by Olivia Black
Belt Buckle Ranch 4
Easton
Easton Baker is a hard working farmer from Oklahoma. One day while he’s out in the fields, a PI shows up with a manila envelope and changes the course of his life. With the blessing of his grandma, Easton packs a bag and heads to Colorado to meet the father he never knew. When he arrives, Easton finds out he’s too late.
Trent Weston owns a ranch called, Twin Acres. He’s also the executor of William Rickett’s will – Easton’s father. When he goes to the Belt Buckle Ranch and meets Easton, Trent is immediately smitten, but keeps his distance. He’s experienced a lot of loss, the death of his parents and brother, and is afraid to open his heart.
When Trent needs help at his ranch, Easton is the first to volunteer. It doesn’t take long for the men to jump into a sexual relationship. Trent tries to keep things casual as Easton falls in love.
Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Contemporary, Western/Cowboys
Length: 28,398 words
EASTON
Belt Buckle Ranch 4
Olivia Black
EVERLASTING CLASSIC
MANLOVE
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Everlasting Classic ManLove
EASTON
Copyright © 2014 by Olivia Black
E-book ISBN: 978-1-63258-276-8
First E-book Publication: September 2014
Cover design by Harris Channing
All art and logo copyright © 2014 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
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DEDICATION
To all the readers: thank you for the love and support.
EASTON
Belt Buckle Ranch 4
Olivia Black
Copyright © 2014
Prologue
Easton Baker had been awake since before dawn. He’d done almost all of his morning chores. And now, he was sitting on a small wooden stool, milking the cow. His day wasn’t over though, not by a long shot. The work was piling up and Easton was busy from sun-up to sun-down. He loved his home in Oklahoma, but he really wanted to get away. He didn’t want to work on his grandparent’s farm for the rest of his life, but it looked as if he were stuck.
All of his friends had gone away to college years before and were off living their lives. But Easton stayed with his grandparents. Over the years, things had changed and time passed. He’d aged and opportunities that had been present slowly disappeared. His grandfather passed away, which had devastated both him and his grandmother. Her health was now failing and he was struggling to keep it all together.
He wanted to help his grandmother, but part of him wanted to run away from the responsibility. That feeling left him submerged in guilt. His grandparents raised him and he felt as if he owed them. His mother had left him at their door step when he was only a boy. She couldn’t afford to raise him, but more importantly, she didn’t want him around when she was still young. She never came back and he had a lot of anger in his heart still.
He patted the cow’s side in thanks as he went about his day. The sun was rising, birds chirping and singing. At least they were happy to be alive. He couldn’t say the same. He wasn’t alive. Instead, he was in a cycle and doing the same thing each day.
When was the last time he’d had any free time? When had he gone out with friends? Shaking his head, Easton couldn’t answer any of those questions. This farm had become his life. He tried not to have a bad attitude, but some days, like today, he had to choke down the frustration.
By mid-afternoon, Easton was out in the fields driving the old beat-up tractor. The property was considerably smaller than his neighbors’, but he managed to grow and sell enough wheat to pay the bills. Easton usually tended the garden in the early evening hours with his grandmother to get the extra food they needed. She tried to help, but with her age and health, she couldn’t do much.
A cloud of dirt got Easton’s attention and he stopped the tractor and watched as a car drove toward him. He didn’t recognize the vehicle. Deciding to meet the driver halfway, Easton turned the tractor and headed toward the small makeshift road. When he got near the car, it stopped, and an older gentleman got out. He waved his hand and Easton tipped his head in acknowledgment. He shut the engine off and climbed down, stretching out his cramped legs.
“Afternoon, sir,” Easton greeted.
“Easton Baker?” he asked.
“Yes, sir, what can I do for you?” Easton took off his cowboy hat and pulled a handkerchief out of his back pocket. He wiped his forehead, studying the stranger.
“I’m sorry to bother your work day. Your grandmother said you’d be out here,” the man said, looking around.
“No problem. I was in need of a break anyway.” Easton shrugged, still waiting for the man to introduce himself and state his business.
“My name is Thomas Creed and I’m a private investigator. I was sent by my employer, William Rickett.” The name didn’t sound familiar to Easton and his facial expression must’ve given his thoughts away because the man continued. “You don’t know him, but he knows
all about you. Here…” He handed Easton a large manila envelope and he took it. “All the information is inside. Read through it at your earliest convenience. It’s very important.”
“Mr. Creed, I’m a very busy man. Why don’t you just tell me what this William Rickett fella wants?” Easton asked, waiting for an answer. He didn’t have time to look through a thick envelope and search for answers. He had too much damn work to do and the day wasn’t over.
“The documents will be able to outline everything,” he said, and started to turn to leave.
“Mr. Creed.” Easton stopped him. “I’m a simple man. Just tell me what’s going on.”
He exhaled and smiled. “You’re the only one that’s asked so far. William Rickett is a very sick man, he’s dying. I hate to be the bearer of bad news.” He looked slightly uncomfortable, but it was obvious there was a hell of a lot more to the story. “You’re one of his sons. He’s requesting your presence at his ranch in Colorado.”
Easton stood stunned. His father was looking for him? He never even knew the man’s name. William Rickett. He said it inside his mind, trying to get his thoughts in order. Holy hell! And the man was sick and dying. Easton pulled his bottom lip into his mouth and tried to process. Could he really leave the farm in Oklahoma and travel to Colorado? Could he even consider leaving his grandmother behind?
“I know this is a lot to take in, but inside that envelope”—he nodded toward the thick manila envelope inside Easton’s hand—“are a plane ticket, cash, and all the information you need to confirm that my words are the truth,” Mr. Creed said, a sympathetic smile on his face.
“I don’t know if I can,” he voiced, barely a whisper.
“If you want my opinion, I think you should use the cash to pay some bills. Take the airplane ticket and fly there. This may very well be the only chance you’ve got to meet him. He owns the Belt Buckle Ranch right outside of Telluride, Colorado. He’s not going to make it much longer, I’m afraid.” The words pierced Easton’s heart. He didn’t even know the man, but he felt bad that his life was ending.
“Thanks for the advice. I appreciate you coming out.” Easton placed his cowboy hat back on his head. He needed to get back to work and do some serious thinking.
“I hope you can make it to the ranch.” Mr. Creed said his good-byes and headed out.
Easton waited until the man got into his car before climbing back up into the tractor. He started the engine and went back to work. His mind was no longer on the task at hand. Instead, he was thinking about William Rickett, his father, and wondering what the future held.
After working all day, Easton was bone tired.
He climbed up the steps that led to the farm house where he’d lived all his life. The sun was low in the sky and his stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn’t taken a lunch break. Opening the door, he stepped inside and took off his boots before strolling into the kitchen. When his grandmother saw him, her face lit up and she grabbed his plate out of the oven.
“Hi, honey. Did you have a good day?” she asked, kissing his forehead before setting the plate on the table.
Easton smiled and sat down. He picked up the fork and started shoveling the food into his mouth. He was exhausted. His muscles ached, his back hurt, and he could barely keep his eyes open. He couldn’t keep up the routine much longer.
“I spoke with that private investigator when he came by looking for you. I think you should go to Colorado. I’ve been thinking for a while that it might be time to sell this place.” Easton’s head jerked up and he stared at the woman that had been more of a mother than a grandma with surprise. “You work too hard. I want you to have more than this farm. You deserve so much more.”
“What about you? I need to take care of you,” he said.
“No, you don’t.” She shook her head a smile on her lips. “Go to Colorado, meet Mr. Rickett, and see what the future holds for you. It’s time that you did something for yourself.”
Easton placed the envelope on the table. He’d kept it hidden on his lap, planning to open it when he reached his room. Now, it didn’t seem to matter. He flicked open the metal tabs and pulled out the paperwork. His birth certificate was on top, following a thick wad of cash, a plane ticket, and some legal documents. He picked up the cash and handed it to his grandmother. She shook her head.
“Take the cash and pay bills while I’m gone. I’ll drive to the airport and fly to Colorado. As soon as I get there, I’ll call you and give you the number. If you need anything, you’ll know where to reach me. I won’t be gone long,” Easton told her as she took the cash.
“I spoke with a realtor after the investigator drove off. Easton.” She sat down next to him, touching his arm. “You need a life.” She said seriously and he choked, but started laughing.
His eyes filled with moisture. She was giving him a way out and he needed to take it.
“I’m going to be all right. I’ve been worried about you though. Don’t you want to meet someone? Fall in love? Get married? You are more important than this farm.” Falling out of his chair, Easton shuffled closer and wrapped his arms around her. “I love you. You’ve been such a blessing, but now, it’s time for you to leave home.”
“I love you, too. Thank you.” He rubbed his face against her shoulder, wiping the tears away. “I’ll go meet my father and then, you and I can figure out what we’re going to do.”
“I’m going to take care of everything. I’m going to sell this farm and move closer to the city. There are some cute apartments in town. Besides, most of my friends live out in the retirement community already. It will be nice to spend time with them,” she told him, and Easton was glad she was so incredibly positive.
“I can help you get settled,” he told her. He could go to Colorado when she was taken care of.
She shook her head, “No, you are going to finish dinner, take a shower, and pack. I don’t want to hear another word, young man. I’m kicking you out.”
Easton pulled back and she winked. He kissed her cheek and sat in his seat. It felt like a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Picking up his fork, Easton finished his dinner with a huge smile on his face.
* * * *
Easton grabbed his bags and stepped off the private plane. He walked toward the small terminal located in Telluride, Colorado. He was excited and nervous. Here he was a grown man and he’d never left the small farm in Oklahoma. He didn’t even know who was picking him up. The envelope hadn’t given him that information. He stepped into the terminal and looked around, feeling more lost and alone than he could ever remember.
This was supposed to be a new adventure, but part of him wanted to get back on the plane and head home. His grandmother was at the forefront of his mind. Was she really going to be all right without him?
“Hi,” A man around his own age approached him. He didn’t look as if he belonged on a ranch. His clothes were all wrong. “I’m Jackson Murphy, your half-brother.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I guess you know that I’m Easton Baker.” He put one of his bags down and held out his hand.
“It’s good to meet you. I wanted to let you know that William Rickett passed away,” Jackson told him, and Easton was shocked. He’d come all this way to find out that his father had died. “I found out when I got here as well. I’m sorry. I was hoping to meet him.”
“Well…uh.” Easton cleared his throat. “I guess I should try to catch a flight back home.”
“No, you should come out to the Belt Buckle Ranch and meet everyone.” Jackson grabbed his bag. It didn’t seem like he was going to let Easton leave. “Robbie, he’s one of your half-brothers. He arrived last night. And Jared and Oliver should be arriving over the next couple of days. Once we’re all here, Wyatt—he’s the foreman at the ranch—said the executor of William’s estate will be reading his Last Will and Testament. Why not come out and relax?”
Easton wasn’t sure what he should do. He’d left his home and everything he’d ever kno
wn behind in Oklahoma with his grandmother.
“Please,” Jackson whispered. “I know this situation isn’t ideal, but we’re related and I’d really like the chance to get to know you. I don’t know about you, but I’m an only child. I always wanted siblings. You won’t regret it. The Belt Buckle Ranch is amazing and the folks there are great.”
His half-brother was incredibly convincing. This was his chance to meet his brothers and Easton knew he wouldn’t let this opportunity pass him by. He nodded and Jackson looked relieved.
Chapter 1
The Belt Buckle Ranch was a beautiful place.
Easton couldn’t believe how amazing the property was. The green, lush land called to him, making him smile. This was where he belonged. He felt it deep in his soul. The decision to stay at the Belt Buckle was an easy one to make, especially since he had his grandma’s blessing. Easton knew without a doubt that he wouldn’t be at the ranch without her gentle nudge. She seemed to be thriving now that she was surrounded by her friends and living in a retirement community.
Today, they were all heading over to Trent Weston’s place, Twin Acres Ranch, for a barbeque. The man was their neighbor and the executor to Easton’s father’s will. In order for the Belt Buckle Ranch to belong to Easton and his brothers, the five of them had to live and work at the ranch for one full year. It wasn’t a hardship for him. He was used to waking up with the sun and working hard all day long. At least here, he wasn’t waking up alone.