Page 1 of A Rancher's Bride
1
For the umpteenth time that day, the ground rose up and slapped Luke Stone silly.
The initial moment of contact knocked the wind from him, but the smack to the bruise already forming on his hip was the real kicker. He stayed in motion, rolling instinctively to his hands and knees. Lying on his back on the cold January snow and groaning in pain wasn’t an option unless he wanted a hoof print branded onto any vital parts.
The world was still spinning when he shoved a hand in the air to indicate he was breathing and somewhat alive.
The signal gave his brothers permission to jeer.
“I swear you bounced that time, bro.” Walker marched across the arena to offer a hand. He hauled Luke to his feet, not even attempting to hide his smirk.
Luke brushed the snow and dirt from his jeans, forcing a good-natured response, although it was tough with all the faces eyeing him with amusement. Even his kid brother, Dustin, wore a grin.
The three of them had shown up to watch him work the new mare he’d offered to train. It was the way they’d always done things at Silver Stone ranch—since the death of their parents they’d worked together, played together, fought together.
And yes, laughed together, occasionally at each other.
Caleb was the oldest by a couple years and had been in charge since that fateful day. Luke had no problem when his big brother winked over his shoulder then headed after the mare to bring her back for Luke to try again. And Walker, while a couple years younger than Luke, was a champion bull rider. He’d earned the right to laugh at anyone who came off the back of a beast unwillingly.
Dustin, though? Hell no.
Luke pointed a finger at the twenty-year-old. “Laugh it up. You wouldn’t last two seconds on her.”
The youth was smart enough not to argue. “Still entertaining to watch you land on your ass.”
His wide smile was taunting but one hundred percent family, and when Dustin swung over the railing to join Caleb as he walked Chili Pepper, Luke decided this time he’d let the kid off easy.
Walker laid a hand on his shoulder. “Ready to call it a day?”
Luke shrugged, eyeing the filly carefully as his brothers paced her around the arena. “I’m not going to get her trained if I give up the first time she throws me.”
“First time? Math never was your strong suit,” Walker teased gently before folding his arms and checking him over with an experienced eye. “You’re hurting, Luke. I can tell from the way you’re moving one of those landings scored a little too hard.”
“Maybe. Doesn’t matter—I can go for a bit longer.”
Walker seemed about to say something more but then shook his head, glancing at his watch. “You’ll be black and blue tomorrow, but the truth is, you need to stop because we all have other things to do. And you know the rules—you’re not working a wild ride without backup.”
Caleb and Dustin had reached them by that point, the mare standing like an angel at the end of the lead line. The cantankerous creature that had bucked him off a dozen times running was now all sweetness and light. She moved forward and crowded him with her head, batting at his belly to push him toward the barn.
Luke wrapped his arms around Pepper and patted her nose. “Bossy creature.”
“See? Even she knows it’s time to call it quits.” Caleb offered a satisfied grumble, his gaze fixed on something outside the arena.
Luke turned to discover Caleb’s children making their way across the snowy path from the ranch house. “It’s time for you to stop, at least,” Luke admitted.
“Ivy is expecting me, as well,” Walker added. “There’s some kind of ‘past New Year’s, but as close to it as we could get’ fundraiser meet-and-greet for the school board, so I have to go put on a suit and tie.”
All four of them groaned at the same moment, three of them in sympathy. Walker’s fiancée was the vice principal at the local elementary school, which meant she was pretty involved in all sorts of community activities.
Big brother Caleb was now happily married to Tamara, and while she was eating crackers and drinking ginger ale, they were thrilled to be adding another kid to go with the two mischievous girls approaching the arena.
Luke was glad his brothers had found partners who made them happy. Still kind of dug a knife into his gut considering his failed relationship had been over for only a few months.
Even Dustin chortled with glee as he shared his evening plans. “I have a date tonight.”
“Really?” Walker’s tone turned serious. “I heard you were going over to Ivy’s parents’ house. Are you seeing one of her sisters?”
Dustin’s eyes widened for a brief second before he turned all nonchalant. “None of your business if I were.”
