Page 1 of Falling for the Maverick

Chapter One

“You have to know that you’re not being very subtle, Michelle.”

Michelle Corey turned to look at Remi Hawkins. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re staring at Lucas Brandt like he’s a biscuit you want to sop up with sausage gravy and then devour in one bite.”

“You’re imagining things,” Michelle muttered. She had only glanced at the gorgeous rancher twice during the rehearsal dinner, and each time she had caught him staring at her.

“No, I’m not,” Remi countered, lowering her voice. “You and Lucas have been playing eye tag for the past fifteen minutes, and it’s obvious he likes what he sees because he can’t look away.”

What Michelle was not ready to admit to Remi, who would become her sister-in-law in less than twenty-four hours, was that the first time she was introduced to the man she’d found herself at a loss for words. A situation in which she’d rarely found herself because as the only girl with four older brothers she had learned early on to verbally assert herself.

However, it was wholly different with Lucas Brandt. He wasn’t her brother, and there had been something in the way Lucas had stared at her… Something that had her mesmerized by the gorgeous, hazel-eyed man who made her heart beat a little too quickly. So much so that Michelle wondered whether Lucas had cast a spell over her.

Recalling bits and pieces of their casual conversation, she remembered that he’d recently moved to Tenacity to set up a ranch. He was also an animal lover, which elevated him to the top of her approval list because she, too, loved animals. So much so that she’d developed a reputation for bringing home stray cats and dogs she could never bring into the house because her mother was allergic to pet dander.

“Does he have any idea that you have feelings for him?” Remi asked her.

“No, because I don’t have feelings for him.”

“Okay, Pinocchio, now it’s time for you to tell me another lie,” Remi said accusingly.

Michelle leaned closer to Remi. “Okay, I admit that I like him, but I would be devastated if he’s not interested in me.”

“He’s more than interested, Michelle. He can’t take his eyes off you.”

“Will you please keep your voice down, Remi? Someone could overhear us.”

“Someone should overhear us and clue Lucas in that you like him.”

“Have you lost your mind?” Michelle asked Remi between clenched teeth. “And absolutely not! Just because a man looks at me doesn’t mean that he likes me.”

She didn’t want a repeat of her last long-term relationship with a man who’d professed to be in love with her. What she hadn’t known until it was too late was that he’d been sleeping with one of her colleagues. Michelle broke up with him, waited until the end of the school term, then resigned as a second-grade teacher at a Missoula public school. She moved back to Tenacity and into her suite of rooms at the family ranch.

That was two years ago, and now at twenty-seven she was living her best life. She loved living on the Circle C, while three days a week, she helped her grandmother, who was co-owner of Little Cowpokes Daycare Center.

And now that her brothers Shane and Ellis were marrying at a double wedding, Michelle was looking forward to gaining two sisters. Shane was about to marry Remi Hawkins, and Ellis would be taking Tiffany Brandt for his bride in the fall ceremony tomorrow. Michelle loved fall in Tenacity—when the entire town was transformed into an autumnal landscape with monthlong activities including a pumpkin chucking contest, pumpkin spice crawl, trunk or treat, and a Halloween dinner/dance.

The weddings were being held in October because it was the designated month for the Corey family reunion. Tenacity had been buzzing with excitement ever since the nuptials had been announced because it was rumored that rodeo royalty would descend on the town with the attendance of the Hawkins extended families.

The original plan was to hold the weddings in one of the outbuildings on the ranch where the Coreys held their family reunions. The building had been outfitted with central air and heating, which made it accessible for year-round gatherings, and the new sound and lighting systems added a sophisticated touch. However, with the growing list of invitees, Joseph and Patty Corey decided to hold the rehearsal dinner at their ranch and the wedding ceremony and reception at the Tenacity Inn.

Michelle was to be one of the bridesmaids, along with Amy Hawkins-Aventura, Brittany Dubois and Stephanie Burris. Josh Aventura and Michelle’s other brothers Tristan and Aaron were groomsmen…as was the man most on her mind tonight.

Thinking of Lucas, she looked up from the food on her plate and glanced at him.

Remi was right. The man looked good enough to eat.

* * *

“Careful, bro. If you keep staring at Michelle like that, she’s going to think you’re interested in her,” Ethan Brandt said to his brother.

Lucas smiled as he continued to stare at the table where the soon-to-be brides sat with their bridesmaids. “There’s nothing wrong with looking at a beautiful woman.”

“Maybe. But if she gets the wrong message, before you know it, you’ll be in so deep you couldn’t get out even if you want to. First you dance with her, then she’s blowing up your phone asking you to pick up milk and diapers for the babies.”

Lucas frowned. “What the hell are you talking about?”