Catching Ember (Buckle Up Series Book 1)

by Beverly Preston

  “You said she. It’s a girl?”

  He lifted a leg to expose the underbelly. “Yes, ma’am. She looks perfect. You did a good job.”

  “Thank you.”

  Travis shook his head, chuckling as he flashed a wide smile.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Just the mental vision I have going on right now of you giving that calf CPR.”

  Embarrassment flooded her cheeks, but Ember couldn’t help but laugh. She nudged her shoulder against the side of his beefy arm before raising a gloved hand to offer a high five.

  The momma, now released from the shoot that had been holding her head in place, sniffed the calf. Maternal instinct kicked in immediately. She cleaned and nuzzled the calf with her nose, encouraging it to stand. Within thirty minutes, she got the newborn on her feet and nursed inside the first hour.

  Mesmerized by the magic of mother nature, Ember stared with fascination, taking in the adorable, docile calf laying on the ground beside its mother. White markings set between the animal’s eyes reminded Ember of a sunflower and her white feet stood out against the black hide.

  “You look like a Daisy,” Ember said. Grabbing her phone from her back pocket, she snapped a photo of her first calf. “Can we name her Daisy?”

  The men’s voices boomed simultaneously. “You don’t name your stock.”

  Ember scowled. “But she’s so cute. Look at that face.”

  “She is a cutie, but she’s not a pet or some photo opportunity. This calf is a part of this ranch, a vested interest, a paycheck. She’ll require your blood, sweat, and tears over the next year,” Mr. Montgomery stated matter-of-factly.

  “But she still makes for an adorable picture,” Travis assured, standing at the fence, hands firmly gripping the metal bar. A rugged smile hooked the corners of his lips. “Well, it’s official. I’d say you’re a rancher.”

  The loyalty in his tone sparked a dose of pride to balloon in her chest, engulfing her in a sense of triumph and accomplishment. Looking beyond his shoulder, she witnessed the same glimmer of victory in Mr. Montgomery’s eyes.

  Heat flushed her face and gratitude momentarily strangled her response. In that instant, she felt strong enough to take on the world.

  Jutting her chin upward, she tipped her head in typical Texan fashion. “Thank you.”

  As much as these men’s opinions mattered to her, there was another that she couldn’t wait to share her experience with. Nash.

  Blindly rummaging through her bag on the passenger seat with one hand, Ember searched for her lip gloss while making her way down the long dirt road. She’d never stepped foot on the Harris Ranch, but knew Nash spent Wednesday mornings with his father since recovering from knee surgery.

  Glimpsing into the rearview mirror, she swiped a luster of raspberry across her lips and tucked a few loose strands into the braid cascading over her collarbone.

  Nerves bounced in her tummy with every rut in the road, her brain attempting to decipher if she was making a mistake. He hadn’t answered his phone, but the morning buzz of excitement flooded her with courage, so she decided to chance it.

  Easing her foot off the gas, she took closer inspection at her reflection, dissecting hidden truths glaring back at her. The anticipation of seeing him sparked an inferno inside her veins that grew to an out-of-control wildfire. The unruly and irresistible force started the moment they’d met and grew brighter with each encounter.

  Learning to love a father she’d never known, embracing the crazy possibility of taking over the ranch, and leaving behind a life she loved, all seemed moot when she added Nash into the equation.

  Nothing was simple or straightforward when it came to this man. Nash Harris was a delicious, addictive dance of dominance and sex appeal mixed with intellectual conversation, hidden scars, and holstered affection.

  He’d taken up residence inside her mind, body, and soul, like a welcomed thief stealing pieces of her heart, hiding them in his pocket next to her panties.

  Falling for a man like Nash seemed easy, but if she weren’t careful, she’d let him rob her blind.

  Tires hitting the black asphalt, Ember caught sight of a grand two-story log structure in the distance. Gorgeous cream-colored limestone wrapped the lower half of the cabin and chimneys making the magnificent estate looked more like a mountain resort.

  “Holy shit,” she murmured.

  Apprehensions swirled like a swarm of butterflies set free in her abdomen. Ember’s hands turned slippery on the wheel and the pounding of her heart echoed in her ears taking in the luxurious structure. Even though it held the title of a Ranch, it appeared more like a diplomatic chateau. The gigantic log pillars and massive boulders bordering a sweeping, regal yet rustic, staircase wreaked of opulence.

  She glanced over the dirty hood of her truck before turning her inspection downward to her tee shirt and jeans, realizing she hadn’t even changed out of her boots.

  In the distance, Ember spotted Nash walking to his car parked out front of the entrance. Witnessing a stunned scowl creep across his sun-chapped complexion delivered a turbulent kick to her heart. It was too late to reassess her rushed decision.

  There was no going back.

  Chapter 17

  Nash

  Bewilderment drove a deep V between his brows spotting a signature red Walker Ranch truck coming down the drive. As the vehicle approached the house, he identified the driver with a crooked smile.

  Ember pulled in, parked beside him, and cut the motor.

  A silent alarm pounded brutally in his chest.

  Uncertainty tightened around his wariness, curious as to her visit. Resting a hip against the hood of his car, Nash apprehensively raked both hands through his thick dark hair before shoving them in his pockets.

  His trepidation calmed witnessing a saucy grin as she exited the truck. The joy and humbleness radiating through her tipped lips sent a rush of heat to his chest like an arrow hitting its bullseye.

  Nash scanned over each article of clothing hugging her curves perfectly as she strolled toward him. The brown leather belt riding low on her hips held up a pair of dark jeans, and a shirt reading Whatever lassos your longhorn highlighted her perfect full breasts, practically dropping him to his knees.

  The woman had no idea the power her demure innocence held over him.

  “Well, isn’t this a nice surprise.”

  “Is it?” she cringed, enthusiasm tangling with trepidation. “I thought so at first, but then I wasn’t so sure. I tried to call, but you didn’t answer, and excitement got the better of me, so here I am.”

  Her jumpy laugh drifted down his spine like a sensual stroke of her finger, striking fire to his blood.

  “Looks like you’ve already been out riding this morning.”

  “Nope, I haven’t even had a chance to see Storm today.” She toyed with the loose, dark braid falling over her breast. Her face, beautiful by any measure, broke into a confident glow. “But apparently I earned the title of Rancher this morning.”

  A host of feelings ranging from thrilled to disheartened sucker punched him so hard it momentarily robbed him of words. Walker Ranch was rapidly becoming the most complicated tipping point of his existence. Complexities of his heart tangled with complicated business prospects. Dreams and goals he’d envisioned since he was a boy, now battled against one another in his mind and heart.

  Turmoil swiftly retreated from his inner discourse witnessing the giddiness building in the up ticked lines surrounding her gorgeous mouth.

  Ignoring the frenzied thumping of his heart, Nash offered, “Congratulations! What brought this on?”

  Lifting a small shoulder, she tossed him an easy shrug, but exhilaration rode through her honey-colored eyes like a wild horse galloping through an open field. Wiggling in her boots, she pranced toward him, pride and excitement oozing from every pore.

  “I delivered my first calf this morning!”

  “Now that’s a trade you don’t learn every day.”r />
  Throwing out a checkmark with her pointer finger, she snickered, “I’m adding that to the one thousand and one other things I never expected to do in my life.”

  Closing the short distance between them, she sauntered toward him. Nash opened his arms and captured her around the waist, molding her body to his frame. Burrowing his face into the curve of her neck, he buried his own disappointment beneath the layers of her bliss.

  Nash cupped the side of her jaw in his palm, coasting a thumb across her cheek. The familiar fresh scent of lavender blended with sunshine and outdoors, flooding his senses with her untamed spirit. His gaze lingered over her striking features, studying every detail of each lightly freckled curve.

  Oblivious of her own strength and the power it possessed, her beauty was only enhanced by her growing fearlessness.

  “I’m so proud of you. Monty didn’t let you name it, did he?”

  The tips of her shoulders sagged as she huffed out a tender breath. “No. I tried, but they weren’t having it.”

  “Never name your livestock.” He gave a soft double tap to the tip of her petite nose. “It’s not a wise idea to get too attached.”

  A rattle of awareness vibrated through him, unsure if the cautionary words were meant for her safety or his own. She leaned in close, capturing his bottom lip between her teeth, taking an intimate nibble as she wedged her hips between his thighs. Extinguishing the alarms going off in his head, he took her mouth, devouring the sultry kiss she offered, one lick at a time.

  Ember eased out of the connection, her sweet breath drifting over his face as she nuzzled her nose to his. The open display of affection spurred an onslaught of strange feelings that mysteriously appeared every time she was in his presence.

  Their eyes caught, and he sank into the dark brown abyss, drinking her in like a fine whiskey. Bringing her hands to his chest, she released a sensual sigh and burrowed into the crook of his neck, melting against his sculpted frame.

  “Are you busy?” Lusty hopefulness sang in her quiet voice.

  Manipulating the end of her braid between his fingers, Nash explained, “I have a—"

  The loud thud of the front door closing, followed by the sound of high heels clicking on the stone veranda, drew a sharp twist of Ember’s neck. As a head full of bleached blonde hair came into view at the top of the grand stairs, Nash felt her stiffen a little before breaking their embrace, putting a few inches between them.

  Gathering her hand in his, he cleared his throat announcing gruffly, “Ember, this is my younger sister, Susie. Susie this is—”

  “Half. Half-sister,” she interjected, batting her extended lashes melodramatically. Gliding down the stairs, spitefulness forged into a sneer as she tossed an icy glare between them. “Sam and I are brother and sister. Nash is our half-brother.”

  It was an explanation, a redundant dig, he’d heard a hundred fucking times over his lifetime. Nash had one exploitable weakness, and his sister basked in the pleasure of watching him squirm every chance she got. The vile bitterness that charged through her wretched heart only got worse with age and alcohol. There was no way for him to prepare Ember for the possibilities of what might come out of Susie’s mouth. You never knew when it was coming or how bad it would be. You just knew it was going to be a shitstorm.

  Ember winced drawing a tender gasp of air into her throat at the layer of contempt riddling his sister’s tone.

  Susie’s arrogance bled through any forced subtleties. “So, you’re Walker’s daughter, huh?”

  “Weren’t you just leaving?” Nash delivered a cool, curt response. Attempting to shield Ember from the oncoming verbal assault, he straightened his stance edging his way in front of her.

  “I have a few minutes.” Pleasant disdain dripped from Susie’s tone, raking over Ember in a tortuous performance as she paraded her way down the steps. “So, you’re the big secret.”

  Through the grip of their connected hands, Nash felt Ember recoil at Susie’s brashness. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched her lips downturn, pushing her mouth into a tight line.

  “Excuse me?”

  “You must be the love child everyone is buzzing about.” Susie curled her fingers into quotation marks while tossing out a scornful eye roll.

  An edge of anger cut through Ember’s gaze like a bolt of lightning falling from the sky. “What the—”

  A protective growl rose in his throat, igniting the weighted air. His composure fractured. Nash moved between them, shielding Ember from the sharp fangs protruding out from beneath his sister’s lips.

  “Get the fuck out of here, Susie. Take your trash talk somewhere else.”

  “Figures, you’d stick up for her.”

  Dark rage boiled through him causing an extreme shift in his demeanor, a feeling of protection he’d never felt so vehemently before. His nostrils flared with each labored breath.

  “Don’t you have one of Dad’s colleagues to blow?” He spit through gritted teeth.

  Susie’s obnoxious smile splintered.

  “You do make the perfect pair.” She scoffed indignantly, hurling daggers at Nash over her shoulder as she slithered toward her car.

  Ember stepped out from behind him and squared her shoulders, calling out before Susie slammed her car door, “Yes, yes we do make the perfect pair.”

  Fury reverberated through her like the force of turbulent water making its way over the boulders in the river that separated their properties. The heavy rise and fall of her chest sent a rush of her breath wafting against his neck.

  “Don’t mind her, she’s miserable, ruthless—” He paused reining in the list of nasty adjectives describing his sister. “—and rude as hell.”

  “Damn, no wonder you never mentioned her,” she murmured, showering him with a wide-eyed look of understanding.

  “Sorry ‘bout that.” Nash shook his head and cast his gaze to the side, attempting to mask the anger and embarrassment threatening to explode like a penned bull waiting for the chute to open.

  “No need to apologize.”

  “I always want to tell people she’s crazy, but she’s not. She’s just mean as fuck with zero morals. Verging on the edge of barbaric most of the time.”

  After a few awkward beats of silence, Ember lifted their conjoined hands and pressed her soft lips to his fingers, pulling him from his anger-filled haze. Meeting her stare, Nash was hit with the full force of her unwavering strength and feisty beauty. The sweetness brewing in her eyes drew him in like gravity, unraveling the stitches of his soul one seam at a time.

  “And to think I used to pray for a sister,” she teased in a gentle voice.

  Nash tipped his head back, his torso shaking with rough laughter as he peered upward to the heavens. Once the hilarity started, neither could stop laughing, each making the most of a twisted moment in time.

  Ember snuggled into his arms, propping her lifted chin on his chest. Her honey-colored eyes wandered over his features, studying each affliction hidden within and absorbing the feedback into her brain.

  After a few minutes, every ounce of animosity slipped from his strained muscles, thankful she hadn’t blast him with a dozen questions regarding his family. Most women he’d dated previously would’ve hit him with endless questions, and several would’ve instantly morphed into a would-be-therapist, deeming themselves capable of fixing the problem. Little did they know, his relationship with his sister was beyond repair.

  Nash hauled her into a full embrace, each inch of her body and soul tethered to him by an invisible thread creating the perfect fit.

  It was too late to back off. He was addicted. This beautiful, spirited woman was an emotional wizard, turning him inside out and sideways. And he liked it. He liked it a lot.

  “You asked if I was busy?” he finally managed, nipping the lobe of her ear with his teeth. “Unfortunately, between my schedule and dad’s doctor appointments, my day is packed, and tomorrow isn’t much better.”

  Ember lowered her gaze, buryin
g her concern and a response in the hard planes of his chest. The disappointment spindling through her sent a swift blow to his gut.

  “As much as I’d love to celebrate your big day by hauling you up to my childhood bedroom to make every single one of my teenage fantasies come true,” he paused, taking in the pink hue now covering her cheeks. “How about if I pick you up at six Saturday night?”

  A small spark of excitement set flame to her sun-kissed complexion, turning his heartbeat unruly.

  “Saturday night it is.”

  Chapter 18

  Ember

  The riches we hold in our heart are far more valuable than those we pull out of the ground.

  “Look at you! Your hormones are all swimming in pleasure and your brain’s inundated with dopamine.” JC wiggled her brows. “It’s such a great high, isn’t it?”

  “Not gonna lie, it’s pretty amazing,” Ember admitted, delight plumping the apples of her cheeks.

  Chloe picked up the pace of her trot, pinching the ear of her brown stick horse to make the neighing noises as they neared the barn.

  “You know it’s a proven fact that love is more addicting than drugs.”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Back that horse up a bit. Matter of fact take it all the way to the stables! I didn’t say anything about love.”

  “I meant in general.” JC smirked, lashes fluttering innocently. “I’m merely pointing out that since Chloe and I arrived an hour ago, in between calving stories and ranching strategies, you’ve mentioned his name a few times.”

  “I admit, I have been enjoying myself. Nash is—” Ember’s hands churned in a circle in midair floundering to find the perfect description. “—amazing. He’s so intelligent and put together, but still rough around the edges.”

  “The rough edges are my favorite,” JC interrupted with a sigh, squeezing her shoulders upward in giddy appreciation of her husband. “Once you’ve had a taste of that sweet, but oh so sexy masculinity…there’s no going back.”