My Girl Read online

  Praise for Jacquie Biggar

  Crazy Little Thing Called Love

  A touching, heartwarming story that takes your breath away.

  Characters that will have you feeling so many emotions. It deals with family, misunderstandings, ranch life, horses, life long love and of course Pumpkin the cat.

  Tony and Sophia’s story had me laughing, crying and a bit frustrated with them at times. To me that is good writing when I can be moved to so many emotions while reading . The story is so good, I couldn’t put it down.

  B

  Hold ‘Em

  This story is Laugh out loud funny at times and heartwarmingly tender at others! Both Matt and Cassandra have suffered a lot growing up, have overcome a lot and seem to have such high hopes for their respective futures. But first they just need to get through one measly week without killing each other! But can they? I can't recommend this novella highly enough - it's so worth 1-clicking then snuggling up on the couch to just get lost in and ENJOY!

  Barbara

  My Girl

  Gambling Hearts- Book 3

  Jacquie Biggar

  Wavefront Publishing

  Copyright © 2019 by Jacquie Biggar

  All rights reserved.

  This is a work of fiction. Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

  No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

  All images are either the property of the author or provided by free sources, unless stated otherwise.

  Created with Vellum

  For my Family

  My daughter is the greatest gift my husband ever gave me.

  Love, always

  Children are the world’s greatest healer.

  Jacquie Biggar

  Contents

  Introduction

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Epilogue

  Afterword

  Acknowledgments

  Free Download!

  Preview Skating on Thin Ice

  About the Author

  Also by Jacquie Biggar

  Introduction

  Sometimes, the right decision isn't the easiest one to make

  Trish Sylvester knows her family and when they accept a week long stay at a rustic dude ranch, she is concerned- especially since it's at her ex's home.

  Aaron is overjoyed at the opening of his family's guest ranch, until he learns their first guest is his ex-girlfriend, her parents--and a fiancé.

  And that isn't the only surprise.

  1

  Aaron Shaughnessy reined Dickens to a halt on a ridge overlooking the southern boundary of the family ranch, the valley spread before him. A shimmering ribbon of water slowly meandered while Charolais and Black Angus grazed on grass deep enough to tickle their bellies. Birds and butterflies flitted from the broad backs of the cattle to wildflowers dotting the landscape and back again—winged soldiers riding great steeds. The cool breeze caressing his skin was a pleasant change from the overly warm day. He’d been riding on Balmoral land for hours, checking fence and mending barbwire. He was tired and sore but satisfied with his accomplishments.

  He patted the Andalusian’s satiny gray neck. “You worked hard today, big guy. Time for dinner?” The horse’s nod jangled the bit and bridle. His long black mane tickled Aaron’s hand at rest on his thigh. “Okay, let’s go then.”

  With little more than a touch of the reins, the gelding wheeled and trotted toward home, his stomach’s inner compass infallible.

  “Matt sure has you trained well.” Aaron chuckled. He’d originally been against the horse breeding program, but three years later it was proving to be a viable business venture. It figured—everything his brother touched turned to gold.

  Or gambling chips.

  As wagers go, the way Matt met his wife, Cassandra, had definitely paid off. Cass enriched their family with her quick wit and kindness. She’d been a good influence on his impetuous sister, Sophia, as well, though the high-class advertising executive that came home from New York City last year bore little resemblance to the kid sister he’d tormented as a child. He still couldn’t figure out how she’d convinced his private brother to open the homestead up as a dude ranch. Hell, he wasn’t sure he liked it himself and he was the social one.

  On the way down from the ridgeline, he stopped to check on the rock berms he’d constructed to conserve water for the land. The pipe sticking out of the hill poured into a five-hundred-gallon reservoir that in turn fed the streams and ponds in this section, along with the hacienda. They’d also implemented a plan to rid the farm of invasive plants, such as the Ashe juniper, and scatter the seeds for native grasses. Slowly but surely the drought-ridden land was making a recovery.

  Matt thought he was wasting his time.

  Dickens tossed his head.

  “Yeah, me too, boy. He has a way of cutting a guy off at the knees, doesn’t he?” Much as he loved this land, Aaron had a feeling his days here were numbered. He couldn’t keep butting heads with his brother without it destroying the family.

  They rode into the courtyard just as a group of five trotted in from the west. Stark white cowboy hats, starched shirts and stiff jeans proclaimed them city folk almost as much as the rigid postures and mixture of trepidation and excitement in their expressions. Riding a horse for the first time was a thrill, but it came with a price tag. They’d be wise to make use of the hot tub later—after grooming their animals, of course. This guest ranch operated on the premise, Balmoral; for a full Cowboy Experience. Their visitors paid good money to earn those sore muscles.

  Aaron nodded to a smiling Sophia and was about to guide Dickens around the crowd when a sudden cry caught his attention. A woman—riding at the back of the group—fought her agitated horse. She yanked on the reins, arms flailing as the animal snorted and reared before sidestepping sharply away from the fountain in the center of the courtyard. Spooked by the commotion, the other horses whinnied, bumping against each other and creating instant pandemonium for their riders.

  Sophia grasped the reins of a bay ridden by a screaming older woman and narrowly missed getting knocked off her own mount in the process. Aaron nudged Dickens with his knees and leaned forward in the saddle. The animal leaped across the distance, ears back and sides quivering. As soon as they were near enough, he launched from his saddle onto the back of the piebald carrying the first distraught woman. He wrapped his arms around her waist to hold her in the saddle and grabbed for the reins before she dropped them. The horse, thoroughly panicked, took off at a gallop, shoes clattering on the cobblestones. He kicked up dirt as he veered up one of the trails. Short of sawing on the poor animal’s mouth, the only thing Aaron could do was let him ride out his terror.

  Powerful hindquarters bunched under his legs. He tightened his grip on the trembling woman, his seat precarious on the bay’s rump. If either of them fell now, they could be trampled. Her hat had fallen off in the scuffl
e and a long stream of blond hair prevented him from seeing where they were going.

  “Hang on,” he shouted, and thought he heard her sharp retort, “No kidding.” Great, a smart ass.

  Slow and easy, bit by bit, he hauled back on the reins, giving the horse a chance to get over his fright. By the time he settled down, they were a couple of miles from home. Aaron moved the reins to his left hand and braced his fingers on the cantle—uncomfortably close to the stranger’s shapely behind sheathed in dark blue denim. He pushed off the horse’s rump, landing with a soft thud in the dirt. The animal side-stepped nervously, but the fight had gone out of him. The black and white patched head hung, his neck flecked with sweaty foam, sides heaving.

  “What did you do to my horse?”

  Huh? Aaron squinted at the shadowy image, her appearance hidden within the brilliant rays of the sun. He didn’t need to see her to know she was annoying, though. He gathered the reins, moved to the piebald’s head and rubbed his forehead. “It’s okay, big guy. Something freaked you out back there, didn’t it? If you had an experienced rider—”

  “I am experienced, Aaron Shaughnessy, and well you know it.”

  That voice. Aaron’s teeth clenched as his stomach did a nose-dive. “Trish? What are you doing here?”

  His ex-girlfriend gracefully swung her leg over the horse’s back and dropped to the ground at his side. Brilliant sea green eyes mocked his obviously shocked expression. “Why do I get the feeling you aren’t happy to see me?”

  2

  Sophia scrambled to bring the jittery horses under control and smiled her relief when Tony rode into the fray to help. Her husband of nine months liked to keep a watchful eye on her, and at moments like these she was grateful.

  “Whoa. Whoa, there,” he said, nudging his mount next to Mr. Sylvester’s.

  The older man, far from looking appreciative, snarled and threw him the reins. “If this is how you run a business, no wonder it’s failing.”

  Sophia’s heart plunged. She’d looked forward to having the Sylvester’s out to the ranch after a disastrous end to the business relationship with their son last year. Now, it was all falling apart.

  She forced a smile. “Don’t worry, my brother will keep your daughter safe. I really don’t understand how this happened. Matt is an experienced trainer. These horses are normally so calm children ride them.”

  “That’s hardly a recommendation—considering.” The third person in their guest party sat his saddle with confidence. He’d been introduced as Trish Sylvester’s fiancé, which begged the question; what was he doing here instead of seeing to her protection?

  “Kyle, be a dear and help me off of this, this… beast,” Mrs. Sylvester said, her voice papery thin. He looked startled but dismounted to give her a hand.

  Mr. Sylvester eyed his wife with disgust before following suit. He turned to Sophia and ignored Tony completely. “My daughter had better return without harm, or I will sue you into the ground.” He grasped his wife’s hand and stomped toward the hacienda.

  Sophia frowned at Kyle’s smirk. “Aren’t you concerned about your fiancée?” He hadn’t shown the slightest inclination to go after her.

  He shrugged. “She’s been on a horse before. Maybe you haven’t noticed, but her family is rather melodramatic. She’ll be fine.”

  Tony didn’t even try to hide his opinion of the other man. He shook his head and gathered the reins of all the horses. “I’d better get these animals taken care of—you coming?” He looked at Sophia, his blue eyes cool.

  She hesitated, torn between duty to her guest and the urge to walk away before she said something she’d regret. “Would you like to help us groom the horses?” she asked, the politeness Gran had instilled in her winning out.

  Kyle laughed. “I’ll give it a pass. Besides, that’s what the staff gets paid to do, isn’t it?” He nodded toward Tony.

  Sophia bristled. “Tony happens to be my husband,” she snapped. Decision made. She strode to her cowboy and planted a kiss on his mouth. “Let’s get out of here, something stinks.”

  Tony grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”

  She glanced over her shoulder. “I trust you can find your way to the hacienda, Mr. Lane? Consuela will have dinner ready by five.”

  “Five?” he asked incredulously. “And what do you expect us to do for the rest of the evening?”

  “I have an idea or two,” Tony said under his breath.

  “Shh,” she whispered, stifling the urge to giggle. He made her feel like the teenage girl who’d first fallen for the handsome young man her father had rescued from a bad situation. “We rise early on the ranch, you’ll want to get some rest,” she said aloud to the annoying guest they were leaving behind.

  When she’d planned a dude ranch with so much excitement, she’d figured Matt for a hard sell, not the people who paid them to stay. This was harder than she expected. Maybe she’d made a mistake.

  “Stop it,” Tony ordered and used his free arm to draw her next to his whipcord lean body. “I can practically hear that sweet head of yours second-guessing yourself and believe me, guys like that are not worth the time.”

  She burrowed under his arm and hugged him close. “What if he’s right? Matt hated my idea, and Aaron—”

  He stopped and turned her toward him. “Soph, it’s a good plan. If it saves the ranch, your brothers are going to bow at your feet. I’m serious,” he said when she shook her head. “Stop doubting yourself, honey. I believe in you. Now you just have to learn to trust your judgement.” He tipped her chin up and gently kissed her lips. “Come on. If we hurry, we might have time for a nap before dinner.”

  Her pulse kicked up its heels, well aware of what he meant by nap. How did she get so lucky? Tony was everything she could ever have longed for in a husband—and soon-to-be father. She’d been saving the news for a special occasion, and today felt right. Laughing, overcome with joy, she tugged on her lover’s hand. “What are you waiting for?”

  How did she get so lucky?

  Trish stared at the golden Adonis at her side and cursed the ground her parents walked upon. They’d promised—promised—Aaron would not be at the ranch for the duration of their stay. Thank goodness she had Kyle.

  “Surprised?” she taunted, while inside butterflies swirled giddily. She placed a hand over her tummy to quell the fluttering.

  “It’s been a long time,” he said, his gaze stripping her bare.

  She stiffened but forced herself not to react. Not an easy task. Aaron Shaughnessy wasn’t a man to ignore. “How have you been?”

  He chuckled but the humor never came near his eyes. “Do you care?” He shook his head. “Never mind, it doesn’t matter. What are you doing here, Trish?”

  Here it was; the million-dollar question. She suddenly ached to tell him the truth. To talk, really talk, like they used to for hours and hours—about anything and everything. She’d known him better than his own family.

  It had been her with the secrets.

  She turned away on the pretext of patting her horse’s neck. “At least he didn’t throw me, that’s good news.”

  “Don’t turn your back on me.” Aaron grasped her shoulder and swung her around, startling the gelding into sidestepping.

  They struck sparks off each other—always had. A thrill ran down her spine, but she viciously tamped it down and broke free. “Still the same, I see. It’s your way or the highway.” She’d never been so alive as when she and Aaron had dated. A hard ball of regret burned in her chest.

  He raised his hands and took a step back, giving them both some space. “Look… I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I don’t want you here. I’ll take you to the hacienda, and you can pack your bags. Hell, I’ll even call you a cab—after that I don’t ever want to see you again. We clear?”

  Well, she’d known this wasn’t going to be easy.

  “You might want to talk to your sister about that. She’s the one who invited us.”

  3

>   The ride back to the compound was made in grim silence. Aaron led the way and kept a firm grip on the other horse’s lead while Trish had a stranglehold on the pommel. Tempted to trot and increase her discomfort, he couldn’t bring himself to be that rude.

  That was her forte.

  The sun lay on the horizon in a golden-red globe by the time they arrived. Tía Consuela rushed out of the house to greet them, long skirts swishing in the dust.

  “There you are. I worried you wouldn’t find the sweet miss,” she called. Her smile revealed deep dimples in her leathery cheeks. “That barn cat has to go.”

  Trish surprised him by hopping out of the saddle as though she was a seasoned rider. “What cat?” she asked, leaning over to straighten her pant legs.

  Aaron jerked his gaze away from her mile-long legs and dismounted. He ground-tied their horses and bent to give his aunt a kiss. “How are you feeling today? What did the doctor say?”

  Consuela patted his cheek. “Tut, tut, my dear boy. I told you not to worry. I’m going to be just fine.” She turned to Trish. “I’m so sorry, Miss, it was my fault. If I hadn’t started feeding the stray cat that showed up a couple of weeks ago, this would never have happened.”