Three Times Charmed (Returning to

Rocky Ridge Book 3) April Murdock

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THREE TIMES CHARMED
RETURNING TO ROCKY RIDGE - BOOK 3
APRIL MURDOCK
 CONTENTS

Three Times Charmed

April Murdock
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Epilogue
Copyright © 2023 April Murdock and Sweet River Publishing

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and
retrieval systems. Publisher expressly prohibits any form of reproduction.

This is a work of fiction. Any references to names, characters, organizations, places, events, or incidents are either products of the
author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
THREE TIMES CHARMED
RETURNING TO ROCKY RIDGE - BOOK 3

APRIL MURDOCK
CHAPTER ONE
Brooke
I TOOK IN A DEEP BREATH AND LET IT OUT IN A CONTENTED SIGH. THE WORK TO GET THE MARIGOLD
Festival ready was more than I had expected, but it was definitely worth it. The whole town had
turned out. I didn’t know if they were here because they finally saw my sisters and me for what we
could truly offer this place or if it was something else, but I didn’t care.
The only thing that I could have prepared better for was the number of food trucks. There didn’t seem
to be enough food for everyone in attendance.
Maybe next year we could contract with more vendors and move some of the seating indoors. The
Steer House had been really flexible with their menu lately, accepting the recommendations I had
suggested for vegan options.
It looked like everything was finally turning out okay.
Normally, I’d be freaking out. And just beneath the surface, I could feel my heart primed and ready to
take off, sprinting at the first sign of trouble.
But I’d planned everything from start to finish, and this was going to be the best festival Rocky Ridge
had ever seen.
I couldn’t help but glance over to the vegan taco truck I had requested from Billings. It was just as
popular, if not more so, than the other options being offered. There really was a way to merge the
vegan lifestyle with the ranchers out here, and that thought thrilled me to pieces.
My phone dinged, and I pulled it out of my pocket. A text message appeared on the main screen.

KELSEY : Heading to Twisted Rivers for more samples. You need anything?

I ROLLED MY EYES . Hadn’t I told her this exact thing would happen? Based on how crowded the town
continued to become, I knew we’d need more steak samples.

NOPE. All good.

I STOOD on my toes to peer over several heads toward our booth. Twisted Rivers Ranch was making
quite a name for itself. The product that came from our ranch was top notch, and everyone knew it.
I grinned, watching my sister and her fiancé work. They really were two peas in a pod. And Tanner
brought out the best in Kelsey. Then my happiness dimmed somewhat.
Out of the three of us, I was supposed to be the one who had everything together. If not me, Paige was
the second runner. But as I watched my sisters continue on to bigger and better things, I was left
wondering why I felt like I was failing.
Paige’s wedding day was quickly approaching, and Kelsey was already looking into adopting
Jackson the second that her marriage was finalized. They had their whole futures ahead of them, and
they knew exactly what they wanted. How did I end up being the last one to the finish line?
The ironic thing was that I didn’t even want to get married. Not anytime soon, anyway. I was the one
who finished college. I was the one who ran a successful non-profit to advocate for the humane
treatment of animals. On top of all of that, I had a social media presence and the support of millions
for my work with environmental activism.
So why did I feel like something was missing?
That tremor in my chest started up again, and I had to focus on taking longer, slower breaths to quell
it. Not now. I didn’t need to be anxious about where my future was headed. There were more
important things to worry about. Like the Marigold Festival. I closed my eyes and pictured the ranch
and my meditation shed that I’d recently constructed.
Slowly my heartrate settled, and I found my happy place again.
My phone dinged, and I heaved a sigh.
What did Kelsey need now?

UNKNOWN : Take your tofu, bad ideas, and leave. Or else.

I STARED at the message on my screen then glanced up and let my gaze sweep through the crowd of
people. I didn’t recognize the number. I’d never gotten a message like this before. Whoever it was
could be playing a prank. That’s all it was, right?
My breaths shortened, and my heart shook. I dug my fingernails into my palms, hoping the painful
sensation would ground me enough to help me get through the afternoon. Then when it was all over, I
could show my sisters and ask them what they thought of it.
Scratch that. Paige and Kelsey didn’t need to be bothered by this if it wasn’t serious. This had to be a
prank. I would be fine. Haters were normal. It came with the territory of being an activist, especially
in a town full of carnivore cowboys.
I nodded sharply. Just a hater that needed to be blocked. I had no idea how they got ahold of my
number, but based on how widespread this festival had become, I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t
have a hard time getting their hands on it.
Before I had a chance to block the offending number, I was bombarded.
“Miss Holt, I’d love to take your statement.” A woman held a press badge in front of my face. “Jade
from the Rocky Ridge Daily. I’d love to ask you a few questions about the festival.”
I smiled. “I’m happy to answer any questions you might have.”
“Wonderful.” Jade turned to the tablet in her hand then glanced once more at me. “Was this the vision
you had for the festival? What would you like to tell not only the locals but those in surrounding
towns?”
I let my gaze sweep through the street, taking in all the happy faces and reveled in my
accomplishment. Finally, I set my gaze on Jade. “The Marigold Festival isn’t just a way to bring the
community together. It’s not just to celebrate the local produce and small businesses. This festival is a
way to showcase sustainability and taking responsibility for the environment. It’s a way to empower
people to face the future and adapt rather than fear it.”
“Do you find you have had any resistance? A community such as this one is bound to have a hard time
with some of your views.”
“It hasn’t been easy,” I admitted. “Starting out, it was hard to help folks around here see that there is a
way to blend their way of life with people who have similar views as mine. But I’ve had a lot more
success lately. The Duncan Ranch and the Breakstone Ranch are joining Twisted Rivers in my Green
Tick Endeavor. That’s a—”
“Do you really think a California socialite has anything valuable to teach folks who have been
farming for generations?”
Her question took me off guard. Applause erupted around us, and I realized a small group had
surrounded us. Okay, so not everyone was a fan of what I was trying to accomplish out here. I
swallowed hard and fought to keep my cool. I was expecting there to be more resistance to this event
than I’d previously received. I just didn’t think I’d be on the record when defending myself.
I cleared my throat and lifted my head high. “I am a product of a ranch family. I spent half of my life
growing up in this very town.” I glanced around at the people who were listening intently then my eye
connected with a statue that had been around long before any of them. I pointed to the weathered,
copper, cowboy statue. “I have photos of myself with that statue when I was a toddler.” Lifting my
chin higher, my confidence returning, I set my firm gaze on Jade once more. “Change is inevitable. I’d
rather take life by the horns than get thrown by it. I’m guessing most of the folks around here feel the
same way.”
A larger group had formed, circling the two of us and their cheers rivaled what I’d heard before.
Their cacophonous supportive reaction, combined with my erratic beating heart and my shallow
breaths made it difficult to focus.
I was familiar with these sensations. I knew what was coming if I didn’t get out of there and
decompress. But if I took off at this very moment, that might give Jade more fuel to add to the fire
she’d created.
Fighting to keep my voice steady, I took a small step closer to her. The crowds were dispersing, but I
needed to say my piece. “This Californian socialite has had to deal with much worse than the likes
of you. If you want to start a fight, do yourself a favor and prepare a little better.” I forced a wide
smile, even though, on the inside I felt myself crumbling. “Thank you for your time,” I murmured
sweetly.
I ducked through the lingering onlookers and darted behind a stand of local peaches. The ranchers had
set up a tent that was open only on one side, which offered me some privacy to get my head on
straight.
My fingers were numb, and my legs felt like they might give out from under me and cause me to
collapse into a heap. I hunched over, placing my hands on my knees as I sucked in deep breaths. I
squeezed my eyes shut, praying no one would catch me in this weak position.
Ten…nine…
My therapist didn’t know what she was talking about. How was counting backward supposed to settle
me? The only thing that helped was making sure I controlled every aspect of my life. Then there were
no surprises.
Five…four…
My phone dinged, and I reminded myself I was still in charge. I had responsibilities I had to handle.

UNKNOWN : No one wants you here. Get out of Rocky Ridge before someone gets hurt.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER I read the message, an image came through. Chills swept down my spine, turning
my whole body cold as I stared at a picture of myself chatting with Jade. Whoever took this picture
had been close enough they could have reached out to touch me. Or worse. They meant business.
There was no way to believe that the messages weren’t a real threat.
My heart reacted just as I expected it to. My palms went clammy, and my legs buckled beneath me. I
sucked in sharply, breathing far too fast to be healthy. At this point, I wasn’t even sure I could tell
Paige or Kelsey. If someone was targeting me and not them, then pulling them into this mess would
only put them under fire.
I raked a hand through my hair and closed my eyes again. I needed to get out of here, but the problem
was, I came with Kelsey in her SUV. I had no way to escape. I knew better than to make any rash
decisions in my current state of mind. If I could get home, I could make a few calls, and I could try to
figure out who might be targeting me based on the hate messages I’d received through my social
channels.
There had to be someone who could help me get out of here. If I could find even one person who
might be willing to take me back to Twisted Rivers, then I could message Paige and tell her that she
needed to cover for me just for a little while.
I got to my feet, my legs still shaky. The closest building was The Steer House. I’d get a glass of
water, get my blood pumping the right way, and regroup.
CHAPTER TWO
Finn
F INDING PARKING WAS AN ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE. ROCKY RIDGE USED TO BE A QUIET GETAWAY FROM
the hustle and bustle of Billings. Even the people in town could barely find it on a map. I was bumped
into and shoved as I made my way across town to The Steer House.
What in heaven’s name was going on in this place?
Banners and signs were all over the town, showcasing new vegan food and promoting green
initiatives. It was like Rocky Ridge had been taken over by aliens, and the people were happy hosts.
I shook my head, grimacing as I took note of a vegan taco truck. Bleck. Tacos were made with meat—
hardy, raised in big pastures, grass-fed beef. What was this world coming to?
I pushed open the front doors to The Steer House and glanced around, thankful to be out of the
nonsense that was taking place outside. There was a bar on the far right of the room with a selection
of high tables meant to be an extension of it. To my left were several tables and booths, probably to
cater to the families in this town. My stomach knotted. If everything went right, maybe I could bring
my mother here.
Glancing over my shoulder through the double-paned windows of the door, I let out a groan. When I’d
arrived in Rocky Ridge, it was to try to get myself a job—at a specific ranch—not attend a festival.
There were far too many people in town right now; it gave small towns like this a bad name. Where
were people supposed to go to get away from it all? Where were folks supposed to go to get a morsel
of peace?
I removed the hat from my head and held it in both of my hands. First things first. I needed to find
Jeremy, sooner rather than later, if I wanted to make sure everything would work out the way I
planned.
My gaze dipped to a sign near the hostess’s reservation podium, and my lip curled in disgust. Right
beneath the rib eye with caramelized onions was scrawled in bold, chalk letters, pumpkin tortellini.
Beside that were the words “vegan option available.” Now I’d seen everything.
“Finn, is that you?”
My head snapped up, and I looked in the direction the voice had originated. Two cowboys sat at the
bar, now twisted around and waving toward me. A smile spread across my face, and I strode over to
them. “Bud, Jim, I thought you guys would have retired by now.”
The older gentlemen chuckled, and Bud gestured toward a stool. “Take a seat. First drink’s on me.”
He held up a finger to the bartender, and I placed my hat on the stool beside me.
Jim clapped me on the back. “What has it been? Fifteen years? Last time we saw you, you were green
behind the ears.”
The last time I was in Rocky Ridge, I’d gotten a gig for a summer. “Yeah, I was just passing through.”
“We didn’t think you’d make it. How’s it going?” Bud took a long pull of his beer, and they both
looked at me intently.
I offered a smile, not wanting to give too much information. The last thing I needed was for a few
certain things to be found out. “I’m back—for the long haul this time.” I took a sip of my drink then
leaned closer to them. “I was hoping to get a job at Twisted Rivers, but I haven’t been able to track
down Jeremy. Have you seen him by chance?” I made a quick sweep of the bar but didn’t see the man
I knew from my teenage years.
Bud exchanged a look with Jim who snorted. “You’re not gonna find him hangin’ around.”
My brows creased as my gaze bounced from one man to the next. “Did something happen to him?”
Jim chuckled and placed his mug on the bar before turning to me. “I’d say so. His ranch was taken
over by three California airheads.”
As if against my will, I glanced toward the door. I’d bumped into a couple of folks before coming in
here. The cowboy worked for the ranch. Was the woman with him one of those California airheads? I
swung my attention back to Joe. “What happened? Why did he leave?”
“Oh, he didn’t leave. He got the boot. As soon as those three showed up, everything changed.”
Bud nodded, nursing his beer once more. “You notice all that chaos out there? Those idiotic ideas are
spreading like a plague on this town. Have you ever seen such a blatant display of disrespect? This is
a threat to our way of life—the old west, good ol’ cowboys.”
Jim lifted his mug. “Here. Here. If I had a say, this festival wouldn’t have even happened.”
“Did I hear you three commenting on the festival?”
I turned my head to glance over my shoulder at the woman who had managed to materialize behind
me. She wore a press badge with the name Jade in big bold letters. In her hand, she held a tablet. She
smiled warmly at the three of us.
“I’m writing an article on the festival, and I’d love to get all the input I can on the matter. Would any
of you be willing to make a statement?”
I chuckled then shook my head. “You don’t want my opinion. I don’t really live here.”
Jim nudged me. “You’re as much a cowboy as the rest of us. Don’t sell yourself short.”
Lifting a shoulder, I spun around on my stool and rested my hands on my knees. “Sure, why not? What
do you want to know?”
Jade’s smile spread slowly from ear to ear. “Fantastic. Just tell me what you feel about the festival,
the changes happening here in town, anything you’re happy or…unhappy about.”
I rubbed my jaw. The people responsible for firing Jeremy were the same ones who planned this
festival. From what I could tell, they could use being taken down a few pegs. “There’s a reason why
cowboys don’t settle in cities. We moved out west so we could have the things that matter most to us.”
“And what is that?”
“Guns, horses, and freedom.”
The men beside me clapped. “You tell her, son.”
Bolstered by their support, I slid off my seat and continued. “Cowboys aren’t meant to be put in a
box. We’re open-range kind of men. We fight for what we believe in, and I’m willing to do whatever
it takes to preserve my freedom. The men out here don’t want regulation. We want to go where we
want and do what we want. And that isn’t being force-fed pumpkin tortellini.”
More cheers, not just from my two companions, but from the surrounding cowboys who were close
enough to hear my little speech.
Jade tapped her fingers on the screen, her manicured nails clicking rapidly. “This is wonderful. You
make such great points.”
“And one more thing. If anyone thinks they can invade our sanctuary with their new-age ways and try
to change the good folks of Rocky Ridge, they have another thing coming. They should just turn around
and head back to where they came from.”
Jade ended her tapping with a flourish just as the guests around us started their applause. They
whooped and cheered me on while the bartender got me another drink.
“It’s on the house,” he murmured as he shook my hand.
Jade tucked her tablet into a satchel at her waist and offered her hand to me. “It was lovely chatting
with you, Mr….”
I grasped onto her hand, shaking it firmly. “Stevens. Finn Stevens.”
“Well, Mr. Stevens, I hope you have a wonderful day and thank you so much for sticking up for the
rights of the good people of Rocky Ridge.”
“Anytime.” I watched her head toward the door and then reality set in.
I needed a local job. Jeremy had been my only contact that was still running things. He was My only
contact that would give me an in at a ranch job around here. Jim and Bud were on the older side of
this career path. While they might have some good contacts, I didn’t know if they’d be able to help me
secure anything close enough to Twisted Rivers.
Holding up my mug with appreciation, I snatched my hat before I moved over to a booth where I
could get some peace and quiet. I did my best thinking when I didn’t have the distraction of others.
Jim and Bud were nice enough, but they couldn’t stop talking about how much they hated what was
happening here on a local level.
With Jeremy out of the picture, I needed to do some research to find the closest ranches. Then I
needed to cross-reference which ones were actively hiring and would be willing to take on a cowboy
who hadn’t been working a ranch for a few years.
My elbow dropped down on the table, and I placed my head in my hand. I pinched the bridge of my
nose. I should be used to this by now. Nothing usually worked out the first time for me. The people in
my life growing up had seen to that. Between an abusive stepfather, a mother who didn’t know how to
stand up for herself, and a brother who I hadn’t seen in over a decade, I had learned real quick that I
just wasn’t the lucky kind.
The town was filled with people. The best chance I had to get a job was probably wandering the
streets and asking around. I hated groveling.
I tossed back the last of my drink before glancing around the restaurant. Most of the patrons right now
were either too old or strangers. I wouldn’t get very far with them. There were several booths set up
outside. That would be the better place to start.
With my hat on my head, and a tip thrown on the table, I drew on that determination to set things right
and fix what needed to be done.
Rising from my booth seat, I turned and headed for the door just as a woman exited the hallway
leading to the bathrooms. Time slowed down. I could have sworn she was moving in slow motion.
She looked familiar somehow, though I couldn’t place her. There was something about her that drew
my focus and refused to release me. She had the prettiest blonde hair I had ever seen. I wasn’t a
romantic, but even I thought it looked like spun silk.
Dressed in a bandana-print shirt and a pair of jeans that came to her mid-calf, she looked like she
belonged here.
Suddenly time sped up. She wasn’t looking where she was going, and I’d been so entranced by her
beauty that my reflexes failed me. This angel of a woman rammed right into me.
She let out a yelp, stumbled back a step, and glanced around the room before meeting my gaze. Her
mouth fell open, and she looked through the restaurant for a second time. Her blue eyes were wild,
somehow. The lines on her face indicated she was scared of something.
Before I could apologize for being distracted or ask if she was okay, she grabbed onto my shirt and
tugged on me. I thought for sure we’d end up colliding for a second time, but all she did was stand on
her toes and lean in even closer.
“Help me,” she whispered, “I need to get out of here.”
CHAPTER THREE
Brooke
I MUST HAVE HIT MY HEAD OR SOMETHING . WHAT WAS I THINKING ?
There was no logical explanation for asking a guy that I had never even met for help.
This cowboy could very likely be the one behind the threats. He looked like every other person
outside in the group that had been observing my interview with Jade.
My cheeks flushed hot, and I looked away from this cowboy who had deep, hunter-green eyes. They
were kind—the sort of eyes that you knew were genuine, and they were full of concern. It was no
wonder why it was so hard to pull my attention from them.
Before I could take two steps away from him and apologize for the misunderstanding, his hand
wrapped around mine. He grasped me more firmly than I expected, and a gasp slipped from my throat.
“You’re running from someone, aren’t you?”
My eyes widened. How did he know it was a someone I was scared of?
He glanced toward the windows then swung his focus back to me. His eyes narrowed and his brows
creased. “They’re out there.” It wasn’t a question. This guy had to have had some experience with
something like this. There was no other reasonable explanation for his reactions. He didn’t even
know me.
Against my better judgment, I nodded. I had become immobilized by everything that had occurred
since that first text message to this moment with this man. Something in my gut told me that while I
didn’t want to trust him, right now I didn’t have a choice. I needed someone to help me until I could
figure out what to do next.
The stranger tugged on my hand, pulling me toward the back of the restaurant. He glanced toward the
door then set his serious gaze on me before yanking off his hat. “Here put this on. Tuck your hair
beneath it. We don’t want anyone recognizing you when we get out there.”
For a moment, I stood stunned. His hair was a splash of color I hadn’t seen before, not naturally
anyway. It was an auburn color the people in California could only dream of getting, but I didn’t see
this rugged cowboy being the type to dye his hair.
He stared at me, and I froze. Why was he looking at me like that? He grabbed the hat from my hands
and placed it on my head. “Tuck your hair into it,” he repeated.
This time I did as I was told.
Next, he shrugged out of his denim jacket and shoved it toward me. I fingered the flannel lining,
surprised to find a cowboy who didn’t have his clothing lined with fur. Granted it was usually a fifty-
fifty sort of situation around here. Either they had faux fur, or they had the real deal. But this cowboy
didn’t have any of that.
He let out an exasperated sound and draped the jacket around my shoulders. “Now, I’m going to take
you to my truck and get you out of here. Wherever you want to go, we’ll go.”
People here were generally nice, but not this nice. They’d come a long way since we’d shown up at
Twisted Rivers, but this man before me was going out of his way for someone he didn’t know. Come
to think of it, if I was right, this guy wasn’t a local at all. He was new.
“The guy that’s trying to find you, he’s looking for just one person, right?”
“Well, I don’t know if—”
“So it’s probably best if we look like a couple.”
My mouth fell open. That actually made quite a bit of sense. My stalker was going to be looking out
for a triplet on her own wandering around town. If I was with someone, they might overlook me, or
they might stay away. Thank goodness I’d managed to find a cowboy who could play the role of my
bodyguard until I got out of here and put some distance between me and whoever was trying to hurt
me.
I nodded. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
The cowboy wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. I momentarily lost my
ability to stay focused on the issue at hand. My close contact with this man did something to me. It
was making me feel…safe. The scent of his cologne triggered memories of feeling safe, and I didn’t
understand why.
As if against my own will, I leaned into him as we headed out the back door of the restaurant and
along the alley streets. He’d parked on the outskirts of the festival. If it weren’t for the fact that I was
terrified of what might be waiting for me around any given corner, this walk would have been nice.
I got a glimpse of what it might be like to find someone for myself.
Wait, that was a thought way out of left field.
I stiffened and shrugged out of the cowboy’s jacket then shoved it into his chest. “Thanks for getting
me out of there.”
He held the jacket in one hand and gestured toward an old, white Ford. “You still want me to take you
somewhere?”
I glanced at the truck, removing his hat as I did. Hadn’t I wanted to head home? Kelsey had taken her
SUV, and I didn’t have any other way to get there. I held out his hat and nodded. “Sure, if you’re
offering.”
“I am offering.” A smile played at his lips and in a momentary loss of my faculties, I offered him a
grateful smile in return.
“Okay. You know where Twisted Rivers Ranch is?”
He looked momentarily stunned. At least that’s how it appeared to me. But he quickly schooled his
features. “Of course, I know the place. It’s one of the bigger ranches in Rocky Ridge.” He pulled open
the door to his truck and gestured for me to take a seat.
I tilted my head, hesitating. “Funny, you don’t look like a local.”
He chuckled, placing his hat firmly on his head. “That’s because I’m not.”
I don’t know what it was about his admission, but a slight splash of relief washed over me. “I didn’t
think so. I’ve been around long enough, I’m sure I would have recognized you.”
“And the world makes sense.”
I shot him a funny look. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re not a local either,” he murmured.
“I am now.” I scoffed, my defenses rising. “I was born here, and I’ve been here long enough to see all
the difference that I can make.”
His smile faltered but only momentarily. He nodded, motioning to the truck again. “Oh, I’ve seen
enough evidence of that to last me a lifetime.”
I placed a hand on my hip. “What’s that supposed to mean?” I repeated.
He chuckled, but the humor had left his face. “Get in the truck, will you? I’m a man of my word, and
I’d like to get you safely home before anything happens.”
I blinked at him, suddenly wondering if this was such a great idea. But heading back to the middle of
town triggered those anxious feelings all over again, and I knew I couldn’t.
I slid into the truck and secured my belt, watching as the cowboy walked around the front then
climbed in beside me. The engine whirred to life, and he put it into drive.
The first few minutes of maneuvering through traffic was done in silence. He didn’t seem keen on
talking to me which suited me just fine. I’d rather not be put in a corner when it came to what was
happening in my life right now.
We hit the open road and turned out onto the freeway. He didn’t turn on the radio. The silence
between us stretched, weighed down by unanswered questions. Who was this guy? Why was he in
town? He didn’t seem too thrilled about the festival, so I could cross that off my list.
“So who’s after you?”
Flinching, I forced my focus to remain on the road. I should have known he’d get curious and ask a
million questions. Okay, so this was just one question, but it was none of his business. Not only that,
but it was probably nothing. In all likelihood, I’d overreacted, and the messages would stop coming.
I glanced over to him, noting his chiseled jaw and the way he carried himself. He was one of those
protective types, a fact that both unnerved me and thrilled me.
Stop it! Your life could be in danger. You don’t know this guy. What if he was part of the problem?
I sucked in sharply. What if he was taking me somewhere to hurt me?
He shot a look of concern in my direction, and it was only then I realized I was panting. “Hey, you
okay?”
I nodded, holding up a finger. I could control this. My tendency to be prone to anxiety attacks
wouldn’t conquer me this time. “I’m fine,” I muttered breathlessly. “And I’d rather not answer your
other question.”
He lifted a brow but didn’t say anything more. Thank goodness. The last thing I needed was for a
stranger to know my business.
My phone vibrated, and I yelped, nearly jumping out of my seat despite being buckled. I fumbled for
my phone, relieved to see it was Paige. I placed the phone to my ear, glancing once more to the
cowboy before turning away. “Hey, what’s up?”
“Where are you?”
I grimaced. Shoot, I’d forgotten to message her that she was in charge. “Sorry. I got…overwhelmed.
There was a lot going on and…” I couldn’t go into too much detail. Somehow, I knew Mr. Cowboy
was eavesdropping. “Look, I’ll tell you later. I got someone to give me a ride home. Can you cover
for me if anyone needs anything? They shouldn’t. Everyone knows what they’re supposed to do when
the festival is over.”
“Of course, but…are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I said with strength I didn’t know I possessed. “I will see you later. If I decide to come
back, I’ll call Kelsey, and she can come get me.”
We wrapped up the conversation, and I hung up the phone before placing it back in my pocket.
“Where do you want me to drop you off?”
We were coming up on the entrance to the ranch. The road winding up to the house was more out of
the way than he probably wanted to drive. “Just drop me off here. I could use some fresh air.”
He pulled to a stop, and before I had a chance to gather my wits about me, he’d materialized in front
of my door. I yelped, my hand coming up to cover my heart. The door swung open, and he held out his
hand toward me.
I stared at that hand like it was a predator lying in wait. He’d already held my hand and wrapped his
arm around me—I shouldn’t have this reaction to him. This was ridiculous. I exhaled and placed my
hand in his.
My boot caught on the edge of the truck, and I lurched forward, right into his waiting arms. He
grunted. I gasped. What only lasted a few moments felt much longer as I untangled myself from my
precarious position.
A faint smile had returned to his face as I scrambled to right myself. “I’m so sorry,” I mumbled.
“Happy to help.”
I glanced up at him again. He might be acting the way folks normally did in the country, but it still
took getting used to. And with my new predicament, he kept throwing me off with his kindness. My
hands flew to my face, smoothing out the strands of hair that had gone rogue. I could feel the fire that
flickered just beneath the layer of skin in my face. There was no hiding my embarrassment. “Thank
you.”
It was all I could think of to say in this moment. I needed to get past him and clear my head. There
was so much I had to figure out. I couldn’t trust anyone, not even this white knight in shining armor. I
shifted to move past him, and he matched my movements.
Once more, he held out his hand, but this time it appeared he wanted to shake mine.
Eyeing his offering then letting my gaze bounce to meet his, I made a show of shoving my hands into
my pockets. “Thank you,” I repeated. “I’m sure you have more important things to get to. I really
appreciate you bringing me here.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “I’m not gonna bite. My name’s Finn.”
I glanced at his hand and let out a sigh. Accepting his handshake, I was thrown off by just how strong
and sure it was. “Brooke Holt,” I mumbled. “My sisters and I run Twisted Rivers.”
“I heard.”
His statement brought my attention to his face once more.
“It was nice meeting you, Brooke. I hope everything works out. If you need anything, I’m here.”
I gaped at him. He couldn’t be serious. But as he brushed past me, heading for his truck, I couldn’t
find any reason not to believe him.
That didn’t mean I trusted him.
No. The only one I could trust right now was myself.
CHAPTER FOUR
Finn
BROOKE SHRUNK IN MY REARVIEW THE FARTHER I GOT FROM THE ENTRANCE TO TWISTED RIVERS .
Dang, she was pretty. More than pretty, she was drop dead gorgeous. I couldn’t tell if my feelings
were due to my obvious attraction to her, or my incessant need to protect women who were
desperately trying to escape something.
Everything about Brooke Holt fired up my protective instincts which meant she was dangerous.
Hadn’t I spent my entire life avoiding commitments and attachments—both to benefit women who
tried to be in my life as much as to benefit myself?
I couldn’t afford to get distracted right now. Too much was at stake. I’d finally gotten my mother to a
point where I could keep my eye on her and keep her safe. I tightened my hands on the steering wheel
and forced myself not to look in the rearview mirror again.
Twisted Rivers was officially off the table. I’d have to go looking for a gig somewhere nearby.
The ride back to town seemed even more quiet than the one to Twisted Rivers, and I found I missed
the company I’d had before. It didn’t matter that we’d barely said two words to one another; it was
nice to have someone to sit with.
My thoughts shifted to the way she’d been acting at the restaurant. The fear in her gaze was something
I hadn’t seen in a long time. Deep down, I knew she was dealing with something that absolutely
terrified her. Coupled with the fact that she couldn’t catch her breath when she was in my truck…it
was going to be difficult to ignore the trouble that surrounded her.
This time, I was able to find parking closer to the center of the town. I shut my truck door, and my eye
caught on the camping equipment I hadn’t unpacked yet—a reminder of how far I’d come.
No distractions.
That meant no girlfriends.
And no saving damsels in distress.
People were beginning to thin out. The booths weren’t as busy which should make it easier to track
down people who’d be able to give me a job. As long as I could find one place that was hiring, I’d be
able to get on with the next part of my plan.
I wandered down the middle of Main Street now that it wasn’t so crowded. There were booths by
everyone who worked in this area. I couldn’t think of one place that wasn’t represented. There were
booths for those who had orchards and those who farmed. There were booths for the horse trainers
and breeders. There were even booths for those who offered horse riding lessons.
My eyes flitted from one booth to the next, then I froze. I had to do a double take because I couldn’t
believe what I was seeing. There were two women looking like carbon copies of Brooke at a booth
with a sign reading Twisted Rivers.
I’d caught on before she gave me her name that she was one of the California airheads Jim and Bud
told me about. It wasn’t difficult to put it all together. But seeing her sisters made it more real. My
heart beat a little faster, and I berated myself for allowing that to happen.
I crossed the street to avoid passing in front of them. Best to keep my distance, so I didn’t get tangled
up in the mess Brooke was clearly involved in.
I set my sights on a booth with fresh fruit. There were crates of peaches, pears, and nectarines. Mom
would have loved coming today. It was too bad she couldn’t—not until I secured our future.
“I’ll take two of each, please.” I pulled out my wallet and handed the woman a five. “You can keep
the change.” She handed me the bag of fruit, and I continued on my way. It took a bit longer than I had
expected to find the booth for Breakstone Ranch. They were toward the end of the row of stalls. When
I reached the table, they were starting to pack up.
I stepped up to the table and flashed a smile. It took a few moments for the men to recognize me, but
when they did, there were smiles all around. Joe and Griff moved out from around the table. “Finn!
It’s been a long time. How are you doing?”
I shook their hands. “It’s been great. Stayed pretty busy, but now I’m thinking I want to settle down
here.”
“Good choice,” Joe said, his grin spreading wide. “You have a job lined up?”
I rubbed the back of my neck then took my hat from my head. “That’s what I was going to talk to you
guys about. Does Breakstone have any openings? You know my work speaks for itself.” I’d never
been one to grovel, but after finding out about Jeremy, I was willing to do what it took to stay here.
Joe exchanged a look with Griff. “I’m sorry, son. We just finished our hiring for the season. We don’t
need anyone else.”
My stomach dipped. That’s two ranches that weren’t an option. I was beginning to think I wouldn’t
catch a break around here. I thought for sure one or both of these ranches would be able to help me
out.
I nodded and returned my hat to my head. I’d have to check out another ranch. It was fine. I shook
Joe’s hand. “Thank you, sir.” Turning to leave, I stopped when Joe called after me.
“Have you checked with Twisted Rivers? I heard they are looking for help.”
Slowly, I faced Joe. How could I tell him that I wasn’t interested in joining Twisted Rivers for two
very big reasons. Working for the women who were described by Jim and Bud didn’t sound like a
good idea. I already had a hard time dealing with men. Being bossed around by three women from
California was a hard pass. On top of that, Brooke would be around. Based on how I’d reacted to her
earlier, it would be better for me to avoid her altogether.
“Oh, there they are now. Jake, Paige, come here,” Joe called before I could tell him no thanks.
Dang it! This wasn’t what I wanted.
I spun around as two people approached. Man, close up, Paige was the spitting image of her sister. I
couldn’t tell the two of them apart. Paige glanced at me and gave me a small smile. Shoot! I’d been
caught staring. Just my luck.
Tearing my gaze away from the woman who looked far too much like the woman I felt inexplicably
drawn to, I shuffled a few steps away from her.
Joe came up behind me and slung his arm around my shoulders. “Paige, Jake, this is Finn Stevens. He
worked for a local ranch about a decade ago.”
Jake and Paige turned their attention to me. Great, now I might have to tell them I actually worked at
Twisted Rivers beneath Jeremy, and we’d all have that awkward moment when they inevitably told
me that Jeremy had been let go.
I worked my jaw, praying that they wouldn’t ask me to tell them anything about that.
“Finn here is looking for work. Seems he couldn’t stay away.” Joe’s robust laughter seemed to be
contagious. Everyone in our little circle smiled.
Everyone but me.
“I feel confident you wouldn’t regret hiring him if you need the work.” Could Joe gush anymore? This
was getting ridiculous.
Jake held out his hand, and I accepted. His handshake was firm, unyielding, powerful. I didn’t
remember Jeremy sharing a similar one. Jake tilted his head, and his smile stretched wider. “I think I
remember you.”
Paige shot him a startled look then turned to me. “Really?”
My brows furrowed then recognition flooded my body. “Jake Tyler?”
“One and the same. What’s it been? Ten years?”
“Fifteen,” I offered.
Paige stiffened, her eyes widening. “Fifteen years. Are you sure?”
“Well, it’ll be fifteen this summer.” I glanced from her to Jake. “Jeremy was the one who supervised
me that summer. I wasn’t here very long.” Shoot! The one name I didn’t want to bring up spilled from
my lips like a leaky trough.
Paige exchanged a look with Jake, and he nodded. “That tracks. Jeremy was the one who got put in
charge after you moved to California.”
My head was spinning. I hadn’t heard any background about the triplets. I couldn’t envision that
they’d been raised for part of their life here in Rocky Ridge. Pieces were coming together—pieces of
what Brooke had told me and what I’d heard.
Still, moving onto Twisted Rivers property only had one perk I could think of and several cons I
didn’t even want to consider. I swallowed hard, resigning to tell this couple that I didn’t need the job,
and I wasn’t the type to accept charity when Jake spoke up again.
“We’d love to have you come work for us. We’ve lost a few ranch hands, and it would be nice to fill
their spots.”
Well, there went the upper hand. If I declined their offer now, they’d ask why for sure. How was I
supposed to tell them that I didn’t want to be near Brooke, and I didn’t want to be under the thumb of
the sort of people who wanted the changes they were making? That all sounded terrible even in my
own head.
I met Paige’s familiar face, still thrown off by how much she resembled Brooke. Part of me wanted to
throw caution to the wind. I was a man, but I was also an adult. I didn’t have to succumb to my
desires. I could still do a good job. Besides, how much trouble could three sisters be? Jake clearly
stuck around through it all. Perhaps there was more to the story than Jim and Bud had let on.
“Not like that, you idiot. Load up the crates like I showed you. And if you drop one piece of
merchandise, you’re mucking out stalls for a month.”
I jumped and glanced over my shoulder at Griff’s sharp voice. He continued barking orders like he
was still in the military. The poor ranch hand shrank down and muttered his apologies before getting
back to work.
The hairs on my arms and the back of my neck stood on end. If I had to choose between Griff’s
military style supervision and working for three women from California, there wasn’t a contest. The
man put me on edge in ways I hadn’t felt since I was a teenager. It was why I’d left home in the first
place. I shook off the unease and turned back to Jake and Paige. “I appreciate the offer. When can I
start?”
Joe clapped me on the back. “See? I told you they’d have a spot for you. Now, I’m going to get back
to cleaning up. Supper is bound to be on the table, and we promised we wouldn’t stay the whole
festival.” He turned to Paige. “I haven’t seen your sister around. Could you tell her thank you for all
she did to put this festival together?”
Stunned, I glanced in Joe’s direction. Based on what I’d heard in the restaurant, the majority of the
folks around here didn’t like Brooke’s intrusion. This was a different reaction than I’d expected.
Paige nodded. “Of course, Joe. I’m sure she’d appreciate knowing how much you enjoyed
participating.”
“I’ll sign up every year. This was a great way to spread the word about our ranch.”
Jake leaned closer to me. “In regard to your question, how about you follow us back. I’ll show you
around, so you can get reacquainted with the place. Then you can start on Monday.”
“Okay. Yeah, I’ll do that.”
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