Page 2 of The Rancher's Heart

Chapter One

Jonas scanned thewedding guests from the back of the aisle leading up to the arbor, where Blake waited for his soon-to-be wife. The chairs on both sides were filled with wedding guests. The flowers bordering the seating area they’d planted after remodeling his mom’s she-shed into The Wedding Cottage bloomed in riotous color. The weather was perfect.

He was happy for Blake, Malorie, and the blended family they were making with Mal’s twins and Blake’s Timmy. Then why was he feeling so unsettled? As if something or... someone was missing from the joyous occasion.

He scowled at his phone before putting it back in his pocket. The last time he’d talked to Sloane, she’d said she would be at the nuptials, however briefly, but so far, she was MIA. Even if she didn’t want to be his plus-one, it wasn’t like her to miss important family events like this one.

He’d given it a lot of thought. Of course she went on dates. His best course of action was to just ask her about the guy. Make sure she was safe. They didn’t keep secrets from each other, so he was certain she would tell him everything he wanted to know... as soon as the reception got started and he could steal a few minutes from her before she dashed off to meet whoever the guy was.

“What’s wrong?” Nathan asked as he joined Jonas.

There was no reason to be so disturbed just because Sloane was going out with some dude. Over the years of their best friendship, she’d gone on dates.Adventures, she called them. “Nothing. Why?”

Not in the mood to discuss his confusing feelings with his newly engaged brother, Jonas checked his phone again. He should text her, but she’d never been one to like having her movements monitored.

“Usually, the guy giving away the bride doesn’t keep checking his phone like he’s expecting bad news.”

Jonas shrugged. “Sloane said she would be here, but I don’t see her.”

“She’s in the cottage, helping Malorie and Izzy get ready.” Nathan shoved his hands into his pockets.

His brother had been off his game after asking Izzy Payton to marry him at Blake and Malorie’s engagement party. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I never thought I’d see the day that Blake would come home and then get married right here at Mom’s place.” Nathan gave him a quick look. “Iz wants to get married here too.”

Jonas arched his brows. “When?”

“We haven’t set a date yet, but sometime after Christmas.”

Jonas clapped Nathan’s shoulder. “I’m happy for you and Izzy. You’re perfect for each other.”

“You think so?” Nathan asked, surprising Jonas. It wasn’t like his brother lacked confidence.

Jonas grinned at Nathan’s sudden reversal. “I know so.”

“I guess I do too. I’m just a little shocked that she said yes when I asked her to marry me.”

“What was she thinking?” Jonas teased, then stepped back to avoid any retaliation on his brother’s part. But not far enough.

Nathan caught Jonas in the arm. Not hard enough to hurt, but definitely with enough force to remind him they weren’t kids anymore when he could tell his brothers how they should feel about things.

Nathan shrugged. “Beats me. Should we join Blake?”

Normally, he wouldn’t let the kid get away with that, but they were at Blake’s wedding, and besides, it was a fact... Izzywascrazy about him.

“After you.” He waited for Nathan to head down the aisle.

Blake was already standing under the arbor. Jonas took his place between his brothers. Because Blake hadn’t wanted to choose between them, they were both groomsmen.

The sound of the ladies’ laughter coming from the cottage eased the tension gripping Jonas’s shoulders. The Triple L had gone a long time without a wedding.

Blake gave a thumbs-up to Timmy and Reece, who were sitting in the first row. Jonas was glad his brothers had found their bliss with two such remarkable women. And he was just as sure he wouldn’t follow in their footsteps anytime soon.

At the moment, he had other matters to attend to. Making sure, with his brothers, that the Triple L made it over the finish line financially, and as part of that, either finding or getting Rangerbred registration papers for Duke.

He’d looked everywhere but had no luck. It was a puzzle because they had to be somewhere on the ranch. After his dad’s passing, his mom insisted that Jonas go back to college to finish his law degree. In the middle of studying, he’d forgotten all about his dad’s horses.

Looking back, he should have stayed and helped her sort through the old man’s things and last requests, but everything had been left to his mom, and she’d seemed to be taking care of the ranch the way she always did. Full steam ahead.

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