by L. P. Dover
Shock couldn’t begin to describe how I felt. “Seriously? He’s going to be a doctor?”
She nodded excitedly. “As soon as he finishes school. He has a long way to go, but that’s why he decided to take summer courses up in New York. He’ll be gone the rest of the summer.”
“Well, shit,” I announced. “Good for him.” I looked around the room at all my teammates and sighed. So many changes.
A whistle echoed through the pub, and Kellan hopped up on one of the chairs. “Now that everyone’s here, I just want to say how proud I am of this team. Being your coach has been the dream of a lifetime.” He held up his beer. “To another winning season.” The room burst out in cheers, and everyone drank to the upcoming season. Kellan turned his attention to Maddox and waved him up. “As you all know, this was Maddox’s last game. I’m sure he has some things he’d like to say to you all.”
Maddox helped Lacey sit down and kissed her before taking his place on the chair. I’d never seen him so happy. He stared out at the crowd and sighed. “I just want to say thank you for making this last season one of the best. I know I was a dick to a lot of you over the years.”
Some of the guys snorted, and the room erupted into laughter. Maddox was a dick to a lot of the rookies. Back when Kellan was on the team, Maddox had gotten his ass kicked because of it. After he met Lacey, everything changed. He knew he had to be a better man for her.
“Okay, okay, I was worse than a dick,” he corrected. “You’ll have to thank my wife for putting me in my place.”
“Got that right,” I called out. I winked over at Lacey, and she smiled, but it soon disappeared. She grabbed her stomach, and I pushed my way over to her. “Lacey, you okay?”
By this time, it’d caught everyone’s attention. Maddox ran through the crowd and knelt down beside her. “Babe, what’s wrong?”
She stood, and that was when we noticed the small puddle on the floor. “I think this is about to be an even bigger night for you.”
Maddox’s face lit up and he shouted in delight. “Hell fucking yeah! I’m going to be a dad!” He kissed Lacey again and put his arm around her waist.
I stood on her other side and helped him. “All right, everyone! Looks like we’re taking this party to the hospital.” Maddox looked over at me, and I smiled. “Congratulations, Maddox.”
Chapter Two
Meghan
“I’m gonna miss you, Mommy.” Ellie sniffled, and it broke my heart. Tears burned in my eyes as I hugged my little eight-year-old princess. I was going to miss her more than anything.
“I’ll miss you too, Ellie-Bear.” I kissed her head and breathed her in. She smelled like coconut sunscreen. My father waved at me and pointed at Ellie. “I think Paw Paw’s ready to toss you into the pool again.” He always knew how to make her happy; he also knew how to distract her. A big smile spread across her face, and I kissed her cheek. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
She raced over to my dad, and he tossed her into the pool. My two nieces jumped in, and they all splashed each other.
“Don’t worry, she’ll be okay,” my sister said, her voice coming from somewhere behind me.
I glanced at her over my shoulder. Kimberly was five years older than me and married, with two girls. She had the auburn hair like our father, and I got the dark brown hair from our mother. We always spent summers in Nags Head at my parents’ beach house. Us both being teachers gave us the privilege of having the summers off. “I know. This place is like a second home to her.”
Kimberly nodded and breathed in the fresh, ocean air. “That it is. I’m starting to think we should all move out here. Give us a break from all the snowy winters.”
I shook my head. “That’s the best part. I love the snow.”
She patted my arm like she felt sorry for me. “We’re sisters, but yet, we’re completely different.”
That made me laugh. “Have you ever thought that it might be you that’s not normal? Being snowed in is fun. I have Ellie to keep me company.”
She snorted. “Being snowed in is one thing, but being stuck with my grumpy husband is another. I love him, but he’s no fun stuck at home when he needs to be at work.” Her husband, Jackson, was a workaholic. A lot of times it put him in a bad mood from all the stress. It was good money, and I know he did it for the family since a teacher’s salary wasn’t the best in the world. Kimberly often spent the summers with us while he stayed back in Wyoming. It gave her daughters something to do since they hardly ever saw their father. “What are you going to do over the next few weeks, all alone at your ranch?”
I shrugged. “Find someone to fix my fence and paint my barn. I’ll probably call Grant and hang out with him some, too. Get some hiking in. He’ll be happy to have me home, since I’m usually always here in the summers.”
She shook her head and laughed. “When I first saw you with him, I was so happy. I thought you were moving on … until I found out he was gay.”
I’d graduated high school with Grant. It wasn’t until college that he came out. I’d had a feeling long before that, but he never let on and it wasn’t my business so I left it alone. He was a good friend, and I enjoyed being around him. Plus, he loved Ellie, and she loved him—and the treats he always brought her. His mother owned a bakery, so he always had access to the good stuff.
My mother walked out of the house, carrying a plate of sandwiches. “You’re going to miss all the fun,” she teased.
I rolled my eyes, and laughed. “I’ll be back in a few weeks. I have a lot of work to do at the ranch. Been putting it off for years, and it’s time I got my butt in gear.”
Expression sad, she set the plate of sandwiches down on the picnic table. “I know, sweetheart. Trey had big plans for that place. It’ll be nice to see it fixed up.”
My chest tightened. “Yes, it will.”
Trey was my husband for only two months before he was killed in action in Afghanistan. I’d found out I was pregnant the day before he left. He was so happy. Seeing his excitement and hearing all his stories about how he was going to give his daughter everything he never had were engrained in my mind. Even though he didn’t know she was going to be a girl, he was convinced that was what our baby was going to be.
Looking at my daughter, I could see him in her golden amber eyes, and in the way she smiled. Other than that, she looked exactly like me. It broke my heart that she never got to meet Trey. Every time she asked about him, I’d show videos of him that we’d recorded over the years. Her favorite was our wedding.
I hugged my sister, and then my mother last, trying my best not to cry. I’d never been away from my daughter for so long at one time. “I’ll call you when I get to Wyoming.”
Chapter Three
Justin
“You already there?” Maddox asked.
I looked out the small, rounded airplane window and took in the snow-topped mountains surrounding Jackson Hole Airport. As we eased to a stop, I could hear the sounds of the pilot flipping switches in the cockpit and responding to crackling air traffic control directions.
“Yep. Took a private jet.” In the background, I could hear his son’s tiny cries; it made me smile. “How does it feel to be a father?”
Maddox chuckled. “Dude, it’s an amazing feeling.”
“I bet.” As much as I wanted to get away from everything, I couldn’t help but feel isolated and disconnected from the important things in my life. “You’ve gotta send me pictures. I hate I’m not there.”
“Don’t worry, I will. I have a question, though.”
“What?”
“How do you expect to spend the summer in Wyoming without people recognizing you? You’re the reigning America’s Sexiest Bachelor right now, and I have no doubt your debacle with Miranda was all over TV last night. The second someone knows who you are, your picture’s going to be all over the internet and then – boom! – no more secret hideout.”
Running a hand through my hair, I groaned. In my bag there was a
University of Wyoming baseball cap that I’d purchased online and a pair of dark sunglasses. “I brought my Hollywood disguise kit: sunglasses and a hat. Besides, I highly doubt anyone’s going to realize who I am. And if they do, I can just pretend to be someone else.”
Maddox burst out laughing. “Good luck with that.” More voices echoed in the background, and I recognized his mother’s voice. “Hey, my parents just got here to see the baby. We’ll talk soon, okay?”
“Sounds good.”
“Have fun out there, man. Might be a good thing you’re not here – either the paparazzi are camped outside to get a peek at Maddox Jr. when we leave, or they’re here to try to see you.”
I slipped on my UW cap, hoping it would help me blend in and conceal my face a bit. “Sorry, man.”
“It’s okay. I know how to hip check someone if they get too close.” We said our goodbyes, and I tossed my phone into my bag. The pilot, James, opened the cockpit door and stood with his flight attendant, waiting patiently. He’d flown me all over for the last five years.
Grabbing my bag, I slung it over my shoulder and walked to the exit. Another plane had landed, and people were getting off of it. I waited for them all to go inside the airport before leaving the plane. James extended his hand. “As always, it was a pleasure, Mr. Davis.”
I shook his hand. “Thank you. I’ll see you in eight weeks.”
James nodded. “Until then.”
Slipping on my sunglasses, I walked down the stairs and headed toward the small airport building, which was constructed with stacked stone and huge timbers to give a lodge-like feel. Glancing around, I saw a line of people waiting at the rental car counter. The last thing I wanted to do was stand around and give people a chance to figure out who I was. Instead of waiting with them, I walked out the front doors and set my bag on the ground. I’d gotten out here anonymously, but I’d failed to think about a car.
Pulling out my phone, I typed up a text to send to my family so they’d know I made it to Wyoming safely. Before I could hit send, a woman’s voice came from behind, followed by a yelp as she slammed into my back and dropped her suitcase. I pitched forward from the impact, my sunglasses clattering to the sidewalk.
“Oh my God! I’m so sorry,” she apologized, rushing over to pick up my sunglasses. Fuck me. Frozen in place, I said nothing, knowing that once she saw my face, my hopes of anonymity would be diminished. “Mom, I’ll call you later tonight. Just wanted you to know I got back safely.” She pocketed her phone in her fantastically short denim shorts and snatched my sunglasses off the ground. I wanted to grab my glasses out of her hand and slip them on, but the second her crystal-blue eyes focused in on mine, I couldn’t think of anything other than how beautiful she was. She was around my age, and I noted there wasn’t a certain ring on a significant left-hand finger. With dark brown hair in a messy bun and sun-kissed skin underneath her bright green tank top, she looked like she’d just gotten back from the beach. She stared at me for a few seconds, and I could’ve sworn there was recognition on her face, but then it dissipated as she held out my sunglasses. “I am so sorry for bumping into you. I have a habit of tripping over my own feet.”
I took the glasses and slipped them on. “It’s okay.”
She held out her hand. “Since I fell all over you, might as well tell you my name. I’m Meghan.”
Something inside me told me not to lie, so I shook her hand. “Justin.” I wasn’t about to give her my last name. Her grip was firm, and I liked it. “It’s nice to meet you, Meghan.”
“Bet you wouldn’t be saying that if I broke your expensive sunglasses,” she said with a smirk.
I let her hand go, loving the feel of how soft they were. “True. I’d be collecting if you did.”
Her laugh made me smile even more. “So do you go to the university?” she asked, nodding at my hat.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I smiled. She didn’t know who I was. “No. I’m just visiting the area.”
Her smile widened. “I can tell you’re not a native. Where are you from?”
If she didn’t know who I was, I didn’t see a reason to lie about where I lived. “Born in Minnesota, but live in North Carolina.”
“North Carolina’s a nice state. My parents have a house in Nags Head. I always enjoy going out there.” Taking a deep breath, she glanced out at the mountains. “But as much as I like it, it’s not home. If you ever decide to attend the University of Wyoming, it’s a good school. I graduated a few years ago from there.” She grabbed the handle of her suitcase and lifted it upright.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I replied, watching her pull out her car keys.
She followed my line of sight down to her keys, and then met my gaze. “Are you waiting for a ride?”
With a shrug, I pointed inside at the rental car counter. “I was hoping to rent a car, but it looks like I might have to wait a while.”
I could tell the wheels in her head were turning as she peered inside and then back at me. “Where you headed to?”
Blowing out a heavy sigh, I nodded off into the distance. “About thirty minutes out that way. It’s called Southfork Ranch. I bought it, but I haven’t seen it in person yet.” My brother had found it, and I’d bought it under his name so the previous owners wouldn’t know it was mine.
Her face lit up. “Seriously? That’s right next to my place. You’ll love it. Before the owners put it on the market, they asked if I wanted to buy it, but I couldn’t afford it.”
“I’m sorry,” I replied.
She waved me off. “It’s okay. I have enough to deal with at my own ranch.” Taking a deep breath, she let it out slow and then bit her lip. “If you need a ride to Southfork, you can come with me. But if you turn into an ax murderer, I want you to know that I am skilled with a gun, and I do have one on me.”
Barking out a laugh, I held up my hands. I really liked her. “You have nothing to worry about. If anything, I should be the one worried about getting in the car with you.” Imagine my chances of survival if I got stuck in a car with a psychotic fan. Meghan didn’t strike me as the crazy-bitch type, but you never knew for sure.
Meghan snickered and waved for me to follow her. “Come on.” I followed her to a silver Toyota 4Runner, the tailgate slowly opening up as we approached. “You can put your stuff back here if you want,” she said, tossing her suitcase inside.
I set my bag beside hers and got in her car. Sitting so close to her, I could smell her perfume. It reminded me of strawberries and sunshine. Rolling my eyes at my stupidity, I turned to the window. What the hell was wrong with me? I was used to having any woman I wanted, but I couldn’t do that here. I wasn’t a famous hockey player or the bachelor from Rich and Single right now; I needed to be just Justin.
“Hopefully, your husband or boyfriend won’t mind you carting a stranger around,” I said, watching her response carefully for clues.
Her eyes stayed on the road, but there was no mistaking the sadness I saw on her face. “It’ll be fine. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.” It wasn’t exactly the answer I was looking for, but I had a feeling it was a sore subject.
We pulled out onto the main highway, and I was amazed at all the open land that suddenly stopped at a towering mountain. These peaks weren’t like the ones in North Carolina – ours were smaller, rounded clusters, and definitely not snowcapped in June.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Meghan murmured. She looked at me and smiled.
“It is,” I agreed.
“What made you want to buy a ranch out here?”
I shrugged. “To get away, I guess. I’ve always wanted to come out this way, but never got the chance. Thought I’d do a little bit of fishing and hiking.” I needed somewhere I could disappear for a while.
We turned off the main highway onto a more secluded road. Passing by all the different ranches and farms reminded me of a Western movie. “Are you going to stay out here permanently, or is the ranch a summer home of sorts?” she
asked.
“Summer and vacation home for now. When I’m not living there, I’m sure my family and friends will enjoy using it for vacation.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Must be nice. What exactly do you do for a living? Has to be lucrative to afford a place like Southfork.”
And there it was, the beginning of the questions I didn’t want to answer. Putting on my dashing smile, I faced her. “Getting a little too personal, aren’t we? I don’t think I know you well enough to answer that question.”
With a small snicker, she shook her head. “Fine, you don’t have to answer. But if you’re a drug dealer and I get caught with you, I’m going to say you kidnapped me.” We both laughed, and I realized it was the first time I’d ever truly felt comfortable with a woman that wasn’t related to me. Maybe it was because she didn’t know who I was, and so I could just be myself. Time passed by quickly, and I knew we had to be getting closer to my ranch. It was fun watching Meghan smile as she pointed out all the animals we passed. She even gave me the low down on all the best restaurants to try. Unfortunately, I wasn’t going to be able to go to any of them. “All right, we’re almost to Southfork.” She slowed the car and pointed off to the left. “Down there is my ranch. Your land is right across from me.” The sign over her ranch’s entrance read Harvest Moon Ranch. I didn’t get a good look at anything else before she turned down my dirt road.
It was exactly what you’d imagine a typical ranch entrance would look like, with the big wooden poles to the sides with the one across the top, and a sign that said Southfork Ranch hanging from it. I had some ideas on how I wanted to modify the entrance, but that had to wait for another time.
Meghan sucked in a breath and sighed. “I haven’t been down this road in years. It still takes my breath away.”
Even I was surprised at how amazing it was. There was nothing but open fields, surrounded by a wooden fence as far as you could see on both sides of the road. I had five hundred acres all to myself, with my own lake and stream that stretched through a mile and a half of my property. The Grand Teton National Park adjoined my land, giving me all the access I needed to do my fishing and hiking. I didn’t have to leave my ranch if I didn’t want to. It was all part of my seclusion plan.