A Rancher’s Promise
A novel of erotic romance by
Marie Rochelle
Published by Phaze Books
Also by Marie Rochelle
A Taste of Love: Richard
Closer to You: Lee
My Deepest Love: Zack
More Than Friends: Brad
All the Fixin’
Caught
Caught 2: Anja’s Return
Crossing the Railroad
Desire
The Men of CCD: Loving True
The Men of CCD: Tempting Turner
The Men of CCD: Slow Seduction
The Men of CCD: Help Wanted
Lucky Charms
So Much Better
Taken by Storm
Roped Into You
This is an explicit and erotic novel
intended for the enjoyment
of adult readers. Please keep
out of the hands of children.
www.Phaze.com
A Rancher’s Promise
Copyright © 2011 by Marie Rochelle
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Edited by Judy Bagshaw
Cover Art © 2011 by Trish Schmitt
First Edition March 2011
ISBN-13: 978-1-60659-598-5
SMASHWORDS EDITION
Published by:
Phaze Books
An imprint of Mundania Press LLC
6457 Glenway Ave., #109
Cincinnati, OH 45211
All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher, Mundania Press LLC, 6470A Glenway Avenue, #109, Cincinnati, Ohio 45211, books@mundania.com.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
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Chapter One
Stuart Houston stared at his angry older brother. “Kyle, I’m your brother. I know I haven’t been around for a while, but we need your help. We don’t have any other place to go. You’re my family which means you’re supposed to help me.”
Kyle snorted and shook his head. “First, I helped you enough when you lived here. I think I finished my brotherly duties a long time ago. Secondly, why in the hell are you saying we when you’re the only person I’m looking at? Have you lost your mind or something?”
Kyle Houston knew that his brother was always up to something even when they were kids, but he never thought Stuart would lose his mind.
“I’m just as sane as you. I’m a lot of things, but crazy isn’t one of them,” Stuart snapped at him.
“So, if you aren’t crazy what are you talking about?” Kyle demanded. “I still don’t know why you’re saying ‘we.’”
Stuart glanced over his shoulder and waved at someone. “Come on, I want you to meet my brother. I swear his bark is worse than his bite. He can be a mean SOB, but he wouldn’t toss us out on the street. He has enough room in this house for everyone in town to spend the night.”
Kyle waited to see who in the hell Stuart had brought to his house. He loved the peace and quiet living out in rural Colorado gave him. He had made his home out here for a reason and having unwanted visitors wasn’t one of them.
“Here she comes,” Stuart said, taking a quick look back at him.
Kyle eyes widened in shock as the person his brother was talking to came and stood next to him. The woman was truly breathtaking. She was around five feet five inches tall with huge dark brown eyes and her skin reminded him of melted chocolate, the kind a person poured over a hot fudge sundae. He couldn’t help but stare because he was at a loss for words. However, the reality of the situation slowly started to set in. If this gorgeous woman was with Stuart then she had to lead the same lifestyle.
“Who in the hell is this and why did you bring her to my house?” Kyle demanded. “I don’t have time for any kind of trouble from you. You know this is the biggest time of the year for me at the ranch.”
“Kyle, meet Amerie Palmer. Amerie, this is my older and much crankier brother Kyle Houston,” Stuart said, making the introductions.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Houston,” Amerie said in a soft voice that made his body instantly respond. Hell no! He wasn’t going to let Stuart and this woman stay with him. He had to find a way to get rid of both of them.
He gave Amerie a brief glance over before looking back at Stuart. “How do you know her? She doesn’t seem like the type of girl you usually hang around or hook-up with. What does she have to offer you?”
“Kyle, Amerie is my friend and we need your help. She’s in danger and this is the only place I could think of to keep us safe.”
“What kind of danger has she gotten you into? Is it something illegal? I don’t need that shit following her here to the ranch with what I already having going on.”
“Why are you being such a ba...?” Stuart started to say but was interrupted by Amerie.
“Stuart, forget it,” she said, glaring at Kyle. “I’d rather deal with what we’re running from than your brother. He doesn’t want me here, so I’m leaving.” Stepping off the porch, Amerie stormed away, a cloud of dust blowing up behind her.
“Are you really going to toss us in the street?” Stuart demanded. “Amerie risked a lot to help me. I swore to her that I would take her somewhere safe and now you’re making me into a liar.”
Kyle didn’t want to admit it, but he was impressed with how Amerie didn’t beg for his help, but stalked off instead. It showed him that she had a backbone. A quality he’d found lacking in the women he’d been dating.
“Fine, go and get your friend. I can’t waste any more time with the two of you,” he complained, brushing past Stuart. “Your bedroom is still the same and the guestroom’s bed should have clean sheets. Show Amerie around and then I want to speak with you after you’re finished getting settled in. You’re going to tell me what in the hell is going on. I don’t care if it takes all night to get it out of you.”
****