Capturing Our Lady's Heart [Commando Cowboys and Renegade Texans Unite 1] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) (2 page)

“We can’t be antisocial. The children like to get to play with others, and I like to talk with the ladies.”

“But I didn’t need to come. I have work to do.”

“You’ve skipped the last three social outings. Your children want your attention.”

“Don’t you understand we’re on shaky ground financially? If you’d loan me the money you saved for your silly lingerie shop, we’d be in better shape.”

“It’s my dream. And though I agreed to help with my niece and nephews for a while, it isn’t forever. Any money I gave you would just go to your lawyers trying to get full custody of the children.”

“I deserve it. My wife left me for two men, and once the divorce was final, she married them.” Alan got right in Bliss’s face and yelled.

Bliss backed up. “Get over it. Go on with your life. I’m giving you three more months, and then you’ll have to hire a nanny.” Her heart raced. She hadn’t given Alan an ultimatum before, but she was tired of his demands, his anger, and her dream not being fulfilled.

“I can’t afford a nanny. You won’t leave the children alone.”

“You haven’t given me a cent, and I’ve had to dip into my savings. This can’t go on.” Bliss turned toward the kitchen counter so he wouldn’t see her tears.

“Auntie Bliss, can we go now?” her nephew Buddy asked as he ran into the kitchen.

“Yes, we’re ready. Where are Mark and Clara?”

“Here we are.” Clara ran and threw her small arms around Bliss’s legs. “I’m happy, happy, happy. Daddy is coming with us.” She ran to her father, and he picked her up in his arms.

He frowned at Bliss as he walked by her. “This discussion isn’t over,” he warned as he walked out to the truck.

She took Mark’s and Buddy’s hands and led them to the truck where they got in the backseat. Clara climbed over Mark to sit in the middle.

Once Bliss got in the front, Alan took off, throwing dirt behind him.

“You’re acting like a teenager.”

“Leave me alone,” Alan snapped.

Bliss leaned back and took a breath. The past two years had been miserable. Her brother’s attitude stayed negative most of the time.

No wonder his wife left him for others. Bliss knew the two men she’d married. They had a profitable ranch in the next county and were highly respected. There wasn’t any reason Alan and his ex-wife couldn’t share custody. But he’d gotten a temporary order, from a judge, in a neighboring county. His ex-wife couldn’t see the children except for visits on the ranch when Alan was present. Bliss thought her brother was wrong and being mean, but there wasn’t any talking to him.

Alan turned into the long drive at Aznar’s ranch. As they got closer they saw a large crowd, a mixture of families and cowboys. The smell of barbecue made her stomach growl. She’d skipped breakfast getting the children ready and dealing with her resistant brother.

“In this crowd of men maybe you can find a husband,” Alan sneered. “Although I doubt if anyone would want the bitch you’ve become.”

The sound of the slap shocked both her and Alan. She hadn’t been aware of her hand moving so quickly to hit the side of his face. They stared at each.

“Auntie Bliss, you hit Daddy. You have to go to time out,” Clara said from the backseat.

“You’re right, honey. I’m going to leave you three with your daddy, and I’m going to take time out.” She glanced at her brother. “You have thirty days.” She got out of the truck and didn’t look back.

Tears filled her eyes and she stumbled once getting across the yard. She headed toward the side of the barn. She walked around to the back and stepped into the cool, dimness. A few horses neighed and moved around. Finally, she let the tears flow.

* * * *

“Who is that?” Lann nodded toward the tall woman with midnight-black hair who stalked straight from the truck she’d ridden in to the side of the barn and disappeared.

“Bliss Meades. Her stupid brother has probably been giving her a hard time again. I found her crying once before. He’s divorced and has her taking care of his kids and being a general flunky. I’d like to sock him, but it’d upset and embarrass her.”

“I think I’ll go check on her.” Lann strolled toward the barn. She wasn’t standing on the side. He walked to the back door and listened. He heard her soft crying, and his fist clenched. He agreed with Bern. He’d like to punch the brother, too.

He didn’t see her at first in the dim light. But then he saw a movement by the hay. She was lying back on a pile of fresh hay with her eyes closed and a handkerchief in her hand. He moved carefully so as not to startle her.

When he got closer, he saw her more clearly. She was dressed in a long-sleeve shirt, a pinafore-type dress, and old boots. Her hair had been pulled back in a bun. Her outfit looked strange on a young woman. She must have sensed him. She opened her eyes.

She jumped backward further into the hay. “Who are you?”

“Lann Quinlain. I’m part of the group just moving here. I saw you headed this way and thought you looked upset.”

“I’m fine,” she said and started to stand.

Lann put out his hand. She hesitated, but then she reached out and he pulled her upright. When their hands connected, Lann felt a jolt. She did, too. Her eyes opened wide, and she snatched her hand back as soon as she was on her feet.

“Thank you. I have to get back. The children will be looking for me.”

“Bern said you take care of your brother’s children.”

Her chin went up in reaction to his remark. “I suppose, like the other nosy people around here, you wonder why I haven’t married and had my own.” She stepped closer and stood on her tiptoes to face him. “I don’t want children. I want a career. If I wanted a husband, I’d get one. But after living with my brother for two years I’m certain marriage isn’t for me.”

“Well, now there are benefits in a marriage that you don’t have helping your brother.” He couldn’t hold back a smile. He loved her outspokenness. She was putting him in his place.

“I suppose you mean sex. I believe it’s highly overrated.”

Lann put his hand over his mouth but he couldn’t hold in the laughter. “Oh, baby, you just haven’t been with the right man.”

* * * *

“And I suppose you think you’re the best?” Oh, my goodness, what was wrong with her? She’d never been so outspoken with anyone, much less a man.

“I’d be glad to volunteer my services.” Lann’s eyes sparkled with amusement. Even in the dim light she could see the bright-green color of them.

“Thank you, but I have no need of them.” Her face burned with embarrassment. She hurried to the door, but heard his words as she went out.

“Darlin’, I think you need them badly.”

When Bliss came around the barn, she almost ran into her brother. “Where have you been? Your face is all red.”

“Leave me alone, Alan. I want to enjoy myself.”

“So do I. Watch the kids.” He turned and walked across the yard to join several men drinking beer.

Bliss spotted her niece and nephews playing with the other children. They’d be fine. She looked around and found her best friend, Sunn Handley, sitting under a large oak tree and saving her a seat.

“I just got here and wondered where you were,” Sunn said when Bliss sank into the lawn chair beside her.

“As usual, I lost my cool with Alan, and I walked off to calm down.”

“Your face is still rosy. It must not have helped. When are you going to take back your own life?”

“Earlier today, I told him he had three months to find someone else. Then when he spouted off in the truck, I said it was a month. He can hire a nanny if he’d quite fighting in court with his ex.”

“Good for you. Are you still planning on opening a lingerie shop? I bet it would be successful. The ladies and gentlemen would like it.”

“My brother has done all he can to try and get me to give him my money. I’ve had to use some of it this past two years. You know he never gave me a cent. I’m hoping what I have left will be enough.”

“If not you can go to the bank and get a loan.”

“I’m trying to avoid that step. It’s going to be difficult to make ends meet as it is though.”

“You said you were left half of the ranch.”

“Yes, but my dad put in the will that Alan is in charge and will make all decisions including about when to give me my part of the money if he ever sells it.”

“That’s not fair.”

“I know, but Dad didn’t believe women had a good head for handling money. He gave Mom an allowance. Alan is very much like our father. He says his marriage failed because his wife ran off with two men. I say it failed because he treated Addie, his ex, like a second-class citizen.

“Look at how I’m dressed. He threw a fit and said I should not dress in a way to bring attention to myself. I finally agreed to dress this way because I have no desire to attract a man. Once I’m free of my brother’s strong will, I have no intention of surrendering myself to a husband.”

“You felt so sorry for him at first that you went along with whatever he said. But I see my old friend remerging, and I can’t believe some of these hunks here today don’t make your heart beat faster. They sure do mine.” Sunn looked closer at Bliss. “You’re blushing. That’s why your face was red. Have you met one of them already?”

“He found me in the barn.” Bliss turned more toward Sunn. “It was strange. He put out his hand to help me up. I’d been sitting on the edge of a haystack. I hesitated. He was so big, and broad, and sexy.”

“Wow, I’ve never heard you describe anyone with that word.”

“When I did put my hand in his, I got a jolt. He felt it, too. Sunn, I’m so embarrassed. You wouldn’t believe what I said to him and I mentioned the word
sex.
”

“You didn’t?” Sunn bent over in gales of laughter. “My most modest, unassuming friend had a real conversation with one of these hunks. Which one?”

“It’s not that funny.”

“Yes, it is. Point him out.”

Bliss glanced around the yard. The children were playing a game and squealing in pleasure. “He’s talking to Bern.”

“I can’t see his front, but his backside is definitely sensational. Those jeans fit him just right.”

“Are you my real friend Sunn? I’ve never heard you talking about men this way.”

“I think my hormones have decided it’s about time. I want a sexy husband who’ll make love to me every day.”

“Have you been drinking?”

“Of course not. I’m just tired of being overlooked by the few real men left. Maybe I’ll have better luck with the new neighbors. Let’s go get some food and introduce ourselves to a few of them.”

“I’m not in the market. But I am hungry.” Bliss walked with Sunn to where the barbecue had cooked and was ready.

“Those two”—Sunn nodded toward where Bern and the new man were standing—“are watching you closely. They may be able to change your mind.”

“Definitely not. If I did decide I wanted a husband, it would be with someone who I can have equal say in the relationship. Those two are much too macho.”

“Then enjoy them and walk away.”

Bliss glanced at the two men. The one she’d met in the barn winked at her. She jerked her head forward. Her heart pounded and a strange warm feeling settled in her abdomen. Those two were dangerous to her plans and well-being. She would stay as far away as possible.

Bern chuckled. “You must have made quite an impression on Bliss Meades. She took one look at you and blushed.”

“She’s the one you were talking about being interested in.”

“How’d you guess?”

“I notice when you look at her, your tough face goes soft.”

“Yes, something about her makes me want to bring her home and keep her safe.”

“Me, too, but she’s tougher than you think. She stood up to me.”

“That’s good. She’s going to give us a good fight before she gives in.”

Lann nodded. “It wouldn’t be any fun if she didn’t.”

“She’s headed this way with her niece, and she’s keeping her head down. Bliss, I’m pleased to see you and your family at the barbecue.” Bern knelt down to face Clara. “Are you having a good time?”

“Yes, sir. So much fun.” Clara smiled and patted Bern’s cheek. “Thank you.”

“Thank you for coming.” He straightened and faced Bliss. “Can I help you?”

“She needs to go to the ladies’ room.”

“Go through the living room and into the hall. You’ll see it.”

Bliss nodded, and holding her niece’s hand, she went inside the house.

“What did you do to her? She won’t look directly at you.”

“We discussed sex.”

“What?”

“My guess is she’s a virgin or it’s been a very long time. I offered my services.”

Bern stared at his friend. “You must have left the real Lann in Wyoming.”

“No, I just let him out.”

“Good for you.” Bern lifted his beer. “To the capturing of our lady’s heart.”

* * * *