The Cowboy's Unexpected Love: Wade and Sierra (MacFarland Ranch Book 1) Read online

  “Do you mind if I keep these things?”

  He had no clue what she was talking about.

  “The shirt and the sweatpants. I’ll have them cleaned and mail them back to you when …”

  “Whoa!” He held his hand up. “What are you talking about?”

  ~ ~ ~

  Sierra’s heart was pounding. She needed to leave. The man sitting opposite her had shown her nothing but kindness. He’d be mortified if he knew what she’d been thinking about him as she lay in his bed last night – and again when she woke up this morning.

  He hadn’t ended up changing the sheets on the bed. That had turned out to be a terrible thing – and a wonderful thing at the same time. His bed smelled like him. It smelled like sandalwood and citrus, but then so did she after using his shower gel. But his bed smelled of him, not just shower gel, but him – it smelled like the man. She’d wrapped herself up in his comforter, imagining that it was his arms around her. She’d buried her face in his pillow and imagined that she was burying her face in his neck and breathing him in.

  Heat flushed her cheeks. Exactly. She needed to leave before she embarrassed herself, or worse, embarrassed him.

  He was still staring at her, his hand up in the air. He was rightly wondering why she was talking about mailing his clothes back to him.

  She gave him an apologetic smile. “I’m sure I’ll be able to buy clothes up in town, but I’d really rather burn the dress than try to get into it again.”

  He shook his head. “I’ll take you to town. I’ll buy you clothes. You can keep those. But please don’t leave.”

  Her heart leaped into her mouth. Did he feel it too?

  As if to answer her unspoken question, he shook his head. “I mean … all I mean is that you’re better off staying here. For now, at least. Cassidy will be back tomorrow. I’d like you to explain what happened. I heard what you told your friend last night. I’d like it if you stayed here … until we know you’re safe.”

  She sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Of course, he’d want to make sure she was safe. He was just that kind of man. You could tell. She nodded slowly. It made sense. She needed some time to figure out what she was going to do. Hiding out here was better than any other option she could think of. And as he’d said, Cassidy would be back tomorrow. It’d make more sense to stay here than to leave in search of somewhere else to wait until her friend returned.

  She met his gaze. “I don’t want to intrude. You’ve already …”

  He held his hand up again, but this time he did it with a smile and waggled his finger at her. “I’m already involved.” He frowned. “I mean, we are. I talked to Ford this morning. He thinks you should stay here, too. And since it’s Sunday, you’ll get to meet two more brothers and a sister. We all have lunch together on Sundays.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “There are five of you?” That’s a big family.

  He chuckled. “There are five of us who live in the valley these days. There are another three who don’t.”

  “Oh, my goodness! Eight children! Your mother must be a saint.”

  His smile vanished. “Yeah. She deserved a sainthood. She died a long time ago.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  He shook his head. “No need. She was glad when her time came. She might have been a saint, but my dad – ” He stopped abruptly. “So, yeah. You already met Ford. He runs the cattle. Tanner and Tyler both got out of the military recently. Tanner’s our horse whisperer and Tyler’s the chef – he’ll be making lunch. Then there’s Jane. She’s a veterinarian, and an absolute sweetheart. Ford thinks she’ll be just what you need – you know, another girl to talk to until Cassidy gets back.”

  Sierra blinked. Was he going to palm her off onto his sister? She hoped not. But then maybe it would be better all around. The way she felt about him was completely inappropriate given her circumstances. She knew that sometimes hostages fell for their captors – it was some kind of syndrome. But she didn’t think there was any such explanation when it came to runaway brides and their rescuers.

  “You like that idea?” He held her gaze so earnestly, looking as though he was trying to do whatever would make her comfortable.

  What the heck. If he wanted her to be comfortable then he needed to know. “Honestly, I’m sure your sister is lovely, but I’d be more comfortable with you. If you don’t mind? If you have the time. If … if I’m going to stay here.” Good grief. She must sound like an idiot. She laughed, hoping to ease the awkwardness of the moment. “I think what happened yesterday hit me harder than I realized. When I saw them, when I heard what Jared was planning to do …” She shook her head. “I think I went into shock, and then I drove all that way.”

  “Over four hundred miles,” Wade interjected.

  “Really? That far?” She shook her head again. “See. I must have been in shock. I had no idea. I only really came out of it when you and Ford stopped for me. I feel like a baby duckling. I formed an attachment to the first person I saw when I came back to the land of the living.” She gave him a rueful smile. “I’m sorry, but I’ve kind of come to …” What word could she use? She’d come to what? Want him? Need him? Depend on him? They were all true. But if she spoke any of them out loud … She didn’t need to figure out which word to choose.

  He saved her by laughing. “I love that explanation. So, you see me as your mama duck?”

  She had to laugh. That wasn’t it at all, but it was funny and much easier to go with than any of her explanations. “I suppose I do. I hope that doesn’t offend you?”

  He laughed again. “Not in the slightest. In fact, I kinda like it.”

  “You do?”

  He grinned happily. “Yeah. As long as it means that when I waddle my ass over to the big house this afternoon, you’ll follow. And if I get a bit clucky around you, you won’t mind.”

  Her heart melted a little bit at the thought of him getting clucky over her. “I won’t mind one bit. In fact, I’ll be very grateful. I shall happily waddle my little ducky butt after you wherever you want to go.”

  He met her gaze and held it for a long moment. His green eyes bored into hers. She was only imagining it, but it felt like the connection between them was more about a man and a woman than a mama duck and her duckling.

  Chapter Five

  Wade narrowed his eyes at Tyler. He’d had Sierra talking in the kitchen for the last ten minutes. He was making her laugh, too. It was a beautiful sound that tugged at Wade’s insides. The only trouble was, he wanted to be the one who caused it.

  He spun around when someone slapped the back of his head. Tanner stood there grinning at him. “Quit shooting daggers at Ty and come out back with me.”

  “Why?” Wade didn’t want to go outside. He wanted to stay close to Sierra – just to make sure she was okay.

  Tanner laughed. “So that you can tell me all about her. And don’t worry. She might look like she’s chatting away with Ty, but it’s you she’s into.”

  That got his attention. “You think? Why?” Out of all the brothers, Tanner was the ladies’ man. If he thought Sierra was interested …

  “Come outside with me and I’ll tell you.”

  Wade followed him out onto the back porch. “Well?”

  Tanner chuckled. “You’ve got it bad, dude. And I wasn’t messing with you, she is interested. She’s smiling and nodding with Ty, but she keeps looking around for you. When she spots you, she smiles, and her shoulders relax.”

  “You think?”

  “I don’t just think, I know. But I wouldn’t get too excited about it. She’s probably got some kind of hero worship thing going on. You know, since you’re the one who rescued her.”

  Wade couldn’t hide his smile. “She admitted that much. Only it was cuter the way she said it.”

  Tanner raised his eyebrows.

  “She said that she was in shock after she ran out on her wedding and that she wasn’t really with it while she was on the road. I was the first person she
saw when she came out of it, and she was like a baby duck locking in on its mama.”

  Tanner threw his head back and laughed out loud. “Jesus, Wade. You have got it bad. You’re right, though. That is cute.” He looked in through the kitchen window, where they could see her still talking to Ty. “She’s cute.”

  “Hey!” Wade scowled. “It’s bad enough watching her with Ty; if you set your sights on her, I may as well be a duck.” It seemed all Tanner had to do was smile at women and they threw themselves at him.

  “Nah. Like I said. You’re the one she’s interested in.” Tanner smiled and waggled his fingers in a little wave.

  Wade followed his gaze to find Sierra looking out the window at them. Her cheeks flushed when she met his gaze.

  “See?” said Tanner. “She’ll wave back at me, but you’re the one who makes her blush.”

  Wade felt as though he grew two feet taller at his brother’s words. Tanner was right; she had been looking for him. His smile faded. “Yeah, but what does it matter? She’s not in a position to do anything about it. I like her, it seems she likes me. But Cassidy will be back tomorrow. She’ll no doubt go and stay with her. And that’s if she even sticks around. She’ll probably want to go back to her life. And Ford told you who she is. She’s way out of my league.”

  Tanner grasped his shoulder. “Stranger things have happened, bro.”

  “Really? Stanger things than a billionaire heiress and a cowboy getting together? When?”

  Tanner laughed. “Err, a couple years back. Hope and Chance. Remember them?”

  Wade stared at him. He had a point. “You’re right. Except Hope hadn’t just run away from the man she was supposed to marry.”

  Tanner shrugged. “True, and no one was trying to kill her either.”

  Wade blew out a sigh. “Yeah.”

  “What’s going on with all of that? It seems weird to me that she could just run out on her wedding and then sit around here having Sunday lunch with us.”

  “I guess it is weird. But I’m glad she is. She was supposed to be away for two weeks on her honeymoon, so she’s not going to be missed in her real life. She has no family left. I know Ford told you about her dad and her brother. The guy who runs the company seems to be the closest thing to family that she has – Barney. She called him this morning and he told her to stay put and lie low while he sees what he can dig up on Jared.”

  “Hey guys!”

  They both turned and smiled at Jane when she stuck her head out the French doors that led onto the back deck where they were standing. She looked back over her shoulder before coming out to join them.

  She greeted Tanner with a hug and then turned to Wade. He wrapped her up in his trademark bear hug and lifted her off her feet, spinning her around. “It’s good to see you, Janey.”

  “You, too.” She glanced through the kitchen window. “Ford called and gave me the short version. Are you going to introduce me to your friend?”

  “Sure, come on in.”

  Tanner chuckled. “But no matter what Ford told you, don’t think you’re going to get yourself a new girlfriend out of the deal, Jane. Wade doesn’t let her out of his sight for more than a few minutes at a time.”

  Wade made a face at him, but Jane smiled. “Aww. Don’t tease. I can understand why he’d be taken with her. She’s such a lovely person.”

  They both stared at her. “You know her?”

  Jane laughed. “Not personally, of course. But I’ve read a couple of articles about her, and she gave a few interviews on TV when she had her big exhibition in San Francisco ... What?”

  “Exhibition?” Wade was lost.

  “Yes. You know. Her art. Her paintings. Some of them sold for over a million apiece.”

  Wade exchanged a look with Tanner who said, “No shit?”

  Jane laughed. “I shit you not.” She gave Wade a puzzled frown. “Didn’t you know that either?”

  “Nope.” His heart felt as though it had sunk all the way down into his boots. He had to get a lid on his attraction to the woman standing in the kitchen. How many signs did he need? Not only was she supposed to be on her honeymoon right now, but she came from the kind of wealth that he couldn’t even imagine and now, it turned out that she was a talented artist who’d made millions in her own right. He rubbed his hand over the stubble on his jaw. Damn. And he was just a cowboy on the family ranch who hadn’t even shaved today. He blew out a sigh.

  Tanner caught his eye. “She’s still looking for you, dude. You should go in and introduce her to Janey.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Sierra felt her cheeks heat yet again when Wade pulled a chair out for her at the dining table. He was such a gentleman. To be fair, they all were. She looked around at the MacFarland brothers. Ford didn’t seem quite as dark and broody today. He was the least friendly of the bunch, but he’d made her welcome. He just seemed less approachable than the others. Tyler, who had prepared lunch for them all, was a lot like his eldest brother. He was dark, too. She’d say he was more intense rather than brooding, but he definitely gave off the same kind of vibes as Ford. Tanner was absolutely stunning. There was no other way to describe the man. He was the kind of good-looking that could have made him a model if he chose. He was charming and confident, too. From what the others had said, he was the ladies’ man of the family, and she could see it.

  When her gaze settled on Wade, who’d taken the seat beside her, she felt herself relax. He was the one who made her breath catch in her chest. He smiled back at her, his eyes holding hers for a long moment before he asked in a low voice, “You okay?”

  She nodded. “I am, thanks.” She looked around the table. “Thanks for bringing me here. This is good.”

  Jane sat down opposite Wade and gave her a friendly smile. Jane had been a surprise. With all these good-looking men in the family, Sierra had expected their sister to be a beautiful cowgirl. Jane was nothing of the sort. She was very welcoming and friendly, but … Sierra felt bad even thinking it, but she was plain. Homey looking was a nice way to put it. She was a little taller than Sierra, which would put her at around five-six. She was on the heavy side, to be polite about it. Her hair was a mousey brown color and didn’t look like she’d done anything to it – like she’d washed it and left it to do its own frizzy thing. Her face was pleasant, but she could make so much more of herself with a touch of makeup. And the thick, black rims of her glasses did nothing to lift the overall impression.

  Sierra felt terrible. She shouldn’t be judging the woman’s looks. Looks were purely superficial and she knew it. Jane’s warm smile made her beautiful in all the ways that mattered. Sierra smiled back at her.

  “Wade told me you’re a veterinarian.”

  Jane nodded. “That’s me.” She chuckled. “I take care of all the sick animals around here – including my brothers.”

  Tanner nudged her with his elbow as he sat down beside her. “That joke wore thin years ago, honey. Ford said you went over to see the old man this morning. How was that?”

  Jane shrugged. “The same as usual.”

  “I don’t know why you keep going,” Tyler said as he placed a bowl full of bread rolls in the center of the table. “Dig in, everyone.”

  He’d served up the meal family style and everyone reached for a bowl to start serving themselves mashed potatoes and carved beef and vegetables. Sierra sat and watched. So, this was what it was like to be part of a big family. She’d envied one of her friends at school who had a brother and two sisters – they were the biggest family she knew.

  Wade turned to her. “Do you want me to serve you?”

  She pressed her lips together to hide a smile at the way her corrupt little mind wanted to interpret his words. “Yes, please.” She wouldn’t know how to begin taking part in what seemed like highly choreographed chaos as everyone grabbed dishes and served themselves before exchanging with their neighbor.

  Wade loaded her plate up with way more than she’d be able to eat, but she smiled gratefully and th
anked him.

  She watched and listened as the conversation bounced around the table. They were a lively bunch and from what they said, they needed to be. They had so much going on between the cattle, and the hands who took care of them, and the guest ranch, where Tyler apparently was working as the chef, and the stud – the horse breeding. She couldn’t help smiling at the thought that it was appropriate that Tanner was in charge of that. He was a stud all right.

  They all seemed to be involved in every aspect of the ranch, even though each of them was in charge of something separate. Even Jane talked about visiting the horses and the cows in the coming week.

  It was a whole new world to Sierra, and she was happy to let the conversation wash over her while she ate and listened.

  She jumped at the sound of her cell phone ringing in her purse, which she’d hung over the back of her chair. How rude! Normally she would have put it on silent during a meal, but she hadn’t even thought about it. And she should probably at least check to see who it was.

  Her cheeks heated yet again as she looked around at the now silent MacFarlands who all were looking at her. How embarrassing. “I’m so sorry. I …”

  Tanner gave her a reassuring smile and waved his hand at her. “No problem.”

  Wade already had her purse and was handing it to her. “You should probably get it.”

  She nodded and got to her feet, pulling her phone out as she hurried from the room. She didn’t even look at the display, she was just in a hurry to get out of the room. It was deeply ingrained in her that cell phones at the dining table were a major faux pas.

  “Hello?”

  “Where are you?”

  She stopped in her tracks. She hadn’t expected him to call. “Jared?” She hated the way her voice wavered and sounded so … fearful.

  She’d only made it as far as the door, and Wade was beside her before she had time to remember to breathe.

  “Are you okay?” Wade mouthed the words silently.

  She nodded.

  “Yes. Of course it’s me.” Jared’s voice sounded weird. Like he was angry but trying to sound pleasant. “They all talked me into letting you have some space yesterday, my love. And I’ll admit I was a little … overwrought. But I thought you’d call when you came to your senses. Was it all too much? Did the stress get to you? It’s okay, you can tell me. I forgive you.”