Chapter One

He was back. Beth Sampson knew without looking. She couldn’t explain how she knew, even to herself, but she knew he was there. It wasn’t like the hairs on her neck stood up or anything weird like that; it was more a feeling deep inside her...that all that had been wrong was suddenly right again. The air seemed, somehow, to be infused with energy like that feeling you get when you step outside on the first, crisp morning of fall after a long, stifling, hot summer. Invigorating.

That was the word. Invigorating. Gag.

The Christmas music from the band, which a moment ago made her smile, now mocked her mood. She forced herself to continue dancing as if nothing had happened. Unfortunately, when her partner, Cole Pritchard, spun her around, she came face to face with reality.

Tyler Weston had come home for Christmas.

She knew he was coming, of course. She’d been warned, cautioned, advised by everyone in the family, the town, and everywhere else she went. The local gossip was abuzz with the excitement that the fourth Weston boy would be back on the ranch this holiday season. She half expected the front of the town square to be draped with a WELCOME HOME TYLER sign. It wouldn’t have surprised her, that’s for sure. Everyone acted as if he was returning from war or overseas. Neither. But, apparently, she was the only one who wasn’t willing to forgive and forget.

He stood just inside the door to the LoneStar Bar and Grill. A brown leather jacket and a scruffy looking beard were a new look, but it would take more than that for her not to know it was him.

She watched from behind Cole’s shoulder as Tyler glanced around. In a minute, he’d see his three older brothers seated at their usual table with her sisters and then he’d join them. Nothing had changed in the almost two years since he’d been gone.

Well, some things had. Cole pulled her closer and his lips pressed against her forehead. She closed her eyes. Cole was one of the good guys. Attentive and polite, he was just as handsome as any of the Weston brothers...yet he didn’t stir her. All Beth got when the redheaded rancher kissed her was a nice warm feeling—the same feeling she got when she hugged her horse. If only she could feel a tiny bit of the burning, raging desire Tyler had always stirred in her gut, then maybe the pain would go away for good.

The song continued and Cole pulled her even closer. She sighed and wrapped her arms tighter around his neck, forcing back the errant thoughts. This was nice. Nice was safe and predictable and she wouldn’t get hurt ever again.

The song ended and Cole slid his fingers down to link with hers and squeezed. “How about another drink?”

She nodded. “I’ll go with you.”

“I’m going to make a stop first,” he nodded in the direction of the men’s room. “I’ll meet you back at the table.”

The table. The same table where Tyler would be. Joint owners of the Double B Cattle Ranch, the Westons and the Sampsons were joined at the hip, blended in such a way it was hard sometimes to figure out who was a Weston and who was a Sampson. Already, across the floor, she saw them all laughing and hugging Tyler, welcoming the prodigal son, or in this case, brother, back home to the family fold.

She wanted to throw up.

Her stomach churned and her heart began to speed up as she made her way from the dance floor. A low hanging strand of red garland whacked her in the face and she brushed it back with an impatient swing of her hand. Christmas. Probably the only reason he’d come home. It was enough to make her hate the season.

Holding court at one end of the table was her older—and very pregnant—sister, Sara, and her husband, Buck, Tyler’s brother. Next to them were the empty chairs she and Cole had left when they went to dance, and beside those chairs were spots for her sister Susan and Tyler’s brother Teddy. She glanced to where those two performed on stage with the band.

Lifting her chin, she reluctantly let her gaze return to the family ensemble. Cord, oldest Weston and acknowledged head of the families at the Double B, grinned from ear to ear, his large hand clasped on Tyler’s shoulder as if to keep him right where he was. Though it might not show fully on his face, she figured Cord was beyond happy to have his youngest brother home, even if it was only for a few weeks. Tyler had caused immense amounts of pain to his family when he left. And broken her heart straight down the middle.

She shook off those unwanted memories and continued her slow forward momentum to the table.

Tyler had removed his jacket. The brown turtleneck he wore, something new she’d never in her life seen him in wear, was tucked neatly into dark jeans. His rear end filled out the denim in a way she didn’t recognize. He’d gained weight. He’d always been tall and lean, bordering on too thin. Now, his waistline looked solid and his arms strained the material of his shirt. Not too much by any means. Solid, firm, well-defined came to mind.

Beth sank her teeth into her bottom lip. He looked good. Way too good. Just her luck, he chose that moment to turn and catch her stare.

The brown eyes that used to make her melt faster than snow in Texas bore into hers. As if she’d fallen off her horse and landed on her back, all the air rushed from her lungs; she reached out to grab the back of the chair for support, her mouth dry, as if filled with cotton balls.

“T—Tyler,” she began and then swallowed. “Welcome Home.” Her hands clenched the back of the chair tighter, willing him not to hug her or, worse, kiss her cheek like she was an old friend.

They weren’t old friends. Friends didn’t do what he did to her.

He half smiled, sort of a lifting of one side of his lips. She was mesmerized by the new mustache, and had a sudden curiosity of how it felt. Soft or prickly? Other than a few scruffy ranch-hands who shaved only once a week, she didn’t think she’d ever been around a man with a moustache and beard before. None of the Weston brothers had one; Cole was clean shaven, and so was her business partner, Grant Clark.

Tyler shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans, the movement pulling her gaze thankfully away from his face.

“Hi, Beth.” Thankfully, he didn’t move towards her.

The table was silent. No one at the table said a word.

Fortunately, Cole’s return with their drinks broke the tension. He handed her a glass of wine, and then slipped his arm around her waist, hand cupping her hip. Beth tried not to show her surprise. Cole had never touched her in such a possessive way, and she couldn’t help but notice Tyler didn’t miss the point. His gaze flicked to the other man’s hand, to her eyes and then back to Cole’s again. Beth held her breath, but Tyler’s response was cool, disinterested. His face didn’t even turn red. Two years ago, another man would never have even asked her to dance for fear of dealing with Tyler Weston’s notorious wrath.

Instead, Tyler simply held out his hand. “Pritchard.”

Cole was forced to release her to shake hands. Beth grimaced. Had that been his plan? She dismissed her thought as quick as it came. He’d made it more than clear when he left without saying goodbye that she didn’t matter to him.

Cole pulled out the chair for her. Grateful, she sank to it before her knees gave out. Next to her, Sara rested her hands on her enormous belly and eyed Tyler with a glint that made Beth nervous. Here we go, she thought.

“So Ty, long time no see. What’s the news?” Sara asked a little too casually.

Tyler accepted the beer Cord offered and pulled out a chair at the end of the table. “Looks like you and my brother have bigger news than I could have. Congratulations. Do we know if it’s a boy or girl?”

Buck slid his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “Nope. We want to be surprised.”

Beth watched as the giant cowboy kissed her sister tenderly and Sara rested her head back on her husband’s shoulder. The two of them gave a new definition to the word love. Turning back, she caught Tyler’s gaze on her. Warmth flooded her face. She lifted her glass and drained half the wine.

“Hey, little girl, better slow down. What if you have to go out on a call tonight?” Cord cautioned.

Beth set her drink down even as she shook her head. “Grant’s on call the rest of the weekend. Monday, he’s heading home for two weeks.”

“Who’s Grant?” Tyler set his empty beer bottle down.

Beth glared. As if he didn’t know. Her friendship with the other man had been something he’d never understood. “Grant Clark, remember? I did my residency with him at Cornell. He came back here to practice with me when I took over from Doc.” She tried not to sound defensive, to keep the bitter edge out of her voice, and aimed for casual and detached like him. But the way Tyler raised one eyebrow, his classic action of annoyance, it was obvious he got the point. One for me, she thought, lifting her wine glass again.

Cole’s hand slid to her leg and squeezed. It wasn’t a romantic gesture; rather, a show of support. In the months since Tyler left, she and Cole had developed a relationship. No, not a relationship, but more than a friendship. Somewhere between the two. Without saying a word, Cole was trying to make this awkward encounter with Tyler was as painless for her as possible. Tonight she had no issue with him acting as if they were a couple. Let Tyler think she’d moved on with someone far better suited for her. He’d be gone again after the holidays, and then, maybe even she and Cole could reexamine their situation.

Tyler lifted his beer. “How’s your Dad, Pritchard?”

“Doc’s traveling a lot. He’s heading to Mexico right after Christmas. Says turning the practice over to Beth was the smartest thing he ever did.” He slid his arm around the back of her chair and pressed his lips to her temple. “She’s terrific.”

Around the table she caught the on edge, half-hidden stares, watching her, worried if Tyler’s coming home was going to send her over the edge, again. She leaned into Cole. They didn’t need to waste their concern. She’d grown up and was far from the same silly girl she’d been two years ago.

“Hey, I thought I saw you come in the door, baby brother!”

At Teddy’s loud greeting, Tyler stood up as his third brother and lead singer of the Scoundrels, hugged him. Her other sister, Susan, was close behind and enfolded Tyler in a big embrace next.

“You look good, Ty.” She yanked on his beard. “What’s with this?”

Tyler winced and rubbed his chin. “Something different. Thought I’d try it out.”

“Looks like you’re trying to hide from the law or something.” Susan took a seat next to him, her sister’s sparkling blue eyes shining and red mouth curved into a warm smile.

Cord lifted his mug of beer. “Here’s to Tyler.”

Beth rolled her eyes. Unbelievable. Slowly, she picked up her near empty glass as the rest of the table lifted their drinks. In her opinion, they shouldn’t be toasting him, they should be beating the living stuffing out of him.

“Welcome home, Ty,” Cord offered with a wide grin, his eyes shining with prideful emotion.

“Here, here.”

The chorus of toasts, greetings and warm wishes were enough to make her want to scream. Did no one care that he’d ran away almost two years ago? He’d broken her heart, left his family high and dry and, for most of the first year was completely missing, no contact or anything. Did no one think that was a big deal anymore? They’d all been hurt and heartbroken; she’d gone through hell and back again, did everyone forget? Oh no, but it’s all okay because he managed to make it home this year. What about last year? One phone call was all he’d managed. How’s that for a loving brother?

God, she couldn’t wait for New Year’s when he’d be gone again.

Beth forced herself to relax, only half-listening while Tyler talked to Teddy and Susan.

“You guys sounded great tonight. I didn’t realize you still sang together.” He leaned over and scooped a chip full of salsa and took a large bite.

Beth watched bits of tomato land in his mustache. She watched in disturbing fascination as his tongue flicked out to lick them off.

“I was in the holiday spirit,” Susan answered as she rose. “And decided to class up his act a bit. Anyone want anything from the bar?”

Beth desperately wanted another wine, but didn’t dare. Her head was already woozy from drinking the other one too fast. The last thing she needed was to get tipsy and end up telling Tyler what she really thought of him. Wouldn’t that make for a happy family Christmas?

She didn’t want to but couldn’t help listening as he explained about a new breeding program he was developing with Chase Boyd. Her eyebrow raised. Absently, she picked up her wine glass and then remembered it was empty. She set it back down. He’d been with Chase Boyd all this time? Is that where he’d been? Only six hours away. No one had told her his exact whereabouts, only that he’d been in touch. Not that she’d ever asked or even wanted to know by then. So much for his big talk of traveling the world, she mused to herself. Hah. He’d only made it to Abilene, what a world traveler!

“I’m going to check out the buffet, anyone else coming?” Teddy said.

Beth almost gagged. She couldn’t eat now if she tried. The others stood up and followed him. Suddenly, she was alone with Cole and Tyler. Very cozy.

“Don’t you want anything to eat?” Cole asked.

The look on his face told her that he was dying to get a plate of food but didn’t want to leave her alone.

“Actually, I think I’ll use the ladies room. You go ahead and get something. I’ll meet you back here.”

“I’ll get you some of those riblets you like so much,” Cole offered, touching her shoulder as he walked away.

Without a glance to Tyler, Beth left the table. Once inside the ladies' room, she rushed to get inside a stall and then shoved the door closed. Her chest tightened, her heart raced. Closing her eyes she counted slowly to ten, then did it again, breathing in and out slowly and purposely. When she opened her eyes again, she forced herself to slowly read the cautions on the wall about what not to flush down the toilet. Her heart rate slowly returned to normal and the panic attack subsided. Whew. She drew one last deep breath and left the stall.

At the sink, she ran cold water over her wrists. Somewhere inside she had hoped that when she saw Tyler again, she would feel nothing. Instead, there was all this pent up rage and she just wanted to beat on him with her fists, scream and cry and ask all the questions he’d left unanswered. No, not all the questions. Just one question. Why? Not, why did you leave? She knew the answer to that. Tyler had lived his entire life wanting to get the hell out of Sweet Meadow, Texas, to pursue his own life, away from the family’s constant interference.

No, what she wanted to know was why he’d left without her? Without even saying goodbye, without begging me to come with you? What had she done to make him leave her, too?

She ran her fingers through her short hair and left the bathroom. The band was playing again as she walked towards the table.

A hand grasped at her elbow and froze her in place.

“Dance with me.” Tyler’s words weren’t a question, but they weren’t quite a command either. She could have refused, should have refused, yet she let him lead her to the dance floor.

He turned her to face him and her brain screamed its refusal even as her hand settled into his palm.

When he folded her in his arms, her mutinous body soaked him in like a sponge. The song, a familiar tune about being home for Christmas, was way too fitting. She took a deep breath and then another. I can do this. She’d danced with Tyler and only Tyler for most of her life; of course it would be as natural as taking a breath.

Dancing with him was different than before, though. His body had changed, harder, more muscular. He was completely unfamiliar to her, and yet, she still tingled everywhere he touched. There was a time when she knew every inch of every bit of the skin on his bones. Now he was a stranger. How could this be? How could a relationship that had been so strong and solid since they were children turn into this?

She focused on a spot on his dark shirt instead, pulling herself out of her disturbing thoughts. “You’re in Abilene, then? How’s that working out?”

“Good,” he said shortly.

His scent drifted to her nostrils. He still wore the cologne she’d always bought him. The smell wrapped around her like an old quilt on a cold night. A strange sensation flowed through her, as if she was a plant that hadn’t been watered in way too long and slowly came back to life with a good dousing. She struggled against the urge to drop her head to his chest and snuggle in.

“You’ve cut your hair.” His large hand covered the middle of her back and slid up as if remembering where the thick blond mane used to hang.

She didn’t miss the disapproval in his voice. He’d loved her long hair, loved winding his fingers in it when they made love. He used to drape it over her bare back and make her promise that she’d never cut it. Her body flushed with the memory. She lifted her chin. He’d once promised her forever, too. So much for promises.

She shrugged. “It was getting in the way.”

Another couple bumped her from behind and she stumbled against him. Strong arms steadied her but, instead of moving her back to a proper distance, held her tighter. Her body immediately responded with hardened nipples inside her red dress, and her temperature rose several degrees. Traitor, she thought. For two years, she hadn’t been able to feel anything. Now, with one dance, she was suddenly alive. And she wasn’t the only one alive. There was no disputing the bulge pressing into her belly. The disgusting part was that it excited her body even more.

With a firm push she put some distance between them. “I’m sorry. These are new shoes. I’m not used to the height,” she said in excuse, trying to act like the incident was no big deal.

“They’re pretty high. So's that dress. It’s not your usual style; is it Susan’s?”

Beth flung her head back and glared. “How the hell would you know what my style is?”

Tyler lifted one eyebrow but didn’t comment.

She frowned. “Cole picked it out when we were in Dallas last week.” There, let him chew on that for a while.

“I didn’t know you two were dating.” He looked down at her steadily. “No one told me.”

The trip had been completely innocent. Doc was flying out of Dallas, and they’d agreed to give him a ride and do some shopping. They hadn’t even stayed overnight. Again, not something he needed to know about. “Probably because it has nothing to do with you.”

His gaze rose, looking past her, revealing no emotion. “No, I don’t suppose it does.”

His thigh brushed against hers and an old familiar desire tugged at her insides. His grip tightened and her body ached for what it no longer could have.

She closed her eyes against the feelings. Oh God. She so wanted to scream at him, beg him for answers and rant and rave like a lunatic. Purposely, she pulled back.

His gaze met hers. “At some point while I’m home, maybe we could talk.”

When pigs fly! The time for that conversation was two years ago. “I’m very busy this time of year, especially with Grant on vacation,” she replied coolly.

“Yeah, I heard the practice is really busy. Isn’t his being gone going to make it harder on you?”

Beth tossed her head, loving the way her new short hair defiantly shifted on the back of her neck. “Yes, but it’s more important for him to be with his family. Family is everything, don’t you think?” She wanted this dance to be over with.

His grip on her tightened. “That’s why I came home.”

“I guess your brothers weren’t important last year, then?”

“It couldn’t be helped.” His jaw tightened.

She scoffed and he dropped her hand to grab her chin, forcing her to look up into his face. She glared and decided she didn’t like the beard or the mustache after all. It gave him a sinister appearance.

“I don’t expect you to understand. I don’t even expect you to forgive me, but don’t you think we owe each other at least a conversation?”

Fury burned her veins. “I don’t owe you anything.” Tears sprang to her eyes and it made her even madder that she was falling apart in front of him. “But you do owe me. So while you're home, and I hope to hell it’s a fast visit, stay away from me. Personally, I can’t wait until you go back to Abilene or wherever the hell you ran off to.”

He searched her eyes for what seemed an eternity and the room grew suddenly way too warm, but she forced herself to stare right back.

“You always were dramatic.”

Her eyes widened and she stopped dancing. “Well, in that case, it’ll be right in character if I make a dramatic exit, then.”

She pulled out of his hold and quickly raced for the kitchen, slipping through the swinging door.

All heads turned and she glanced around frantically. Long time friend and bar owner, Bill, set down a tray of glasses. “Need something, honey?”

“Actually, um,” she struggled against the tears. “They’ve run out of riblets. I thought I’d come get some.”

Bill nodded. “Why don’t you go have a seat in my office for a few minutes while I get them ready?”

With a quick nod she all but ran to the far end of the kitchen and through the narrow corridor to the private office.

****

Tyler watched Beth practically run from him and into the kitchen. He didn’t follow.

He shouldn’t have asked her to dance, but the need to touch her, to have a moment alone with her had been too much to resist. What had he expected? Did he really think he could come back and she’d be happy to see him? Staying away this long had been a mistake. He couldn’t change what was done; the best he could do was take his punishment like a man.

He moved to the bar to get another drink. Seeing her with Cole had been a surprise. But then, it made sense; they were perfect for one another. Cole’s father had been the area’s longtime vet and Beth’s mentor. She was the daughter Doc never had. It made perfect sense for his son to end up with her. Not that he liked it one bit.

“Another beer?” Bill asked, coming around the bar.

Tyler noted that the earlier warm welcome from the bartender was gone.

“Nah, I think I’ve had enough. Thanks, Bill. Have a good holiday if I don’t see you.”

The drive from Abilene and the stress of coming home weighed him down. Tyler shoved away from the bar and looked for his brothers to let them know he was heading back to the ranch. He turned his head in time to see Beth return and Cole’s arm protectively wrap around her shoulders. She didn’t lean into the other man though and, after a moment, he removed his arm. Odd.

Turning away, he headed towards Buck and Sara at the door, but Tyler avoided their eyes. He didn’t need a lecture from his big brother or from his sister-in-law who always had an opinion on everything.

“Leaving?” Buck asked, holding open the door for his wife.

“Yeah,” Tyler said, following them out into the parking lot.

He couldn’t help but smile as she waddled. A hand slid over her stomach as she looked up at Buck, her eyes tired, but adoring. Tyler’s heart ached. So much had changed since he left. Buck and Sara had only been good buddies back then. Now they were married and about to become parents.

He slapped his brother on the back as the couple reached their truck. “You guys drive careful. I’ll see you sometime tomorrow, I suspect.”

Then, before he could stop himself, he leaned down and kissed Sara on the cheek. She looked as shocked as he was but didn’t say anything, just watched him with those green eyes that made him always feel like a five year old.

“Goodnight, Tyler,” she said, climbing into the passenger seat with the aid of her husband’s helping hand.

As Buck shut the door, Tyler shoved his hands in his pockets.

Buck shook his head and pushed his Stetson back. “I’m glad you’re home, but you have a lot of fixing to do around here, and I don’t mean fence lines.”

He nodded but didn’t say anything. Buck stared for a moment, then, with a brief wave, walked around to the driver’s side.

As Tyler watched them drive away he admired his brother’s shiny new truck. Sara had always driven a beat up old pickup and he wondered if she still had it. Probably not. They were about to become parents, grown-ups with grown-up responsibilities. Even the fact that they were leaving the bar well before midnight showed how much things had changed since he’d been gone. His older brother had become a responsible adult.

That’s what you didn’t want, remember?

With a last glance back towards the neon sign of the LoneStar, he climbed into his truck and turned it down the familiar road towards the Double B. The family ranch. Home. The place he drove away from two years ago, thinking he couldn’t get away fast enough. He never dreamed when he pulled away that day, everything with Beth would be over when he came back. He would never have left if he’d known she wasn’t coming to meet him.

When his truck reached the Double B arches, he stopped in the road and looked up. Through the light of his headlights he could make out the familiar landmark. His throat closed up and his eyes burned. He couldn’t believe how emotional he was getting at the sight of a metal structure. “I’m home,” he whispered.

His parents had been dead for well over a decade. A plane crash had taken their lives along with Beth’s mother’s in the same accident. Her father had raised all eight kids on his own with the help of their longtime housekeeper and ranch foreman. Now Beau Sampson was gone too. Still, this was home. Two years ago, he’d never appreciated that fact.

Feeling a bit foolish, he put the truck in gear again and continued on. Several miles up, the brand new house Buck and Sara had built came into view. Cord had told him about it and even emailed some pictures, but none of that did it justice. They’d built almost an exact replica of the main ranch house that Sara’s family had lived in for generations. He was eager to get the tour in the daylight.

He drove several more miles and finally the white fencing that signified the main ranch yard appeared. He punched in the code to swing open the main gates to the long driveway.

Two large houses sat across from one another joined by one large horseshoe driveway. The house to his left was where Beth and her sisters were raised. Built by her great-grandparents it still served as ranch headquarters, complete with a full office and a kitchen that could seat 30 people comfortably. The other house was his family home where he’d been born and raised, and where Cord and Teddy still lived.

His headlights shone on the newest building on the main ranch property. Beth’s clinic and cottage, the one he’d designed and made sure he finished building before he left. He had no idea what she thought of them. They’d been his graduation gift to her and, at one time, were meant to be where they would start their married life together. Tyler gripped the steering wheel and heaved a heavy breath. In the end, it had become his going away present.

He parked his truck in back of the family house and walked inside. The kitchen hadn’t changed; a light still stayed on over the sink until the last person was in for the night. A cake of some type rested under a glass dome and he grinned. Flo never let them go without dessert. He couldn’t wait to see her tomorrow morning. The adored housekeeper was his second mother—and another woman who he suspected he let down completely when he walked away.

Buck was right; he had a lot of fences to mend around here.

Coming home was the right thing to do. Though he couldn’t change the past, he was a different man now. He hadn’t done right by any of them, most of all Beth. She looked gorgeous with the way that red dress hugged her frame. She’d lost a lot of weight though, too much, but she still looked sexy as hell. Seeing her with Cole had almost killed him. He’d struggled hard to keep her from knowing how she’d affected him.

One thing he didn’t miss: he’d left her and she wasn’t going to forgive him. If he could turn back the clock, do things different, he would.

Leaving Beth had been the biggest mistake he’d ever made. Was coming back going to be the second?