Love Again (Cowboys & Angels 4)

Growing up in Oak Springs, it was no secret that the Parker family was the wealthiest in the county. Hell, all the surrounding counties. The thing I admired was that none of them acted like it. Cord and his brothers were always either working their father’s ranch or one of the local ranches hauling hay, plowing fields, or some form of manual labor. Nothing was ever handed to those kids. They worked alongside me on my own father’s ranch from time to time.

Glancing down, I stared at my father’s college ring. I put it on the day he died and hadn’t taken it off since. I couldn’t help but smile. He’d have loved Waylynn. Just like I knew my mother and Rip were going to love her.

With my window down, I punched in the code I’d known since I was little and watched the gate swing open.

I’d driven this driveway a million times, but this time felt different. Everything felt different since Waylynn and I had started dating.

A horn honked behind me and I glanced in the mirror to see Cord. I lifted my hand and hit the gas to go a little faster. I pulled up and parked next to the row of trucks.

After a few deep breaths, I climbed out of my truck and started toward Cord, who was waiting for me.

“What’s wrong, Turner? You nervous?”

With a half-hearted laugh, I replied, “Slightly.”

“Why? It’s not like you’ve never been over to dinner on family night.”

After placing my hat on my head, I shook his hand. “Yeah, well, I didn’t have all your brothers wanting to hit my face then. And I certainly wasn’t dating one of your sisters.”

Cord let out a roar of laughter. The bastard was enjoying this. “You know we weren’t really going to kick your ass.”

“I know you’re a damn liar.”

“True, we were going to kick your ass. My sister saved you from another black eye and possibly a broken nose. Trevor likes going for the nose.”

Reaching up, I rubbed my nose. “I like my nose. It’s one of my favorite features.”

Cord slapped my back. “Pussy. Come on, let’s get on inside. I’m sure my parents are chomping at the bit to get to you.”

“Aw hell,” I mumbled, following Cord up the front porch steps. The door opened and there she was. My beautiful girl dressed in a long black flowing skirt, black cowboy boots, and a white, off-the-shoulder shirt. I loved it when she wore shirts that exposed her neck. I also loved it when she wore skirts and she was wearing them more and more often, for a good reason. My dick jumped in my pants thinking back to earlier in her office, wondering if she was going commando under all that black fabric.

“Hey there, beautiful!”

Waylynn’s eyes lit up as they swept over my body. I knew the Parkers tended to keep things casual, but not too casual on family dinner night. I was dressed in new jeans, boots, and a shirt that showed off how damn hard I worked out in the gym.

“Hello there, handsome.”

Before I got to the top step, she wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me in for a kiss.

“Gross,” Cord said. “Do you not even care how this freaks me out? Hello? Um…does anyone remember Cord is standing here?”

When our lips parted, Waylynn looked at her brother. “Oh, hey Cord. Good seeing ya.”

Taking my hand in hers, Waylynn guided me to the front door.

“Asshole. Stealing my sister from me.”

“I didn’t steal your sister from you.”

Cord shot me a dirty look. “Yeah, ya did.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Did too.”

“Did not.”

“Oh, for the love of Christ, are you two five or something?”

We both turned and faced Waylynn, unsure what she was talking about. “Do you hear yourselves? Cord, stop being a dick.”

“Hey! I’m not being a dick. You just sucked face with my best friend in front of me, Waylynn. Can you at least let me get used to the idea that you’re together without advertising it.”

Waylynn folded her arms across her chest and stared at Cord. “So, I shouldn’t tell you we had hot sex this morning in the shower?”

Scrubbing my hands down my face, I groaned. “You’re trying to get my balls cut off, aren’t you?”

“Seriously, Waylynn? I need to wash out my damn ears,” Cord said.

“Then I really won’t tell you what happened in my office this afternoon…” Waylynn teased.

“Waylynn!” I said, covering her mouth with my hand. “I would like a chance to live, so please stop talking.”

Cord poked his head over my shoulder. “Yes! Please shut the fuck up.”

I was pretty sure Waylynn was saying, “Fuck you too,” but my hand was still covering her mouth.

“I’m going to get a drink. Get all the damn touching and feeling over with before you walk any farther into the house so I don’t puke.”