Montana Moonshine (Montana Cowboys Book 1)

by Vi Summers

  I rode hard, blinded by the internal turbulence and trusting Red to pick his own course.

  The sheriff’s phone call had rocked me, yet telling Louisiana how I really felt about her tore me wide open and exposed parts of me I didn’t know I had. It was both freeing and utterly terrifying, and I bolted before facing her reply.

  The ranch and the program were my identity. They were what I lived for. But, as soon as Louisiana set foot in my yard, I began to question that identity. Not outright, but enough for me to want more.

  Red’s relentless gallop finally slowed when the track started to incline. I panted as hard as he did as we entered one of the large upper pastures on the ranch. It rolled as far as the eye could see before hitting the mountains in the distance. Out here, consumed by wilderness, we were nothing more than an insignificant speck on the world. The meaning of life was questioned out here. After all, what was the point if I didn’t have someone to love, to hold, and to share all this with?

  I sat back in the saddle and welcomed the tension easing from the muscles in my legs, back, and shoulders. After the initial shock wore off, I was glad to have told Lou the truth. I just wished I had stayed and kissed her senseless instead of bolting.

  Eyeing the ominous clouds rolling in from the mountains, I reined Red around and headed for home, hoping to get there before we got saturated.

  Movement caught my eye in the distance. I leaned forward and squinted to make sense of it. It looked like Blue, but he was sleeping in his dog box when I left in a hurricane.

  Sure enough, Red picked up a gear and soon I could clearly distinguish Blue bounding through the meadow. He was panting hard by the time he reached our side.

  “What are you doin’ all the way out here, boy?”

  He looked up at me with his long tongue hanging out the side of his mouth.

  “No, you’re not coming up—you can walk your ass back home since you decided to join me.”

  He gave a single bark as if complaining, then looked in the direction he came with his ears pricked.

  “What is it, boy?”

  My heart stuttered. I was sure I was seeing things. A mirage. An angel.

  “Where’s Lou?” I asked Blue in an excited voice.

  He responded immediately with two quick barks and spun in a circle. He pointed his nose in her direction again and trotted beside me on lively footsteps.

  The closer she got, the tighter the invisible lasso around my chest squeezed. She was so goddamn beautiful picking her way through the meadow, her eyes downcast until she came within ten yards. When they finally lifted to lock with mine, I wasn’t surprised to see them shining with words yet to be spoken.

  I pulled Red up short. “Hey.”

  “Hey,” she murmured, looking up at me with a nervous little smile.

  I dismounted and came toe-to-toe with the first woman to own my heart and soul. I stared at her for one breath cycle while trying to get my hammering pulse under control. It was pointless. No amount of slow breathing would ever take away this feeling.

  All it took was a single blink from Louisiana to spur me into action. I reached for her, determined to make up for my lack of action last time. I told her I loved her, and now I was going to kiss her like the wind kisses sun-baked skin. With relief, with yearning, with a passion so profound, even the thought of my mouth on hers made my entire body ache.

  I gathered her against my chest and claimed her kiss like I should have done an hour ago. Her lips parted willingly, and her tongue brushed mine, its heat stroking my need for her over and over again.

  “We left a lot of things unsaid back there, Louisiana, but first I’m gonna kiss you until the rainstorm hits,” I murmured against her mouth.

  My fingers dug into her hips and urged her closer. Her curves molded to mine and ignited an all-consuming need that yanked the world out from under my feet.

  Louisiana took my face in her hands and roughly jerked me back. Confused at the sudden change of pace, I frowned and opened my mouth to question her. Those words dried on my tongue the moment Lou breathed out, “I love you too.”

  Warmth washed through me like a swollen river after the heavy rain. It seeped through every cell I possessed and blinded me despite seeing Lou in crystal clarity.

  “You do?”

  A breathtaking smile illuminated her face. “I do.”

  “Christ,” I hissed under my breath.

  Mimicking the hold she had on me, I cupped her face and brought her mouth back to mine in consuming hunger. Each sweep of her tongue toying with mine pushed me closer to breaking, and I was damn sure she felt what she did to me. The rush of her fingers clawing their way over my shoulders, my hair, my ass, caused gravity to slip. I needed to take her to the ground, to bury deep between her legs. To stake a final claim that left no illusion over what I wanted for us. Together. Her and me and Ollie, all out here as a family.

  The thought buckled my knees. Louisiana mistook the stumble as me attempting to boost her into my arms, and as soon as her feet left the ground to wrap around my waist, we overbalanced. I hissed a strained curse and caught the impact with one extended arm before her back hit the earth.

  Lou threw her head back and laughed the kind of laugh that dulled the pretty Montana landscape around us. With her mouth wide open and her eyes closed, her hat askew and her blonde hair fanned wildly about her head, she was utterly gorgeous.

  I sat back on my haunches and puffed to control my breathing. It did nothing, absolutely nothing, to calm my erratic pulse. Not when she looked up at me with that spark in her eyes. All the drama of earlier washed away. All that mattered in the world was her being here. With me.

  I leaned forward on extended arms and lowered my hips to connect with hers. Louisiana wrapped her legs around my waist, ankles locking on my lower back.

  “I’ll take you here,” I warned, grinding against her.

  She bit her lower lip coyly. “I’ve never done it in a meadow before.”

  I feathered my lips across hers. “Well, that’s a first of yours I’ll happily claim, sweetheart.”

  “Welcome back, dirty cowboy.”

  She hauled on my neck, demanding me close. Her kiss, nothing short of impatient, spurred me into action.

  The cool meadow air washed over my back when Louisiana tugged my shirt up and over my head, taking my hat with it. My desire climbed higher as I propped myself up on one hand and fumbled with her top, needing to see her bare and exposed.

  “Pants. Take your pants off,” Louisiana demanded breathlessly.

  “Yes, ma’am.” Immediately my hand snapped to my jeans’ button, while she tore at her top. My movements stalled the moment it was cast aside.

  “Christ.” The single word came out on an exhale, barely audible.

  “You like?” she asked, seductively twisting from side to side.

  Jeans unzipped and erection straining against the fabric of my underwear, I eyed her sexy lace bra and ran my tongue over my lower lip.

  “Was this Rory’s doin’?”

  Lou’s smirk gave it away. “Maybe.”

  “Remind me to thank her later.”

  With one swift tug, I had Louisiana straddling me and riding me through our clothes. I removed her bra and took her breasts in my palms, licking and sucking my way from nipple to nipple, then back again. Her back arched and thrust her chest higher as I trailed a hand up her spine.

  “Christ, you’re hurting my heart, sweetheart. Lie back so I can strip you.”

  A laugh-filled scream left her mouth as I tipped her back into the long grass. I was ravaging my way down her body when a loud bark came from behind me a split second before Blue pounced out of nowhere. Louisiana screamed again and covered her chest while I shoved him away time and time again.

  “Dammit, Blue. I’m not playin’ with you. I’m trying to pleasure my woman,” I yelled, despite bursting into laughter.

  Louisiana’s giggle combined with mine, and the harder we laughed, the more Blue thought i
t was game time.

  Staggering to my feet and keeping my legs wide so my jeans wouldn’t fall down, I snagged Blue and lifted him into my arms. He struggled and wriggled in my hold, playfully growling and trying to lick my face.

  I set him back down and glanced at Louisiana. She refastened her bra while watching me and Blue, with a happy smile on her pretty face.

  “We’ll finish that at home,” I promised.

  Her grin widened. “I’ll hold you to that.”

  When she extended her arms, I grabbed her hands and hauled her to her feet, pulling her against my bare chest and securing her there. Her body heat warm and homely against my skin.

  “I would close the program for you, Louisiana,” I murmured against her temple.

  Her arms tightened around my waist, and she shook her head. “That’s the last thing I want. I couldn’t live with myself if you did.”

  I heard a thick swallow as she searched for words. “You won’t lose either of us, Brandon. I’m going to help you fight for both. Now…” She stepped out of my hold and plucked my discarded shirt off the ground, tossing it at me with renewed fire in her eyes. “Let’s go home to finish what you started.”

  I chuckled and re-buttoned my jeans. She pulled on her shirt and shot me a disappointed look that our urges had been dampened by my damn dog.

  Once dressed, she came to my side and rose onto tiptoes. I welcomed her kiss, adding a sweep of my tongue for good measure. Not nearly having had my fill, I captured her face and whistled over my shoulder for Red—who’d wandered off while grazing—then lowered my mouth to Lou’s again. I kissed her deeply until Red nudged my shoulder.

  “Damn animals,” I grumbled against her mouth, reluctant to break apart just yet.

  She giggled and rubbed her cheek across the stubble on my chin. “They certainly don’t have great timing.”

  After pressing a lingering kiss below her eye, I helped her onto Red’s back and steadied him while she got seated in the saddle.

  I plucked up my hat and backed further away.

  She looked down at me and frowned. “Aren’t you coming up?”

  “I am, but gonna do it the fun way today. Hold him still, darlin’.”

  With a run and jump, I managed to wrangle myself onto Red’s rump, but he surged forward at the unexpected jolt.

  “Hold him steady, sweetheart,” I barked after the wind got knocked from my chest.

  “How?” Lou cried.

  “Pull the damn reins!”

  Red buckled a little as she roughly tugged the reins back, but it stalled him enough for me to catch my balance and come to sit behind Louisiana. I grabbed the reins from her grip and got Red under control.

  “Sorry!” she apologized breathlessly.

  I snaked a hand around her waist and chuckled. “Don’t be, I’m up now. I’m just glad he didn’t buck you off.” I adjusted her hat, so it wasn’t knocking me in the throat, then handed her the reins. “Guide us home, sweetheart.”

  Chapter 27

  Brandon

  We were nearing the yard when the tell-tale plume of dust on the driveway announced Rory’s arrival. Sure enough, her truck blazed into the yard and pulled up at the foot of my porch steps.

  “Does she always drive that fast?” Louisiana asked over her shoulder.

  I grumbled a growl under my breath. “Yes, she does, and she knows damn well it grinds my gears somethin’ fierce.”

  A giggle vibrated under my palm where it rested low on her belly. Her tone turned apprehensive. “Do you think she’s heard?”

  Again, with the growl catching in my throat. I’d bet my ass Rory had already heard about what Jolene was planning.

  Squinting into the distance, I watched Rory’s tiny figure get out of her truck and rush to the house, then moments later run toward the barn.

  “Oh yeah, she’s heard alright,” I drawled. “She’s like a hen with a tick. Now that she’s got a hold of it, she won’t be letting it go anytime soon.”

  Louisiana’s fingers toyed with the reins within her relaxed grip. I marveled at how relaxed she was in the saddle compared to the first time I put her on Dottie. She’d practically squeezed the poor mare in half with how tight her legs clamped.

  I could have urged Red faster, but wanted to soak in the last few peaceful minutes with Lou in my arms before hurricane Rory.

  Once we caught up with my sister, as predicted, it all turned to hell in a dustpan.

  “Brandon!” she snapped, power-walked in our direction across the yard. “Jolene-”

  I cut her off. “I know.”

  “She’s trying to-”

  “I know.”

  “She’s started a-”

  “I know, goddammit, Rore! Lay off already!”

  She set her hands on her hips and leaned forward with attitude. “Don’t get all snippy with me, Brandon. Get your butt down here so we can make a plan.”

  After dismounting Red and helping Lou down, I tied him to the yard fence and gave Rory my full attention.

  “I’m as pissed as you are, I’m just not outwardly showin’ it.”

  She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Typical Bran; it will all go away if I ignore it. Well, I’m not letting you let this slide. Not this time. Jolene has called the shots for way too long, and this time I’mma take her down a peg or two.”

  “Rore,” I warned, then glanced over her shoulder to see Jake leaning against the barn door with his arms folded over this chest, listening in.

  “You haven’t been giving her ideas, have you, Jake?”

  His grin spread. “Not today, boss. Though I’m on her side; we need to shut her down before she finds momentum with the fucking petition.”

  “The locals are on my side,” I reasoned.

  Both he and Rory gave me the same look; raised eyebrows and pursed lips.

  I let out a huff of exasperation. “I’m assuming you’ve got a plan already?”

  A devious smile spread over Rory’s face. “Now, that I do, dear brother.”

  “Which is?” I prompted while circling my hand.

  “We break into her house, steal the petition, then burn it.”

  Jake found her suggestion amusing, while Louisiana shifted uncomfortably. It hit a little too close to home for her.

  I shook my head at the overall absurdity of the ‘plan’. “We are not doing any of those things.”

  “Correction, I will break into her house, steal the petition, then burn it,” Rory stated.

  Running both hands down my face, I fought to find the patience needed when dealing with my sister. “Christ, Rore, you’re missing the goddamn point. No one is breaking and entering or stealing. Got it?”

  Louisiana piped up. “Trust me when I say it’s a bad idea.”

  Rory’s hazel-green eyes flamed with defiance. “So…. burning?”

  “No burning!” I yelled, finally reaching the end of my tether.

  Jake pushed off the barn wall and squeezed Rory on the shoulder on his way over to me.

  “Head inside, boss. I’ll sort Red and then be in soon. She’s all smoke and no guns,” he added with a nod toward Rory.

  A wry chuckle rumbled at the back of my throat. “If you’d grown up with her, you’d know that statement is complete bullshit.”

  The corner of his mouth twitched. “I already do. Just tryin’ to make you feel better, boss.”

  “Well, you’re doing a shit job of it.”

  “Never said I was tryin’ hard,” he called and unleashed Red from the fence.

  I ran a hand over my smile and cursed. “Righto. Lou, Rore, who wants a beer while we hash this out?” I had a feeling I would be visiting my lawyer before the week was out and I needed to ensure it was the right step before I went down that road.

  “I’ll drink your beer any day,” Rory declared.

  “I knew you would,” I drawled, then raised a questioning eyebrow at Louisiana.

  Lou, staying strong to this program condition, passed up my offer with a li
ttle shake of her head.

  “C’mon then, ladies. To the house.”

  With my fingers linked with Louisiana’s and the opposite arm slung around my sister’s shoulders, my burden at least felt shared as we walked as a united front across the yard, backed up by Jake’s whistled tune flowing from the barn.

  “Does Wyatt know already?” I asked Rory.

  If it wasn’t for my arm draped around her, I would have missed the slight falter in her step.

  “He’s the one who told me,” she murmured. “I’m surprised he’s not here already.”

  That had my lips pressing together. Wyatt was normally first on the scene if shit went down and I needed to know about it.

  “Same,” was all I said as I toed off my boots and guided Lou through the front door by the small of her back.

  . . .

  I didn’t get up from the couch when I heard Wyatt’s truck rumble into the yard. A single door slammed closed and one breath later, hurried boots stomped up the porch steps. They paused briefly at the screen door before that was flung open, then slammed closed a second later.

  “Bran?” Wyatt’s loud voice called.

  “In the lounge, dude.”

  He reached the doorway and practically skidded to a stop in socks on the tongue-and-groove floor. His sharp eyes urgently sought me, then snapped to Rory when she scoffed.

  “Hurry much?”

  “Yeah! Shit is going down!” he exclaimed, crossing the room in a few large strides.

  Rory all out laughed at him. “You’re about an hour too late to drop that news bomb, Wyatt. What took you so long?”

  Although his eyes briefly narrowed and darkened on her, they found me and opened wide. I cocked my head to the side, curious to hear the answer to Rore’s question.

  Wyatt threw himself onto the couch and drummed his fingers on the arm of it. “I went a-visiting. Somethin’ you should have done, but I knew you wouldn’t.”

  “Visiting where?” An ominous feeling gathered in the pit of my stomach.

  “The Andersons.”

  “You what?” My voice pitched and my spine snapped straight. “Are you fucking kidding me? Please tell me you are pulling my leg, Wy?”

  His tone stayed as even as his expression remained blank. “No can do, Bran. They needed to hear how much of a fucking idiot their daughter is.”