Saint Johns, FL 32259
Copyright © 2022 by Samantha Christy
All rights reserved, including the rights to reproduce this book or any portions thereof in any form whatsoever.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Cover designed by Letitia Hasser | RBA Designs
Cover model photo by WANDER AGUIAR
Cover model – Wayne S.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-one
Chapter Thirty-two
Chapter Thirty-three
Chapter Thirty-four
Chapter Thirty-five
Chapter Thirty-six
Chapter Thirty-seven
Chapter Thirty-eight
Epilogue
Chapter One
Quinn
“Dude, you show up to my wedding looking like that?” Aaron stares at the shiner under my eye, courtesy of Gunner, the bronc I rode this morning.
“You should see what he looks like,” I joke.
“Seriously, you’re my best man. Today is the most important day of my life, and you went to a rodeo? As if flying a helicopter isn’t enough adrenaline for you, you have to risk your life on wild horses?”
“You know they aren’t wild,” I say. “They’re trained for bronc riding. Besides, there was way too much family kumbaya shit going on around here.”
“Isn’t that kind of the point of a wedding?”
I shake my head. “You know I don’t do family.”
He grips my shoulder, looking guilty. “I know you got dealt a crappy hand, brother. But you know you have a place in this family.”
Aaron is all gussied up in his tux, new boots, hat, and bolo tie. I’ve never seen him so happy. And he’s right. He is my family. I ignore the sting in my throat and motion to the door. “Isn’t there someplace we have to be?”
Maddox enters the room, looking as dapper as the two of us. “They’re ready.”
Suddenly, Aaron goes limp and bends over, hands on his knees. “Holy crap. I’m really doing this.”
“It’s not too late to back out,” I say.
He takes some deep breaths and straightens. “She’s the mother of my kid. I love her. There’s nothing I want more.”
“Okay then. Let’s go tether you to your ball and chain.”
He laughs. He knows I’m kidding. Sort of.
We follow Maddox through the door leading into the rear of the indoor arena. Pastor Hines is waiting for us by the stands, and the four of us walk out onto the floor that’s been covered with wood paneling. The whole place has been transformed into a wedding venue. Chairs with bows line the aisle. A trellis of white lilies sits at the center of the ‘altar.’ Beyond the guests are beautifully anointed tables, a DJ booth, and a dance floor. It’s one-stop shopping in this family. It’s the same place Maddox and Andie got hitched, though they had a lot more guests.
This is a small wedding. My guess is there are fifty people in attendance, and forty-nine of them are Aaron’s relatives. Not really, but close. He’s got a big-ass family. Devyn, his fiancée, has no family at all—at least none you’d see here. Her sole friend, Shannon, is standing up with her, along with Maddox’s wife.
I pat my pocket once more, making sure I still have the ring.
Music is playing. Shannon and Andie come down the aisle. Then everyone stands and looks at Devyn, who’s escorted by Owen, the ranch manager here at Devil’s Horn Ranch.
I have to admit, she’s almost unrecognizable. It’s quite a sight. In her floor-length lily-white dress, she’s a far cry from her usual jeans and a T-shirt. On her way down the aisle, she picks up one side of her dress and flashes a glimpse of her matching white cowboy boots. Aaron’s smile is a mile wide, and his eyes glisten with tears. The way he worships her as she steps closer is something I never imagined I’d witness. How can one person revere another like that? And for the rest of their lives? The notion is unbelievable.
For the duration of the ceremony, I scan the crowd. I’m not into all this lovey-dovey shit. I know most of the people here. I even flew a lot of them in on the chopper. My gaze settles on a woman. I don’t know this one. Her resemblance to Aaron’s Aunt Piper is uncanny. They could be sisters. She’s hot. I’m definitely going to introduce myself after the wedding.
She catches me staring and raises a brow. I lift my chin in return. She not so subtly nods her head toward Aaron, then she does it again. What is she doing?
“Quinn,” Aaron says, holding out his hand. “Do you mind?”
“Oh, shit. The ring,” I say under my breath. I reach into my pocket and hand it to him. I glance back at the woman. She’s laughing. She’s probably the only woman here who isn’t crying like a baby. What is it about weddings that make girls get all mushy and shit?
I learned early on never to take a date to a wedding. Way too much pressure. Not that I date. I fuck. Aaron used to fuck too, but now he’s drunk off the Kool-Aid like the rest of them.
Anyway, back to the girl. She’s not sobbing. She’s not sighing. She’s staring. At me. Like she wants to eat me for dinner. Yes, please. I’d let her ride me like I rode Gunner earlier. I wouldn’t even care about my tender and bruised ribs. I imagine what she could do to me would take all the pain away. Ah, shit. I feel my rising problem and shift my eyes away from the brunette beauty. Aaron would never forgive me if I upstaged his big moment by getting a boner during his nuptials.
I focus my attention on all the snotty-nosed kids Aaron’s family are trying to keep quiet in the second row. Yup—that does it. The blood is definitely rushing out of my dick now.
Everyone claps. Thank God it’s over. Aaron and Devyn walk up the aisle, and then Andie and I do. As I pass the woman who I’ve vowed to make my next meal, she stares at me like she’s already laid herself on the platter.
“That’s Aaron’s cousin, Amber,” Andie whispers. “Well, sort-of-cousin. Long story.”
“She’s gorgeous.” I can’t help but look back at her once more. “Would Aaron or Maddox kick my ass if I asked her out?”
Andie leans close. “Asked her out? Is that what you’re calling it these days?”
“I would have said fucked, but, you know… God is here and all.”
She giggles. “Quinn, you’re terrible. And they aren’t very close with her. Still, I’d check with them before you do anything crazy.”
We reach the others, and the girls all hug. I shake Aaron’s hand and offer the expected congratulations. Guests vacate their chairs and come to greet the happy
couple.
The photographer gathers the wedding party and takes a hundred photos. Aaron and Devyn pose for several with their three-month-old son, Casey, then the entire family gathers for one large photo. Aaron’s aunt scans her surroundings and yells over to Amber. “Come on. You too.”
Amber shakes her head, almost terrified. “That’s okay. You go ahead.”
Piper steps out of the group and goes to get Amber. She pulls her by the elbow. “Just one. Please?”
Amber follows reluctantly and pastes on what looks like a forced smile when the photographer snaps the picture.
I pull Owen aside. “What’s the story there?”
He shrugs. “Some long-lost daughter or something. Ask Maddox.”
I stare at her. Something about her makes her seem, well… like me. Totally and completely out of place. “I will.”
After pictures, the DJ starts playing, and Aaron and Devyn have their first dance. The second dance includes their baby. I’ve never seen Aaron so loving and tender. He’s had practice with babies—Maddox and Andie have eighteen-month-old Vivian—but with Casey, it’s like Aaron’s a different person. Not the wingman he’s been since we were teenagers. Not the hard-ass cowboy he grew into. Not the businessman he is when he runs the lodge here on DHR. No, he’s something else entirely. He’s a dad.
I shake my head, wondering if I just lost my best friend.
Maddox comes over and flicks my cowboy hat off my head. I catch it and put it back on in irritation.
“What’s wrong?” he asks. “You look like your dog died.” He peers at Aaron and back at me. “I get it. He’s married now. You’re wondering if you’ve lost your place. Believe me, you have. But you and Aaron have a strong friendship. He’s not going to leave you hanging.”
Amber is sitting at a table alone. I nod to her. “Can you tell me about her?”
He follows my gaze. “Amber? I guess you could say she’s our cousin. By birth, anyway. My Aunt Piper had a traumatic experience as a teenager, ended up pregnant, and put her up for adoption. They found each other through the adoption registry when Amber turned eighteen, but their relationship seems strained. I’m surprised she showed for the wedding. She usually turns down invitations to family gatherings.”
“So you’re not that close?”
“No.”
“Then you wouldn’t mind if I…?”
He laughs. “Seriously?”
“She’s hot.”
He glances over. “I guess she is. You’re both adults here. Who am I to say what you can and can’t do?”
“Sweet.” I grip his shoulder. “Thanks, man.”
“If anyone asks, I did not just give you my blessing. I’m only saying that I won’t give you another black eye to match the one you already have.”
“Noted.”
I pick up a couple glasses of champagne and walk over to Amber’s table. “Is this seat taken?”
She smirks. “Not if you brought one of those for me.”
“Have them both if you want.”
She holds out a hand. “One is fine.”
“I’m Quinn.”
She takes a sip. “Amber.”
“I’m the best man.”
“I can see that.”
I mentally smack myself. Duh. Everyone here knows I’m the best man. Damn, I’m really off my game. Must be the setting. “And you’re the long-lost cousin?”
“If you must put a label on it.”
“I don’t put labels on anything.”
She sits back and gazes at me over the rim of her glass as she drinks. “Me neither. What’s with the black eye? Were you in a fight?”
“With a fifteen-hundred-pound horse.”
She narrows her eyes at me.
“I rodeo,” I say. She still seems confused. She’s obviously not from around here. “I ride broncs. You know, I try to stay on the back of a horse while he tries to buck me off.”
“Like bull riding?”
“Sort of. Except with horses.”
“Sounds dangerous.”
“It can be.”
“That’s sexy,” she says, staring at the bruise.
My groin tingles. “If you think this one is hot, you should see the one on my ribs.”
Her eyes instantly go to my chest, then lower. Holy shit, this woman is ready to eat me for dinner. I think I found my goddamn soul mate.
“I’ve never been to a wedding where everyone wears cowboy hats.”
“Guess you’ve never been to Texas before, then.”
“First time.”
“How did I not meet you until today? I thought I flew everyone over from the airport.”
“I got in this afternoon. Took an Uber.” She sets down her empty glass. “Wait. You’re the helicopter pilot I’ve been hearing about?”
I smile wryly. “I see my reputation precedes me.”
“If you mean how you like to fuck ’em and chuck ’em, then yes.”
I about spit out my drink.
“I’ve been here less than a day, and I’ve already heard an earful.” She nods to the catering staff circulating with hors d’oeuvres. “When I was checking out the venue earlier, they were talking about you as they set things up.”
I recognize a few of the women in uniform as past conquests. “I’m not sure what to say to defend myself.”
She gets up. “It’s okay, Quinn. I like to fuck ’em and chuck ’em too.” She takes her glass and walks away.
Chapter Two
Amber
I’m not sure why I came. I feel so out of place. Everyone here grew up together. Even the people on the ranch seem like they’re one big family. Big family. The words roll around in my head. It’s not anything I’ve ever been a part of. It’s been just Dad and me since I was two years old. And now it’s just me. Dad isn’t Dad anymore. He hasn’t been for a while. In fact, the memory care facility encourages me not to visit too often because it upsets him. He doesn’t believe he has a daughter, and he accuses me of being after his money when I visit. Money he doesn’t even have.
He and Mom adopted me the day I was born. I don’t remember her. She lives in the stories Dad would tell me and the pictures in my albums. Dad was always strong for me, until he couldn’t be. Now, though, it’s hard for me to remember him as the indestructible god-like heart surgeon who saved so many. But he couldn’t save himself, and it kills me to see him wasting away.
I watch Piper from across the arena. She’s my birth mom. We met ten years ago, when I was eighteen. Meeting her was like a fairy tale. She has this perfect husband and these perfect children. And then there’s me. Where do I fit in? It’s like trying to put a square peg in a round hole. She tries to be friendly and not overbearing, and she includes me when she can. She invites me to the famous Mitchell family brunches sometimes. I rarely go, because: square peg.
“I’ve been informed it’s time for the toast,” the DJ announces. “Grab your glasses of champagne.”
Servers come around and hand out drinks. I happily take one.
Quinn takes the mic from the DJ while loosening his tie and top button. Sexy. Then he holds up a glass. People laugh as he tells jokes about Devyn and Aaron. I seem to be the only one not in on them. However, I’m focused less on his words and more on him. He’s gorgeous in a rugged kind of way. I never thought I’d be attracted to a cowboy. Then again, I’ve never met one. I try not to laugh at myself. After all, I’m attracted to all men, if only temporarily.
The bruise under his eye is getting darker by the minute. Rodeo. Bronc riding. Again—sexy. He finishes his toast, and people shout and drink. Quinn looks at me and raises his glass. I lift mine and we sip at the same time.
“Stupid cowboy thinks he’s God’s gift,” a passing waitress says.
“Excuse me?” I say.
She covers her mouth in guilt. “Oh, gosh. I didn’t think anyone could hear me.”
“It’s fine. I don’t know him. God’s gift you say?”
She rolls her eyes.
“I mean, he kind of is in a way. Those looks. That body. And he really knows how to please a lady.” She sighs. Sighs! “But he’s a player. Probably has fifty STDs by now.”
“Are there even fifty STDs?” There’s not. There are over twenty, though. I should know. I’m tested for them often.
She thinks on it. “Maybe not. But I’m sure he has some.”
“But you still slept with him.”
“I know. I’m stupid. Like every girl who sleeps with him, we all think we’re going to be the one to land him, and we’re all wrong. That’s one cowboy who can’t be tamed. But you can bet women will die trying.”
“You don’t think that’s a bit pathetic?”
“Are you kidding? He’s the whole package. Just look at him.”
“I have been. All night, in fact.”
“Don’t do it, girl.” She puts her hand on my arm. “I’m telling you, it’s not worth it. The night you spend with him will be incredible, but you’ll cry for weeks. He won’t call. He may not even remember your name. Best take a pass on this one.” Someone calls her over. “Gotta go.”
“Incredible, huh?” I say to no one. I take a drink as I stare over at Quinn. “I can use a bit of incredible.”
He excuses himself from the group he’s with and walks in my direction. My heartbeat quickens.
“Did you like my toast?” he asks.
“I guess. I don’t really know Aaron and Devyn, but it seems like everyone enjoyed it.”
“Well, that’s underwhelming. I worked on my speech for two entire weeks.” He motions to the server I spoke with earlier. She brings us more drinks, and him a traitorous glare.
“Jeez,” he says when she’s gone. “What’s up with the look of death she gave me?”
“You don’t remember her?”
“Should I?”
I snicker. “She’s one you fucked and chucked.”
“Oh, shit. Really? I thought one of the other waitresses looked familiar, but not her.” He grimaces. “So much for me hoping to impress you tonight.”
“Show me what you got, cowboy.”
A slow smile spreads across his face. “You dance?”
Texas Roses (The Devil's Horn Ranch Series) Page 1