Harts of Arizona Series

by Yahrah St. John

  “I guess I’m not the only one that just had a workout,” he said as he jogged down the stairs.

  Rylee blushed as she and Amar headed up. Once they made it to her bedroom and she’d locked the door, they fell onto her bed. They’d gotten very little sleep the night before. Having been away from each other for nearly a week, they hadn’t been able to keep their hands off each other and had stayed up half the night making love in a variety of interesting positions. Rylee hadn’t known she could be so adventurous or nimble, but Amar brought out the sexual animal in her.

  “So,” Amar said, turning over on his side to face her, “your whole family lives here on the ranch?”

  She nodded.

  “Have you ever thought about leaving?”

  “Never been a reason to consider it,” Rylee answered honestly. “And I love it here. I love all the open space, the outdoors and, of course, all the animals. I get to take care of the horses and lots of others.”

  “Sounds like you’re in your ideal world.”

  Rylee looked at him. She wasn’t sure what he was trying to get at. “Are you asking me if I would consider leaving?”

  Amar paused for several minutes before saying, “Yeah, I guess I am.”

  Rylee shrugged. “For the right person I would, but they would have to understand that I’m not giving up my work. I’m a veterinarian. I’m not content being a wife and a mother. That’s my father’s image of who I should be, not mine.”

  Amar sat up at the critical tone in Rylee’s voice. “Sounds like you’ve had to deal with this topic before.”

  “I have,” Rylee said. “My father thought I would be like my mom, content to tend to hearth and home. It’s why he wanted me with Jeremy, because that’s the future he envisioned for me. Imagine his surprise when his daughter scoffed at debutante parties, opting to be in the great outdoors with her brothers and the animals. It was the cause of a lot of strife in the house.”

  “Your father seems to have accepted your choices now.”

  “He didn’t have much of an option,” Rylee said and jumped up from the bed. “C’mon, we should get ready for breakfast as I have a lot of work to do and I suspect my brothers have something in store for you.”

  Chapter 13

  Rylee is right, thought Amar. During breakfast with the family, Amar indicated that he wanted to stay on the ranch for a few days to spend time with Rylee and, of course, get to know the Hart family.

  Isaac Hart had scoffed, but Madelyn had been gracious and extended an invitation for as long as he’d wanted it. The Hart brothers, however, had made fun of Amar and wondered if he could handle himself on a horse much less as a ranch hand. Amar had never backed down from a fight, and he planned on showing them just what he was made of after he checked in with Sharif.

  “How’s everything at Bishop Enterprises?” Amar asked after he’d stepped away from the dining room and stood in the foyer.

  “Everything is in order,” Sharif answered.

  “And father? Any change?”

  “I called Tariq earlier today, and he was a bit agitated that news had broken of his illness as the King did not want to appear weak. However, they’ve settled him down now, and Khalid is meeting with several heads of nearby states.”

  “Well, sounds like Khalid has everything under control,” Amar said. Not that it should surprise him — Khalid had been training for this moment his entire life.

  “How’s Golden Oaks?” Sharif asked.

  “If you’re asking about Rylee, she’s fine. Once I was able to explain what happened, she understood that I had to leave quickly to get to Father.”

  “And?”

  “And what?”

  “Are you coming back to Palo Alto?”

  “No, not just yet,” Amar said. He hadn’t yet discovered what it was about Rylee that was so different from every other woman he’d ever been with and why he was powerless to leave her. Until he did, he had to stay. Perhaps if he just spent a few more days here, he could get her out of his system and move on. Or at least that’s what he told himself.

  “Alright.” Sharif picked up on what Amar wasn’t saying. “Let me know when you’re ready to return, and I’ll send the jet.”

  “Thank you, Sharif.” Amar hung up. When he turned around, the Hart brothers were staring at him.

  “Gentlemen.” He nodded.

  “Are you ready to work?” Noah asked. “Because we start our days early around here, and we’re way behind schedule, so let’s go.” He began heading toward the front door.

  Amar glanced at the dining room. “What about Rylee?”

  “You’ll meet up with her later,” said Caleb as he put one arm around Amar’s shoulder and led him out the door.

  Amar knew what the Hart brothers were up to. They’d wanted to see if he was a genteel businessman who wouldn’t know what to do with a horse or steer, but they’d soon found out that he was no wimp. He’d surprised Caleb, Noah and the ranch foreman that not only was he an expert horseman and knew how to suit up a horse, but that he was also a darn good cattle wrangler. Cattle might be different from the sheep in Nasir, but they were pretty darn close. He’d wrangled several wayward cattle that afternoon, earning the respect of the brothers Hart.

  “Wow!” Caleb said as he removed his cowboy hat and wiped the sweat underneath with the bandana around his neck. “You’re a pretty darn good cattleman, Amar Bishop.” He reached for his canteen from his saddle and took a generous swallow. “Who would have thought?”

  Amar smiled as he jumped down off the stallion Noah had given him to ride. This horse had been such a handful just a year ago when Noah had gotten Max, but Amar had ridden him quite easily. They didn’t understand that he was used to much feistier Arabians. “In my world,” Amar said, “the son of a king learns to ride young.”

  “Your world?” Caleb noted. “I’d heard you were of mixed heritage and had some relation to an Arab sheikh. Is that right?”

  “It is so,” Amar said as he took the canteen from Caleb and sipped. He wanted to show him he wasn’t above being like everyone else, even after he’d made such a comment. “My father is a sheikh and runs a small country called Nasir, but my mother was African-American.”

  “Sounds like a story there,” Noah said, joining the duo and taking the canteen from Amar for a swallow.

  “Ah,” Amar sighed. He’d told the story more times than he could remember, but it was never as important as this one because he wanted Rylee’s family to like and respect him. “My father was a young man who laid eyes on a beautiful woman. One thing led to another, and she ended up pregnant with me. The only problem was, he was already betrothed to another.”

  “So what happened?” Caleb asked with open curiosity.

  Amar shrugged. “What do you think? He married the other girl, and my mother had me. Except …”

  Noah spoke up. “Except what?”

  “He could never forget the beautiful mahogany-skinned woman he’d met, and he certainly couldn’t let his son, his first-born son, be raised any kind of way. He continued his affair with my mother for a number of years while ensuring I had the very best in life. It wasn’t until my mother met my stepfather and remarried did the affair end, though I doubted it ever ended in my mother’s heart.”

  “Sounds tragic,” Caleb commented, and at Amar’s withering look, he corrected himself. “I’m sorry. That sounded callous. I meant tragic in that your father never got to live life on his own terms but had to bow to the will of others.”

  “And Lord knows my brother hates that,” Noah said. “Heaven forbid he actually does as expected of him.”

  Caleb rolled his eyes at Noah. “Hey, it’s served me well, hasn’t it? I’m happy with my life. But what about you, Amar? Are you happy? It sounds like you’ve led a life of privilege, completely different from Rylee. Why would you even be interested in our
” — he pointed to Noah — “sister?”

  “I’m with Caleb on this,” Noah said. “What are your intentions toward Rylee?”

  Amar looked back and forth at the two tall and commanding men. He appreciated that they were looking after their sister, but he also wouldn’t be intimidated. “As I said at dinner last night, it’s still too early to tell what Rylee and I are to each other, but I do know that I want to find out. Rylee is beautiful, smart, funny and passionate. She’s unlike any woman I’ve ever known, and I want to see where this goes.”

  “You mean you just want to sex up my sister until the itch goes away?” Caleb asked, taking a step toward him.

  “There’s no need to be crass,” Noah said, putting an arm in front of Caleb to hold him back. “We’re all grown men here.”

  “I’m sorry you’re taking it that way, Caleb,” Amar said, “but I’m here because I want to be. I came back to the States to see Rylee the day my father was released from the hospital after his heart attack. I came back because I care. If that’s not good enough for you, I don’t know what else to tell you.”

  “I guess that’s going to have to be good enough for now,” Noah replied. “And Caleb and I appreciate you being a man about it.”

  “Speak for yourself.” Caleb pushed past Noah to go back to his horse, and he quickly jumped astride it. “Time will tell if you’re good enough for my sister.” He gave his horse a little kick and galloped off.

  Amar turned to Noah. “Is he always that much of a hot-head?”

  Noah laughed. “Always.”

  The week with Amar was idyllic for Rylee. He spent most of his days with her brothers in the field, but would sometimes stop in the stables or at the petting farm or wherever Rylee happened to be to check in on her or have lunch with her.

  The nights were even more wonderful. They spent them in her room, his room or in the guest quarters, making the most of their time together, exploring each other’s bodies or staying up to the wee hours of the morning just talking. She knew it would come to an end one day, but she hadn’t expected his last day to be so eventful.

  Everyone was gathered in the living room, as was the custom before dinner, having beer, cocktails, or in her father’s case, whiskey, when the doorbell rang.

  Rylee hadn’t been expecting anyone, and she certainly wasn’t prepared for Jeremy to come bounding in. He stopped dead in his tracks when he surveyed the room and saw Amar sitting next to her. All conversation immediately ceased at the unexpected visitor. Rylee could feel Amar tense up beside her as he sat on the arm of the couch where she and her parents were.

  Chynna looked across the room at her with questioning eyes. She had no idea why Jeremy had come. If she had, she would have never agreed to have him stop by.

  Her mother was the first to react. She was never one to lose her manners. “Jeremy,” she said, opening her arms toward him as he stood frozen at the doorway, “what a pleasant surprise.”

  “Mama Hart.” Jeremy accepted her hug even though shock and anger registered across his face at the sight of an interloper, who appeared to be embraced by his second family. “I didn’t know you had company,” he said as he walked into the room.

  “You know you’re always welcome here, boy.” Her father rose from the sofa and gave him a big bear hug. “Always.” He patted Jeremy’s back.

  Rylee noted his emphasis on the word always as if Amar’s hospitality in his home might be temporary.

  “Would you like a drink?” her father asked.

  “I think he needs one,” Caleb said from his usual perch by the mantel. “I’ll make it.” He rushed toward the wet bar and began throwing ice cubes into a tumbler.

  “Jeremy, I believe you know Amar Bishop,” Madelyn Hart offered, inclining her head toward Amar, who immediately rose to his feet.

  “Yes, we’ve met,” Jeremy said through clenched teeth before turning his gaze to Rylee. If she could blink and remove herself from this awkward position, she would. The way he looked at her with such hurt tore at her heart. “Rylee, how are you?”

  “I’m great,” Rylee eked out.

  Caleb walked over and handed Jeremy a glass of whiskey.

  “I can tell. You look happier than the last time I saw you.” Jeremy accepted the glass from Caleb and gulped it. He turned his gaze away from Rylee and placed it back on her father. “I’m sorry to come by without calling, but my father wanted me to give you some paperwork on the steers you were buying from us.” Jeremy reached behind him in his jeans pocket and produced an envelope. “I guess next time I’ll call first.”

  “Thanks,” Isaac Hart said, taking the package. “Why don’t we look these over right now?”

  “Dinner is served,” Peggy suddenly announced from the doorway.

  “Maybe not just yet then,” Isaac said. “How about some dinner, son?” He grabbed Jeremy by the shoulder and began walking him out of the room.

  Rylee turned to her mother and gave her a look. Her mother shrugged and rose to follow her husband. Noah, Chynna and Caleb couldn’t escape quick enough, leaving Rylee and Amar alone.

  Rylee turned to Amar. She could see he was seething at her father’s blatant disregard for his feelings in asking Jeremy to join them for dinner. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault,” he said with a frown. “This is your family’s home, and they are welcome to invite whomever they choose, no matter how much I disagree.”

  “We can leave,” Rylee offered. “Go out to dinner?”

  Amar shook his head. “I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.” He reached for Rylee’s hand and nearly dragged her to her feet. “Let’s go.”

  Dinner was an uncomfortable affair, probably worse than Amar’s first evening at the ranch. Everyone was on pins and needles waiting for a fight to break out between Amar and Jeremy. But neither man rose to challenge the other. Instead, they chose the ultimate face-off to see who could stare down whom.

  Rylee doubted it was a coincidence that Caleb happened to sit next to her, leaving Jeremy to sit next to Noah and Chynna. Her brother loved to stir the pot, and having both men stare each other down was just too hard for him to resist.

  “How’s Kenya doing?” Rylee asked, desperate to lighten the mood. She’d heard that Chynna’s twin had been cast in yet another big movie role.

  “Couldn’t be better. She begins filming in Carter Wright’s new movie soon,” Chynna answered.

  “Your sister, Kenya,” Amar asked, “She played Yvette in his other film and won the Oscar, right? She was brilliant.”

  Chynna smiled, beaming with pride. “Yes, she did.”

  “Weren’t you supposed to play that role?” Amar sipped his wine.

  “I was, but I’m a much better singer than I am an actress. Thank God Kenya stepped in.”

  “Where are you off to next?” Rylee asked, thankful a conversation had started.

  “I’m starting the European leg of my next tour and will be hitting London, Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels. I want to finish up before I’m into my second trimester.”

  “And you?” Jeremy asked, looking at Amar as he spoke. “Where are you off to now that Bishop Enterprises has expanded into the UK and is considering buying some hi-tech companies on the other side of the Atlantic?”

  Rylee turned to Amar and her brow shot up in surprise. In all of their long in-depth conversations, he’d mentioned nothing about going to Europe, and she had no idea what that would mean for their budding romance.

  Amar glared at Jeremy from across the table. He knew what the man was after. He wanted to cause trouble for him and Rylee, and he was off to a good start. Rylee was already giving him the doe-eyed look from his side as if he’d betrayed her by not telling her about his potential business move. The deal was still in the works, and the ink wasn’t even dry on it. How could Jeremy have known?

  Amar also noticed th
at Rylee’s parents and her brothers wanted to know the answer to Jeremy’s question. He had been completely upfront with them about his intentions toward Rylee, but now Jeremy was making him seem disingenuous, as if he planned to abandon Rylee just as soon as the deal was finished.

  “Nothing is set in stone,” Amar said. “We’re still fine- tuning the details.”

  “So you won’t be staying in Tucson?” Jeremy pressed, cocking his head to one side.

  “My plans, whatever they may be, are between Rylee and me,” Amar said directly to Jeremy.

  The two men stared at each other for several long seconds before Jeremy wiped his mouth with his napkin and rose from the table. “Mama Hart, thank you for dinner as always, but I really must be going. Isaac, we can conclude our business another time when it’s just family and when guests aren’t in town. And Rylee, I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other since you’ll have a lot of free time on your hands soon.”

  Jeremy flipped his cowboy hat to the women and turned on his heel to leave.

  Amar suddenly rose from the table, his dark eyes ablaze with fury, and nearly knocked the chair behind him to the floor. It was Caleb’s quick hand that caught it before the chair crashed. Amar would not tolerate being disrespected, least of all by Jeremy, a lesser man and one who didn’t hold a candle to him. He was ready to go outside and teach him a lesson he wouldn’t forget.

  “Easy now.” Noah rose from the other side of the table.

  The smug look on Jeremy’s face from the doorway was all Amar needed to settle down. He hated that he’d let the bastard get under his skin. Slowly, he sat back in his chair, refusing to look at Rylee as he reached for his wine glass and took a sip.

  “Now that was a powder keg situation,” Caleb said once Jeremy left.

  “Oh, shut up, Caleb,” the Hart family said in unison.