Lassoed by the Would-Be Rancher--A Clean Romance

by Melinda Curtis

  Because Shane had chosen glory over love.

  Grandpa Harlan would never have done that. He’d been driven by a need to replace the gold his brother had wanted so badly, gold that—had Hobart lived—he would have shared with many. Harlan had been a man with a big heart. He’d left Second Chance a lost, broken man. And it had taken him six decades, four marriages and twelve unruly grandchildren to discover what was most important to him.

  Not his reputation.

  Not his wealth.

  But the love and happiness of his grandchildren. And this small town hidden in a mountain, where life wasn’t always easy, but the people who chose to stay knew it, accepted it and embraced it.

  His grandfather had found a way to have it all.

  Shane turned the SUV around.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  FRANNY COULDN’T BELIEVE her eyes. But yes, there it was—Shane’s large black Hummer was parked at the Bucking Bull’s gate as she made her way down the mountain to pick up the boys from school.

  Shane was skipping rocks nearby at the camp shore.

  Franny’s heart beat faster at the sight of him. She turned off the truck and walked through the green, knee-high grass to reach him. “Hey.”

  He slanted her a sideways look. “I was thinking what a shame this camp is. No one swims here anymore. Or skips rocks. Or sings around the campfire at night.”

  “Stories,” Franny corrected. “They used to tell stories here around the campfire.” She and Emily had listened in a time or two, creeping close like desperados spying on wagon train settlers.

  “Stories about Merciless Mike?”

  “Among others.” She smiled, still standing a good ten feet away from him. “That story has grown proportionally, hasn’t it? Too bad the town council wouldn’t approve of your festival.”

  “Do you know what?” He laughed, turning to her. “I own this town. Or, at least a share of it, which means I can choose my own board of directors.”

  Franny paused to process that information. “You want to be the CEO of Second Chance? Is that legal?”

  “I’m staging my own coup.” He closed the distance between them. “Mitch was relieved to be...relieved.”

  “Really.” Franny couldn’t find more words because her heart was beating faster than Danger’s hooves at a gallop.

  Shane found his CEO job. Here. In Second Chance.

  “I have lots of changes in mind.” His smile slanted wickedly. “Reopening this camp and making it available for a few weeks to kids like Davey.”

  “Davey would love that.” Franny would love it, too.

  “And there’s the Merciless Mike Moody festival, of course.”

  That wicked grin set her heart fluttering. “Of course.”

  He took her hands, intertwining their fingers. “My grandfather had a really good attorney. I asked Daniel to look into obtaining an easement on federal land to operate tours. I figure by the time all the paperwork is done, you’ll have caught all the stray bulls.”

  “Are you telling me what to do?” She arched her eyebrows.

  “Never.” He cleared his throat. “Or, if I do make suggestions, I hope you’ll take them under consideration.”

  “You make it all sound so simple.”

  “And you see many complications where there are few.”

  It’s no big deal.

  Kyle’s words took on a new meaning. What worries should she have about life as long as Shane was happily challenged and by her side?

  “Do you know what my grandfather used to say?” He moved closer then, brushing the hair out of her eyes. “He used to say that nothing was impossible. And if you look at his life, nothing was. He was always reaching higher and then reaching back for the rest of us.”

  His touch was riveting. It made Franny forget about emptiness. It made birdsong a sound of joy, not a warning.

  “Do you know what Granny Gertie used to say?” She moved closer to him, too, resting her hands on his hips. “She used to say that money didn’t grow in the woods. She kept her feet on the ground all these years. She kept my grandfather’s feet on the ground, too. They could have returned for that gold at any time, but she was happy with the ranch the way it was.”

  She and Shane were so close now that they should be kissing.

  “Remind me. When are you leaving?” Franny forced herself to take a step back and tease.

  Shane drew her to him, encircling her with his arms. “Who said anything about leaving?”

  “We had that long talk in town just this morning.”

  “I was an idiot.” And then he was kissing her.

  The boys needed to be picked up. She needed to make a casserole and drop it off at her dad’s house. It wasn’t only the Bucking Bull’s fences that had been mended in the past few weeks. A family had mended as well. There were bulls to train and cowboys to call. None of it mattered.

  When she’d first seen Shane, she’d wondered how it would feel to kiss him. Would she feel like she was betraying Kyle? Would another man’s kiss be unable to compare to her husband’s?

  There was no comparison. They were different things.

  Shane held her differently. Shane kissed her differently. His touch was more urgent, more possessive, more worldly. She held on. She held on to strong shoulders and a strong heart. She’d had no one to lean on—no man to lean on—for more than two years. And now him. Maybe for forever?

  Did that make her weak?

  Shane drew back. He tapped her temple gently. “What’s going on in that head of yours? I’m kissing someone, but it doesn’t seem to be you.”

  He’d noticed?

  Her cheeks flushed with heat. She stepped out of his embrace. “I got distracted.”

  “I was kissing you.” He didn’t look happy.

  News flash. She wasn’t happy, either. “I was thinking...” She traced the scar on his chin and stared up at Shane. She hoped he wouldn’t see the longing in her eyes. Longing for another kiss, another embrace, another person to lean on. Not just at this sunset, but for the rest of her life. She wanted to say the words first. “It’s been a busy week and a half and I never got the chance to thank you.”

  “Thank me?”

  She nodded, allowing herself a small smile. “Thank you for loving me without ties or promises.”

  “That was before,” he said in a gruff voice, tugging her closer.

  She placed her palms on his chest, pressing back so that she could see his eyes. “And everything that comes now is the after. After we caught Big Daddy. After you tried to leave town.”

  “After I realized I loved you so much I couldn’t let you go.” He dropped down on one knee. “I love you, Franny. I wasn’t looking for it. I wasn’t expecting to find it. But here I am. Taking over a town. Maybe starting a charity for kids like Davey. And planning on settling down in a rambling farmhouse. Will you marry me?”

  “I want to say yes, because I love you, Shane.” She drew him to his feet. “But I want to ask my boys if they’re okay with it.”

  “I’ll be happy to do that.” He grabbed her hand and they headed for their vehicles. “I should stop at the general store first.”

  “To buy them a video game?” Franny firmed her voice. “Shane, I won’t let you bribe them.”

  He stopped walking, turned and kissed her soundly. “Franny, love of my heart, I was going to buy you a bouquet of flowers.”

  “Oh.” She let herself be escorted to the truck, let him drive them into town and stood with a grin on her face and a bunch of daisies in her hand as Shane asked her children for her hand in marriage.

  They said yes.

  * * *

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  A Bridesmaid to Remember

  by Amy Vastine

  CHAPTER ONE

  IT WAS INCREDIBLE the kind of wedding that could be thrown when money was no object. This wasn’t something Bonnie Windsor would have ever discovered by planning her own wedding, but since her best friend was Lauren Cole, she got a front-row seat to the most lavish wedding Blue Springs, California, had ever seen. The Cole family was like royalty around these parts, and Lauren loved the idea of being a princess. With dark hair styled exactly like Kate Middleton’s was on her wedding day, she sported a sparkling tiara that rivaled the one worn by the duchess.

  “We are gathered here this lovely afternoon to celebrate with Mitchell and Lauren as they proclaim their love and commitment. We are gathered to rejoice, with and for them, in the new life they will begin together today,” the minister proclaimed.

  Dressed in a custom-made Elie Saab that she had flown back and forth to France to be fitted for, Lauren was absolutely stunning. The strapless satin princess ball gown was cinched at the waist by a thin belt and had tulle and gemstone embroidery on the bodice as well as floral appliqués. Bonnie didn’t know for sure how much it had cost, but Lauren had hinted that it was over ten thousand dollars. Ten grand was more than Bonnie’s dad could afford for an entire wedding someday.

  Mitch tugged on his shirt collar. He had some sweat beading on his forehead. It was warm outside for late May in California, and there were more people in the church than showed up on major religious holidays. He had to be overheating in his tuxedo. He fidgeted with a handkerchief in his hands. Mitch was a big guy. He had played football at Stanford and spent more time in the gym than he did at the office. He “worked” for his father and hopefully would be as good at spoiling Lauren as her parents were.

  “Marriage is not about putting on a fancy dress or a tuxedo. Nor is it about having a lavish party with friends and family,” the minister continued. He obviously didn’t know Lauren very well. This wedding was all about the spectacle. She loved the limelight. Lived for it. “That might be what we think of when someone says there’s a wedding, but marriage is about living your lives as one. Finding a way to work together for the success of your family. Your new family.”

  Bonnie smiled. Lauren would always be a Cole, even if she planned to take Mitch’s last name. The Bennetts were a prominent family in Blue Springs. They, of course, had lots of money and plenty of influence, but they weren’t a founding family like the Coles. Lauren’s ties to her father’s name would always be stronger than her ties to his.

  Bonnie glanced out at the guests as the minister continued on. The church was filled to capacity, and someone had said there were people who hadn’t been invited to the wedding gathering outside the church hoping to catch a glimpse of the happy couple after the ceremony.

  Bonnie still had to pinch herself. Was she really the maid of honor at a wedding like this? When she befriended Lauren back in elementary school, she’d had no idea what being the friend of a Cole would entail. There were definite advantages to being her sidekick growing up, but at the same time, Lauren didn’t exactly make it easy to be her friend, either.

  No one had been safe from Lauren’s wrath during the wedding planning. “Bridezilla” could describe Lauren on a good day. She was a woman who knew what she wanted and would not stop until she got it. No matter whom she had to run over. She had wanted everything to be perfect, and as far as Bonnie could tell, she had made that happen.

  The church aisle was lined with bunches of pale pink and white roses. A giant halo of those same roses, as well as orchids and hydrangea, hung above the bride and groom. Lauren carried a ballerina bouquet of pink peonies and cascading white orchids. Bonnie knew this was nothing compared to what awaited them at the reception at the Cole Winery after the ceremony. Lauren had wanted a secret garden theme, and her father had spared no expense. The reception flowers had been delivered by the truckload.

  “If any of you has a reason why these two should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

  Bonnie wasn’t sure why Lauren had left this part in the ceremony. Maybe she wanted to make sure there weren’t any ex-boyfriends still pining away for her. Even if there were, it wasn’t like anyone would dare to disrupt this moment for her. No one was that self-destructive.

  “I do,” Mitch choked out.

  There was a quiet rumble of laughter through the church. Lauren let out a nervous giggle. “Not yet, honey,” she whispered to him. “Wait until our part.”

  Bonnie exchanged looks with Cheryl Cooper, the bridesmaid on her left as they faced the congregation. Leave it to Mitch to be so worried about what he was supposed to say that he prematurely gave his consent to be married. Lauren had been so hard on him last night at the rehearsal, threatening to make him sleep alone on their wedding night if he messed up his vows.

  Mitch dabbed his forehead with the handkerchief. “No, I mean that I object.”

  Silence fell over the church like a heavy blanket. It was as if everyone was holding their breath in shock. Bonnie locked eyes with Aaron, Mitch’s best man and Lauren’s older brother. Had Mitch just said what they thought he said? Did he have a death wish no one was aware of?

  “What?” Lauren asked, her tone disbelieving.

  “I’m so sorry, Lauren. I know that you put a lot into planning all this and you’ve been waiting impatiently for today to come. I know we talked about being together forever, but I wasn’t being honest with you or myself.”

  Bonnie braced herself for the complete meltdown Lauren was about to have. It was unbelievable that something like this could happen to someone like her. Never in a million years was this how anyone could have imagined this was going to go. No one told Lauren no. No one.

  “I need you to stop and think about what you’re doing right now, Mitchell. You have been in love with me since high school. You wanted to marry me almost immediately after we started dating.”

  “I was infatuated with you back in high school. Who wasn’t? You’re Lauren Cole. But I’m not in love with you. I’m in love with someone else,” he admitted, causing everyone in the church to gasp.

  Red alert! Bonnie could imagine the heat building inside Lauren’s body. She was about to explode. Who in the world could Mitch be in love with if it wasn’t Lauren?

  Curiosity coursed through Bonnie’s veins. There had never been any doubt that he’d had a crush on Lauren since they were teenagers. Lauren had always said so. They hadn’t dated in high school but were friends. After college, he’d spent a few years backpacking all over Europe before coming back to Blue Springs to work for his dad. Soon after that, Lauren had decided he was the one for her. And what Lauren wanted, she got. No one really thought about what Mitch wanted. It was assumed that he wanted Lauren.

  Bonnie was kind of proud of him for getting out from under Lauren’s thumb before it was too late. If he wasn’t in love with her, he shouldn’t marry her, for his sake and hers. She did wish he had thought to speak his piece before today, though. This was no way to break up with anyone, especially Lauren.

  “Bonnie,” Mitch said, stepping around Lauren.

  Why was he talkin
g to her? Maybe he was going to ask her to take care of Lauren. That had to be it.

  “Bonnie?” Lauren screeched. “Are you kidding me?”

  No. He wasn’t in love with her. She wanted to believe that, but he looked at Bonnie like he only had eyes for her. She felt like all the blood had drained from her face. No, no, no, no, no.

  “You are the most incredible woman I know. Mostly because you don’t even realize how amazing you are. I’ve fallen in love with you, and I can’t deny it anymore.”

  Lauren’s worst nightmare had suddenly turned into Bonnie’s. She had never picked up any vibes that Mitch had feelings for her. He was nice to her and she was kind in return, but love? That had never crossed her mind.

  “Mitch—” Bonnie had no idea what to say to him. She couldn’t string any words together. This was surreal, and she prayed it was some sort of horribly realistic dream she was about to wake up from.

  “Have you two been running around behind my back?” Lauren asked.

  “No!” Bonnie couldn’t believe she had to answer that question. “I don’t even know what’s happening right now.”

  “I know all this is crazy, but I want you to give me a chance. I can’t imagine my life without you,” Mitch said, taking her by the hand.

  “I can’t believe you would do this to me, Bonnie! You’re supposed to be my best friend. You ruined my wedding. You ruined my life!” Lauren threw her bouquet and it hit Bonnie smack in the face. She ran off down the aisle with her parents following behind her.

  “You are a horrible person,” Wendy Hillbrand, Lauren’s college roommate and one of the other bridesmaids, said, brushing past her to follow after Lauren.

  The other bridesmaids began to chime in with their misplaced disgust, each one following the next back down the aisle.

  “I sure hope he’s worth it,” Theresa Gilmore said with a shake of her head.