Roaring Fork Rockstar (Roaring Fork Ranch Book 3), page 26
“We have one more thing to share,” she said, looking at my family. “We found out a couple of days ago that we’re having a girl.”
Luna looked up from where she was kneeling by the flowers. “And we decided to name my baby sister Scarlett,” she announced before either of us could continue.
I felt the breath catch in my throat as I looked at my siblings, realizing this was something I should have discussed with them first. But before I could speak, I saw tears in Flynn’s eyes and Buck smiling.
“It’s right,” Porter said quietly.
“Scarlett is the perfect name,” Cord added, brushing away his own tears.
I’d planned to make another announcement today, but decided it wasn’t necessary to. Yesterday afternoon, Luna had officially become my daughter. Remi, who was in jail, facing several counts of sexual harassment and assault, had relinquished his parental rights, making it possible for the adoption to move forward.
I felt a small hand grab mine as I brushed away yet another tear of happiness.
“Are you okay, Daddy?”
“Never better, Unicorn Girl,” I said as my eyes met Keltie’s. I looked beyond her to Buck, who stood with TJ and Buckaroo, Cord with Juni, Porter with Cici, and even Sam and Beau. The Roaring Fork Trust had brought love into each of our lives when what we’d all expected was pain and uncertainty.
I looked up at the sky. “Mama, if you had a hand in all this, thank you. I hope we’ve made you happy.”
The clouds parted then, and a ray of sunshine bathed the garden in light.
Flynn raised her face and closed her eyes as the warmth settled over her.
I had no idea what else the trustee would demand, but for the first time since our dad died, I believed that whatever it was would bring more joy, more happiness, and more love into all our lives.
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Keep reading for a sneak peek at
the next book in Heather Slade’s
Roaring Fork Ranch Series,
Roaring Fork Rooker
Some inheritances come with strings attached.
Certain family secrets span generations.
The deepest truths can only be revealed
when the time is right.
After my brothers each spent a year fulfilling their obligations to the mysterious Roaring Fork Trust, my stipulation seemed almost too simple—one month at a secluded ranch in New Mexico with my husband and children. But from the moment we arrived, nothing has felt quite right. The property's enigmatic owner seems to know too much about us, from my twins' favorite foods to my daughter's sleeping habits. The walls are adorned with familiar landscapes I've known my entire life, and sometimes I catch him watching me with an expression I can't decipher.
With each passing day, fragments of a hidden past emerge—old photographs, preserved wildflowers, melodies that stir memories I shouldn't have. My mother died when I was three, leaving countless questions unanswered. Now, in this mountain sanctuary, I sense those answers are finally within reach—but am I prepared for what they'll reveal about my family, my inheritance, and the carefully orchestrated path that led me here? After decades of shadows, the truth is about to surface, and nothing will ever be the same.
ROARING FORK ROOKER
1
Flynn
My heart hammered against my ribs as I stared at the manila envelope on Richard “Six-pack” Langley’s conference table. I’d seen one just like it four times before. Once for each of my siblings. And the documents inside had irrevocably altered their lives, uprooted their plans, and forced them to follow directives from an anonymous trustee we now suspected our mother had appointed before she died.
I glanced around at my brothers, watching as they traded meaningful looks. All had taken their turns, sacrificing a year of their lives to save our family’s ranch—our inheritance—by fulfilling the obligations set forth in the Roaring Fork Trust. When their respective time was up, we’d been called to gather in this same office, hoping it was over, only to learn it wasn’t.
With Holt’s three-hundred-and-sixty-five-day stint recently completed, we’d been summoned again. I couldn’t help but wonder if the trust had one final test—for me.
I absentmindedly twisted my wedding ring, thinking of Irish—the love of my life. While I waited to learn my fate, he was at home with our twin boys, Paxon and Rooker, and our four-month-old baby girl, who we’d named Rowan Patricia.
Six-pack cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses. “Thank you all for coming.”
“Let’s get this over with,” Buck snapped. “Are we here because we’re done or to learn what impossible task our sister will be forced to do?”
The attorney’s expression remained neutral as he pulled out a single sheet of paper. “I’ve received instructions from the Roaring Fork Trust LLC regarding the final codicil.”
“Goddammit,” Buck swore under his breath while I held mine, watching Six-pack’s lips form the words that would dictate the next chapter of my life.
“It reads as follows, ‘The Roaring Fork Trust further stipulates that Flynn Marie Wheaton Warrick, along with her husband, Paxon Warrick, and their children, must travel to Sangre Vista Guest Ranch in Taos, New Mexico.’”
My brothers tensed around me.
“Unlike the previous stipulations,” Six-pack continued, “Flynn is required to arrive by December 23 of this year and remain until January 23.”
“A month?” Porter echoed, disbelief in his voice. “That’s it?”
I frowned, waiting for more. “What am I supposed to do there?”
“The codicil only specifies that you and your family must stay at the ranch for the specified period. No additional requirements are listed.”
“This is suspiciously simple,” Holt muttered, echoing my thoughts.
“Who owns this ranch?” Cord asked, leaning forward in his chair.
Six-pack shook his head. “I don’t have that information. All I know is that it’s a guest ranch and you’ve been instructed to travel there with your family and spend the holidays.”
The familiar threat hung unspoken in the air. The entire Roaring Fork Ranch—50,000 acres, the legacy of generations—gone if I didn’t take a month-long vacation. It seemed absurd.
“Is there anything else we need to know?” I asked in a voice steadier than I expected.
“Only that all expenses for your stay have been arranged. You’ll find a confirmation email with the details in your inbox.”
Buck stood abruptly. “Then, we’re done here.”
“Thank you,” I said to Six-pack before filing out of the office and onto the sidewalk, where my brothers formed a protective circle around me. Snow had begun to fall, the flakes catching in my hair.
“This is weird,” I said once we were out of earshot. “Why would I only need to stay a month when all of you had to commit to a full year?”
“And why New Mexico?” Porter added.
Cord rubbed his chin. “When I had to spend my year in New York, it turned out there was a family connection through Mom that none of us knew about.”
“You think there’s someone at this ranch connected to us?” I asked as we walked to our vehicles.
“Let’s talk about this at home,” said Buck, motioning for me to ride with him and instructing Cord and Porter to go with Holt.
I was ten when my oldest brother left Colorado—then believing it was for good. So it wasn’t until three years ago, when he received instructions from the first codicil, demanding that he spend a year living on our ranch, that he and I really got to know each other. Now, I couldn’t imagine very many days going by without talking to him. Especially since his son and my twins were the same age.
“What are you thinking?” I asked a few minutes into our drive.
“The Roaring Fork Trust was registered in New Mexico.”
“I forgot all about that.” I gasped and looked at him with wide eyes. “Do you think my being summoned there has anything to do with the mystery trustee?”
He shrugged a shoulder. “Maybe.”
“Six-pack did say, ‘the final codicil.’ It could mean they’re ready to reveal themselves.”
“I’d like to think so,” said Buck. “Not that anything else to do with it has been that simple.”
When we reached the ranch house before our brothers did, Irish was waiting on the porch, holding Rooker while Paxon toddled around his feet. My heart swelled at the sight of them.
“What happened?” he asked.
“It’s almost too good to be true,” I said as the four of us went inside. “We have to spend an all-expenses-paid month on a ranch in New Mexico. Oh, and we have to leave in two days.”
My husband’s eyebrows flared. “Two days? That means we’ll be there for Christmas.”
“And New Year’s.”
“What’s the name of the place?” he asked, opening his laptop.
“Sangre Vista Guest Ranch.” I looked over his shoulder when he pulled up the website. “Wow,” I said at the same time Holt, Cord, Porter, and Buck walked in.
“Wow, what?” Cord asked.
We all huddled around Irish as he scrolled through the photos. The property was nestled in the mountains outside Taos and had luxury cabins, gourmet dining, spa services, and horseback riding—it looked like something from a travel magazine.
“Well, sis,” Buck said with a warm smile, “I don’t know what this is all about, but at least the place looks nice. I guess it’ll be up to us to hold things together here while you’re gone.”
I rolled my eyes at him. “Like any of you would have complained about a month-long vacation.”
“Would have been nice,” Porter agreed with a gentle laugh. “But we’re just glad yours seems shorter than what we went through.”
Despite their teasing, we all knew one thing for certain—this wasn’t just about a vacation. The trust had been orchestrating our lives too carefully for that.
Later that day, my sisters-in-law joined us for a family dinner. The thought that I wouldn’t be with them Christmas Eve or Day, made me weepy. Last year was the first time we’d all celebrated together, and it was the kind of family celebration I used to dream about as a kid.
“So, New Mexico,” said Irish. “Has anyone in your family ever mentioned connections there?”
Buck repeated what he’d said earlier about the trust being registered there. “That’s the reason the trustee can legally remain anonymous. It’s one of the only states that allows it.”
Irish nodded thoughtfully. “We should check with Ashford and see if he can dig up anything on this ranch.”
I’d met the man a few times but hadn’t really had many conversations with him. All I knew was that if you wanted information about anyone or anything, he could usually get his hands on it.
“Already on it,” Buck said, phone to his ear. “Hey, Deck. Need a favor…”
While he talked, I opened my laptop to check the email Six-pack had mentioned. Sure enough, there was a reservation confirmation for a two-bedroom luxury cabin at Sangre Vista, all-expenses paid, from December 23 to January 23.
“We don’t have much time before we have to leave,” I murmured.
Irish rested his hand on mine. “We’ll be ready. I can pack the boys and me tonight.”
I turned my hand to squeeze his, grateful for his unwavering support. Three years ago, when the trust first revealed itself, I never could have imagined being married, with twin boys. Now, I couldn’t imagine facing this without them.
“What do you think is waiting for us there?” I asked softly.
Irish’s eyes met mine. “I don’t know. But your brothers all found something they needed while fulfilling their obligations. Maybe you will too.”
“Well,” I said, standing and lifting Rooker from Irish’s arms. “Whatever’s waiting for us at this swanky place, I’ve got a day and a night to prepare. And, honestly, if all I have to do is spend a month at a luxury ranch with my family to save our inheritance, I think I can manage that.”
My brothers laughed, but their eyes held the same question I knew was in mine.
What was really waiting for us at Sangre Vista Guest Ranch?
Get your copy:
Roaring Fork Rooker
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for your reading!
I am a USA Today best-selling author of shamelessly sexy, edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense.
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ALSO BY HEATHER SLADE
BUTLER RANCH
Brodie’s Promise
Maddox’s Truce
Naughton’s Secret
Mercer’s Vow
Kade’s Return
Butler Ranch Christmas
WICKED WINEMAKERS FIRST LABEL
Brix’s Bid
Ridge’s Release
Press’ Passion
Zin’s Sin
Tryst’s Temptation
WICKED WINEMAKERS SECOND LABEL
Beau’s Beloved
Cru’s Crush
Bit’s Bliss
Snapper’s Seduction
Kick’s Kiss
ROARING FORK RANCH
Roaring Fork Wrangler
Roaring Fork Roughstock
Roaring Fork Rockstar
Roaring Fork Rooker
Roaring Fork Bridger
K19 GENESIS COALITION TEAM ONE
Code Name: Sundance
Code Name: Rawhide
Code Name: Dallas
Code Name: Wraith
Code Name: Preacher
K19 SECURITY SOLUTIONS TEAM ONE
Razor’s Edge
Gunner’s Redemption
Mistletoe’s Magic
Mantis’ Desire
Dutch’s Salvation
K19 SECURITY SOLUTIONS TEAM TWO
Striker’s Choice
Monk’s Fire
Halo’s Oath
Tackle’s Honor
Onyx’s Awakening
K19 SHADOW OPERATIONS TEAM ONE
Code Name: Ranger
Code Name: Diesel
Code Name: Wasp
Code Name: Cowboy
Code Name: Mayhem
K19 ALLIED INTELLIGENCE TEAM ONE
Code Name: Ares
Code Name: Cayman
Code Name: Poseidon
Code Name: Zeppelin
Code Name: Magnet
K19 ALLIED INTELLIGENCE TEAM TWO
Code Name: Puck
Code Name: Michelangelo
Code Name: Typhon
Code Name: Hornet
Code Name: Reaper
K19 SENTINEL CYBER TEAM ONE
Code Name: Admiral
Code Name: Dante
Code Name: Grit
Code Name: Tank
Code Name: Atticus
K19 SENTINEL CYBER TEAM TWO
Code Name: Kodiak
Code Name: Vex
Code Name: Steel
Code Name: Jagger
Code Name: Rocket
MINERVA PROTOCOL
The Prism Doctrine: Blackjack’s Story
The Shield Stratagem: Dagger’s Story
The Ghost Matrix: Specter’s Story
The Compass Initiative: Nomad’s Story
The Decree Directive: Sovereign’s Story
PROTECTORS UNDERCOVER TEAM ONE
Undercover Agent
Undercover Emissary
Undercover Savior
Undercover Infidel
Undercover Shadow
PROTECTORS UNDERCOVER TEAM TWO
Undercover Renegade
Undercover Archon
Undercover Rogue
Undercover Vanguard
Undercover Paragon
THE ROYAL AGENTS OF MI6
Make Me Shiver
Drive Me Wilder
Feel My Pinch
Chase My Shadow
Find My Angel
THE INVINCIBLES TEAM ONE
Code Name: Deck
Code Name: Edge
Code Name: Grinder
Code Name: Rile
Code Name: Smoke
THE INVINCIBLES TEAM TWO
Code Name: Buck
Code Name: Irish
Code Name: Saint
Code Name: Hammer
Code Name: Rip
THE UNSTOPPABLES TEAM ONE
Code Name: Fury
Code Name: Merried
COWBOYS OF CRESTED BUTTE
A Cowboy Falls
A Cowboy’s Dance
A Cowboy’s Kiss
A Cowboy Stays
A Cowboy Wins
Heather Slade, Roaring Fork Rockstar (Roaring Fork Ranch Book 3)
