Page 1 of Ruined
PROLOGUE
“Ah, shit.”
A small gasp drew my attention downward. “Daddy! You said a bad word.” My daughter crossed her arms in front of her, her brows pinched together, and her lips pursed. “You have to put two dollars in the swear jar as soon as we get home.”
I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from smiling. Molly may’ve only been seven, but she had the sass of a teenager. She was also way too smart for her own good.
Reaching into my pocket, I extracted my wallet and pulled two dollar bills from it. I handed the money to her and said, “Fine paid, now go see if you can get Uncle Logan to cough up more bills.” The smile on her lips could brighten the darkest day and the one on mine stayed firmly in place as I watched her skip away.
The reason for my cussing stepped into my line of vision again. A curvy little blonde who reminded me I wasn’t just a father. Behind the walls I’d erected around myself stood a red-blooded man who had forgotten what it felt like to be affected by a woman.
I didn’t like it.
Another cuss fell from my lips as I shoved my hands into my pockets and angled my body away from her. She had to be a friend of the bride. It took a hell of a lot of effort not to pull aside my friend, Brett, and ask him exactly who this girl was.
If you knew me, you’d know what a feat that was. As the sheriff of our little town, I made it my business to know everything about everyone, especially the newcomers. But as much as this woman piqued my interest, I couldn’t go there. For the first time since my daughter’s birth and her mother’s betrayal, a woman stirred something in me with a single look.
I was man enough to admit that that scared the shit out of me.
There was no space for a woman in my life. Not only was being a decent dad the most important thing to me, but I also didn’t think I could ever trust a woman again. A slow scan of my parents’ backyard had some of the tension rolling off me. I’d grown up on this ranch, the lush greenery and endless stretch of trees were as much a part of me as the blood running through my veins.
I couldn’t think of a place more fitting for a wedding reception.
Unfortunately, my state of peace and calm was short-lived as the object of my irritation came into my line of vision again.
“Shit.” Good thing Molly wasn’t in the vicinity. Try as I might, I couldn’t get myself to take my eyes off her. She was absolutely beautiful, and it was infuriating.
This damn woman had hijacked my attention the moment she’d showed up at the courthouse where the ceremony had been held earlier today. She’d strolled into town like a breath of fresh air. One look at her and I was reminded how long it’d been since I’d had a woman.
Brett and Kenzie’s ceremony had been short and sweet, but I still couldn’t manage to take in a single thing. My sole focus had been the blonde standing next to the bride, my gaze particularly drawn to her luscious curves.
The gentle sway of her hips had been enough to hypnotize any single, heterosexual male within a ten-mile radius. The curls cascading over her shoulder had my fingers twitching with the need to touch and don’t even get me started on my other body parts.
I gritted my teeth and forced my attention away from her, choosing to scan the yard instead. My lips tugged into a smile the instant I noticed Molly and her cousin, Flynn, pretending to be superheroes. My daughter threw her little head back, the wind carrying her squeals of laughter straight to my ears.
“Such a beautiful sight, isn’t it?” Mama hooked her arm through mine, resting her head against my shoulder. A contented sigh blew over her lips. “Our Molly is growing up, and what a fine girl she’s turning into.”
I didn’t want to think of my little girl growing up and the possibility that she might not need her dad anymore. Instead of answering my mama, I hummed in agreement. She shifted beside me. I didn’t need to look to know she was studying me.
Side-eyeing her, I remarked, “You’re staring, Mama.”
“You’ve been standing here on your own for the better part of an hour.”
A small breath left my lungs. “You know I hate weddings.”And this love business. First Logan, my younger brother, had fallen head over heels for Harper and her little boy, and now, barely a year later, his friend Brett said his nuptials.
Now Brett wasn’t related by blood, but Mama loved him all the same. She almost suffered a heart attack when he and Kenzie informed her that they wanted to get married in front of a judge. To make it up to her they told her she could do the reception for them, and of course she was going to have it on the ranch.
It’s the place where all our best memories were made.
My mother’s arm slipped from mine and she brought her hand up to place it over my heart. “One of these days someone special is going to come along and she’s going to break through these thick walls.”
“Mama,” I warned.
“I know, I know.” She held her hands up, palms facing me. Facing me, she peeked over her shoulder at Molly and Flynn before looking back at me. “Come join us?”
I needed to clear my head. Bending down, I pecked my mother on the cheek and promised, “Soon.” She regarded me with narrowed eyes and I added, “Lemme just walk for a bit, okay?” Even though my family understood why I was the way I was, there was no need for them to be privy to my sour mood today.
Mama’s features softened as she reached up and patted my cheek. “I’ll keep an eye on Molly.” I hated that behind the understanding in her eyes, I saw pity.
