Rope 'n Ride Box Set Books 1-6

by Em Petrova

  “Mav, stand down or I’ll have to place you under arrest.”

  “For what? Coming back to this shithole town? Or not picking up the pieces of your broken heart after your wife finally wised up and realized you’re an asshole?”

  “You have the right to remain silent.”

  Mav groaned. What the fuck was he supposed to do? He could shove his brother on his ass and drive away, but he’d have the whole force on his tail and waiting for him back at his mother’s house. He’d never get Wynonna out of this without telling her the whole truth about his past.

  He stared at his brother as he read him his rights.

  It’s not me who’s fucking crazy.

  The realization made him fist his hands. Chase yanked him from the car and slapped the cuffs on him. He was shoved into the back of the sheriff’s car. His phone kept ringing, but he couldn’t reach it. After the third time, he was frantic.

  “What if it’s Wynonna? Let me answer my phone, you motherfucker.”

  His brother stared straight ahead. “You’ll get your one call. Now stop calling out insults before I charge you.”

  He dropped his head back against the seat and closed his eyes. “This is what I get for coming back here. Warm welcome. Thanks, brother.”

  “You didn’t have to push me to it, Mav. This is all your doing.”

  He recalled taking the first punch, so that wasn’t all true. “Staying away from you and our batshit mother isn’t a crime. I’m so gonna kick your ass when I’m free.”

  He couldn’t think about Wynonna lying in bed, ill and fevered, calling out for him. He’d lose it if he thought about it. Not being able to reach her… Letting her down…

  His phone buzzed again as another call came in. “At least pull over and get my phone and tell me who’s calling.”

  “It ain’t Wynonna. She’s laid up, pretty bad off.”

  Mav almost bit off his tongue. “You fucker. You’re going to pay for not letting me get to her. She’s calling me, goddammit!” He felt that fury rise up, a latent beast that hadn’t reared its ugly face in years and years. Not since he’d started cowboying and had come to the Calhouns’ ranch.

  “You sound out of control, Mav. Should I call ahead for the psych evaluators?”

  “Go to hell!” His throat felt it would shred from his roar. The car windows vibrated with the force, but Chase didn’t flinch. He drove on to the station and put Mav into a cell. Before he closed the door, he looked at Mav’s phone.

  “Buck. Seen him lose his temper a time or two on the show. Bet he won’t be happy to hear his foreman’s in the slammer.” He held up the phone with a grin that didn’t reach his eyes and walked away from the cell.

  * * * * *

  “You get one call,” the officer said to Mav, leading him out.

  He’d agonized over who his one call would be—Wynonna was too ill and couldn’t help him. Besides, she wouldn’t appreciate bailing him out of jail, when she’d done it for her brothers on several occasions. West in particular.

  His mother would side with Chase—always had.

  That left Buck. If he didn’t post bail for him, Mav would at least get the chance to explain about his sister and get her the help she needed.

  He slumped against the wall where the phone hung and ran his fingers through his hair. His anger was spent—after planning nineteen ways to murder his own brother, he’d sunk to the cot with exhaustion. He didn’t shut his eyes, though. He hadn’t slept in eighteen hours.

  Fatigue washed over him, compounded by feeling totally helpless. How the fuck did his family do this to him every time?

  He got Buck on the line. “Where the hell have you been?” the brother demanded.

  “Uh, jail. My asshole brother arrested me as soon as I got out of the airport.”

  “What the fuck? Why?”

  “Because that’s Chase,” he said tiredly. “Look, can you post bail? I’ll pay you as soon as I’m home. But I need to get to Wynonna.”

  Buck cussed but didn’t speak for a long while. “Fine. Just get to my sister. Make sure she’s all right. Should we send the police to get her?”

  “No. They’re corrupt in this town.” His brother’s face loomed in his mind’s eye. “I’ll get to her. I’ll bring her home, I promise.”

  Buck pushed out a sigh. “Damn, you’d better. And you still owe me an explanation about what’s going on between you and my sister.”

  “I know. Thanks, Buck.” He ended the call and was ushered back to the cell. Within a few hours, he was a free man. What really pissed him off Chase had dropped the charges and he hadn’t needed to place that call to Buck at all. He’d only set him up to sound like a loser in front of the Calhouns.

  The sooner he got out of this town, the better. His rental had been abandoned somewhere along the highway, and more than likely had been towed. That left him on foot.

  He could use the walk to clear his head. Besides, it wasn’t far.

  When he reached the street he’d grown up on, anxiety flared up inside him, hot and bright. It crawled over his body, and he itched to get away from here. How many times had his family told him he was fucked up, that he needed help? And he’d denied it all while secretly believing it. But he’d been so wrong.

  He went to the door and didn’t bother knocking. He walked right in to find a little girl and his mother sitting on the couch, watching cartoons. “Think it’s loud enough?” he asked without preamble.

  His mother shot to her feet and the little girl stared at him with wide eyes. “You’re the prince come for the princess, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah, show me where she is?”

  “This way!” She bounced ahead of him, ponytail bobbing on the back of her head. Despite the people she was living with, she seemed to be well-cared for and happy. That was something.

  He strode to the room Macie showed him. He pushed open the door and stared at the beautiful, ghostly-white woman lying under a pile of covers. From here, he could see she was shaking.

  “Damn. I need the doctor. Momma!”

  “Oh now you speak to me. Walk right past after not seeing your mother for sixteen years, and now you need me.”

  “Hi, Mom. You’re looking well. Has the doctor come yet?”

  “No, said he’d be here in a few hours. Where the hell have you been?” She settled her hands on her thin hips and glared at him the same way Chase was prone to.

  He pushed out a sigh. “Your dumbass son threw me in jail for disagreeing with him. Now tell me about Wynonna.”

  “She’s your girlfriend—how should I know?”

  Oh God, his mother was a piece of work. He pressed his lips against the torrent of angry words he felt like spewing. About how he’d needed support he’d never gotten. That she’d been so quick to just classify him as a no-good, worthless bum like his father the minute he’d shown signs of stress or breakdown.

  He turned to his mother and their gazes met. Mav hardly felt anything toward the woman who’d given him life. After all these years of her trying to interfere and get him “help” he didn’t need… Well, he’d cut her out long ago.

  “Look, Momma, I’m sorry I haven’t come home in years. You know why I’ve stayed away. And I’m happy in Oklahoma. I have a good job and a purpose.”

  “Yeah, to take care of those spoiled Calhouns. Don’t think I don’t see them on TV—you too—and I know what’s going on. You’ve gotten star-struck. The money’s more important to you.”

  “I don’t get paid for being on the show. I just happen to be around sometimes when they’re filming.” He sank to the edge of the bed. Wynonna trembled in her delirium as the chills gripped her.

  “I need the doctor.”

  “I told you, he’s coming,” she snapped.

  “Okay, then I need a heating pad if you have it. And a wet cloth.”

  “What the hell for? She’s got the flu. She’ll sweat it out sooner or later.”

  His heart constricted with pain. He couldn’t bear
to see his lover this way. Strong, beautiful Wynonna lying here so vulnerable and trembling with illness. He was seeing sides of her he’d never imagined.

  “Okay, I’ll find the things myself.” He got up and took a step past his mother.

  “Fine, I’ll get it.”

  “I’ll show Uncle Mav,” Macie piped up.

  He gave the pipsqueak a small smile. She seemed full of piss and vinegar—she’d probably grow up and realize these people were crazy and leave too. When that happened, he’d be happy to set her up in Oklahoma. He’d have to find a way to keep in touch throughout the years.

  Macie danced ahead of him. He followed her to the linen cabinet, where he got out a blanket, the heating pad and a couple hand towels. His mother watched him wet one with cool water and return to Wynonna’s room.

  He plugged in the heating pad and sank beside her again. Maybe he could get her to stop shaking and with luck, wake up to take some fever reducers.

  “Mav. I want Mav,” she mumbled.

  A knife twisted in his heart. He cupped her hot cheek and leaned in to brush a kiss over her forehead. “I’m here, honey. I’m taking care of you. The doctor’s on his way.”

  “Mav.”

  “Yes, I’m here. Try to rest. Can I get you a drink?”

  She was out again, slumbering a little less fitfully but still shaking. He shucked off his boots and crawled into bed with her, wrapping her body tight to his chest to absorb all her tremors.

  “Kiss her again, Uncle Mav. It didn’t work,” Macie said.

  “I’ll just hold her a while first, Macie girl. You’d better leave before you catch the germs too. Okay, sugar?”

  His mother shooed the girl out, and she left and closed the door, leaving him alone with the woman he loved. He closed his eyes. Dayummm. What a fucked-up reunion.

  * * * * *

  Her throat felt like she’d swallowed razor blades and she felt as if she were swimming through thick pudding, unable to move her arms and legs. Paddling but not going anywhere.

  She forced open her eyes and stared at the man beside her, trying to swallow and to think of where the hell she was and why she felt so bad.

  She must have made some noise, because his eyes flew open. He jerked his hand to touch her face, stroking damp hair away. “You’re awake. Let me get you water.”

  He jumped out of bed and she followed the sound of his footsteps. She tried to focus on the surroundings but they made no sense in her addled brain. She wasn’t at home on the ranch, and this wasn’t Mav’s room in the barn either.

  He placed a big strong hand beneath her head and helped her sit up enough to sip the water he held to her lips. The first attempt spilled down her lips, but it felt good. Great, actually. They were hot and cracked, and the water soothed.

  “Shit, I’m sorry. Can you sip, Wyn honey?”

  She followed his orders, and precious water trickled down into her desiccated throat. She swallowed again and brought her hands up around Mav’s on the glass. He flinched. “You’re still burning. Your hands are like fire. Drink all you can, okay?”

  She drained the glass. By the time she’d finished, some of her senses had returned. She dropped her hands to her lap again, too weak to hold them up anymore. And her eyes were slipping shut.

  “Damn, you’re like a newborn kitten. Lie back now and sleep, honey. I’m here with you. You’re safe. Just heal.”

  “What…” She couldn’t finish the sentence because she forgot what she was going to say.

  “Shhh. You can tell me later. Doctor says you need lots of rest. You’ve got a really bad case of flu B. Whatever the fuck that is,” he mumbled.

  She wanted to smile, would have if she had the energy. She drifted off in his arms.

  When she woke again, she had no idea if it’d been hours or days or maybe just a few minutes. Mav wore the same soft cotton plaid shirt and was still hatless. She rested a hand on his chest, and he started, eyes widening.

  “More water,” she asked.

  “Comin’ up.” He popped out of bed and gave her a drink. She asked for another, and her throat was starting to feel like she’d only swallowed gravel instead of razorblades. Did that mean she was starting to get better?

  “How long…”

  “Have you been out?” His concerned gaze loomed close and his brows puckered. “Two days of sleeping nonstop. You woke once this morning, though.”

  She swung her gaze to the window and realized it was dark behind the curtains. She’d slept all day? For two days? Where the hell was she?

  He seemed to know she was too confused to grasp what was happening, so he drew her into the ring of his arms. She rested her head against his soft shirt and listened to his story. She’d come to Oregon looking to talk to his family, but she’d passed out from a bad case of the flu and landed in bed for two days. He’d come to her the previous day, and somehow her mind latched onto a little girl standing next to her bed. Had she dreamed that?

  “Macie?” she croaked.

  “My niece. Yes, she’s been in and out of here bugging me all day. We’re trying to keep her out so she doesn’t catch the flu too, but I say she’s too stubborn and sassy to catch it. Of course, I’d thought that of you too.” He studied her face and eased her hair off her forehead.

  “I feel like hell.”

  “No doubt. I’m going to get you something to eat. Some toast? Orange juice?”

  She nodded, but even that felt like it took too much effort. She rested against the pillows.

  “Honey, it’s so good to see those beautiful eyes. I’ve been so worried.”

  Her throat knotted. She was feeling so ill and her emotions were running wild. If she thought about Mav coming here for her, taking care of her, she’d break down crying, and that would only exhaust her more.

  He leaned in to press a kiss between her brows. Then he left the room. She might have drifted off while he was gone, but when he sank to the bed again, she opened her eyes.

  On a tray, he had a plate of toast and a glass of orange juice. She took a sip and nibbled the toast, but the crumbs hurt her throat and she abandoned the slices.

  “Your family’s a little whacky,” she said, her filter gone, burned out by fever.

  He chuckled. “You got that right. Did they fuck with you? Tell me if they did and I’ll take care of them.”

  “Your mother kept saying things I don’t understand. And Chase too.”

  “They say shit I don’t understand all the time, which is why I steer clear. But I’ll answer all your questions.”

  “I’m tired.”

  “Then sleep.” He took the tray away and set it aside. Then he looked at her, like she was the most beautiful woman on earth even though she was sweaty and her hair hung lank around her.

  “Mav, why did you tell me we can’t be together?”

  He dropped his head and was silent a long minute. “You deserve someone your own age, someone without all the baggage I have.”

  “What baggage, Mav? Your family has some, yes, but not you. You live to work the ranch and I can’t see how you have anything weighing on you.”

  He rubbed a tendril of her hair between his fingertips. “Maybe you’re right. But I’m still too old for you.”

  “You don’t fuck like you’re too old.”

  He laughed, a full, deep laugh that made her remember she really was a woman, not a limp, feverish puddle of goo that couldn’t get out of bed without her legs threatening collapse. Mav had practically carried her to the bathroom earlier.

  He pulled the blankets over her, and she closed her eyes as soon as her head hit the pillow. The next time she opened them, it was to a raging fight between Mav and his family.

  * * * * *

  Mav hitched Wynonna into his arms. He maneuvered her out of the bedroom, careful to keep her head from smacking any doorframes.

  “Where are we going?” She was still clammy but looked much better.

  “Out of here. Back home.”

  “
Home? This is your home, Mav.”

  “It hasn’t been mine for a lot of years, honey. I know you came here thinking to get answers about my past, but you won’t get them from these people. They’re caught up in their own world, and I never belonged. I’m good with that.” He looked down into her eyes. “Question is, are you?”

  “I…”

  “Can you handle the fact that I don’t have a big happy family like you do? I don’t fit with these folk and never will.”

  “I’m so sorry I forced you to come back. I never should have—”

  “Shh. Now you know. And I did learn that the problem isn’t mine. It’s theirs. So thank you for that.” They reached the front door, and he kicked it open. Nobody seemed to be home, and he felt bad about leaving Macie without telling her goodbye. Once he got back to Oklahoma, he’d visit the general store’s toy aisle and send her a half dozen princess dolls to make it up to her.

  They broke into the sunshine, and he carried her to the waiting cab. He’d already loaded their bags into the trunk, and the instant the door closed behind them, he let out a pent-up breath. Relief made his body hum—or maybe that was Wynonna’s nearness.

  Her round little ass settled perfectly in his lap, molded to his groin. If she wasn’t feeling so down and out, he’d show her how hot it could be to orgasm in the back of a car flying down the highway to the airport.

  She curled against his chest, and he rested his chin on her soft hair.

  “Sleep if you can, honey.”

  “I’ll sleep on the plane. Gotta be rested when we land. I can’t let my fans see me like this.”

  “You’re beautiful. I wouldn’t know you’ve been sick, except you have dark smudges under those lovely eyes.”

  “Thank you for taking care of me.”

  He flexed his arms, bringing her closer. The sweet ache in his core bloomed, spread through his body. He’d never seen her less than herself, and this new, vulnerable side of her got his protective instincts prepared for anything.

  “I’ve never seen you this way except with cattle.”