Bound, Branded, & Brazen

by Burton, Jaci

  Valerie snapped her gaze to Jolene. “This isn’t the same thing. And I’m not running. It’s time for me to go. I have things to do in Dallas to prepare for my new job.”

  “You promised to stay here a month.”

  Valerie shrugged. “I just . . . can’t.”

  “Because of Mason,” Brea said. “Because you still love him and you can’t face it.”

  She slammed the lid on her suitcase and glared at Brea. “No. Not because of Mason. I don’t love him. We’re over.”

  Jolene laughed. “Please. It’s so obvious to everyone here how you feel about him. And how he feels about you. But at least he isn’t running away instead of facing his feelings.”

  This was pointless. Arguing with her sisters had never gotten any of them anywhere. She zipped up her second suitcase and reached for her purse, then hauled both suitcases down the stairs, Brea and Jolene on her heels.

  Mason was in the hall near the front door.

  Damn.

  He cocked a brow. “Leaving?”

  She swallowed past the dry prairie in her throat. “Yes. I have . . . things to do in Dallas.”

  “Uh huh.” He grabbed her bags. “I’ll go put these in the car for you.”

  Jolene let out a disgusted sound. “I can’t believe this. He’s just going to let you go.”

  Valerie turned to her sister. “He knows not to push me.”

  Brea shook her head. “He knows what a stubborn pain in the ass you are.”

  Jolene stepped in front of her, and Valerie wasn’t sure she’d ever seen her sister look that angry.

  “Look, Valerie. You’re my big sister and I love you. But this time you are wrong. Dead wrong. You’ll regret running away and not facing your feelings about Mason, about being here at the ranch again, and how you really feel about treating the people of our community.”

  Valerie lifted her chin. “I know how I feel about all those things, and none of them have anything to do with my leaving.”

  Jolene grabbed her and hugged her, then whispered in her ear, “Physician, heal thyself.” She kissed her on the cheek, then walked away.

  Brea hugged her, pulled away, sadness evident in her downturned lips. “Don’t go, Val. This is a mistake. You can’t run away from everyone and everything you love. They’ll all still be there no matter how far you go.” Brea fisted her hand and held it to her heart. “Right there. You can’t escape it.”

  Valerie’s eyes filled with tears and she shook her head. “I have to.”

  Brea stepped out of her way, and Valerie hurried to her car, half expecting to see Mason waiting for her. She dreaded the inevitable confrontation.

  He wasn’t there. Her bags were in the trunk, but Mason was nowhere to be found.

  She ignored the knot of disappointment tightening in her chest. This was what she wanted and she was grateful he wasn’t making it difficult for her to leave. She slid into the driver’s seat and headed down the long drive, watching the horses and cattle grazing in the pastures. She swiped away the tears that rolled down her cheeks, ignored the agonized pain ripping through her at the thought of leaving all this behind.

  It hadn’t been this hard leaving two years ago. Why now? How had she become so ingrained in this place again in such a short time?

  She shook her head. It didn’t matter. She was making the right decision. The ranch held nothing but pain for her. She and Mason would never work. She wasn’t a country doctor. She was supposed to live in the city. That’s where her life, her future, was.

  A truck pulled into the entrance to the ranch just as she reached the end. Whoever it was climbed out and waved his hands wildly over his head. Valerie jerked to a stop and he ran over to her.

  It was Red Mitchell, one of the ranch owners who lived nearby.

  “Dr. Valerie, I’m so glad I caught you before you drove off.”

  He was panting, his face beet red like always, mostly due to him being about a hundred fifty pounds overweight.

  “What’s wrong, Red?”

  “It’s Mama. She’s fallen on the floor and I can’t wake her up.”

  “I’ll follow you.”

  He tottered over to his truck and climbed in. Valerie drove behind him the few miles down the road to his ranch. As soon as they pulled up in front of his one-story house, Valerie threw the car in park, hopped out and went to the trunk to retrieve her medical bag.

  “She’s in her bedroom, on the floor,” Red said, panting and struggling to keep up. “Straight down the hall, last room on the right.”

  Valerie didn’t bother waiting for him, just ran through the front door and found Red’s mother, Eugenia, on the floor of her bedroom. She dropped to her knees, put on latex gloves, then tapped Eugenia a few times, called her name, but no response. She was still unconscious, her skin pale and sweaty.

  She got out her stethoscope and blood pressure monitor. BP was low, heart rate too fast.

  By then Red was in the doorway, breathing heavy.

  “Red, sit down on that chair before you pass out, too.”

  Red fell into a nearby rocker.

  “Has she been sick?” She felt Eugenia’s pulse.

  “She’s diabetic. Doesn’t follow her diet too good.”

  Shit. That had to be it. “What did she eat today?”

  “Don’t know. I was out plowin’ most of the day, but Mama said she was feelin’ poorly so she wasn’t all that hungry.”

  Valerie dug into her bag and pulled out the glucose test kit. It told her immediately what she already knew—insulin shock. She grabbed glucose wafers, lifted Eugenia’s head and slipped a wafer into the side of the woman’s mouth. “Her glucose is off. Some sugar should bring her around shortly. Help me get her back into bed.”

  By the time they had Eugenia settled in her bed, she was regaining consciousness. Valerie breathed a sigh of relief. Once she had Red’s mother stabilized and made sure Eugenia had had something appropriate to eat and drink, she and Red stepped out on the porch.

  “You need to take her into Tulsa to see a specialist, make sure she follows the doctor’s instructions carefully.”

  Red looked down at his feet. “That’s all fine, Dr. Valerie, but we ain’t got no insurance. And them city doctors is expensive. I get Mama’s insulin and all like I’m supposed to, but we can’t go see those doctors in the city all the time. Besides, who’s going to do my chores? It takes up a whole day to run Mama to the city.”

  At Valerie’s pointed look, he swept his gaze to the floor again. “Okay. I’ll save up some money and take her soon as I’m able.”

  Son of a bitch. She patted Red’s arm. “You do that.” But then he wouldn’t look at her, just the rickety wood floor of the porch. Well, hell. “Red, she’s going to be fine. Make sure she eats right and takes her insulin.”

  He lifted his head and nodded. “I will. I promise. Thanks for comin’ out here in a hurry, Dr. Valerie. I don’t know what we would have done without you.”

  Feeling the idiot tears welling again, Valerie made a hasty retreat, climbed in her car and headed down the road again. When she reached the end of the road, she had a choice to make. Left turn was toward the main highway. Right turn was back to the ranch.

  She chewed her fingernail and thought long and hard about which way to go. Decision time.

  And for the first time in her life, she didn’t know what choice to make.

  Or maybe she did. Maybe she’d always known where she really belonged, and that choice scared her more than any she’d ever made before.

  ten

  mason gunned the engine on the jeep, pushing it way past the speed limit for a two-lane country road in pitch-black darkness.

  Red had phoned him at his house to pass along his thanks again to Valerie, saying what a great coincidence it had been to run into her at the end of the road, and how she’d saved his mother’s life.

  That had been ten minutes ago. Which meant she would be getting to the end of the county line road soon. And he might jus
t have a shot at reaching her.

  Which was probably a really stupid idea, given that she’d made it damn clear she wanted to hightail it out of there. And he’d almost let her.

  Almost.

  But maybe her pit stop at Red’s had been a sign that she shouldn’t go. And maybe she’d see it that way, too.

  Or maybe she wouldn’t. Either way, he was going to give it one last shot and try to convince her to stay. Because he hadn’t yet told her that he still loved her, that he still needed her, that he still wanted her. And all those things needed to be said. Then if she still walked away, he’d at least know he’d given it all he had.

  And maybe he’d finally be able to put it to rest this time.

  Maybe.

  He hit the brights as the Jeep bounced over the rough bumps in the unpaved dirt road, though he knew this road like he knew his own name, had traveled it by bike, horse and car since he’d arrived here at sixteen. He knew where the intersection was, could find it blind.

  There was a car stopped there, its lights cutting through the thin layer of fog creeping up from the surrounding pasture. Mason slowed, waited for the car to make a turn.

  It didn’t. So he turned left and pulled up alongside, already knowing who it would be. No one traveled this road at night because there was no place to go to on it.

  He waited.

  She got out of the car. So did he, moving around the front of the Jeep. He hooked his thumbs in his belt loops and hitched a breath, prepared to spill his guts—and his heart—to the woman he’d loved his entire life.

  But he never got the chance, because she launched herself against him, wrapped her arms around him, lifted herself up on him and knocked him against the front of the Jeep when the force of her body connected with his. Her mouth sought his, and every word he was going to say was gone in the night fog and the spring wind as Valerie slid her tongue into his mouth.

  The heat of her body wrapped itself around his, her kiss telling him everything he needed to know.

  She was here to stay. He grabbed hold of her butt and lifted her, and her legs wrapped around him tight while they kissed each other, their mouths exploring, her questing fingers knocking off his hat to tangle in his hair. He did the same, pulling her ponytail holder out so his fingers could dive into her hair. He just wanted to hold on, wanted to inhale the scent of her shampoo, the soapy sweet smell of her skin, and hope like hell this wasn’t a dream.

  Breathless, she finally pulled away from the kiss, her expression somber.

  “Mason.”

  “Yeah.”

  “I love you with all my heart. I’m an idiot. I always have been. I don’t deserve you, but God, I love you so much. And if you’ll have me, I’d love to be your wife again. For good and forever this time.”

  Mason had never welled up tears for anything in his life.

  Until now. And if that made him less than a man, then he could live with it. Because nothing on this earth could make him cry except this woman.

  Love did that to a man.

  it was dark and foggy and windy, and maybe it was the wind that stung Mason’s eyes. And maybe it wasn’t, because Valerie could swear she saw moisture in them. But she’d never in a million years say anything to him about that. Her heart swelled with more emotion than she’d ever carried inside herself, and she’d just laid her heart in the hands of the only person living who had the power to break it.

  “Valerie.”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ve loved you since the minute I met you. And when you’re ornery and obstinate and stubborn and refuse to see things my way, I’m still going to love you. I will love you for every moment on this earth we have together. And I would be honored to make you my wife, forever.”

  She hadn’t let the walls down in such a long time, but with Mason she knew she could. Finally, she could. She buried her head against his chest and sobbed, a mixture of relief that he still loved her, and sadness for what she’d almost let go again.

  “I’m so sorry. Mason, I’m so sorry.” And once she let it out, she couldn’t seem to stop, mumbling and sniffling and crying and apologizing. And through it all, Mason held her tight and stroked her back and kissed her hair, until she had nothing left but hiccups and a stuffy nose.

  He dried her eyes with his handkerchief and handed it to her so she could blow her nose.

  “I look a wreck,” she said, wiping her nose.

  “Yeah, you do.”

  She laughed and punched his arm.

  “And you’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. You always will be.”

  She didn’t think she could cry anymore, but fresh tears pooled. “Stop saying nice things to me. It’ll make me cry more.”

  “You want me to call you a selfish bitch?”

  She choked out a laugh. “That’s a good start.”

  “Come on. Let’s get these vehicles back to the ranch and tell everyone the good news.”

  “And then you can take me to your place and make love to me.”

  He held her at arm’s length. “Or better yet, I’ll take you upstairs to our room, to that bed I hate because my feet hang off. I know you love that house.”

  “We’ll make modifications. We’ll build an addition. And get a king-sized bed. Or we’ll build our own place. A new one that’s just ours.”

  He laughed. “That’s good enough. Maybe a few extra rooms, too.”

  She looped her arms around his neck. “For all those kids we’re going to have.”

  “We’d better get home in a hurry so we can get started first.”

  She gasped. “I’m scandalized. You would knock me up without benefit of marriage?”

  “In a heartbeat, Doc.”

  “Then I guess it’s off to the courthouse for us, stat.”

  “Let’s stop off at the bedroom first before we break the news to your family.”

  She moved against him, feeling the hard ridge of his erection. Heat swelled between her legs, her nipples aching and tight. “The hell with stopping off at the bedroom. How about right here?”

  He arched a brow and jerked her closer, his hands roaming her ass. “Out here, in front of nature and cattle and who knows who might drive by?”

  She lifted onto her toes and tightened her hold around his neck. “If I’m going to be a rancher’s wife, I’d better get used to dropping trou . . . wherever. This seems as good a spot as any.”

  The look he gave her melted her to the spot. “You make my dick hard, Valerie.”

  She shot him a wicked grin. “Why, I’d love to do it against the Jeep. I thought you’d never ask.”

  He flipped her around so fast her head spun. In seconds, her jeans were unzipped and around her ankles and his hand cupped her sex. She let out a low moan at how fast he’d worked her into a frenzy of passion and need.

  “Now, Mason.”

  She heard his zipper and the rustle of his clothing, and then he was inside her, unsheathed, hot and thick and thrusting until she screamed. It was so damn good she didn’t care who heard her.

  “Yes. Fuck me.”

  He wound his arm around her and found her clit and she was there in seconds, the emotion and sexual energy combining to get her off in record time.

  “Mason, I’m coming.”

  And he was right there with her, pumping inside her, then groaning as he came.

  Her legs were shaking as he withdrew and helped her pull her jeans back up. She turned around and suddenly they were both laughing. Mason dragged her into his arms and kissed her so deeply the fires of passion burst inside her again.

  “I think we’d better get home in a hurry,” he said, his cock hard and insistent against her.

  “I think you might be right.”

  He turned her away from him. “I’ll lead. You follow.”

  She moved to her car. “Don’t drive slow. I need you.”

  The smile he gave her as he slipped on his cowboy hat and climbed into his Jeep was one she’d never forg
et. And for as long as she lived, she’d know she’d made the right decision.

  She turned the car right and headed home, where she belonged.

  branded

  Brea

  WHAT KIND OF HOUSE? CAR?

  Mansion Miata

  Apartment Mini Cooper

  Shack Lexus

  House Navigator

  WHERE TO LIVE? NUMBER OF KIDS

  Paris 5

  San Francisco 3

  Tulsa 1

  The Ranch? 2

  GUY OCCUPATION

  Caleb Artist

  Steven Teacher

  Gage Writer

  Jeff Millionaire

  one

  brea stared at her notebook where she’d scribbled her most recent M.A.S.H. entry. Her one and only M.A.S.H. entry written as an adult.

  Silly game. Childish game. A game of fantasy, of wishes, of what-ifs. Not at all grounded in reality. Not her reality, anyway.

  She stared out the window at Gage Reilly, watching him work in the corral with one of the young horses. His jeans fit snug to his mighty fine ass, his boots kicking up clouds of dust as he walked circles around the horse. Brea held her breath as only Gage’s skills as a trainer and one length of rope kept him from being trampled by one very angry, very wild horse.

  How different their two worlds were.

  Gage’s reality was daily tussles with magnificent creatures, primal and wild and free as the land they lived on.

  Brea’s reality was quiet, books, and her fantasies. And she liked it that way. Most times, anyway. Her life in Tulsa was peaceful. She had her job as a freelance programmer/analyst and she loved it. It was challenging to her mind, and she made her own hours, which gave her plenty of time to read, and she enjoyed that most of all. Getting lost in a book, in the characters, in the romance of it all . . . now that was heaven.

  But lately she had to admit she had a desire for something a little more satisfying than what she’d found between the pages of the books she read. She attributed that to being on the ranch again, instead of spending all her time in her apartment in Tulsa. Her life there was work, living in her apartment and occasional trips to the gym and the grocery store. At the gym she worked with Sheila, her trainer, and since the hot and sweaty muscle-bound guys there totally turned her off, she paid about as much attention to them as they paid to her. Men more interested in staring at their own muscles than in looking at a woman just didn’t interest her.