Making Her Mine Book 4 Racing D Ranch: Taking My Bride, page 21
She’s changed in some ways since our baby came. She’s hard set in her determination to protect her child in all ways. She’s ready for anything and she’d mow down anyone who tried to cause harm. That’d probably include me and Milt.
Oh yeah, he still has his eyes on her and my baby girl. But now he looks at her differently, I see how he dry fucks hers. If she notices it, she doesn’t show it. Does it bother me? Hell yes it does, but I know Race would never step over the line and she wouldn’t let him, either. Clearly I see there’s a life long tie between them that I’m not a part of and never will be.
They have countless little signs and signals between them and most times it’s like he can read her mind and just does what she wants without her giving him any way to know, he just knows. I’m sure neither of them are aware that I notice these things. Does it matter to me? No, not in the big picture and I don’t dwell on it. They were two heartbroken kids who grew up together and made a pact between them years ago. I leave it alone as much as I can. Race loves Milt, but it’s not in the same way she loves me. Race is my woman with my name and my child. I’m the one holding her in my arms every night and that’s where she wants to be.
Milt was right about one thing. There’s no way to stop men from gawking at my magnificent wife. She doesn’t pay any attention to them, though at the last event she roped a guy, yanked his dumb ass off his horse and dragged him across the fairground for making a nasty remark to her when she rode by. She had it done and over with by the time we got over there. That’s how fast she was. To seal it, I punched the dirt bag, but I got him on his feet first. Milt was pissed because he didn’t get to. I guess they just can’t help themselves, sort of like a moth to flame.
I’m getting better about my possessiveness — no, not true. I want my girls all to myself. I doubt it’s going to change. I love them both too fucking much.
So I watch my baby Red and my woman closely, protect them when I need to, and let Race be the outrageous, wild cowgirl she is.
Bob
Lookin’ back, I’d have to say life went well for all — save Milt. There’s the rub I have to live with since it’s my fault for not seeing what was right in front of me. I should a let them two marry before she went to college. Race has made it through in a good way — not without some heartaches. She’s married with a man who loves her enough to let her be who she is — well, he tries — and that’s real important with a woman like her. She ain’t the usual. He’d give his life for her and their little girl. He’s a good man and I’m proud he’s in the family.
But I’ve seen the good sport face flash between Race an’ Milt once or twice through the years. They don’t think I know ‘bout it but it’s pretty hard to miss seein’ their love fly through the air like a bullet. They don’t want it to happen an’ I see they both avoid locking eyes with each other. Jake notices Milt’s feelings are still there but he can’t see anything from Race beings he don’t understand her good enough to pick up on it. She’s a master at hidin’ her thoughts and feelings. She leaned how to do that when she lost her Mother. That’s when her and Milt built a entire language between them made up of face and eye expressions, body movements, grunts and groans, things so subtle they’re hardly visible. They still use it today without realizin’ it.
I’m not sayin’ she don’t love Jake ‘cause she surely does. She’ll be true and faithfully to him forever. An I see she’s plenty happy. Well, what’s done is done. I didn’t want to see my boy in this pickle of loneliness. Hope he can forgive me for my mistake.
I’m proud of my girl for the upstanding mother and wife she is, for the strong leader of her Racing D family, and for being a person full of great kindness an generosity.
It’s been my honor to have spent these years with Race and now my little Red granddaughter. I love ya’ girlie.
Milt
Being here working with Race every day, watching her raise her little girl is a double edge sword for me. I love the smell of her, seeing how she’s more beautiful, more sensuous after having Red. She does a perfect job of being a mother but I knew she would. And she’s a helluva wife to Jake, again that’s not a surprise. She has strong values and she does what’s right for those she cares for.
Every once in awhile when our eyes meet I see the good sport face on her. It’s a warm expression with soft eyes, a small smile and a tiny nod that we passed between us when we rodeoed and didn’t win our run. It was our way to encourage each other and say ‘I love you even if you didn’t win’ and a way to hide our disappointment from others. No one else would notice it but I do. It doesn’t happen often but when it does I know she’s remembering what we said at the hunt in Hot Spring camp, same as I am.
The thought of leaving the ranch comes to mind sometimes but it doesn’t stay long. All I have to do is remember what it’s like when I’m away from her, and with this sweet little Red, leaving is not an option. Jake can’t protect them the way I can, he’s too emotional, too scared for them. He’s never been able to see the deeper parts of Race. I need to be here for them, just in case. Of all the things I’ve learned it’s that anything can happen in life.
Yeah, there’s still no smooth ground between me and him but we tolerate each other only for the fact we know we have to. Race won’t put up with any BS from us about not getting along. She’s made that clear a couple times when Jake and I have mixed it up over Red. And she won’t choose sides, either. She’s become stronger, tougher, more of a woman since having her baby. I mean she was crazy tough before and now she makes that seem tame.
I fucking love her more than ever. And it hurts more than ever.
A hot poker boring a hole in my gut would be easier to take. But I know I can’t leave.
Claiming My Cowgirl
Book 1 Sample
Chapter 1: Beck James
The local cafe is quiet with a few scattered customers but come supper time there won’t be an empty seat in the place.
Aunt Helen sees me come in and waves me over to the counter where I slide on to the red leather stool and hook my boot on the rail.
“I hear you signed the dotted line,” she says her excitement is easy to see.
“Sure did and not a minute too soon. That’s what I stopped in to tell you but…” I chuckle at the fact she already knows.
“You’re way too late, Beck. I knew before you put the pen down. Everybody knows save for Clint,” she points to a table behind me. I look over my shoulder at the man. Never would I expect to see the likes of him in this pocket-size mountain town. He could start up any woman on the first go and keep her that way all night.
“He’s been gone for a while.” She winks at me, pours coffee and takes my order.
This cowboy set me back on my heels hard with that quick glance. Can’t pin down exactly why but sparks went off inside me— something akin to the often denied emotion called lust. I best take a deep breath and gather myself…
I’m about to shake hands with the devil.
The C & W is a local home style cafe right out of the 1940’s complete with chrome accent counters and red leather booths. Every inch is shiny enough to use for a mirror. The waitresses are friendly, maybe because they’ve seen me every day for the past week. I’ve been in a bidding war with every person interested in buying the Far End Ranch. I made up my mind that land would be mine with the first glimpse and I went the full run to get it.
I heard Aunt Helen has owned this place most of her life and it’s clear she’s well loved by all who walk through the door. She still waits tables at a fast pace and never a mistake despite her advanced age. The collective atmosphere is as I remember a small town cafe should be. Plenty of garden fresh foods and home baked pies in a sideboard cabinet. When I walk through her door life feels right.
That hunk of man seated behind me still has me rattled. To say he’s hot to the point of outrageous is a pure understatement! The times I’ve seen a magnetic man like him I can count on one hand— right now and once years ago. I want to take a longer look at his massive shoulders and arms, but it would be too obvious. I’d rather walk to hell before I’d let a man see me display instant interest in him. It’s clear to see his massive size and understand the fact he could move me around like a rag doll without the need to catch a breath. I freaking squirm at the thought of it.
Aunt Helen stops to refill my coffee. “Yes ma’am, the whole towns talked all day ‘bout you and the Far End Ranch. They can’t believe a young single gal is tough enough to live way out there all year without any help.”
“You don’t say,” I answer and smile as I recall how news can fly through this kind of place.
The wall mirror behind the counter gives me somewhat of a view of him and I can’t help but steal a glance when he won’t catch me. Nor can I help but notice he’s looked at my ass more than a few times. The heat stirs between my thighs to remind me I’m very much alive. The true giveaway is the tingle in my nipples as they harden to the thought of his touch. It’s a reaction I haven’t felt for a long time and it caught me off guard.
It’s impossible to miss the fact the men are checking out my boots, my belt, my hat— every inch of me.
I know ranch men well enough to understand they’ll size me up by the style and condition of what I have on. They need to see if there’s spur marks on my boots, who made them and how worn they are. They’re looking for rhinestones on my belt and hat band. They’ve searched for chap marks on my Wranglers and rope marks on the belt loops. When they finish they’ll know all there is to know about who I am, where I’m from, and how I handle livestock. They want to see if I’m a line dancer or a ranch raised cowgirl— most times there’s a large difference between the two. They haven’t missed a chance to take in as much of my face and front rack as possible from their angle.
I haven’t turned to look at them head on and I won’t. No reason to since I can see enough in the mirror plus hear most of what’s being said. It seems the handsome Clint took a trip and their talk is about the news since he’s been gone. It’s not clear how long he’s been away but I’d guess a fair length of time. I’m still in awe of the fact they’re far more attractive than the average men, all three of them. Now how often does that happen? Not very often in the city and unexpected in a mountain village like this.
Still, the big guy stands out from the other men with him, not because of looks but the quality in his gruff voice. It’s the way he puts words together with instilled calm and confidence. His strong build jumps out above the others, muscular broad shoulders, flat belly. It all adds up to one outrages sex machine. I’d like to see if there’s a gold band on his hand but in reality, it doesn’t matter. Most cowboys don’t wear rings for safety reasons.
Aunt Helen passes me the check. “I’m glad you’re set to move in, Beck. Don’t be a stranger now. I took a shine to you,” she hesitates as her voice cracks. “You remind me of myself in past years.”
“You’ll see me more than you think. No way to pass up good cooking,” I tell her patting her shoulder.
All eyes are on me and I feel the burn as I walk over to pay. I’m not offended as they’re respectful, no cat calls. I don’t mind a look from an appreciative eye.
“Let me know if you need any help with the move and I can get you fixed up,” she tells me. I thank her and start to the door as my heart beats fast. I want a better look at this big cowboy.
As I move toward him we lock eyes right up to the last step that puts me beside him. I break the gaze and look around the table at the other men.
“Ma'am,” they say and all hats tip. I return a polite nod.
Damn— I can’t believe that man’s vibe. His energy shoots out from his body like a flame thrower.
I definitely made the right decision to hang my hat here in Silverton. It makes me wonder why in the hell I stayed in the city struggling to make a worthless relationship work. It never did from the start. I’ve been like a fish out of water for a long time but not anymore. I’m with my own kind now. I understand ranch folks and how life goes.
Their low-pitched chatter continues after I’m past the table but still easily heard.
“Now she’s impressive,” one of them comments.
“That’s a High Points Cheyenne buckle… it’s the real thing alright.”
“Is she the one who bought the Far End Ranch?”
“Did you say a woman bought the homestead?” Clint ask.
The voices are cut off when the wide doors close behind me. A quick glance over my shoulder through the window shows me what I want to see.
He’s at the window in a position to track my steps to the truck. I read that as interest.
I need to meet this man!
Also by Kash Lamar
Claiming My Cowgirl: Far End Ranch Series
Claiming My Cowgirl book 1, An Addictive Western Romance
Claiming My Cowgirl book 2 A Hard Catch
Making Her Mine: Racing D Ranch Series
Making Her Mine book 1, A Sizzling Western Romance
Making Her Mine book 2, From Lust to Love
Making Her Mine book 3, Mine Forever
Check Kash Lamar’s website for where you can get these stories that always simmer along and at times boil over! You’ll love the characters, the story and the romance! They’re guaranteed to leave you wanting more. Join Kash Lamar’s mailing list for updates on when new her new Western Romance releases.
Kash Lamar’s Website
Lamar, Kash, Making Her Mine Book 4 Racing D Ranch: Taking My Bride
