The MacBrides Page 2

  “I’d be more hurt with lies,” RJ told her. She’d learned early to protect herself from the cruelties her family could dish out and instinctually threw up her emotional guards.

  Sandy nodded. “Alright. I didn’t want you to ruin it for me. I know you wouldn’t see it that way but you’re so against love and marriage, I just didn’t want you to pop my bubble until I figured out what I felt and wanted.”

  RJ felt those comments like a physical blow. No barriers she could erect stood a chance against her sister thinking she would ruin her chance for happiness. She couldn’t speak.

  “Oh, RJ! Don’t cry. You never cry,” Sandy wailed when she saw the silent tears in her sister’s eyes. She started crying also as she grabbed her sister’s hands. “I’m so sorry. Please, please don’t cry.”

  RJ slowly pulled her hands free from her sister’s grasp. “Why do you want me here, now?”

  “Because I love you. I want you to share this with me. I know you want me happy. I just didn’t want logic and family history to interfere. I wanted to understand, on my own.

  RJ couldn’t tell if she was breaking up inside or freezing up. Afraid she would break down in pain she stood. “Sandy, I can’t do this right now. Can I call you tomorrow morning?”

  “I thought we were going to spend the night together?” Knowing she’d hurt her sister crushed her.

  “Please. Tomorrow.”

  “Okay,” she said standing, then wrapping her sister’s stiff body in a hug. “I love you.”

  Nodding, RJ strode away before she lost it. She didn’t look back.

  3

  Logan drove over to Clay’s house planning on watching a game with him as Sandy was spending the night with her sister. He saw Sandy’s car parked in front of his brother’s house and wondered if he had his times wrong. Parking, he decided he’d better knock instead of just entering, knowing what he’d be doing if he had a woman in his home.

  Clay swung the door open, and seeing it was his brother stepped out onto the porch pulling the door closed behind him.

  “You got a naked woman in there?” Logan kidded at being blocked from entering.

  “No! A crying and very upset one,” Clay said running his hand through his hair in exasperation. “She went to meet with her sister and came back here just a little while ago, crying. I’ve been trying to get her to calm down and tell me what happened.”

  Logan’s impression of Sandy’s sister was not improving. What could she have possibly done in so short a period of time to reduce Sandy to a crying mess?

  “I’m tempted to go talk to RJ myself to find out what happened. I swear, Logan, if she hurt Sandy in any way I’ll make sure she’s kept away from her.”

  Logan felt his anger rise on his brother’s behalf. “You stay here with Sandy. She needs you. I’ll go pay this RJ a visit.”

  Clay hesitated. “I’m not sure that’s wise. Maybe we should wait until Sandy calms down enough to tell me what happened.”

  “I’m not going to punch her, just see if she can shed some light on this. And, if necessary, encourage her to get her shit together and be there for her sister. What’s her room number?”

  “She’s in room 213. I don’t know if this is a good idea,” Clay said shaking his head. “So be nice until we know what happened.”

  “Sure. Nice,” Logan muttered as he got back into his truck and headed out.

  He made record time into town. Slamming his truck door, he stomped into the lobby and up the stairs. When he got to her room, he had to restrain himself from pounding on the door. Taking a deep, calming breath, he raised his hand to knock, but a sound caught his attention. Putting his ear to the door he could have sworn he heard crying.

  Raising his hand again, he knocked. After a moment, he could sense someone looking out the peephole and tried to look less mean. Nothing. Yeah, he wasn’t going to be ignored. Knocking again, with a little more force, he called through the door. “RJ Taylor? I know you’re in there. Open the door.”

  That got him a response. “Who the hell are you?” a female voice called through the other side of the door.

  Okay, he’d give her points for not opening the door to a stranger. But that was all. “Logan MacBride. Clay’s brother.”

  The door opened a few inches and a head peeked around the edge. Logan was surprised. Even with puffy, tear laden eyes and a red nose, the woman was a looker. He expected Sandy’s sister to be a blonde. But this woman was blessed with rich, sable-colored, long, thick hair. A quick study of the face showed they seemed to be opposite versions of each other. Blonde versus brunette. Sandy’s blue eyes against RJ’s green. Sandy’s porcelain skin against RJ’s olive tone.

  “What do you want?” her voice interrupted his perusal.

  “Can I come in so we can talk in private?” he asked.

  “No.”

  Logan raised an eyebrow at her flat refusal. “Seriously?”

  “Look, Mr. MacBride, I don’t let strange men into my room. Just tell me what you want or leave. It doesn’t matter to me.”

  “Kudos for you. But I take exception to being labeled strange. We’re about to become related.”

  The woman just sighed. “No. You’re about to be related to my sister. So, unless you want to tell me what you have to say, I’m closing the door.”

  Logan took a quick second to decide the best way to deal with her. He went with his baser instinct, anger. “What the hell did you do to Sandy? She’s crying so hard Clay can’t find out what’s wrong.”

  All he got in response was a gasp, more tears and a ‘go away’ before the door started to shut again. Quickly, bracing his hand against the door he shouldered his way into the room. Pausing to close the door behind him, he then turned to study the indignant woman in front of him.

  “Get out!”

  “No.” He crossed his arms and stared at her. He could see now she was of similar height to her sister and slender. Her frame put her barely chin height to him. And, oddly, while he found Sandy attractive, this woman’s beauty delivered a kick to his gut.

  “If you don’t leave, I’m going to start screaming and call security,” she told him, as anger dried up her tears.

  Smiling, and trying to harness his raging hormones, he propped his shoulder against the wall. “Go ahead. I’m sure this will make a great story for Bobby.” At her blank look, he explained. “Bobby is a friend and handles security here.”

  Throwing her hands up in the air she grabbed a tissue and blew her nose. Wrapping her arms around her middle she went to stand by the balcony doors. “Fine. Whatever. Just tell me what you want.”

  “I’m just trying to help my family and find out what you did to upset Sandy so much that my brother can’t get two coherent words out of her.”

  RJ couldn’t remember a time where she felt so dejected. She and Sandy always had each other’s backs. RJ even stuck it out at home an extra two years until Sandy graduated high school so they could leave home together. They’d both agreed on Denver, and started to build a life there. Now her sister was moving on without her. RJ couldn’t and wouldn’t begrudge her that if it made her happy. But she was hurt that Sandy felt she couldn’t share that journey with her. Did Sandy really think she was so callous?

  “Obviously, it had to be something I did.” Still smarting from that implication on top of everything else, RJ made her decision. Her belief that emotions and relationships caused nothing but hurt kept being reinforced. “Don’t worry. I won’t be around to make any more trouble. Please tell Sandy I’ll call her in the morning on my way out of town.”

  Logan studied the woman. He’d bet his favorite horse she thought she was portraying herself as stoic. All he saw was a woman on the verge of breaking. Remorse filled him. He jumped in thinking he knew where the trouble was as he had done with virtually all his siblings since their father died. Now he wasn’t so sure he had approached this situation right. Straightening, he rubbed the back of his neck and tried again.

  “Look,
I may have jumped the gun a bit. There’s obviously something wrong that has both of you in tears. Can’t I help?”

  Frowning at his words, RJ tried to determine if the man was playing her. She’d been burned before by family trying to manipulate her with caring to get what they wanted. Studying him, she captured his image as she would one of her pictures. Studying it for all the nuances not readily seen. Tall, lean with a broad chest, he stood with an ease many would envy. His hair was mostly covered by his cowboy hat, but black locks escaped at the back of his neck. His face was all angles with sharp cheekbones, strong forehead and a nose that looked like it had been broken along the way. His lips were firm and his eyes deep blue.

  The eyes held her. There seemed to be sincerity in them but something else was pulling at her. When her mind grasped what that was, she sucked in her breath. Want. And, as if he realized she saw his wanting her, his eyes narrowed and became more intense. She pulled her gaze away quickly, and once again, turned towards the balcony doors. Gathering herself from the shock of his wanting her, she realized her body was tingling. Not good.

  “I appreciate the offer, but it’s not something I want to discuss with a stranger.”

  Logan was stunned to know she saw his desire for her. It only seemed to heighten his need to grab her and hold tight. When she spoke, he knew he needed a bit of space to process what was happening to him. “I can appreciate that. But don’t be hasty about leaving. Why don’t you join us at the ranch for dinner tonight? If you come about four, you and Sandy can have some private time to talk.”

  Shaking her head, “I appreciate the offer but I’d be extremely uncomfortable. I’ll rethink leaving in the morning, though.”

  Sensing that was the best he could hope for, Logan nodded then let himself out of her room. When he got into his truck he grabbed the steering wheel then laid his forehead on his hands. Well, damn! He thought. Wondering if he had just met his Waterloo.

  After Logan left the room, RJ sank onto the edge of the bed and started shaking. No way could one man’s lust make her afraid. But she had to admit what she saw in Logan MacBride’s eyes scared her. Giving a sad laugh she realized it was only a few hours into the weekend and it was already turning out to be a roller coaster. And her sister wanted her to stay the whole summer? Crawling further up the bed she laid down and closed her eyes. Once her emotional storm passed she knew she needed to talk to Sandy. Committing to call her later, she drifted off to the oblivion of sleep.

  4

  Logan sat atop his horse early the next morning looking out over the vista of MacBride land. From his perch on top of one of the mesas, he could see the working and living part of the ranch as well as the expanse of the grazing and crop-laden land. There were level pieces of land covered with grass, crops interspersed with evergreens and sagebrush rising to hills and rocky outcrops famous in this part of the Rocky Mountains.

  When his father passed away eight years ago, he had been twenty-five. His five siblings had ranged from twenty-three to fourteen. Their mother was a rock and the glue that kept everybody together. Even though she grieved, she never lost her love for life or her family. She just kept on going with the help of her oldest children.

  He felt the weight of the family business, but it was never too heavy. His siblings were all engaged in the business and their own dreams were being brought to fruition. Clay had wanted to put aside some land for a vineyard and started bottling the Rocking Bar label two years ago. He was gaining success and recognition for both the reds and whites. Their youngest sister, Sarah, enjoyed that part of the family business and worked alongside Clay.

  Their oldest sister, Hannah, after coming home from a trip to France several years ago, convinced the family to establish a lavender field and to produce products from the harvest. Her products were one of the main staples in the little visitor store now located close to the lavender field. Oddly, the lavender in the soil partnered well with the wine grapes. The store, managed by Sandy, offered lavender products as well as the Rocking Bar wines and organized small tours of the winery and lavender fields.

  The youngest of the MacBride’s, Jacob, joined the service right out of high school. He was currently stationed in Alaska. That left just Logan and his middle brother, Brand, to manage the ranching operation. But they both loved it so it wasn’t any great hardship. Besides they all helped each other out when needed.

  The ranch spread out over sixty-thousand acres, but the living was all done within ten miles of each other. Logan, had built himself his own home five years ago, and Clay finished his last year. The others lived at the main house, at least for the time being.

  Looking down towards the houses he saw a car drive up the lane. It paused for a moment before turning onto the one that led to Clay’s house nestled in a grove of pines. He felt his blood heat knowing it was RJ in the car. As he continued to watch, he could see her get out of the car just as Sandy and Clay walked out to greet her. Sandy ran and embraced RJ. After a moment, they went into the house.

  He’d gone back to Clay’s after leaving RJ yesterday to speak with Sandy. She had calmed down enough to tell both of them that she was the one who said something that hurt her sister. Logan felt like a heel hearing that. Later that evening, Clay texted him to let him know the sisters had spoken and RJ would come out this morning as planned.

  Logan suspected Sandy still wanted him to offer to show RJ around and propose some work. He didn’t know how that would play out given their less than stellar first meeting. He’d spent most of last night and this morning trying to decide what the feelings that flared to life yesterday meant. He desired her. She was a beautiful woman after all. He felt the stirrings of being protective of her. But he generally felt protective of women. All he knew for certain was he wanted to see her again. Movement from Clay’s house brought his thoughts back. He’d just see how it played out. Turning his horse, he made his way back to the stables.

  * * *

  RJ welcomed her sister’s embrace, but Clay was less welcoming. Polite, but cool. He spent most of his time watching Sandy. They’d spoken briefly before Sandy announced they needed to go or she’d be late to the shop.

  When she stretched up to kiss Clay goodbye he grabbed her and kissed her long and hard. RJ turned to walk out the door to give them privacy. Standing on the front porch she realized she was a little jealous of her sister. Clay was protective and clearly in love with her sister.

  “Sorry about that. He’s a bit worried about me after yesterday. I hope you don’t mind riding in the UV,” Sandy said as she looped her arm through RJ’s.

  “Since I don’t know what a UV is, I can’t say I mind.”

  Chuckling, Sandy led her over to a vehicle that looked like a modified version of a golf cart. “This is a UV. Utility vehicle. These are easier to get around the working area of the ranch. Hop in.”

  RJ laughed. It sounded a bit forced but she was trying. “Okay. But I’m warning you if you dump me out of this thing I will get even.”

  Once they got out of sight of Clay’s house Sandy slowed to a stop. “I really am sorry, RJ. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

  Sighing, RJ reached over to hug her. “I know. I told you last night on the phone, you were probably right. I am jaded. You had every right to figure out your emotions without my interference. It’s just that you’re all I have for family. At least any I’m willing to acknowledge.”

  “Thank you for understanding. And if it’s any consolation, I don’t think you’re jaded. You’ve just erected a wall around you that tells everyone to keep away. I’ve seen how you were treated by our folks and kin. You took the brunt of their mean words and manipulations to protect me. It’s probably why I’m not as nervous about this decision as you think I should be. You gave me the chance to have a normal healthy relationship.”

  “Oh, don’t make me cry again,” RJ teased, touched by her sister’s words. Squeezing her arm, she said, “Show me this shop of yours and later we can discuss what you’re thinking f
or the wedding.”

  “Okay, hang on. Clay can’t see me now so I can have a little fun. They don’t call this a four by four for nothing.”

  “Sandy!” RJ shouted as the vehicle lurched forward then bumped along the dirt road at a speed not usually seen with a golf cart. RJ grabbed the support bar she saw in front of her as Sandy’s four wheeling driving jostled her around. When her sister gave her a big grin, she gave into the fun and laughed.

  They drove down dirt lanes as well as across grassy fields. RJ tried to take in the area as they whizzed by. Mostly she just enjoyed being with her sister and doing something fun. When they approached an area where there were grape vines, buildings, and greenhouses, Sandy slowed.

  “I just love driving this thing,” Sandy exclaimed as she brought it to a stop in front of the store front.

  RJ got out amazed she still had a grin on her face. “I can see why. That was a blast!” She turned and caught sight of Logan MacBride leaning back against a white split rail fence with his arms crossed. Her smile slowly slipped from her face.

  Sandy came around the vehicle and caught sight of Logan also. “Oh.” Looking a little shamefaced, she greeted him. “Morning, Logan.”

  Logan stood up straight and tried to control his grin. “Sandy. RJ. Looks like you were at it again, Sandy.”

  RJ was ready to come to Sandy’s defense, but Sandy just grinned at him. “You know I can’t help myself.”

  Logan just shook his head. Then he grinned at RJ. “Are you the maniac that taught her to drive?”

  Stiffening at his comment she was about to blast him with a few choice words when Sandy laid a hand on her arm. “He’s just joking. Drives him and Clay nuts when I drive the UV.”

  Logan watched as Sandy tried to calm her sister’s temper down. The woman was as prickly as a porcupine. She might be a looker, but he liked his women with a sweeter temperament.