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Chapter 108
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Lexie and Killian Chapter 1
The office could have been straight out of another century, with its massive desk, huge carved furniture, and lingering scent of cigar smoke. The most modern things were the four men seated across from the desk big enough to sail a battleship on.Killian Walker shifted in his chair and wished, not for the first time, he had his familiar length of rope to play with. Maybe the comforting feel of the twisted strands in his hands would calm his jumpy nerves and ease his anger. This was definitely a what-the-fuck situation, and he wasn't one bit happy about it. If wishing worked, he'd be back in Montana riding fence instead of sitting here with three strangers who looked like him and an old man who had facilitated this situation.Stanley Benner, Esquire, attorney for the late Dusty Walker-his father, of all the fucked-up things-leaned over his desk and plopped a folder of papers in front of Killian and the three other men sitting in a row with him. Killian slid a glance at them, not for t
Lexie and Killian Chapter 2
Very reluctantly, Killian had made use of the first-class ticket the attorney had left and flown here to Red Creek, Kansas. Where he'd received the next biggest shock of his life, meeting his half-brothers. When he and his half-brothers had seen each other for the first time, they were stunned into silence, warily watching each other.The attorney rattled the papers in his hand. "As I told you, Dusty and his wife Theresa were killed in an auto accident. We're told they died instantly. It was a very sad day." He looked from one to the other. "So, if there are no more questions, I'll begin reading the key points in the will." He waited a few seconds, meeting each of their gazes."Yeah, I've got one." Rogue looked at his brothers. "How did he...?" He held up a hand. "Let me rephrase that. Why? Why four families in four different states?"The lawyer tossed the papers on the desk and laced his fingers together. "Your father wanted to have children, and he confided to me that his wife did
Lexie and Killian Chapter 3
Killian pushed back from his desk where he'd been working all morning and stretched. He'd spent the last two weeks catching up on what he had to do at Hart Brothers Ranch and making sure Larry Hart was okay with him taking off. After all, in a couple more weeks, all this bullshit would be over and he could get on with his life."I like to think of you as a friend as well as a hand here," the man told him. "I'd never stand in the way of you doing something like this. Anyway, my brothers and I know you've wanted to have your own place for a long time. While we'll hate to lose you, if this makes it possible, we wish you well." Then he clapped Killian on the shoulder. "And we'll help you any way we can."Killian had had to turn away at that, choked up at the kindness of the man.The money, however much he ended up with, would help him realize his lifelong dream of raising Appaloosas. He'd kept his dream to himself. He hadn't even told the Hart brothers. But in all the years he'd been wo
Lexie and Killian Chapter 4
It was just after noon, and the sidewalks were busy. Killian glanced into Cubby's Creekside Café, studying the place through one of the windows. It seemed very homey inside and nearly full. Probably a good place to pick up local gossip. He'd bet a dime today's was all about him and his brothers. Half-brothers, he reminded himself, and the familiar bitterness washed through him.Benner had called this morning. He wanted Killian to stop by later today, so he could catch him up on how the first two weeks had gone, but Killian wasn't even sure he wanted to hear. He wanted out of this disaster as soon as possible. Still, he'd have to talk to the man sooner or later. Might be best to get it over with.He had made it to the end of the block, in front of Heart Starter. Was her coffee like battery acid, or just strong with a rich flavor? Whatever, he needed something to clear his brain, so he pushed the door open and walked in. A bell tinkled overhead."Be right with you," a voice called.K
Lexie and Killian Chapter 5
"Well?" he finally prompted.She cocked her head and studied him for long moments. "You're new here," she said at last. "You're one of the Walker boys. Is this week your turn?"Fuck. Was the whole sordid story common news here?"I'm Killian." He held out his hand.She took it, her warm, soft skin igniting the blood in his veins. Or maybe it was the intense irritation at being the object of common gossip."Lexie Choate. Welcome to Red Creek and Heart Starter.""So, does everyone in Red Creek know all the grimy details?" he asked.She gave a slight shrug. "Dusty lived here forever and was always larger than life. When the four of you came for the meeting with the attorney, everyone's curiosity jumped about a hundred points. Word got out and, yes, you can't blame people for talking about it. The story is a little unusual.""To say the very least." He couldn't keep the edge of bitterness from his voice.A tiny frown creased her forehead. "You all aren't happy about the money?"Th
Lexie and Killian Chapter 6
Everyone knew he, like his brothers, was required to stay for one week. The others had made it plain when they got to Red Creek the week was all they'd commit to. She figured Killian was probably just looking for some female companionship to pass the time. She still couldn't believe she'd accepted his dinner invitation. Since she'd come back to Red Creek, trailing the disaster her personal life had become, she'd refused to date any of the men in town who kept asking her. No more relationships. Been there, done that, had the tee shirt to prove it. Seemingly, her judgment where men were concerned was seriously flawed.But the minute she'd clapped eyes on him at Heart Starter, every female hormone stood up and saluted while all her girl parts began planning a celebration. She was tempted for the first time since she'd run home to Red Creek, pulling the tatters of her life around her. She wanted to think it was because she'd been on sexual hiatus for a long time while she sorted out her l
Lexie and Killian Chapter 7
Lexie was a little nervous as she gave him directions. How would he react when she took him past some of Dusty'saccomplishments. She knew how all the sons felt about the man. Lordy, the whole town knew. But if Killian was really Dusty Walker's son, then he should know the man was someone other than a guy who didn't marry Killian's mother. She pointed out the playground at the little park in the middle of a residential section. The new wing he'd paid for at the small retirement home. The high school where he'd paid for computers."There's evidence of his giving nature everywhere," Lexie told him. "He's bought businesses going under, propped them up, and let the owners stay there rent-free until they got on their feet. Helped folks with their mortgages, and he saved more than one or two farms around here.""Okay, okay, okay," Killian said at last. "I get it. The man was a goddamn saint. A fucking angel. Wonderful. I'll get him a halo.""He wasn't a saint at all, but he was more than y
Lexie and Killian Chapter 8
"Um, yes, we can do that. I'd like that. Absolutely."The smile he gave her curled her toes. "Great."The atmosphere for the rest of the dinner was much more relaxed. Killian told her about growing up in Montana, how he'd been in love with ranching all his life, and how his love for it had continued to grow. She talked about Red Creek, about her parents who owned a wheat farm outside of town, and her brother who was a Marine stationed in Afghanistan."And you run Heart Starter," he commented. "Did you always want to be a shopkeeper? A barista?"Now it was her turn to laugh. "Barista," she repeated. "That's a fancy word for Red Creek. Maybe not my childhood dream, but I enjoy it.""So what was your dream growing up?"She hesitated. Should she tell him about that dream, the one she was still chasing? No, not yet. Most people who knew about it chalked it up to a hobby, and unless something spectacular happened, that was probably what it would remain. Especially after her one disastr
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