Page 2 of Falling for the Maverick

“I’m talking about you getting involved with our sister’s soon-to-be sister-in law. Because what if things don’t work out? Then we’ll be involved in a Corey-Brandt family feud. And I’m not ready to get into it with her brothers over their only sister.”

Leaning back in his chair, Lucas gave his older brother a long, penetrating stare. “I have no intention of getting involved with any woman at this time. I need to focus on my investment.” Earlier that year he’d bought land in Tenacity to set up a ranch, recently christened Big Doggo Ranch, and it was taking all of his waking hours to ensure its viability. “And where did the notion of babies and diapers come from?”

“I’m just saying, Lucas, once you get involved, you need to be prepared for the next phase.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. There’s not going to be a next phase. And not to worry, Ethan. I’m with you when it comes to marriage. I’m definitely not ready for it, so I’ll continue to be your wingman.”

Lucas wanted to tell his brother that at thirty-four he’d gotten used to living his life on his own terms and not being tied to one woman. He’d had a few relationships, but they’d ended because he hadn’t been able to commit to anything long-term.

He hadn’t lied when he told Ethan there was nothing wrong with looking at a beautiful woman. He found Michelle Corey stunning. Lucas knew it was impolite to stare, yet there was something about her that wouldn’t allow him to look away. The images of her straight, shoulder-length black hair, flawless nut-brown complexion and gorgeous big brown eyes were imprinted in his memory like a permanent tattoo. He dared not stare too long at her slender curvy figure that elicited thoughts that kept him from a restful night’s sleep.

Perhaps if he’d continued to live in Bronco where he had been involved with overseeing his parents’ dry-cleaning businesses, he would’ve had little or no contact with Michelle Corey. The woman had formed a friendship with his sister Tiffany when she opened her flower business in Tenacity.

But Lucas had become disillusioned after spending years sitting behind a desk and finally decided to do what he always wanted to do—become a rancher. With degrees in business and finance, and some wise investments, he was able to fulfill his dream and purchase land in Tenacity where prices were considerably lower than in Bronco. Not to mention, the city was on the rise.

During the one-hundred-mile drive from Bronco to Tenacity, Lucas hadn’t been certain what to expect, but when he surveyed the parcels up for sale, he knew at once it was where he wanted to set up his horse ranch. Even Flash, his mastiff, agreed. Once Lucas opened the door to the pickup, the dog ran around as if he’d been confined to a kennel all of his life.

Lucas negotiated what he believed was a fair price for the land, then contracted a construction company to build a ranch house using reclaimed materials, then a barn and stable for the horses he planned to purchase from his brother-in-law Daniel Dubois.

It’d been close to six months since he’d come to call Tenacity home, and the restlessness he’d occasionally experienced was gone. He’d told his parents he would continue to watch their businesses, not from behind a corporate desk but in the home office at his ranch.

“There’s one thing I have to admit,” Ethan said, breaking into Lucas’s thoughts.

“What’s that?”

“Tenacity does have a lot of pretty women.”

Lucas smiled, his gaze drifting back to Michelle. “So, I’m not the only one who’s willing to admit that.”

“I like women but not enough to turn in my bachelor card. At least not now, when I have a variety of women from which to choose.”

Unlike Ethan, Lucas had never been a serial dater. He would see a woman for extended periods of time until one or both of them decided they wanted different things for their futures. Lucas always knew he wanted to become a rancher, but when he mentioned that to some of the women he’d dated, they made no bones about preferring city life to living in the middle of nowhere. One woman even professed to being afraid of animals and unable to abide the smell of horses and cows.

He winked at his mother. As the mother of the bride, she couldn’t stop bragging that come tomorrow all of her daughters would be married. Brittany, her eldest, had married Bronco Heights millionaire Daniel Dubois, and Stephanie married Geoff Burris, who had earned the reputation as one of the most famous Black rodeo riders in the country.

Lucas continued to take surreptitious glances at Michelle, who appeared to be completely involved in conversation with Remi’s cousin Amy Hawkins-Aventura.

One more day. After the wedding and reception, he would shed the persona of a groomsman and go back to being a rancher.

* * *

Michelle and the other bridesmaids and groomsmen were together in a small room at the Tenacity Inn. They were all waiting for the signal to file into the ballroom where the wedding ceremony was scheduled to take place.

The double wedding had been coordinated by Brittany Dubois, a professional party and wedding planner in Bronco. Brittany had been content to remain in the background, but Tiffany had insisted she join her sisters as a bridesmaid because Ellis had selected his brothers as his groomsmen.

Brittany’s assistant held them back now. “One of the brides has decided to make a change,” Brittany’s assistant said, holding her hand against an earpiece. Amy, Stephanie, Brittany and Michelle were the bridesmaids, and Tristan, Aaron, Lucas and Josh were the groomsmen.

“Brittany, you will walk in with Tristan…Amy with Aaron…Stephanie with Josh…and Michelle with Lucas.”

Michelle looked at the woman as if she’d spoken a language she didn’t understand. During the rehearsal she’d been paired with Josh, not Lucas. She blinked rapidly. Now she would not only process down the aisle with Lucas, but she’d be seated next to him during the reception and also dance with him when it came time for the wedding party to dance together.

She didn’t need to ask the planner which bride had requested the change. Tiffany had been constantly complaining that her brothers were dragging their feet when it came to carrying on the Brandt name. Now that Tiffany had fallen in love, she wanted the same for her brothers, and with Lucas living in Tenacity now, she felt the need to play matchmaker. No doubt she’d witnessed Lucas staring at Michelle during the rehearsal dinner.

Despite her trepidation, she met Lucas’s eyes and smiled.

He, like the other groomsmen, wore a Western-styled black suit complete with a marigold boutonniere, white shirt, bronze silk tie and low-heeled boots. She’d also noticed that his black hair was close-cropped and his goatee was precisely trimmed to make him even more handsome than ever.

Well, Michelle thought, it’s only one day. Once the reception ended, Lucas would go back to his ranch, and she would continue to live her life by her leave. The Circle C was far enough away from the Big Doggo that even if she went riding, there was little probability they would run into each other.