Taming His Cowgirl (The Crooked Creek Ranch Book 1)

by Delta James

  Ryder stood and shook his hand. “I am. I’ll get things at home straightened out and then regardless of whether you’re still with us, I’ll claim what’s mine. I’ll make her happy, John. I give you my word.”

  “Thank you, Ryder. I can go join her mama and let her know I did right by our daughter.”

  Ryder walked John out to his rental car. The two men looked at each other. “I won’t let you down, John.”

  “I’m counting on it. Take good care of her.”

  Ryder watched as John folded himself back into the small automobile and drove off into the night. He walked back into the cottage, booted up his computer, and wrote his resignation letter. Within the month, Ryder had returned home… and to Sierra.

  Chapter Four

  Present day

  No one had heard from him in almost five years. Then, late last year as his father left on a fall cruise, Ryder had showed up and taken over the running of the ranch. He’d stepped in and stepped up. He organized moving the cattle into their winter pastures, culled what cattle he could, and set about getting the barn and fences in shape for the harsh Idaho winter.

  At first the ranch hands had been a bit taken aback by the prodigal son’s return but quickly figured out their future jobs were in far better hands if those hands were Ryder’s and not his father’s. Ryder had slowly but surely started the ranch back on the road to solvency, but his father’s impending return could put an end to that.

  No one, not even Andy with whom he’d been friends all of his life, knew where he’d been. There was all kinds of wild speculation about why he’d left and where he’d been. Their hometown was a small out-of-the-way place where the most exciting thing that happened was trying to figure out what everyone else was doing and why.

  * * *

  Sierra circulated through her father’s memorial service. She acknowledged condolences and was gratified when the mood started to lighten and people began telling their favorite stories about the man they had known. Many of the stories she had heard before but some of her father’s older friends told stories of the time her dad had spent rodeoing in his misspent youth. A misspent youth she had known nothing about.

  “Your grandfather all but disowned him. But he and Hank Malone were probably the best team ropers that ever lived. I think I heard once that they never missed a loop.”

  Sierra was surprised. She’d known her father had been a world champion steer wrestler, but she hadn’t known he roped… much less with Ryder’s father. She found it hard to imagine Hank Malone roping a steer.

  “You didn’t know, did you? About our fathers?” Ryder had come up behind her.

  Sierra turned around to face him. “No. He never mentioned it. Their scheme to unite our families through us makes a bit more sense knowing that. I never really pictured them as friends.”

  “I think it was a defining moment in both their lives. As my dad tells it, they both fell in love with the same girl. My father was far more dashing, but your father wanted a home and family and was willing to walk away from the rodeo to have that.”

  “But you’re older than me,” Sierra said, fascinated that she’d never heard this story.

  Several of the men gathered round chuckled. “I am. Three years to be exact. My mama was a barrel racer and a good one. Met my dad and threw caution to the wind. I was the result less than a year after they met. By then he’d moved on. My mom couldn’t take being an unmarried mother so she contacted my grandmother and gave her a choice… come get me and raise me or she’d put me up for adoption. My gran came and got me and my grandparents raised me. I really don’t even recall my dad being in my life until after they passed. By then he was on wife number two and they came back to the ranch and tried to settle down… didn’t work out too well.”

  “The things you learn when your father dies. I’d never heard any of this.”

  “My dad always said the biggest mistake he ever made was letting your mom leave with your dad. But my grandmother said, my dad never had a chance. She used to say that your mama felt for your daddy what she felt for my grandfather.”

  “Now that I did know. My father never would remarry, although I’m not sure that was his best idea. I’d hate to think my mother wouldn’t have wanted him to be happy and marry again.”

  “He had Ruth… and she loved both of you.”

  Sierra glanced across to Ruth. “Yes, she did. I never really missed my mother because she died when I was just a toddler and all I remember is Ruth.”

  Doc Walker joined them and put his arm around Sierra. “And that was quite the to-do when it happened. Back then one man didn’t interfere with another man and his wife. But Ruth’s ex was a mean snake. Your daddy took one look at her face and that was all she wrote. Took three of his men to pull him off of that bastard. He had Ruth stay in the foreman’s house until he converted that area off the kitchen into her space then moved her in there.” There were a lot of speculative smiles. “And regardless of what these old hens want to think, I don’t believe Ruth and your daddy were ever an item.”

  “It wouldn’t have bothered me if they were, but neither would ever discuss it.”

  Sierra excused herself and stopped to visit with several other neighbors. Ryder watched as she inched her way to the kitchen. He was pretty sure she wanted to make an escape at least for a few minutes. She wasn’t one to show her emotions easily. There had been some talk that she was cold and driven. Driven she might be, but Ryder had found her anything but cold. It was that very warmth that in the end had brought him home.

  Sierra slipped through the kitchen and out the back door. She took a deep breath of the cool night air and headed down to the barn. It had always been her refuge and the back of a horse her greatest solace. She entered the barn and Joker nickered softly to her.

  She opened the stall door and rubbed his ears. “Hey, baby. I’ve missed you. You been behaving yourself?”

  “If he’s like all the other renegades you’ve ridden… probably not.”

  Sierra swung around to look Ryder in the eye. “You really don’t take a hint, do you?”

  “You mean that little snarky comment at your dad’s funeral or the way you slipped out of the house?”

  “Both. Most men would just let it be.”

  “I’m not most men and you know it. I figured I’d let the snark go because you have to be hurting. And you weren’t slipping away just from me, but from everybody. You’ve always come to the barn when you’re upset or hurting. You forget, Sierra, I’ve known you all your life and helluva a lot better than most.”

  Ryder had been Sierra’s first lover. By that time, they were engaged. Ryder liked to tease her that while she’d been a late bloomer, she made up for it with enthusiasm and unbridled passion. It wasn’t that Sierra had consciously been saving herself for either Ryder or marriage, but she was glad it had been him.

  Ryder had been everything a girl could want in a first lover. He was kind, patient, tender, and knew what he was doing. By the time he finally took her virginity, she had been more than ready. Sierra had girlfriends who told horror stories of their first time. Her experience had been amazing and left her wanting more. For the rest of their time together, Sierra craved being with Ryder and he felt the same. They became notorious for being late to things and took very little care in hiding what they’d been doing from their friends.

  “One of many decisions I regret where you’re concerned. Could we just not, Ryder. It was a long time ago and I don’t need to rehash it. You’re either going to stay at Crooked Creek or leave again. It doesn’t matter to me.”

  “It wasn’t what you thought. Any feelings I had for Debbie had become just as a friend long before that night.”

  “Think that’s what your dad told my mom about your mother?”

  “Youch. I’d forgotten your penchant for going for the kill shot when cornered.”

  “Then you can thank me for reminding you. Could you leave? Could you just go?”

  “For the
moment, but we’re not through, Sierra… not by a long shot. Truly, I’m sorry about your dad. He was a good man. I liked and admired him a lot.”

  “Thanks, Ryder. Could you just let Ruth know I’m down here, but I’ll be up in a few minutes?”

  “Sure thing. What’s on your agenda the next couple of days? I think we need to talk…”

  “Look, Ryder, it was a long time ago and I don’t have the emotional bandwidth to rehash what never was. Could you just go… at least for now?”

  He closed the distance between them and kissed her forehead. “For now, Sierra. But, I am going to make you listen.” He walked out of the barn and up to the house.

  * * *

  Sierra watched him leave. Debbie had been everything in high school Sierra wasn’t. And nothing had changed after Sierra graduated. Debbie was Ryder’s age and he didn’t think of her as that freckle-faced brat who tagged along when he was a kid whether he wanted her to or not. Debbie had the perfect face, the perfect body, the perfect hair… the perfect everything. Finding her in Ryder’s arms mere weeks before their wedding had been Sierra’s undoing.

  Sierra had been in love with Ryder Malone for as long as she could remember. When she first started following him around, he chased her away. It didn’t work. She did everything he did and tried to do it better. He’d laughed at her and let her tag along until he discovered girls. Then he’d had little use for the kid he thought of as a bratty little sister. That dismissal didn’t deter Sierra. She had followed him anyway. She’d just learned to do so without his knowing.

  Sierra was something of a late bloomer. She’d been too busy being her father’s only child and learning how to one day run the Flying M. It wasn’t until she was attending the local community college that she saw her first human cock—it was Ryder’s. Only later in life did she realize he was well endowed. There had been a community party after the round up. People brought side dishes and desserts and there was a whole beef being cooked over an open spit. The farmhouse, lawn, and barnyard had been strung with lights. A dance floor was set up with a local band keeping a lively tune. The Flying M was known for its after party. Everyone in the area came, ate, danced, and generally had a great time.

  Sierra could only take so much of the huge throng of people before she needed to take a break. Seeing Ryder with his Debbie had not done anything to alleviate her need for peace. Sierra had gone down to the barn ostensibly to check on her horse, but in truth to be away from all the hustle and bustle. The roundup had been exhilarating and exhausting. Her father had begun to lean heavily on her to help with the roundup. The men at the Flying M had learned that while Sierra might be a young woman, she was more than capable of being put in charge of any area of the roundup and would work longer and harder than any man.

  Sierra had slipped away and sought the peace and tranquility of the barn. Not wanting to be disturbed, she’d climbed into the hayloft and relaxed behind a large, solid stack of bales of alfalfa hay. She’d heard Ryder and his date enter the barn. She didn’t want to have to be introduced to Ryder’s date or be polite, so she remained hidden and kept silent, hoping they’d come and go quickly. Once they’d climbed into the loft with her, Sierra felt it was too late to reveal her presence.

  She’d seen plenty of animals breed and had a rudimentary understanding of what went on between a man and a woman, but watching Ryder fuck his girlfriend had been an eye-opening experience. One she had never forgotten. For one thing she had been a bit surprised that he didn’t mount her from behind as horses and cattle did when breeding. And while heifers and mares stoically endured being mated, Ryder’s girlfriend seemed to take great pleasure in the coupling.

  That had been enough for Sierra; she’d never followed Ryder again. But when her own growing desires and sexual needs began to develop, it was Ryder’s cock, hands, and mouth she would imagine pleasuring her as she satisfied those needs.

  * * *

  Sierra shook her head to clear the memories. The last thing she needed right now was Ryder Malone wanting to excise his guilt and clear his conscience. She gave Joker a last pat and headed back up to the house. As she entered the kitchen, she could hear the party—and that’s what it had become—continuing. She smiled. Her father would have liked that. No sad songs for John Morgan. He’d always told her she should dispose of the body in the least expensive way possible and spend all the money she might have on a grand funeral on a party for his friends. He wanted people to come to the house to laugh, drink, and share stories of his life. She looked up toward heaven and thought she’d given him exactly what he wanted.

  She re-entered the great room and started to make her rounds through the people who had come to celebrate her father’s life. She joined Ruth and gave her a hug. Ruth hugged her back.

  “This is exactly what your daddy would have wanted.”

  “I was just thinking that when I came back in. Did Ryder give you my message?”

  “He did. I think you may have misjudged him or if you didn’t, he’s changed. He seemed genuinely concerned for you when he told me he was going to go check on you.”

  “He told you he was going to follow me down to the barn? Why did you let him know I had gone down there?”

  “I didn’t let him know. I was worried about you. He could see that and told me he’d go check on you. Did he say something to upset you?”

  Sierra could tell Ruth was now concerned she’d done something wrong. “Of course not. He did just what he told you—made sure I was okay, told me again he was sorry that Daddy was gone, and said he’d let you know I’d be back up in a minute.”

  She gave Ruth another hug and left her to circulate among their guests. She spied a group of her father’s oldest friends. Martin Scott, the longtime family solicitor, was amongst that group of men.

  “Sierra,” he said. “We need to pick a time for the reading of the will. I’ve opened up the probate case and you’ll want to get everything settled so you can move on.”

  “It shouldn’t be too difficult, should it? I mean, a few bequeaths to long-time employees, but the ranch comes to me, right?”

  “I’m not at liberty to say until the official reading of the will. We can do that here at the ranch or at my office. Would tomorrow morning about eleven work for you?”

  “Sure. Can we do it here?” He nodded. “Do I need to contact people?”

  “No, I’ll have my secretary do that, but if you can let Ruth and Charlie know, I’d appreciate it.”

  “I can do that. Why don’t we meet in the kitchen? Ruth can put together a little something so that we can eat together.”

  “Sounds good, Sierra.” He started to walk away.

  Sierra reached out and touched his arm. “What is it, Marty? Did Daddy give most of the ranch away to a foundation or the State? Am I about to be homeless?”

  “Oh lord, no, Sierra. Your daddy knew that this ranch is your lifeblood just like it was his. He just set things up a bit out of the norm. Don’t worry. I never knew your dad to do anything that he wasn’t absolutely sure of the outcome. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Charlie joined her as the lawyer walked off. “Everything okay, Sierra?”

  “I think so. Marty’s just acting a bit odd.”

  “Odd for normal people or odd for Marty? Marty’s never been what I’d call normal.”

  Sierra giggled. “Just because he doesn’t ride, rope, fish, or hunt doesn’t make him not normal.”

  “Maybe not, but it sure don’t make him normal.”

  Sierra giggled again. It felt good to begin to laugh again. “He said we have to do a formal reading of the will. We’re going to do it tomorrow morning at eleven at the kitchen table. You and Ruth need to be there. We can go out and do morning chores and get the boys lined out for the rest of the day. I’ll have Ruth get something together to feed everyone.”

  Chapter Five

  Sierra was up and away from the barn before the sun had finished climbing over the horizon. She awoke with a feeling
of restlessness and decided grabbing a quick ride and checking on the roan stallion and his mares might be a good idea before hearing her father’s will read. She left both Charlie and Ruth notes so they wouldn’t worry. It felt good to put her foot in the stirrup and throw a leg over Joker’s back.

  * * *

  Ryder rode to the top of the ridge that lay between his family’s ranch and the Flying M. It had long been his favorite place to go when he needed to think. With John now dead, the reality of their conversation in France had come home to roost. There was a part of Ryder that was grateful to John for him giving him an opportunity, as he had put it, to be in a position to force Sierra to deal with him. That was the primal male part of him that wanted to claim her once and for all. But there was that softer part of him that knew that the upcoming days, weeks, and possibly months were not going to be easy for her.

  Ryder turned his horse toward the Flying M and spied a lone rider heading out in the pre-dawn light. It didn’t take a closer look or any guesswork to know that it was Sierra. What the hell is she up to at this hour of the morning? Ryder turned his horse to follow her. He justified it in his mind that turnabout was fair play. Sierra had been following him around since they were kids.

  It occurred to Ryder that he had always known that he would be with Sierra. He’d tomcatted around waiting for her to grow up, but never anything serious. When his father and John had begun talking about merging the two families and ranches through a marriage, neither he nor Sierra had objected.