Wedding Day With A Rancher (Rich & Rugged: A Hawkins Brothers Romance Book 2)

by Ellie Hall

  The horse was tied up outside its trailer and Kayla started laughing, softly at first as she pictured Chloe riding in during the ceremony. Then the laughter increased as she imagined Genesis going to the bathroom as she paraded down the aisle—it hadn’t happened, but would’ve been a subtly satisfying sort of revenge. Kayla doubled over in laughter as she imagined her sister stepping in the manure. It wasn’t nice and Kayla wasn’t mean spirited but better the stress of the day come out that way than her keeping it bottled up.

  From behind, someone with a low drawl said, “What’s so funny?”

  She straightened and smoothed her dress. “Oh, um, just nothing.”

  He gazed at her a long moment and her cheeks heated at the same time his expression turned stony.

  “Well, the pressure your mother put on you to get married wasn’t just nothing.”

  “I’m used to it.”

  “Do you want to get married?” he asked, stepping closer.

  She refused to pay attention to how good he looked in that suit and how it made her feel: hot and bothered. Or the way his cocky smirk spread that heat throughout her body. Or how his voice drew it straight into her center like a molten meteor. Was there such a thing? With a man like Dallen walking the earth, she was sure of it.

  “Of course, I want to get married,” she stammered. “But for one thing I will not ride in on a horse.”

  He took Genesis’s halter and rubbed her muzzle. “Would you object if the groom did?”

  “I cannot picture Chloe’s husband on a horse. He’s more of a data analysis type of person.”

  “Have you ever ridden a horse?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “No way. No how.”

  Taken aback he said, “Why not? They’re gentle giants.”

  She was terrified of horses and wasn’t hesitant to tell him why. “One afternoon when I was little, during Chloe’s riding practice, she and an actual black stallion charged at me. I ran off, embarrassing myself when she’d brought it to a halt. Never quite lived that one down.”

  Genesis nickered.

  Kayla stepped back but with the horse’s halter in hand, Dallen moved closer. “You can say hi. I promise you Genesis will not charge you or nip or be in any way disrespectful.”

  “Hi,” Kayla squeaked out, but didn’t budge. The horse was so big and powerful it made her feel like a mouse, small and vulnerable.

  Dallen reached for her hand. Her thoughts scrambled as his rough fingers closed around hers. A zing shot through her arm, her belly, her chest, and into her throat as he held her hand. Then still with his giant hand cupping hers, he placed it on the horse’s muzzle. The hair was soft, warm. Genesis made a contented sound.

  “I promise, she likes you. She won’t hurt you.” Dallen’s voice was low, confident, and filled with something more than knowing that his horse liked her.

  She hesitated.

  In order to properly pet the horse’s muzzle, she had to step closer to him, forcing her to inhale his manly scent with a note of straw and fresh air. Their wrists and forearms pressed together and magnetic heat surged between the few inches that separated them. Kayla imagined herself sinking back into his arms and letting him hold her. A ragged breath escaped Kayla’s mouth. She was so close she could feel the rise and fall of his chest against her back.

  Then the music from the wedding filtered from the garden, reminding her of where she was.

  “I should probably head back in and take pictures. I have to capture my sister’s perfect day after all. Thanks for bringing the horse. I like her too.” Kayla gave Genesis’s muzzle one more stroke then withdrew her hand. She cast Dallen a brief smile and started to step away because it was better to keep all things big and powerful at arm’s length.

  “Would you rather a big over the top wedding or something small, more intimate?” Dallen asked as though unwilling to let her go.

  “You want to play this game now? What’s at stake?” Kayla put her hand on her hip and turned back to him.

  “True love,” he answered.

  She wasn’t sure if it was a question or a statement. “My true love?” She’d once thought she’d found her true love and planned a big over the top wedding with her mother’s insistence. It turned out she was mistaken. “I’d rather small, intimate. I’d have the ceremony at the church in Hawk Ridge Hollow. You know the one on Laurel Lane made out of stone?”

  “My parents got married there. I go every Sunday at sunrise.” That same shadow from earlier crossed his features and she wasn’t sure what it meant.

  She went later in the morning, which would explain why they’d never crossed paths. But it was a beautiful space any time of day. “Then the reception would be outdoors, in a field, open air, blue sky. There’d be loads of flowers everywhere but there’d also be a tree and when it got dark, twinkle lights would hang from it like fireflies. We’d dance underneath to a live band.” She daydreamed about the wedding frequently despite its unlikelihood and her uncertainty. As she continued to describe the details right down to the guest book, the Polaroid selfie station, the lantern-lit path, and the cupcakes, she caught herself and closed her mouth.

  “What was it you were saying about cupcakes?” Dallen lifted an eyebrow.

  “Never mind.”

  Her mother called, “Kayla, what are you doing out here? You’d better get inside. They’re going to cut the cake.” Irene stiffened when she spotted Dallen. “I mean, I don’t want you to miss it. I know how you love cake and it would be terrific if you got some pictures for us. Please,” she added as if an afterthought.

  Kayla’s forehead furrowed at her mother’s sudden change in demeanor. It sounded forced but she was actually being nice for once.

  Dallen reached for her hand again and gave it a squeeze. It was as though he transferred some of his strength and power into her. She so often shrank under her mother’s criticism and orders but straightened. “I’ll be right in.”

  “I am not someone to turn down cake. Wedding cake, birthday cake, cupcakes…” Dallen started in his irresistible drawl.

  “Kayla makes amazing cupcakes,” Irene said, giving her daughter a rare compliment.

  “You’ve never told me that.” Dallen smirked as though emphasizing their secret.

  It became clear Irene knew who Dallen was and the dollar amount attached to his name, meaning she had even more reason to want them to marry.

  “I thought you didn’t eat cupcakes, Mom. Whenever I’d make them, you’d turn them down.” Her mother didn’t indulge in anything sweet because she claimed it would ruin her slender figure.

  “I wouldn’t turn down one, or more, of your cupcakes,” Dallen said, incinerating her with his gaze.

  Irene wrung her hands. “Your father gobbles them up whenever you bring some over. I, uh, don’t get a chance. He’s too fast.” Kayla knew her mother said that to save face in front of Dallen.

  “Wait, your daughter bakes cupcakes and you’ve never eaten them?” he asked.

  “Well, that first test batch put me off—”

  Kayla folded her arms in front of her chest. “I was nine years old.”

  Irene shrugged.

  “If you made me cupcakes, I’d eat them. As it is, I should probably head out and get Genesis home. I’ll miss the cake but please wish the bride and groom the best.”

  At the thought of him leaving, Kayla’s mood dipped, but it was all a charade so she plastered on a smile. “Sure will and thank you for everything.”

  Genesis nickered as Dallen started loading her into the trailer.

  She hesitated, dreading going back inside.

  He called, “Kayla, you said you’ve never ridden a horse.”

  “Never.”

  “You should try it sometime. How about you come out to the ranch tomorrow—since we live in the same town and all. Genesis would like to see you again.”

  The zing returned and traveled up to her cheeks, tinting them pink. Thankfully, it was dark out.

  Chloe
appeared in the doorway to the venue and called, “Kayla, we’re going to have to put you on a leash or get a tracking device. You keep disappearing.”

  “My apologies,” Dallen said. “It was my fault. I was just inviting Kayla to the ranch.”

  “You think she’s going to ride a horse?” Chloe laughed. “No, that’s my thing. Kayla preferred reading, drawing, daydreaming, and baking. She is not going to ride a horse.”

  Kayla inhaled deeply and put her hands on her hips. “Yes, actually, I will. Thank you, Dallen.”

  “Don’t cancel. It’s my birthday.” He winked then got in his truck.

  Kayla stood there, dumbstruck for a moment before Chloe dragged her back inside.

  By the time Kayla had finished taking photos of the cake cutting, and capturing the next hour of dancing, there wasn’t a crumb left. She stood in front of the empty table and sighed.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t save you a slice,” Harmonie said. “Where’s the Cute Cowboy aka the hot Hawkins,” she singsonged. “I heard. Your mother is confounded. She can’t figure out how you landed such a catch.”

  Kayla grunted. “All thanks to you. I didn’t make the connection. A while back, Sadie came into the Hawk and Whistle; long story short, she’s engaged to Tripp Hawkins now. I jokingly asked her if he had a brother. But I didn’t know the Cute Cowboy was this brother.” She knew the rumors about the massive Hawkins fortune but hadn’t been in town long enough to put faces and names together.

  “Your plus one is a Hawkins Brother. A rich, rugged, somewhat reclusive… and totally gorgeous Hawkins brother.”

  “Was. He left.”

  “But you’re going riding with him tomorrow...”

  “How’d you know? Wait, you didn’t put him up to that did you?” Kayla asked, worried.

  “No, it’s all Chloe can talk about. You know how competitive she is.”

  “She just got married.”

  Harmonie shrugged.

  “Well, it doesn’t matter. I’m not going. I’m not interested. I gave love a shot, failed, and if I thought my relationships were miserable before Bradley left, it’s nothing to how my mother and Chloe act toward me now. If they learn it’s fake, I’ll never live it down. Better to cut my losses now.”

  Harmonie faced Kayla and met her eyes. “Kayla Cartwright, I’ve known you your whole life. I’ve seen you chase off kids who were being mean to a frog. I’ve seen you sing the National Anthem at a hockey game. You’ve skied some of the fiercest slopes in the country. You are a strong, intelligent, capable woman. But what I’ve never been able to understand is why you let those two walk all over you.” Harmonie pointed to Irene and Chloe.

  Kayla stepped back.

  “Girl, I want to hear you roar.”

  Kayla sighed instead. Harmonie was right, of course. But the reasons went back, way back in time and deep into her heart to when her grandmother had passed away. She didn’t want to dig them up. Her hand clasped her beloved necklace.

  “Is it about Gran?” Harmonie asked.

  Kayla wiped her eyes.

  “She’d want to hear you roar too.”

  The two were quiet for a moment and the memories and pain flooded back. It was Sunday morning and Kayla, eight, and Chloe, twelve, were getting ready for church after staying the night at their grandmother’s house. Strangely, the yummy scent of buttermilk pancakes didn’t wake them up and Gran’s soft singing wasn’t filtering to the upstairs bedroom.

  Kayla was done dressing first; Chloe always took twice as long. Gran wasn’t in the kitchen or bathroom. Kayla went back upstairs and found her still in bed. But she was stiff, cold. Lifeless. During the night, she’d passed away.

  Chloe found her in the bedroom, hugging their grandmother and sobbing. She’d called their mother and since that time, it was like they blamed her for Gran’s death. Of course, it was of natural causes since she was in her eighties, but the relationship between mother-daughter and the sisters changed. They looked at her differently, distanced themselves, and over time started belittling her. Through it all, they never asked her if she was okay or acknowledged how painful it must’ve been to be the person who found Gran and to have lost her at all.

  Kayla wiped away a tear.

  “Gran loved you the most. Of all of us. They were jealous. She saw all the good things in you: how you’re thoughtful, kind, strong, talented...I see those things and you should too. Gran would want you to.”

  A grateful smile bloomed on Kayla’s lips as Harmonie gave her a hug.

  “Now, that grandmother of ours would kick you in the behind, tell you to dry those tears, and stop taking nonsense from those ninnies.”

  Kayla snorted a laugh. “I always thought that word was so funny.”

  Harmonie joined in the laughter then stopped abruptly. “She’d also want to see you tame that Cute Cowboy.”

  “Is he wild?” Kayla asked, ignoring the rest of the insinuation.

  “Rumor has it he has a wild disposition like his horses: exciting, adventurous, dangerous…”

  “I agree with the dangerous part.”

  “Your sister was just harassing you when she was on that stallion then she lost control.”

  Kayla sighed, she meant dangerous if she let herself acknowledge how she thought he was handsome and how he lit her up inside. Love was a dangerous thing because it was so easy for hearts to be trampled.

  “I hear those Hawkins brothers aren’t the type to settle down.”

  “Tripp is getting married to Sadie, but maybe I’m not looking to settle down.” She had to remain focused on figuring out her future and not get distracted by dating or guys.

  “Well, then what are you looking to do?” Harmonie asked.

  “You’re the one who mashed us together, saying he was my date.”

  “I saw the way he looked at you. Mark my words, Kayla. You are going to tame that Cute Cowboy and that man is going to marry you.”

  Kayla was up and at work early the next morning to teach group ski lessons. The mountains in Hawk Ridge remained covered in snow well into spring and if it got sparse, they’d manufacture the white stuff.

  While she helped little kids on the bunny slope, she replayed the night before and Dallen’s invitation to the ranch. She’d skied every black diamond and double black diamond slope on the mountain. But could she ride a horse?

  She was only afraid of three things: marriage, meteors, and horses. But as she thought about what Harmonie said about the Hawkins brothers’ reputation and Dallen’s wild ways, there was another thing she was afraid of—men. Or more specifically, men like him who rode in on a horse—whether made out of steel like a motorcycle or flesh and bone—, swept her off her feet, then dumped her flat.

  After her shift was over, she changed in the employee locker room and checked her phone. It was a text from Dallen.

  I wouldn’t say no to cupcakes too, considering it is my birthday. See you soon.

  She realized he must have her number in his phone from when she’d called about the horse. A little thrill shot through her but she stuffed it away as she put on her jacket.

  Chapter 6

  Dallen

  Dallen was up at dawn and as the morning progressed, he didn’t get so much as a happy birthday from any of his brothers. Not even his twin. However, he’d sent a box of chocolates from Mom and Lollipop’s Candy Shop in Hawk Ridge Hollow to Blake. It was a tradition they’d started as soon as they were old enough to go to the shop. Each year on their birthday, they’d gift each other that number of candies. When they were five, they’d pick out five candies for the other brother. When they’d turned ten, it was ten candies. By age twenty it was a lot of candy but at thirty it was none.

  He lamented the fact that his older brother, Tripp, didn’t let him know he was engaged to Sadie. They’d been together years before, but he’d bailed on her when things got too intense and the M-word was spoken. Marriage was a big deal for the Hawkins brothers, especially after their falling out.

&nbs
p; The prospect terrified him because he believed marriage could only lead to loss and a broken family. But after meeting Kayla and then when her cousin thrust them into a fake dating scenario, a fake marriage didn’t seem all that bad an idea. He could marry her and help his brother out. Despite their falling out, he didn’t want Tripp to shoulder the responsibility of the corporation alone. Not only that, but it would grant him the ability to make the big changes he and his father had envisioned someday for the ranch.

  He mended a slat in the perimeter fence when an SUV blew up dust as it thundered down the long and winding road leading to the ranch. He narrowed his eyes against the glare of the sun, hoping Kayla was behind the wheel. When the driver braked, Chloe rolled down her window.

  Two hours later, he finished up her riding lesson and a second car drove more cautiously along the ribbon of road leading to the ranch.

  “Oh great,” Chloe muttered. “Looks like our fun is over.”

  Dallen hadn’t exactly been having fun. Riding a horse was a fine balance between making sure the horse knew you were in charge but also respecting the animal. She leaned heavily toward being a prima donna and he still couldn’t decide where that landed on the spectrum but he definitely wasn’t going to offer she return for a second lesson.

  “Good morning,” Kayla called to Dallen as he emerged from the barn. Her eyes flitted to the cream-colored SUV.

  Chloe followed him out and said, “Hey, Sis. Funny to see you here.”

  “I was going to say the same thing.” Kayla got out of the car.

  “I heard something about some supposed nuptials and had to check out the goods first hand.” Chloe wagged her finger between Dallen and Kayla. “Mom really wants to see you guys get hitched.”

  She cleared her throat. “Oh, yeah, um—” Kayla shifted from foot to foot and adjusted a paper bag she had in her arms.