by Vivian Wood
She’d never learned to ride horses, but she'd always thought of them as majestic creatures. It was something she’d always wanted to do. Never in her wildest dreams had she thought she’d have the opportunity to actually do it.
“Yeah. My mom used to operate a dude ranch from the farm. Sawyer insisted on reopening it after he came back. He and Remy take care of it, mostly. But you may get roped in to help, if that’s okay?”
“Yeah... I mean, sure,” she stammered as he turned off the road.
An aging wooden sign that read Roman Ranch caught her eye as they passed beneath it. She felt a shiver run through her body, unable to believe she was actually here doing this.
“One last thing,” he said as he glanced over at her.
She pulled her gaze from the house just as he reached into his pocket and produced a ring. It was a beautiful, ornate antique design with a single diamond set in the center. He held it up to her and then placed it in her open palm.
Surprise threatened to overwhelm her, but she accepted the ring. She raised an eyebrow as she slid it onto her ring finger. He said nothing, merely shrugged as the ring twinkled on her finger. His eyes were tight, unspoken emotion in them as he turned his eyes back to the road.
Pastures spread out on either side of her in the dwindling light. Soon, buildings started coming into view. A barn, a bunkhouse, and a sprawling farmhouse. The farmhouse had light pouring out of it and was visible now. Two smaller, darker houses were visible a ways behind the main farmhouse.
A pack of large, furry dogs ran toward the Escalade as Walker pulled up outside one of the smaller farmhouses. She peered up at it. It was not that it was small by any stretch of the imagination -- just smaller than the main house.
“Welcome home, Doll.”
He gave her a quick grin before hopping out of the car and striding around to open her door. After she’d slid from the vehicle, the dogs surrounded her and Walker.
"Oh!" she said, pleasantly surprised when the dogs pushed under her hands, demanding attention.
Their tails wagged as Walker rubbed the dogs' heads. She wasn’t afraid of dogs, necessarily, she just hadn’t had much interaction with them. So she patted one or two of them on the head but mostly tried to stay tucked behind Walker.
“All right now,” he said to the dogs.
To her surprise, the dogs eased back. Walker gathered her backpack, his bag, and other things from their earlier shopping excursion. He headed up a stone path, past a water feature set in the center of it, toward a front door. He jostled the packages to swing the door open and then disappeared through it.
She hesitated before she followed. She was trying to wrap her brain around the fact that only twenty-four hours ago she had been getting ready for her shift at the club. She'd been trying to avoid angering Igor. Now here she was, hours away from the club and New Orleans, moving into Walker’s single-story home on Roman Ranch.
She swallowed, then stepped inside.
It seemed to be a functional square design, with clean lines and large windows. The lights inside went on, giving it a welcoming glow. He stuck his head out the door.
“You coming?” he asked, surveying her expression carefully.
“Yeah! Sorry!” She hurried up to join him inside, struck by the total lack of furniture.
“Let me show you around,” he offered as he grabbed her hand and led her down a hallway.
“I’ve just finished building it, so I haven’t gotten around to furnishing much. I've got a few things in the main bedroom and the kitchen.” He shifted, seeming unsure about something. “You’re going to have to share my bedroom until we can get a room set up for you. So, you’ll be in charge of that now, I guess. You can order anything you want for the house online. It desperately needs furniture."
He stopped, seeming to consider his words. "Will that be okay? Sharing a bed, I mean.”
“Uh... yeah. Sure. We’ve already slept together once, right?”
She tried to keep her tone light, but her stomach was doing somersaults. She was unable to accept that she would be living in a place like this, with a man like him.
"Okay," he said, a wicked smile playing over his features.
“Wait, go back. You want me to fill the house with furniture?”
“Well, yeah.” He regarded her carefully. “Seems like the kind of thing the lady of the house should be in charge of?”
"I'd love to." She smiled.
“Good. That’s settled then.” He flashed her a grin before tugging at her hand and leading her further inside.
The ring he had offered her felt heavy on her finger. They walked around the house, the house that she now had to furnish.
How do I even do that? This house is huge! she thought.
It had three bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom, situated along a hallway to the right of the house. In keeping with the style she’d noticed earlier, each bedroom had large windows. There were sliding doors that led to the pastures beyond. In the dying light she couldn’t tell for sure, but the greenery seemed to sweep on for miles.
The main bedroom was situated toward the end of the hallway, and was slightly bigger than the others. It was sparsely furnished, with only a king-size bed and two bedside tables. There was a worn couch in the corner and a large flat-screen television mounted on the wall.
There were two doors on the far side of the bedroom. One lead to the bathroom, and the other to a walk-in closet. There was also an entryway from the bathroom to the closet. There was no door separating the two though.
Her stomach cartwheeled as it started sinking in that she’d be living in this room with him. He'd be there, shirtless, with no door between where she would shower and dress. It settled, however, when she realized both rooms could close to the bedroom. He didn’t seem the type to barge in or try to sneak a peek.
As if he could read her mind, he started drawing circles on her hand with his thumb and turned to face her.
“You’ll be safe here, I promise.”
He brought his other hand up to her face. She held her breath as he lightly brushed the backs of his fingers against her cheek, causing a whole different kind of flutter in her stomach.
“Both of those doors lock, so you'll have complete privacy in there.”
His eyes darted to the bathroom and the walk-in, but still shone with concern when he met her gaze again.
She felt herself almost get lost in those eyes. Still, she managed a small, shy smile and nodded at his words.
“I know. It’s just going to take some getting used to, I think. I’ve never not had to... you know.”
Something that looked like anger flashed in his eyes, but it was gone so fast she thought she might have imagined it.
He pulled her into his arms and she felt his breath tickle her eyes. “I know, but you’re safe now. You’re okay.”
She relaxed as he whispered the words. She knew that for the first time in what felt like forever, she really was.
She quickly decided, once they’d completed the tour, that her favorite part of the house was the kitchen. Like the rest of the house, it had modern finishes but still held a rustic, comfortable feel. There was a large center island, complete with copper pots and pans hanging over it. It seemed like a picture of a perfect country kitchen to her. Her heart thudded as she realized that for a least a little while, it would be hers.
She couldn’t really cook. She’d never had the need, or the chance to learn. She knew enough to get by, of course. But this was the kind of kitchen that deserved roast dinners and freshly baked cookies and apple pie. The kind of foods she’d never even eaten, never mind cooked.
Suddenly, her hands were itching to start experimenting.
The perfect country kitchen look was rounded off by a large, worn wooden dining room table. In her mind’s eye, she could see herself tinkering around the kitchen in the afternoon. She imagined cooking the kind of food worthy of this kitchen.
Walker would come home. He'd
be dressed in dark jeans and a button-down shirt, rolled up just enough so she could see the well-defined muscles in his forearms. She’d run to him. He’d hold her, lift her up and spin her round just like in the movies. Maybe there’d even be dark-haired, little Romans with hazel eyes who'd run to him, begging Daddy for a hug...
She shut her fantasy down right there. She flushed as she noticed him looking at her with a slightly puzzled expression on his face.
“Whatever you were thinking about right there, I need to know what it was.” He strode over to her, stopping just short of making contact.
“What? Uh, why?” she stammered
She felt her flush deepen as she felt the heat of his body. She got a whiff of his fresh, foresty, yet somehow all Walker smell.
“Because for the first time since I've met you, you looked like you were at peace, happy. Granted, I know that isn’t saying all that much... but you were smiling like you meant it. So I want to know what it was so that I can make it happen. I want to prove to you that you’re safe here, that you can be happy with this.”
Her heart stammered. He seemed to want her to feel safe so badly. She’d never had anyone want that for her before, sometimes not even herself.
“I just, I really love this kitchen. I can’t cook much, but it makes me want to learn,” she replied. “Unless you want to live on scrambled eggs and toast.”
A slow grin spread on his face and he stepped closer to her. He closed the small gap that had been between them. It made her feel lightheaded and short of breath. Every nerve in her body stood at attention at his proximity.
“I love scrambled eggs and toast.” His eyes glinted as he grinned down at her. “But I also know how to download apps that will make your head spin with all the ideas. So if the kitchen is making you want to learn how to cook, and it was what made you look like that, then by God, you’re learning.”
He started down at her intently, hazel eyes relaxed but determined. She saw his jaw twitch as he took a sweeping step back from her just as the door burst open.
7
She blinked at the open doorway. Three women walked in chatting and giggling, each more beautiful than the next.
“Walker, welcome home! I thought you were coming back tomorrow! We brought dinner--" the first woman called. She stepped through the door to the kitchen, gasping as she spotted Ashleigh with Walker.
She was a blonde-haired woman with blue eyes. The kind of woman that made heads turn, and men fall to their knees at her feet. Her face was open and kind though, like she was completely unaware of her own beauty.
The other two women also stilled when they saw her standing awkwardly against the kitchen counter. Ashleigh's cheeks were still flushed from Walker’s contact just seconds earlier.
There was another blonde one, almost as beautiful as the first, and clearly related to her. A striking dark-haired woman with shining eyes rounded out the trio.
The door slammed as two men followed the girls inside. As soon as she saw them, the pieces fell into place. She sucked in a breath as she realized that they were almost identical to Walker. They had the same brown hair, the same gorgeous eyes. They were just as tall and muscled.
They must be Sawyer and Colt, she realized.
The only thing that allowed her to tell them apart at first glance was that they wore their hair differently. So these women must be their wives... and another woman who was close to Walker.
She panicked as her eyes shot to Walker. Could this be his girl? Was this a trick to get her here, to make this girl jealous or something?
He immediately moved to Ashleigh's side, placing a hand on her lower back. He nodded toward them.
“This is Remy,” he gestured to the first blonde, who flushed as she stepped forward to shake Ashleigh’s hand.
“I’m so sorry, we didn’t realize he had company,” Remy apologized.
“Uh, no problem. It’s nice to meet you, I’ve heard a lot about you,” she said quietly.
“And this is Rose, and Shelby. And those two sorry sacks of muscle are Sawyer and Colt.”
The one he’d introduced as Colt moved toward her first, his eyes twinkling mischievously and his full lips grinning widely.
“And who might you be, darlin’?”
Rose pulled him back and elbowed him in his ribs, but he shot her a smile and moved to hug his brother.
“I was getting to that, kid,” Walker said. His voice took on a tone she hadn’t heard before, more reserved.
“This is Do--" he started, but she quickly interrupted him.
“Ashleigh,” she offered instead. “It’s so nice to meet y'all. Heard a lot about all of you.”
“Well, we’ve heard absolutely nothing about you,” Colt quipped but pulled her in for a hug anyway.
Sawyer moved toward her next, but his eyes were more guarded than Colt’s had been. Not unfriendly, just confused.
He gave his brother a one-armed hug and then cautiously reached out and gave Ashleigh a quick, gentle hug. Actually, more of a pat on the back with his arms around her.
“So Walker, seems you’ve been holding out on us.” Sawyer shot a look at Walker as he and Colt corralled him and led him over to the fridge.
Beers were passed around. The men disappeared as Remy pulled Ashleigh toward the dining room table. The girls started setting out the food they’d brought with them.
“Tell us everything!” Remy exclaimed. “How did you two meet? When did you meet? If you’re here, it must be quite serious by now.”
She took Ashleigh’s hands in her own, and her eyes shone with happiness.
“I’m just so glad he finally found someone again!” Then her finger brushed the ring on Ashleigh’s hand, and her eyes grew impossibly wide. “Oh. My. God!”
Remy stepped back and lifted Ashleigh’s left hand to examine the ring. The breath audibly whooshed from her lungs as she took it in, and she paled just a shade.
What now?
Ashleigh didn't have much experience with girlfriends and getting engaged and rings. And these girls weren’t her friends, of course... but she was quite sure that was not the ordinary reaction.
Rose’s eyes darted between the ring on Ashleigh’s hand and Remy. Still, she smiled at Ashleigh and pulled her into a hug.
“Congratulations!” Rose said softly. “This is wonderful news. You got yourself a great man there, girl!”
Ashleigh frowned. Wasn’t this the more appropriate reaction?
Shelby seemed to know what had caused Remy’s reaction, her eyes as wide as saucers.
“Of course she did!” Remy said, seeming to recover from whatever had just happened. “Welcome to the family, I suppose is in order.”
She grinned, but her eyes still seemed nervous. Never more so than when the men reappeared.
Sawyer and Colt both seemed to assess the scene playing out before them. In milliseconds, both pairs of eyes dropped to her finger at exactly the same time. Sawyer had a similar reaction to Remy, drawing in a deep breath and paling some under his tanned skin. Colt looked like someone had hit him in the face, or doused him with ice water.
Walker moved to her side, pulling her close to him. His jaw was set and his eyes held some sort of challenge to his brothers.
Beyond confused, she could only look on at whatever was happening. Colt met Walker’s eyes. Walker gave a small nod, and Colt's easygoing grin spread again. Colt's eyes lit up as he bounded over to them.
“Finally, dude!”
He pulled Ashleigh and Walker into a giant hug. Walker’s posture remained stiff, but Ashleigh returned the hug awkwardly.
Sawyer was more reserved as he congratulated them, but he seemed genuinely happy for his brother.
Why does he want to lie to these people? she wondered.
It was clear that everyone in this room loved him unconditionally. Sure, he’d said that they were also pressuring him to settle down. But she was certain just from this one interaction that they wanted him to be happy. For real.
>
They wanted something for him that she couldn't provide, ultimately. When it came down to it, she was a terrible choice.
She pushed the unbidden thought from her mind as quickly as it had taken hold. His motives were none of her concern.
For now, she was here, and she was safe. She wasn’t worried about perverted men trying to cop a feel. She wasn't being sold off and shipped to other side of the world to join a harem. Besides, she was no stranger to lying.
“Let’s eat!” Rose clapped her hands together as she sank into a chair that Colt had pulled out for her. “Seems we’re celebrating!”
"Apparently so," Walker said.
“I wish you’d told us, we could’ve gotten champagne! Though maybe, if I shake the bottle of wine we picked up, we can get it sparkly.”
She glanced toward Colt hopefully, but he chuckled as he shook his head at her.
“It may not be the best bottle of wine, but I don’t think that’s going to work, sweetheart.” He slung his arm around the back of her chair and pressed a quick kiss to her mouth.
“I know, but we could give it a shot and hope for the best?” Rose smiled up at him, her eyes never leaving his face.
“Such an optimist!” He smirked, leaning in to her kiss her again. It was clear to Ashleigh that these two were very much in love.
Her eyes darted to the other side of the table, where something was passing wordlessly between Sawyer and Remy. The way in which their bodies were almost molded together, as comfortably as if they were two halves of one whole, spoke volumes about the couple.
Ashleigh remembered Walker telling her that they’d been in love since forever. They'd had to brave several storms to get to where they were today. It showed in every one of their glances, their movements.
Ashleigh felt a pang in her heart as she observed them. She was surrounded by the kind of honest, true love that she had previously thought existed only in fairy tales. And here she was, a complete fraud. She was a traitor in their midst, a washed out stripper who would never experience that kind of love for herself.