by Vicki Green
Table of Contents
Back to Country
Dedication
Back to Country
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
Vicki's Books
About the Author
Back to Country
Vicki Green
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Kindle Edition
Vicki Green Copyright 2016/2017©
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form with authorization of the Author Vicki Green©
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*Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18+.
Dedication
To all readers,
I dedicate this final story of my Country Love series to you.
Thank you for coming on this journey with me.
Back to Country
Success is hard work,
Finding the right woman is even harder
Nash Harris comes from a good family and wealth. His pa had one of the best horse breeding ranches in Texas. After Pa died, Nash felt there were too many memories there for him to stay. He sold the ranch and moved to Montana, finding the perfect place to start over. He made friends quickly but there’s one woman who catches his eye that won’t give him the time of day. He may just have to up his game.
Tina Brogdon. She’s your typical overzealous girl, yet beneath it all she’s shy around guys. After moving to Montana to follow her bestie, she finds her new hometown a wonderful place to begin her young life. Tina has met a few hot and sexy men here and even in the next town over but none of them give her the ‘spark’ she’s looking for. Then a fiery redhead arrives and her panties go up in flames. Her non filter is normal but now she’s a bumbling idiot whenever he is near.
Chapter One
Nash
Life has a way of takin’ bad things and turnin’ them around to be good. The bad things are pretty hard to get through. Hell sometimes they just about make you wonder if life is worth livin’. Losin’ Pa just about killed me. It was hard enough not havin’ a ma. I was pretty young when she passed away, so I don’t really remember her. At least Pa was there and the men who worked for him. I grew up in a lovin’ family, but I guess bein’ raised without a ma made me tougher than some. Then harder times fell. I had decisions to make. Continue here with Pa’s ranch, the place I grew up, or do somethin’ different. Start over. Hell if that wasn’t a tough thing to do. I’d seen about this town in Montana, so I’d talked about it with Manuel, the man who I grew up to know as kind of a second pa to me, Pa’s right hand man, and we made the move. Wasn’t easy, at first, but I’d found a nice size piece of land, with a house almost like a plantation. It was really too big for just me, but I’d hoped I’d meet a gal – someday, and have a family. I was lucky all the men were willin’ to move with us. Good bunch of fellas.
After we moved and got the horses and cows settled, I met a lot of nice folks. I pretty much felt comfortable here soon after. Now my neighbors, they had some tough times – had to help ‘em out a bit, but it only made us closer pretty fast. They’re good people and in a short time we’ve become family. I needed that.
I haven’t had time for any gals in my life, for quite some time. Not since college. But as soon as I settled into the town, okay really as soon as I got to town, I couldn’t keep my eyes off a particular owner of the coffee shop there. She came here from the city a while back. Her friend Sadie and she own it. Thing is, this Tina gal may not know a lot about country, but she’s beautiful and kinda shy. She tries not to act like it around guys. I’ve watched her. See, she’s the best kind of beautiful. Outside sure, but, also inside. Yet, she doesn’t know she is. Now, I’ve asked her out ‘cept she’s always so busy at her shop and with Sadie just havin’ twins, she never has time to get away. It’s gettin’ pretty frustratin’.
So many times I’ve had a hankerin’ to go into town, walk straight into the coffee shop, take Tina by her arms, and kiss the hell outta her. What stopped me? Fear? Nerves? Maybe. Mostly because it’s always busy so she’s never alone. I love the friends I’ve made here, but damn if they’re not always around. I mean, what’s it gonna take to be able to take Tina out and get to know the gal I want to be mine? Last night, I had her alone for all of ten minutes, offerin’ to drive her to the hospital to see Shiloh since she was havin’ her baby, but all she did was sputter and choke on her words. Then Trevor and Prie walked into the shop sayin’ they were takin’ her. Guess I’ll have to figure out another way to get her alone. ‘Round here, don’t think it’s gonna be that easy.
When I get up to the hospital, everyone’s in the waitin’ room on the maternity floor where the nurse directed me. Trevor and Memphis are talkin’ over in one corner, while Tina, Prie, and Sadie are sittin’ in the middle row of seats. Tina’s eyes flash up to mine then look over at the gals quickly. She’s a fireball. Her mouth has no filter, but then she changes quickly and is shy every time I’m near her. I love that I make her feel that way. Love the way a soft blush covers her cheeks any time I smile at her. Love that she finds it hard to form a coherent sentence when she talks to me. When we bonked heads over at Colby’s house after the weddin’s – yeah, they do things a little different here. Two weddin’s in one night, thanks to Trevor proposin’ to Prie right on the spot. I reached out to steady Tina after hittin’ heads, and a strange feelin’ surged through me. It was the weirdest thing. I’ve never felt anythin’ like it. I dated some in high school and college. Hell I even had a girlfriend the last couple years in college but nothin’ ever felt like that. In fact, Blair my ex-girlfriend – just thinkin’ her name makes me shiver, all of a sudden has been textin’ and emailin’ me in the last few months. Not sure why. Said somethin’ like she’d heard I’d moved out here to Montana, gotten myself set up on a ranch, and wanted to come see me.
No.
Fuckin’.
Way.
The woman’s a tad crazy, if ya ask me. Turns out, she’d ended up bein’ a leech, wantin’ only two things from me. Sex and money. After Pa passed, it was no secret I’d inherited his small fortun
e, everythin’ he’d made with his hard work and sweat. ‘Course, up til then, I hadn’t heard from her. Not once. Bad thing is, her pa was good friends with mine. Old college buddies. He seemed to be a good man. From what I’ve learned, he’s got his own mess of health problems. I’ll be damned if she thinks she’s comin’ back into my life now. Ain’t got time for her nonsense.
“Nash!”
I smile as I walk over to the guys and stand before them. “Hey, ya’ll. How’s our gal doin’? We got a baby yet?” It strikes me that we don’t even know if it’s gonna be a girl or boy or their name. Colby and Shiloh have never let on. Guess they want it to be a surprise.
Memphis looks up at me and smiles. “Nope, not yet. Colby was in here a while ago and said it could be any minute.”
Any minute a new life will enter this crazy world. Back in the day, workin’ on our ranch in Texas, I’d thought ‘bout havin’ kids someday. I’d love to leave my family’s legacy to someone. Don’t matter if it’s a girl or boy. I walk over and sit down on the other side of Memphis, makin’ me a bit closer to Tina, who’s sittin’ at the end of the row of chairs with the gals. Her eyes twitch over to me and back to them and I have a hard time containin’ my smile. She feels me, just like I feel her. There’s no doubt in my mind. Sounds enter the room and I tear my eyes away from her, reluctantly, and see Colby walkin’ in, a big ol’ smile on his face. Everyone stands and starts walkin’ toward him, eagerly awaitin’ news. I stand and join them just as he claps Memphis on his shoulder.
“He’s here! Colt Matthew Carter, weighin’ in at seven pounds, nine ounces.” My smile rises as I watch Memphis punch his arm, Trevor givin’ Colby a pat on his back and the gals chatter all around us. A son, one that will continue his family’s legacy one day. I’m happy for them.
“Congrats, Colby. A son. He’ll do you right proud,” Memphis says still smilin’.
Colby’s smile can’t be matched though, his energy and pride showin’. “I gotta get back to them. They were cleanin’ him up so I haven’t gotten to hold him yet, but I wanted to come tell our family the news.” Family. Guess that’s ‘bout right. Everyone in here is so close and considered family. Just don’t know if I’m included in that. Haven’t been here that long to really be called that – in my eyes. Probably just sayin’ that ‘cos everyone else is. Would love to fall into that group, one day. Suddenly, I feel a strong hand on my shoulder, and I look into Colby’s eyes. He speaks to me and then looks at everyone else too. “I’ll let ya’ll know when you can come see him.” He pats my shoulder and then turns. I’m a bit shocked as I watch him leave the room. Maybe he does feel I’m part of the family. Shakin’ my head, I follow everyone back to sittin’ down, the room filled with chatter and laughin’. The feelin’s in the room have changed from intense waitin’ to happiness in a split second.
It didn’t take long before a nurse walks into the room, tellin’ us that a few of us at a time can go see the baby. Of course, bein’ the gentlemen we are, we tell the girls to go first. We could tell they were bitin’ at the bit to get their hands on the baby. They all walk through the room, headin’ toward the hallway. I notice Tina lookin’ back at me from over her shoulder before they walk through the doorway. Her hair is still curly from the weddin’s tonight, still hangin’ long down her back. God, she spurs fire in my veins with just a look.
“What’s got ya all flustered there, Nash?”
I turn my head, reachin’ over my shoulder and rubbin’ the back of my heated neck, and look at Trevor. He’s got this all-knowin’ look on his face, smilin’ big. “Nothin’. Don’t know what you’re talkin’ ‘bout.” Shit! He knows. Not sure why I want it to be a secret. Not like anythin’s gonna happen any time soon. If ever. Not if I can’t get her alone.
“Yeah, yeah. Not like every time ya see Tina ya don’t get this look ‘bout ya.” He winks, his smile spreadin’. He walks over and sits down. Memphis is lookin’ up at me from his chair, smilin’ to beat the band too. I start walkin’ over to them and stop.
“Is it really that obvious?” I rub my neck again, suddenly noticin’ my hearts beatin’ pretty fast, and my whole body feels really warm.
Memphis chuckles. “Well, maybe not to everyone but we’ve gotten to know ya pretty well. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with what you’re feelin’, Nash. Tina’s a pretty gal. Would make someone a mighty good girlfriend.”
“Or wife,” Trevor adds, still smilin’ big.
“Aww, cut it out, guys,” I say, my own smile plastered on my face. I sit down next to Trevor and he play punches my arm. I quickly try to think of somethin’ to change the subject and look over at Memphis. “How’s Jared and Evie doin’? They sure are cute kids.” Nice save. I think.
He sits back and folds his arms over his chest, lookin’ all prideful. “Right good, thanks. They’re growin’ like weeds. Seems like every mornin’ they’ve grown overnight. Gonna be helpin’ out on the farm quicker than I think.” He chuckles.
After hearin’ all the stories about how he and Sadie met, what all they went through to be together and then the scares they went through with Colby and Shiloh, it makes their babies births so much more meaningful. I mean, she might not have had them if it wasn’t for their strength in each other and their friends turned family helpin’ them. They all started out as strangers, ‘cept Memphis and Colby. Trevor and Shiloh were friends before too, and they helped them as well. Brought together in the strangest ways yet made them close. Closer than family. Ain’t gonna lie and say I wasn’t a little worried ‘bout gettin’ to know them, at first, thinkin’ maybe I’d moved to the wrong place with everythin’ that happened. But it wasn’t long before I realized they just had hard times hit them, things that would make a grown man shake in his boots. They all stuck together through it all, helping each other overcome them together. Wish I had known them back then. I’da helped them too.
“And how’s Fancy doin’. Bet she’s growin’ up mighty fine,” I ask Trevor. He’d bought Fancy from me to give to Prie, kinda as a weddin’ present. But I think the new big addition to their ranch was the thing she loved the most. Me and the guys helped build it, and it turned out perfect. It’s a house for battered women and their kids. Trevor and I had kind of a run in shortly after we first met. Ya see, Prie and I became such good friends so fast. I even made a move on her at my place one time but after kissin’ her, it felt like kissin’ a sister I never had. Trevor caught us and got pretty riled up. Even hit me. Gave me a one helluva black eye and cut my lip. Guess I didn’t blame him though. I’da done the same thing if it were me. After that, he and I became pretty close friends, made me and Prie become even closer. I offered to have Prie’s friend Grant from her home town stay with me the night of the weddin’s and even a few days after that. Pretty cool guy but made me a little nervous, at first. Come to find out he’s gay. Now, don’t get all riled up. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with that if that’s your fancy. He just made me a little leery at first, always touchin’ me with pats on my arms, and the way he’d look at me sometimes. Nice guy though and funny as hell. He went home but promised to come back for a visit.
“Fancy is doing fantastic!” We all look up and see Prie and Tina walking into the room. Prie comes over and sits down next to Trevor. Her arm slides through his as she gives him a kiss. She looks at me, and I notice Tina sittin’ down on the other side of her. Away from me. “Trevor’s been training her. She’s so beautiful. I love her!” She then turns and looks into Trevor’s eyes, the love pourin’ from them. I might be feelin’ just a bit jealous at what they have.
“Uh, you all can go in and see the baby now,” Tina says uncomfortably. She’s lookin’ at Trevor and Prie, watchin’ them.
I look up as Memphis stands and claps his hands. “Well hell. I ain’t waitin’. I can’t wait to see Colt.” He walks off and as I stand to go with him, I see Trevor kiss Prie again, a little longer this time, then he stands and joins m
e. We walk together, not missin’ Tina lookin’ up at me as we leave the room. When we arrive at the doorway of Shiloh’s room, Sadie walks out, some wetness around her eyes. I watch the look of concern on Memphis’ face, how he softens as she walks straight into his arms. I’m mesmerized by their love for each other, how in tune they are. “There. There now. I knew seein’ him would get ya all weepy,” Memphis whispers, pullin’ back some of her long hair, his arms still around her.
My thinkin’ – a man needs to take care of his woman, protect her, fill her with his love, and keep her satisfied with it in all ways. These folks do that and more. This is somethin’ I hadn’t realized I’d been missin’, too busy to think about, but feelin’ it every time I’m around them. Also, a man has needs, desires. So do women. I’m a gentleman and don’t partake in any one night stands. I have to get to know a woman, feel I want to be with her, and feel somethin’ inside, and know that she wants to be with me. Not sayin’ I don’t have any experience. But with mine, it was with the wrong woman. And that, no one should have to go through. I shiver. I need to get busy and get Tina alone. And soon.
Now, I’ve only held two babies in my lifetime – Jared and Evie, and even then I was pretty uncomfortable. They’re so small and fragile. I had to sit down both times ‘cos I was afraid I’d drop them. This time was no different. I was just gonna watch the others, share in the celebration of life through them. Until Trevor walked over holdin’ Colt and plopped him right into my arms. Glad I was close to a chair where I could sit down, slowly. He’s soft and smells really good, and he’s so light in my arms that if I wasn’t lookin’ I’d swear I wasn’t holdin’ anythin’.