Belong With Me Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  ~ Dedication ~

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty - One

  Chapter Twenty - Two

  Chapter Twenty - Three

  Chapter Twenty - Four

  Chapter Twenty - Five

  Chapter Twenty - Six

  Chapter Twenty - Seven

  Chapter Twenty - Eight

  Chapter Twenty - Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty - One

  Chapter Thirty - Two

  Epilogue

  Extended Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  About the Authors

  Books by the Authors

  ~ Connect with the Authors ~

  Belong

  With

  Me

  A Larsen Ranch Novel

  Amy Rose & CeeCee Claire

  Belong with Me

  Copyright © 2020 Amy Rose

  All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the authors.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the authors or publisher.

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Formatting by Rik – Wild Seas Formatting

  Cover design by Designs by Dana

  ~ Dedication ~

  Amy:

  This book is dedicated to the three main men in my life. Shane, Mason, and Oliver, you are my world.

  To all the frontline workers who have been absolutely tireless in their efforts to help keep all of us safe during these uncertain times. Thank you.

  And to anyone who is a hopeless romantic. You never know when you will meet that special person, so never stop looking.

  CeeCee:

  Special thanks goes out to my parents who always encouraged me to read, and my husband who turns a blind eye to how many more books have been packed onto our bookshelf. For Hudson, who is always there with a smile and a hug when I need them.

  To Amy: for seeing the silver lining in me. You’re a wonder woman, and don’t let anyone tell you any different.

  And you, for even taking a chance.

  Four Years Ago

  Prologue

  Ryder

  “Only three more weeks, my man.”

  The feel of my older brother’s hand clasping my shoulder pulled me from my thoughts. I was wondering where I was going to take my sweet Anna-Beth on our honeymoon, since I still hadn’t actually decided where to go. “I know, three more weeks and I’m going to join the club of married men.” I laughed, nervously.

  “That you are.”

  “Any suggestions for me? Don’t give me any of that ‘don’t go to bed angry’ crap either. I’ve heard that a million times.” In my book, the only way I’d put my woman to bed is with her feeling happy and satisfied.

  Beside me, Wyatt stepped forward, releasing my shoulder as he moved. All the while, keeping a very close eye on his bundle of joy, his daughter, Aria. My eyes followed his gaze, and we watched as his three-year-old was led around our main arena by our younger brother, Colton, with her two dark brown pigtails peeking out the bottom of her pink helmet. The smile on her face was one of complete and utter happiness while she sat proudly atop her pony. He offered her words of encouragement here and there, and she blossomed at his attention.

  “It’s pretty darn great. Marriage, I mean.” He put a boot on the rail and climbed to sit on top of it. “Especially once things change from just the two of you and you have a kid. Man, the day I found out Maddie and I were gonna have Aria, I think my heart nearly exploded.” Even though he’s sharing a happy sentiment with me, I heard the sadness in his tone. After all, Maddie was no longer with us. Sadly, for us all, she passed away before Aria turned two.

  While he’s talking about the joy of finding out he was going to be a father, what he wasn’t saying also came through. Loud and clear. Wyatt didn’t know Maddie was pregnant for the second time when she died of an underlying heart condition. We’re not even sure if she knew, but I know it weighed on Wyatt’s shoulders pretty heavily.

  Our sisters, Savannah and Mackenzie, took on the roles of aunty like ducks to water from the moment Aria was born. Both happily offered to help out in any way they could. Minding her while Wyatt worked, or taking her to preschool. Even Colton and I looked after her when we could, although, without that motherly touch, it never went quite as smoothly.

  I tried to envision Anna-Beth’s stomach being large and round, pregnant with our child. Although it wasn’t something I had given much thought to before, I couldn’t say it didn’t make me insanely happy. After all, to create a new life with the one person you loved most in this world was something truly beautiful to behold.

  “Faster, Uncle Colton. Make the horsey go faster.” Aria’s little voice carried over to us where we watched against the edge of the arena.

  “That’s my cue.” Wyatt chuckled, before jumping down and started towards her. “That’s fast enough, for now, angel.”

  “But, Daddy,” Her lips jutted out in a pout. “I like when Uncle Colton makes the horsey run.”

  “Makes it run, huh?” Wyatt shot a look at Colton, who didn’t even look at him as he answered.

  “Nothing more than a fast walk. That’s all. Don’t pitch a hissy fit with me. I ain’t that stupid. At least not with her,” he called back. I believed him. He was so careful with our niece when she was around the animals.

  Turning away from their exchange, I got back to work, forking the hay across the ground of each of the holding pens in the stables. The repetition of the work allowed my brain to relax, and thoughts of my fast-approaching wedding rushed in. Although I wanted to have the wedding here on the family ranch, Anna-Beth didn’t want that. No, instead we were going to one of the churches in Fort Worth for the ceremony.

  I had my suit all ready to go, since I wasn’t allowed to wear my nicest jeans. The trip into the city was long that day as she dragged me from formal shop to formal shop, trying on so many damn monkey suits that in the end I agreed to whatever she said looked the best. The fact was, all I wanted to do was make her happy, and if dressing in one of those for the day did that, then I would do it.

  There was one thing I wasn’t budging on though. I was a cowboy, through and through, and there was no way I was getting married without my hat. I conceded and agreed not to wear my well-worn one. Instead, the new Stetson I purchased just for the occasion got delivered via courier this morning. I would have to wear it each evening to break it in, so it didn’t end up cutting off circulation to my brain duri
ng the vows. Hell, imagine if I couldn’t say “I do”?

  Lifting my hat from my head, I used the back of my forearm to wipe the building sweat away from my forehead. Pushing on, I kept at it for a couple more hours, ensuring the horses had their troughs full for when they were brought in a little later. Waving to Colton as he mixed the horse feed, I headed into the house and straight for my bedroom to shower and get dressed.

  Just as I slipped on my boots, my phone vibrated its way across the dresser. A smile spread across my face as I saw the caller ID.

  “Hey, babe, I’m just about—” My voice cut off at what I heard coming from the other end.

  “Oh, Ethan.” My stomach sank. “Yes, like that. Just like that.” An all too familiar moan sounded down the phone line. My blood ran cold; it must have been an accidental dial.

  There was only one Ethan who lived around here, and he and I had locked horns ever since we both started competing in roping at the local rodeos. He may have come from a family used to buying whatever they needed, but they sure couldn’t buy him talent.

  “Don’t worry, no one leaves Sanderson Ranch unsatisfied,” he told her, leaving no doubt in my mind exactly who that disembodied voice belonged to. Ethan Sanderson. She was having an affair with him. Surely, the woman I loved wouldn’t have called me on purpose. Her cell must have been bumped with her being completely unaware or Ethan had purposely called. Not that it made what I was feeling any easier to take. Whether it was accidental or not, I heard what she was doing. There was no pretending it didn’t happen.

  I lowered the phone and stared numbly at the framed photograph of Anna-Beth and me on the dresser. It had been taken by Kenzie just after we got engaged. Ending the call, I took the photograph in hand and looked at it. My thumb brushed over her face. The face of the woman I had loved since she agreed to our first date.

  I placed it face down on the timber, no longer able to bear looking at our smiling faces. Just how long had I been living a lie? How long had I been deluding myself by believing that she loved me?

  Body moving on auto-pilot, I found myself in the living room, my heart lodged in my throat. The pain of her betrayal was so fresh and raw If catching her cheating was this bad, I didn’t want to know how lost Wyatt felt, but if this was the hollowness heartbreak caused then I didn’t want it. Not when it felt like my heart had just been yanked from my chest, there was something akin to a crushing sensation that was making it hard to breathe. Never again would I allow myself to fall victim to this ache. I was going to lock my heart away.

  But for now, I needed a goddamn glass of whiskey. Maybe even a bottle.

  Present Day

  Chapter One

  Sienna

  I strode with purpose along the hallway lined with landscape artwork and family portraits of a family that all smiled with practiced, forced expressions, getting ever closer to my destination at the end.

  Reaching the closed door, I straightened my shoulders, then smoothed out my skirt. Finally, I took a deep, calming breath before raising my clenched fist to knock. Not once, not twice, but three times. The number of times that was expected. I waited for a good minute before I heard a response through the door.

  “Okay.” His voice vibrated through the timber that kept him separated from the rest of us. “You may enter.”

  With one final inhale to center myself, I pulled down the handle and pushed the door open, then stepped across the threshold. Behind a desk in a perfectly pressed, navy blue suit, was a well-built man. His salt-and-pepper hair matched the handlebar moustache he had taken to grooming the past couple of years, along with the scattering of wrinkles that indicated he be in his early to mid-sixties. At the very center of the room stood an oversized, antique-looking, timber desk. His eyes followed my form as I moved closer to where he waited, his gaze taking in each and every detail of my chosen outfit.

  “I see you have come dressed to discuss business, Sienna-Grace.” He gave me one more once-over, before his faded blue eyes trailed down to peruse the document-littered desktop at his fingertips.

  It seemed like a dismissal, but it wasn’t. It was Daddy’s version of a power play. A tactic to keep his clients and opposition waiting, so they might try and fill the silence. On most days, Daddy was a man of few words, but what he said was final. In our home and out of it.

  “I’ve found that being dressed for a successful business meeting helps set the tone. Today, I see this as being successful. Don’t you?” I asked casually.

  He raised an eyebrow, but that was his only reply. Nevertheless, I walked confidently towards him and came to a halt just before the desk. I scooted one of the two simple and unremarkable chairs out a little before perching on the edge and crossing my legs at the ankles in a demure position. Then I clasped my hands in my lap and waited for him to begin. I’d done my part in his game. I had filled the silence like he wanted; now, it was his turn. Outwardly, I was all lady today. The way he expected me to be. Always.

  But on the inside, I was prepared for war.

  “That’s true,” he said after a few more moments. “Now, let’s not waste any more of my time.” He flicked his wrist to check the oversized gold watch he wore on his right arm. “I’ve got other meetings to conduct this afternoon.”

  Looking over his shoulder, I glanced at the imposing painting of a beautiful plantation home that hung in pride of place above the open fire. The only piece within this space with a specific personal tie to the man. A reminder of what he had accomplished in his lifetime, most of which had been dedicated to accumulating wealth above all other things.

  “By all means. Let’s get started.” My business persona fully slipped into place. The one that most would reserve for court appearances, but for me it came out every time I stepped into a room with anyone I was about to do business with. Even with him. Especially with him—the one person who I must constantly prove myself to. I needed to ensure that he realized those years spent at Harvard were beneficial to him and the family business that I was one day set to inherit. That I had come back with not just the degree, but the skills behind it to accomplish anything I set my mind to.

  The only place I could truly relax and be myself was in my own space, but even that was almost nonexistent. Not with my mother and her maids constantly breezing in and out of every room. My personal space was just upstairs, under his roof. He owned the house. He owned almost everything in my rooms. He even picked out the clothes I wore, or rather, paid someone to pick them out. There were a few things of my own though—personal touches like pictures of my class at Harvard, an abstract colorful painting that Mother disapproved of, and a few other bits and bobs scattered around. Including a few romance novels that kept me company at night.

  “This is important, Sienna-Grace,” he admonished in that tone he always reserved for when he was talking to me. Not quite his business tone, but definitely not the way one would expect a father to talk to his only daughter.

  I didn’t show any emotional response, knowing it wouldn’t get me anywhere anyway. Forcing a small curve to my lips, I responded. “I know, Daddy. It always is.” Important enough to miss the ballet recitals when I was young. Important enough to leave me in the shadows. Always.

  “Fine. Let’s proceed. Most importantly, what I need from you during this trip is for you to get as many of the landowners out there to sign on the dotted line.” His eyes landed on me once more as he leaned back into his overstuffed leather wingback. The man’s presence alone was so powerful that the chair itself was a power play—it was huge in comparison to those on my side of the desk. They were simple, but still oozed the overall feeling of indulgence.

  Looking at my father, I nodded again. “I remember.” And I did. It wasn’t the first time we were having this conversation.

  “By any means necessary.” He waved a finger in my face. “You go do this; you coerce them. You offer them an additional 10 percent on top of the original offer. Any more than that and you will need to call me and discuss further.
” After shuffling together a set of papers on his desk, he thumbed through them, giving each of them a quick glance. Once he located the one he was looking for, he pushed his glasses down his nose to look through the contract. “This opportunity in Belle Springs is one I won’t have you taking lightly. You leave in the morning and your only job is to secure me some places to drill.”

  “Yes, Daddy,” I repeated once more, even though I wanted to tell him that I was not a child and I could do my job without him making me feel as if I was incapable.

  “Once you have each of those contracts signed, you are to return, submit the necessary paperwork and I’ll tell you where to go next, to do it all over again.”

  Pushing out of my chair, I smoothed my skirt once I was on my feet, using the moment to soothe myself before I added, “You know, Daddy, I didn’t graduate at the top of my class—with honors—from Harvard Law to be a contract lawyer. I can handle more complex work if you’d just trust me.”

  “You will be whatever or whoever I need you to be, Sienna-Grace Anderson, and that’s the end of that conversation.” His tone left no room for my rebuttal. The authority he exuded was one I had grown up with, and even though I could more than hold my own in tense situations, here, with him, I knew the best route was to hold my tongue.

  Looking at my father, I could see I wasn’t going to get anywhere with him tonight. As much as I wanted to tell him that I could be working for any other company and getting to do the work I’d dreamed of, there really was no point. My father wasn’t one to be argued with, least of all with a woman. “Fine,” I acquiesced.

  “Glad you understand me, Sienna-Grace.”

  I gave him one more glance before turning on my favorite, red-soled black pumps and heading towards the door. “How long do I have?”

  “One month should be sufficient for everything I have set out for you. There are three ranchers I need access to, so that gives you approximately ten days to gain the trust of each landowner by any means necessary. Since you believe yourself to be such a fantastic lawyer, this shouldn’t be a problem for you.” I opened my mouth to reply, but quickly closed it.