Page 1 of Wildest Forever

PROLOGUE

PACEY

We incorporated the wedding with the cow branding. Call us crazy, but us Riveras like to be different. We branded the calves in the morning, lunched, danced and then just as the sun was about to set, we watched Aspen and Riggs get married.

The soft country voice of Dixie rolls over the field, her fingers working her guitar as she sings Riggs and Aspen's first danceInvisible String - Taylor Swift.

Tripp is dancing with my mom and Lainey, Conrad is dancing with Sunny, and Austin is dancing with his mom.

Me? I am sitting alone on a bale of hay whilst nursing a whiskey.

I know I’ll get my happily ever after, but for now, I have too much to do to save my ranch, to save all the ranches.

I haven't wanted to stress Riggs and Tripp out with the news that I have heard, but the sale of land is moving forward, along with the second biggest ranch, Cottonwheel Ranch, just outside of Lovelock Bay.

I have a meeting with Mr Wheeler at the beginning of next week and I am hoping we can work together to finally squash these suits once and for all, because it seems this runs much deeper than just Clay and his lot.

We have a much bigger problem.

Shaking my head from side to side, I drain the rest of my glass and push myself to my feet. Slightly missing my footing, a hand reaches mine.

“Careful there, Sheriff,” and my eyes connect with hers.

Dirty blonde hair hidden under a cowgirl hat.

Beautiful green eyes.

And a smile to drag you into her soul.

“I don't think we've met,” she holds her hand out for me to shake, “I am Morgan Wheeler.”

“Pacey Rivera...” and just as our hands clasp, the ground begins to tremor before a loud bang echoes around the ranch followed by screams.

“I don't think we caused that,” her eyes widen, and I whistle, calling the cowboys and Marty. Rushing towards the stables, I grab my horse, Morgan hot on my tail as she grabs one of my boys’ horses and I kick him on, following the still echoing bang and it doesn't take me long to find out what caused it.

“Shit,” I groan as I look at the old back entrance of the gold mine that runs under the ranch blown, smoke coming through the ground.

“What's happened?” she whispers, just as Marty and the boys catch us up. I look at them before my eyes find hers, and I honestly could lose myself in them.

“They've started a war,” I tilt my head, before opening the rein to my horse and kicking him down the field towards Riggs and Tripp.

And I know this is going to be the biggest fight of our lives. The breeze dances around me as I gallop towards the party when my dad's words echo around my head.

Live by the ranch, die by the ranch.

CHAPTER ONE

PACEY

My heavy feet move through the wildflowers that are in full bloom, my fingertips brushing against the delicate flowers. My chest aches slightly as I move closer to the large, oak tree that stands tall at the bottom of the field. Inhaling sharply, tears burn behind my eyes as I glance down at the wooden cross that is dug into the soft dirt beneath me, a gold plaque polished on the front.

Jorge Rivera

My exhale shudders as I curl my fingers around the top of the cross, my heart a little heavier now as I drop my head, my hat falling to my feet and I don't bend to pick it up.

“I miss you dad,” I whisper into the wind that dances through the branches of the oak tree and I know he is here, he is always here with us. “Things aren't quite the same, and I am terrified that the war on the land has only really just begun.”I mutter my thoughts out loud, softly.

Letting my eyes close for a moment, I inhale heavily when I feel a grip on my shoulder, a soft squeeze has my eyes lifting, casting behind me and my heart settles deep inside my chest when I see Buck standing there.

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