Cowboy Sanctuary (The Dixon Ranch) Read online

  Susan was still friendly with Nash and Jesse Dixon—the cousins had names now—even though she didn’t visit often because her husband was jealous. I discovered that they were the sons of Crawford’s sister, Madeline, who’d passed away ten years ago. I also learned that there were hundreds of Dixons in Texas who came to the reunions each year. I thought it was wonderful that families still came together that way.

  All my life I’d longed for a big family, and now I was marrying into one. Marrying! Holy crap, I was going to be a wife! “I don’t want a big wedding,” That came out of left field, but I’d just realized I was marrying Brock. I was sure my IQ had dropped by a dozen points since last night.

  “You better have one, because getting a honeymoon is like pulling teeth around this place.” Susan didn’t make fun of me for my sudden outburst, but she was smiling. “I heard Brock popped the question. Can’t say you don’t have my sympathy for marrying my brother.” Her laughter told me she was kidding, but Mary didn’t look pleased.

  “Don’t even go there, young lady,” she admonished. “You know your brother’s a fine catch.” She turned to me. “If you want a small wedding, then that’s what you’ll have. It’s your special day, and don’t let nobody tell you any different.” She started naming off places we could hold the ceremony, and I stopped her when she suggested right here on the ranch.

  “That’s what I want. This is where I fell in love and plan on spending the rest of my life, so it makes sense we do it here.” I had the perfect spot in mind too. “Maybe we could do it down by the waterfall?” That place was magical.

  “I think it would be beautiful. So, have you thought about a date?” Mary asked, smiling while tears filled her eyes. I felt mine fill too.

  “As soon as he’ll have me.” I knew who I wanted to spend my life with and didn’t want to wait another minute to have him as mine!

  “Me and Mom will take care of everything,” Susan offered. “You just tell us what you want, and I’ll go talk to Pastor Hurst. I know he’d love to marry another woman into the Dixon family.” Susan was talking animatedly with her hands, and Jeremy started clapping.

  I knew he had no idea what we were talking about, but I lifted him from his high chair and kissed him anyway. It seemed like a sign that things were finally turning around. If we didn’t have the other thing looming over us, I’d say life was perfection.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Forever & Ever

  Brock

  Two weeks ago, I rescued my beautiful girl from men who’d tried to take away what was mine. Today I was marrying her. Things had changed so much that I was thankful for every minute the good Lord gave us in peace. Dana wanting to get married quickly? That worked just fine with me. We’d had our meeting with Nash and Jesse, and while I didn’t like all those badasses working between our ranch and theirs, they were willing to keep my family safe. For that they’d always have my respect.

  We’d learned from the FBI that Eric Beckman was a serious crime lord in Chicago and had ties with drug cartels. No one could get enough information or find witnesses in crimes he’d committed to put him away. Derrick hadn’t been heard from and was presumed dead. I personally didn’t care if he was pushing up daisies. The case was basically Dana’s word against his, meaning it wouldn’t stand up in court. The money was cash and untraceable, and we were told it had probably been laundered into some of the illegal shit the man was known to be involved in.

  None of us felt safe, but so far nothing had happened. Today was supposed to be a happy one, and I was determined to get all those negative things off my mind. At least for now. Dana had spent the night at my mom’s with Jeremy, and I was already missing her because we hadn’t spent a minute apart since she’d come home.

  “So how does it feel to know you’ll be taken off the eligible list forever, brother?” Travis was in rare form this morning, since he was smiling and not being a complete dick.

  “Feels like I’m the luckiest damn man on God’s green earth,” I replied. Even Travis’s teasing wasn’t getting me riled up. I wanted that woman to be mine in name like she was in bed.

  “You sure are one lucky sonofabitch, that’s for sure.”

  I slid on my white Stetson. Paired with my best jeans, cowboy boots, and dress shirt, I was damn comfortable. I was so glad Dana wanted to keep this wedding casual.

  “Remind me to marry a woman who don’t want her man in a monkey suit,” he said.

  We both got a good chuckle out of that before I grew serious. “There’s a woman out there just waiting to meet you,” I promised, feeling a little guilty that he hadn’t gotten hitched first.

  “Hell, there’s dozens, and unlike you, I can go out with any one of them.” He popped me on the back hard, and I shook my head. He could spout off all the crap he wanted; I knew he wanted a family and kids.

  “Have fun with that. We better get out there,” I said. Truth was I was anxious to get this wedding stuff over so I could make love to my woman all night long. Mom was watching Jeremy tonight since we decided being away from the family wasn’t a good idea until the other stuff was over. I planned on making Dana squeal all night long. Just thinking about it made me hard.

  The plan was to ride horses out to the creek, where Mom and Susan, along with a bunch of their friends from church, had worked to set things up. Dana and I had been forbidden to see what they’d done, and she was dying to see it. Marshall had Satan and Travis’s horse, Glory, waiting for us, and he’d be riding out on Mable.

  I had my orders from Mom: I was supposed to ride up and hand over the reins until the ceremony was over, then ride off with my girl. I thought it was a little cheesy, but if it made Dana and my mom happy, then it didn’t matter much to me. I was already getting everything I wanted.

  I wasn’t a girly boy, but riding up to the scene of the waterfall feeding into the creek, with all the chairs all covered in white, was nice. A big trellis was decked out with sheer curtains and crimson roses, and all the folks I loved besides my beautiful woman were sitting down together. It made my heart feel full. I handed over my horse, then walked up to meet Pop and Ranger with Travis where the preacher stood. We shook hands, and everyone was smiling. This was the perfect day.

  Then I saw her, and my heart overflowed. My beautiful Dana rode up on her horse like she’d been born in the saddle. It was one of the most perfect sights I’d ever beheld. Susan took Dana’s horse’s reins as she dismounted, and I’d never seen a more gorgeous woman. She was dressed in jeans, cowboy boots, and a lacy white top that showed off her shoulders. I wanted to cover her up because she was too pretty to be seen by anyone but me.

  Mom handed her a bouquet of white roses, and the wedding march played on a sound system someone had rigged up. I might have been impressed if my attention wasn’t on Dana. She looked like home to me, and the closer she got, the more I wanted to run down the grassy aisle and pull her into my arms. When she was finally by my side, I did just that, kissing her and forgetting everything but the love of my life.

  “Son, you’re supposed to wait until she says I do,” my pop teased, chuckling, and several folks began laughing. Pulling my lips from hers wasn’t easy! I’d gone an entire twenty-four hours without making love to her.

  The preacher smiled as he began reciting the words that would make Dana mine forever. I tried to focus on what he was saying, but all I saw were those eyes so blue they could put shame to the Texas sky. Her tears almost unmanned me as she said, “I do,” and I wiped them away as they fell. My woman was never allowed to cry.

  Then she was mine, and I kissed her with all the love I had in my heart. Her arms wrapped around my neck, and if it hadn’t been for the crowd of folks gathered to witness our union, I would have made love to her right there. As it was, I had to force myself to show a little restraint. Jeremy demanded some attention with a cry, and I was proud of him for making it through the ceremony before he started. Taking him in my arms and putting my arm around my wife’s waist, I knew this wa
s what life was all about.

  “I hope you got plenty of sleep last night,” I whispered softly into her ear. My plans meant she wouldn’t get a wink until the sun rose tomorrow.

  “I missed you too badly. Couldn’t sleep at all.” Dana rested her head on my chest, and I grinned. I could see spending the rest of my life holding her and my boy just like this.

  “We’ve got some celebrating to do,” Pop announced, motioning to the eighteen-wheel trailer and the band setting up on it. There was enough food to feed an army put out on several tables, and I knew getting my woman alone wasn’t going to happen anytime soon.

  A party on the Dixon ranch was something to see, and three hundred people in the field were ready to have some fun. My mom and Susan had pulled off a feat, and I wasn’t going to break their hearts by stealing off with my bride just yet.

  Dana and I started the dancing with the band playing one of my favorite country songs, “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground.” Willie fit the moment. I held her close. My girl would never be leaving me, but she was my angel. “I love you, Dana Dixon.” Lowering my lips, I kissed her as we continued swaying to the soft melody.

  When I lifted my face, one of her hands moved to touch my cheek softly. “I love you back,” she murmured. There was something perfect about a woman looking up at you with so much love in her eyes that it made you a whole man. I don’t think you even realize how much you’ve craved it until it happens.

  I hated letting her leave my side, but she wanted a dance with Jeremy. How could I refuse her that? Then a dance with my pop, which I was OK with. I almost denied her when Travis and Ranger each wanted a turn, but I was in a giving mood.

  Hours passed, with great food, music, friends, and family. Any other time I’d have loved to spend the rest of the afternoon with them, but not today. I thanked everyone. Dana followed me away, knowing what my intentions were I’m sure, by the look in my eyes.

  I led her to my horse, helped her more than she needed to mount, and then joined by sitting behind her. We were sent off with cheers as Dana tossed her bouquet to the single women. I was finally gonna get my woman alone. We made it to the barn, and I knew there was no way I could wait for the house.

  After putting Satan away, I pulled her down in a clean bale of hay and started removing her shirt. “Brock! We have a perfectly good bed in the house.” Giggling, she helped me unbutton that lacy concoction of a shirt and pulled it over her head.

  “Not waiting that long,” I groaned. I tossed her shirt aside, then lifted mine over my head and did the same before pulling her back into my arms kissing her with all the intent of what was coming next.

  I unsnapped her bra and cradled her breasts in my hands, lowering my lips there to suckle. “What if someone walks in?” Dana said on a moan as I bit down lightly on her nipple, wanting her head on me and not anything else.

  “No one is coming within a mile of this place until tomorrow,” I assured her. I unbuttoned her jeans and slid down the zipper, inching my fingers into that soft flesh that was already wet and ready for my touch. “Darlin’, I love how ready for me you always are.” I massaged those folds and her cries of pleasure filled the barn. I was straining against my jeans.

  “Love me!” she demaned. Something else I loved about her: she knew what she wanted and had no problem demanding I give it. It did my ego good to know I was the only one who’d ever have her this way.

  Dana lifted up her hips as my fingers slid in deep, pressing into her. I knew this was going to be fast because I couldn’t deny her what she craved, especially when I was dying to fill her up. Standing, I kicked off my boots and quickly pulled down my jeans and underwear in one swoop. She was already pulling her panties off, giving me a glistening view of that perfect vision.

  “Now, Brock!” Her legs parted, and there wasn’t anything in this world that would keep me from taking what she offered. Lining up my shaft, I drove home deep, groaning at how her tightness gripped me like a glove and tried to resist my invasion.

  “Put those legs around my waist and hang on, darlin’. This cowboy is taking you on a ride,” I promised. I wasn’t in the frame of mind to be patient as I took her with deep thrusts. She felt too good, and I needed her too badly to be gentle. Thankfully those beautiful feet dug into my ass, urging me on, and I knew she wanted exactly the rough passion I was giving.

  “Harder!” she cried. This woman! She was half angel and half demon in bed, and I loved every inch of her. I slid my hands under her ass and drove in and out until she fell apart. Even then I kept going, never wanting the sensation to end. God! The way her tight little pussy gripped me was impossibly snug, and soon I filled her up because I had no choice.

  I strained against her and tried to lift my weight off a little, but her hands wrapped around my neck and her feet pushed into my ass. All I could do was turn us to the side so I didn’t crush her.

  “I never want this to end.” She’d spoken the thoughts I’d said in my mind. I grinned before kissing her again. We were so alike it was almost uncanny.

  “We might have to stop to eat and do other things,” I teased. Now that we were both fulfilled, I could use my right head again. I shouldn’t have taken her so forcibly, even though I knew she liked it. Hell, half of Texas probably did by now, with the way she’d screamed in pleasure.

  “I guess if we have to.” Her simpering pout made her lips even more kissable, and I couldn’t refuse. Then it hit me: I’d seduced my bride in the barn, and I felt like a complete ass. She deserved so much better than that!

  “Maybe we should move this inside,” I suggested. There wasn’t a maybe about it—making love outside was not smart with all the ranch hands who could walk in. I had been kidding about no one coming near us. This was a working ranch, and just because we were off work didn’t mean they were.

  She sat up with a sigh and then smiled so big it made me return it. She pulled on her clothes. I regretted mentioning it, since she looked sexy as sin, naked in the hay. “The straw isn’t really the most comfortable bed,” she admitted.

  I stood up and dressed, then shook my head. “I should take better care of you, sweetheart.” It was my job to protect and cherish her.

  “I don’t know, cowboy. You took care of me pretty well.” Laughing, she grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the barn and toward the house. No doubt about it. My wife was the most perfect woman in the world.

  We initiated every room in the house before finally taking a shower, which ended up in another lovemaking session. I wasn’t sure if either of us would walk straight tomorrow, but that was a worry for another day.

  Cuddled up in her arms later on, I knew what a blessed man I was. I remembered back to the first day she’d driven up to the ranch and grinned. Things had certainly turned out much better than I’d thought they would back then. Everything that had happened had brought us closer together, and it was true that God had a plan.

  He’d brought her to me and given me a son in the process. I couldn’t wait to fill Dana’s belly with another one. Her soft hand was moving in small circles over my chest, and I grasped it to hold over my heart.

  “What are you thinking?” she whispered softly. She lifted her eyes to meet mine and smiled like she was the luckiest woman in the world.

  “I’m thinking that if I die tomorrow, I have everything in this world and wouldn’t have any regrets.”

  “There will be no dying, but I feel the same,” she agreed. “I love you so much. Sometimes I feel like it’s too much. Like any minute I’m going to wake up, and this was all a dream.” She moved to straddle me, and I wasn’t sure I had another round in me, but I couldn’t deny her anything.

  “If it’s a dream then I never wanna wake up,” I admitted. I felt like a wuss trying to talk all flowery, but it was true. She lowered her head to rest on my shoulder, and within seconds I knew she was asleep. I’d completely worn out my city girl, if I could call her that anymore. She seemed like she’d been born here now, and I couldn’t
imagine her anywhere else.

  Wrapping my arms around her waist gently, I breathed her in. I wanted to remember everything about her and discover more than I already knew. My life was now complete. I’d found home in Dana. Most people never get the chance to have that kind of love, and I vowed silently to spend the rest of my life being worthy of it. Before I fell asleep, I sent up a silent prayer of thanks to God for all He’d given me.

  About the Author

  MICHELLE HUGHES is an international best-selling author with over twenty books in print and digital form. This is her first traditionally published book with Kindle Scout. The author lives in Verbena, Alabama with her husband and four of her five children. Her oldest is married and has given her one grandchild with her second due in July of 2017. Prior to a writing career, Hughes was a singer/songwriter and hosted a televised talent showcase aired on satellite.

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