by Desiree Holt
He had a tiny underlying motive, too. His Appaloosa breeding ranch was just in its infancy. He’d barely bought the place—the house and the land, and purchased a small amount of stock from a breeder to give himself a start. Maybe it was childish, but he wanted to show it off. And today was a beautiful Kansas day with everything bathed in a honey-gold glow, the trees shook their leaves in the faint breeze, and the horses in the corral were prancing as if they knew they needed to perform.
He walked back to the corral and leaned against the split rail fencing that circled it, inhaling the scent of sunshine, hay and horses he loved so much. He had his eyes closed and his face tipped up to the sun when he heard the distinct sound of tires on gravel. He opened his eyes and watched the car heading down his driveway to the house. Everything was ready for today—the steaks for grilling, the potatoes and corn for roasting, and two big tubs were filled with beer on ice. This would be his first meal in his own place with his brothers, and he was really looking forward to it.
The black SUV wheeled into the parking area and, in a moment, his brother Dylan stepped out, grinning from ear to ear.
“Glad you could make it,” Killian said, walking forward.
“Me, too.” Dylan stretched. “Damn! It sure feels good to be off the road for a while. I love my music, but this place is really growing on me. Plus, I’ve got that band camp thing going.”
“Jackson should be here shortly,” Killian told him.
“Isn’t he getting ready for the Cheyenne rodeo?”
“Uh-huh. But he’s glad to have some time at home with Rori.” Killian winked. “He’s really gone on her.”
“No more than the rest of us,” Dylan said. “I mean, with our own women.”
“Rogue’s probably not far behind him. He texted me a little while ago. Say, did you know he and Kit are going on a cruise?”
“Yeah. Sounds like fun, but not my kind.” He stretched. “But I guess we’ll all do whatever makes our women happy.”
“You got that one right.”
“Well, I’ve got some damn good steaks, corn and potatoes to roast, and tubs of cold beer.” He grinned. “And some fine horseflesh to show off.”
“And here come the others,” Dylan said as a dual cab pickup turned off the highway and headed down the gravel drive.
Chapter One
Killian shaded his eyes and looked up at the Kansas sun casting its warm rays down on the pastures and the ranch buildings. Everything was bathed in gold, a symbol, he thought, of his life now. The soft breeze carried the sweet smell of hay and grass and the familiar aroma of horseflesh. When he let his gaze roam over the ranch house, the barns, and the other outbuildings, he had to pinch himself to believe it was really all his. The dream he’d always believed too far beyond his reach was actually a reality.
And then, of course, there was Lexie, a woman he loved desperately. From the first moment he’d seen her, he knew she was the one. At first, he’d been afraid to think of forever with her, reminding himself that he was one of four offspring of a man who sired sons out of wedlock. Who’d betrayed his marriage vows. But then his mother had convinced him she had to hold tight to the fact she’d been supremely happy with his father whenever they were together. And that a wandering dick wasn’t something you inherited.
But Lexie herself had convinced him he was a man worth loving. Thank god for that. Her smile warmed every inch of him and every corner of his heart. Just being in the same room with her, breathing in her light floral scent, brushing his hand over the fall of shimmery, sable-colored hair with its scattering of gold streaks. Tasting her lips or even just sitting next to her. And the sex! Holy shit! Hot didn’t begin to describe it. But some of the best times were when they lay in bed at night and he held her in his arms, her soft, warm body snuggled up next to his, a gift he’d cherish for the rest of his life.
He hoped, too, she knew how proud he was of her painting. It had taken her a while to get back to it after her disaster in Savannah, and for a long time she’d done it in secret. But he encouraged it, even taking one of the bedrooms and putting in skylights for better lighting so she could have a proper studio at home.
And last, but far from least, were the three brothers who’d turned out not to be the bastards he feared when they first met. They were finally beginning to seem at ease with each other, having hashed out the details of the estate distribution and parceled out who would take what trips and when.
They were all in Red Creek now, at least for the week. Well, Killian for good, since he’d managed to grab this land next to Dusty’s property and buy that premium Appaloosa stock. They were trying to use this time to get to know each other better and maybe establish the family situation Dusty had seemed to have in mind for them.
Today’s barbecue offered another get-to-know you bonding experience. At least he hoped so. It was late afternoon, and they sat on Killian’s patio, pleasantly full of steaks, roasted corn and potatoes, and good beer. Conversation was at a momentary lull, and, at the moment, no one seemed eager or interested in moving. The afternoon had been an enjoyable one, full of jokes and storytelling and thoughts about the future.
He was sure he was the luckiest bastard in the world.
“So, how many horses do you figure to have when you get yourself all stocked?” Rogue asked, breaking the silence. “I have no idea what’s a good number for a horse ranch.”
“Me, either,” Dylan chimed in. He was in Red Creek for a while, taking an extended break from touring to start up a band camp for underprivileged kids.
“You done research, Killian?” Rogue wanted to know. “I mean, I guess you must have before you laid out all the bucks for this place.”
“I’ve been doing my research for years,” he reminded them. “This was always my dream. Now it’s coming true. Shook my mind, though, to find out how that number varies. But, for right now, I’ve got two high-value stallions and four mares of the same quality.”
“So, how does this breeding thing work?” Dylan asked. “You just turn ’em loose and let them go at it?”
“Hell, no. You wouldn’t believe what all goes into it. In fact, before I even bought the stallions, my vet tested their motility to be sure they were worth the money.”
“Motility?” Dylan frowned.
“Yeah. Of their sperm. It’s the ability of the sperm to move actively for insemination.”
Jackson burst out laughing. “You should know all about that, Dylan. Seems your motility is just fine.”
Killian looked at his brother. Dylan reddened slightly but he was grinning. They all knew Dylan and Zoe had connected after a long time apart, and they were living in Zoe’s farmhouse with her son. And that was a story and a half.
Jackson looked at Dylan. “We need to get busy on your bachelor party, bro.”
“Yeah, we do,” Killian and Rogue chimed in.
“Whatever you guys want works for me. I promised Zoe no strippers, though.”
“Hell.” Killian scratched his head. “I think all our women would castrate us if we had strippers at the party.”
As a group, they shuddered at the thought.
“Definitely no strippers,” Rogue agreed.
They lapsed into silence again, broken suddenly by the whinny of horses.
“You taking care of the animals all by yourself?” Dylan wanted to know. “That’s a pretty big job.”
Killian snorted. “No shit! Doesn’t allow much time for sleep.”
“Especially with that pretty wife to take care of, too,” Jackson teased.
“It’ll work out. The breeder I bought from sent one of his hands over for a couple of days and helped me with an ad. Gave me the online site to place it where it would get the most action. And Ed at the feed store posted it on his bulletin board for me, too. Tomorrow, I’m talking to some of the guys who responded they might like to hire on.”
“Hope you know what to ask them,” Rogue joked.
“The breeder’s kindly offered to meet
me here about two o’clock and help with the interviews. They’ve got good references. Just looking to make a change for different reasons. Hope they work out because, on top of the Appaloosas, I’ve also got the riding horses.”
Rogue stared at him. “You don’t ride these others?”
“Hell, no. They’re strictly for breeding purposes.” He grinned at his brothers. “Too expensive for me to use. I’ve got some good saddle horses in the barn, though, including one Appaloosa too old to make a good sire anymore. He’s a pleasure horse now, and the one I ride.”
“Yeah?” Dylan quirked up an eyebrow. “How many and who rides them?” He glanced around. “I don’t see a crowd waiting to saddle up.”
Killian laughed. “I started out to get just one, believe it or not. For me. Can’t quite get Lexie up on a horse yet, but I’m working on it. Somehow, I ended up with four. Guess I wanted to have them so you guys could come out and ride when you’re around and want to.”
“Yeah?” Dylan gave him an interested look. “Really? Ride those horses?”
“Only if you know what you’re doing,” Killian amended.
Dylan pointed to Jackson with his beer bottle. “You ought to be willing to get up on one of them, rodeo man.” He took a swallow of beer and glanced at Rogue. “What about you?”
“Hell, yeah. I’ve been on a horse a time or two. Or maybe three.”
“I’m serious, you guys,” Killian insisted. “If you don’t know what you’re doing, someone can get hurt.”
“Hell, I’ll help.” Jackson pushed himself out of his chair. “Come on. I’ll hold your hands.”
“Shit.” Rogue shook his head. “I don’t know about that. Doing anything with you is dangerous. Look what you did to your hand on a simple fishing trip.”
“Yeah, but it’s healing nicely. I’ll be fine before my next date on the rodeo circuit.” He glanced at Dylan. “You game, bro?”
“You know,” Killian drawled, rubbing his chin, “I didn’t say it had to be done this minute. Just whenever the time feels right.”
“Well, I say that’s now,” Dylan said. “At least for me. But, Rogue? You’re fixin’ to take your lady on a cruise. You think she’d be happy if you showed up home on crutches?”
“Oh.” Rogue sat up straight. “So you don’t think I can sit on a horse?”
“Listen, guys,” Killian broke in. “We don’t have to do this today. I just thought I’d let you know the horses are there for, well, whenever.”
He sure didn’t want a repeat of the fishing trip, when Jackson ended up in the ER getting his hand stitched. Damage from a horse could be a lot worse.
Rogue pushed himself out of his chair. Killian noticed his brother had been a little on edge since he got there, although he’d been doing his best to conceal it. Maybe a ride would settle him down.
“I figure if we just let them walk slowly, we’ll be good.” He grinned. “They do walk, right?”
Killian began to get an uneasy feeling about this.
“Come on, Killian,” Rogue urged. “Get us up on those horses and at least let us walk them around. Get a feel for them.”
Killian checked them all to make sure they hadn’t had too much beer to be careful. Then he took them into the barn where he brought the horses out of their stalls one at a time and saddled them. Jackson helped with the process, the others a combination of excitement and nerves. Finally, he had everyone up on a mount, instructed them on what to do with their hands and feet, and led the little procession out of the barn. He figured he’d take them out onto the path on the other side of the barn, lead them in a big circle and then back again.
But once they got out in the open pasture, Dylan urged his mount up beside Killian, grinned at him and said, “This is fun. Let’s move it along a little faster.”
Killian’s stomach knotted. “Uh, no, bro. Not happening. Let’s just take us a nice slow walk, enjoy the horses, and get back to the barn.”
Dylan laughed. “I can handle it. Like this, right?”
He tightened the reins and urged his horse forward with his legs. The gelding responded to the signal, certainly unaware he had a greenhorn on his back, and took off across the pasture.
“Oh, shit,” Dylan hollered. “Killian, where’s the brake?”
“Fuck, fuck, fuck.” Killian swore under his breath, urged his mount into a canter, and took off after his brother. “You two stay back,” he yelled at the others.”
“We’re good,” Jackson shouted, although Killian barely heard him.
He could only hope Jackson, the experienced bronc rider, kept an eye on Rogue. Up ahead, Dylan held onto the reins for dear life and, thankfully, leaned forward rather than backward as most people would.
Killian urged his own horse forward at the fastest speed he could get from him. He managed to pull alongside Dylan’s mount, grab the bridle, and turn him. The gelding slowed down but, before he settled completely, he tried to rear up on his hind legs. The movement startled Dylan, who had eased his hold as soon as he thought Killian had control of his mount. He jolted out of the saddle and landed on the ground, letting out a huge groan.
Rogue rode up in a hurry, Jackson moving slowly behind him.
Killian grabbed the reins of Dylan’s horse, holding him steady. “That was a dumbass thing to do,” he snapped at his brother. “You could have broken your fucking neck.”
“I’m fine, I’m fine,” Dylan insisted, pushing himself to a sitting position even as he groaned with the effort.
“Let me check you over again before you do any more moving,” Killian insisted. He knelt beside his brother, inspecting his arms and legs for any injuries.
“Nothing’s broken,” Dylan insisted. Then he moaned when Killian checked his hip. “And get your hands off my ass, you pervert.”
“Ha ha. Let’s see if we can get you up.”
Killian rose and held out his hand to Dylan. The other man took it and pushed slowly and with obvious discomfort to his feet. He took a couple of tentative steps, pain etched on his face, but Killian was thankful at least the man’s legs didn’t crumple under him.
“I think we need to get you checked out in the emergency room,” he stated. “Just to be sure.”
“No fucking way,” Dylan snapped. “We don’t need any more emergency room trips. I’ll be okay after a hot bath.”
“So you say.”
“So I say is right.” Dylan grimaced as he took another step.
“Okay.” Killian sighed. “The first thing we need to do is get you back to the house.” He looked at the others. “I’ll ride my horse and lead Dylan’s,” he told them. “You guys wait here. I’ll bring the pickup, and we’ll tote him back in that. Dylan, you sit down while you wait.”
It was an indication of the man’s pain that he didn’t argue.
Killian spurred his horse to get to the ranch as fast as he could. In the barn, he found some horse blankets and threw them in the back of the pickup to provide padding then headed out to where the others waited.
“Too bad you didn’t land on your head,” he grumbled to Dylan. “At least we’d know nothing got hurt.”
“Ha ha ha.” Dylan gave a sarcastic laugh, but, in the next second, he moaned again as they lifted him into the pickup and settled him on the blankets.
Killian drove the truck slowly to the barn, Jackson and Rogue following along with their mounts. When they arrived, he made sure Dylan was okay before getting the horses unsaddled and stabled with Rogue’s help.
“Emergency room,” Killian insisted. “And don’t give me any shit.”
“No damn fucking way,” Dylan ground out again.
“You don’t get a vote,” Killian pronounced when he saw the trouble his brother had moving around. “You’ve got obligations to take care of. That music camp for kids you’re working on getting started. Then, around Christmas, a new tour, right? We need to make sure you’re in shape.”
“I won’t be doing any heavy lifting,” Dylan insisted. “An
d I promise you I’ll be fine in the morning. Besides, our women will have a shit fit if they have to come to the emergency room again, especially so soon after the last visit. So no. No, no, no.”
Despite his arguing, however, they loaded him into Killian’s SUV and trooped off to the emergency room.
“You know the ladies will never let us out on our own again,” Rogue commented. “Right?”
*****
Killian looked around the waiting area at the hospital’s Emergency Room and hoped they weren’t going to make this a regular stop on their schedules. Much of the blame for this trip landed on his shoulders. He should have known better than to let the greenhorns up on the horses. But the animals were very tame, no spooky habits, and he’d figured a slow walk couldn’t hurt anything.
Hah!
Showed how much he knew.
All he’d wanted was an afternoon with his newly discovered brothers, a chance to eat good food and drink beer, and to maybe show off his ranch a little. They’d all agreed they should take this time to do a little bonding. So far, they were mostly bonding over disasters.
He’d taken the responsibility of calling Zoe, sucking it up as he related the situation, and telling her where they were. To her credit, she didn’t scream or cuss him out over the phone. She just thanked him for calling and said she’d be right there. But he heard the underlying tones in her voice, a mixture of anger and fear, and again he’d cursed himself for his stupidity.
He’d insisted each of the men call their women, knowing there’d be holy hell to pay if even one of them got left out of on the situation. The call to Lexie was the hardest for him because he didn’t want to hear the blame in her voice. She’d actually been quite calm, but when she arrived at the hospital, she wasn’t smiling.
Shit!
But she allowed him to kiss her cheek and to tug her down into a chair next to him. She sat there quietly while the others asked the million questions about how this could have happened. Watched while the other men did their best to defend themselves. At last, she sighed and looked at each of the women in turn.
