Boots and Bareback: Ugly Stick Saloon, Book 3 (14 page)

Gabe came first with Charli Sutton on his arm. Charli was a vision in pale, lemon yellow, the color complementing her long blonde hair.

A stab of jealousy wedged into Isabella’s chest until Charli winked at Connor Mason, her fiancé. Charli was set on a fall wedding and Connor obviously couldn’t wait.

Gabe winked at Isabella, making butterflies take wing in her belly.

Tanner marched down the aisle next, Libby Jones at his side, his face as serious as only Tanner could do and still look so incredibly handsome it made Isabella’s heart flutter. As he passed her, he paused and handed her a single white rose.

Isabella’s cheeks burned as she became the center of attention when in actuality she was a late invitee to the wedding. But how sweet of Tanner, the stoic, to pause long enough to hand her a flower.

Isabella almost laughed at Libby’s Kiowa cowboys, Mark and Luke Gray Wolf, as they sat near the front, frowning fiercely until Tanner left Libby’s side to take his position beside his brothers. Isabella thought how nice it would be to be loved that much by more than one man.

Her heart melted and her gaze followed Gabe and Tanner to the arched trellis where Jesse stood waiting for his bride.

Sean practically sauntered down the aisle, smiling as if it was his day and he was about to be married.

Molly O’Brien clung to Sean’s arm, struggling to keep up in her high heels, giggling instead of cursing when she stumbled.

As Sean passed Isabella, he blew her a kiss.

Any time Isabella was around Sean, he made her smile. The man had a joy for life unrivaled by any of his brothers. Any woman would be lucky to have such an optimist for a husband.

Husband? Isabella rose as the organ player struck up Mendelssohn’s
Wedding March
, and Ellie Lang and her father started down the aisle.

Isabella could barely take her gaze off the beautiful bride.

Ellie wore a long white strapless gown with a sweetheart neckline, and embroidered lace with hand-sewn beadwork overlaying a satin lining. The skirt flared out below the hips, ending in a short cathedral train. As Ellie stepped forward, the tips of her white cowboy boots peeked from beneath the hemline. Her gaze centered on Jesse O’Brien.

The O’Brien men stood tall and straight, all dressed in black tuxedos and crisp white cotton shirts. Every one of them dark-haired, green-eyed and gorgeous.

A lump lodged in Isabella’s throat as Ellie stepped up to the Justice of the Peace.

The ceremony went off without a hitch, the bride and groom exchanging their vows, their happiness shining from their faces. The JP pronounced them husband and wife and a cheer went up, Texas-style. Loud and rowdy.

Isabella wiped away a tear, studying Gabe, Tanner and Sean as they congratulated their brother and new sister-in-law.

As one, the three turned her direction.

Her stomach flip-flopped, heat rising in her cheeks. How could she choose between them? Each had a quality she utterly adored. Together, they made her feel complete. If she chose only one and they actually married, she’d be a part of the family, constantly in contact with the other two. Would the two she didn’t select harbor resentment for the brother who’d won?

Could Isabella bear to see them move on, find other women and start a family apart from her? It would only be fair, but she couldn’t do it. These men were too special. Forced to choose, she knew she couldn’t.

The reception and dance following the wedding ceremony lasted long after sunset. Isabella had ridden with Audrey, who showed no sign of leaving early.

Jackson had her out on the dance floor, spinning her around in her bright red cowboy boots.

Isabella retreated to Audrey’s truck where she’d stashed a set of clothes on the off chance she’d find a chance to get away.

Gabe had given her carte blanche to ride whenever she felt like it. Right then, she felt like riding. Anything to get away from the happiness emanating from the newly married couple.

Isabella changed in the truck and jogged down the rise to the barn. The gray mare she’d ridden the day before pawed at her stall door, tossing her head.

“How would you like to go riding in the moonlight, Stormy?” Isabella called out softly.

The horse whickered, her nostrils flaring.

Isabella led the horse out, slipped the bit in her mouth, and slid the straps over her ears, buckling them in place. Preferring to ride bareback, Isabella passed the tack room without going inside as she led the mare out into the night air.

Moonlight shone down, giving the landscape a deep blue glow.

Isabella opened the gate to the pasture, led the horse through and closed it behind her. Only a few steps away from freedom from the crowd, the O’Brien men and the conclusion she’d come to.

Her eyes flooding with tears, Isabella grabbed a handful of Stormy’s mane and she swung up on her back. Then she reined the horse around and nudged her gently into a gallop, sending her away from the lights, music and men she’d come to adore.

Gabe joined Sean at the edge of the dance floor constructed especially for the wedding party. The lights, the music, the food had all been perfect except… “Have you seen Isabella?”

Sean frowned. “I was just about to ask you the same.”

“Where’s Isabella?” Tanner joined them.

Gabe shrugged. “Neither one of us have seen her.”

“Didn’t she come with Audrey?” Tanner scanned the crowded dance floor.

Audrey and Jackson chose that time to break away from the other dancers.

Gabe went after her. “Audrey, wait up.”

“Hi, Gabe.” Audrey’s face was flushed a bright pink, a thin film of perspiration making her glow. “Whatcha need?”

“Did Isabella leave?”

Audrey shook her head. “I don’t know how, unless she caught a ride home with someone else.”

“Have you seen her since the ceremony?”

“Last I saw her, she was heading for my truck, saying something about changing into something more comfortable. All she brought was jeans and her old cowboy boots.”

As soon as Audrey mentioned boots, Gabe knew.

He rejoined his brothers. “I think she’s gone riding. Come on.”

“At night?”

“She likes riding bareback in the moonlight,” Gabe said.

“Hot damn. I knew she was a woman after my own heart.” Sean took off at a jog, passing his brothers as they headed for the barn.

Tanner ground to a halt, slamming an arm into Gabe. “Wait a minute. We can’t go like this.”

Sean skidded to a halt and glanced down at his tuxedo. “Damn. You’re right.” He performed an about-face and raced for the house.

Gabe was a length ahead of him, Tanner running neck and neck.

They all emerged from the house two minutes later in jeans and boots, shirts slung over their shoulders.

When they reached the barn, Gabe went straight for Stormy’s stall.

Empty.

“She could be anywhere by now.” Gabe ran a hand through his hair.

“We have to find her. What if she falls?” Tanner led his mare out of a stall. “What if Stormy steps in an armadillo hole and throws Isabella?”

“She’s a better rider than all three of us. I doubt any of that will happen.” At least Gabe hoped nothing happened to her.

Sean turned from the saddle racks. “She didn’t take a saddle.”

Tanner’s lips thinned. “What if the horse gets spooked?” He slipped the bridle over his mare’s head and buckled it in place. Without waiting to saddle up, he headed for the door.

Sean’s brows rose. “No saddle?”

“No time.” Tanner exited, swinging up on the horse’s back. “She can’t be too far ahead.”

“Assuming you know which way she went.” Sean led his gelding outside and to the pasture gate, unlatching, then opening it.

“Not knowing the terrain very well, I’ll bet she lets the horse decide.” Gabe mounted his stallion bareback and rode through.

Sean laughed. “Stormy will go for the pool. She always does.”

Gabe dug his heels into the stallion’s flanks.

Drago leapt forward into a gallop.

Sean and Tanner followed.

Although cooler than the daytime heat, the night remained warm and balmy, the heat of the day’s sunlight absorbed in the earth.

All along the way, Gabe kept an eye out for any signs of Isabella or Stormy.

Not until they reached the crest of the hill overlooking the creek below did he see the horse or rider.

As soon as he topped the hill, he spotted Isabella, standing in the moonlight beside the horse, her body a blue-tinged silhouette against the black backdrop of the trees.

His brothers reined in beside him.

“What’s she doing?” Sean asked.

Isabella’s arms rose above her head and she tossed something to the side.

Gabe’s heartbeat galloped, his groin tightening. “Looks like she’s stripping.”

Tanner whistled. “Damn, she’s beautiful in the moonlight.”

Although his first inclination was to race down the hill and join her, Gabe hesitated. As did his brothers.

“Would it be pressuring her if we joined her now?” Tanner asked, for once tentative, so unlike his normal brusque, confident self.

Gabe’s chest squeezed. “Maybe.”

“What if we don’t mention her decision?” Sean’s horse danced to the side, eager to descend to the creek. “We could tell her the horses were thirsty.”

Gabe snorted. “Like she’d believe it.”

“I think it’s worth trying.” Tanner hadn’t taken his gaze off Isabella since arriving at the top of the hill.

“How do you feel now about sharing her between the three of us?” Gabe asked Tanner.

Tanner sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. “I’d rather have her between us than not at all. If we make her choose, two, if not all of us, will lose out.”

“I’ve been thinking about that too.” Gabe’s gaze returned to Isabella.

She bent to remove her boots, then her jeans. The moonlight reflected off her pale skin, accentuating every curve.

“I’d rather have her love all of us than choose between us and be hurt by it.” Gabe’s gut knotted. “The thought of seeing her all the time would kill me, knowing I couldn’t hold her.”

“Same here,” Tanner agreed.

“About time you boneheads came to your senses.” Sean nodded toward Isabella. “So do we go down or not?”

“We go.” Gabe nudged his horse, sending it over the crest and down the incline toward the creek.

In the distance, Isabella waded into the water, sending ripples across its glassy surface.

Riding bareback, Gabe had kept his horse at a walk or a gallop. Trotting was too hard on his balls. Now, when he wanted speed, he knew it would be no good to go racing toward the creek, only frightening Isabella or her horse. Instead the three brothers approached at a sedate pace.

As they neared, Isabella dove beneath the surface.

Gabe reined in beside Stormy and slid off Drago’s back. He held his breath, waiting for Isabella to come up. After a moment or two, he stepped forward.

Isabella emerged, rising slowing until she stood in water waist-deep, her back to the men.

Had she not heard them riding down the hill?

Gathering his breath, Gabe prepared to clear his throat to get her attention.

“Are you just going to stand there or are you coming in?” She gave them a wicked glance over her shoulder and dove under.

Gabe ripped his shirt off his back, shucked his boots and jeans and dove in.

Two splashes reverberated through the water as he broke through the surface.

Isabella floated on her back, her nipples rising above the water, glistening in the moonlight.

All three men cleaved the water, getting to her in seconds.

“Why did you leave the party?” Sean asked. “Not that I’m complaining. The view here is much better.”

“Being surrounded by all that happiness made me sad.” She let her feet drop to the creek bottom and she reached out to touch Sean’s cheek. “I needed time to think.”

“Are we intruding?” Gabe asked. “I promised we wouldn’t pressure you.”

“No pressure. Please stay.” With her other hand, she trailed her fingers down Gabe’s chest, setting his body on fire. “I think, deep down, I wanted y'all to follow me.”

“All of us?” Tanner closed in on her other side, his expression dark, a muscle ticking in his jaw.

She smiled. “Dear Tanner. You are always so serious.” She cupped his chin and kissed him. “Yes. All of you.”

Tanner closed his eyes, letting go of the breath he’d obviously been holding. “Thank God.”

Isabella pulled in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’ve made my decision.”

A knot settled in Gabe’s gut. Even before she spoke, he knew he wasn’t going to like what she had to say.

“I can’t be with you three. Tonight will be the last night we can be together.”