One to Take (Stuart & Mariska): Sexy Cowboy (One to Hold Book 8) by Tia Louise Read Free Book Online

moment to let the truth of what she said wash over me. It’s official. I’m definitely going to have a baby. A baby! Our baby…
    Covering my face with my hands, I let the tears fall. We’re a family. Moving my hands to my stomach, I glide my palms over my skin before hugging my midsection. I can’t wait to tell Stuart.

5
    Wishes
    Stuart
    A n enlarged photograph of wild mustangs running through brown grasses hangs on the wall behind Bill’s desk. I study it, looking for animals I recognize.
    “Feeling nostalgic?” My uncle’s voice always carries an easy wisdom, no pressure, always aware.
    “This was the herd Freckles came from.” I spot her white face and black mane toward the center of the group of seven.
    Bill walks to the photograph and studies it a moment. He’s as tall as I am and just as lean. Today he’s dressed in cowboy boots and jeans, same as me, and a faded plaid shirt.
    “She wasn’t native to that herd. I only kept her to prevent her from being injured or stolen.”
    “She’s the only one you’ve ever kept.”
    “Yeah, and it was a foolish decision.” He walks over to sit in a distressed brown-leather chair. “She’s always been wild, trying to escape.”
    “But she always comes back.”
    We’re quiet several moments, and I think about the different horses that have come through the place. Typically when Bill helps with a roundup, the wild horses only stay a short time and are sold for cheap. My uncle is more interested in ensuring they’re free to roam across his property, across the plains.
    He interrupts my thoughts, leaning forward to rest his arms on his knees. “Have you thought any more about taking over the place?”
    My words from last night have been swirling in my head, low and disturbing, ever since I said them. “I’m sorry I spoke out of turn like that. Evan talking about cutting up the place and selling it got to me more than I expected.”
    “You get used to it with a ranch this size.” His dark brown eyes study me. “Still, if it’s something you truly want, I’d be open to discussing it. You’re good with the animals, and I know you love it here.”
    My boots make a dull thump on the yellow-pine floors. Rounding the desk, I rub the back of my neck, thinking. Five thousand acres is a hell of a spread, even with most of it being empty grassland. Still, the very thought of those miles of open wilderness filters a unique calm through my chest.
    “I’m not sure how Mariska feels about it,” I hedge. “To be honest, I’m not sure how I feel about it.” It’s a lie. I know exactly how I feel.
    “Well, we’ve got time.” With a grunt, he pushes off his legs to stand. “The worst thing you can do is pressure the future. What’s going to happen will come.”
    I glance to my right and give him a tight smile. Old hippie .
    We leave the confines of his office and enter the enormous, open living room. The kitchen and dining area are on the opposite end of the space, and Winona’s standing at the bar quietly kneading what looks like dough.
    “You never told me why you moved here from Scottsdale.” My brother and I grew up visiting Bill on a similar spread in the desert southwest. “You had a pretty sweet setup before.”
    “I fell in love with the raw beauty of this place. One visit and I was hooked.” Stopping in front of the empty, black fireplace, he nods as if agreeing to an internal sentiment. “It’s spiritual.”
    I know what he means. “Have you ever wanted to leave?”
    “After your dad died, I considered it. You boys were too big to come and stay in the summers, and it looked like you were overseas for good…” His voice trails off, and I get the sense he has another reason he’s keeping to himself.
    “What changed your mind?”
    Glancing up, he gives me a little smile. “Who says it changed? I’m just waiting for the right offer.”
    My mother’s words ring in my ears, He’s getting too old to manage the place , and again my insides