Brayden : A Beckett Brothers Novel Book 1 (The Beckett Brothers) by Susan Fisher-Davis (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brayden

The Beckett Brothers

Book One

Susan Fisher-Davis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erotic Romance

 

BRAYDEN, a Beckett Brothers Novel, Book 1

Copyright © 2017 Susan Fisher-Davis

First E-book Publication: September 2017

Cover design by Amy Valentini

Edited by Amy Valentini/Romancing Editorially

Cover photo by Cover Me Photography with Orestis Papapetrou

All cover art copyright © 2017 by Susan Fisher-Davis

 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

 

PUBLISHER: Blue Whiskey Publishing

Susan Davis

www.susanfisherdavisauthor.com

 

ABOUT THE E-BOOK YOU HAVE PURCHASED: Your non-refundable purchase of this e-book allows you to only ONE LEGAL copy for your own personal reading on your own personal computer or device. You do not have resell or distribution rights without the prior written permission of both the publisher and the copyright owner of this book. This book cannot be copied in any format, sold, or otherwise transferred from your computer to another through upload to a file sharing peer to peer program, for free or for a fee, or as a prize in any contest. Such action is illegal and in violation of the U.S. Copyright Law. Distribution of this e-book, in whole or in part, online, offline, in print or in any way or any other method currently known or yet to be invented, is forbidden. If you do not want this book anymore, you must delete it from your computer.

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

 

 

 

 

Acknowledgments

 

To Becky McGraw, for the amazing photo and to Orestis Papapetrou, for being Brayden.

I can’t thank you both enough.

To Amy Valentini, my wonderful editor, cover artist, and friend. You are the best!

To my husband, Rob, for pushing me to do this and knowing when to let me alone

when I disappear into my cave. I love you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dedication

 

To Toby, Sandra, Kelly, and Dedee...you are the best betas an author could wish for.

I love all of you and appreciate you more than you could ever know.

 

A special thank you to Sandra White for helping me when I had questions about death row and prison, and trust me, I had a LOT of questions. She never hesitated to help me and for that, I will always be grateful. I know I had to drive you crazy, Sandra!

 

To the women in the KPO group. I love every one of you.

 

And to those of you reading this, thank you.

I couldn’t do it without you. I hope you all enjoy the first book in the Beckett Brothers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter One

 

 

His arms folded across his chest, Brayden Beckett leaned against the front fender of his truck and surveyed the house he’d purchased through an online auction. Freedom had never tasted so good.

Five hundred acres of lush green fields stretched out behind the sprawling rancher with the Glacier Mountains rising in the distance. Three red barns sat about a hundred yards from the house. Each barn contained fifteen stalls, a tack room, feed, hay bedding, tools, as well as wash and grooming areas. He had walked through each barn earlier and wondered what had happened to the previous owner since it looked as if the whole setup had been vacant for quite a while. The house itself contained four bedrooms, a den, an office, dining room, as well as eat-in kitchen, and a large great room with the biggest stone fireplace he’d ever seen. This place was a home made for a family. A family he’d never have.

Taking a deep breath of the fresh air, he glanced around him. It was a beautiful day, the sun beat down on his shoulders, and the rays felt good on his bare arms. His Stetson shaded his eyes and hid his face from the sun, and although the heat from the day had sweat trickling down between his shoulder blades, he welcomed it. Standing there lost in thought, he glanced over his shoulder when he heard a vehicle coming up the driveway and unintentionally stiffened up when he saw the SUV with the Sheriff’s Department and K-9 logos on it.

Rolling his shoulders to ease the tension, he pushed away from the truck, and watched an officer step from the vehicle and stride toward him. The man had a no-nonsense look about him with his aviator sunglasses hiding his eyes and his black Stetson sitting low on his forehead. It suddenly came to Brayden who he was. The man stopped within a few feet of Brayden with a look of shock on his face.

Brayden grinned.

“Brayden?” the man asked as he removed his sunglasses.

Brayden softly chuckled. “Gray,” he said, then shook his head slightly as if in disbelief before adding, “Why am I not surprised you would be the first damn cop I see when I get back in town?”

Grayson Beckett grinned at him then pulled him into a hug. “It’s so good to see you. Where in the hell have you been? You got out months ago.”

Brayden shrugged as his stared at his younger brother. “Up there.” He nodded with his chin toward the Glacier Mountains.

Gray leaned next to him against the front of his truck. “In the Park?”

“Yeah. That one and Yellowstone. I had to feel the freedom, Gray.”

“I can understand that. You win the bid on Lily’s Valley?”

“Lily’s Valley?” Brayden frowned.

Gray jerked his chin in the direction of the ranch. “This is Lily’s Valley, or it used to be at one time.”

Glancing around the property, Brayden shrugged. “I didn’t know the name of it. I just found it online and won the bid on it. I decided it was time to come home.”

“Have you seen Mom and Dad yet?”

“No. I just arrived about two hours ago. I’ll get there.”

“You’d better, before they find out you’re here.” Gray grinned at him.

“I know. I just needed to soak this in. It’s good to be back but—”

“No buts, Brayden. No one in this town believed you were guilty. No one.”

“I know but I’m sure I’ll get stares. I’m sure everyone thought I’d stay in Texas.”

Gray tilted his head. “So, why didn’t you?”

Brayden pushed away from the truck. “I can’t stay there. It’s nothing but bad memories when it started out so good.”

“Well, it’s good to have you home. I just happened to be driving by and noticed the gates were open. I thought I’d better check it out. I’m glad I did.”

“Where is everyone? JD? Gage? Ash? Dani?”

“JD and Gage are still on the circuit, although they stop in at their factory once in a while. Those boots sure do sell great. He and JD have a goldmine there. Ash is busy with the feed he grows. That organic feed for horses and cattle took off like wildfire. And Dani is busy being a mom.” Gray looked at him. “You need to go see them.”

Brayden blew out a breath. “I will.” Then as if he couldn’t wait to change the subject, he asked, “Do you happen to know the veterinarian in town?”

“We don’t have one in Hartland any longer. Everyone goes into Clifton to see Doctor Tessa Garrett.”

Brayden nodded and lifted a brow. “What happened to Doc Carter?”

“He retired and Tess bought the hospital from him. She’s the best though.”

“Wait. You said Garrett. Any relation to Sam and Katie?”

“Sam’s wife.” Gray smiled at him.

“Yeah, I remember Mom telling me Sam got married when she came to see me.”

“Tess is great. Katie’s married too. To Riley Madison.”

Brayden burst out laughing. “I bet that went over real well with Sam.”

Gray chuckled. “It sure as hell didn’t at first. You know how Sam warned all of his friends to stay away from his baby sister, and then she goes and marries his best friend.”

“We were the same with Dani. I’m anxious to finally meet my niece and nephew. Get to know her husband too.”

“Sundance is a great guy and those kids are great. Mia and Spencer are adorable.”

“I’ll go see everyone after I talk to the vet.” Brayden stared off into the distance again. Freedom. Some people just didn’t understand just how precious it was.

“What do you plan to do here?”

“I want to turn this place into a rescue for horses, burros, and ponies.” Brayden gave him a slight smile. “It’s what Maisy and I were planning to do before...”

“Tess will love you for that. Just go talk to her then visit Mom and Dad.” Gray pulled him into another hug. “It really is good to have you back.”

Brayden blinked back tears from his eyes. He loved his family and he’d missed them so much. Seeing them for only two hours per week wasn’t enough and he couldn’t hug them when he so desperately wanted to. When Dani visited him the first time, all she did was sit on the other side of the partition and cry. He knew it broke her heart seeing her big brother in prison and the fact that he wouldn’t be at her wedding. She married the love of her life and now has two children Brayden had yet to meet. He slapped Gray on the back and pulled away from him.

“I’m going to head into Clifton,” he said.

Gray nodded. “We’ll get together soon.” He turned away but then back to face him. “I’m really glad you’re home.”

“Me too.”

Brayden watched as Gray drove off then he climbed into his truck and drove to Clifton. After parking the truck in the parking lot of the Clifton Animal Hospital, he entered the building where he saw a young woman sitting behind the counter. He didn’t recognize her but since she only looked to be in her early twenties, she probably didn’t know him either.

“Hi, can I help you?” She smiled up at him.

“I’d like to speak to Doctor Garrett if she’s available.”

The woman frowned up at him. “Do you have an appointment?”

She glanced around him as if looking for an animal.

“No. I’m…new in town and I just spoke with the sheriff and he suggested I talk with her.”

“Sheriff Garrett told you to come by?” Was he imagining it or did her voice go all dreamy?

“No, Sheriff Beckett but if she’s busy, I can come back.”

“I’ll check,” she told him and picked up the phone. As she spoke into it, he gazed around. It was a nice place for a small town. The waiting room had several plastic chairs sitting along the walls and the floor boasted shiny black and white tiles. “She’ll be right out.”

“Thank you.” Brayden smiled.

A few minutes later, he saw a tall, raven-haired beauty walking toward him with a smile on her face.

“I’m Doctor Garrett,” she said as she stuck her hand out to him.

“Hi, I’m Brayden Beckett. I bought the ranch called Lily’s Valley in Hartland, and I’m planning to turn it into a rescue ranch for equine.” Brayden took her hand in his and ran his eyes over her. Sam was a lucky man.

A big grin lit up her face. “That’s wonderful. It’s a great ranch for that. Plenty of pasture and the barns are in great shape. I made trips out there to care for the horses before it went to auction and the horses were sold.”

“I’m wondering if you know of a vet you could recommend for full time work on the ranch. Preferably one who specializes in equines?”

“I’m the only vet close by. There used to be one in Hartland but he closed a while back and Doc Carter, who used to run this hospital, may be able to help out occasionally but he’s retired.”

“Yeah, I know all about that. I was actually born and raised in Hartland. I do appreciate that, but I’d rather have someone at the ranch full time. Possibly live on the property. In case of emergencies,” Brayden said as he rested an elbow on the counter.

“You look familiar, should I know you? I haven’t been in Clifton a long time, but…” She frowned up at him.

“My brother is Grayson Beckett,” Brayden said and waited for the axe to fall but all she did was smile at him.

“That’s where I see the resemblance.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry I can’t help you with a vet but I could make trips out there if you need me until you find someone.”

“I appreciate that.” Thanking her for her time, he put his fingers to the brim of his Stetson, and walked out.

After getting into his truck, he stared out the front windshield not even seeing his surroundings. He wanted a vet on the property or at least living very close by. Inhaling deeply, and shaking his head as he exhaled, he turned the key to start the truck, put it in gear, and drove to his parents’ house. After parking by the back door, he climbed out of the cab and walked up the steps. It had been a long time. Now taking a deep breath, he knocked and waited.

The door opened and there stood his father, Chester Beckett. Brayden watched as a tear rolled down the man’s weathered cheek and without saying a word, his dad pulled him into a tight hug. Brayden wrapped his arms around his father and couldn’t stop his tears either. Chester pulled back from him and smiled then spoke over his shoulder.

“Lori? Hon, we have company,” he called out then pulled Brayden into the kitchen.

Brayden entered the kitchen and glanced around. It still looked the same as when he was a young boy. The white cupboards with black hardware matched the big square tiled floor. The white appliances sat nestled between red marble countertops. Brayden heard a gasp behind him then spun around just in time to catch his mother as she ran to him throwing her arms around him. She sobbed against his shoulder as he held her tight against him. He leaned his cheek on the top of her head as more tears slipped down his face. He squeezed his eyes closed as he held her. He’d missed her so much. She was such a loving mother and he’d missed her touch so much. He felt his dad’s arms go around both of them.

After a few minutes, his mother pulled back from him and cupped his cheek in her hand.

“Where have you been?” she asked him.

Brayden grinned. “Camping out in the great outdoors. I spent a lot of time in Yellowstone and Glacier National Park. I had to do it. I had to know I could.”

“I understand. I’m glad you did but when you were released and didn’t come home, I was so worried.”

“I’m sorry, Mom. Dad. I just had to be alone. I know that sounds strange since I was in solitary confinement all those years, but this was different. I could open my eyes every morning and see the beautiful sun and sky. I could take a deep breath of fresh air.”

“All that matters is that you’re home now,” his dad said with a big grin splitting his face.

“I bought a property outside of town. Gray showed up while I was there. He told me it was once known as Lily’s Valley.”

“Nice property. I looked into that one but found another one I liked better. I think it’s a great property though.”

Brayden smiled. His father made a living out of buying up property and flipping it by selling it or renting it out. He mostly dealt with foreclosed properties. It was how he made his money and he made a lot of it doing that. Although, the family didn’t actually need the extra money because his mother’s father had been rich and when he passed away, he left all of them a good bit of money. Brayden had money now too, and not just from his grandfather.

“Can you stay for dinner?” his mom asked him.

“Sure. I do want to go see Dani later, if it’s not too late and Ash too. I suppose I’ll have to wait a while to see JD and Gage.”

His dad shook his head with a grin. “Those two love bull riding.”

“Yeah, they do. Ash did for a while too.” Brayden gave a mock shudder. “Not me.”

“Go sit in the living room with your dad and I’ll start dinner.” His mom hugged him again then shooed them both out of her kitchen.

Later after dinner, Brayden kissed his mom on the cheek, hugged his dad, and then headed out to his truck. Taking a deep breath of fresh air, he knew he’d stop at Ash’s place on the way back to the ranch. After getting the address from his parents, he headed for his other brother’s place. As the oldest of the siblings, Brayden always watched over his brothers and sister. But he’d missed five years of seeing them grow up except when they’d visited him and sat behind a glass partition. It got to the point where he dreaded seeing them because they were all growing up in front of him, but he didn’t get to enjoy it.

He’d always been closest to Ash since they were only a year apart in age—Ash, now thirty-five to Brayden’s thirty-six. Then came Gray who was thirty-three, Gage at thirty-one, Jesse—JD to all who know him—twenty-nine, and little sister, Dani who was twenty-seven.

Pulling onto the driveway of Ash’s ranch, Brayden looked around and thought it a beautiful place. At dinner, his mother told him each of his siblings had purchased land and built their homes with the money their grandfather left them. Brayden hadn’t touched that money yet. Once he knew his release date, he began making plans to return to Hartland, Montana. Home. Shaking his head, he never thought he’d think of this as home again. Texas had been home for a long time, but the last five years had made him want to do nothing more than get away from there.

He stopped the truck, threw the gear into Park, opened the door, and stepped out. Glancing around, he saw a cowboy walking toward him. Brayden gave him a nod when he stopped in front of him.

“Can I help you, sir?” the young ranch hand asked him.

Sir? Damn, he knew he was older than this kid, but seriously…sir? “Uh, yeah. Is Ash around?”

“He’s in his office in the barn. Is he expecting you?” He tipped his hat back with his thumb then placed his hands on his hips and stared up at Brayden.

Brayden bit back a grin. Cocky little watchdog. “No, but he’ll want to see me. Where is the office?”

The kid stared at him then gave a nod for Brayden to follow him. Once inside the barn, the kid led him down the aisle then glanced over his shoulder at Brayden.

“I’ll let him know you’re here. What’s your name?”

“I’d rather you didn’t. Which door?”

“Mister, I’m not losing my job over you. Name?”

Brayden stared at him and drew himself up to his full six foot five height then narrowed his eyes at him. “You won’t. I can promise you that. Which door?”

The kid hesitated then pointed to a door on the left. “You’d better at least knock. Ash hates it when he’s interrupted.”

Brayden chuckled. “All the more reason to do it.”

He stepped around the ranch hand, strode to the door, and pulled it open then without a word, entered the room.

“You’d better have a fucking good reason for entering without knocking,” Ash Beckett growled without raising his head.

“I came to see you, asshole,” Brayden said as he leaned back against the door and folded his arms.

Ash’s head snapped up and his eyes narrowed then a huge grin split his face as he stood then moved around the desk and strode to Brayden.

“Brayden,” he said in a choked voice right before he pulled him into a bear hug.

Brayden laughed and slapped his brother on the back. “Good to see you, Ash.”

“You too, Brayden. Where the fuck have you been?”

Brayden mentally shook his head. He should have just told everyone where he was going when he was released so he wouldn’t have to tell them all over, and over again.

“Camping.”

Ash nodded. “I can see that. Come on, let’s go inside the house, and have a beer. Have you seen anyone else yet?”

“I just had dinner with Mom and Dad. It was good to see them. I saw Gray earlier.” They walked out of the office and Brayden noticed the ranch hand standing in the aisle. Brayden gave him a nod and the kid let out a sigh of relief.

“Alex, this is my brother, Brayden. Brayden, this is Alex Marche, one of my ranch hands,” Ash said introducing them to each other.

Brayden stuck his hand out. “Nice to meet you, Alex. I told you, you wouldn’t lose your job.”

“If you’d told me you were his brother, I wouldn’t have been so nervous, but I see the resemblance now.”

Ash and Brayden chuckled then walked out of the barn, crossed the yard, and entered the house. After too much talking, and a few too many beers, Brayden didn’t get home until late.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Two

 

 

When he entered his home later, the red light on the answering machine was blinking. Walking to it, he pushed the button and grinned when he heard his father in-law’s voice.

“Hello, Brayden. I just wanted to see how you were doing, son. Call me when you get a chance.” James Greene had never doubted his innocence. Glancing at the clock, he saw it was only nine, so he picked up the phone and called James.

“Hi, James,” Brayden said after the man answered.

“Hi, Brayden, so how are things going at the new property and finding a vet?”

“The place is great, but I’m not having much luck in finding a fulltime vet to work here. This town and the next one over are rather small and between the two, have only one vet.”

“What about Melissa?”

“Melissa?” Frowning, Brayden hoped he wasn’t referring to the same Melissa he was thinking he was.

“Melissa Conroy, Maisy’s best friend. You don’t remember her?”

Melissa Conroy.

Brayden’s breath seemed to catch in his throat. He hadn’t heard her name in a long time. She and his wife, Maisy, had been inseparable and she’d even been Maisy’s maid of honor in their wedding. Her long coffee-colored hair had fallen in waves around her shoulders and her brown eyes always seemed to have a mischievous sparkle to them. A pert nose sat above a sexy pair of lush lips and even right now, his dick was trying like hell to snap to attention just thinking about her. It had been far too long since he’d been with a woman. He’d sought one right after his release but that had been months ago before he’d headed for the mountains.

“I think I do,” he lied.

“Well, she’s a veterinarian and the last I heard, she was looking for work. Some big company purchased the hospital she worked at and they let a lot of good people go.”

“What makes you think she’d want to come to Montana?”

“I’m not saying she would, but it couldn’t hurt to ask her. She’s single so she doesn’t have to worry about moving a family if she is interested in the job.”

“I could call her, I suppose.” Blowing out a breath, he wasn’t sure it was a good idea.

James’s laugh came across the line. “Don’t sound so chipper about it. You don’t have to call her just because I suggested it. I just happen to know she’s looking for work.”

“You have her number, don’t you?”

“I have it somewhere––”

“Yeah, yeah…just give me the damn number,” Brayden growled. Knowing James as well as he did, he knew James had the number in his hand.

James chuckled and told him the number. “Give her a call. It’s only a little after nine. She may be what you need. Gotta run. I’ll talk to you later.” His father-in-law hung up.

She may be what you need.

Surely, James hadn’t meant anything by that—had he?

Carrying the phone to the table, he pulled out a chair and took a seat then after staring at it for a minute or so, he dialed the number James had given him. His groin twitched when a soft feminine voice answered.

“Hello?”

Clearing his throat, he spoke into the phone. “Hello. I’m looking for Melissa Conroy.”

“Why?”

“Why?” Brayden repeated with a frown.

“Yes. Why are you looking for her?”

“I’d like to offer her a job.”

“What kind of job?”

“Christ, woman. Can I talk to her or not?” he growled through clenched teeth and ran his hand around the back of his neck.

A chuckle came over the line. “Temper, temper. What can I do for you, Mister…?”

“Beckett. Brayden Beckett––”

“Brayden?”

“Melissa, is that you?”

“Yes. How…how are you?”

“Fine. You?” Christ, he hated small talk on the phone—or anywhere else for that matter.

“I’ve been better since I’m between jobs right now. Wait. You said you wanted to offer me a job?”

“I do, but if you don’t want it—”

“I do.”

“Melissa, it’s in Montana.”

“Oh. How did you wind up there?”

“I bid on a property here when I…got out. I wanted to get away from Texas. I moved back home to Hartland.” Silence greeted him. “Melissa?”

“Yes, I’m here. How did you know to call me?”

“James told me about your job situation.” He sighed. “Look, I can understand if you’re not interested.”

“I am. Really, I am. Tell me about it.”

“I’m opening an equine rescue and sanctuary––”

“Equine rescue? You’re doing that for Maisy, aren’t you?”

“We had both wanted to do it,” he muttered as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Had she always interrupted folks this much when he knew her before?

“I’d love to work for you,” she said quietly.

“Well, I’d like to talk to you in person first and let you look around…you know, get a feel for things.”

“Fine. When?”

“As soon as you could get here, I suppose. The sooner I get started, the better.”

“All right. Give me the address and I’ll see about getting a flight out.”

“I’ll pay for it––”

“No, Brayden, you will not. I’ll call you back to let you know when I’ll be arriving.” She hung up after getting his phone number.

Shaking his head, he hung up the phone and suddenly had a feeling he was going to regret this. Sighing, he stood then strode out the back door to head for the barn. As he strode across the yard, he wondered what he’d been thinking to call her. Glancing up, he saw the stars twinkling above in the dark sky. It was a good night to sleep outdoors since he wasn’t ready to sleep in the house yet.

****

After hanging up the phone, Melissa pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. He still had one hell of a deep, sexy voice. Brayden Beckett had been married to her best friend until someone murdered Maisy and the authorities accused him of doing it. Melissa had always believed in his innocence. He’d loved Maisy more than anything or anyone and worshiped the ground she’d walked on. Maisy had felt the same way about him and so had Melissa from the minute Maisy first introduced them. As much as she had envied Maisy having Brayden in her life, she never would have wanted any harm to come to her. She was the sister Melissa had never had. They’d been close since grade school and her life fell apart when Maisy died. It seemed so unreal that it had already been five years since her death. She’d still be a young woman at thirty.

Taking a deep breath to calm her excited nerves, she called the airlines and scheduled a flight out in two days. She’d call Brayden tomorrow. She didn’t want to talk to him again so soon.

Two days later, right before dusk, the GPS announced she had reached her destination. Melissa drove her rented SUV onto the driveway and pulled up to alongside the house. It was a beautiful place. The red brick house had white shutters and a porch ran along the entire front and down along the side. After parking the vehicle, she stepped out, shaded her eyes with her hand, and gazed around. The scent of honeysuckle, along with horses, filled the air. She headed toward the porch then walked up the steps, and knocked on the door. There was no answer.

Sighing, she looked to the barns and her breath caught in her throat when she saw a tall cowboy striding toward her from one of them. The white cowboy hat sat low on his forehead. Her eyes skimmed his body and she had to bite her lip to keep from groaning. His jeans fit him like a glove and her eyes instinctively went to the fly. This time, she did groan when she saw how they cupped his sex in a snug fashion. The well-worn cowboy boots he wore kicked up little clouds of dust as he walked. His sweat stained T-shirt was tight across his pecs and the sleeves stretched around his biceps. Dear God in heaven, he was magnificent.

Brayden Beckett.

Stopping at the bottom of the steps, he stared up at her as he took his heavy leather, work gloves off. His sunglasses hid his beautiful eyes, which she knew to be an ice blue in color. His hair was dark brown, almost black, and curled around the nape of his neck, and his straight and narrow nose sat over a sensual pair of lips. Dark stubble covered his lower face, jaw, and neck, and her fingers itched to touch it.

“Hello, Melissa,” he said in a slow, toe-curling drawl.

Suppressing a shiver, she smiled at him. “Hello, Brayden.”

Nodding, he climbed the steps and moved past her. Closing her eyes, she inhaled his scent of aftershave, sweat, horses, and leather. He smelled fantastic.

“Come on in,” he said, holding the door open for her.

Stepping into a large kitchen, she gazed around. The cabinets were dark oak with black hardware. The hardwood floor matched the cabinets, and the white appliances sat nestled between beige granite countertops. She watched as he entered a room off the kitchen and then came back out without his hat or sunglasses on. She was sure she had drool dripping from her mouth because a sexier man she’d never seen. His dark hair fell around his head in different lengths and she had to dig her fingernails into her palms to keep from raking her fingers through it.

Suddenly, she realized his beautiful eyes were staring at her. Feeling the heat in her cheeks, she glanced away. “This is beautiful property, Brayden.”

“I think so too. Let’s go into the living room and talk. Follow me.” He jerked his chin and started out of the room.

“To the ends of the earth,” she murmured.

“I’m sorry?”

“Nothing. I didn’t say anything.” Rolling her eyes when he turned away, she bit back a smile. He was so very tall. She knew he stood at least six foot five since she stood five six in her bare feet, and he towered over her. It was nice knowing there were actually men she didn’t have to look down at if she wore heels.

Walking behind him, she stared at how his jeans hugged his ass. Growing up in Texas, she’d seen a lot of cowboys but she’d never really been into them…that was until she saw Brayden Beckett. The man had definitely changed her mind about cowboys.

When he stopped, she ran into the back of him. He spun around and narrowed his eyes at her.

“Sorry,” she muttered as heat poured into her cheeks.

“Have a seat,” he said motioning to the sofa even as he frowned at her.

Sinking down onto the sofa, she watched as he took a seat in a wingback chair and rested one ankle on the opposite knee. “I never knew you went to veterinarian school.”

“Yes. I graduated from Texas A and M in Veterinarian Medicine four years ago. I actually specialize in equine.”

Nodding, he continued to stare at her. “That’s good. But it would mean a big move to come here, Melissa.”

“Why did you call me then? You knew I lived in Texas.”

“Because James recommended you,” he said seeming so relaxed while she was nearly sitting on the edge of her seat. “I don’t have a problem hiring you, but I just want you to realize you’ll be a long way from home.”

“So are you.”

“No. Montana has always been my home and I want nothing more to do with Texas. I have no reason to return there.”

“You can’t just forget about it. Maisy is there,” she practically growled.

“She’s not there. She’s always going to be with me wherever I am. Let it go, Melissa.”

Melissa noticed his hands clenched into fists on the arms of the chair and a muscle twitched in his cheek. He was no longer relaxed and she’d caused that. There was no way she was going to argue with him over Maisy. Taking a deep breath, she let her anger seep away.

“Where would I live?”

“There’s an apartment above the barn over there to the right or I can have one built for you in the larger center barn since it’s going to house the hospital part of the operation anyway.”

“Can I see the apartment that already exists above the smaller barn first?”

“Sure. Come on, I’ll show it to you.”

Melissa followed him out of the house and across the yard to the center barn where they turned to the right and headed to the smaller barn on the right. The heat of the day was scorching and she could feel sweat between her breasts by the time she got to the center of the yard. Glancing around, her gaze landed on the Glacier Mountains in the distance and she stopped in her tracks. They were so beautiful.

“I’ve never seen such beautiful mountains. I don’t think I’d ever get tired of looking at them,” she said in a low voice.

“I know I won’t.”

Glancing up at him, she smiled. As he stared back at her, a frown marred his brow for a moment but then he spun on his heel, and headed toward the barn.

“You want to see the apartment or not?” he snapped over his shoulder.

“Of course.” Frowning, and wondering if he was still angry about her bringing up Maisy, she ran to catch up with him.

Brayden led her through the barn and up a set of stairs. After unlocking the door at the top of the landing, he motioned for her to enter. Moving past him, she stepped inside the apartment. The entire area was open with a small kitchen sitting to the right, a large living area was in the center of the space, and a bed sat against the far wall. Wrinkling her nose at the musty smell, she peered through a doorway to see a bathroom then looked at Brayden.

“It only has a shower,” she said frowning.

“Yes.”

“No. This won’t work. I like long hot baths at the end of the day, since I’m on my feet all day, and I’m not going to stay here in…this.”

“I know it’s not great, but––”

“That is an understatement. You’ll have to either really fix this space up or make a place for me in the center barn.”

“Not a problem. Whichever you prefer…in the meantime, you can stay in the house until we get a place ready for you. I have a construction crew coming in a few days.”

Stay in the house…with him.

She wasn’t sure how she’d survive that, but she nodded as she started down the steps.

****

Swearing under his breath, Brayden walked out of the apartment. He locked the door behind him and followed her down the stairs. Damn it. He never should have called her. She was too beautiful—always had been. Sure, he loved Maisy more than anything in the world, and no other woman had ever tempted him until he met Melissa Conroy. He swore he would never do that to Maisy however, since he believed in his marriage vows but there were times, when he’d see Melissa and wondered what would have happened had he met her first.

His eyes went to her tempting ass in those tight jeans. The red tank top she wore was tight and hugged her breasts so he couldn’t stop stealing looks. Hell! He needed to think about something else quick because he didn’t need a hard-on right now.

“Do you have luggage with you?” he asked a little brusquely as they continued down the stairs.

She stopped and turned around, and her eyes narrowed at him. “Yes. In the back of the rental, but I can stay in town, Brayden.”

“I’m going to Kalispell tomorrow to bring some horses, ponies, and burros back. I’ll need you here. Close by. Town is at least twenty minutes from here and I already know one of the horses is in bad shape, and I’m not sure she’ll make it. I’d like for you to be here just in case something goes wrong.”

“All right.”

“There’s a housekeeper’s apartment off the kitchen you can stay in or you can use one of the bedrooms.”

“The apartment is fine.”

“Good. I need to get a shower. I’ll take your luggage in and show you where you’ll be staying then I’m heading to bed. I have to get up with the sun.” He walked to her rental with her and after she opened the hatch, he took the suitcases from the vehicle then had her follow him inside. After leading her to the apartment, he left her and headed for the shower.

After entering the bathroom, he pulled off his T-shirt, and wiped his chest with it. What he needed was a nice longshower. A cold one would feel good about now and not just because of the weather. Sitting on the edge of the tub, he toed off his boots then pulled his socks off. Standing, he unsnapped his jeans lowered the zipper, and pushed them, and his boxer briefs, down and stepped out of them. He was so tired he could barely stand, but he was too dirty to just fall into bed.

Turning on the shower, he stepped inside and groaned when the hot water hit his tired muscles. Putting his head under the spray, he watched as the dust washed off him and swirled down the drain. Placing his hands on the wall he thought of Melissa, which made him moan as his dick twitched. He’d love to have her in here with him. Fuck! He turned the water to cold and it did the trick. He had to keep his focus. Nothing could happen between them. She was here to work and that was all it would ever be. She was the type that wanted marriage and he wasn’t going to do that again. Ever. Besides, she was Maisy’s best friend and that just seemed wrong to do that to his wife’s memory.

After shutting the water off, he grabbed a black fluffy towel and dried off. Pulling the towel over his head, he rubbed his hair dry, and then combed it through with his fingers. He then wrapped the towel around his waist, swiped his hand across the steamed up mirror, and lathered up his jaw and neck to shave. After he finished shaving, he walked into the bedroom, dropped the towel and still naked, crawled between the sheets of his new bed. The house had come completely furnished but he’d replaced the mattresses in the bedrooms.

As he lay there with his hands clasped behind his head, he listened to the silence. No clanging doors, no buzzers, and no other men’s voices. Would he ever forget it? Five years of his life were just gone. Lost forever from the minute he’d been arrested. All because his sister in-law, Tara, had believed herself in love with him.

Placing his arm over his eyes, he thought of Maisy—the love of his life taken from him far too soon. She’d only be thirty now, still so young. He’d always miss her but he knew life went on, and he was lucky enough to have his back after five years of living in hell.

Two hours later, he was still awake. Feeling trapped, he threw the sheet off and sat up on the side of the bed. Placing his elbows on his knees, he grabbed his head. You’re not there. You’re free now. He repeated it a few more times, but it didn’t help.

Walking to the closet, he opened the door, pulled on a pair of jeans and T-shirt then socks and his boots. After finding his sleeping bag, he headed outside for the barn. He’d been hoping he’d be past this need to be outside by now. Thankfully, it was still warm out since he couldn’t be inside right now. After quietly making his way out of the house, he walked across the yard and entered the barn. The night air was cooler than the day had been. Standing in the aisle, he glanced up to see the moonlight beaming through the skylight. Tossing the sleeping bag onto the floor, he removed his boots, crawled into it, and promptly fell asleep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Three

 

 

Just the thought of working close to him made her tremble. The man was so damn good looking and she had to admit she’d wanted him from the moment Maisy had introduced them. There were nights she’d cried herself to sleep knowing she’d never have him in her life. She even tried to get out of being in the wedding but Maisy wouldn’t hear of it. She’d told Melissa she was more of a sister to her than her real sister, Tara, was. What a mess that was. Tara had been in love with Brayden too, or thought as much. Who knew what really went on inside the mind of someone who would kill her own sister in cold blood? Punching the pillow, she rolled to her side, closed her eyes, and thankfully, fell asleep.

Melissa walked outside to hear birds singing and to see a bright sun shining down, warming the ground and beating down on her shoulders. Shading her eyes, she walked across the yard heading for the barn. The heat was sweltering already and it was only nine in the morning.

Entering the barn, she let her eyes adjust before walking down the main aisle. Bits of straw on the floor muffled her footsteps. Brayden appeared in a doorway and motioned for her to follow him. She briskly walked toward him as he turned his back to her, and disappeared into a room. A few horses stuck their heads over the stall gates and stared at her. Stopping, she rubbed the velvet noses of a few of them until she saw Brayden come back out and stare at her with his hands on his hips. Her eyes ran down over him, lingering on his crotch. Thank you God! He was so...male. She smiled as she walked to him but he didn’t return her smile.

“Good morning, Brayden,” she said as she reached him. “Back already?”

“Morning. Come with me, I want to show you the blueprints for the clinic and you can tell me what you want in an apartment.”

“Where did you get money to do this, Brayden?” She loved saying his name.

He turned to look at her with a raised eyebrow. “Seriously?”

“Yes.”

“Have you always been this nosy?”

Melissa could feel the heat flare in her cheeks. “I hate to admit it but yes, I am a little nosy.”

“I have money. That’s all you need to know.”

“You’re right…as long as you can pay me.” She shrugged and glanced around.

“We also need to discuss wages.”

“Well, it’s a little late for that, since you already hired me.” She watched as one corner of his sexy mouth rose.

“You should have thought of that, but I’ll be fair,” he said then when he named an amount, she almost fell over.

“That’s more than enough. You don’t have to pay me that much, Brayden.”

“It’s settled then. Come on.” Without warning, he strode out of the barn.

Melissa ran after him to keep up with his long stride. It seemed she did that a lot with him. The thought had her rolling her eyes as she followed him into the center barn then into an office. There, an old mahogany desk sat centered in the room with blueprints spread out over it. Stepping up beside him, she looked down at the prints, and listened to him explaining what was what. The timbre of his voice slid over her like warm honey, making her want to fall into his arms. She gazed up at him and stared at the light stubble just beginning to show on his lower face, strong chiseled jaw, and neck. Closing her eyes, she inhaled his scent. The sound of him clearing his throat had them snapping open and once more, she knew her face was turning beet red.

“I was listening,” she stammered, her embarrassment annoying her.

“Then answer the question,” he said and raised an eyebrow at her.

“Question?” Oh hell!

Folding his arms across his broad chest, he leaned a slim hip against the desk and stared at her. Swallowing hard, she glanced around then shifted her eyes back to him, and blew out a breath.

“Okay, so I wasn’t listening. What was the question?”

“Are you this scatterbrained all the time?”

Melissa hissed in a breath. “I am not scatterbrained. If you must know, I was smelling your aftershave.” She raised her chin in defiance.

“I asked you how you wanted your apartment.” He shook his head and muttered something under his breath that she couldn’t understand, making her narrow her eyes.

“Living room, kitchen, bedroom, and a bathroom with a big tub I can soak in. Oh, and a fireplace. I don’t care what else it has.”

“Here or in the upstairs apartment?”

“Can I look upstairs again?” When he shrugged, she left the room and quickly walked to the barn doors to return to the other barn. She glanced over her shoulder, but he wasn’t following her. She blew out a breath. “Damn man is too gorgeous for my peace of mind. I have to be certifiable to be here…doing this,” she muttered as she marched up the stairs to the apartment.

****

Staring at the door Melissa just walked out of, Brayden ran his hand around the back of his neck. Christ! There was no way this was going to work. She was too damn hot and didn’t care if she let him know she was attracted to him. He knew she was too, by the little smiles, she’d send his way and the way she’d rake her eyes over him and it took everything he had, not to take her up on it.

Striding around the desk, he took a seat in the old leather wingback chair, and stared out the window. He had to let her know that nothing was going to happen between them. What the hell had he been thinking when he told her she could stay in the housekeeper’s quarters? She was just down the hall from his bedroom. Jesus! You are one crazy son of a bitch, Beckett. Good thing you sleep in the barn.

Turning when he heard her re-enter the office, he watched as she took a seat across from him. “I like the upstairs apartment, if you can make it look nicer and add a tub.”

“It can be made any way you want it. The construction crew will be here later today. You can tell them what you want.”

“Is there a budget?”

“No. Don’t worry about it.”

“Fine,” she told him and shrugged.

Rolling his eyes, he mentally shook his head. When a woman said fine, it rarely was.

“Look, Melissa, if this is going to work, we need to get a few things straight. I’m not interested in getting involved with you in any way other than you working for me.” He noted how her eyes widened in response to his declaration.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” she muttered, looking away.

“Flatter myself? Really? You think I don’t know when a woman’s interested in me?”

Standing, she folded her arms across her chest and her eyes narrowed as she stared at him. “Apparently, you don’t.”

Brayden stood and slowly moved around the desk and watched as she turned to face him. He stopped in front of her, making her back up until her butt was against the desk. Leaning down toward her, he braced an arm on each side of her and watched her eyes flutter close then open when he spoke.

“Not interested, huh? You want me to kiss you, Melissa. I can hear your breathing changing and that little pulse in your neck is beating faster. Tell me again how you’re not interested. Tell me how you don’t want me to kiss you.” He stared into her eyes, and then glanced down to her mouth. When she moaned, he bit back a grin, and then looked back into her eyes. His lips hovered above hers. “Tell me how you don’t want me to kiss you,” he repeated as he looked down again to see her hands gripping the edge of the desk.

“I can’t,” she whispered.

Pulling back from her, he gave a terse nod. “Exactly, so it’s not going to happen. I need you to be the vet here, not the woman in my bed.”

“You’re such a prick.”

“Yeah, you keep remembering that.” Grasping her arm, he led her to the door. “Go get your bag and check the animals I brought back. Some are really emaciated and they need their teeth checked to see if they can eat hay.”

She jerked away from him and narrowed her eyes. “How do you know what they need?”

“Quit questioning every fucking thing I say. I’m the boss. Do your job.” They stared at each other until she finally took a deep breath, spun away from him, and marched out of the barn.

“Son of a bitch,” he muttered as he watched her striding away.

He’d almost kissed her and now his dick was so hard that in all likelihood, he could bust a cement block with it. Only, he couldn’t be with her. He needed a woman, but it wasn’t going to be Melissa Conroy.

****

“He is such an ass,” Melissa murmured as she walked to her office. Brayden had shown her the office earlier and she couldn’t wait to decorate it to her liking.

Pulling her bag out from the locked drawer, she slammed it shut then returned to the barn area, only now she didn’t see him anywhere. Good. She wanted nothing to do with him. A groan slipped from her throat just thinking about how close he’d been to kissing her and how tempted she’d been to raise her lips to his. Just a small taste.

Brayden Beckett was one sexy man and those blue eyes were so beautiful. They were so stunning in his tanned face. Damn him! He knew she wanted him. She’d just have to be indifferent to him. Just do her job and that was it—no more drooling over the man. Although, she didn’t understand why he wasn’t interested…a lot of men come on to her, so why not him? He wasn’t married anymore. Was it that he had a woman? Was he seeing someone? Was it because she’d been Maisy’s friend?

Stop thinking about it…about him.

Sighing, she glanced into the stalls to see which animal she needed to work with first. When she saw the miniature donkey standing at the back of the stall, she almost cried. Every one of his ribs was showing and his hipbones were very prominent. Slowly sliding the gate open, she entered gradually not wishing to spook him.

“Hello, little boy…I won’t hurt you.” Seeing the fear in his eyes, she reached out a hand to him and gently rubbed his ear.

“He’s pitiful, huh? I hope we can save him,” Brayden said from behind her.

Melissa turned tear-filled eyes toward him. “He’s so precious. Where did you get him?”

“From the woman in Kalispell. She couldn’t care for him as well as some others since her husband passed away. I’m hoping she didn’t wait too long to turn them over.”

“I hope so too.” She turned back to the little donkey again. “Come on, I promise I won’t hurt you.” Stepping closer, she continued to murmur in soft tones to him. When he didn’t move away from her, she stepped closer and rubbed his ear again. He leaned into her hand and a tear rolled down Melissa’s cheek.

“It’s hard, isn’t it?” Brayden said quietly. “To be an animal lover and see this kind of treatment of them. I suppose any type of doctor would feel the same, but animals love us unconditionally no matter how they’re treated. His name is…Dinky.”

“Dinky donkey?” Melissa sputtered out a laugh.

“Hey, I didn’t name him,” Brayden said.

Melissa turned and saw him staring at the little burro. She could see the pain in his eyes as he slowly shifted his gaze to meet hers. She nodded and then turned back to the animal and talked softly to him as she pried his mouth open to see if his teeth were good enough to eat hay or if she’d have to use fluids on him.

“He has good teeth. We can give him hay and some alfalfa. Have you noticed if he’s been drinking his water?”

“Yes. He’s been doing well with it. Luckily, all of them have.”

“All right then. Let’s get him some food and I’ll check the others.” Melissa picked up her bag and exited the stall.

Brayden stepped out of her way and then led her to the other horses. All of them were severely neglected. Melissa was shocked looking at them but she also knew that some people were an irresponsible group when it came to animals. Getting to work quickly, she forgot about Brayden. This was what she wanted for her life, this need to take care of these huge beasts. These gentle giants. The ponies were in the best shape out of all of them. Two of the horses were so emaciated they could barely stand and needed fluids for nutrition. Melissa prayed it worked for them because the thought of euthanizing them was breaking her heart.

Later in the afternoon, she met with the construction supervisor to tell him what she wanted in her apartment. She led him upstairs to show it to him and heard him grunt when he looked past her into the room.

“You sure you want to live up here?” he asked her as he removed his hardhat and scratched his balding head.

“Is it too much to work with?” she asked frowning.

“To be honest with you, it would be easier to just build you a new place on the main level of the center barn like Mr. Beckett suggested.”

“I was hoping you could put a skylight in above the bathtub,” she said disappointed.

“Honey, we can do that downstairs. No problem.”

Smiling at him, Melissa nodded. “All right. Let’s go over there and look at the space.”

As he headed out the door, she followed him down the stairs and to the back of the clinic in the center barn. The sounds of saws buzzing along with the smell of cut wood filtered throughout the barn. She spotted Brayden talking with another man but he didn’t seem to notice her. Damn him. She’d never wanted a man more. Why does he have to be so friggin’ hot?

As she followed the supervisor toward the other two men, she kept her eyes off Brayden for fear he’d see her staring at him. Raising her chin, she glanced around and didn’t see the supervisor stop, and ran into the back of him almost knocking him down. He spun around and glared at her. Heat poured into her cheeks. She really needed to start watching better what she was doing.

“Sorry,” she muttered and shrugged. Glancing over to Brayden, she saw his lips lift in a slight smile. His head shook in what she knew had to be wonder at her. Could she embarrass herself anymore?

“Glen, what was decided?” Brayden asked the supervisor.

“She wants it in here,” Glen told him.

“I’m right here. Don’t talk about me like I’m not.” Melissa placed her hands on her hips in an attempted show of indignation.

Glen cleared his throat. “Didn’t mean to offend you, ma’am. Mr. Beckett and I have been talking about it, that’s all.”

That took the wind out of her sails.

“Oh. Okay.” She moved around him. “Where will it be?”

When Glen pointed toward the back of the barn, she gave a nod and walked away as quickly as she could without actually running.

****

“She’s a little flighty, I think,” Brayden said with a smile.

“A little?” Glen said with sarcasm.

“What made her change her mind about upstairs in the other barn?”

“I told her it would be easier to make her a place down here. She agreed after I told her I could put a skylight above her tub down here.”

“Skylight?”

Glen shook his head and laughed. “Yeah. It seems she wanted a skylight and thought she could only get it if the apartment was upstairs. Doesn’t she know you’d have the addition made any way she wanted?”

“I mentioned it to her. She’s a great vet but her mind works in the strangest ways on other matters.”

“Glad she’s your problem and not mine. I’ll go talk with her about it. If there are any problems, I’ll find you.” Glen picked up a tape measure and walked off.

Exhaling, Brayden spun on his heel and entered his office located in the front of the barn. He was making a website for the sanctuary and it was coming along great. He planned to post before and after photos of the animals, and he needed something to keep his mind off Melissa Conroy—and how those jeans hug her ass.

A few days later, Brayden drove in to Clifton to stop at the feed store for more halters. He parked in the lot, and after taking a deep breath of calming air, he stepped out and entered the store. The bell above the door jangled and it seemed like every person in the place turned to look at him. He swallowed hard then made his way to the counter and waited his turn. Glancing around, he saw people smiling and nodding at him, and he blew out a relieved breath.

“Brayden,” a woman shouted and he turned to see Emma Conner Stone coming toward him.

“Hello, Emma,” he said and hugged her when she wrapped her arms around him.

“It’s so good to see you. You look great,” she said to him.

“So do you. How are you?”

“I’m wonderful. Gabe’s here.” She jerked her chin toward the back of the store.

Brayden turned to see Gabe Stone striding through the store toward him. Gabe stuck his hand out when he reached him.

“It’s good to see you, Brayden.”

“You too, Gabe.” Brayden grinned. He honestly hadn’t expected such a friendly welcome from everyone, and he was glad.

“Jake and Wyatt are here too.” Gabe nodded his head.

Brayden spun around to see Gabe’s brothers, Jake and Wyatt behind him. He stuck his hand out to one then the other. They shook his hand then slapped him on the shoulder.

“Damn, it’s good to see you, Brayden. Happy to see you back in Montana,” Wyatt said to him.

Brayden smiled and talked with his friends for a while. His mother had told him no one in Hartland, Clifton, or Spring City had ever doubted his innocence and now he believed it. It was good to have friends like his. Some of them would even visit him or write and he had missed all of them.

“This is my wife, Olivia, and Jake’s wife, Becca. This is Brayden Beckett,” Wyatt said as he introduced the women to him.

“It’s nice to meet you both,” Brayden said as he put his hand out in greeting. Both women were beautiful and he was pleased when they smiled up at him.

As they stood there talking, several people walked past and shook hands with him. He was happy to be back in Montana. He made himself a promise at that moment, that he’d make a trip to Spring City to see his friends, the Callahans—four cousins with whom he’d been longtime friends with before moving to Texas. Reid, Roark, Devin, and Jaxon had never doubted him either. It was good being back with his family and friends again.

 

 

Chapter Four

 

 

Entering a stall to check on one of the ponies, Melissa put her hand out to the animal and he planted his nose in her palm, making her laugh.

“You’re such a softie, Cupid,” she whispered as the pony blew into her hand.

“He seems to be coming along great,” Brayden said from the stall gate.

Glancing over to him, she did her best not to groan when she saw his white Stetson straw cowboy hat sitting low on his forehead and his sweat stained T-shirt. His forearms lay folded on top of the gate and she wanted so desperately to run her fingers through the hair there. She didn’t care for the manscaping men did nowadays. She liked a natural man.

“He’s so sweet. I’m glad to see he’s eating better since he’s been here.”

“I’m expecting a few people this afternoon for interviews. I want to hire someone to answer the phones since you and I are too busy and I want them to be able to show potential adopters around when they come here to look for something in particular. The website has gotten loads of hits and I’m getting calls all the time.” Brayden shrugged. “I just don’t have the time to answer all their questions.”

“You’ll have to hire someone who knows their way around equine and who’s not afraid of them.” Melissa listened to Cupid breathe and then rubbed her hands over him. “Cupid could be adopted soon.”

“Yeah, I agree. He’ll make some little girl happy. If you need me, I’ll be in my office.” Putting his fingers to the brim of his hat, he disappeared from her view.

“If I need him? Oh yeah, I definitely need him,” she muttered to Cupid. The pony turned his head to look at her. “Yeah, I know. Don’t give me that look.”

****

Three hours later, Brayden sat in his office and ran his hand over his mouth. The woman across from him had no idea what she was talking about and he was slowly losing his patience along with his mind.

“Have you ever worked in a rescue shelter?” he asked, feeling exasperated.

“No. But I’m a fast learner.” She grinned at him.

“I’m sorry but I need someone who knows what they’re doing right now. We have twenty equines here now and people are going to be coming to see them, and possibly adopt them.”

“Equines?” The woman frowned at him and he knew right then she had no idea what the sanctuary was.

“That right there is what I mean. Equine is the horse family—horses, ponies, burros, mules.” Brayden clenched his fists under the desk. It was that, or he’d choke the woman.

“I thought this was a dog and cat rescue.” She stood. “No way would I work with horses.”

“Did you read the ad at all? It mentioned equine.” Brayden’s temples began to throb.

“I thought that had something to do with cats or something.” The woman glared at him. “Why couldn’t you just say horses?”

Smirking, Brayden rose to his feet. “To see who would know to apply. Thanks for coming.” He stared at her until she left the office in a huff.

Sitting back down, he leaned back in the chair. Christ! This wasn’t going well at all. He picked up the paper and saw he only had one more appointment. When someone knocked on the doorjamb, he looked in the direction of the door and quickly stood when he saw a young, very attractive blonde-haired woman smiling at him.

“Mr. Beckett?” she asked as she stepped into the room.

“Yes, ma’am.” He continued to stare at her. She was very beautiful with her blonde hair flowing around her shoulders and her blue eyes sparkling at him. He doubted if she even reached his shoulder, as she was truly petite. “You’re Julie Powell?”

“I am.” She put her hand out to him and he shook it.

“Please have a seat.” Brayden jerked his chin to the chair opposite his desk. Once she sat, he did too. “Tell me about yourself.”

Laughing, she looked at him. “I always hate when someone says that. I have a lot of experience in customer service.”

“Are you familiar with equine?”

“Yes. My parents used to own a horse ranch outside of Butte. When my dad passed away, my mom sold it and moved away. I’ve been around horses all my life. I’m not afraid of them. I’ve been riding since I was a baby. I used to compete in barrel racing.”

Leaning back in the chair, Brayden clasped his hands across his stomach. “So you could basically answer any questions about horses and have no problem showing people the animals?”

“Correct. I’d even help out, if you needed me to. Clean stalls, feed, and water.” She shrugged. “Whatever.”

“Are you married?”

“No. Are you?” She tilted her head and grinned at him.

He stifled a laugh. She was quick-witted. “I’m only asking because there may be late hours and I don’t want an angry husband coming after me.”

“Too bad,” she said in a low tone of voice as she stared at him. “You don’t have to worry about that. I’m not even seeing anyone right now.”

Clearing his throat, Brayden held his hand out to her. “I’ll let you know tomorrow.”

“All right. I’m very interested in the position, Mr. Beckett. I’m sure I’d be a great asset here.” She placed her hand in his.

“I’m sure you would but I do have some others to consider.” He didn’t want to seem desperate, although it was getting to the point where he was.

“Thank you. I’ll look forward to hearing from you. My past employers will give excellent references. Have a good day.”

Brayden watched her stride out of the office and then he sat back down, removed his hat, and ran his fingers through his thick hair and sighed. Julie Powell was a beautiful woman but she didn’t hold a candle to Melissa. Every time he saw Melissa working in the barn, his damn cock wanted to burst out of his jeans. It didn’t matter how nosy or irritating she was, all he knew was she was absolutely breathtaking and he wanted to kiss those freckles sprinkled across the bridge of her nose and cheeks. Leaning his head back against the chair, he groaned.

“Didn’t the interviews go well?” He heard Melissa ask from the doorway.

“Damn.” Swearing under his breath, he glanced over to her. “Only the last one knew what equine was.”

Melissa snorted. “Where did they think they were going to be working?”

“One thought an animal hospital and one thought a dog and cat rescue and one just didn’t have any idea. She just wanted a job.”

Moving into the room, she took a seat across from him. “Are you hiring the last one then?”

“Probably. She’s worked in customer service for a number of years and was raised on a horse ranch so she’s not afraid of them. She said she’d even clean stalls, feed, and water them too, if we needed her to.” He did everything he could not to look at her because if he did, she’d know just how much he wanted her. Pushing up from his chair, he walked around the desk.

“Good. I hope you’re going to hire some more men too. I need help with some of the animals sometimes,” she said as she stood.

“I have two men starting Monday. Let’s call it a day. Do you have plans for tonight?”

“Nope. You?” she said as they started toward the door.

“Yes…a hot shower and then bed. I’m exhausted. Why aren’t you going into town?”

“I have no social life right now since I haven’t had a chance to meet anyone. Maybe one day. I’m with you though. A hot shower sounds fantastic.” She stopped and stared up at him. “You know, you can call me Lissa. It’s what my family and friends call me.”

Staring down at her, he narrowed his eyes. “We’re neither, are we?” he asked then when she quickly blinked her eyes, he wondered why he’d said that when it even sounded cruel to his ears.

Motioning for her to leave the office in front of him, he pulled the door closed and they walked down the aisle of the barn and out into the yard. The sun was beginning to set, making the sky show colors of blue, pink, and yellow. He’d never get tired of looking at it.

As they started across the yard, they both stopped when a car came barreling up the driveway.

“Are you expecting someone?” Melissa asked him.

“No. I have no idea…” Brayden paused and grinned when he saw the tall brunette step from the car and run toward him. He laughed when she jumped into his arms. “Hey, kiddo,” he said as he hugged her.

“I’m so mad at you. Why haven’t you been by to see me yet? I had to hear from everyone else that you saw them, but not me.”

Brayden let her feet touch the ground but kept an arm around her. He looked at Melissa who was frowning.

“Melissa, this is Dani—my sister.”

He nearly laughed aloud when her eyes widened and her mouth formed a silent O.

“Danielle. My big brothers can’t seem to call me that. It’s nice to meet you,” Dani said as she stuck her hand out, and Melissa shook it.

“I haven’t had a chance to get over to see you.” Brayden looked at her car. “Are you alone?”

“Yes. I wanted to invite you to dinner so you can meet the kids and Brandon,” she said smiling up at him.

“I’ll leave you two alone to catch up. It was nice meeting you, Danielle. I’ll see you later, Brayden,” Melissa said with a smile then walked off.

“I remember her,” Dani whispered. “Wasn’t she Maisy’s friend?”

“Yes, her best friend.”

“How did she come to be here?” Dani asked him as she looped her arm through his.

“I needed a vet here fulltime and James mentioned she was looking for work. When do you want me to come over for dinner?”

“Tomorrow night. I’ll make lasagna.”

“You can cook?” Brayden teased.

Dani punched his arm. “Yes. Maybe not quite as good as Mom but I did inherit some of her cooking skills.”

Brayden laughed. “I’ll be there. Right now, I need to grab a shower. So I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, you do need a shower,” Dani said holding her nose.

“Go away. I work with horses all day. What do you expect?”

Dani smiled up at him. “I expect you to show up for dinner.” She threw her arms around him again. “I am so glad you’re home.” She rose on her toes and kissed his cheek. “See ya.”

Brayden watched her walk to her car then give him a wave right before she climbed into it. He loved his family. Not one of them doubted his innocence. Never. Once her SUV disappeared down the driveway, he walked to the house, entered through the kitchen, and headed for the shower.

****

Later that night, Melissa sat on the sofa watching television because she couldn’t sleep, but nothing seemed to hold her attention. The house was eerily quiet and she was sure Brayden was asleep. Just down the hall from the living room. Does he sleep in the nude? She groaned. Do not think of him in bed, naked.

The man was slowly killing her. Every day that she saw him, she couldn’t get over how sexy he was. Those blue eyes could make a woman drop to her knees and do anything he asked of her. She shivered as she thought about kissing down over his hard body, and it was a hard body. When she saw him yesterday without his shirt on, she’d about had an orgasm. His pecs were solid and his six-pack stomach made her mouth water. And don’t get her started on that V. He’d been stacking hay and there was just something sexy about a cowboy with his shirt off, wearing those leather work gloves, his muscles bunching each time he lifted a bale. She desperately wanted to run her tongue down his chest and follow that happy trail of hair that encircled his belly button and traveled on downward.

God! It was too damn hot in this house. Standing, she made her way to her door and opened it slowly then peered out. Maybe if she sat on the porch for a little while, she’d cool off. Stepping into the dark kitchen, the only light coming from the microwave clock showed her the way, as she quietly made her way to the back door. When she stepped on a board that creaked, she stood stock-still then let out a relieved breath when she didn’t hear anything in response. Since it was one in the morning, she didn’t bother with her robe. Her T-shirt and boxer shorts were enough.

Stepping onto the porch, she sat in one of the rocking chairs. It was chilly out but she welcomed the cooler air. Pulling her feet up on the chair, she rested her chin on her raised knees. The full moon sat in the cloudless sky and lit up the yard like a beacon. Millions of stars filled the black sky on the outskirts of the bright moon. Hearing the horses neighing and the burros braying in answer, made her smile. Brayden loved them as much as she did.

Frowning, she couldn’t help but wonder where he got the money to keep the place running. She knew he had a big family but other than that, she didn’t know anything about him. Getting him to talk about his personal life was impossible. She had never talked about him with Maisy for fear Maisy would realize Melissa’s feelings for him. He already thought she was nosy so she could just imagine what he’d think if she asked any more personal questions. The ranch, Brayden and Maisy had owned, had made good money but he’d been in prison for the past five years, and she didn’t know what had happened to the ranch.

Her eyes scanned the yard, past the barns, and quickly whipped back to the barn when she swore she saw someone inside. Slowly lowering her feet, she stood and made her way down the steps and crept to the barn in her bare feet. The thought of going inside to get Brayden didn’t cross her mind. Was she nuts? What if it was a thief? Although, what they’d be looking to steal was beyond her since any medicines were in the house for now.

Quietly tiptoeing into the barn, she glanced around. The light of the moon coming through the skylights gave her enough light but she didn’t see or hear anything, other than the occasional horse snorting. Thinking she’d been seeing things, she turned to go back out when she bumped into someone and let out a startling scream.

“Melissa, it’s me,” Brayden said next to her ear.

“Holy shit! What are you doing out here at one in the morning?” She put her hand on her chest trying to calm her pounding heart.

“I could ask you the same thing,” he muttered.

“I was on the porch and saw someone in here. I didn’t realize it was you.”

“Why were you on the porch?”

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Isn’t it a little cool to be outside in that outfit you’re wearing?”

“Outfit? This is what I sleep in,” she growled and moved away from him. His scent—aftershave, hay, and man—had her wanting to wrap her arms around him and do all kinds of things to him.

“Well, it’s barely there and you planned on doing what when you got here and found someone?” His hands went to his hips.

“I don’t know. Confront them, I suppose.”

“Jesus, woman! If it had been someone else, you could have been hurt.”

“Well, pardon me all to hell for trying to help out,” she said between clenched teeth.

“Go inside, Melissa,” he growled.

“Why are you out here? Did you hear something?”

“No, I… No. Just go to bed.”

Glancing past him, she saw a sleeping bag on the floor. “Are you sleeping out here?”

“Would you just go back to the house?”

Folding her arms across her chest, she stared at him.

“Are you sleeping out here?” she repeated.

“Yes,” he snapped, obviously uncomfortable with the questioning.

“Why?”

“Christ! You are the nosiest woman I know. I can’t sleep in the house yet.”

“Why not?”

“Son of a bitch,” he muttered drawing the words out for emphasis as he grabbed her elbow and began pulling her from the barn and across the yard. “Can you ever just do as I ask? Do you always have to push me?”

Jerking her arm from him, she narrowed her eyes. “Do not manhandle me. I know the way.”

“Do you? Then how about finding your way back and leaving me the hell alone,” he shouted.

“Fine. I’ll leave you alone. You have my two-week notice. How’s that for leaving you alone?”

“You’re quitting?” he asked in a surprised voice.

“I won’t have you pushing me around. I didn’t do anything wrong. I came out here to see if someone was in the barn and you get all mad about me asking if you’re sleeping out here. I saw the sleeping bag.”

“And that gives you the right to butt into my business? You work for me and nothing else.”

“Wrong! I used to work for you.” She poked him in the chest with her finger then spun on her heel and marched across the yard leaving him behind. “Damn man. All I did was ask a simple question. Who sleeps in the barn when they have a house with several bedrooms to choose from? Who the hell does he think he is?”

“I think I’m the owner of this place,” he said from behind her.

Startled, she squealed and whirled around to look at him then stomped her foot in the dirt. “Don’t sneak up on me.”

“I wasn’t sneaking. I was making sure you got to the house without trying to do a perimeter check.”

“Funny, Beckett, real funny. I’ll be out of here later today…to hell with waiting two weeks.” She stalked away from him.

“I hope you kept your apartment back in Texas.”

Stopping in her tracks, she turned to look at him.

“Apartment?” At his nod, she swallowed. “I, uh…no, I didn’t.”

“I suppose you can get a room in town. I believe there’s a motel or two there until you head back to Texas to live with your parents.” Striding around her, he walked up the porch steps, and entered the house.

Staring at the back door, Melissa shook her head. Live with my parents. Oh, hell no!

Stomping her foot, she swore as she stepped on a sharp pebble. Realizing she might have overreacted, she took a deep breath, and entered the house to see him standing with his back to the sink and his arms folded across his broad chest. He raised an eyebrow at her.

“I may have spoken too soon,” she muttered with contrition.

“Ya think?” he said with sarcasm. Sighing, he pushed himself away from the counter. “So now you’re staying?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“What’s that? I’m sorry; I didn’t catch what you said.” His head tilted to the side.

“Yes,” she growled.

“All right.” He headed toward the door.

“Are you going back outside to sleep in the barn?”

“Melissa…damn,” he snarled in obvious frustration.

“Okay. Okay. I was just curious as to why you’d sleep out there. It’s getting so much colder at night now. Aren’t you cold?”

“I’m fine. Eventually, I’ll move into the house.”

“Are you afraid someone will do something to the animals?” She gasped. “That’s it, isn’t it? You think a previous owner will come and try to take an animal back.”

He ran his hand down over his face as he looked at her. “No. The gates stay locked, remember? Just let it go.”

Pulling out a chair out from the table, Melissa took a seat. “You said it yourself. I’m nosy.”

“Nosy is a fucking understatement with you. I’m your boss and I don’t have to tell you anything I don’t want to.”

“Why do you call this place MERAS?” she asked, tilting her head.

He stared at her and then shook his head as if to shake off cobwebs. “How do you just switch topics like that?”

“Call it a gift.” She shrugged.

“How about I call it a pain in the ass?”

“You never explained what it stood for. I’m sure it’s Maisy’s something.”

“Maisy’s Equine Rescue and Sanctuary.” He blew out a breath.

“She would love this place.” Melissa moved her foot back and forth along the floor.

“Yes, she would.”

Sniffing, Melissa nodded. “I miss her. We were closer than most sisters.”

“Her flesh and blood sister killed her. I would hope you loved her enough to have never done that.”

“I have no idea what was going through Tara’s mind and to think of Maisy standing in front of her while Tara aimed a gun at her…” Melissa shook her head. “What about the employees here? Do you plan on telling them about your past?”

“All you or anyone else around here needs to know is that I’m your boss. I don’t owe any of you explanations.”

“True.”

“Good. Go to bed, Melissa. I’ll see you Monday.”

“Are you going somewhere?”

“No, but you have the weekends off unless we have an emergency.”

“I don’t have anything to do.”

“Well then…you could start moving smaller things into your new apartment. It’s almost finished.”

“All right.” She headed toward her door and then stopped. “Are you all right?”

“Yes. I’ll miss her for the rest of my life, but I’m fine now.”

“If you ever need to talk, I’m here. We both loved her.”

“I know you loved her. I’ll keep it in mind.”

“I mean it, Brayden. I’ll listen.”

“I know,” he said and walked out the door.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Five

 

 

Why had he even talked with her? Possibly, because she knew how much he had loved Maisy. Maybe he just wanted to shut her up since the woman didn’t know when to quit. He was surprised she didn’t run out the door behind him demanding more answers.

Striding into the barn, he removed his boots then slid down into the sleeping bag. Damn it! But no matter how much she bugged the hell out of him, he found her so beautiful, desirable, and sexy. Clasping his hands behind his head, he stared up through the skylight.

Melissa was right. Soon it would be too cold to sleep in the barn and he’d have to sleep in the house. He sighed knowing he’d have to get used to it sometime. It was just the idea of being inside. He just needed to remember that he could walk outside anytime he wanted now. Solitary confinement for five years was a time in his life he’d never get over. All he’d ever been allowed to do was read, listen to a radio, watch the community TV from his cell, and exercise which he could only do in a cage. Like a dog kennel, but higher with no way to get out until a guard opened it. Brayden had kept his body in shape and once a day, he could go outside for an hour but that hour flew by. If it rained, he’d stay in his cell but if the sun was shining, he was happy to get out and soak it up. Being put in a cage was the only way the death row inmates were allowed out. Side by side, so no one could touch each other. Some would exercise and some would just do what he did, sit back and breathe in the fresh air. Every day when he woke up, he prayed he was dreaming and back in his bed with Maisy. It never happened though. Maisy was gone and he was in hell.

Groaning, he continued to stare up at the night sky. From the moment he’d been arrested, he was put in jail because of the charge of murder in the first degree. He sat in a cell and was only out of it when he was in court during the trial.

That time had taught him that people took so much for granted. He could lay here for hours and just stare at the moon. He also couldn’t wait for snow and the joy of walking in it. He enjoyed every moment of the warm sun shining down on a hot day and the feel of the wind blowing against his skin. All of it was precious to him. No one, except those on the inside, knew what it was like.

Inhaling deeply, he delighted in the smell of the horses and the sweet hay inside the barn and he couldn’t wait to go horseback riding. Five long years had already passed since he’d ridden. Maisy had loved riding and he knew she would have loved the sanctuary. It had been a long time dream of hers having grown up on the horse ranch in Dallas that her father, James Greene, had once owned. When his wife divorced him, he’d sold it. Maisy grew up with the huge animals and loved them. It was one reason she would’ve loved this place, same as him.

Brayden loved all animals, just as she had. One of many things they had in common. They fell in love so fast and that love only grew stronger the more they were together and after they’d married. Then it all fell apart two years later when Maisy was murdered, and he arrested for it. He’d only had three years with her.

Glancing to the door when he heard it open, he shook his head when Melissa entered the barn. He sat up and stared at her.

“Damn it. Now what?”

Walking to a bale of hay, she sat down on it wrapping her arms around her middle.

“How did they exonerate you? I mean, I know Tara killed her but I never heard how it happened. I’m trying not to be nosy.”

Grunting, Brayden shook his head. “I seriously doubt that.”

“Please, Brayden. Just tell me.”

“Did you ever doubt that I didn’t kill her?”

“No.”

“How do you know?” He tilted his head.

“I know how much you loved her. I testified for you, along with a lot of other people, remember?”

“Yes. A lot of good that did me though,” Brayden muttered.

“I couldn’t believe it when they came back with a guilty verdict. I was floored. I cried.”

“Is that right?” Brayden stared at her.

“Yes,” she whispered suddenly looking uncomfortable.

“Why are you out here, Melissa?”

“I just want you to know I’m here for you. I loved her too, you know.”

“I know you did, but she’s gone.”

“But you still love her.”

“I’ll always love her. Until I take my last breath.”

A heavy silence hung in the air for a long moment before Melissa continued.

“Tell me how they got Tara.”

Brayden rolled his shoulders. “It was my gun Maisy was killed with.”

“I know all of that.”

He noticed a shiver run over her and her arms tightened around her middle.

“Are you afraid of me?” He frowned at the thought but under the circumstances of where he’d spent the last years, it might be understandable.

“I would have left if I was.” She stared at him. “No…it’s cold out here.”

“Maybe you should have stayed inside then.”

“Brayden, could you just tell me,” she said through clenched teeth.

“If only I hadn’t had that damn insurance policy.” He took a deep breath.

“What about the insurance policy?”

“We wanted the security of knowing we’d never lose the ranch if something happened to one of us.” He grunted. “It did no good. I not only lost her but I lost the ranch and the money. For a while anyway.”

“What do you mean?”

“Once I was exonerated, I was granted the insurance money and the state of Texas had to pay me four hundred thousand dollars for wrongful imprisonment too. I had also inherited money from my granddad. So when you asked me about having money, now you know I do—plenty. The life insurance policies were for a million. Of course, had I known then, when I took out the policies, what I know now, I never would have taken out such big policies. But we wanted the other to be able to go on.”

“I remember Maisy telling me that. What about the ranch?”

“I was allowed to sign it over to my parents but they sold it at my request. With me being on death row, there was no sense in me keeping it and if I did happen to get out, I wanted nothing to do with Texas again.”

“Tell me about Tara.”

“I don’t know if you ever noticed, I certainly didn’t, but it seems Tara thought she was in love with me. She killed Maisy so we’d be together.” He heard Melissa gasp. “Stupid thinking on her part. Even if she hadn’t killed Maisy, we’d never be together. She was like a sister to me.” He shrugged.

“I had no idea. How did they figure out it was her?” she asked again.

“I could only have visitors once every three months. One time when Tara was there, she mentioned she couldn’t wait for me to get out so we could finally be together. I told her that unless they found the real killer, I was never getting out. Hell, I was on death row. Then she said something to the effect that it wasn’t right, that she’d done it for me, and I knew right then who killed Maisy.”

“What happened then? How did they prove it was her?”

“I called my lawyer and told him what she’d said. Luckily, he was able to convince two detectives to help us, along with the warden who actually believed in my innocence too. They arranged for Tara to be able to come back in a few days. I called her and asked her to visit and of course, she was happy to see me again. It was set up so we’d meet outside the restricted area, which if she’d given it half a thought, she’d know that just didn’t happen. The only visitor I could have contact with was my mom. The others were non-contact only. Anyway, they had us sit at a table and I wore a wire then I got her to tell me how she did it and why.” He heaved out a ragged breath. “She did—in vivid detail.”

“Tell me,” she whispered.

Taking a deep breath, he continued even as his heart ached.

“Tara knew about the Smith and Wesson we kept in the laundry room in a lockbox. We each had a key for it on our keyrings, since it was for us to take along when we went riding. You know, in case a wild animal threatened us, or we saw a snake. Anyway, we kept it in the lockbox on the top shelf. That weekend I had gone to a sale in Fort Worth and Maisy had gone shopping with her mother and Tara. When they’d finished, Tara and Maisy headed back to our ranch. Tara had said that it was early evening so they sat out on the porch. She’d suggested something to drink and told Maisy she’d get it. She went into the house, pulled on plastic gloves she had with her, and using Maisy’s keys, which were hanging on a hook by the kitchen door, she unlocked the box, removed the gun, and loaded it. Then she’d stayed inside long enough for Maisy to come looking for her. When Maisy entered the kitchen, Tara was waiting for her. She told her that she knew I was in love with her, not with Maisy and that we were going to be together once she got Maisy out of the way. Then she shot Maisy in the chest. Killing her instantly.”

He paused, swallowing hard then he continued. “I can’t imagine what was going through Maisy’s mind, seeing her sister aiming a gun at her. Tara put the gun back and left. She said she’d sat at home, waiting for the phone call telling her about her sister’s death. The ranch manager found Maisy when he came in the next morning. The only fingerprints on the gun were Maisy’s—and mine. Tara said she never thought they’d convict me of the crime. She never even thought about the possibility of my fingerprints being on the gun. Or how it would make me the number one suspect. She thought for sure that they would think someone broke in and killed Maisy.”

Blowing out a breath, pushing down residual anger, he went on. “I don’t know what she was thinking. Only Maisy and I ever used that gun. Even though I was in Fort Worth, the prosecution proved that I had time to go back to the ranch, kill…kill my wife and go back to the hotel. A detective came to the hotel to tell me about Maisy then he followed me home while I had to drive alone knowing my wife was dead. It didn’t matter what I said, they believed I’d done it from the start. You know, husband’s always the first suspect. No one at the hotel could verify me being there. I’d gone back to my room after the sale. I left only once and that was to get something to eat. Of course, that was the timeline they used for me to go home, kill Maisy and return to the hotel. Of all the restaurants, I could have picked to go through the drive-thru…the one I chose, the cameras weren’t working. No alibi for me and with my fingerprints on the gun, I was guilty as sin in their eyes. The jury saw it the same way. No matter how many people testified that I loved my wife, twelve people didn’t believe it. I think the part that really got to me was hearing my mom sob when they read the verdict. She was devastated.”

“Oh my God, Brayden, I can’t imagine what you went through. How did you not go crazy being in prison?”

“Some days I thought I would, but I held on to the hope they’d eventually find the real killer. I had to hang on to that and I sure as hell never thought it would be Tara.”

Standing, Melissa stared at him. “I’m so sorry you went through that. To lose the woman you love and then be accused of killing her…I just don’t know how you coped. I thought about you almost every day, wondering what if…what if they didn’t find out who killed her. You’d have been put to death for something you didn’t do.”

“It happens. I prayed every night I wasn’t one of those who were put to death only for them to discover later that I was innocent.”

“Is Tara in prison now?”

“Yes. She’ll never get out. Her lawyer tried to get temporary insanity, but that was shot down pretty quick once the jury heard the recording of her telling me how she did it and why. They convicted her of first-degree murder because it was premeditated. She had those gloves with her all day.” He shook his head. “Sad thing is that my mother in-law divorced James a week after Tara’s sentencing because he had never doubted my innocence. I guess she blamed me for losing both her daughters and him for not hating me too. I’ve always kept in touch with him. Carla died of a heart attack not long after Tara was imprisoned. I suppose the stress got to her.”

“I’m surprised James doesn’t blame you, when one of his daughters killed the other one over you.”

“I know, but he always believed I was innocent.” He lay back down. “Go to bed, Melissa. It’s late and I’ve talked with you about this more than anyone since getting out—even my family.”

“All right. Thank you for telling me, I appreciate it.” Walking away, she turned back to him. “Brayden, why didn’t you let me visit you?”

Huffing, he glanced away from her then back. “I didn’t want any visitors except my family the first three years. James would write to me, at least twice a week, and ask to visit. I finally gave in. One day, he told me Tara wanted to see me. I didn’t want to see her or anyone else for that matter, but I agreed because of James. Now I’m glad I did because if I hadn’t I’d still be in prison.”

“I’m glad you did too, but you still could have let me know I could visit.”

“I didn’t want your pity, Melissa,” he growled. Not from you…never from you.

“It wasn’t pity, Brayden. Yes, I felt bad for you being in there for something you didn’t do but I wanted to see you because we both loved Maisy.” She hesitated and he saw her shoulders drop a bit. “I’m going to bed.” She turned to walk away from him.

“Melissa? This goes no further than between us. If anyone else needs to know, I’ll tell them.”

“I understand.” She left the barn, closing the door behind her.

Brayden stared at the door, and wondered if he should tell the men starting on Monday. What about Julie Powell? He was positive he was going to hire her, but would she still want to work here if she knew about his past.

Yawning, he closed his eyes and prayed for sleep to come soon. The quiet got to him most nights, even though he’d been out of the hellhole he’d lived in for three months now but sometimes, the quiet was too loud at times.

****

Tears ran down her face as she sat on the sofa in the housekeeper’s quarters. How had he coped? Five years out of his life were just gone and all because a woman believed he belonged with her because she was in love with him. Granted, Melissa was in love with the man too, but for Tara to kill her own sister, hell to kill anyone, was beyond crazy.

Melissa wiped the tears away and stared out the window. The moon lit the entire yard. She gazed at the barn and slowly understood why he slept in there. It was the thought of freedom.

Brayden and Maisy had both loved horses and they’d had a beautiful horse ranch. She’d always been amazed at how he could almost read a horse’s mind. There was something in the way he was around them. She’d see him running his hands over them and she knew he was checking them over. Maisy had been the same way. She’d loved all equine. Melissa remembered Maisy telling her she wanted to talk Brayden into taking in abused and neglected equine. Melissa had smiled because Maisy could ask him for the moon and he’d do his best to get it for her. He’d loved her so much and so it had always been hard to visit Maisy and see Brayden touching her or kissing her when she’d wanted him for herself from the first minute she’d set eyes on him. Perhaps she understood Tara’s motivation better than she realized.

Still, she couldn’t help but wonder if he blamed himself for Maisy’s death even though he hadn’t pulled the trigger?

Another tear rolled down her face as she thought of him losing five years of his life. She couldn’t imagine what it was like being in that cell, waiting to be put to death for something you didn’t do. Brayden probably woke up every day praying they’d arrest the right person. Thank God, his lawyer had believed him and for the two detectives who had helped. How had he functioned during the days? How had he slept at night?

Sighing, she stood and walked to her bedroom then crawled under the covers. She prayed that eventually he’d learn to let some of the past go and be happy again. Her last thoughts before sleep claimed her were of Brayden alone in the barn…in the dark.

Monday morning Melissa checked all the animals, and was pleased that they seemed to be doing so much better. She entered Brayden’s office to give him an update but stopped in her tracks when she saw a petite blonde standing in front of his desk, smiling at him.

“Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had someone in here. I just wanted to give you an update on the animals.” Melissa smiled, her eyes taking in the woman standing there.

Brayden swiveled his chair in her direction. “Oh hey…this is Julie Powell. She’s going to be the receptionist, and customer service rep. In other words, she’ll man the phones. Julie, this is Doctor Melissa Conroy, the resident vet.”

Melissa put her hand out to Julie. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Thank you,” Julie said while shaking her hand.

Frowning at the woman’s one-sided greeting, Melissa turned her gaze to Brayden, who simply shrugged. “I’m going to show her where her office is then I’ll be back with you, Melissa.”

He stood and nodded toward the door for Julie to precede him.

Entering the office a few minutes later, he took a seat behind the desk. “So…how are they doing?”

Melissa stared at him because he always looked so good but today, the red T-shirt hugged his pecs just so, and his arms fascinated her. How she’d love to feel them around her.

Tearing her eyes from him, she cleared her throat. “All of them are now eating well. The two we had on IVs are doing great. I was so afraid we’d have to euthanize them, but they’re standing and eating hay.”

“You know there will come a time we’ll have some come in that will have to be euthanized, so you’d better be prepared for that,” he said.

“I know. I hate it, but I know it’ll happen.”

“Good.” He stood. “I hired two men to help out. Come with me, I’ll introduce you.”

Following him out the door, they walked down the aisle of the barn, out the doors and into the bright sunshine then toward one of the other barns. The sun warmed the ground, and her shoulders. Melissa watched as Brayden lifted his face to the sky.

“The sun feels good, doesn’t it?” she asked.

Coming to a stop, he stared at her. “You have no idea.”

“I didn’t mean,” she stammered, not sure what to say next.

“I know. I don’t take everything literally. Come on,” he said as he led her into the other barn.

Two men walked toward them, both young and attractive. They were tall with brown hair and brown eyes and they both smiled at her.

“Melissa, this is Nico and Logan Bauer. Guys, this is Doctor Melissa Conroy.”

“Brothers?” Melissa put her hand out to them.

The taller one grinned at her. “Cousins. I’m Nico. It’s great to meet you.”

“Hi, Nico.” She put her hand out to Logan. “Hello, Logan.”

“Nice to meet you, Doc,” Logan said, grinning as he shook her hand.

“All right. Everyone can get back to work now that the pleasantries are out of the way,” Brayden barked.

Melissa frowned, as did Nico and Logan. They shrugged and after tipping their hats, walked down the center of the barn to get to work. She turned to face Brayden.

“What was that about?”

“Just get to work, Melissa.” Spinning on his heel, he strode away.

“And men say women are hard to understand,” Melissa muttered as she left the barn to check the ponies.

****

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Brayden growled under his breath as he left the barn.

Seeing her smile at Nico and Logan was like a stab in the gut. Did she like them? Was she attracted to them? What did it matter anyway? Hell, it mattered, a whole hell of a lot, because he was so attracted to her. The thought of her being attracted to someone else had him clenching his teeth, and a muscle twitched in his cheek.

Stopping, he took a couple of deep breaths knowing he shouldn’t be feeling like this about her. He knew she was attracted to him but the way she smiled at Nico and Logan had him thinking she was attracted to any man. Damn it! This shit, he did not need.

Entering the office Julie was working in, he saw her on the phone. When she hung up, she gazed up at him and although, he thought she was very pretty, she didn’t come close to Melissa.

“Someone called asking when they could come by. I gave them the hours.” She grinned up at him. “How’d I do boss?”

“So far, so good. I’ll be in my office if you need me for anything. Don’t hesitate to ask me or Melissa any questions.”

When she nodded, he left her office and entered his own then took a seat behind his desk. According to Glen, Melissa’s apartment would be ready later today. Brayden exhaled. That meant he’d have to sleep in the house since he couldn’t sleep in the barn where he’d be too close to her. While she was staying in the housekeeper’s quarters, he had stayed as far away as he could by continuing to sleep in the barn. She was far too much of a temptation. All he had to do was knock on her door and he knew she’d welcome him in.

Christ! His cock was pressing against the fly of his jeans just thinking about her. It seemed to have a mind of its own when it came to her. He wanted to bury himself deep inside her and feel her clench around him when she came, and he’d make sure she did. He loved bringing a woman to orgasm. The way their bodies responded to him, their breaths growing heavier, their skin growing flushed, and their moans rising in the back of their throats always pushed him over the edge. Rubbing his hand over his fly, he knew he could satisfy himself, he’d done it enough in prison, but it was nothing compared to being inside a woman and feeling her inner muscles squeezing his cock.

Son of a bitch! Standing so quickly that the chair slammed into the wall behind him, he left his office to head to the house. He needed a cold shower and he hoped it helped—for a while anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Six

 

 

As Brayden started out of the barn, he heard a vehicle pull up. He wasn’t expecting anyone but then again, he was beginning to get used to people dropping by without an appointment. He strode out into the bright sunlight and came to a halt when he saw a big truck, but then smiled when he saw Ash jump down from the cab.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Brayden asked greeting his brother with a handshake and hug.

Ash grinned. “Making a donation. I brought you some feed.”

“You didn’t have to do that, but I’ll take it.”

“Good thing…because if you’d said no, I’d have just dumped it all here.” Ash glanced around. “Nice place. Where do you want it?”

“Back the truck up to that barn,” Brayden said, pointing to the first big barn by the fenced pasture. “I’ll get Nico and Logan to help us unload.”

“Will do.” Ash walked back to the truck, climbed in then drove it to the barn and backed up to just inside of it.

Once Brayden found Nico and Logan, they returned to the barn and began unloading the bags of feed. Nico whistled when he saw all the bags then quickly looked at Brayden.

“Beckett Feed? You’re Beckett Feed?”

“I’m not, my brother is. Ash, meet Nico and Logan Bauer, two of my ranch hands. Guys, my brother, Ash Beckett,” Brayden said introducing them.

He watched Ash shake their hands and then they all got back to work. The feed room had storage bins along all four walls. They were airtight to keep the feed from getting moldy as well as keep moisture, insects, and rodents out.

“Can I help?”

Brayden spun around to see Melissa standing in the doorway. He nodded.

“If you could cut the bags open after we bring them in, it will save us time. Then we can just dump the feed in the bins.”

“Sure,” she said then sent a smile to Ash who grinned back at her.

Damn it.

Brayden blew out a breath. “My brother, Ash. Ash, this is Melissa Conroy.”

He watched them shake hands and thought Ash lingered longer than was necessary as he addressed Melissa.

“I remember you being at the trial,” Ash said quietly, glancing at Nico and Logan who continued to work. Brayden gave him a nod to thank him for not saying it loud enough for them to hear.

“Yes, I remember you too. It’s nice to meet you,” Melissa said.

“You too, darlin’.” Ash winked at her and Brayden rolled his eyes.

“Get your ass back to work and quit flirting,” he growled out.

“Are you talking to me or her?” Ash folded his arms across his chest.

“Both of you,” Brayden said as Melissa walked away.

Ash stared at him and a slow smile lifted his lips. “Good to see that.”

Frowning, Brayden stared at him. “See what?”

“You being jealous over a woman,” Ash said in a low enough tone of voice so Melissa wouldn’t hear him.

“Fuck you. You’re talking out your ass, Ashford.”

Ash burst out laughing. “You only ever call me Ashford when you know I’m right.”

“Get back to work,” Brayden repeated as he turned his back to his brother, but he heard Ash chuckle.

Damn smartass. He wasn’t jealous. He had no reason to be. Melissa was nothing to him. He glanced over to where she stood cutting open the bags and found he couldn’t take his eyes off her ass as she bent over a bag. He sure as hell didn’t need a hard-on right now but it was like his dick had a mind of its own. Turning away from her, he walked to the truck and climbed into the back to get a bag then he handed it down to Nico. He decided just to stay inside the back of the truck and hand out the bags, that way he wouldn’t have to see Melissa or her ass in those damn tight jeans.

Why did she wear them so damn tight? She was going to drive him insane looking so good and being so close. Perhaps it had been a bad idea hiring her, but she was damn good at her job. Taking a deep breath, Brayden handed a bag to Logan and forced his mind back on the job.

The next morning, Brayden was washing one of the horses when she shook and water flew all over him. He turned away but his shirt got soaked.

“Damn it, Sunshine. I don’t need a shower, you do,” he said laughing.

“Good morning, Brayden.”

Brayden turned to see Gray standing by the doorway of the stall.

“Hey Gray, what are you doing out this way?”

“I have to go out to Isiah Farrell’s ranch. It seems someone called to report two of his horses looked to be underweight. I’m wondering if you’d like to follow me with your trailer so you can take a look at them. If we need to, maybe we can just take them then and there.”

“Sounds good. Let me tell Melissa and I’ll follow you with the trailer.”

Gray nodded and walked out of the barn to head back to his SUV and got in while Brayden headed back through the barn.

“Melissa?” he called out.

“In here with Dinky.”

Grinning, Brayden shook his head. She loved the little burro. Stopping in the doorway, he looked in at her.

“I’m going out to a ranch with my brother. Someone reported seeing two underweight horses.”

“Your brother? Ash?” Melissa stared up at him. Damn! Was that an eagerness, he heard in her voice over his brother?

“No, Grayson. He’s the Sheriff of Hartland County. Do you want to meet him?”

“I will later. I’m too busy right now.”

“All right. I’ll be back later. Have Nico clean out two stalls in case I bring them back. Please.” Walking out of the barn, he climbed into the truck with the trailer hooked to it, signaled to Gray to pull out, and then followed him out of the driveway.

As they pulled into the driveway of the Farrell ranch, no one came out to greet them. Brayden had a bad feeling about it as he stepped out of his truck when he saw Gray emerge from his vehicle.

Brayden strode toward him. “It seems awfully quiet,” he said as he glanced around.

“Yeah, it does. I’ll go knock on the door. Why don’t you see if you can find the horses?”

As Gray walked across the porch of the house, Brayden headed to the barn and entered the dark building. Walking to each of the stalls, he peered into them. It was a small barn with only six stalls and all were empty. Walking out the other end, he shaded his eyes against the bright sun. It might be September and gradually getting colder, but the sun was high in the sky and still bright. His eyes scanned the field and he swore when he spotted three, very thin horses slowly walking toward him. He re-entered the barn to find halters. Gray entered at the other end.

“Any luck finding the horses?” Gray asked him when he reached him.

“Yeah, they’re out there.” He jerked his chin toward the field. “There are three of them. They started heading this way so I’m trying to find halters. Any luck at the house?”

“No, he’s gone. No furniture left in the house either. Looks like he’s been gone a while too. The son of a bitch. He’d better hope I don’t see him again.”

“They probably think we’re going to feed them. That’s why they’re coming to us,” Brayden said as he entered a room to look for halters. Finding three, he walked out and handed one to his brother.

“It’s a good thing he’s gone or I’d be running his ass in for animal abuse,” Gray muttered as both men walked slowly to the horses.

Talking quietly to the horses, Brayden slipped the halters on two of them while Gray put one on the other horse, then they led them to the trailer.

“They’re not too bad,” Gray said stroking his hand down the nose of the horse he was holding. “I’ve seen worse, but at least they had some grass to eat.”

“I don’t understand some people. He could have called someone to take the horses.” Brayden shook his head.

They loaded the horses and were about to leave when Gray glanced around. “I think we need to check the fields in case anymore horses are out there.”

“Okay. I can take these three to the ranch and then come back with two horses for us to ride into the fields,” Brayden suggested.

“Sounds good. I’ll look around while I wait.”

After the horses were loaded, Brayden called Julie and asked that she have either Nico or Logan saddle two horses then he drove back to the ranch. Once he had Nico and Logan help with getting the horses he’d brought back out of the trailer and into the barn, he loaded the saddled horses and headed back to the Ferrell ranch. When he pulled in, he saw Gray standing by the back of his SUV with the hatch open. Brayden stopped the truck, threw it in Park, and stepped out. As he walked toward Gray, he saw a dog lying in the back.

“Jesus! He’s skin and bones. Where did you find him?”

“He was tied to a dog house in the backyard. He’s so weak that he couldn’t even stand to come out,” Gray muttered.

“He’s starving but more importantly, he’s very dehydrated and needs some fluids. I’m sure Melissa will start him on ‘em as soon as I get him back to the clinic.” He glanced over to Gray to see his brother staring at him.

“You’ve always been a sucker for animals, Brayden.”

“I don’t deny it.”

Gray nodded toward the dog. “Do you want me to take him to Tessa instead?”

Staring down at the dog, Brayden shook his head. “No. I’ll take him. Melissa can work on him.”

Gray grinned. “I’m sure she can.”

“Let’s check the fields to make sure there aren’t any other animals suffering. I’ll call Melissa to come get the dog. Will your dog be all right in there?”

“Yes. Roxy’s a good girl. She knows I’ll be back. I’ll leave the air conditioning on for her.”

Brayden nodded and unloaded the horses as he talked to Melissa on the phone. After giving her the address, she told him she’d be right there. After hanging up, Gray handed him a walkie-talkie then they mounted the horses and took off in different directions. Brayden loved the feel of having a horse under him. It had been years since he’d ridden. It was invigorating to nudge the horse into a gallop and listen to the tall grass rustle against the horse’s legs. When Gray called him on the walkie-talkie telling him he hadn’t found anything else, Brayden told him it was clear in his area too. Thank God for small favors. They met back at the barn. Gray helped him load up the horses then they went their separate ways.

When he arrived back at MERAS, he found Melissa in the exam room with the dog. She had the poor animal hooked up to IVs to get some fluids into him. Brayden glanced down at the dog and such rage filled him that someone could do this to an innocent animal. He hoped Gray found the bastard and arrested him for animal cruelty.

“I hope he makes it,” she said in a choked voice.

Running his hands over the dog, he could feel every bone. “I do too. It’s hard to tell how long he’s been there without food or water. At least the horses had grass to eat. I saw a small pond on the property, so they had access to water but they’re way undernourished.”

“Where was the owner?”

“Gray said the house was cleaned out. I suppose the owner moved out and left his animals behind for whatever reason.”

As he looked at her, a tear slid down her cheek and he put his hand on her shoulder. She turned toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He held her as she cried. It was hard to see an animal treated this way. Brayden knew however, that had the owner walked in right now, the dog would wag its tail happy to see him. No matter how badly he’d treated the dog, the dog loved him. He pulled Melissa tight against him as she sobbed. She pulled back from him and stared up at him. His eyes met hers.

“I’m sorry. I know I’m supposed to be strong but I love animals so much and seeing this…” She shook her head.

“It’s all right. I understand,” he whispered as his gaze dipped to her lips. He groaned when she licked her bottom lip.

“Brayden…”

Slowly he lowered his lips to hers and lightly kissed her. When she moaned, he lost it and pressed his lips to hers in a deep kiss. “Open,” he demanded against her mouth.

When she did, he slid his tongue into her mouth. Her hands moved up his chest and into his hair, knocking his hat to the floor. He moved his hands down along her body to her waist, around to her ass and squeezed as he pulled her against his hard cock behind the fly of his jeans. He pulled his mouth from hers.

“Do you feel what you do to me? I walk around like this most of the day because of you, Melissa.”

She groaned but pushed her hips against his. “Brayden…”

“I think you already said that.” He grinned against her lips.

She laughed. “I don’t know what else to say.”

“Christ, I find that hard to believe with you.” He started to lower his head again when he heard Logan calling for him.

What the hell am I doing? He took a step back, releasing her.

“I need to go. Take care of him.” He nodded toward the dog, picked up his hat, and got the hell out of there as fast as he could.

****

As Melissa watched him leave the room, she placed her fingertips over her lips and could still feel his lips against hers. Damn, the man could kiss and from what she could feel behind the fly of his jeans, he wasn’t lacking there either. She turned back to the dog when she heard him whimper. Placing her hand on his side, she leaned down.

“Hi, sweetie. I’m going to take good care of you. I’ll do all I can to make you better.” She pulled the dog’s lips back to look at his teeth, revealing he was about three years old and too young for such a rough life. If the owner couldn’t afford to feed his animals, then he should have turned them in to a shelter or rescue. This was so uncalled for and she wanted to punch the man in the throat for doing this to his animals. She just prayed he didn’t get more wherever he’d moved to.

The day passed quickly and before she realized it, it was time to go home. Her new apartment was ready and she was thrilled with it. She stepped inside, shoved the door closed behind her, and smiled as she gazed around the living room. A large window faced the east pasture. Brayden had had her furniture shipped from her apartment in Texas and stored in the barn right after she moved to the ranch so today, he had Logan and Nico help him move the furniture into her new home. He’d told her if where they put things wasn’t to her liking, let him know and they’d move the furniture for her to wherever she wanted. She loved where it sat, however.

The red sofa sat with its back to the door and faced a large screen TV hanging above the brick fireplace. Two wingback chairs sat catty-corner on each side of the sofa. A large oriental rug sat centered on the hardwood floor. She was thrilled with the fireplace. When she told Brayden she wanted one, he didn’t even blink. He just had Glen install it. The little kitchen boasted shiny black appliances. She glanced up and smiled when she saw the skylight. Grinning, she walked down a small hallway to the bedroom. They’d installed a skylight in there too, located above the bed, just as she’d asked. A large closet sat along one wall and a doorway on another wall led to the bathroom. She squealed when she saw the large, modern claw foot tub with a skylight above it too. A stand-up shower sat along the opposite wall. The walls and floor were tan ceramic tiles. It didn’t matter how tired she was, she was going to soak in that tub before going to bed. Nibbling on her bottom lip, she wondered if Brayden was sleeping in the house or in the barn tonight. The man had been through so much but the past few weeks, he seemed content with the way MERAS was coming together. Today when he kissed her, she wanted to toss him down on the floor and have her way with him. No man had ever turned her on more.

She poured bubble bath under the open faucet and watched as the bubbles filled the tub. After undressing, she tied her hair up on her head, stepped into the tub, and slowly slid down into the hot water. Melissa let out a groan of contentment, leaned her head back, and closed her eyes. The bubbles were up to her chin and it felt like heaven.

Thirty minutes later, she knew she needed to get out since the water was cooling and she was beginning to look and feel a bit like a prune. She stood and the water glided down over her as she reached for a fluffy white towel. She rested her foot on the tub and ran the towel down her leg.

“Melissa––” Brayden’s voice came from the bedroom and then he filled the doorway. He came to a sudden halt. “Hell. I’m sorry.”

He turned away from her.

“Brayden,” she said softly.

He turned only enough to look over his shoulder at her. When she stepped from the tub and wrapped the towel around her, he looked away again and she swore she heard him groan.

“Did you need something? Is there something wrong with one of the animals?”

“No, I…” She saw him close his eyes for a few seconds as if in pain. “I wanted to tell you the dog was responding well. I knocked but when you didn’t answer, I wanted to make sure you were all right. You left the door unlocked.”

He turned to go.

“Brayden.”

“What?”

“Turn around and look at me.”

“I’d rather not. This isn’t a good idea, Melissa.”

“I think it’s a wonderful idea.” She moved to stand behind him and placed her hands on his back feeling his muscles tense under her palms. “Please look at me.”

“Melissa…” He shook his head while taking a deep breath, which he exhaled then turned to face her.

Rising on her toes, she leaned in, took his bottom lip between her teeth, and ran her tongue along it. He groaned and put his warm hands on her hips, the heat of which she felt even through the towel.

“You want me, Brayden. I know you do.”

His hands gripped her hips tightly. “I’m not denying that but––”

She placed her finger over his lips. “No buts. Just kiss me.” She put her lips close to his.

His hands moved up her arms to her neck and then he cupped her face in his hands, and pressed his lips to hers. Her arms moved around his neck. All of a sudden, he pulled back.

“I have to go.” He turned from her.

“Brayden, stop…please.”

He spun around to face her then she slowly opened the towel and let it fall to the floor. She heard him growl right before he grasped her arms in his hands and pulled her against him. He took her lips in a deep, hard kiss. His tongue entered her mouth and dueled with hers. She moaned and pressed herself against him. Then, as she’d always dreamed of him doing, he picked her up and carried her to the bedroom.

****

Seeing her standing there, naked and offering herself up to him, there was no way he was denying himself of having her. Not after weeks of walking around with his cock standing at attention, anytime she was near. He put her in the center of the bed and lay down beside her. He moved the tip of his finger over her eyebrows and down her nose.

“I want to kiss every one of these freckles,” he said before kissing her lips.

“I’ll let you,” she whispered.

Brayden chuckled. “Thank you. You’re so beautiful,” he said, as he palmed her full breast in his hand and then rubbed the pad of his thumb over her nipple.

Melissa gasped and arched her back, offering herself to him. When he leaned down and ran his tongue around a hardened peak, she whimpered, and held his head to her breast. Brayden kissed and licked it, pulling at it with his teeth, and then sucked it into his mouth. He heard her moan and felt her move her hands down his chest to the snap of his jeans. She placed a palm over the hard bulge behind his zipper and gently squeezed, making him groan.

“You’re driving me insane, Melissa,” he whispered against her breast.

Melissa sat up, pulled his T-shirt off over his head, tossed it to the floor, and then scraped her nails down his chest and stomach until she reached the snap of his jeans again. She lowered the zipper and moved her hand inside. When her hand wrapped around his cock, he groaned low in his throat. Slowly, she started sliding her hand up and down his hard length. He pressed against her hand and took her lips in a deep kiss then moved his hand over her belly and down to her strip of curls where he dipped his fingers down between her wet slit and rubbed his thumb against her clitoris. As he continued to touch her, she arched against his hand and her breathing increased.

Brayden looked into her face. The moon shining down through the skylight let him see her as she groaned long and low in her throat, and then came. Eager to experience more of her, he kissed his way down to her curls and spread her legs wide then moved his tongue up and down her slit, and sucked on her clitoris. When she came again, he shucked his jeans and moved between her legs then handed her the condom he’d retrieved from his wallet. Smiling, she took it from him, ripped opened the packet with her teeth, she rolled it down over his aching cock. He inched into her then moved to his knees and sat back on his haunches.

“God! You feel amazing,” she whispered faintly, but he heard her.

“I’m not going to last. I need to take you fast and hard this time,” he said between clenched teeth, trying to hold back.

Laughing low in her throat, she hooked her ankles low on his back. “This time? I like the sound of that.”

Brayden grinned then started moving hard and fast against her. She moved her hips in rhythm with his so he put one hand under her ass and pulled her tight against him. Leaning down over her, he moved his mouth across her shoulder to her neck and then back. He nipped her shoulder and then licked the spot. When her breathing increased, and her muscles clenched around his dick, he lost it and came hard just as she cried out. Groaning her name, he buried his face against her neck and tried to catch his breath then rolled to his back beside her. He glanced over to her to see her breathing heavy too. She turned to him.

“You’re not going to say this shouldn’t have happened, are you? Because if you do, I swear I will punch you,” she told him.

“I wasn’t going to say that. I was just going to ask you if you were all right.”

“Oh yeah, I’m better than all right. That was fantastic.”

“I think so too. I need a shower.”

“I have a shower you can use. I might even join you.”

“Really? Let’s go.” He put his hand out to her and pulled her up when she placed her hand in his. When she stood beside him, he ran his eyes over her. “You have an amazing body.”

“So do you. This six-pack is so sexy.” She ran her fingertips down his abdomen and her touch sparked arousal. “Do you work out?”

“I do. I started when I was in prison and kept up with it. But I get a pretty good workout working the ranch too.” He pulled her against him. “And you just gave me one hell of a workout. It’s been quite a while since I’ve had sex.”

“How long?” She tilted her head.

“Four months. The first thing I did when I got out was get a woman. I needed a woman very badly. I was tired of my hand.”

Melissa burst out laughing. “Too much information.”

“Just telling it like it is. What?” he asked, when he saw she was staring at him with a big smile.

“You have a gorgeous smile.

“You’ve seen me smile.”

“Yeah, but never aimed at me. You avoid me as much as you can. Why is that?”

“Because you have my dick hard anytime I’m around you,” he whispered in her ear.

“I’ll keep an eye out from now on.” She glanced down and grinned when she saw him growing hard again. “Shower sex?”

“Hell yeah,” he said before he grabbed another condom from his wallet then tossed her over his shoulder and carried her into the bathroom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Seven

 

 

Two days later, Brayden sat behind his scarred cherry desk and stared out the window, all the while tapping a pencil against the desk’s top. It shouldn’t have happened. It was a moment of weakness, and he should’ve stopped it before it happened.

Damn it. Just like any other man, you thought with your dick and just had to have her. He sighed as he ran his hand around the back of his neck. Christ! But it was so good. Only, it never should have happened. How was he going to tell her that it was a mistake?

Picking up his coffee cup, he took a sip then made a face at the cold brew even as his thoughts returned to Melissa and their incredible time together. Yesterday, they’d spent the entire day in bed making love—no…having sex—several times. It was as if he were trying to make up for the lost years of not being deep inside a woman. Melissa was so responsive to his touch and she seemed to know just where and how to touch him to send him over the edge.

Son of a bitch! He bolted up out of the chair when his damn dick started to rise. Turning, he saw Julie Powell standing in the doorway, leaning against the doorjamb with her arms folded across her chest. She really was attractive but she just didn’t do a thing for him. However, she’d made it clear on more than one occasion how interested she was in him.

“What can I do for you, Julie?”

A slow smile lifted her lips and her eyes raked down his body. “That’s a loaded question, Brayden.”

Brayden drew in a breath of impatience and stared at her. “What is it you need?”

“I’m going for lunch. Do you want me to bring you anything back?”

“No, thank you.” He moved toward the door.

“All right then. I’ll be back in an hour.” She spun around, making her long ponytail swish back and forth as she walked away with a sway in her hips. She glanced over her shoulder and smiled at him. He about snapped the pencil in his hand in half.

Damn it. He knew there was going to come a day when he’d have to have a talk with her. Nothing was ever going to happen between them. It was a working relationship only. Of course, hadn’t he told himself the same thing about Melissa?

Taking a deep breath, he walked back to his desk then sat back down and fretted over the thought of having to talk to Melissa about things. He couldn’t be with her any more, not if they were going to continue working together. This was a place of business and it was going to make things damn uncomfortable if they continued to see each other. Whether it was just for sex or whether they took it to the next level and dated. It didn’t matter either way because it was all wrong no matter how he looked at it. There was no way he was going to have a relationship with her or anyone else. Been there, done that, and the thought of losing someone else and going through that pain yet again was something he wouldn’t even consider.

You’re a fucking idiot, Beckett!

Standing, he tossed the pencil down, and strode out the door almost knocking Melissa down in the process. He quickly grasped her arms to keep her from falling. She laughed up at him.

“Good thing you’re quick with your hands, Brayden.” Her arms started to wrap around his neck but he pulled them away, and she frowned up at him.

“Are you all right?” he asked, hoping he hadn’t hurt her by plowing into her.

“Yes. Are you?” She continued to frown at him.

Brayden cleared his throat. “Yes. I have an appointment with a potential ranch manager.”

“O-kay. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, we’ll talk later.” He removed his hands from her arms and started to walk around her when her next words stopped him.

“You’re going to say it was a mistake, aren’t you?”

“It was a mistake, Melissa,” he growled as he turned to look at her and by the expression on her face, he wished he hadn’t been so harsh.

“Bullshit, Brayden. It was great and you can’t deny it.”

“I’m not denying it. I’m saying it shouldn’t have happened and it sure as hell won’t happen again. It can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because you work for me. That’s all it is between us and that’s all it will ever be.”

“You’re a real bastard.”

Striding to her and stopping in front of her, he towered over her.

“If you don’t like it, there’s the door.” He pointed to the door of the barn.

“Don’t think I wouldn’t love to go.”

“Then go. If you have another job lined up—go.”

“Maybe I will, when I find one.”

“Good. But for now, you still work here, so go do your job.”

“Fuck you,” she growled.

“You already did,” he said as he leaned down close to her.

He wasn’t ready for the punch to his gut. He grunted and bent forward with his hands braced on his knees. “What the fuck was that for?”

“That was uncalled for and I warned you if you told me it shouldn’t have happened I’d punch you.” She placed her hands on her slim hips and her eyes narrowed as she stared at him.

“I could fire you for that,” Brayden muttered as he took deep breaths to ease the pain. She sure packed a wallop.

“Go ahead. Fire me. I don’t care.” She marched away from him. He could hear her muttering under her breath and though he was only able to catch a few words, none of them was flattering.

He straightened up, as best he could, and took a deep breath then he walked down through the aisle of the barn to wait for the man coming for an interview.

****

“Damn that man. I knew he was going to do this. I just knew it,” Melissa muttered under her breath until she reached the room to check on the dog. Taking a deep breath to calm her anger, she pushed the door open and entered. A smile lit up her face as she squatted down by the cage and peered in at the dog.

“Hi, sweet boy…how are you today?” She laughed when the dog licked her hand. “You are getting so much better every day. I love how you’re eating and filling out…and you are such a pretty boy. I wish I knew your name.”

The dog licked her hand again and gazed up at her with love-filled eyes. She was sure he had some German Shepherd and maybe some Rottweiler in him. He was a big dog and needed fattening up. Melissa glanced toward the door when she heard a female voice calling out. She stood and opened the door then glanced down the barn aisle and smiled when she saw Dr. Tessa Garrett striding through barn.

Melissa stepped from the room and waved. She’d met Tessa one day in town and they’d hit it off immediately. “Over here, Tess.”

Tessa smiled and walked toward her. “Hi, Lissa. I wanted to come out to see how you’re doing.”

“I’m doing great. How are things at the hospital?”

“Busy. I heard about a dog here that Ferrell abandoned. I wanted to check on him, I know how busy a rescue place can get.” Tessa smiled at her.

“Come on, I’ll show you. I wish I knew his name. He didn’t have any tags on him.” Melissa led her into the room and pointed to the crate where the dog lay wagging his tail. Tessa knelt down alongside.

“Hi, baby. Aren’t you a pretty boy?” She looked up at Melissa. “I see German Shepherd, and maybe Rottweiler or Doberman in there.”

“Pretty close to what I was thinking. He’s a big boy. I hope he’ll get a good home.”

“I’d take him if I could, but Sam would have a fit if I brought another dog home.” Tessa smiled at her.

“Any idea what vet Ferrell was taking him to?” Melissa asked, hoping for some information about the dog, including a name.

“I could check records. When the vet office closed in Hartland, a lot of people started coming to me. I really don’t remember this dog though. Hell, his owner may not have taken him to a vet at all. We could also scan him for a chip, but I’m not too hopeful.”

“Yes, we could do that. If he doesn’t have one, I may ask Brayden if I can keep him.”

“That would be great. I’ll get going. I was passing by, and I just wanted to see how he was. Let’s get together for lunch one day soon.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“Where is Mr. Beckett? I wanted to say hi while I was here.”

“He’s here, somewhere. I know he’s expecting a man for an interview so he can’t be too far away.”

“I’ll see him next time then.” Tessa started toward the door and turned to look at Melissa. “He’s very good looking…has to be kind of hard working around him all day.” Tessa laughed as she winked.

“Oh, it is. I avoid him at all costs.” At least, she would now.

Tessa smiled at her. “I’ll call you about lunch. Bye.”

Melissa waved at her then returned to the room where the dog was. She knelt down by the crate and stuck her finger in through the wire.

“How about we call you, Lucky? Because it was pure luck that you were found.” The dog licked her finger. She smiled. “Lucky, it is, for now.”

The day was about over and Melissa hadn’t seen Brayden since he told her their time together shouldn’t have happened. He’d wanted her, she knew he couldn’t deny that, but to change his mind after what they’d shared she couldn’t comprehend his thinking. His touch made her tremble. Damn, the man was fantastic in bed. She’d been with a few other men. Mostly in college, and none of them ever satisfied her like Brayden had. She had a feeling he was holding back because of Maisy. Shaking her head, she found that hard to believe. The woman had been gone for over five years.

Walking toward her apartment, she heard Julie’s voice in Brayden’s office. Was that why he wanted nothing more to do with her? He was moving on to Julie. Julie, who made it clear from almost the start that she wanted him, and didn’t like Melissa. That bitch! She cleared her throat and stepped through the doorway.

“I, uh…just wanted to say goodnight. I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said and turned to leave.

“Melissa,” Brayden said behind her making her insides jump.

She turned back around and he was standing by his chair. She couldn’t help but look up into those gorgeous eyes.

“Yes?”

“How’s the dog doing?”

“Good. He’s responding well. Tess said Ferrell never took the dog to her but she’s going to look through records to make sure.”

“You spoke to Dr. Garrett about him?”

“Yeah, she stopped by today. How did your meeting go?” She wanted to leave but if he could make small talk, so could she.

“Not good. He had no experience.”

“Maybe you should see what James is doing these days. You know, James, your father in-law.” She smirked when Julie let out a gasp. “Goodnight.”

Melissa grinned as she walked down the aisle and heard Julie exclaim, “You’re married?”

****

Damn her! She’d done that on purpose. Brayden took his seat behind his desk and stared at Julie as she stood with her hands on her hips glaring at him. Why she was glaring was beyond him since he’d never given her any type of encouragement.

“I’m not anymore. Not that it’s any of your business.”

Julie flopped down into the chair she’d vacated earlier. “What can I say, Brayden? I’m attracted to you and I always go after what I want.”

“In this case, don’t. I’m not interested, and you work for me.”

“Are you interested in her?” She jerked her chin toward the door.

Brayden slowly stood and placed his hands on the desk leaning forward. “First off, I won’t discuss my personal life with you. Second, I don’t get involved with employees. Third, get that idea out of your head or find another job. We clear?”

Julie stood and her eyes narrowed. “Crystal. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Brayden sat back down once she left the office. There were times he wondered why he loved women so much, then he remembered how soft their hair was, how their skin smelled, how he loved being inside them and kissing them. Shit! He loved the way Melissa kissed, how her skin smelled, how soft her hair was, and he sure as hell had loved being inside her.

After shutting down the computer, he walked out of the office. After glancing toward Melissa’s door, he left the barn, walked across the yard heading for the house. Looking up to the mountains, he smiled. The heat of the past few days had eased up and he knew winter would soon be arriving. He continued to the house and entered the kitchen then stopped when he remembered what Melissa had said. See what your father in-law is doing. Would James work with him, he wondered. He loved horses just as much as Brayden did and he was good with them. Brayden found his number and dialed it.

“Hello?”

“James? It’s Brayden.”

“How are you, son?”

“I’m good. How about you?”

“Same. What’s going on? How’s the rescue going?”

“It’s going really well. We are getting a lot of people coming in to adopt.”

“That’s wonderful. Maisy would be so happy…” James’s voice caught.

“What are you doing nowadays?”

“Not much. I’m sorry we haven’t talked much. Say, did you hire Melissa?”

“Yes, and she suggested I call you.” Brayden quickly explained how he’d love to have James come to work for him. “I understand if you’d rather not.”

“I’d love to come visit and talk with you about it. I miss working with horses.”

“Great. When could you come up? I have a huge house and you’re welcome to stay with me.” Brayden couldn’t help but grin.

“How about next week? I’ll see about when I can get a flight out.”

They discussed the job a little more and then hung up. Brayden was happy he’d called him. He’d always had a good relationship with James and he missed him almost as much as he missed his family and Maisy. He’d have to thank Melissa tomorrow for suggesting it, even though she’d only done it to piss off Julie. It had worked too. The little minx knew exactly what she was doing when she mentioned his father-in-law. Brayden chuckled. She would definitely keep him on his toes.

As he entered his bedroom, he pulled his sweat stained T-shirt off over his head, tossed it into the hamper then entered the bathroom to shower. A day working around horses didn’t make a man smell very good—add in the sweat, and the smell became downright repulsive. He reached in, turned on the shower, and stripped his clothes off as the bathroom filled with steam. He supposed he could use a shave too, he thought as he rubbed his hand over his raspy jaw. He opened the shower door and stepped in. The hot water flowed over his shoulders, chest, and down along his abs. His thoughts went to Melissa’s hands following that same path.

He ducked his head under the water but still couldn’t push thoughts of Melissa from his head. He felt his cock begin to rise and thought about taking his own pleasure but to be honest, he’d rather have a woman. He shut off the hot water and let the icy chill remaining flow over him putting out the fire. After he shaved, his plan was to hit the sack. He hoped he would sleep. He was just about to the point where he could fall asleep in the house without tossing and turning for hours but it still wasn’t easy. Of course, if he were honest, tonight it wasn’t the thought of being inside that would keep him awake. It would be thinking of Melissa and how much he still wanted her and how he couldn’t have her. Never again. Not if he wanted to keep his sanity.

He suspected it was going to be a long night.

****

The next day, Melissa walked into Brayden’s office then hesitated when she saw he was on the phone. He held up a finger, finished up the call, hung up the phone, and looked up at her.

“I’m going for lunch. I’m meeting Tess at the diner. Would you like me to bring you something back? They have fantastic burgers.” Damn it. She could be nice—even if it killed her.

“That would be great. I think I can hold off for another hour or so until you get back. Mustard and onions, please. I know all about their burgers. Besides my family, those burgers were another thing I missed living in Texas.”

“Fries too?” He nodded in response. “Okay, I’ll see you later.”

“Melissa?”

“Yes?”

“Although, I know why you suggested it yesterday, I did call my father in-law. He’s coming next week to talk about the job. Thank you.”

Melissa bit back a grin. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, but you’re welcome.”

She walked out of his office and smiled when she heard him chuckle. The smile left her face when she saw Julie barreling down on her.

“You think you’re so smart,” Julie said in a snide tone of voice.

Melissa almost snorted. What was this? Grade school? “Actually, I am pretty smart. You can’t be a dummy and become a veterinarian.”

Julie stepped closer to her. “I know why you said what you did. You wanted me to think Brayden was married.”

“Why would I do that, Julie?”

“Because you want him. Well, he already told me he wasn’t involved with you and he wouldn’t be.” She stepped around her and marched off down through the barn.

Melissa was stunned. He’d told Julie he wouldn’t get involved with her. He was in for a rude awakening when she got back. She’d go back and call him on it now, but she was running late to meet Tess.

 

 

 

 

Chapter Eight

 

 

Melissa entered the diner and saw Tess waving to her from a booth in the back. She weaved her way through the tables and slid onto the seat across from her. Connie, the owner of the diner, came over with menus and water.

“What would you like to drink? I’ll get them while you look at the menus.”

“Coffee for me, Connie,” Tess said with a smile.

“I’ll take the same, thank you.” Melissa smiled. “Oh, and I’ll need a burger to go.”

“Just let me know a few minutes before you’re about to leave.” Connie smiled at her and walked back to the counter.

“Are you taking a burger home for dinner?” Tess laughed.

“No. As good as they are, if I ate them as much as I’d like I’d weigh five hundred pounds. No, I’m taking one back for Brayden.”

“He seems nice. Do you like working for him?”

“Yes. Well, I like the job. Him, I’m not so sure of yet.” Melissa could feel the heat pouring into her cheeks.

Tess tilted her head and stared at her. “Really? I think there’s a story there.”

“Maybe I’ll tell you about it one day.”

Tess laughed. “Fair enough. I already know what I want. I don’t know why I’m even looking at the menu.” The smile on her face grew when she glanced to the doorway when the bell over the door jingled. Melissa turned to see a good-looking man in a khaki shirt with a badge pinned to it enter the diner. She quickly turned to face Tess.

“Who is that?” Melissa asked with widened eyes.

“That is my husband and the Sheriff of Clifton, Sam Garrett.”

Melissa’s jaw went slack. “Wow. That’s your husband! Are you serious?” She winked at her friend when Tess’s eyes narrowed at her.

Tess laughed. “Stop trying to make me jealous. I have no worries, I know he loves me.”

Melissa laughed. “Sorry, I just had to.”

She turned to see Sam weaving his way through the tables heading their way but people kept stopping him to talk. Finally, he stood beside the table and smiled down at them.

“Hi, sweetheart,” he said looking at Tess.

“Hi honey,” Melissa said laughing.

Sam looked startled at first, but then laughed.

“Stop.” Tess admonished her. “Sam, this is Doctor Melissa Conroy. She’s the vet at the sanctuary Brayden has going. Melissa, my husband, Sam.”

Sam stuck his hand out and Melissa took it. She knew she was staring but the man was downright gorgeous. If she wasn’t already head over heels in love with Brayden and Sam wasn’t married…

“It’s nice to meet you, Melissa,” Sam said then turned to Tess. “I called my order in already and I need to get going but I’ll see you at home later, angel.” He leaned down, kissed Tess, and said something against her lips. When he straightened up, he grinned then put his fingers to his Stetson and walked off toward the front counter.

“Okay, I’m nosy. What did he say to you, because you are beet red?”

Tess laughed. “I can’t repeat it but that man can make me blush anytime he says something.”

Melissa laughed. “You’re a lucky woman, Tess. I can tell you love him very much and it’s obvious he loves you.”

“We had a very rocky situation at first, but we got through it.” Tess tilted her head. “Maybe I’ll tell you about it one day.”

“Touché.” Melissa smiled.

The time passed quickly as they ate and talked then they hugged, and parted ways. Melissa walked to her car and climbed inside decidedly glad she’d taken the time out of her busy day to have lunch with her new friend. She put the white paper bag containing Brayden’s burger, which despite having just eaten smelled heavenly, on the passenger seat and drove back to the ranch.

After parking her car by the house, she walked to the barn. When she arrived at Brayden’s office, she noticed the door closed so she knocked. She entered when he called out for her to come in. He was on the phone so she didn’t want to interrupt. Setting the bag on the desk, she turned to leave.

“Melissa, how much do I owe you?” he asked as he hung up the phone.

“Never mind, it’s on me this time.” She leaned back against the door and folded her arms. She watched him take the burger out of the bag.

“Damn, it smells fantastic.” Opening the foil wrapper, he picked it up, and took a big bite. He groaned. “I haven’t had one of these in years. Damn, I missed Connie’s burgers.”

Melissa laughed. “Best burgers I’ve ever had. I don’t know what Connie does to them but whatever it is, she’d better not stop.”

“She’s an amazing cook. From what I remember, everything on the menu was great. I’ll need to make a trip into Clifton to see her.”

“She seems really nice. The place was packed as usual.”

“Too bad she’s married.” Brayden took another bite.

“Tess told me a lot of men say that. I think any man in Clifton and the surrounding areas would steal her if they could.”

“We all used to tease her when we were kids.” He took another bite.

“Oh, I almost forgot…speaking of kids. Where do you get off telling Julie you weren’t involved with me and never would be?”