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  Copyright © 2015 by Ashley Erin

  Cover Design by Cover to Cover Designs

  Model: Julio Elving

  Photographer: Mandy Hollis with MHPhotography

  Editing by Jessica Grover

  Interior Design: Integrity Formatting

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owner.

  All rights reserved.

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  Pushing the front door open, I sit on the bench and pull my cowboy boots off my feet.

  “Oh God that feels so good.” Sighing, I contemplate just staying here for the rest of the day. The horses are getting restless while we rebuild the north pasture and Samson has taken it upon himself to jailbreak the herd out. Damn horse.

  My head jerks up and smacks against the wall as a scream and crash sounds from the kitchen.

  “Ow.” Stalking into the kitchen, rubbing the back of my head, I glare at Lia. “What the hell Lia? My eardrums almost exploded.”

  Lia looks up from where she is picking cutlery off the floor, eyes shining. “Emma is moving home. She called me today and said she is packing up her stuff, selling her place and moving in next door again.”

  “Cool.” Grabbing a glass from the cupboard, I get some water and gulp it down quickly. Emma is coming home? It’s been 13 years since I’ve seen her, aside from the photos Lia shows us, and in that time a day has not gone by that I haven’t thought of her.

  “Cool? Cool! You have her photo hidden on your dresser and all you have to say is COOL?” Lia gapes at me and I shrug, smirking at her.

  “Gotta go take a shower.” Lia’s growl of frustration makes me chuckle. She’s so easy to rile up.

  Taking the steps two at a time, I shut my bathroom door and turn on the water before stepping into my bedroom to strip off my clothes. Emma’s picture peeks out at me from its place on my dresser and I pick it up, heart pounding.

  Emma is coming home. A grin stretches out on my face; finally I can make her mine.

  Peering out of the window, my hands find their way into my hair when there is still no sign of Emma. Giggling catches my ear and I turn to glare at Lia. She slaps her hand over her mouth and leaves the room, bursts of laughter echoing throughout the house. Dammit. She is going to be hard to live with now.

  People don’t think it’s possible for an 11 year old boy’s heart to break, but when Emma and her parents moved away 13 years ago, my heart shattered. That was the girl I was going to marry and they took her away. Realistically, I know she isn’t the same girl she once was, but no one has ever measured up to my memories of her and now I have a chance. A chance at what I always thought would be.

  Glancing at the clock, I groan. Damn, it’s time to do chores. Longest fucking day ever.

  I’m in my office placing yet another lumber order when Lia comes bouncing in the door with a big grin on her face.

  “What’s up crazy face?” She seriously looks manic and it’s a little unsettling.

  “Oh nothing . . . I just know something you don’t.” She smirks at me and I roll my eyes before looking back at the screen.

  “Don’t all women feel that they know something all men don’t?” Checking over my form, I hit send before leaning back in my chair, hands clasped behind my head and arch my brow at her. Lia hates that I can arch my brow when she can’t and the glare she shoots my way makes me smirk.

  “We do. But in this case, it’s something that you desperately want to know.” She pauses emphatically and I silently wait. “Okay fine. I will tell you. You’re ruining my fun.”

  “You always did have the patience of a toddler.” Smirking at her as she sticks her tongue out at me, I refrain from doing the same to her.

  “I just thought that you might like to know about the truck and trailer that just pulled up outside. A certain brunette is currently unloading her horses and I know that you’ve been resisting plastering your face to the window waiting for her. It’s hilarious seeing you this way big brother.” Her eyes sparkle at me as I resist the urge to leap out of my chair.

  With forced casualness, I remain in my seat. “Good to know. Are you going over to say hi?” Please say no. Oh please say no.

  Lia’s eyes narrow at me and disappointment flashes in them briefly as she searches my face before a smug smile settles on her lips. “Nope. I would love to, but I need to go to complete two treatment schedules for some new clients.” She pauses as she stands and starts to head out the door. Stopping, she looks back at me. “She looks like hell, Dane. We FaceTimed earlier today and you can hardly recognize her. I just want you to be prepared for when you see her.” She leaves and I wait until I hear the back door slam before rushing upstairs and outside.

  Exhaling in relief at the fact that the long journey I have undertaken is almost over, I glance at my GPS to see how far I have left to go. In about five more kilometers I need to start looking for the mailboxes, it’s sad to me that I don’t know this way by heart, but Grandpa always came to visit us after my last visit.

  Gazing at the scenery around me, taking in the rolling hills mixed with prairie and woods, I feel a sense of peace that has evaded me in over ten months. I love the mixture of landscapes and searching for wildlife along the way keeps the drive interesting. The lone hawk swooping in the clear blue sky or the fox watching for gophers has me distracted from all of the other thoughts I am avoiding.

  It has been seven years since I was last at my grandfather’s acreage. I guess I need to refer to it as my acreage now. My eyes well with tears as I think of the circumstances bringing me back after all of this time.

  Shaking my head, I refocus on the sun shining and the expanse of endless blue sky instead of going to that sad place I’m actively pretending doesn’t exist. I’ve become really good at pretending. People don’t like to look below the surface. They don’t like to get to the root of someone, it’s easier to just accept what others show you.

  Slowing my truck to avoid missing my turn so I don’t have to turn around with the horse trailer, I think I finally see them at the top of the next hill. Sure enough as I get closer there are two mailboxes next to a long and winding driveway.

  The first, as I expect, says Hyatt, for my neighbors and old family friends. The second, I’m surprised, says Hayle instead of Ellis as I was anticipating. I guess w
hen I told Lia I was moving up she decided to change it for me. I cannot wait to see my oldest and dearest friend. We have remained close despite not seeing each other for seven years, an accomplishment if you ask me.

  Breathing a sigh of relief as I turn into the tree lined driveway, the stress from the drive slowly starts to lift. Ever since my parents died in a car accident nine and a half months ago, being in a vehicle always causes me anxiety. Driving is stressful, being a passenger borders on the impossible.

  Quickly shifting my thoughts back to the scenery around me, I scan the winding driveway with a sense of nostalgia and repress any thoughts of my weaknesses. The shade from the trees provides reprieve from the sweltering heat of this unseasonably warm Alberta June so I release my hair from the confines of the messy bun I had haphazardly mounded it into. I prefer to wear it down unless I’m working, but even with my air conditioning it was too hot in the sun to leave it down.

  The rays of the sun shimmer through the trees making the driveway seem almost magical, although in my opinion the raw land surrounding us is magical and I hope being back here will work its magic on me. Fix me. Heal me. Take away the pain.

  Shaking my head, I return my thoughts to the surroundings outside. The houses are a short drive down a winding driveway, lined with lush, thick brush and trees, providing privacy from the road. This is one of the things I love most about these properties, the privacy.

  My new, er old, home is situated inside the Hyatt’s sprawling 320 acre ranch. I have 10 blissful acres to call my own and I eagerly watch for the first glimpse in seven years of my childhood home.

  The trees start to thin, giving me fleeting glimpses of the expansive yard holding both my house and the Hyatt’s. My home, a Victorian style house is on the west side of the road, while the Hyatt’s ranch style home is on the east side directly across from mine. I had lived with my parents and my grandfather on this property until my dad’s job relocated us when I was 10 years old. I have not been back to visit since I was 16 years old.

  Grandpa had renovated the Victorian style home five years ago and the photos he had sent me did not do it justice. The house is a soft yellow with a wraparound covered porch, complete with a porch swing, turret and a bright blue door. The porch swing is calling my name but it’s going to have to wait. It will be the perfect place to work on my next novel or read a good book.

  Moving my gaze to the well-kept horse corrals, I’m thankful that they have been maintained. Knowing that the Hyatt’s have put in effort to upkeep the property brings back memories of all the good times I shared with Lia, Dane and Ryan. Excitement courses through me as I think about reconnecting with them.

  Pulling up to the house alongside a small paddock, I gratefully hop out of the truck and open the back door to let Chloe out. Chloe is a gorgeous three year old Doberman pinscher that I adopted as a puppy from a rescue specifically for misunderstood breeds and I am grateful every day to have her. She is completely dedicated to me and especially in the past year I have been grateful for her comforting presence. Chloe stretches and bumps my hand with her nose to get a head scratch before taking off to explore her new home. Grinning as she takes in all the new scents while keeping within eyesight of me, I move towards the back of the horse trailer and unlatch the door.

  My two horses, Serenity and Belle, have been wonderful during the journey and I want to get them settled with some food and water before unpacking. Quickly climbing into the trailer, I unhook Serenity and lead her out of the trailer to the fence. Grabbing some brushes from my back seat I give her a quick rub down. She is one of the gentlest, kind and stunning horses I have ever seen.

  Serenity is a Grullo mare and her unique coloring always draws attention. While most people think of her as brown, her coat almost has a bronze tinge to it. The stark black of her mane and tail set off the color so she really shines.

  Hopping back in the trailer, I lead out Belle and brush her quickly as well. Belle is my curvaceous beauty, a ridgeback dun with the sweetest personality. She is quiet and calm. My third horse, a bay named Chandler, won’t be arriving until my best friend Alex arrives sometime in July. He had a limp when I went to load him and I didn’t want to risk the drive so Alex agreed to look after him.

  Gathering their leads I walk into the pen closest to the house. I want to keep a watchful eye until I know they are settled to the new environment. Taking off their halters and lead ropes I grin as they both find a patch of dirt and roll. While they are rolling and getting acquainted with their new home, I take the time to stretch out my sore muscles and gaze around me.

  My little acreage has the perfect mixture of rolling hills and flat prairie with a small forest that takes up about half of the property. There are riding trails throughout and I can’t wait to explore it in its entirety once I have unpacked.

  Whistling for Serenity and Belle before taking off at a quick jog, they join up with me as we do our customary run. It feels amazing after being cooped up in the truck for the past 12 hours.

  I begin walking backwards so I can check how my girls are moving, not paying attention to my surroundings. It’s too late for my balance when I feel a ridge behind my knees and I’m falling, quickly submerged into the full water trough I had not noticed by the fence.

  “Shit!” I yelp, sputtering as I try to push my hair out of my face and crawl out of the water at the same time. Squeaking in surprise when hands grip my arms to pull me out, horror and embarrassment flood through me when I hear a deep masculine laugh.

  Oh no . . .

  As I’m lifted out of the water a deep voice chuckles, “I guess that’s one way to cool down . . .” Pushing my soaking hair out of my face and closing my eyes to gather my wits before lifting my eyes to my rescuer. My brain freezes as I stare up at Dane in shock and embarrassment.

  Oh. My. God.

  The burning of my face betrays me as a blush spreads over my cheeks and I resist burying my face into my hands. Dane chuckles and slowly moves his gaze over me, starting at my sandaled feet and making his way up my bare legs to my soaked yoga shorts and tank top.

  How humiliating, I can feel it clinging to me and the cool breeze causing my nipples to stand at attention. Fuck my life.

  Lastly he examines my flushed face, the mess that is my wet and tangled, long, dark brown hair and settles on my green eyes with a sexy grin.

  Trying to maintain some dignity, I arch a brow at the humored expression in his gaze and decide to return the favor. I haven’t seen Dane since he was 11 years old and at 24 he has become a devastatingly gorgeous man. His jeans and shirt accentuate his strong, well-toned muscles. He is tall and I need to tilt my head back slightly to examine his face. His strong and chiseled jaw, short, perfectly styled hair and pale green eyes complete the swoon worthy package.

  My mind wanders to all the dirty things I want to do to this man, starting with those kissable lips. This train of thought throws me off and I quickly move my eyes away from his lips to his eyes.

  His shocked expression at my boldness is apparent at the drop in his jaw and I smirk at him cheekily. This past year has changed me into a shell of who I was but I’m not the shy 10 year old he once knew, the one who followed him around doing whatever he wanted.

  Thirteen years have passed since I last saw Dane and his brother Ryan. They were both away working when I visited last. Their sister, Lia, has been my best friend since before we understood what a friend was.

  Finally feeling a little more composed, considering the circumstances, I grin at him mischievously and before he knows what I’m thinking step in and give him a hug. Trying to ignore how my heart kicks when his hard muscles press against me, I can’t help my mind from wandering straight back into the gutter.

  Stepping back quickly I smirk at the water now soaking his front before the hard ridges of his abs molding to his shirt distracts me. Dragging my gaze away from the delectable muscles peering at me I check to make sure I haven’t physically started to drool.

  The thrumm
ing of my body reacting to his has me squirming as I try to refocus my thoughts away from imagining what it would be like to run my hands over his stomach and . . .

  What the fuck is wrong with me? This is Dane. We used to go on adventures in the forest and have movie nights in their rec room. What is it about this reunion that has shifted him from friend to a man my heart flutters over? Blushing at the humiliating entrance back into his life and the line my thoughts are crossing I search for the first thing I can think of to say.

  “Where are Lia and Ryan?” I must be imagining the disappointment that flashes across his face at the abrupt shift. There is no way he could be thinking along the same lines as me.

  “Lia had some work she needed to get done for new clients and Ryan is checking the south fence line. I came to invite you over for dinner at Lia’s request.” He smirks at me as I stand soaking wet in front of him. “Dinner is at six, so you have time to . . . compose yourself.”

  Ignoring his banter, I gratefully accept the invitation as I did not stop along the way to pick up any supplies. With one last chuckle and a look I can’t decipher he saunters away from me. My eyes seem to be glued to him as he walks away, his jeans snugly forming to his perfect ass. Mentally shaking myself I peel my eyes away before turning to the house.

  “Lia!” Shutting the door behind me, I yell for her as I head to the freezer. “You invited Emma over for dinner!” Peering in, I grab some steaks and turn around ready to yell some more. Lia stands behind me grinning and takes the steaks from my hands. “Fuck! Way to be a creeper.”

  “Not that I wasn’t planning on inviting her, but it’s sweet that you read my mind.” She mocks me, so I give her a gentle shove. Grabbing an apple from the basket on the counter, I wink at her and head to my room.

  Collapsing onto my bed I finally allow myself to think about Emma. Up close and personal. When I saw her running with her horses, my heart swelled at the ease and beauty before me. Seeing her dripping wet, standing in front of me . . . Her wet tank top hugging her glorious curves made me instantly erect and straining in my jeans. Emma is a stunning woman and I wanted nothing more than to pull her into my arms. My dick is hardening in my jeans as I think of her and adjust myself, groaning when I think about how she pressed her body into mine.