Brayden
The Beckett Brothers
Book One
Susan Fisher-Davis
Erotic Romance
BRAYDEN, a Beckett Brothers Novel, Book 1
Copyright © 2017 Susan Fisher-Davis
First E-book Publication: September 2017
Cover design by Amy Valentini
Edited by Amy Valentini/Romancing Editorially
Cover photo by Cover Me Photography with Orestis Papapetrou
All cover art copyright © 2017 by Susan Fisher-Davis
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: Blue Whiskey Publishing
Susan Davis
www.susanfisherdavisauthor.com
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Acknowledgments
To Becky McGraw, for the amazing photo and to Orestis Papapetrou, for being Brayden.
I can’t thank you both enough.
To Amy Valentini, my wonderful editor, cover artist, and friend. You are the best!
To my husband, Rob, for pushing me to do this and knowing when to let me alone
when I disappear into my cave. I love you.
Dedication
To Toby, Sandra, Kelly, and Dedee...you are the best betas an author could wish for.
I love all of you and appreciate you more than you could ever know.
A special thank you to Sandra White for helping me when I had questions about death row and prison, and trust me, I had a LOT of questions. She never hesitated to help me and for that, I will always be grateful. I know I had to drive you crazy, Sandra!
To the women in the KPO group. I love every one of you.
And to those of you reading this, thank you.
I couldn’t do it without you. I hope you all enjoy the first book in the Beckett Brothers.
Chapter One
His arms folded across his chest, Brayden Beckett leaned against the front fender of his truck and surveyed the house he’d purchased through an online auction. Freedom had never tasted so good.
Five hundred acres of lush green fields stretched out behind the sprawling rancher with the Glacier Mountains rising in the distance. Three red barns sat about a hundred yards from the house. Each barn contained fifteen stalls, a tack room, feed, hay bedding, tools, as well as wash and grooming areas. He had walked through each barn earlier and wondered what had happened to the previous owner since it looked as if the whole setup had been vacant for quite a while. The house itself contained four bedrooms, a den, an office, dining room, as well as eat-in kitchen, and a large great room with the biggest stone fireplace he’d ever seen. This place was a home made for a family. A family he’d never have.
Taking a deep breath of the fresh air, he glanced around him. It was a beautiful day, the sun beat down on his shoulders, and the rays felt good on his bare arms. His Stetson shaded his eyes and hid his face from the sun, and although the heat from the day had sweat trickling down between his shoulder blades, he welcomed it. Standing there lost in thought, he glanced over his shoulder when he heard a vehicle coming up the driveway and unintentionally stiffened up when he saw the SUV with the Sheriff’s Department and K-9 logos on it.
Rolling his shoulders to ease the tension, he pushed away from the truck, and watched an officer step from the vehicle and stride toward him. The man had a no-nonsense look about him with his aviator sunglasses hiding his eyes and his black Stetson sitting low on his forehead. It suddenly came to Brayden who he was. The man stopped within a few feet of Brayden with a look of shock on his face.
Brayden grinned.
“Brayden?” the man asked as he removed his sunglasses.
Brayden softly chuckled. “Gray,” he said, then shook his head slightly as if in disbelief before adding, “Why am I not surprised you would be the first damn cop I see when I get back in town?”
Grayson Beckett grinned at him then pulled him into a hug. “It’s so good to see you. Where in the hell have you been? You got out months ago.”
Brayden shrugged as his stared at his younger brother. “Up there.” He nodded with his chin toward the Glacier Mountains.
Gray leaned next to him against the front of his truck. “In the Park?”
“Yeah. That one and Yellowstone. I had to feel the freedom, Gray.”
“I can understand that. You win the bid on Lily’s Valley?”
“Lily’s Valley?” Brayden frowned.
Gray jerked his chin in the direction of the ranch. “This is Lily’s Valley, or it used to be at one time.”
Glancing around the property, Brayden shrugged. “I didn’t know the name of it. I just found it online and won the bid on it. I decided it was time to come home.”
“Have you seen Mom and Dad yet?”
“No. I just arrived about two hours ago. I’ll get there.”
“You’d better, before they find out you’re here.” Gray grinned at him.
“I know. I just needed to soak this in. It’s good to be back but—”
“No buts, Brayden. No one in this town believed you were guilty. No one.”
“I know but I’m sure I’ll get stares. I’m sure everyone thought I’d stay in Texas.”
Gray tilted his head. “So, why didn’t you?”
Brayden pushed away from the truck. “I can’t stay there. It’s nothing but bad memories when it started out so good.”
“Well, it’s good to have you home. I just happened to be driving by and noticed the gates were open. I thought I’d better check it out. I’m glad I did.”
“Where is everyone? JD? Gage? Ash? Dani?”
“JD and Gage are still on the circuit, although they stop in at their factory once in a while. Those boots sure do sell great. He and JD have a goldmine there. Ash is busy with the feed he grows. That organic feed for horses and cattle took off like wildfire. And Dani is busy being a mom.” Gray looked at him. “You need to go see them.”
Brayden blew out a breath. “I will.” Then as if he couldn’t wait to change the subject, he asked, “Do you happen to know the veterinarian in town?”
“We don’t have one in Hartland any longer. Everyone goes into Clifton to see Doctor Tessa Garrett.”
Brayden nodded and lifted a brow. “What happened to Doc Carter?”
“He retired and Tess bought t
he hospital from him. She’s the best though.”
“Wait. You said Garrett. Any relation to Sam and Katie?”
“Sam’s wife.” Gray smiled at him.
“Yeah, I remember Mom telling me Sam got married when she came to see me.”
“Tess is great. Katie’s married too. To Riley Madison.”
Brayden burst out laughing. “I bet that went over real well with Sam.”
Gray chuckled. “It sure as hell didn’t at first. You know how Sam warned all of his friends to stay away from his baby sister, and then she goes and marries his best friend.”
“We were the same with Dani. I’m anxious to finally meet my niece and nephew. Get to know her husband too.”
“Sundance is a great guy and those kids are great. Mia and Spencer are adorable.”
“I’ll go see everyone after I talk to the vet.” Brayden stared off into the distance again. Freedom. Some people just didn’t understand just how precious it was.
“What do you plan to do here?”
“I want to turn this place into a rescue for horses, burros, and ponies.” Brayden gave him a slight smile. “It’s what Maisy and I were planning to do before...”
“Tess will love you for that. Just go talk to her then visit Mom and Dad.” Gray pulled him into another hug. “It really is good to have you back.”
Brayden blinked back tears from his eyes. He loved his family and he’d missed them so much. Seeing them for only two hours per week wasn’t enough and he couldn’t hug them when he so desperately wanted to. When Dani visited him the first time, all she did was sit on the other side of the partition and cry. He knew it broke her heart seeing her big brother in prison and the fact that he wouldn’t be at her wedding. She married the love of her life and now has two children Brayden had yet to meet. He slapped Gray on the back and pulled away from him.
“I’m going to head into Clifton,” he said.
Gray nodded. “We’ll get together soon.” He turned away but then back to face him. “I’m really glad you’re home.”
“Me too.”
Brayden watched as Gray drove off then he climbed into his truck and drove to Clifton. After parking the truck in the parking lot of the Clifton Animal Hospital, he entered the building where he saw a young woman sitting behind the counter. He didn’t recognize her but since she only looked to be in her early twenties, she probably didn’t know him either.
“Hi, can I help you?” She smiled up at him.
“I’d like to speak to Doctor Garrett if she’s available.”
The woman frowned up at him. “Do you have an appointment?”
She glanced around him as if looking for an animal.
“No. I’m…new in town and I just spoke with the sheriff and he suggested I talk with her.”
“Sheriff Garrett told you to come by?” Was he imagining it or did her voice go all dreamy?
“No, Sheriff Beckett but if she’s busy, I can come back.”
“I’ll check,” she told him and picked up the phone. As she spoke into it, he gazed around. It was a nice place for a small town. The waiting room had several plastic chairs sitting along the walls and the floor boasted shiny black and white tiles. “She’ll be right out.”
“Thank you.” Brayden smiled.
A few minutes later, he saw a tall, raven-haired beauty walking toward him with a smile on her face.
“I’m Doctor Garrett,” she said as she stuck her hand out to him.
“Hi, I’m Brayden Beckett. I bought the ranch called Lily’s Valley in Hartland, and I’m planning to turn it into a rescue ranch for equine.” Brayden took her hand in his and ran his eyes over her. Sam was a lucky man.
A big grin lit up her face. “That’s wonderful. It’s a great ranch for that. Plenty of pasture and the barns are in great shape. I made trips out there to care for the horses before it went to auction and the horses were sold.”
“I’m wondering if you know of a vet you could recommend for full time work on the ranch. Preferably one who specializes in equines?”
“I’m the only vet close by. There used to be one in Hartland but he closed a while back and Doc Carter, who used to run this hospital, may be able to help out occasionally but he’s retired.”
“Yeah, I know all about that. I was actually born and raised in Hartland. I do appreciate that, but I’d rather have someone at the ranch full time. Possibly live on the property. In case of emergencies,” Brayden said as he rested an elbow on the counter.
“You look familiar, should I know you? I haven’t been in Clifton a long time, but…” She frowned up at him.
“My brother is Grayson Beckett,” Brayden said and waited for the axe to fall but all she did was smile at him.
“That’s where I see the resemblance.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry I can’t help you with a vet but I could make trips out there if you need me until you find someone.”
“I appreciate that.” Thanking her for her time, he put his fingers to the brim of his Stetson, and walked out.
After getting into his truck, he stared out the front windshield not even seeing his surroundings. He wanted a vet on the property or at least living very close by. Inhaling deeply, and shaking his head as he exhaled, he turned the key to start the truck, put it in gear, and drove to his parents’ house. After parking by the back door, he climbed out of the cab and walked up the steps. It had been a long time. Now taking a deep breath, he knocked and waited.
The door opened and there stood his father, Chester Beckett. Brayden watched as a tear rolled down the man’s weathered cheek and without saying a word, his dad pulled him into a tight hug. Brayden wrapped his arms around his father and couldn’t stop his tears either. Chester pulled back from him and smiled then spoke over his shoulder.
“Lori? Hon, we have company,” he called out then pulled Brayden into the kitchen.
Brayden entered the kitchen and glanced around. It still looked the same as when he was a young boy. The white cupboards with black hardware matched the big square tiled floor. The white appliances sat nestled between red marble countertops. Brayden heard a gasp behind him then spun around just in time to catch his mother as she ran to him throwing her arms around him. She sobbed against his shoulder as he held her tight against him. He leaned his cheek on the top of her head as more tears slipped down his face. He squeezed his eyes closed as he held her. He’d missed her so much. She was such a loving mother and he’d missed her touch so much. He felt his dad’s arms go around both of them.
After a few minutes, his mother pulled back from him and cupped his cheek in her hand.
“Where have you been?” she asked him.
Brayden grinned. “Camping out in the great outdoors. I spent a lot of time in Yellowstone and Glacier National Park. I had to do it. I had to know I could.”
“I understand. I’m glad you did but when you were released and didn’t come home, I was so worried.”
“I’m sorry, Mom. Dad. I just had to be alone. I know that sounds strange since I was in solitary confinement all those years, but this was different. I could open my eyes every morning and see the beautiful sun and sky. I could take a deep breath of fresh air.”
“All that matters is that you’re home now,” his dad said with a big grin splitting his face.
“I bought a property outside of town. Gray showed up while I was there. He told me it was once known as Lily’s Valley.”
“Nice property. I looked into that one but found another one I liked better. I think it’s a great property though.”
Brayden smiled. His father made a living out of buying up property and flipping it by selling it or renting it out. He mostly dealt with foreclosed properties. It was how he made his money and he made a lot of it doing that. Although, the family didn’t actually need the extra money because his mother’s father had been rich and when he passed away, he left all of them a good bit of money. Brayden had money now too, and not just from his grandfather.
“Can you
stay for dinner?” his mom asked him.
“Sure. I do want to go see Dani later, if it’s not too late and Ash too. I suppose I’ll have to wait a while to see JD and Gage.”
His dad shook his head with a grin. “Those two love bull riding.”
“Yeah, they do. Ash did for a while too.” Brayden gave a mock shudder. “Not me.”
“Go sit in the living room with your dad and I’ll start dinner.” His mom hugged him again then shooed them both out of her kitchen.
Later after dinner, Brayden kissed his mom on the cheek, hugged his dad, and then headed out to his truck. Taking a deep breath of fresh air, he knew he’d stop at Ash’s place on the way back to the ranch. After getting the address from his parents, he headed for his other brother’s place. As the oldest of the siblings, Brayden always watched over his brothers and sister. But he’d missed five years of seeing them grow up except when they’d visited him and sat behind a glass partition. It got to the point where he dreaded seeing them because they were all growing up in front of him, but he didn’t get to enjoy it.
He’d always been closest to Ash since they were only a year apart in age—Ash, now thirty-five to Brayden’s thirty-six. Then came Gray who was thirty-three, Gage at thirty-one, Jesse—JD to all who know him—twenty-nine, and little sister, Dani who was twenty-seven.
Pulling onto the driveway of Ash’s ranch, Brayden looked around and thought it a beautiful place. At dinner, his mother told him each of his siblings had purchased land and built their homes with the money their grandfather left them. Brayden hadn’t touched that money yet. Once he knew his release date, he began making plans to return to Hartland, Montana. Home. Shaking his head, he never thought he’d think of this as home again. Texas had been home for a long time, but the last five years had made him want to do nothing more than get away from there.
He stopped the truck, threw the gear into Park, opened the door, and stepped out. Glancing around, he saw a cowboy walking toward him. Brayden gave him a nod when he stopped in front of him.
Brayden : A Beckett Brothers Novel Book 1 (The Beckett Brothers) Page 1