by Em Petrova
Shock rippled through her.
“Who was the officer? Do you know?” It hit her hard that it could be one of Wes’s brothers, who were both in the law.
Her dad shook his head. “No word released yet. We just heard—there’s talk all over the place. People are banding together to help the guy’s family.”
“What can I do? I’ll write up an event.”
Sundance heard what she said and turned to her. “Make something up. I trust you. We’d like to raise as much money as we can right now while the man’s got a life to fight for.”
This was the part of the Bighorns she loved. For all their shortcomings, they were there in the community in a way many people or even other organizations weren’t.
She stood and listened to the talk for another moment before hurrying off to the office to slap together a fundraiser. Right now, the world had bigger problems, making her own look small in comparison, and she was glad for the perspective.
* * * * *
Wes’s back muscles strained with each wrench of the rope in his grip. But the calf wasn’t cooperating and the heifer’d stopped pushing. “C’mon, momma. A little help would be nice.”
“I’m in agreement,” his dad said, adjusting his hold on the second handle of the calf puller. The pair of them had been working for long minutes, soaked in sweat and muck from the birthing.
But getting a live calf on the ground was the most important thing. Wes would pull all day if it meant saving a life.
“She’s bearing down. Pull,” his father ordered.
They put their combined strength into it and the forelegs slid out of the cow.
“More,” Wes urged.
“Oh my God, Matthias.”
They looked around at Winter’s voice. She was flushed red as if she’d run the whole way from the house.
“What is it?” He stopped pulling as hard but retained his grip and the pressure on the calf.
She ran into the barn and stopped. “Officer was shot. No one can find Judd.”
Wes and Matthias let go at the same time. Wes’s heart lurched against his chest wall so painfully that he grunted.
“What do you mean can’t find him? Who can’t?”
“Birdie hasn’t heard from him. Cecily either.”
The two women who had Judd by the balls were his secretary and wife. Wes’s bowels cramped.
“I’ll call him.” Heedless of the slime on his hands, he grabbed his phone from his back pocket and dialed Judd. While he pressed the phone to his ear, his parents embraced, clinging to each other, each white with what this could mean for them, their family, their universe.
“He’s not answering.” Wes ended the call and stared at them. “Have they disclosed the patient’s name yet? Has Cecily gotten a call?”
His mother shook her head.
“Aiden,” his dad said.
Wes was dialing Aiden before the final syllable crossed his father’s lips. The cow gave a long, low moo of distress. They couldn’t stop the birthing process, but they couldn’t ignore what might have happened to one of their own either.
“Fuck, Wes,” Aiden’s voice filled his ear. “Have you heard?”
“Just now. Who is it? Is it Judd?”
“No one will tell me. Goddammit, this can’t be good.”
“Use that twin link of yours. Can’t you feel him or something?”
“Doesn’t work that way, brother. I wish to fuck it did. Fucking hell.” Aiden’s voice was strained in a way that told Wes that Judd’s twin was losing it.
“Okay, calm down. We have to find someone who knows something. Birdie and Cecily don’t know where Judd’s at.”
“I know. I called them first. Shit!”
“Where are you? Anywhere near the hospital that way?”
“Hell no. I’m halfway across the goddamn state trying to find some asshole who stole a ten-thousand-dollar bull. I’m on my way, driving as fast as I can.”
“Don’t get into an accident. I’m going to make another call. I’ll be in touch, Aiden.”
When he got Cecily on the line, she was crying. She didn’t bother with the formality of saying hello but just said, “Oh my God, Wes. I can’t find Judd and someone’s been shot.”
“It’s okay, honey. Just stay calm. Judd’s known to go off on his own on a case without giving word every time.”
“Birdie always knows where he is.”
“Well, not this time.”
Their mother threw Wes a wild-eyed look. The cow was bearing down but the calf’s legs just moved in and out without going anywhere.
“Cecily, where are you?”
“At home. I don’t know what to do.”
“Sit tight. You’re not in any shape to drive. I’m going to dig a bit and then I’ll call you back.”
He stuffed his phone in his pocket, grabbed the rope around the calf and pulled with every ounce of his strength. Adrenaline, fear and desperation were on his side, and the calf came out in two pulls. It slid onto the hay.
His dad released his mom long enough to dump a bucket of water over its face to get it breathing. It lay there staring as the momma cow twisted around and began licking it.
Wes hurriedly untied the rope from the calf’s legs. His phone was in his hand the minute the rope was free. He walked out of the barn and started rapid-dialing everyone he knew.
First the hospital, who would only disclose that the officer was in surgery and his name couldn’t be released.
He called Judd’s deputies and even the district attorney who was close friends with Judd and often shot skeet with him. He was just ringing off with the man when a call came in.
When he heard the familiar tone of his brother in his ear, Wes’s knees went weak. “Judd, where the fuck have you been?”
“That dipshit Erikson had me running halfway across the county trying to arrest his stupid ass.”
“Everyone thinks you’ve been shot. Including your wife.”
“I got her messages. Called her first. I’m on my way home right now to her. She’s really upset.”
“No fucking shit.”
“Glad to hear everyone cares about me so much. Aiden said he’s going to wring my neck when he sees me.”
“Good, then he’ll take care of it before I do.” Wes felt a grin spread over his face, relieved that his brother was safe and whole.
But a heavy weight for the officer who’d been shot filled his chest.
“Judd, do you know who it is?”
“Yeah. It’s Mason.”
“The marshal?”
“Yeah, he was here to deliver a subpoena and was shot point blank.”
“Jesus Christ.”
“Yeah, he’s in bad shape. Cecily’s on the line again. I gotta go, bro. She’s in a delicate condition and I don’t want her getting too upset. Tell Mom and Dad I’m okay and I’ll call soon.”
Wes rang off and stepped into the barn. “That was Judd. He’s all right.”
His momma’s legs went out from under her and she sat down hard in the hay, legs sprawled out like the newborn calf’s. Wes and his father knelt with her and shared an embrace and a prayer of thanksgiving.
Wes’s mind spun around the events that had just taken place. The calf and mother were fine and so was his brother. Judd had scared the hell out of all of them, and Wes wouldn’t let him live that down for a long time, though he figured Cecily would do most of the honors.
When Wes had spoken with her, the terror in her voice had reached deep down inside Wes and hooked his guts. Judd was her life, her heart and soul. Thank God he was okay for her.
But it left Wes wondering. If he’d been in trouble, who would worry about him that way?
* * * * *
The bikers were all over the county collecting donations at various bike shops, convenience stores and VFW halls. The flyers Stormy had made were taken by the piles and handed out everywhere a Bighorn could ride.
That night when the word came in that the officer had made
it through surgery and was in a guarded stable condition, the Bighorns were ready to party.
Stormy was as happy to hear as anyone and so relieved to know it wasn’t a Roshannon man who’d been injured. But she wasn’t in the mood to join in the celebration.
She moved toward her bedroom when a big hand wrapped around her shoulder. She glanced back to see her dad, looking somber.
“Can I talk to you?”
“I guess.” She led him to her room, which seemed to be the new place to have deep discussions.
He faced her. “I know all about Dirty.”
She blinked.
“DeeDee told Sam, who told me.”
“Shit. I should have known she wouldn’t keep it to herself.”
“It’s good she didn’t.”
Stormy sighed. “At least you know he’s after Alexander and you can give him a head’s up.”
He stared at her for such a long time that Stormy’s heart began to pound.
“What’s going on, Dad?”
“I talked your brother into turning himself in.”
She jerked. “What?” Her voice came out as a rasp.
Her father reached for her, holding her by the shoulders, almost holding her up. She felt like she’d collapse at the news and couldn’t begin to process what it all meant.
“Your brother has some problems he needs to face. And knowing how much it was affecting you—hurting you—made me realize I needed to talk to him about going to the cops and handing himself over.”
“Oh my God.”
Her father tugged her against his chest roughly and held her head to him. “I love you, Stormy. I’ll never have another daughter and I don’t want to lose you. Each day I see you getting sadder and pulling away from us more. Well, I know you love that man, and I don’t even care what he does for a living. He’s a good man who can do right by you, that much is clear to me.”
She pushed back to stare at her father’s face. “Are you serious?”
“You know I’m no good at making things up. Remember those bedtime stories about the crippled reindeer?”
A laugh burst from her, half sob. “So… Alexander’s turned himself in?”
He nodded. “He was sick of running, sick of looking over his shoulder all the time. And ready to clean up his act.”
She swallowed hard. “I’m proud of him.”
“Me too.” He looked into her eyes. “And I’m proud of the woman you are. Giving up the man you love for your family… Well, it was loyal to a fault. But now you’re free to go your own way, baby girl.”
A tear trickled from the corner of her eye.
“Go find your man and make a life together.”
She threw her arms around him and he plucked her off her feet. “I can’t believe I have your blessing.”
“Blessing? Hell, I did the hard work for you.”
“What do you mean?”
He set her down again and grinned. “Dirty’s in the other room waiting.”
Her jaw dropped and for a moment, she didn’t think she could move a muscle. But then her brain caught up and she shot out the door. Searching the bodies filling the front room for one big, muscled man.
When she spotted him, her heart tumbled. She tripped forward, and he strode up to her. Picking her up and slamming his mouth over hers in one move. His scents flooded in—leather, man, grass. A complete mixture of everything she loved in life and held dear.
He pulled back to stare at her. A growl left him as he moved back in for a kiss. Plunging his tongue into her mouth. Cheers erupted around them, and she knew that everything was going to be okay. Her worlds were melding together and Wes’s arms were around her again.
Epilogue
The warm fingers of the Wyoming breeze trailed through Stormy’s hair. Judd’s and Aiden’s wives would kill her if the curls they’d spent hours putting into her hair fell out before she got a chance to walk down the aisle.
This was really happening. Eagle Crest had been set up with a hundred chairs tied with pretty white satin bows and the white tent was erected for dinner and dancing. She was powdered, primped and zipped into her gown with the simple lace beading.
And her cowgirl boots were perfectly broken in for this day. As soon as her sister-in-law-to-be, Amaryllis, had heard she was marrying Wes on the family ranch, she’d insisted she needed something blue and took Stormy shopping for just the right pair.
Stormy peered around the corner of the house where she’d walk out to meet her groom, and Cecily slapped her arm.
“He can’t see you or you’ll have bad luck!” She rubbed at her small baby bump growing under her bridesmaid gown.
Stormy didn’t know if she should giggle or burst into tears. Her emotions were all over the place.
Since Wes had brought her back to Eagle Crest, she’d felt a sense of new beginnings. They’d spent the past months together, working, living and loving.
When he’d dropped to one knee and presented her with a ring, all her dreams had manifested into one happy future.
She held her eyes wide to keep from crying or smudging her mascara. When the man rounded the corner, she widened them even more.
“Dad! You look amazing in a tux.”
“And you couldn’t look more beautiful, though I’d like to see some black biker boots instead of the blue.” He gave her a crooked grin. In a tux that fit him like a perfectly tailored second skin, he looked far from the biker who’d raised her.
She peeked around the corner again. “I see a lot of bikes.” Excitement sounded in her voice. She couldn’t wait to celebrate with her Bighorn family.
“Yeah, they’re all out there waiting for your big entrance. Speaking of…” He offered his arm just as the music began.
Stormy wrapped her arm around his waist and squeezed him before taking his arm. “I’m glad to have you with me today.”
“Happy to do it.” They took their place. Ahead of them, Amaryllis and Cecily made their way one by one down the aisle to where all the Roshannon men stood. But Stormy’s eyes skipped right over Judd and Aiden to gape at the man she was marrying.
The Wyoming sun seemed to beam down only on him, making his thick dark hair gleam and accentuate the chiseled lines of his face. The white of his shirt glowed against his tan neck.
Her heart skipped a beat and for a second, she didn’t know what to do.
Wes’s gaze pinned her where she stood.
Her father looked down at her. “He’s waiting for you.”
They took the first step onto the white satin pathway running through the emerald grass and straight to the makeshift altar where her man stood.
She didn’t realize the walk had ended until Wes’s hands enveloped hers. She tilted her head back to meet his gaze.
Warm, steely gray and burning with love and a trace of tears.
She wanted to go on tiptoe and kiss him already, but there were words to say. Her biker family and her new family, the Roshannons, were here to witness her vowing her love for Wes for the rest of her days.
“You may kiss the bride.”
Shocked at how fast the ceremony had drawn to an end, she turned and tossed the bouquet at the ladies who’d come with Bighorns and threw her arms around her husband’s neck.
* * * * *
Wes couldn’t take his eyes off his new bride. All that white beading clung to her curves like a Harley on the highway. He couldn’t wait to take either for a ride.
She stood laughing with some of the ladies from the club, throwing Wes covert glances that made him look around for a place to hide away with her. Being surrounded by family and friends had him grinding his teeth and waiting for the opportunity to arise.
A beer appeared before his face, and he took it from his brother. Aiden followed Wes’s gaze to Stormy.
“Who knew you’d do so well for yourself?” Aiden brought the beer to his lips.
Judd jumped into the group. “Who did well? Oh yeah, I never expected Wes to marry anything but a horse.”
Wes gave a wry smile and took a swig of the beer. “We had a rough start, for sure.” Looking at Stormy’s beautiful face in profile, he couldn’t believe how far they’d come. Through the proverbial hell and high water. In his opinion, thrust together by fate. His search for family had taken him to the Bighorns and he’d walked away with so much more than he imagined possible.
“So what’s next for Mr. and Mrs. Wes Roshannon?” Judd asked.
“I’ve been thinking of staying right here, helping Dad and building a house on the land, that is if nobody cares.”
Both brothers shrugged. “Why would we care? The land is yours as much as ours, even if you weren’t actually our blood brother.”
He clinked beers with each before spying his opportunity to steal his bride away. “Excuse me.” He shoved his beer at Judd.
Chuckles sounded behind him as he made a beeline for Stormy. He caught her elbow and pulled her away from the Bighorns with a smile. He placed his lips to Stormy’s ear and whispered, “I need you. Alone.”
Her face flushed pink and the ladies giggled, waving her away.
Wes led his wife by the hand around the side of the barn. The party hadn’t reached back here, and he was grateful.
“Wes, where are we going?”
He glanced back at her. “I need a moment alone with this beautiful woman wearing my ring.” He skimmed his thumb over the band he’d just slipped onto her finger.
He drew her to a spot of cool shade. He’d long ago shucked his tuxedo jacket and the bowtie. His shirt was open at the collar and the sleeves rolled but he was still too hot.
What he was about to do would have them both drenched in sweat and sticking together in seconds.
“Oh no. I don’t know if I like that grin,” she said.
“You will.” He grabbed her ass and hitched her against him. A rough sigh left her, and he realized how pent-up she was too.
“Mmm. I fucking want you, Mrs. Roshannon.”
A shiver ran through her, and he couldn’t resist claiming her full, plump lips. As their mouths melded together, she reached down between his legs, settling her warm hand over his bulge.
He groaned, and she answered with a hitching breath as he located her hardened nipple beneath the beading of her dress. He squeezed it nice and slow, pulling a cry from her.
