Chapter One
Quinn
“Dude, you show up to my wedding looking like that?” Aaron stares at the shiner under my eye, courtesy of Gunner, the bronc I rode this morning.
“You should see what he looks like,” I joke.
“Seriously, you’re my best man. Today is the most important day of my life, and you went to a rodeo? As if flying a helicopter isn’t enough adrenaline for you, you have to risk your life on wild horses?”
“You know they aren’t wild,” I say. “They’re trained for bronc riding. Besides, there was way too much family kumbaya shit going on around here.”
“Isn’t that kind of the point of a wedding?”
I shake my head. “You know I don’t do family.”
He grips my shoulder, looking guilty. “I know you got dealt a crappy hand, brother. But you know you have a place in this family.”
Aaron is all gussied up in his tux, new boots, hat, and bolo tie. I’ve never seen him so happy. And he’s right. He is my family. I ignore the sting in my throat and motion to the door. “Isn’t there someplace we have to be?”
Maddox enters the room, looking as dapper as the two of us. “They’re ready.”
Suddenly, Aaron goes limp and bends over, hands on his knees. “Holy crap. I’m really doing this.”
“It’s not too late to back out,” I say.
He takes some deep breaths and straightens. “She’s the mother of my kid. I love her. There’s nothing I want more.”
“Okay then. Let’s go tether you to your ball and chain.”
He laughs. He knows I’m kidding. Sort of.
We follow Maddox through the door leading into the rear of the indoor arena. Pastor Hines is waiting for us by the stands, and the four of us walk out onto the floor that’s been covered with wood paneling. The whole place has been transformed into a wedding venue. Chairs with bows line the aisle. A trellis of white lilies sits at the center of the ‘altar.’ Beyond the guests are beautifully anointed tables, a DJ booth, and a dance floor. It’s one-stop shopping in this family. It’s the same place Maddox and Andie got hitched, though they had a lot more guests.
This is a small wedding. My guess is there are fifty people in attendance, and forty-nine of them are Aaron’s relatives. Not really, but close. He’s got a big-ass family. Devyn, his fiancée, has no family at all—at least none you’d see here. Her sole friend, Shannon, is standing up with her, along with Maddox’s wife.
I pat my pocket once more, making sure I still have the ring.
Music is playing. Shannon and Andie come down the aisle. Then everyone stands and looks at Devyn, who’s escorted by Owen, the ranch manager here at Devil’s Horn Ranch.
I have to admit, she’s almost unrecognizable. It’s quite a sight. In her floor-length lily-white dress, she’s a far cry from her usual jeans and a T-shirt. On her way down the aisle, she picks up one side of her dress and flashes a glimpse of her matching white cowboy boots. Aaron’s smile is a mile wide, and his eyes glisten with tears. The way he worships her as she steps closer is something I never imagined I’d witness. How can one person revere another like that? And for the rest of their lives? The notion is unbelievable.
For the duration of the ceremony, I scan the crowd. I’m not into all this lovey-dovey shit. I know most of the people here. I even flew a lot of them in on the chopper. My gaze settles on a woman. I don’t know this one. Her resemblance to Aaron’s Aunt Piper is uncanny. They could be sisters. She’s hot. I’m definitely going to introduce myself after the wedding.
She catches me staring and raises a brow. I lift my chin in return. She not so subtly nods her head toward Aaron, then she does it again. What is she doing?
“Quinn,” Aaron says, holding out his hand. “Do you mind?”
“Oh, shit. The ring,” I say under my breath. I reach into my pocket and hand it to him. I glance back at the woman. She’s laughing. She’s probably the only woman here who isn’t crying like a baby. What is it about weddings that make girls get all mushy and shit?
I learned early on never to take a date to a wedding. Way too much pressure. Not that I date. I fuck. Aaron used to fuck too, but now he’s drunk off the Kool-Aid like the rest of them.
Anyway, back to the girl. She’s not sobbing. She’s not sighing. She’s staring. At me. Like she wants to eat me for dinner. Yes, please. I’d let her ride me like I rode Gunner earlier. I wouldn’t even care about my tender and bruised ribs. I imagine what she could do to me would take all the pain away. Ah, shit. I feel my rising problem and shift my eyes away from the brunette beauty. Aaron would never forgive me if I upstaged his big moment by getting a boner during his nuptials.
I focus my attention on all the snotty-nosed kids Aaron’s family are trying to keep quiet in the second row. Yup—that does it. The blood is definitely rushing out of my dick now.
Everyone claps. Thank God it’s over. Aaron and Devyn walk up the aisle, and then Andie and I do. As I pass the woman who I’ve vowed to make my next meal, she stares at me like she’s already laid herself on the platter.
“That’s Aaron’s cousin, Amber,” Andie whispers. “Well, sort-of-cousin. Long story.”
“She’s gorgeous.” I can’t help but look back at her once more. “Would Aaron or Maddox kick my ass if I asked her out?”
Andie leans close. “Asked her out? Is that what you’re calling it these days?”
“I would have said fucked, but, you know… God is here and all.”
She giggles. “Quinn, you’re terrible. And they aren’t very close with her. Still, I’d check with them before you do anything crazy.”
We reach the others, and the girls all hug. I shake Aaron’s hand and offer the expected congratulations. Guests vacate their chairs and come to greet the happy couple.
The photographer gathers the wedding party and takes a hundred photos. Aaron and Devyn pose for several with their three-month-old son, Casey, then the entire family gathers for one large photo. Aaron’s aunt scans her surroundings and yells over to Amber. “Come on. You too.”
Amber shakes her head, almost terrified. “That’s okay. You go ahead.”
Piper steps out of the group and goes to get Amber. She pulls her by the elbow. “Just one. Please?”
Amber follows reluctantly and pastes on what looks like a forced smile when the photographer snaps the picture.
I pull Owen aside. “What’s the story there?”
He shrugs. “Some long-lost daughter or something. Ask Maddox.”
I stare at her. Something about her makes her seem, well… like me. Totally and completely out of place. “I will.”
After pictures, the DJ starts playing, and Aaron and Devyn have their first dance. The second dance includes their baby. I’ve never seen Aaron so loving and tender. He’s had practice with babies—Maddox and Andie have eighteen-month-old Vivian—but with Casey, it’s like Aaron’s a different person. Not the wingman he’s been since we were teenagers. Not the hard-ass cowboy he grew into. Not the businessman he is when he runs the lodge here on DHR. No, he’s something else entirely. He’s a dad.