“Don’t worry about it, I have it covered.”
As I pull on socks and shoes, I continue to grumble about the downside of living with a morning person and then follow him out of the bedroom and out to the barn.
“Good morning.” Louie smiles widely at me, earning a small grin from me.
“Mornin’.”
“Thanks, Louie.” Josh lifts me up onto Magic and does that sexy leap-up thing behind me, then accepts a thermos from Louie. “We’ll see you in a while.”
“Have fun.” Louie waves us off as Magic walks out of the barn and through the pasture, heading toward the special sunrise spot with the large maple tree.
“Here,” Josh murmurs, and reaches down into a saddlebag, pulls out a thick down blanket, and wraps it around us to ward off the early-morning chill that has settled in the air.
Fall is approaching.
“Summer never lasts long enough,” I complain.
“Not in Montana. I can already feel fall in the air.”
“Me too.”
“Do you want coffee?”
“Sure.” I smile back at him.
“Okay, take the reins.” He slips the leather straps into my hands and pours us one large cup of coffee to share, slips the thermos into a saddlebag, and comes back out with a red-and-white-checkered linen napkin wrapped around something that smells amazing.
He takes the reins from me after handing me the mug of coffee.
“What’s in there?”
“Huckleberry muffins,” he responds casually, knowing that the sweet treats are my favorite.
“Did your mom make these?”
“Yep.”
“God, I love you.” I open the fabric and pull out a muffin, still warm from the oven. “Oh, sweet Moses,” I moan, and chew the muffin.
“Can I have a bite?” He chuckles as I hold the muffin up for him to bite. “Mmm . . . good.”
“They are.” I settle my back against his chest. “You’re sure spoiling me this morning. A girl could get used to this.”
“I hope so,” he whispers, and kisses my head. “You deserve to be spoiled.”
“You’re sweet.” I lean my head back and kiss his chin.
“Has Jill settled into your old place?” Josh takes a sip of our coffee.
“Yep, she’s all settled. She got her Montana real estate license, so she’s getting back to work and into the swing of things.”
“Good. It’s good having her home.”
“It is.” I take a deep breath. “It smells good out here.”
We settle into comfortable silence as Magic takes us to our special place. Twilight begins to spread through the sky, casting the trees and mountains around us into gray shadow.
“Look,” Josh whispers, and points to our right.
“Oh, wow!”
Five deer are grazing in the field and stop, their heads rising in the air and ears perking up at the sight of us.
“They’re so beautiful. I never get tired of them.”
“You’re going to have to be extra careful this winter when you drive in to work every day,” he reminds me. “I don’t want you to hit a deer and have an accident.”
“I’ll be careful,” I whisper, still watching the majestic animals.
We finally arrive at the big maple tree, just as the sun is about to rise over the mountain peaks ahead.
“So, could you maybe show me a sunset or two, rather than pull me out of bed at the butt crack of dawn?” I ask sarcastically, secretly relishing the warmth of Josh’s arms around me, his solid chest against my back, and the treat of coffee and muffins on our way out here.
“I could”—he nods and tugs on a piece of my hair—“but then we’d miss out on this.”
The very top of the sun peeks over the mountain and I sigh. “It’s beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful.” He kisses my neck and then my cheek before resting his lips on my head, breathing me in.
“You’re sweet.”
“Are you waking up?”
“I think so.” I yawn and then giggle. “Maybe.”
“Hmm.”
“I want to see the tree again.”
I feel him stiffen behind me. Did I say something wrong?
“Okay,” he whispers, and guides Magic over to the tall, thick-trunked maple. The leaves are just beginning to turn orange.
I gaze lazily at the initials carved in the trunk, then my heart stops in my chest.
“Um, baby?”
“Yes.”
“Am I still half-asleep and dreaming?”
He chuckles and kisses my hair. “I don’t think so.”
There in the tree is a new, fresh carving. In the center of a large heart are the initials C.D. + J.K.
I whip my head around and gaze up at Josh with wide eyes. He’s smiling gently down at me, his brown gaze soft and happy.
“This tree”—he looks up into the thick branches—“has been a part of this land for a few hundred years. It has deep roots here, just like my family does.”
His gaze finds mine again and he brushes the backs of his knuckles down my cheek. “Are you still with me?”
I nod numbly and watch him carefully.
“These couples”—he points at the tree and I follow his gaze, taking in each set of initials separately—“all had a deep love for one another and this ranch. They made their homes here, raised their children here, and loved each other here.”
He tips my chin up with his fingers and smiles as he holds up a ring, gripped between his finger and thumb.
No box.
I swallow hard, feeling tears flood my eyes, and listen.
“This belonged to my grandmother. The one who always brought me here.”
The ring is gorgeous. The center stone is a large blue sapphire, and round diamonds surround it.
“No measure of time with you will ever be long enough, Cara. I need you with me to make a home, raise our children, and love me. I want us to be part of this legacy.”
He cradles my face in his hand and stares deeply into my eyes. “Marry me, Carolina. I promise you, I will spend every day making you happy.”
Tears run unchecked down my face, and I’m shocked to see tears in his eyes. I glance back at the tree, the initials there, and take in the land around me.
He’s offering me so much more than I ever dreamed possible.
“You do make me happy,” I whisper, and smile up at him.
“You’re killing me,” he whispers, and leans his forehead on mine.
“Of course I’ll marry you.” I grip his face in my hand and wipe a tear with my thumb.
He takes my hand, kisses my knuckles, and then slips the ring on my finger. Light dances in the stones in the early-morning sunshine.
“I love you so much.” He kisses my lips softly and wraps his arms around me, pulling me against him tightly.
“I love you too,” I whisper.
Cupping my face in his hands, he says with a grin, “Welcome to the family.”
Want more steamy romance on the Montana plains?
Read on for a sneak peek of Kristen Proby’s
SEDUCING LAUREN
Book Two in the Love Under the Big Sky Series
Coming soon from Pocket Books
“Hey, Lauren.”
“Hi, Jacob, what can I do for you?” I ask with a smile, opening my front door wider for the friendly county sheriff deputy.
“Well, I’m serving you.” He offers me an embarrassed smile and hands me a large envelope, then backs away. “Have a good day.”
Without moving back inside or shutting the door, I stare down at the envelope in surprise.
Served?
I rip open the envelope and see bright, flaming, inferno red as I read the court document.
“The fucker is suing me?” I exclaim to an empty room and read the letter clutched in my now trembling hands for the third time. “Hell no!”
I grab my handbag and slide my feet into flip-flops, barely manag
ing not to fall down the porch steps as I tear out of my house to my Mercedes and pull out of my circular driveway.
I live at the edge of Cunningham Falls, Montana. The small town was named after my great-grandfather, Albert Cunningham. Ours is a tourist town that boasts a five-star ski resort and a plethora of outdoor activities for any season. Thankfully, summer tourist season is over and ski season is still a few months away, so traffic into town is light.
I zoom past the post office and into the heart of downtown, where my lawyer’s office is. Without paying any attention to the yellow curb, I park quickly and march into the old building.
The receptionist’s head jerks up in surprise as I approach her and slam the letter still clutched in my hand on her desk.
“This,” I say between clenched teeth, “isn’t going to happen.”
“Ms. Cunningham, do you have an appointment with Mr. Turner?”
“No, I don’t have an appointment, but someone in this firm had better find time to see me.” I am seething, my breath coming in harsh pants.
“Lauren.” My head whips up at the sound of my name and I see Ty Sullivan frowning at me from his office doorway. “I can see you. Come in.”
I turn my narrowed eyes on Ty and follow him into his office. I am too agitated to sit while I wait for him to shut the door and walk behind his desk.
“What’s going on?”
“I need a new lawyer.”
“What’s going on?” He asks again and leans back against the windowsill behind his desk. He crosses his arms over his chest. The sleeves of his white button-down are rolled up, giving me a great view of the sleeve tattoo on his right arm.
“This is what’s going on.” I walk to his desk and thrust the letter at him. “Jack is trying to sue me for half of a trust fund that he has no right to.”
Ty’s handsome face frowns as he skims the letter. “You came into the trust while you were still married?”
“Yes,” I confirm warily.
“And you didn’t tell him about it?” he asks with raised brows.
“I didn’t even know the damn thing existed until after my parents died, Ty. Until after I kicked Jack out.” I pace furious circles in front of his desk, breathing deeply, trying to calm down. “He doesn’t deserve a dime of my inheritance. This isn’t about money, it’s about principle.”
“I agree.” Ty shrugs. “Have you talked with Cary?”
“I was just served with the letter,” I mumble and sink into the leather chair in defeat. “Cary’s a nice guy, but I just don’t think he’s the right lawyer for this job.” I glance up at Ty and my heart skips a beat as I take him in now that I’m calming down. He’s tall—much taller than me, which is saying something given that I stand higher than five foot eight. He has broad shoulders and lean hips, and holy hell, the things this man does to a suit should be illegal in all fifty states.
But more than that, he’s kind and funny, and has a bit of a bad boy side to him too—hence the tattoos.
He’s been front and center in my fantasies for most of my life.
I bite my lips and glance down as his eyes narrow on my face.
“Why do you say that?” he asks calmly.
“It took two freaking years for the divorce to be final, Ty. I don’t want Cary to drag this out too.”
“It wasn’t necessarily Cary’s fault that the divorce took so long, Lauren. Jack had a good lawyer and your divorce was a mess.”
That’s the fucking understatement of the year.
“Will you take my case?” I ask.
“No,” he replies quickly.
“What?” I ask, my dazed eyes returning to his. “Why?”
He shakes his head and sighs as he takes a seat behind his desk. “I have a full load as it is, Lo.”
“You’re more aggressive than Cary,” I begin to say but halt when he scowls.
“I really don’t think I can help you.”
Stunned, I sit back and stare at him. “You mean you won’t.” I hate the hurt I hear in my voice, but I can’t hide it. I know Ty and I aren’t super close, but I considered him a friend. I can’t believe he’s shooting me down.
He folds the letter and hands it back to me, his mouth set in a firm line and his gray eyes sober. “No, I won’t. Make an appointment with Cary and talk it over with him.”
My hand automatically reaches out and takes the letter from Ty, and I’m suddenly just embarrassed.
“Of course,” I whisper and rise quickly, ready to escape this office. “I’m sorry for intruding.”
“Lo . . .”
“No, you’re right. It was unprofessional for me to just show up like this. I apologize.” I clear my throat and offer him a bright, fake smile, then beeline it for the door. “Thanks anyway.”
“Did you want to make an appointment, Lauren?” Sylvia the receptionist asks as I hurry past her desk.
“No, I’ll call. Thanks.”
I can’t get to my car fast enough. Why did I think Ty would help me? No one will help me!
All the connections I have in this town, all the money I have, and that asshole is still making my life a living hell.
I drive home in a daze, and when I pull up behind a shiny black Jaguar, my heart sinks further.
Today fucking sucks.
Prepared to call for help if need be, I pull my cell phone out of my bag and climb out of my car. I walk briskly past him and up the steps to the front door.
“Hey, gorgeous.”
“I told you not to come here, Jack. I don’t want to see you.”
“Aw, don’t be like that, baby. You’re making this so much harder than it needs to be.”
Shocked and pissed all over again, I round on him.
“I’m the one making this hard?” I shake my head and laugh at the lunacy of this situation. “I don’t want you here. The divorce has been final for weeks now, and you have no business being here. And now you’re trying to fucking sue me?”
He loses his smug smile and his mouth tightens as his brown eyes narrow. “No, I’ll tell you what will make it easy, Lauren. You paying me what’s rightfully mine is what will make it easy. You hid that money from me, and I’m entitled to half.”
“I’ll never pay you off, you son of a bitch.” I’m panting and glaring, so fucking angry.
“Oh, honey, I think you will.” He moves in close and drags his knuckles down my cheek. I jerk my head away, but he grabs my chin in his hand, squeezing until there’s just a bit of pain. “Or maybe I’ll just come back here and claim what’s mine. You are still mine, you know.”
My stomach rolls as he runs his nose up my neck and sniffs deeply. Every part of me stills. What the fuck is this?
“A man has the right to fuck his wife whenever he pleases.”
“I’m not your wife,” I grind out, glaring at him as he pulls back and stares me in the face.
He flashes an evil grin and presses harder against me. “You’ll always be mine. No piece of paper can change that.”
I don’t answer, but instead just continue to glare at him in hatred.
“Maybe you should just go ahead and write that check.”
He pushes away from me and backs down the stairs toward his flashy car, a car he bought with my parents’ money, and snickers as he looks me up and down. “You’ve kept that hot body of yours in shape, Lo. Maybe I’ll come back sometime and take a sample. Remind you of how much you loved it when I fucked your brains out.”
I swear I’m going to throw up.
I can’t answer him. I can only stand here and glower, shaking in rage and fear, as he winks again and hops in his Jag and drives away.
Jesus Christ, he just threatened to rape me.
I let myself into the house and reset the alarm with shaking fingers. I take off in a sprint to the back of the house and heave into the toilet, over and over again until there’s nothing left and my body shivers and jerks in revulsion.
How can someone who once claimed to love me be so damn evil?<
br />
When the vomiting has passed, I rinse my mouth and head over to the indoor pool that my parents had built when I was on the swim team in high school. I shuck my clothes, but before I pull my swim cap on, I dial a familiar number on my phone and wait for an answer.
“Hull,” he answers. Brad is a police detective in town, and someone I trust implicitly.
“It’s Lauren.”
“Hey, sugar, what’s up?”
“Jack just left.”
“What did that son of a bitch want?” His voice is steel.
“He threatened me.” My voice is shaky and I hate myself for sounding so vulnerable. “I want it documented that he was here.”
“Did you record it, Lo?”
“No. I wasn’t expecting it. He’s been an asshole in the past, but this is the first time he’s come out and threatened me since he . . .” I pace beside the pool, unable to finish the sentence.
“That’s because I put the fear of God and jail time in him.” He’s quiet for a moment. “Is there anything you need?”
I laugh humorlessly and shake my head. “Yeah, I need my asshole ex to go away. But for now I’ll settle for a swim.”
“Keep your alarm on. Call me if you need me.”
“I will. Thanks, Brad.”
“Anytime, sugar.”
We hang up and I tuck my long auburn hair into my swim cap and then dive into the Olympic-size pool. The warm water glides over my naked skin and I begin the first of countless laps, back and forth across the pool. Swimming is one of two things in this world I do really well, and it clears my head.
I do some of my best thinking in the pool.
Is all of this worth it? I ask myself. When I married Jack almost five years ago, I was convinced that he was in love with me and that we’d be together forever. He’d been on my swim team in college. He was handsome and charming.
And unbeknownst to me, he’d been after my money all along.
My parents were still alive then, and even they had fallen for his charm. My father had been a brilliant businessman, and had done all he could to convince me to have Jack sign a prenuptial agreement so Jack couldn’t stake any claim to my inheritance.
But blind with love and promises of forever, I had stood my ground and insisted that a prenup was unnecessary.
My dad would lose his mind if he knew what was happening now. If only I’d listened to him!