M I R A B E L L E
What the hell did I do with half of the ranch? Truth was, so much had changed over the years since I’d left. Nate’s training clinic and private clients were two things I knew nothing about. And thinking of the financial aspect of running an operation our size made my head pound. Hard work and sweat was the easy part.
And Silas thought I was upset Dalton split it between us, but I wasn’t—not in the least. He was family as much as I was. They were like brothers. We were going to need to have some serious discussions if we were going to continue the ranch the way Dalton had envisioned. Talk. Yeah, we’d failed at that task so far.
“Is there really no other reason for you to stay, Mirabelle?”
The answer to his question was yes. One really big yes was the tall cowboy in the hardware store. As hard as I’d tried to forget every memory for the past four years, no matter how far I ran, I would never truly break free from this place. My home was ingrained in me. The clean air and unspoiled landscape called to me like never before, yet doubt remained.
The late spring day was shaping up to be a beautiful one. The ever-changing sky was bluer than I’d seen in a long time—not a cloud in sight. Despite the warmth in the valley, snow topped the mountain peaks like a cloth draped over a table. The contrast between the white and the green new life growing below was breathtaking.
“Well, hello again.” The deep voice approached from the left. “Mira, isn’t it?”
My drinking buddy from the bar stopped in front of me, flashing his white smile. His clothes didn’t appear to see much work, and one glance at his soft hands and shiny nails proved my point. Did he get manicures? Why would he want our ranch if he wasn’t a true rancher?
“Hi, Rick. Nice to see you again,” I lied.
“What brings you to town today?” His voice was casual, but he eyed me too closely, almost like a predator stalking its prey. It was creepy.
“Just random errands.” I shrugged. I wasn’t about to give him anything.
“I see. So, how are you doing without Dalton? If you need any help, I’d be happy to help out.” His grin widened as he inched closer to me.
There was no chance to respond before Rick slammed against the side of the truck. Silas pressed his forearm against Rick’s neck, holding him in place. Silas’s nostrils flared as he leaned forward. His glare was fixed on its mark, watching intently. The veins in his arms bulged. I should’ve been scared. I should’ve told him to stop. But something about what he was doing left my stomach in excited knots. Warmth filled me from head to toe. Watching how he was acting almost made me believe I could be more to him.
“What fucking part of ‘stay the fuck away from her’ was hard to understand?” Silas growled low and serious. His chest heaved as he held Rick in place.
Shaking myself from whatever temporary wonder I’d been in, I finally reacted. “Silas, you’re choking him.” I pulled on his arm as Rick gasped for air. “Silas, please stop,” I begged.
Silas released a coughing, sputtering Rick, flinging him away from me in the process. His muscles jumped and jerked under my hand, and I couldn’t remember a time I’d ever seen Silas this angry.
“What the fuck, Si?” Rick squeaked, hands on his knees as he gasped for air. “I was just talking to Mira. No harm in that.”
“Wrong, fucker.” Silas stepped back toward him, but rather than touching him again, he stopped. “I told you to stay away from her. That means no talking to her. In fact, don’t even fucking look at her. You get me?”
“Don’t you think Mira can speak for herself? It’s not like you’re together.” Rick stood up straighter. Cockiness covered his features. Apparently, he wasn’t worried anymore about Silas coming after him again because I’d stopped him before.
“That’s where you’re wrong, Rick.” Silas wrapped his hand in Rick’s shirt and shook him. “Mirabelle is mine. We are together, so you can get whatever thoughts you had about moving in on her out of your ugly fucking head.” Silas flicked him in the head before he shoved Rick and stepped to where I stood, slack-jawed, wide-eyed, and unable to move.
Did he really just tell Rick we’re together? While my mind whirled in circles of confusion, Silas wasted no time getting me in the truck.
“Want to tell me what the hell that was about?” I asked quietly as he drove out of town.
“He’s going to keep sniffing around, Mirabelle. He thinks he can get the ranch if he goes through you. It’s better if he thinks we’re together.”
His words hit me like a punch in the gut. I stared out my window and watched the scenery pass, trying to keep the knot in my stomach from turning to tears.
As soon as Silas stopped the truck, I unhooked my seatbelt and hopped out. I needed to get away from him.
“What the hell’s wrong now?” Silas rounded the truck and stood in front of me. “Dammit, Mirabelle, I’d love to spend one day without accidentally pissing you off.” He looked so stressed out.
I felt bad for making things so hard between us. So much was left unsaid, and there never seemed like a right time to address everything.
“I’m sorry, Silas. Everything is fine. I’m just overwhelmed.” I sighed. “You’re right, a fake relationship is the way to deal with Rick.” I tried to sidestep him, but his arms circled me, and he herded me back against the truck. His lips were on me before I could argue, not that I truly wanted to protest.
Warmth covered my body as Silas pressed fully against me, holding me against the hard metal. His lips moved firmly, yet meticulously against mine. His tongue ran along the seam of my lips, demanding I open for him. A soft moan escaped me, and he took the opportunity to plunge his tongue into my mouth, tasting and searching as he drew me closer against his body. His hand rested underneath my ear, his thumb caressing my cheek as our tongues mingled. I ran my fingers down his back, pulling him even closer until there was no space left between us. His heart beat against my chest. His rigid muscles pressed against my breasts.
It was better than I’d ever imagined.
Unfortunately, he stopped too soon, leaving me breathless and wanting for more.
“Let me assure you, Mirabelle”—he pushed his hips against me, his hard erection nestled against my stomach, causing an ache to form between my legs—“there is not anything fake about this—not now and not ever.” Silas touched his forehead to mine, looking deep into my eyes.
“But yesterday, you said nothing had changed,” I managed to get out, trying to catch my breath.
“Exactly. Nothing has changed. My feelings for you are the same today as they were four years ago when you ran.” He placed a soft kiss on my forehead, causing my thoughts to spin out of control.
“I don’t understand,” I whispered. His confusing words made me feel like I was in an alternate universe.
“Si!” Nate hollered from the barn, causing us to turn. “Fuck, man, I’m sorry, but we have a problem.”
“Go,” I said, nodding to the barn.
“We still need to talk, Mirabelle.” He squeezed my hips before heading to the barn.
What just happened?
My brain took several minutes before it functioned enough to command my legs to move. As I entered the main house, my thoughts were jumbled. What had I missed? Just when I convinced myself I had a grasp on something, fate took a new turn, propelling me in unexpected directions. My emotions were a rollercoaster ride I couldn’t seem to get off. I needed to find some sort of clarity in this mess of things.
“That was some kiss, my dear.” Caroline winked at me from the kitchen. Heat crept up my face.
“I’m a mess, Caroline,” I admitted.
“I know, dear.” She handed me a couple of bags. “Put those sandwiches in these, please. The boys are sleeping in the field tonight. Apparently, an entire section of the north fence is out, and Ryke needs both Si and Nate out there.”
I did as she asked, helping her gather provisions for an overnight trip.
“What about the horses and the evening chores?” I hated knowing so little about my own ranch.
“A couple of off-site hands will come in this evening and again in the morning to make sure everything is taken care of,” Caroline confirmed, making me feel a little better. Just as we finished packing everything, Nate and Silas walked into the house.
“Thank you, Caroline.” Silas kissed her on the cheek as she handed him everything.
“You’re welcome, dear. You boys stay safe. Call on the radio if you need anything,” she said as she wiped the counters.
It was obvious they’d done this before. What else had I missed?
“We should be back tomorrow night.” Silas leaned in toward me, speaking softly. “We need to talk.”
I nodded, unsure where things stood with us. His fingers feathered my cheek before he left.
“Caroline?”
“Yes, sweetie?”
“I need to borrow the ranch car. Is that okay?” I asked, thankful as hell when she agreed. After giving her a quick hug, I rushed to my room. I had something to take care of, and now was as good a time as any.
As I pulled a small bag from the top of my closet, I dialed Shiloh’s number.
“Hey, Mira! How are things at home?” Her voice wrapped me in warmth.
“I’m a hot mess.” Nervous laughter bubbled in my chest. “Silas kissed me.”
“What? That’s good, right?” Shiloh asked, clearly waiting for more.
“I think so, which leads me to the real reason I called. I need your help.”
“Anything, Mira. You know this.”
I knew then, without a doubt, I was making the right choice.