It made Sonya angry that they’d gotten away with so much. But her mother’s relief that they were behind bars and she didn’t have to testify in open court made her happy to see June so carefree and embracing a new life.
Austin brought their joined hands up and kissed the back of hers below her gorgeous engagement ring. “Let’s go see everyone.”
Sonya had visited her mother several times over the last month. Since she and Austin had gotten engaged and taken over Blue Mining, things had been crazy busy. Austin focused on the ranch. She helped the prosecutor, gathering all the records to make the case against Walter.
Again, a deal had been struck. Walter didn’t want to air all his dirty deeds in open court. Instead, his lawyer pleaded the case down to lesser charges and Walter would ultimately serve far less time in jail than he deserved. Again, justice had been served. Everyone in town followed the story in the local paper. The man they knew and respected had fallen from grace. His true character had been revealed. Walter Hubbard no longer held sway over this town or its residents.
Those who had shunned Austin in some way or talked behind his back now held him in high regard.
Kelly was doing well. She’d moved into the cottage. Sonya caught her flirting with the contractor doing the repairs and renovation on the small house. Maybe it would turn into something, maybe not, but Kelly had put what happened with Walter behind her and focused on her new management role at work, the baby on the way, and the life she wanted for both of them.
They were all settled and living their lives. And as part of living a normal happy life, her mother had decided to put her new cooking skills to use and start a new tradition: Sunday dinner.
Sonya slid out of the truck behind Austin. Their relationship had grown closer these last weeks as they spent their days taking care of business and their nights getting to know each other better. They took long rides at dusk, enjoying the horses and seeing the changes on the ranch that now had more animals than Austin could handle on his own because his father had closed down Hubbard Ranch and sold the livestock to them. Austin had hired three full-time guys to help out and would probably bring on a couple more part-time during the calving and harvest seasons.
She and Austin stood together on the porch at her mother’s door.
He smiled down at her. “This is nice. Dinner with friends and family.”
She squeezed his hand. “I’m so happy she moved here.”
Austin knocked. “I like it that your trips to the Ranch to take care of business are short because you’re not staying to visit her.”
“You just want to keep me all to yourself.”
“Guilty.” Austin leaned down and kissed her right when the door opened.
Sonya turned to her mother.
June’s smile had never been more radiant. “You two are so good together.” Her mother held her arms out. “Come here, Angel.”
Sonya released Austin and hugged her mom. “Hey, Mama, how are you?”
“So happy to have my girl here.”
Sonya stepped back and held up the strawberry plants bursting with dark green leaves, pretty white flowers, and a few green berries that promised a bounty of bright red fruit to come.
“Oh, I love them. Thank you. I’ll plant them tomorrow.”
Sonya glanced past her mother to a man she hadn’t seen in a while. “Mr. Foster. What are you doing here?”
June stepped back and hooked her arm through Mr. Foster’s. June’s shy smile still lit up her eyes with joy. “I invited him. Tim and I met at the bank weeks ago and haven’t gone a day without seeing each other since.”
Sonya glanced up at Austin to gauge his reaction because she didn’t know how to feel about her mother dating the bank manager.
Austin winked at her, held out his hand to Mr. Foster, and said, “I know just how you feel. The second I set eyes on Sonya I didn’t want to spend a day without her.”
Mr. Foster relaxed and shook Austin’s hand and smiled at Sonya. “What can I say, she captured my heart with her sweet charm and pretty smile.”
June hooked her arm around Sonya’s shoulders and they walked through the entry and into the open main living space. June held her back a few paces and whispered in her ear, “I really like Tim. He’s kind and funny and doesn’t care about my past. He’s a couple years older than me and has never been married. He wants a wife and a family. And I just love being with him, talking about his work, how he grew up in this town, and the heartache he suffered when his fiancée died in a car accident. He closed himself off to another chance at happiness. But then we met and hit it off, and all of a sudden, we discovered we both wanted a shot at a second chance at happiness.”
Sonya wrapped her mother in a hug. “I’m happy for you, Mama. You deserve love and happiness and a husband and children.”
“Good, because if my suspicions are correct, you’re going to be a big sister.”
Sonya held June at arm’s length and glanced down at her belly, then back up to her face. “Really?” Tears sprang to her eyes.
“We didn’t want to wait. I’m no spring chicken. At my age, we thought it might take a while, but I guess not.”
To show her mother how excited and happy she was for her, she turned to Austin, Noah, Roxy, and Mr. Foster in the kitchen. “I’m going to be a big sister!” She hugged June again.
Everyone in the kitchen held up their beers.
Austin made the toast. “To another Wild Rose.”
That made Sonya and Roxy laugh.
While the guys drank and Austin and Noah slapped Mr. Foster on the back, Roxy joined her and June. They shared a group hug.
“I’m so happy for you, June.” Roxy smiled but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
June laid her hand on Roxy’s shoulder. “Thank you, sweetheart. I wish, for your sake, your mother was different.”
“I wish she had your strength and guts. You’re going to be a great mom. You already know how to be one. Look how great Sonya turned out.” Roxy hooked her arm over Sonya’s shoulders and hugged her to her side. “I love you, sis.”
“Love you, too, Rox.”
June gave them another shy smile and held out her hand, showing off the simple diamond solitaire.
Sonya pressed her fingers to her lips, then gasped. “Mama, it’s gorgeous.”
The doorbell rang. “That’s Tim’s friend. He did this thing on the internet to do the ceremony.”
“What ceremony?” Sonya asked, taking in her mother’s pretty, white, lace shift dress.
“To marry us.”
“You’re getting married right now?” Sonya tried to keep up with all the changes in her mother’s life. She and Austin’s relationship happened quickly, but this was meteorically fast.
“Yes, Angel. Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing. Tim is a good man. But I know how you worry, so I had him sign one of those agreements so that what’s mine stays mine.”
Shocked, Sonya spit out, “You have a prenup?”
“I have a lot of money. While I don’t believe for a second that Tim cares one bit about that—he’s financially secure on his own—I wanted the insurance because, you know, men.” June added an eye roll to go with that “men.”
She’d known a lot of men in her life.
Sonya had to hand it to June for looking out for herself.
“I need to protect this baby the way I protected you. Though I hope I do a better job this time around.”
Sonya hugged June. “You did great with me, Mama. This baby is lucky to have you. And so is Tim. He’s not like those other men. He’ll treat you the way you deserve.”
“He already does.”
“And if he doesn’t, we’ll have Austin and Noah kill him,” Roxy teased.
“You don’t need us.” Austin brushed his hand down Sonya’s hair. “Sonya’s got you covered.”
“Shoot, shovel, shut up.” She winked at Austin, who laughed with her because they’d gotten through the ordeal with his father and could
look back without all the anger and pain.
Tim stood in the entry next to his friend, looking nervous.
Sonya shrugged and said, “Welcome to the family. You’ll get used to us.”
Tim laughed with all of them and showed his friend into the living room.
Noah walked out of the kitchen holding a beautiful bouquet of white roses and handed them to June. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Noah.” June laid her hand over her belly. “Oh wow. I’m nervous.”
“Don’t be. This is everything you wanted,” Sonya reminded her. “You’re a beautiful bride.”
Austin and Noah pulled out their phones and became the official wedding photographers. She and Roxy stood beside her mother as June and Tim exchanged vows. June teared up when Tim promised to love, honor, and cherish her forever. Other than Sonya, no one had ever done that for June.
The vows were followed by Tim’s beautiful declaration. “I will always take care of you.” He kissed his bride with such tenderness, Sonya’s heart melted, and she knew Tim meant every promise he’d made.
She didn’t need to worry about her mother anymore.
They clapped for the happy couple and took more pictures. Noah popped the cork on a bottle of champagne and poured for everyone.
Sonya held up her glass. “To the happy couple. May you always have love and joy and each other.”
Everyone drank the bubbly.
June took a tiny sip, kissed her husband again, then set her glass aside. “Just a sip for me and the baby. Thank you, Angel, for all your love and support.”
“Always, Mama.”
“Let’s sit at the table. My cooking class made the meal. I’ll just get it from the kitchen.”
“Let us.” Roxy grabbed Sonya by the arm and pulled her into the kitchen. “I’m so happy for them.”
“Me, too. I’ve never seen her look this happy.” Sonya stared at her mother as she sat with the men at the table. “She’s radiant.”
“I don’t know about you, but between work and spending time with Noah and Annabelle, I barely have a minute to plan our wedding.”
“I know what you mean. Maybe Mama’s got the right idea—keep it short and simple.”
“This was lovely, but I’d like a little more. The dress. Flowers. Our friends.”
“Adria and Juliana,” Sonya added. “They missed this.”
“Adria graduates next week. Who knows what trouble Juliana’s in right now.”
Sonya took the foil pans out of the oven, set them on the stovetop, and uncovered them. “Hand me that platter.” Sonya piled the garlic-and-mushroom chicken on the plate then poured the gravy over it.
Roxy spooned the vegetable medley into a huge bowl. The broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower steamed.
Sonya took the final baking dish from the oven and peeled back the foil cover. “Oh God, that smells good.”
Roxy took a whiff of the scalloped potatoes au gratin. “Maybe we need to take this cooking class.”
Austin came into the kitchen. “Need some help?”
Sonya handed him the hot potatoes using the oven mitts. Roxy took the vegetables. Sonya carried in the huge platter of chicken. They placed the food on the beautiful table decorated with a dozen votive candles and three pretty white flower bouquets. The new china and silverware June bought sparkled along with the crystal glasses in the soft candlelight.
She and Roxy took their seats.
Before they ate, Tim looked at all of them from the head of the table. “I’m glad you’re all here. Family is everything.” He turned to June. “We’re just starting our family, but I’m so glad to celebrate this wonderful day with yours.”
“Ours,” June reminded him.
Sonya met Roxy’s gaze across the table and they said in unison, “Double wedding.”
They didn’t need two separate weddings, they just needed their family around them on their special day.
Austin and Noah fist-bumped across the table, agreeing with them on the double wedding ceremony.
They ate the scrumptious meal and talked about the baby and the upcoming weddings. Sonya and Roxy couldn’t wait to help her mother turn the spare room into the baby’s room. Roxy talked about a gorgeous dress she saw in one of the bridal magazines she thought would be perfect for Sonya. The guys talked about horses, cows, ranching, and baseball.
Sonya ate two slices of the amazing white chocolate and raspberry mousse wedding cake her mother ordered and slid into bed later that night full to the brim and happier than she could remember.
Austin took her in his arms like he always did and nuzzled his nose into her neck, kissed her softly, then whispered, “When do you want to have a baby?”
They’d talked about wanting to start a family sooner rather than later.
She turned into him and pressed her hand to his chest over his heart. “Wanna start now?”
Austin dove in, taking her mouth in a searing kiss that spun out and made her forget everything but the feel of him against her.
His hand slid down her side and stopped on her hip the second her phone rang. He broke the kiss and stared down at her, his body tense with concern. “Who’d call this late?”
Sonya rolled out from under Austin, sat on the edge of the bed, and picked up her phone from the bedside table. “Hello.”
She barely registered the words spilling out of Roxy, but the gist of what she said and what it meant hit her heart and made it clench and bleed. She hung up after only saying, “I’ll meet you there.”
Austin’s chest pressed against her back. His chin rested on her shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
“Roxy and I have to go back to Vegas. Juliana overdosed.”
An Excerpt from Tough Talking Cowboy
Keep reading for a sneak peek at
Tough Talking Cowboy
the next book in the scandalous
Wild Rose Ranch series,
on sale Spring 2020!
Chapter One
Adria unlocked the front door and stood in the opening feeling the stillness and quiet as intensely as the prickle of awareness that something was wrong. Without thought, her hand dipped into her purse and her fingers closed over her phone and the bag she pulled out. Her purse slid off her shoulder and dropped to the floor as she moved toward the hallway and the call she clearly heard but didn’t make a sound.
She felt her sister’s need in every fiber of her being. She couldn’t ignore that primal call and the connection they shared.
Adria’s heart raced as the quiet coming from the bathroom seemed to thicken the air until she could barely draw a breath. Every step toward the door felt like it took forever. Her mind shouted to hurry, but her heart warned of heartbreak beyond the closed door. She pushed it open against the barrier on the other side, found her identical twin lying motionless on the floor, her lips tinged blue.
Adria’s stomach pitched, sour bile rising to her throat.
She swallowed hard and tried to think through the dizzying shock.
Nothing, not even her resigned heart, could prepare her for this.
She dropped to her knees and shook Juliana. “Wake up!”
No response. Not even a flutter of her eyes.
Adria’s heart jackhammered. Her mind skittered from one thought to the next, all of them scary and filled with denials and rationales for what was so obvious.
She leaned down, tilted her sister’s head back, pressed her lips to Juliana’s, and gave her mouth-to-mouth. They’d breathed as one in utero, but she never expected she’d have to take over for her beautiful, broken sister like this. “Come on, Jules, I can’t live without you. Don’t do this to me.”
She gave her three more breaths, then had to use drastic measures to bring her back.
She flipped her phone over, dialed 911, put the phone on speaker, and left it on the floor next to her dying sister.
“911, what is the emergency?”
“My sister overdosed. Heroin. I’m administering naloxone
.” Adria unzipped the cosmetic bag she’d instinctively pulled from her purse, pulled out the syringe, and unwrapped it. She broke open the glass ampule, used her teeth to pull the cap off the needle, and filled the syringe despite how much her hands shook.
“What is the address of the emergency?”
She rattled off the house number and street for Wild Rose Ranch as she jabbed the needle into her sister’s bare thigh and pushed the plunger.
Waiting for a response stopped Adria’s heart. She held her breath. The world around her paused.
And nothing happened.
Fear squeezed her heart. Hope made her send up another prayer.
Juliana didn’t miraculously wake up, but her barely-there breaths deepened and evened out.
“Paramedics are three minutes out. Have you administered the naloxone?”
“Yes. She’s breathing. Shallow, but even.”
The terrifying blue in Juliana’s lips faded as they turned pink once again.
“Roll her to her side if she’s not already in that position.”
Adria turned her sister and brushed the blond hair from her face, relieved but still worried sick. “Why, Jules?” Of the two of them, Adria had reason to want to escape and numb her emotions and drown out her nightmares.
Yes, their childhood sucked. They’d grown up with a drug-addicted mother who prostituted herself out for drugs, and money to buy more drugs.
She always needed more.
She’d done a lot worse than sell herself to get them.
Mom—Christie, now Crystal since she started working at the Wild Rose Ranch—had done so many drugs she’d short-wired her reasoning, judgment, and empathy. She only cared about herself and proved it to her young twins too many times to count.
Adria hated seeing her sister do the same thing she’d watched their mother do their whole lives and self-destruct.
It broke her heart to pieces.
“I’m not going to let you do this to yourself.” She combed her fingers through Juliana’s hair and tried to breathe through the fear and heartache.
Restless Rancher Page 28