Taming a Texas Rascal (Bad Boy Ranch Book 6)

by Katie Lane

  “You should have your sling on,” he said after a few minutes.

  “The doc said I could take it off after four weeks. Besides, I didn’t want to take away from the new dress Dixie helped me pick out.”

  “You look nice, by the way.”

  She glanced over at him and found him studying her. “Thanks. Although nice isn’t really a compliment for a woman. It’s like saying they look okay.”

  “What compliments do women prefer?”

  “Gorgeous. Stunning. Beautiful. Ravishing.”

  He grinned. “You look ravishing.”

  “Well, you can’t say it now. Not when I had to spoon-feed it to you. You have to come up with your own or it doesn’t count.”

  He laughed, and she noticed that his knee had stopped bouncing. “Okay. How about hot?” She looked over and caught him studying her lap where her dress had ridden high on her thighs.

  She tugged the hem down as her body heated up like a teakettle ready to whistle. Her obsession with Sawyer had gotten completely out of hand. And she knew why. Before, she had admired his good looks and saddle bronc riding ability from a distance. Now, she got to admire him up close and personal. She’d become obsessed by everything about him.

  The way his eyes crinkled when he smiled. And the way he ate a slice of bacon in three bites. And the way he treated her like an equal—like he respected her ideas and thoughts. He didn’t seem to mind when she got too cocky and wanted to take control. Even when they were training Angel, he let her take charge. Although she had relinquished Angel’s training the first time she watched Sawyer put the horse through his paces.

  The man could sit a saddle. He rode with a confidence that let Angel know he was in charge, but at the same, he didn’t try to stifle the horse’s nature. If Angel acted up a little, Sawyer kept a tight rein and talked soothingly. “I know you want to show those mares what a wild stud you are, but women prefer well-behaved gentlemen to bad boys.”

  Maisy didn’t agree. She wanted a bad boy. She wanted him in a bad way. Sawyer just didn’t want her. Since the kiss, he’d made no other moves on her. Which led her to believe the kiss had just been something that happened because they were both relieved to get to keep Angel.

  The voice on the GPS announced that they had reached their destination and Maisy turned into the parking lot of the huge Baptist church. She was surprised it was so packed.

  “I thought we were early.”

  “Actually, we’re late.”

  Maisy shot a glance over at him. “You’re late to your own brother’s wedding?” When he only shrugged, she pulled into a parking space and turned off the engine. “Okay, what’s going on between you and your brother? If I’m going to walk into a hornet’s nest, I want to be prepared.”

  Sawyer slouched down in the seat and stared out the side window for a few moments before he finally spoke. “Mattie is marrying a girl I used to date.”

  The pieces started to fall into place, but there were still a few missing. “Date or love?” she asked. When Sawyer only swallowed hard, she had her answer. She didn’t know why she felt like she’d ran smack dab into a wall, but that’s exactly how she felt. She felt stunned and like she was going to pass out. She rested her head on the steering wheel and took deep breaths.

  “Maisy?” Sawyer placed a hand on her shoulder. “You okay?”

  “Yeah. It’s just hot in here.”

  He opened his door and got out. A few seconds later, he opened hers. “Come on. Let’s get you inside where’s it cool.” He took her hand and helped her out, and continued to hold it as they walked through the parking lot to the double doors of the church.

  They were late. When they stepped inside, the ceremony had already started. They slipped into a back pew as the pastor recited the vows for the couple standing at the front of the church to repeat. Next to the pastor was a woman doing sign language. Maisy assumed it was for the hearing impaired people in attendance. But she realized her mistake when the groom repeated his vows using sign language. She glanced at Sawyer. His attention was centered completely on his brother. The look of love and admiration in his eyes was easy to read. Obviously, he had forgiven his brother for stealing the woman he loved.

  Maisy turned back as the bride started to repeat her vows—verbally and with sign language. Maisy wanted to see the face of the woman who had made Sawyer fall in love, but all she could see was Lauren’s vague profile beneath the gauzy veil. It wasn’t until the ceremony was over and the couple headed down the aisle that Maisy got a good look at her.

  Lauren was breathtaking, gorgeous, and ravishing all rolled into one. She was everything delicate and feminine Maisy wasn’t. Her hair was perfect, as was her makeup and beautiful wedding gown. She smiled brightly as she clung to Mattie’s arm. The smile faded when she spotted Sawyer. She signed something to Mattie and his face lit up as his gaze turned to them. Maisy’s breath caught. It was like looking at a mirror image of Sawyer.

  Mattie quickly signed something to Sawyer. And Sawyer completely shocked Maisy by signing back. Except he spoke as he signed.

  “We’ll talk more at the reception.”

  The reception was held at the fancy hotel Sawyer and Maisy were staying at. On the ride back, Sawyer didn’t say much and Maisy didn’t feel like talking either. She didn’t feel stunned anymore. Now she just felt depressed. Seeing Lauren had made her realize Sawyer would never be interested in a tomboy rodeo cowgirl like her. Not even for a romp in the hay.

  When he went to take her hand on the way into the hotel, she pulled back. “I’m not going to play your girlfriend, Sawyer.”

  He nodded and held the door open for her. “I’m sorry I didn’t explain things to you before. I should have.”

  As much as he should’ve told her about the situation before they got there, she couldn’t very well blame him when she was keeping her own secret. Once they got to the ballroom, they were directed to the family table by one of the hotel staff. It was empty and the staffer explained that the rest of the family was taking pictures outside in the courtyard.

  “You should go and be with them,” Maisy said. “I’ll be fine here.”

  “They have Mattie.” Sawyer pulled out a chair for her. “If they want me in the pictures, they can always just duplicate his image.”

  “That’s not quite the same. You’re two different people.”

  “But he’s the good one,” he said as he helped her push in her chair. “I’m going to go get us a drink at the bar.”

  Sawyer didn’t make it to the bar. Maisy watched as one person after another stopped him to talk. She didn’t know if they knew him or just thought he was the groom. Either way, Sawyer seemed to have no problem charming them.

  “Sawyer has always known how to work a room.”

  Maisy glanced over at the distinguished-looking older gentleman standing at the table. He looked enough like Sawyer that Maisy thought she knew who he was. “You must be Sawyer’s daddy.” She held out a hand. “Maisy Sweeney.”

  He shook her hand and smiled. “I’m his father’s brother. David Dawson.” He took the chair next to her. “So you’re Sawyer’s date?”

  “Actually, we’re just friends.”

  “Ah.” He glanced at Sawyer who was talking to an older couple. “Well, that’s even better. Sawyer can use a good friend.” He looked back at her. “One who understands him.”

  “I can’t lay claim to that. Sawyer doesn’t talk about his feelings much.”

  His smile got bigger. “Then you do know him. Everyone thinks Sawyer is an extrovert, but he’s really an introvert who hides behind an impish smile and carefree façade.”

  “You don’t think Sawyer is carefree?”

  “I think he cares too much. At least for Mattie. Growing up, he was extremely protective of his brother. My brother and sister-in-law are good people, but they struggled dealing with a child who had a disability. They gave Mattie love and sent him to the best schools for the deaf, but they gave Sawyer all their pr
aise for being the perfect child—their golden boy. Which is why I think Sawyer decided to be so imperfect.”

  Maisy stared at him as she remembered what Sawyer had said before he left to get the drinks. But he’s the good one. “You think Sawyer became the bad boy so Mattie could be the good boy?”

  David shrugged. “It’s just a theory, but it would explain the radical change in Sawyer when the boys were teenagers. He was a top student, a star athlete, and a responsible young man who dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. And then suddenly he stopped getting good grades, dropped out of sports, and did anything he could to tick off his parents.”

  “Sawyer mentioned that he wanted to be a vet.”

  David nodded. “He’s always loved animals. But when Mattie decided he wanted to be a vet too, Sawyer lost interested in becoming one. Or maybe once again he just wanted Mattie to be the one who shined.”

  Maisy was stunned by everything she’d just learned, but it explained Sawyer’s underachieving. He didn’t want to be the best. Especially if it took the limelight off his brother.

  “I hope you’re not trying to psychoanalyze Maisy, Uncle David.” Sawyer walked up and set a bottle of beer in front of Maisy before he took the chair next to her. “My uncle is a psychiatrist and he loves practicing on unsuspecting victims.”

  That explained why his uncle had spent so much time trying to figure Sawyer out. It also made Maisy believe in Uncle David’s theory even more. She looked at Sawyer and saw him in a new light. He wasn’t just an underachieving rodeo bum who made her heart beat faster. He was a caring man who had sacrificed his own dreams for the happiness of his brother.

  She had to wonder if he had even sacrificed the woman he loved.

  When the bride and groom arrived with the rest of the bridal party, Maisy watched Sawyer’s reaction closely. But like his uncle said, Sawyer hid his emotions well. He stood and smiled and clapped like everyone else as the bridal party was directed to a table at the front of the room. That smile slipped when his parents arrived at the table.

  Sawyer’s mother and father were the definition of classy. Neither one looked old enough to have grown sons. His father was tall and trim with just a sprinkling of gray at his temples. His mother was petite with dark blond hair and Sawyer’s pretty grayish-blue eyes. Her eyes brightened when she saw her son, but both she and her husband seemed hesitant about how to greet Sawyer. They all three stood there as if an invisible wall kept them apart.

  Maisy decided someone needed to break it.

  “I can see where Sawyer gets his looks. From his handsome daddy and beautiful mama.” She held out her hand to his mother. “Maisy Sweeney. I’m a friend of Sawyer’s.”

  His mother took her hand and squeezed it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Maisy. We’re so glad you and Sawyer could make it.”

  “We certainly are,” his father said as he looked Sawyer with such longing that it about broke Maisy’s heart. “How are you, son?”

  Sawyer answered almost belligerently. “Still riding broncs.” He flashed a smile at Maisy. “Maisy’s a bronc rider too.”

  His parents turned to her in shock and she wanted to string Sawyer up by his toes. She pinned on a smile. “That’s right. But what Sawyer failed to mention is that I’m twice the rider he is.”

  He tipped back his head and laughed. And his mother and father joined in.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “I like her.”

  Sawyer pulled his attention from the dance floor to see Lauren standing at the table. She looked as perfect as always. Even after hours of dancing, cake cutting, and toasts, there wasn’t a hair out of place or a smudge of makeup beneath her blue eyes. He had hoped to avoid talking to her, but he realized that was an impossibility. She was his brother’s wife now. He would have to talk to her eventually. He waited for the pain of loss to hit him, but all he felt was a slight pang of nostalgia for what they’d once had.

  “Hello, Lauren.” He glanced back at the dance floor where Maisy was two-stepping with Mattie. Because Mattie couldn’t hear the music, Maisy was leading. Sawyer was sure that suited her just fine. A warm, contented feeling settled in his stomach. One he hadn’t felt for a long time. He smiled. “Everyone likes Maisy. She’s completely won over my parents.”

  Lauren pulled a chair out and sat down. “Is she the one who got you to come here?”

  He thought about it for a moment before he nodded. If Maisy hadn’t gotten after him for not answering his brother’s texts, he wouldn’t be there. As much as he had dreaded it, he was glad he’d come.

  “Mattie has never looked happier,” he said.

  “He makes me happy too.” She lowered her gaze to her lap. “I didn’t mean to fall in love with him, Sawyer. Neither one of us planned it. It just happened.” She looked up. “But it made me realize that what you and I had wasn’t love. We were just two people playing at love. We didn’t even know each other. You swept in between rodeos and said all the things a woman wants to hear and then you swept right back out again. Mattie doesn’t tell me what I want to hear. He tells what I need to hear. Even if I don’t particularly like it.”

  She was right. Mattie had always been a straight shooter who never minced words, even if those words were spoken with his hands. Sawyer, on the other hand, kept all his feelings tucked deep inside. He had done that with Lauren too. He’d expected her to love him without showing her who he really was. Not the golden boy. Not the bad boy. Just the scared boy who had lost himself. And if he didn’t know who he was, how could he have expected Lauren to know? Or any woman, for that matter?

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “You’re right. I wasn’t honest with you. I led you to believe that some day I’d be ready for marriage when I don’t know if I’ll ever be.”

  She leaned closer and took his hand. “You will be one day when you find the right person. I wasn’t that person. And I think deep down you knew that.” Her eyes turned sad. “I’m just sorry the right person for me was your brother. He loves you so much, Sawyer. It killed him to think he’d lost you. And I know no matter how much he loves me, if he can’t have his brother’s love too, our marriage will never work.”

  Sawyer knew it too. And maybe that’s what he’d been hoping for by ignoring Mattie’s texts. He’d been hoping it would stop his brother from marrying Lauren. But after seeing how happy Mattie was tonight, he realized his brother would never be happy without Lauren either.

  “You know he snores, right?” he said.

  Lauren looked surprised for a moment before she laughed. “Extremely loudly.”

  “He also double-dips.”

  She nodded. “And he gets away with it because most people excuse his bad manners because of his disability.”

  “He got out of all kinds of trouble when we were kids by just pointing to his ears and looking all innocent.”

  Lauren glanced over his shoulder at the dance floor and smiled. “You always said he was the good twin, but I’ve discovered that he has more than a little bad boy in him.” She looked back at Sawyer and tears welled in her eyes. “Thank you, Sawyer. Thank you for watching out for him all these years and making him believe he could do anything he wanted to. Thank you for helping him grow into the man I love.”

  He started to deny it, but then he nodded. “You’re welcome.”

  She got up and gave him a tight hug before leaving. When she was gone, his mother and father came back to the table as if they’d been waiting in the wings for Lauren to finish talking with him. During dinner, Maisy had kept up the conversation. Now that he was alone with his parents, he wasn’t sure what to say. The tears in his mother’s eyes made it even more difficult.

  “Oh, Sawyer,” she said. “I’m so glad you came.”

  He got to his feet and pulled her in for a quick hug. “Don’t cry, Mom. You’ll mess your makeup.”

  She fanned at her eyes. “You’re right. I’m just so glad you’re here.” She brushed at the shoulders of his jacket. “And in appropriate clothing. I thoug
ht for sure you’d arrive in jeans.”

  “Nothing wrong with jeans.” His father surprised him by pulling him in for a hug. His father had never been much of a hugger, but now he held on tight like he didn’t ever want to let go. “We’ve missed you. And we know you didn’t just stay away because of Mattie and Lauren.” He drew back and there were tears in his eyes. “We’re sorry, son. We made a lot of mistakes with you and Mattie. We wish we could go back and have a do-over. Unfortunately, that’s not how life works. Thankfully, our poor parenting skills didn’t screw you and Mattie up too badly. You’ve both become men to be proud of.”

  Sawyer could’ve argued. He was definitely screwed up. And he certainly hadn’t done anything to be proud of. But looking into his father’s sad eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to point that out. His dad was right. The past was the past. You couldn’t go back and change it—no matter how much you wanted to. All you could do was put it behind you and move on.

  “Thanks, Dad.” He gave him another hug before he pulled his mother over and hugged her too. “I love you both.”

  It was the truth. Regardless of their mistakes, he loved his parents. It was time to forgive and forget. In the last few weeks, he’d discovered how stressful parenthood—or just the thought of parenthood—could be. If Maisy turned out to be pregnant, he figured he’d make his fair share of mistakes too.

  When they finished hugging it out, they sat down at the table and caught up on what had been happening in their lives. He could tell his parents weren’t thrilled he was still riding broncs, but they didn’t say so. And that was something.

  Mattie and Maisy returned to the table and Maisy pulled his parents into a conversation about what Sawyer had been like as a little kid. As they talked, Mattie signed to Sawyer.

  You found a tough one. I stepped on her toes repeatedly and she never once complained. Although she is a little bossy.

  A little? Sawyer signed back.

  Mattie grinned before his smile faded and he signed. I saw you talking to Lauren. Everything okay?