. Then the main attraction hit the stage, the lead singer of the Waylon Jennings tribute band stepping up to the microphone, clapping her up again, then asking, “Y’all know Sky opened for the late, great Waylon not long before he passed.” He glanced down at Sky in the front row and continued. “Why don’t you come on up here and help out on a few songs?”
The crowd erupted. Sky grinned. She went back onstage and said, “I’d be honored.”
They started with a fan favorite, the theme from The Dukes of Hazzard. Then, at someone’s request in the audience, she covered Jessi Colter’s hit, I’m Not Lisa. Sky had loved the song since the first time she’d heard her mother play it, long before she’d heard Jessi sing it live. As she looked out into the throng of people, she found her dad smiling approvingly. Though there was a hint of nostalgia on his face, his arm was draped over Tara’s shoulders and she grinned too.
Sky accompanied the band on a few more tunes, then graciously dismissed herself and let them do their thing.
Macy and Morgan fawned over her.
Macy asked, “How’d you end up with all the talent in the family?”
With a laugh, Sky reminded her, “You and Morgan are up ’n coming artists with the sort of following most painters well beyond your years would kill for.”
They had a joint showing in a prominent Austin gallery in less than a month that Sky had promised to attend.
“I always wanted to dance,” Morgan said. “But somehow, I ended up with the two left feet in the family.”
“Speaking of dancing…”
A familiar, sensual drawl oozed down Sky’s spine the way it had months ago, when she’d first set foot on the grounds of the Painted Horse Ranch & Inn.
She whirled around and found Sam standing behind her, a sexy grin on his face that made his emerald eyes glow and caused everything inside her to light up like a Texas Fourth of July night sky.
She could barely breathe at the sight of him, but managed to ask, “What are you doing here?”
He gestured casually toward the stage and said, “Waylon Jennings tribute band on the calendar. Where else would you be tonight?”
Sky smiled. “Right.”
Morgan indiscreetly cleared her throat. “Who’s the good-lookin’ cowboy?”
Sky made all the introductions.
Then the lead singer announced, “We have a special request that ya’ll will like.”
The band launched into Waylon’s Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love) and Sky’s smile widened. Her heart fluttered.
Sam took her hand and asked, “You’ll dance with me, right?”
“Yes.” It was the only word she could work around the emotion in her throat.
“If you’ll excuse us,” he said to her family. “I’m guessing this is one of her favorites.”
He led her to the outskirts of the conglomeration of dancers and general audience, finding a nice, private space under a tree. He pulled her close to him and twined his fingers with hers, resting their hands against his chest while his other arm wrapped around her waist. He held her tight as they moved to the music.
“You guessed right, cowboy.”
His lips grazed her temple and he said, “I’ve tried being patient, but like you, I’m not good at waiting around. I know what I want, Sky, and I can’t for the life of me figure out how to sit back and wait for it to come to me.”
She stared up at him, the tingles running rampant through her body again. The way they’d done when she’d first met Sam. The sensation had vanished for a while, as she’d worked through the complication of the Mac Willet aftershock. But with them returning full force tonight, she couldn’t help but see that as a good sign. A damn good sign.
“It being me.”
He nodded.
Sky’s lips pressed together for a moment. Then she said, “Interesting song you picked.”
It wasn’t just about leaving behind the oppression
of high society—obviously something Sam had conquered when it came to his roots. It was about reconnecting and grasping the more basics elements of life—and love.
“Don’t leave the inn,” he said in a quiet voice. “Sing here. Visit your family. Do whatever you want, darlin’, but stay on at the ranch. Stay with me.”
She stared deep into his eyes and that ray of light and hope that always speared her when she was with him gripped her once more.
“I don’t care how long it takes you to heal,” he said. “I just want to help you. I want to be with you, Sky. Always.”
Her heart swelled. Tears prickled her eyes. “Sam.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him.
He embraced her and whispered in her ear, “I was hooked on you the second I saw you. That first time you came to the ranch. I love you, Sky. Let me take you home.”
She blinked, a few drops rolling down her cheeks. “To the cottage?”
“Mine, not the one on Jack’s property.”
She nodded. “Yeah. That one.”
His head dipped and he kissed her. Softly. Sweetly.
Sky was instantly whisked away in the flood of emotions and sensations he evoked. She missed him more than anything she could possibly fathom and wanted him more than she wanted her next breath.
Tearing her mouth from his, she said, “Now, Sam. Take me home now.”
He unraveled from her and took her by the hand. She grabbed Morgan in the crowd and said, “Look after my guitar and take my Escalade back to Daddy’s tonight, since y’all are still staying there.” She handed over the keys. “Oh,” she added. “Mama’s recipe box is in the glove compartment. You and Macy might want to look ’em over. Share with Tara too, okay? I’ve got a date with this studly cowboy.” She winked.
Morgan gave her a quick hug and whispered, “Does he have a brother?”
“Already engaged, but I’ll keep my eyes open for you.”
They hugged again and Morgan said, “Mace and I love you. Come see us again. Soon.”
“Come see me,” Sky countered. “In Wilder. At the ranch. You’ll love it. I promise a weekend there will inspire your artistic sides.”
“Deal.”
Sky walked briskly with Sam to his truck. He opened the door for her and she climbed in, securing her seatbelt. He joined her and shot a heated look her way that curled her toes.
“You did wait,” she said, though he’d told her he wasn’t good at that.
“I couldn’t push. I mean…I wanted to. Damn, how I wanted to.”
She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “I’m glad you didn’t. I needed to talk it out with the right people, Sam. You understand that, don’t you?”
“I gave you that advice upfront for a reason. Doesn’t mean it was easy to accept the ‘right people’ didn’t include me. But then again… If we’d been together when I’d come back from Afghanistan…” He shrugged and let out a long breath. “I’m not sure I could have talked my feelings out with you. I felt guilty and I wouldn’t have wanted you to think differently about me.”
“Exactly,” she said. “It has to be reconciled in your own mind before you can share it with someone else.”
His hand smoothed over her hair and he grinned at her. “I had to be me again, before I could be with someone else.”
“Yes.” He eyed her a few moments, and Sky finally added, “I think I’m me again. If not wholly, suddenly getting closer by the second…”
Sam leaned over and kissed her. Then he started the truck and drove them back to the ranch.
When they reached the cottage, he led her to the tall windows and sank into a chair that looked out at the lake. With her in his lap, he kissed her again. His fingers threaded through her hair, then trailed down her neck. As their tongues tangled, he unbuttoned her shirt. He palmed her breast and gently squeezed before whisking the pad of his thumb over her nipple, hardening it behind the lacy cup.
Sky moaned. It felt so damn good to have his hands on her body again. He caressed her breast while deepening their kiss. Her insides ignited.
She broke their kiss and tugged on his T-shirt, hauling it over his head and tossing it aside. Her fingers glided over the taut muscles of his shoulders and arms. Her lips grazed his neck and then his pectorals. Her tongue flicked a small, pebbled nipple and he groaned.
“Darlin’, you make me hard in a heartbeat.”
She licked him again. Then she stripped off her blouse and bra. She stood and worked the fastenings on her jeans, toeing off her boots at the same time.
Sam pulled a condom from the front pocket of his jeans, and she grinned at him.
“I like that you’re prepared.”
“Didn’t think we’d be able to keep our hands off each other,” he told her.
“And you were right.”
Seconds later, she was naked. Sam yanked apart the line of buttons on his fly. He wore loose boxers beneath. Sky straddled his lap.
He dropped the condom on the end table and then his hands roamed her body. He cupped her breasts and suckled her nipple.
Sky’s head fell back, her spine arching. He drew her other nipple into his mouth, then he rolled both of the taut peaks between his fingers and thumbs.
Her pussy ached for him and she rubbed herself against his erection.
Sam grunted. He skimmed a hand down her stomach and massaged her clit with his thumb. She lifted slightly off of him, and he eased a finger inside her.
“Already wet for me,” he murmured against her breast.
“Yes.”
He stroked her inner walls while the heel of his hand rubbed her clit. His mouth was alternately on her breasts again. His free hand kneaded an ass cheek.
Desire skittered through Sky and her breathing picked up. Sam worked a second finger into her pussy, and a throaty moan fell from her lips.
Her fingers combed through his hair. She kissed his forehead. His temple. Inhaled his manly, earthy scent—the cologne she’d come to love mingling with his heat.
He stroked a bit faster, and her hips jerked.
“I’m going to come.”
Her soft panting filled the quiet room. Lust pumped through her veins, making her skin tingle.
Sam curled his tongue around her nipple, and that was the last straw for Sky. The erotic sensations inside her swelled and burst wide open.
“Sam!” She came on a powerful rush of passion and exhilaration.
He withdrew from her and hugged her tight. Her breasts pressed to his chest. Her face buried in the crook of his neck.
She muttered against his throat, “Feel free to do that to me every night from here on out.”
“That specifically, or am I allowed to change it up?”
“Let me rephrase,” she said, her breathing still heavy. “Feel free to do whatever the hell you want to me every night from here on out.”
He chuckled. “Good to know. I have plenty in mind.”
A wicked thrill chased down her spine. “I’m sure you do.”
She lifted her head and kissed him. Then she reached for the condom and tore the packet open. She maneuvered his cock through the opening of his boxers and rolled the latex down his thick shaft. She guided the tip along her labia, back and forth.
Sam groaned. “Stop teasing me.” His tone was dark with need.
Sky’s hips pressed down, and he sank into her. She took him all the way in and rocked with him, slowly.
“Jesus,” Sam ground out. “Tight and wet. You feel incredible.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I really have missed you. My nights are hell without you.”
He kissed her, then said, “Maybe someday, we’ll forgo the condoms.”
Sky grinned. “You want kids?”
“I want everything,” he said in a territorial voice. “With you.”
Emotion gripped her. “Sam.” She sighed against his lips. “You really are something else.”
She kissed him as they moved together, their liploc
k turning as searing as their lovemaking. Sam picked up the pace and her hips undulated. His cock filled and stretched her, eliciting fiery sensations that consumed her. Their tempo increased. He thrust deep into her, causing her to wrench her mouth from his and suck in a sharp breath.
“Come with me,” she said.
Sam let out a low growl. Sky rode him a bit faster. His grip on her waist tightened.
“You make me lose all control,” he told her in a strained voice.
“I just can’t get enough of you.”
He thrust harder and everything within her exploded. She cried out his name. Squeezed his cock, milking it.
“That’s good, darlin’,” he whispered. “Just that like.”
And seconds later, she felt his thick shaft pulse inside her. His body convulsed.
“Oh Christ, I love you,” he said on a harsh breath.
Sky collapsed against him. He embraced her.
When their wicked panting slowed, he said, “Marry me.”
“Yes.”
She didn’t have to think twice about it. She’d finally, finally, gotten it right.
With Sam Bennett.
Epilogue
Three months later
The double wedding ceremony was held on the event lawn of the inn. Seemed all of Wilder had gathered for the nuptials, not to mention Sky’s family, her friends from Luckenbach and a few celebs she remained in contact with, including Silver Monroe and her new husband, Kolby Marx. Sky and Sam had attended their wedding weeks before in Hawaii.
Sam’s parents came down from Dallas and took an instant liking to Sky—not a big surprise, given her bit of fame. Though, Sam had to admit that his dad and Judith expressed a sincere amount of sympathy for Sky’s recent troubles, and Sam respected their compassion, unexpected though it was.
The dual nuptials broke the record for most guests the inn had hosted, and it took hiring temporary chefs, servers and bussers from Austin and San Antonio to pull off the reception, which had to take place both indoors and outdoors.
