Alive and Wells (Wells Ranch, #1)

by Bailey Hannah

For the city girls in their cowboy romance era. And for the country girls who know a fictional cowboy is always better than the real thing.

“I assumed anything we were getting up to at this hour was likely illegal or dangerous—possibly both. Thought liquid courage might be good.” He takes another slow sip and nods his head toward the chainsaws sitting at my feet. “So, what are we doing?” “Cutting down the goddamn lilac bushes.”

“You do. When the time comes where I can do this”—his rough hand gently cups my chin and his throat bobs with a hard swallow—“without feeling every muscle in your jaw tense, I’ll kiss you until you’re unable to breathe. And a whole lot more, if you’ll let me.”

“No. Everybody here has a story, darlin’. It’s not my place to tell yours. There’s trust between people here, and we’ll go to war for each other without any idea why.”

She’s the love of my life. I know that without a shadow of a doubt now.

“I decided I’m fine with being your second husband because I’ll be your last.”

Austin’s horse, Jubilee, isn’t even fully whoa’d up yet and he’s leaping to the ground. Dust clouds around where he lands, and he strides toward us with a fire in his eyes. “You okay, darlin’?” he calls out to me. I give him a shaky, uncertain nod. I think I’m okay. Then he turns and says, “You KJ?” And Austin, my fucking cowboy, smashes his fist straight into KJ’s nose.

I will get there. I will get to her.

I assume I’m tearing down the hillside alone until I hear Denny yelling at his gelding to pick up the pace. He and Jackson are right there, with the rest of the men following suit. They must’ve figured out why I took off, and they’re willing to put themselves and their horses in danger to race through the blackness of night with me.

“As far as how it felt…hitting him was good, but kissing you in front of him was so much better.” I roll my eyes with a laugh into his chest. “You just liked marking your territory. Men are animals.” “Who kissed who, darlin’? My little animal.”