by Jane Jamison
“Sure it is. I think people around here are pretty good, even if some of them smell like horse shit.”
Colby shot her a warning look. “Please don’t say anything like that around others. Remember, I’m staying in Brimstone.”
“Who knows? Maybe I’ll like it here, too.”
She knew her friend well enough to guess what she was thinking. “Go on and say it.”
“Well…”
“Since when have you ever clammed up? Spit it out, Melly.”
“How are you going to stay? After what you found out last night, how are you going to keep the ranch going?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll figure it out. My dad did have a life insurance policy. Mr. Schwatten is checking into it and seeing how soon I can get the money. Until then, I’ll use my savings to keep it afloat.”
“Are you talking about the money you were saving for a down payment on a house? Seriously?”
“Yeah. Of course.” Colby sat up and caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror on the opposite wall. She looked like how she felt. Tired and miserable. “This is my home now, so it only makes sense to use my money to keep it.”
“I guess so.”
What wasn’t Melly telling her? “You don’t think I should stay, do you?”
Melly might hesitate, but when she spoke, it was always the truth. “No, I don’t. I mean, come on, girl, you don’t know jack squat about running a ranch. Don’t you think you’ll be throwing good money down the drain?”
“I have to try. I want to try. What I don’t know—which I admit is a lot—I’ll learn, or I’ll hire someone who does. I’m not giving up before I even try.” At least she sounded confident, although she was anything but confident. She’d fake it for as long as she had to.
The knock on the door startled both of them. Melly gave her a questioning look then opened it. The man who’d talked to her at the gravesite held his hat in his hand.
“Excuse me, Miss Trayner, but do you think I could talk to you?” His hard gaze went to Melly and back. “Alone?”
“I don’t go anywhere unless Colby tells me to.” Melly thrust out her chin, ready for a fight. Then again, Melly was always either ready for fun or ready for a fight. The girl thrived on drama.
The last thing Colby wanted to do was talk to Rick Broat again, but she had a feeling he was as tenacious as a bulldog with a bone. “It’s okay, Melly. Give us a few minutes. This won’t take long.” Hint, hint, Rick.
“Well, okay. I’ll go check on things out there.” Melly dragged her hand through her hair, spiking it more. “It’ll give everyone more time to check out my awesomeness.”
Not for the first time, Colby was thankful for the day she’d met Melly at a local hair salon. At the time, she’d done as a lot of people did. She’d stared at Melly’s abundant tatts until, at last, Melly had handed her a phone and told her to “take a pic ’cause it’ll last longer.” They’d started talking and had ended up going out to a club together. From then on, they’d rarely missed seeing each other at least three or four times a week. She wouldn’t know what to do without her best friend. So would Melly stay at the ranch with her? But if she did, would she be happy?
“Miss Trayner, I know it’s only been since the graveside service, but have you reconsidered my offer?”
Broat wanted to buy the ranch. Although the ranch was in rough shape and the stock needed tending to, he’d offered her a good price. She’d been shocked when he’d offered to buy the ranch while standing next to her father’s grave. Still, with the money he’d pay her, she could put down a sizeable chunk on a nice house back home.
But Brimstone was home now. Or, at least, it would be.
Was the man clueless about common decency? “I’ve hardly had time to breathe, much less think.” She hated to be pushed, and he’d done too much pushing already. “Is there a reason you have to have my decision so soon? I just buried my father.”
“I know, and again, you have my condolences. It’s just that when I set my mind on a goal, I like to get it done as soon as possible.” He gave her a sympathetic smile that didn’t make it to his eyes. “I’d think you’d want to wrap things up here as fast as possible.”
“Why do you want the ranch?” He’d already told her, but she wanted to hear his reason again. Sometimes asking the same question more than once meant getting different answers. And if that happened, then continued asking would eventually lead to the real truth.
“As I said before—”
Ooh, getting a little testy, Mr. Broat?
Instead of saying so, she merely smiled. There was something about the man she didn’t like. As though he was actually a snake hiding under a human’s skin. “Yes?”
“Your father’s ranch butts up next to mine. I want to expand, and this is the way to do it.”
There’s that smarmy smile again.
“If you don’t mind my saying so, I don’t understand what the holdup is. You’re no rancher, and the place is about to go under. I don’t think many experienced ranchers could save it now. Wouldn’t you rather have me take it instead of the bank?”
Did everyone in town know her father’s business? Probably. After all, it was a small town with its fair share of gossips. She stood up as he moved closer, making her uneasy.
“First of all, the ranch is mine now. Second, I recognize my shortcomings as an owner, but I still intend to do everything I can to make a go of it. I’d like to think we could be good neighbors, but for us to be that, you’re going to have to respect my decision.” She drew in a steadying breath and noticed his gaze drop to her breasts. “And my decision is not to sell.”
His gaze jumped back to hers. “Don’t be ridiculous. You don’t have the finances to keep it running, even if you knew what you’re doing.”
“You have a right to your opinion, and I have a right to mine. I appreciate your thoughts, but again, Mr. Broat, I’ve made my decision.” She reached for the doorknob, suddenly all too aware that they were alone. “Now, if you’ll please—”
She jumped when his hand hit the door and slammed it closed. In the next moment, he’d pushed her against the wall. His face, red from anger, was only inches from hers.
“Listen up. You’re going to sell to me. Either now, when I’m offering you a more than fair price, or later, when you’ll be begging me to take the place off your hands for pennies on the dollar.”
She lifted her head, determined not to let him get to her. “No, I won’t. Now get your hands off me and leave.”
He suddenly softened. “I’m sorry, Colby. I know I can be intense.” He skimmed a hand along her arm. “Forgive me, okay?”
He wasn’t being genuine. His remorse was a ploy, a ruse to make her more comfortable. He’d figured out she wasn’t going to be pushed into selling and was trying a different approach.
She steeled herself, refusing to tremble at his touch. “Fine. Just leave. Please.”
“You know, there’s another way this can work.”
At first, she was too shocked to understand what he meant. Then it hit her, bile rising in her throat. Was he crazy? She stared at him, sure he’d lost his mind.
“How about we get together? You and me? We could team up and own the largest spread around Brimstone. Trust me. I treat my women real good.”
He’d had women? It was hard enough to picture him with one woman, let alone more.
She wanted to kick him in the balls and throw up all over his stupid bolero tie. Somehow, she managed not to do either one. “Let me put this in a way you’ll understand.” She paused and drew in a steadying breath. “There is no way in hell I’ll ever be with you. Now get the fuck out of my house.”
His dark eyes hardened again. “You listen up, you little—”
“Colby? Are you all right?”
Darton. Thank God.
Broat stepped back, a sneer lifting one corner of his mouth. “We’ll talk again real soon.” He pulled the bedroom door open, saw who stood there, then shot
her another shit-eating grin. “Give my proposal some thought. You’ll come around to my way of thinking.”
Darton, Ed, and Jax stood back to let Rick pass them. Or, at least, they did once she nodded to let the man go. The men bored holes through Rick’s back as he sauntered down the hallway and back to the living room. Before they turned toward her, she pivoted on her heel and made it to the chair before her legs gave out.
“What’d he want?” asked Jax.
“As if we don’t already know,” added a scowling Darton.
Ed knelt beside her. “Are you okay? Did he do anything to upset you?”
“It’s obvious she’s upset, man.”
Ed ignored Jax. “I mean, did he…touch you? Did he hurt you in any way?”
“No. I mean, yes, I’m fine.” If only she could make her body believe the same. Adopting a reassuring smile she was sure they wouldn’t believe, she did her best to downplay what had happened. “He offered to buy my father’s ranch. My ranch.”
“We figured he would.” Darton sat on the side of the bed. “What’d you tell him?”
Why did they care? Or were they after the ranch, too? She wouldn’t mince words with them, either. “I told him I’m not selling. No way, no how.”
“Let me guess.” Jax crossed his arms and glared down the hallway as though Rick were still there. “He didn’t like your answer.”
“Not much. No.” Warmth traveled into her. Granted, they were drop-dead hunks of men, but a man’s looks had never swayed her more than an initial primal attraction. But the way she felt right then was different. Strange, yet compelling. They made her feel safe, yet dangerous. They made her feel like doing things she hadn’t done in a very long time. Not even with Rob.
“Does that mean you’re going to stay on?”
She couldn’t tell if Ed thought she could handle it or not. “I am.” However, their dubious expressions said it all. “Look, I know I don’t know much about ranching or horses or cattle, but I’m smart, and I’m a hard worker. What I don’t know, I’ll learn. And, in the meantime, I’ll get help.”
“So you’ve got the money to keep the place going? And to hire hands?”
Could Darton be any more obvious? He gave her the same looks Rick had. Like Rick, he didn’t think she could handle the job. “I’ve got enough to try. I can’t just sell the place and walk away.”
“Why not?” Jax shrugged at his friends’ hot looks. “Come on, I’m only saying what you two are thinking. It’s not like you’ve been at the ranch in recent years. At least not since we came to town. You’re from the city, right?”
She hated to admit it, but she wouldn’t lie. “Yes.”
“And you don’t know shit about ranching. Am I right?”
Was he trying to put her down? Yet his tone was calm, almost soothing.
“I can do this.” Did she sound confident? Persuasive even?
“Everything Jax is saying is true.” Darton studied her, his scrutiny intimidating. “Still, we believe in you. I have a feeling that, once you make up your mind to do something, you do it. You’ll make it, all right.”
“Hey, I didn’t say I didn’t believe in her, too.”
“Why do you care? You don’t know me from any other stranger. Other than meeting for like five seconds in Vegas.”
“We care because we don’t want you to leave.”
They didn’t? Ed’s declaration was a surprise. A nice one but, still a surprise. Judging by the other’s expressions, he’d spoken the truth.
“I’m only asking questions.” Jax covered her hand with his. “We definitely want you to stay. And we’ll do whatever we can to help you out.”
She felt the heat of his touch through her hand, through her dress, and on into her leg. Glancing down, she half expected to see smoke rising. Yet the burn wasn’t painful. At least not in the way most people would think of pain. Instead, it seared its way toward her abdomen, a sinfully wicked fire that lit up every fiber of her being. Her breath hitched in her throat then was thrust out of her in a soft “uh,” reminding her of the sounds she made while making love.
“I don’t understand, so I’m going to ask again. Why do you want me to stay?” She had to ask the question. Had to know even if she might not like the answer.
Their gazes pierced her, lighting a different kind of flame to scorch down to meet the other one. Never had she seen any man look at her in such a way, as though he could devour her whole, relishing the taking of both her body and her soul. Three men, three craving looks. It was almost more than she could stand.
Darton answered first. She should’ve known he would. “Don’t you feel it, honey? We had a brief connection in Vegas, and it’s back again. Don’t you want to find out where it could take us?”
Yes. She skimmed her tongue between her lips before turning to Jax. “And you?”
He hesitated, giving her question thought. “I’m not sure I believe in two people having an instant link between them, but you’re making me think it’s possible.”
“I’m right along with them,” added Ed. “Which is a good thing. You’ll find out that I’m the one who does most of the thinking.”
She smiled, liking the way Jax and Darton glared at him. “You are?”
“I am. And, because I am, I’m usually the one to put the brakes on any impulsive action. This time, however, I agree with them. There’s something between us. Call it attraction or whatever you want, but I can sense it.” His unique silver eyes darkened. “And I’m betting you feel it, too.”
She wouldn’t have known what to call it, either. But did not having a word to call a feeling mean it didn’t exist? Its existence was as true and as real as the existence of the sun in the sky.
A rose by any other name…
Didn’t that same idea apply to feelings?
“I don’t even know you guys, but I can”—she struggled to find the right word—“sense that we could have something together. Even if it turns out to only be a great friendship, I can’t help but think we need to find out one way or the other.” Yet the burn that had traveled to between her legs said what she was feeling was nothing like a friendship.
“Friends?” Jax rose, placing his hands on the arms of the chair, capturing her. His face came close to hers. Close enough that she could feel his breath against her skin. “Colby, we’re not going to be your friends.”
Her chest rose and fell with her hard breaths. “You’re not?”
“Not if we have anything to say about it.”
Oh my.
His mouth was so damn masculine. A tingle along her lips urged her to kiss him, to let him know she’d like being more than a friend.
Before she could brace for it, Ed and Darton moved beside her. The air filled with a testosterone-induced sensation that felt thick against her skin. Every breath she took drew in their musky aroma. She studied their strong faces, their chiseled jaws, and the strange red glints in their eyes.
What was she supposed to say? Certainly not “take me.” Although, if they’d asked her, she would’ve had to admit that was all she really wanted to say.
Darton backed up. “Slow down, guys. Give the lady a chance to catch her breath.”
Jax and Ed didn’t want to follow his order, but they did. Did that mean Darton was the one who called the shots?
“Hire us.”
Darton’s words took time to sink in. “What?”
“Hire us as your ranch hands.”
Jax and Ed exchanged a glance but didn’t disagree.
“You want me to hire you guys, all three of you, as hands? Don’t you own your own ranch?”
Jax smiled softly. “So you’ve been checking up on us?”
“No.” Although if she’d known they existed before today, she would have.
They looked disappointed.
“You own the Black Hills Ranch, don’t you?”
“That’s right,” answered Ed.
“I asked around about the different ranches in the area.
Folks mentioned your ranch and you guys by name. They said you have a great ranch which makes what you’re offering even odder. Why would you want to hire on as hands when you have your own ranch to run?”
“Because, babe”—Ed shoved his hands in his pockets—“you need our help. I don’t doubt you’ll do everything you can to make a go of this place, but we all need help every so often. You need ours right now.”
“Besides, we’re the cheapest hands you’ll ever find,” joked Jax.
“What about your ranch? How can you leave it? Or handle working on both?” She didn’t want to turn them down. Having them around for whatever reason would be amazing. She felt more hopeful now.
“We have men working for us. They can handle most of the chores. Besides, we’re not talking about forever. Once you get on your feet, we can help you hire others and leave you to it.”
Who was she to look a gift horse in the mouth? Yet, she kind of did. “I’m not sure I can afford you.”
“Like I said, we’re cheap. Cheap as in free,” added Jax.
“Free? No way. I can’t let you work for free.”
Darton crossed his arms, his face set. “You can, and you will. It’s what good neighbors do for each other.”
“Yeah.” Jax toying with her. “After all, that’s what friends do for each other.”
Ed joined in. “And we’re friends. Right?”
“It’s a deal.”
Melly?
They turned to find Melly resting her shoulder against the door, a drink in each hand. “Like I said. It’s a deal.”
“Melly, I can’t let them do this.”
“Sure you can. Don’t be silly. When three men offer to help you out, especially for free, you can’t say no.” She handed one of the drinks to Colby.
“She’s right.” Darton clapped Jax on the shoulder. “You can’t say no. Come on, guys. Let’s take a look around the place and see what needs to get handled first. Check you later”—he grinned—“boss.”
The coolness of the glass against her palm was a stark contrast to the heat still wafting around her. She took a sip and swallowed hard as she and Melly watched them stride down the hallway.
“Dayumn, girl. You are the luckiest bitch in the whole fucking world.” Melly winced. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said. What with your dad dying and all.”