Why not Wyoming? (Wyoming Wilds Series Book 1) Read online

  Why not Wyoming?

  Copyright © 2016 Anneliese Brand

  All rights reserved by author.

  Published by Wynwidyn Press, LLC

  No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission contact the publisher at:

  Wynwidyn Press, LLC

  Attention: Permissions Department

  425 Rose, Pinckney, Michigan, 48169

  Cover Art By: Clarissa Yeo @ www.yocladesigns.com

  Title Page & Author Logo By: Cara Maib @ www.cara-maib-design.com

  Print Layout Design By: Dave Reed

  eBook Formatting By: Bob Houston eBook Formatting

  For my Finn,

  Thanks for holding my hand and kicking my butt as needed.

  Table of Contents

  Dedication

  Chaper One

  Chaper Two

  Chaper Three

  Chaper Four

  Chaper Five

  Chaper Six

  Chaper Seven

  Chaper Eight

  Chaper Nine

  Chaper Ten

  Chaper Eleven

  Chaper Twelve

  Chaper Thirteen

  Chaper Fourteen

  Chaper Fifteen

  Chaper Sixteen

  Chaper Seventeen

  Chaper Eighteen

  Chaper Nineteen

  Chaper Twenty

  Chaper Twenty-One

  Chaper Twenty-Two

  Chaper Twenty-Three

  Chaper Twenty-Four

  Chaper Twenty-Five

  Chaper Twenty-Six

  Chaper Twenty-Seven

  Why not Chocolate

  About the Author

  Coming Soon

  Why not

  Wyoming?

  Snow crunched under her boots, each step agony. Her lungs burned in the thin mountain air. Burying the snowboard in a drift, Annie leaned over to catch her breath. When her beauty queen cousin had squealed the words destination wedding, sun, surf and little umbrellas hadn’t sounded too bad. Bunny hills and bruises had been a surprise.

  Squinting against the blinding sun, she let her gaze crawl up the trail that led to the lodge and groaned. As an author, Annie wasn’t embarrassed to admit she was a sedentary creature. As beautiful as the Bighorns were, the massive stone fireplace in the main room, Wi-Fi, and an endless supply of hot chocolate was much more her speed. She could admire nature’s glory through the two story windows. Nice, insulated double pane windows. Approaching engine whine startled her.

  Raising a hand against the sun, she watched the powerful sled skim over the snow and come to a stop a couple of feet away. The snowmobile carried the lodge logo, but the Carhartt-clad rider wasn’t one of the pretty boy instructors she’d met so far. Stocky and full-cheeked under a closely trimmed beard, his smile held a boyish charm.

  “All pooped out?”

  Annie laughed at his candor. “I am. I’d love to blame it on the altitude, but the truth of the matter is, I’m just woefully out of shape.”

  He laughed with her and patted the black vinyl behind him. “Hop on. I’ll give you a ride up to the lodge.”

  Throwing a leg over the seat, she slid the snowboard between them and hooked an arm around his waist. He patted her hand and gunned the engine. They were at the magnificent front doors minutes later. Ignoring the protest of her thighs, Annie stepped off with as much grace as possible.

  “Thank you for the lift.”

  “My pleasure.”

  She hesitated, searching for a way to extend the conversation. “Do you work here, or are you a wedding guest?”

  He pushed his sunglasses up on his forehead to reveal startling blue eyes crinkled in amusement. “A little of both. My parents own the lodge, but the groom is my cousin.” He extended his hand. “CJ Barrett.”

  “Annie Brand,” she said, tugging off a glove to shake hands. “Cousin of the bride.”

  CJ’s brows jumped in surprise and something else. “Uh…I think I’m your escort down the aisle.”

  Annie willed the ground to open and swallow her whole. From CJ’s expression, she could almost guess what Tyler had said to his cousin about her. I need you to take one for the team, Bro. She felt heat creep into her cheeks and tried to deflect with humor.

  “You could have it worse. Have you seen the bridesmaid dresses? I thought my Disney princess days were long past.”

  She got the laugh. Nibbling at her chapped bottom lip, she tamped down the snow around her boots with the end of the snowboard. His large hand settled over one of hers. She hadn’t even heard him get off the snowmobile. He’d unzipped his coat. A simple navy t-shirt stretched across his barrel chest and solid middle. With his dimples and furry face, he was a big ol’ teddy bear.

  “I’ll take care of that for you.”

  “Thanks. I should get ready for rehearsal. Maybe a good soak will ease the pain if not my pride,” she said, giving her behind a rueful rub with her free hand.

  “I guess I should go find Ty and ask what the dress code for this thing is.”

  “I don’t know about you cowboys, but we girls have matching dresses and fringed boots for the shindig.”

  His lips twitched before he brought a hand up to cover a grin. “Miss America doesn’t mess around. Can I hope for a swimsuit event after dinner?”

  “God, I hope not,” Annie groaned. “It’s bad enough being a shrub among the trees without adding that humiliation to the weekend. And it’s Miss USA. I wouldn’t get that wrong in front of the bride if I were you.”

  CJ frowned. “What’s the difference?”

  “If I hadn’t been barraged by tales of tulle and tiaras since Crystal was a toddler, I wouldn’t know either. They’re two different pageants. The big thing is that Miss USA goes on to represent her country in the Miss Universe pageant.”

  “My bad.” The flash of dimples under his beard robbed the words of much actual remorse. “Now what was that about trees and shrubs? That’s more my world.”

  “Just a short joke. Have you seen Crystal’s mighty model clique?” she asked waving a hand over her head to indicate the other bridesmaids’ towering stature. Slipping her other hand out from under the warmth of his on the snowboard, she backed to the steps. “Speaking of which, I better get in there and get a shot at the mirror ahead of the crowd.”

  “You are going to shave before the wedding tomorrow.”

  CJ blinked. The pinched-face planner hadn’t phrased the words as a question. Conversation in the banquet hall had ceased at the statement. Family and the rest of the wedding party were staring at him. He glanced uncertainly at Tyler.

  “It’s best if he keeps the facial fuzz. CJ still looks about twelve without his beard,” his handsome cousin said, slapping him on the shoulder.

  CJ let out his held breath, ignoring the insult. “Thanks, Cuz.”

  The bride’s laugh seemed a tad forced, but she didn’t contradict Tyler’s decision. CJ just caught Annie’s pretty hazel eyes before she turned back to a conversation with Miss California. Or was that Miss Texas? He rolled his eyes. They all looked the same, and Annie looked as out of place as he felt. He hadn’t taken his eyes off her since she’d come down the stairs. Bulky ski-wear didn’t do her justice. Maybe 5’4 with long waves of brown hair that framed her face, she stood out in the sea of cookie cutter blondes. Her curves filled out the flirty off-white lace dress in a way the stick-thin queen clique couldn’t. She made cowgirl chic look sexy.

  He followed her to the beverage table. When she
hesitated he picked up the champagne and tilted the bottle toward her in invitation. Her nose wrinkled seemingly before she realized what she was doing. She blushed.

  “Sorry. No offense. I uh…apparently I have no class,” she said awkwardly. “Really, I’m not much of a drinker but when I do, I don’t want to taste the alcohol. I have a sweet tooth.” She rubbed her bare arms. “Truthfully, right now I could really go for one of those amazing hot chocolates.”

  “I can make that happen,” he said with a tilt of his head toward the kitchen.

  CJ watched Annie out of the corner of his eye as he started melting the chocolate. Her fingers still slid up and down her bare arms but here in the warmth of the kitchen, it seemed more in distraction than chill.

  “I’ve never seen anyone make it like this. I should’ve known something that good didn’t come out of a tin.”

  “You’ll be spoiled after this. Every time I have to drink instant I think of Mom’s.”

  Shrill laughter filtered in from the banquet room. Annie winced and looked toward the door. He wondered if the cousins were close and if Crystal’s joy was ever genuine? While they didn’t have much in common, Ty was a good kid. CJ hoped he would be happy in his marriage.

  “I’ll be glad when this weekend is over,” Annie murmured.

  “Not a fan of the West?”

  She looked startled, like she hadn’t meant to speak out loud.

  “What I’ve seen is spectacular. I could curl up by your fireplace and gaze at that view forever. God, it would be a perfect place to write. I’d even love to see some of this country from the back of a horse or a four-wheeler, but for my sanity and the bride’s, this wedding needs to be over.”

  “So she’s not always like this?”

  “No,” Annie said shaking her head. “She’s just nervous. She really wants everything to go off without a hitch and your family to like her.”

  “If she makes Ty happy, everyone will love her.”

  “She’s trying. You ought to hear the way she raves about him.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s definitely her Prince Charming.”

  “Trust me. It’s a mutual admiration then. Ty’s crazy about her.” He added the heavy cream and milk to the pan before glancing back at Annie. “After what you said about trees and shrubs, I wasn’t sure how close you two were.”

  “We’re night and day in more than looks, but she helps bring me out of my shell and I’m like the steady companion pony that escorts the thoroughbred to the starting gate.”

  CJ fumbled the spoon. Annie laughed.

  “We’re both horse crazy so when my aunt came up with that comparison we thought it was us.”

  He cleared his throat, frowning. “You do know that not all riders like thoroughbreds?”

  She was quiet for a moment.

  “Um … are we still talking about horses?”

  He felt heat creeping up his neck.

  “Not every guy goes for the skinny blondes,” he muttered. “Some of us like curves.”

  “I’m so glad you didn’t say ‘a little meat on their bones.’ I hate that one.”

  It was his turn to roll his eyes. “I’m just saying, you don’t need to run yourself down because you’re not six-foot-tall and someone else’s twisted perception of picture perfect. You women are too hard on yourselves. That dress looks ten times hotter on you with a little something to fill it out.”

  He could feel her staring at him, but was afraid to meet her eyes. She didn’t say anything. Had he offended her? Why had he opened his mouth?

  “I’m glad you’re keeping the beard. It’s sexy.”

  The words startled him as much as her touch. CJ stole a sidelong glance at the brunette as her hand stroked his cheek. Her voice was as soft as her touch.

  “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable,” she continued, her fingers combing through the dark hair before they fell away. “I have a bad habit of trying to slip jokes in before others can. It’s better to be laughed with than at.”

  “You’re a good looking woman. You’ve got to know that.”

  “Thank you. That’s sweet. I’m usually much more comfortable in my own skin. Or at least my own PJs,” she said with a blush and little laugh. “Seriously, I’m no skinny Minnie, but I know I’m not fat. It’s just been a challenge being surrounded by a bevy of pageant queens for the shower, bachelorette party, and these last few days leading up to the wedding. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to plan party food for this group?”

  CJ couldn’t help but chuckle. “I bet that isn’t easy.”

  “I might need a vacation from my vacation,” she said wryly.

  “I heard you telling my mom that you’re an author,” he said slowly. “You could stay and enjoy the Wi-Fi, fireplace, and hot chocolate after the wedding circus leaves town.”

  Her eyes searched his as her hands closed around the warm mug.

  “It might be nice to see more of the Bighorn Mountains if I could do it on something more stable than a snowboard.”

  Her hazel eyes sparkled with the shared joke. Taking a risk, CJ let his hand slide across her hip and around to give her round bottom a light rub, letting her know he got the jest. One of her eyebrows quirked, but she didn’t move away.

  “I think that could be arranged. The lodge has snowmobiles and all sort of all-terrain vehicles. There're not many places my Jeep can’t go. Or, as you mentioned horses, I have a couple at home getting fat in their stalls.”

  “Sounds like you have this all thought out,” she said, lips pursed in a playful smile.

  “If you decide there are too many people around the lodge, there is a smaller version of that fieldstone fireplace at my house. I think you’d enjoy the view there too,” he said, pitching his voice lower.

  Annie nestled closer, taking a sip from her mug. “Hmm … what about the hot chocolate?”

  “I can make that happen.”

  Annie shifted slightly as someone dropped down in the oversized beanbag with her. The bride’s suite was packed with lounging females all bedecked in camouflage onesies. It was quite the sight. The fleece sleepwear had been part of their bridesmaid gift package and bore a pink heart logo on the breast. Crosshairs marked the romantic symbol zeroing in on the surname Barrett and the wedding date stitched in the middle. The whole thing was adorable. If the wedding location hadn’t proved Crystal was head over heels for her Western lover, the PJs had. Annie peeked over at her cousin and smiled at the exaggerated pout on her lips. The wheels were turning. Something was bothering her.

  “You’ve been quiet since rehearsal,” the blonde said as if on cue.

  “You know me. Just soaking it all in and filing it away for later.”

  “Ah, planning out the bridezilla chapter for your torrid tell-all,” Crystal said, nudging her shoulder at the long-standing joke.

  Annie shrugged, hand fluttering in airy disinterest. “I don’t know, maybe with a hot hubby in the mix you’ll finally be interesting enough to write about.”

  Crystal gasped in outrage, grabbing a throw pillow to pummel her with.

  “If you’re filming this for posterity I think the groom would prefer you disrobe and pick one of the hotter bridesmaids,” Annie said, half-heartedly shielding herself from the cushy barrage.

  “Hush up, you! This isn’t a Victoria’s Secret Sleepover Special,” Crystal snapped, but her eyes were unable to mask her amusement. She turned around to flop back down beside her. “So if it’s not a sure best seller, what were you thinking about?”

  Annie shrugged, all too aware of the others in the room. Tiny frown lines marred Crystal’s forehead and she snuggled closer, voice lowering.

  “What’s bothering you? Did someone hurt your feelings?”

  “I have thicker skin than that, Crys.”

  “I know, but some of them can get…catty,” she said, endearing in her awkwardness. “I think I would’ve gone crazy this last month without you. A lot of stuff has fallen on you and I want you to know how much I appre
ciate you always being there for me. As silly as it sounds, I want you to enjoy my wedding. You might not … I mean this could be one of the last times we get to spend a lot of time together. So if something is bothering you, let me fix it.”

  The words died on the vine unsaid, but the meaning was clear. Poor little Annie should live vicariously through Crystal like she did her fiction because she might never get the fairytale of her own. Annie swallowed her irritation. How many times had well-meaning friends and family said something similar? Well, she wasn’t ready to throw in the towel and adopt a cat or ten. Thirty was hardly over-the-hill. Hell, she’d been hit on by a handsome man just tonight who seemed more than interested in getting to know her better. Drawing a calming breath through her nose, she forced lightness into her voice that she wasn’t feeling anymore.

  “Nothing is bothering me, Crys. I was just thinking about CJ.”

  The blonde’s frown deepened. “CJ?”

  “Tyler’s cousin,” Annie supplied.

  “With the beard,” Crystal said, at least nodding now. “Did he do something? If you don’t like him the planner will have a hissy, but there’s still time to move people around. It’s just that even at six foot, he’s a couple of inches shorter than the next groomsman and I thought—”

  Annie put a hand up to stop the babble. “CJ hasn’t done anything other than be a total sweetheart. Stop trying to fix what isn’t broken.”

  “I know he’s a little, umm … doughy. Or maybe chunky is a better word, but Tyler said CJ has always been that guy who would do anything for him,” Crystal said twisting the cuff of her pajamas. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Plus his parents are the aunt and uncle that own the lodge. They’re giving us this amazing package on the whole weekend.”

  “Stop. Did you hear what I said? CJ is an absolute sweetheart. Don’t change a thing. And have you wrapped your arms around him? The man is solid. He has a great chest and shoulders.”

  “I’m not a big fan of the beard, but those blue eyes are really pretty,” Crystal said, still trying to sell the poor man. Suddenly, she blinked. “Wait. You hugged him?”