Page 1 of A Cowboy's Bride
1
Mid-September, Heart Falls
Despite the cool fall breeze swirling around him, a trickle of moisture slid between Aiden Skye’s shoulder blades. His muscles hummed with a welcome ache after riding hard, and he savoured a deep breath of the fresh, crisp air as he leaned on the saddle horn.
A grin stretched his cheeks.
This place was perfect.
Three ranch dogs raced around his horse’s legs, including Aiden’s retriever, Dixie. All the beasts clearly approved of the land as well. Dust swirled as Aiden’s two older brothers joined him on the ridge.
Thirty-nine-year-old Declan reached over his horse’s neck to offer Aiden a firm handshake. “Other than the one time when you nearly came out of the saddle, you did damn good. As expected.” Declan glanced at Jake, their middle brother. “You, on the other hand…”
Jake made an appropriately rude gesture then laughed. “You’re a mean son of a bitch, Declan. ‘Come for a ride on our new property’, you said. ‘It’ll be good to get back to your roots.’ Five fucking hours later…”
“Not my fault your roots have spent more time planted in a cushy chair than on horseback lately.” Declan leaned back and adjusted his hat, his smile nothing more than the faintest line as usual. “You’ll get back into the swing of things soon enough. Aiden did well.”
“Thanks.” Aiden sat straighter, stretching his neck and shoulders. “Though I need a hot shower after that.”
“Agreed. Plus food,” Jake added, eyeing his brother. “I hope you have this part planned as thoroughly as the show and tell of the land and buildings.”
The oldest of them tilted his head toward the barn. “Let’s get the animals cleaned up. I figured we’d keep it simple this evening. Burgers, then time to meet some locals at the pub. I’ve only been a few times, but Rough Cut seems a decent place.”
Good thing they’d all turned their horses toward the barn already, the dogs happily racing ahead. No way could Aiden have kept his expression blank enough to hide his amusement at returning to the pub.
Declan had done the final leg work in purchasing the animal rescue in Heart Falls, moving early to supervise renovations, but it had been Aiden’s job to find the ranch in the first place.
His research trip three years earlier into the community had not only turned up the perfect location for their project, but he’d also enjoyed an amazing evening dancing and otherwise occupied with another visitor to town. The leggy brunette with pale-blue eyes had been a blast on the dance floor and a wildcat in bed.
Aiden spent the time grooming his horse and putting away tack wearing a wicked grin.
Around him, signs of change were everywhere. Through the nearest window, the building to the north was visible, where renovations were partially complete. Smaller but comfortable private rooms, each with their own bathroom, circled a second-floor kitchen and dining room that faced the Rocky mountains. Floor-to-ceiling windows let light pour into the open working area, and Aiden could already hear their future guests rave about how fabulous the space was for painting.
The artists’ residences were the working cover that held their secret project together.
On the main floor below, half of the building had been divided into three living units for him and his brothers, each with a bedroom, bath, and private living space. The areas were complete in terms of plumbing and framed walls, but the rest of the work remained.
The other side of the main floor held five separate rooms as well as a joint bathhouse. The main reason for all the work. Not too many months from now, men who needed a safe spot to retreat for a while would find refuge here.
Aiden and his brothers finished their chores, put out food for the dogs, then strolled in a companionable silence back to the ranch house.
The place would’ve been bigger than necessary for the older couple they’d purchased the land and animal rescue from, but for their new project, it was just right. Once they were up and running, the extra rooms in the house would be for any women who needed a spot to hide.
On the north side was the primary bedroom and attached bath that would house a full-time live-in cook and housekeeper. To the east were the other three bedrooms, along with two more bathrooms, temporarily filled with Aiden’s and his brothers’ gear.
The rest of the house was equally simple. The tidy kitchen boasted a long trestle table that the previous couple had left because it had been built to fit. The living room held a wood-burning stove and room for two oversized battered and worn couches. The view beyond the windows was breathtaking, though, with the Rocky mountains in the distance and kilometers of open prairie all around them.
It was the perfect place to make a difference. Somewhere to feel utterly safe while a person built up their courage and found new ways to be strong.
They ate a quick supper then headed out. Aiden slid into the front passenger seat of Declan’s truck seconds before Jake could claim it.
“Ass.” Jake said without malice.
“Thank you.” Aiden ducked instinctively away from the slap to his shoulder Jake offered, snorting in amusement. “It’s been too long since we lived together, but it feels as if it was only yesterday.”
“Agreed.” Declan put the truck in gear and headed up the road, the faintest hint of a smile curling the corners of his lips. “I still have nightmares from those days. You’re both so damn needy. Constantly yattering about.”
The cab filled with soft laughter, considering the truth was the other way to the extreme. They might have been needy but getting that truth from any of them would have required torture and thumbscrews.
