“I haven't met Marcy yet. I didn't know she was here.”
“Spring break. She's coming down with mom and dad.”
“Aren't your parents already here?”
“They'll be back with Marcy, Sofia, and Aury.”
“You think she'd like that?”
“It'll be a dry run for the ranch back in New Jersey. That's what she wanted but mom and dad aren't ready to give it over yet. Not just yet.”
“Well. I like the sound of all of this.” Caldwell nodded, and looked at his watch. “I have a show at ten. That's plenty of time to make love again and get a shower.”
“Caldwell…”
“Get used to it, belle. I'm gonna have you naked a lot.”
Epilogue
...Three weeks later…
Caldwell cleared his throat, and Fatima rolled her eyes.
“Chicken.” She teased her boyfriend. “Marcy, can we talk for a minute?”
Marcia looked up from her textbook. “Sure, sis. What’s up? I have a serious test next week and I—” She paused when saw how serious the look was on Fatima’s face. “Go ahead.”
Finally getting his act together, Caldwell took over. “You see, Marcy, dad’s been looking for someone to help with the books at Big Butte, and we think you might be perfect. I’m not a whiz with numbers and organization, not like you are. The ranch has been floundering since mom’s diagnosis and dad just wants someone to get it on track again. Tee suggested you, and he told me to ask.”
Clearly not expecting the question, Marcia blinked a few times. “You want me to run the ranch? I’m a horse rancher… this is a cattle ranch…”
Fatima shook her head. “We know that. Reg wants someone who can whip it into shape. I suggested you. Just to get it up and running. It’ll be great practice for the farm at home. Mom and dad are totally cool with it, and Lucy and I will be here to help with anything you need.”
Marcia looked between them. “There’s something else, isn’t there?”
After clearing his throat, Cald nodded. “Yes, there is.”
Fatima jumped back in. “Tate will be home this week. Cald and I decided it would be smarter for us to not be around as much as possible. But he’s still going to need someone to keep on his ass about the therapy. Caldwell is going to be staying with me. I just don’t want Tate to get pissed off at us and ruin his progress.”
“He’s pissed at you.” Marcia closed her book. “So I get to be the intermediary? The disciplinarian?”
“Well, no. Just make sure that he doesn’t stop with his routine.”
“That’s basically being a disciplinarian. You two are really going to chicken out and leave me here?”
Caldwell shook his head. “We’re not abandoning you. We’re just thinking that it’s better for everyone if we all get a break from one another. I mean, I essentially stole his girlfriend—or that’s how he’s going to see it. I don’t want to remind him every time that she walked away from him. I love my brother, and he needs time to heal in so many different ways. Being reminded of us isn’t going to help.”
It took Marcia a minute to think. She stared down at her book and back up at Fatima and Caldwell. Fatima really hoped she looked as neutral as possible; it hurt her heart too that Tate had gone so far to push her away. As grateful as she was for Caldwell, there was still healing she had to do. Marcia let out a long breath.
“Fine. Yes. I will handle Big Butte for you. But you still have to come out here and help with the ranch. I’m not just gonna run this place on my own.”
“No, no, of course not. We’ll both be here every day. Dad will too. We’re not abandoning the ranch, we’re just all overwhelmed by things.”
“Make sure you are. I run a tight ship. Or ranch as it were.”
“Thank you.” Caldwell hugged her.
* * *
The back door swung open to let Tate into the kitchen. The slight smile on his face as he crutched his way in slipped right off and his scowl was back.
“Plan on taking all the da Silva sisters to bed?” His words were clipped.
Fatima watched as Marcia stepped back from Caldwell who had been leaning in very close to look at an accounting issue. Her sister put her hands on her hips, and raked an assessing gaze over the figure standing there, huffing. “I’m not dealing with your bullshit, Mister Verhoven. I’m officially here to run the ranch and that’s it. Your attitude can promptly screw off.”
“My brother—”
“Was just looking at an accounting error and leaving.” She sliced through his words and threw a meaningful look at Fatima and Caldwell.
Catching Fatima under the elbow, Caldwell pulled her backwards, moving them to the front door. He tossed a nod at Marcia, and they headed out of the room.
“I don’t want to hate him.” Fatima sighed.
“I don’t either, but we’re not what he needs to see right now. I was hoping to be out of here by the time he got back.” Wrapping his arms around her, Cald dropped a kiss on her head. “He’ll come around, Tee. He will. He did this to himself, and we can’t take the blame. He’ll come around, belle. He will. I promise.”
She pursed her lips. His life was up to him now. She could still love him, but the man she was in love with was holding her tight.
“Take me back to the apartment. Ride me hard, put me up wet.”
“That sounds like a marvelous suggestion.”
Holding the door open, Caldwell helped Fatima down the stairs and led her out to the car.
* * *
Of course his stupid fucking brother was moving in on yet another woman. The rockstar brother always got the women, and why not make it a double with the two gorgeous sisters. He was glad that Caldwell and Fatima had left—though most of his anger was at Caldwell. He had done all he could to push Fatima away, and it worked.
To his chagrin.
“You know it's not polite to lurk in doorways. Especially when it’s still early spring and damn cold even for Texas. In or out, junior.”
Marcia had her hands on her hips and was staring at him. He used the crutch to shove the door closed, slamming it. Marcia gave him a look that clearly showed her displeasure at the slam. He hadn’t actually meant to slam it, but he didn’t know how much force to use. Though, once he saw her face, he was glad he had. “Don’t call me junior. My name is Tate.”
“I know your name. Your brother left me here to get this place in shape. And to keep you on track. So let’s not mince that up, shall we?” She turned to sit back down at the table.
“Wow, you are a bitch.”
Marcia looked over her shoulder. “I’m from Jersey, we’re all bitches. Deal.”
The End…
…for now.
Read more about the da Silvas and their friends in
Empire of Dirt
This book is a part of
Sable Hunter’s
World
Sable Hunter is a New York Times, USA Today bestselling author of over 60 books in 9 series. She writes sexy contemporary stories full of emotion and suspense. Her focus is cowboys and Louisiana, some with a hint of the supernatural. She aims to write a story that will make you laugh, cry and swoon.
Sable resides in Austin, Texas with her two dogs. Passionate about all animals, she has been known to charm creatures from a one ton bull to a family of raccoons. Sable can be found haunting cemeteries and battlefields
This is her world of magic, alpha heroes, sexy cowboys and hot, steamy to-die-for sex.
Step into the shoes of her heroines and escape to places where right prevails, love conquers all and holding out for a hero is not an impossible dream.
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About the Author
Katherine Rhodes
Armed with
a pen name, Katherine Rhodes has gird her loins and set her mind to writing erotic romances which are kinky, dirty, and fun. As a lackadaisical laundry goddess, and an expert in the profundities of bad music, terrible movies and awful literature—thanks to her husband—Katherine strives to find balance in the universe and time to cook dinner. An East Coast dweller, currently located in the Philadelphia Tristate area, she is the proud servants of three cats and would take a vacation in Prague over a day at the beach any time…
www.katherinerhodes.com
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KATHERINE RHODES
CONTEMPORARY
CLUB IMPERIAL
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Knots
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THE ORIGIN STORIES
Penumbra: Equinox
Penumbra: Solstice
The Art of Dying
The Art of Living
THE FACTION STORIES
Apathetic Avengers
The Natural Order of Things
The Royals of Grand Island
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SKELETON KEY
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Princess of the Plains Page 11