Cowboy Sanctuary (The Dixon Ranch)

by Michelle Hughes

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  No part of this work may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.

  Published by Kindle Press, Seattle, 2016

  A Kindle Scout selection

  Amazon, the Amazon logo, Kindle Scout, and Kindle Press are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates.

  Contents

  Prologue

  CHAPTER ONE Wrangling

  CHAPTER TWO Cowboy Life

  CHAPTER THREE State of Shock

  CHAPTER FOUR Wagering

  CHAPTER FIVE Family

  CHAPTER SIX Lost

  CHAPTER SIX Heartless

  CHAPTER SEVEN Country Life

  CHAPTER EIGHT In Season

  CHAPTER NINE Feud

  CHAPTER TEN More Than Love

  CHAPTER ELEVEN Cross My Heart

  CHAPTER ELEVEN Wreck

  CHAPTER TWELVE Dusted

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN Bearing Rein

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN Wild Horses

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN Forever & Ever

  About the Author

  WHERE TO FIND MICHELE

  Prologue

  Brock

  18 Months Ago

  “You better watch your hide with that one. She looks ready to take you on a quick ride, then drag you to the altar before you know what hit ya.” My baby brother had the worst possible taste in women, not that the gorgeous gal looking our way wasn’t something to behold. She had that unusual character mix of sassy and innocent that made any cowboy worth his salt willing to take a second look.

  “If it’s a ride she wants, then I’m just the man for the job.” Ranger was about as cocky as it gets when it came to his self-image, and young women didn’t stand a chance against his charms. How he’d remained single this long surprised the hell out of me and my older brother. Every daddy in town was ready to kick his ass for taking advantage of their daughters.

  “That city girl is probably out here slumming anyway. Leave the boy to his fun.” Travis, the oldest of the Dixon clan, was usually the most conservative. Hearing him offer encouragement was enough to shut my mouth as the young beauty swung her hips seductively as she walked up to our table. Ranger gave him a pointed look, telling him to mind his manners, and I had to admit the little lady was sure something to look at.

  “Which one of you boys is Brock Dixon?” My pants grew a little tighter as she squeezed those full lips into a pout, giving each of us a look hot enough to cause a barn fire.

  “That’d be me, darlin’.” I tipped the brim of my Stetson and gave her a big smile, and the one that lit her face almost took my breath away. I didn’t have a clue what this girl wanted with me, but I was willing to find out. She could warm my bed any night of the week and twice on Sundays. So much for my warning to my baby brother.

  “I was told you were the best horse breeder in Texas, and I’d like to talk business.” Ranger looked like I’d just kicked his dog, and Travis was smiling broadly at his disappointment. Sibling rivalry was something we’d never really outgrown, even though we’d all take a bullet for one another.

  “You heard right. I usually don’t talk business when I’m hanging out at a club, though.” We didn’t get much downtime running the ranch, but I might be willing to make an exception if she played her cards straight. “Tell you what. Why don’t you pull up a chair and have a few drinks with us, and we can mix a little work and pleasure?” Her bluer-than-sky eyes looked me over, and she seemed to find my offer appealing since she sat down primly. We had a bottle of whiskey and empty shot glasses sitting on the table. She earned some points when she poured herself one and drank it down like a champ.

  “Hell, girl, you done won over my heart.” Ranger liked a woman who could keep up with him, and she was probably a better fit for him than for me, but I was feeling a little territorial. He poured her another shot and I grabbed it, slamming it down my throat before she had a chance to reach it. Her soft, musical laughter made it hard to sit without adjusting my jeans, and I knew it was my bed she was landing in tonight.

  “Ah hell, it’s gonna be one of those nights.” Travis waved over the waitress and ordered a Coke, realizing he’d just become the designated driver as Ranger drank his own shot, trying to prove he could drink me under the table. At twenty-four he was out of luck at this game. I’d been doing it four years longer, and after a few more he was looking a little green around the gills. Our little city girl seemed unfazed, and she’d been drinking her weight of the potent brew. I was impressed!

  Somewhere during our drinking game, she mentioned that she was looking to breed a quarter horse to run in the Kentucky Derby. I’d had the good fortune to breed a horse from one of the most famous racers of them all, thanks to a friend who’d had a winner in the Derby, and I knew why this lovely young lady had sought my company. I told her my stud fee was $100,000, and she didn’t bat an eye. Most folks knew I didn’t come cheap, but I produced champions.

  After a bottle of Jack, we were all two sheets to the wind except Travis, who told me his babysitting duties were coming to an end. Little Miss City Girl, who I’d learned was Danielle Stallings from Chicago, asked to crash at my place and talk more in the morning. Who was I to turn her down? Travis was also the town’s sheriff, outside of being a partner in the ranch, and all the way home he reminded me that taking advantage of an inebriated woman was nothing but trouble.

  Instead of heeding that advice, I talked him into dropping me off at my place, and he gave me the long talk about using the right head before we got out of the truck. Ranger might have put up a fight about me taking home the girl of his dreams, but he was passed out in the backseat, snoring. “I’ll check in on y’all before work tomorrow,” Travis said.

  Those were the last words I remembered hearing before waking up with the sexy brunette naked in my bed the next morning.

  My head felt like I’d been rammed by a bull when I finally managed to open my eyes, but looking at the most perfect body I’d ever seen had me ready for round two, and she was more than willing to give me an encounter I wouldn’t soon forget. It wasn’t until much later that I remembered I’d forgotten to glove up. That was something I never did. Safe sex was more than about preventing unwanted children. There was too much shit out there to make it worth the risk.

  “I know it’s a little late to ask, but are you covered?” She seemed a little offended at my words but nodded and groaned. I could only assume her head felt as heavy as mine did after all that whiskey we’d consumed.

  “Why don’t I round up some coffee and see if we can clear this fog?” She managed a halfhearted smile, and I thought she was the most delectable woman I’d ever seen, even after a night of partying with the Dixon boys.

  “That sounds good. Can I use your shower and maybe have something to put on?” I was glad she was a morning person, even with a hangover. I was usually up wrangling cows or horses, depending on what the day held, but I knew the foreman could handle things until I arrived. Frank was one of the most loyal men we had, and he’d worked this land almost as long as I had. My pops had hired him when I was still a teenager.

  With her sexy body sliding out of my bed wearing nothing but what the good Lord gave her, I almost decided on round three but figured we could both use a little break. “Of course you can. It’s through there.“ I pointed to the right. “Anything in my c
loset is yours. I’ll throw together some breakfast, and we can wash your things while we’re waiting.”

  She swung those perfect hips as she walked off to my bathroom, making me long to join her, but I still had work to do today. Pulling on a pair of sweats, I walked downstairs to brew coffee and put together bacon, eggs, and toast. Nothing better for a hangover than something to fill your belly. She came back down looking precious in nothing but my T-shirt, and instantly I wanted her again.

  “Where’s your washing machine?” Without taking my eyes off her, I pointed to the room off the kitchen, and she grinned like she knew how beautiful she was. I loved that confidence! “I’ll be right back.” Sure enough, she was back with me in less than five minutes, sliding up on a stool at the breakfast counter.

  Fixing her a plate and then pouring a cup of coffee, I asked if she wanted cream and sugar. It felt like we were playing house, and to be honest, I kind of liked it. “They don’t grow them like you in Chicago,” she said. Her smile beamed, and long locks of damp hair clung to her shoulders in dark ringlets. “Just sugar.”

  “I’m gonna take that as a complement, darlin’. Give me a few minutes to get my head on straight, and I’ll show you exactly how we show a lady a good time in Texas.” With a wink, I handed over the sugar bowl and spoon and fixed my plate to join her. Eating with her was nice because she didn’t babble like most women, and the silence was comfortable.

  “So how soon can I bring my mare down?” I wasn’t even thinking about breeding anything yet, but taking her for a ride was doable. Still, I had a business to run.

  “As soon as she’s in season. I’m not taking in others right now since I’m working on training riders for the rodeo for the next few months.” That topic seemed to fascinate her, and I explained how I’d ridden myself until a nasty spill off a bull last year ended that career. I’d broken only seven ribs and cracked an ankle, but my mom was still getting over a heart attack—unrelated to my spill—and I’d made a promise not to ride that way again. Truth be known I was falling out of love with the sport and enjoyed being here on the ranch more than riding the circuit.

  “She should be going into heat any day now so I’ll bring her down this week.” Her eyes were something I could stare into forever, and I nodded my agreement.

  “You do that. Have you watched a horse breed before?” I knew many people were fascinated with the process but it was pretty much second nature to me.

  “No. White Lilly is the first horse I’ve owned. The stable that houses her suggested that I bring her to you because she has a great bloodline.” I wanted to say I bet she had one too, but I wasn’t sure if she’d take that out of context. She smelled incredible, even though it was my shampoo she’d used. Something about her scent came through even with the masculine fragrance.

  She sat while I cleared up our dishes, and then we talked until her clothes were finished. There was something about this girl that intrigued me, but I couldn’t put my finger on what it was other than her gorgeous looks. I was ready to take her upstairs to continue exploring, but my brother showed up, banging on the door. He was decked out in his uniform, so I guessed Ranger was taking over the cattle today, which meant I’d have to lend a hand.

  Danielle raced upstairs to change clothes—a shame, considering how fine she looked in mine—and I got the dressing down of a lifetime from Travis. “Tell me you didn’t take advantage of that girl.” He was in one of his moods, and I wasn’t feeling very generous myself.

  “Whatever happened here is between the two of us. What’s got you in such a foul mood?” He was usually the crankier one of the three of us, but today his foul mood was kicked up a notch.

  “Something about that girl don’t sit right with me. You’d do well to send her packing.” For my brother to say that about a lady was out of character and hit me in all the wrong ways.

  “You ain’t known her more than a minute. Maybe you should stop judging people.” If I hadn’t been infatuated with the little brunette, I might have taken his advice. He was very good at his job, and that meant reading people. “Besides, I’m gonna be doing some business with her, and we could all use a little extra income to do some work out here.”

  “Business is one thing. I’m telling you she’s hiding something.” He stopped talking, but only because Danielle had walked back downstairs looking all citified again. I missed her wearing my shirt.

  “I really need to get my car and start back on the road. My sister is expecting me home today.” She looked a little upset, and I hoped she hadn’t heard my brother’s words. He was being even grouchier than usual and wasn’t at the top of my favorite list today.

  “I can drive you into town since it’s on my way,” Travis said. He was definitely in rare form, and I glared at him.

  “I’ll take her. Wouldn’t want you going out of your way to help someone out.” Truth was I needed to get out in the field, but his attitude wasn’t something she needed to put up with.

  “What you need to do is help Ranger get those cows in before the storm sets in tonight. We can’t afford any losses.” Travis’s comment was rude and demeaning, and if Danielle hadn’t been present we’d have probably came to blows over it. His attitude was starting to get my dander up.

  “That’s fine. I’ll see you Friday,” Danielle said. She didn’t seem to have picked up on his temper since she walked over, kissed my cheek, and smiled. “I’m looking forward to working with you.”

  The way Travis glared my way, I wasn’t sure I wanted her anywhere near him, but he was right. I had a long day ahead of me and needed to remember where my loyalties were.

  “I can’t wait either, darlin’.” Walking over to the kitchen table, I picked up a business card for the ranch and scribbled my cell phone number on the back. “Call me if you need anything before then, and thank you for last night.” I whispered the latter in her ear, and her grin widened. Watching her walk away made me anticipate her coming back. I was looking forward to enjoying her while we did a little breeding on the side. Breeding her horse, that is, because while I was ready for a family of my own, my folks would never forgive me if I had a kid out of wedlock. Another reason I kept my sex life in check.

  ***

  By the time Friday came around, I’d been counting the hours until Danielle returned. She had a real beauty in Lilly, who stood sixteen hands stall. The muscles over her hips and thighs were powerful. She was definitely a prime piece of horseflesh, and I was interested in seeing the foal Texas Two Step and her line would produce. Rubbing my hands down her legs, I inspected her tendons. This was going to be one spectacular breeding.

  “That’s turning me on. Tell me, do you treat your women as well as your horses?” Danielle’s laughter brought my attention back to her, and I smirked. She was a mighty fine ride herself, and I was glad to show her how well I could break her in.

  “Darlin’, I think you’ll find I’m even better with women. Let’s get your girl in the stall next to my stud and see if we can get them worked up, and I’ll try and give you a little attention.” She hooked her arm in mine and pressed against me, making me wonder who was leading this seduction.

  My field hand walked up, and Danielle didn’t bother putting space between us. She didn’t seem to have a problem with anyone knowing what her intentions were. I had Paul guide her horse out of the trailer into the air-conditioned barn, and we followed behind. There was no doubt Lilly was in season, and White Lightning was interested. Of course, he was always willing. I think that’s one of the reasons me and that horse got along so well. We thought alike.

  “I got all those papers you faxed over, so everything looks good. I’d like to get them together this morning and then again later tonight, then repeat that same process for the next few days to increase our chances,” I said. “That OK with you?”

  “I don’t know. Will you be able to keep me satisfied while my baby is getting it on?” This woman! I swear, I liked her spunk. Her grin was seductive, and when she reached her
hand out to cup my ass, which was covered unfortunately by jeans, I wasn’t sure who was more ready for a little action. White Lightning was raring up in his stall, but I was harder than a bed of nails.

  “Keep talking that way, and I’ll have you bending over a gate.” Remembering we weren’t alone, I took a few steps back to get myself under control. Her laughter wasn’t helping my testosterone level because I had some serious ideas about how to have her groaning underneath me.

  “All right, boys, lead out that little lady and get her ready,” I instructed. We used a custom-made leather leg strap to keep the handlers safe. Four of my most trained boys were standing on the mats we’d installed in the shed to stop any slipping from happening. Danielle’s stable had introduced her to a teaser horse prior to coming here, and those documents, along with her horse’s health, were all good indications that this should go as smooth as silk. I’d had the vet out earlier this month for a routine visit, so I knew my stud was ready to perform.

  “That thing around her leg, it won’t hurt her, right?” I was glad she was concerned about her baby. That showed she wasn’t just using her and gave a hint of her character.

  “We’ll take it off as soon as she’s mounted. All we want it for is to make sure she doesn’t kick one of the handlers and cause serious injury,” I replied. Getting my stallion ready took a little more preparation. He was ready to go native, and I told her to step back until the boys and I had him dressed in a lead rope and ready for action. After asking Danielle to wait until he was safely in the breeding shed, I mounted the horse bareback and led him in before dismounting. This was the tricky part. He reared up on his hind legs, as expected, and we waited until Lilly saw him. Fortunately, she seemed calm after seeing him, and we were able to lead White Lighting over then.

  Watching a horse breed was a rather quick process, lasting less than a few minutes. This one went off without a hitch. I wasn’t so sure what all the fuss was about the act to outsiders, but they seemed to find it sexy. Personally, getting on and off that way wasn’t much of a turn on to me, but to each their own. Walking the horses back in separately, I was happy to say we’d had an easier time than I’d thought with the maiden mare.