Tears sting my eyes again as I try to convince myself more than anyone else that I’ll be alright as I am.
I don’t have a choice.
CHAPTER 5
Stone
After I step out of my shower, I dry off roughly and tug on my favorite button-down that’s sitting on my bed. The soft green color darkens my green eyes and it’s ma’s favorite. She asked me to wear it tonight.
Don’t know why but the woman gets a wild hair every once in awhile and we tend to give in to her silly ideas.
After all, she’s put her own happiness on hold to take care of the three of us since Dad passed away in a car accident with my uncle and his wife over twenty years ago. They were coming home from a grocery store visit to barbecue the next day. Mom stayed home with all the kids.
The next thing she knew she went from part of a couple to being a single mom to her own two boys and her nephew.
She never complained even when we drove her nuts. She never dated. Never even tried.
She told us that all she needed was us and that’s all she did. Ran us around to whatever we needed to do and took care of the property alone.
Oh, there were a few hands that stayed but she was mostly alone.
My brother and cousin were a handful too. Hell, so was I for that matter. We drove her insane ever second of the day trying to keep track of us.
But she never complained.
So I owe her. We all do.
I wish I could give her what she wants but there’s no way in hell I want another woman. Alicia showed me that I don’t need the hassle and heartbreak that goes along with the fairer sex.
Sighing, I grab a pair of socks and my dress boots and jeans. When ma tells you to get your ass ready and look decent for once, that’s what you do.
Yanking on a rodeo belt buckle that I got in another lifetime for team roping. Jules and I both took a turn when we were younger at a few ribbons but nothing major.
Garret never even tried. He’s older than all of us and the man doesn’t have a fun bone in his body. He’s been old before his time and the ranch has always been his world.
Clattering down the stairs I groan when I smell ma’s world-famous fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy.
I jerk to a stop when fiery red hair fills my vision along with curves that I’ve been dreaming about since last night.
She hasn’t seen me but Jules is sitting at the table already and he grins like a crazy man.
“Brought your fiancé home for dinner, buddy.”
My chest constricts and it feels like the time I got kicked in the stomach by one of the stallions.
I can’t breathe and my chest hurts so bad that I’m not sure I’m not about to hit the dirt. Maybe I’m having a heart attack.
Reaching up, I tap at my chest right over my heart, surprised when I feel the steady beat of it under my palm.
Ma sees me and runs up to me, jerking me down for a quick hug. “Do not fuck this up! She’s so perfect for you!”
Then she turns around and my head swims. All I can see is her storm gray eyes in her pale face and the lush pink lips that I’d love to kiss right here and now. Even with ma watching.
My dick stirs when she smiles slightly, awkwardly. My eyes drift down her soft curves and valleys. She’s a delectable little treat and if I was going to go for any woman it would be her.
Jerking back, I stumble slightly until I get my hand on the wall to hold myself up.
She frowns and wraps her arms around her middle and that only plumps her full breasts up until they’re pillowing over the top of her soft blue sweater that makes her eyes look bluer somehow.
