Chapter 1

Summit County, Colorado

April 1879

"Can't believe she's really gonna marry a scallywag like you." Maverick Oakley punched his best friend's arm. "She must be desperate."

Sterling Noble straightened his black string bow tie. "What can I say? I'm irresistible."

Maverick stuck a finger into his own bow tie and loosened it. Even then it still felt like it was strangling him, just like it had since the moment he'd put it on.

They stood side by side in front of the bureau mirror in the room Sterling had always shared with his brothers. Maverick was an inch or so shorter than his friend's six feet three inches, and he had leaner facial features with a square jawline and more prominent chin. His hair was darker—almost black—compared to Sterling's lighter brown, and he had blue eyes while Sterling's were brown.

Other than that, they both had rugged, muscular frames that came from years of hard work on their families' bordering ranches. Their skin was weathered from the sun and wind of Colorado's high country. Although most of the time they had a layer of scruff on their jaws, today, on Sterling's wedding day, they were both clean shaven.

Sterling was staring at himself, his eyes wide and filled with trepidation.

Maverick gave his friend a nod. "Violet's real lucky. You're a good man, the best. She couldn't ask for anyone better."

Beneath his collar and tie, Sterling's Adam's apple rose then fell. "Hope I can make her happy the way she deserves."

"You will."

A light rap sounded on the door.

Sterling didn't move, continued to examine himself as if he were counting his flaws and all the ways he didn't measure up.

"Come in." Maverick took charge for his friend, guessing he'd be nervous on his wedding day too. Not that he was getting married anytime soon. He hadn't cared about women, not for months. Not since his pa had died. He actually hadn't cared a whole heap about anything. Even today, he was having a hard time mustering the appropriate enthusiasm.

The door opened, and Hazel stepped into the room. "You fellows ready?"

Sterling's kid sister had her hair done up in a fancy style, with what appeared to be little pearls woven throughout. She was wearing a silvery gown that shimmered in the spring sunshine that was pouring through the room's tall window.

Maverick wasn't used to seeing her all gussied up. Most days at work, she wore her sturdy corduroy skirts, tall leather boots, a duster coat over a simple blouse, and a hat with her hair tucked up out of sight.

Even though he'd seen her nearly every day since she'd taken the position of broodmare manager last autumn, he rarely got a view of her fair hair, blond like a light-colored sorrel.

With her forehead puckered, her bronze-colored eyes swung between him and Sterling. "What's wrong?"

"Nothin'." He answered for Sterling, clamping his friend on his shoulder and squeezing. "We were about to head downstairs."

Hazel didn't respond, the sure sign she didn't believe him. That was the thing about Hazel—she could read emotions in people and animals better than anyone. It's what made her so good with horses and why his pa had hired her.

Maverick stuck a finger into his collar again, that familiar strangling sensation returning. His pa wouldn't be at the wedding today because of him and his foolishness. His pa wouldn't be at any event ever again, big or little, important or not.

An ache swelled in Maverick's chest, and he drew in a quick breath to try to push it back down.

At his intake, Hazel's gaze softened. He hadn't told her what he was feeling, hadn't shared about the remorse that was turning into self-loathing, but he suspected she knew, almost as though she could visibly see his pain and understood why the day was hard for him.

Giving himself a hard mental shake, he grasped Sterling by the shoulder and began to guide him toward the door. "Let's go, big fella. Time to get hitched."

Sterling went along willingly. "Reckon you're right."

Hazel moved into the hallway and waved them ahead of her. Sterling took a step, but then paused in front of the door across the hall, where Violet was getting ready with her sister and mother.

She was perfect for Sterling in every way. He'd been crazy about her since the day her family had moved to Breckenridge and he'd first laid eyes on her a year ago.

The trouble was that Violet didn't adore Sterling to the same extent—at least, from what Maverick could tell. She was a real nice gal and all, but there were times when Maverick wasn't sure she was ready to settle down.

He'd been surprised when Sterling had proposed marriage to her a few months ago, especially since the two hadn't been courting all that long. But Maverick had supported Sterling the way any best friend would. In fact, he'd even helped Sterling with his proposal plans, the plans they'd made when they'd been younger and had dreamed up how they'd each propose to the woman they fell in love with.

Sterling had decided he would propose by taking his true love skiing to nearby Devil's Glen, have a romantic dinner in an old miner's cabin there, and then ask her to marry him during dessert.

Maverick had been the one to ski out to the cabin ahead of time. He'd set up everything, including table linens, candles, and pine boughs to freshen the scent. He'd even brought the meal the Nobles' family cook had made. Maverick had ensured that every detail was perfect.

The January day had been beautiful, and the conditions had been just right. Sterling had proposed to Violet the way he'd always planned. The problem was Sterling had taken Violet by surprise, and she'd turned him down. He'd come back from the monumental event crushed.

The next weekend, Violet had apologized to him and accepted the proposal. Course, Sterling loved her enough to put aside his disappointment and had given her the ring again.

Now with the coming of April, the big day had arrived.

Sterling hesitated in the hallway. Was he thinking of stopping and talking with Violet?

Maverick steered him away from the door. "Naw, you don't get to see her yet."

Sterling shuffled forward. "Just wanted to talk to her through the door and make sure she's all right."

"Everything's fine." Maverick gave him a shove. "Now c'mon."

Sterling nodded, as though trying to convince himself that everything really was fine. Then he started down the stairs, and Maverick trailed him with Hazel on his heels.

Family and friends were milling about in the entryway of the Nobles' sprawling ranch house. The double doors leading to the front parlor were open, revealing more guests waiting for the start of the ceremony.

In years past, Maverick's whole family would have been at a gathering like this. His pa and ma and five siblings. But today...

His gaze snagged on his twin sisters, Clementine and Clarabelle, who were seated on a settee just inside the parlor where they were chatting with Mrs. Noble. Besides himself, they were the only Oakleys at the wedding. And Clarabelle had almost stayed home because she hadn't wanted to leave Ma's bedside.

Ma's pale face and listless body flashed to the front of his mind. Not only had his foolishness cost Pa his life, but it was costing Ma hers too. She was dying of a broken heart, and with each passing day, she was only getting worse.

Sterling finished descending amidst warm congratulations, but Maverick paused near the bottom of the stairway and swallowed hard.

What was more, without Pa there, the family was falling apart, and it was all because of him.

Maybe he hadn't been directly responsible for all that had happened to cause the big rift between Ryder and Tanner, but if Pa had been there, he would have known what to do to make them see reason. In fact, his two younger brothers probably wouldn't have started fighting at all, not with Pa intervening and bringing about peace.

At a gentle hand on his shoulder, Maverick shifted to find Hazel on the step above him. Her warm gaze seemed to encourage him that everything would be all right.

But he knew the truth deep inside. Nothing would ever be all right again.

He pulled at his tie, loosening it another notch. Even then, his breathing turned shallow, and he couldn't seem to get enough air.

With franticness rising inside, he glanced around for an escape and locked in on the front door. He needed to step outside... for a few seconds.

He broke away from Hazel's hold and descended the last couple of steps. "Be right back." He tossed her what he hoped was a grateful look. "Need a fresh lungful."

She was peering at her mother, who was motioning at her to hurry. "Don't take too long. Everyone is waiting for the wedding to start."

He was already winding his way past the guests to the front door. Although he was tempted to remind Hazel he wasn't holding things up, that Violet and Sterling were the ones dallying, he bit back his comment and pushed out the door.

He stepped onto the wraparound porch that faced Bald Mountain and the range lining the eastern part of Summit County. The rocky peaks were covered in a thick layer of snow that the high-altitude sun was slowly beginning to melt away.

The pasture spreading out in front of the Nobles' house was still barren and brown with patches of snow piled in the shade of boulders or brush. Hints of green were beginning to make an appearance, but it would be another month before blue grama grass began to flourish again.

As he crossed the porch and started down the steps, he sucked in a deep breath of the cool air. The dampness of soil and the waft of cattle and manure filled his nostrils.

He wasn't ready for the wedding, wasn't ready to be around everyone, wasn't ready for going on with life as if everything was the same as it had always been when it had all changed.

He followed the flagstone path forward several feet. Then he halted and inhaled again, his sights on the towering range ahead. If only he could be as strong and solid as the mountains, just like his pa. But he was all too often hotheaded and hasty.

Squaring his shoulders, he stuffed his hands into his trouser pockets. As he swept his gaze over the beauty of the wild mountain valley, the sadness in his chest spread into his limbs. Although he loved the high country, no one had loved it more than Pa.

For the past fourteen years since leaving their horse farm in Kentucky, Pa had done everything he could to build a new life for his family in Colorado. After years of hard work, Pa had finally begun to see the rewards of his efforts. The High Country Ranch—or High C Ranch, as it was called—had gained a reputation for having the best horses in the state, possibly even in the West.

Maverick gave a shake of his head, as if that could somehow shake away the melancholy. He couldn't make today about him and his sorrow and regrets. This was Sterling's special day, and he had to be there for his friend and not stand outside feeling sorry for himself.

He shifted to return inside, but at the sight of a woman in a cream-colored gown leaning against the side of the house, he paused. The dark hair and pale skin were all he needed to recognize Violet.

What was she doing outside?

She had a handkerchief out and was blotting the corners of her eyes, almost as if she were crying. What was wrong? Was she having pre-wedding jitters?

An urgency prodded him. He couldn't let Sterling see his bride like this, outside, crying. It would only make him more nervous.

Maverick shot a glance toward the front door, then to the parlor window. He could take care of this without Sterling being any the wiser. He'd talk to Violet and encourage her to go in right away and proceed with the wedding.

He veered off the path and strode across the flat tufts of grass. The dampness muted his bootsteps so that he was almost upon Violet before she glimpsed him nearing.

She pushed away from the house and rapidly began to dry her cheeks. "Hi, Maverick."

He stopped a foot away from her.

She averted her face and continued to blot at her eyes. "What are you doing out here?"

With his hands still stuffed into his pockets, he gave a slight shrug. He couldn't very well admit that he'd been overcome with guilt over his pa and family. She didn't need to hear that today. "Came lookin' for you, darlin'." The words were out before he could stop them. "Wanted to make sure you're okay."

She lifted her eyes, which gave him full view of the angst clouding them. "I don't know what I'm doing."

"I do. You're gonna go in there and marry the man you love."

"But how do I know if I really love him?"

How could she not love Sterling? The fellow was one of the kindest and most giving men Maverick had ever known. "Listen—"

"What if I have feelings for someone else too?" She straightened and seemed to pull in a steadying breath.

"You're just nervous. That's all."

"No. It's not all." She blinked back more tears. "I haven't been as sure about Sterling as he's been about me."

Maverick's gut cinched. He was glad Sterling wasn't nearby to hear the confession. "Don't matter none. Sterling's got enough love for the both of you." That was the plain truth. Sterling had been a goner since the day he'd laid eyes on Violet.

"I don't want to hurt Sterling." She pressed a hand against the long row of covered buttons that ran up the front of her bodice until she reached the brooch at the neckline. "But I just don't think I'm ready for this."

This conversation wasn't going the way Maverick wanted, and he had to do something—anything—to assure Violet that Sterling was the right man for her. He scrambled to find a solution. Maybe he oughta pick her up and carry her inside.

Without giving himself—or her—a chance to protest, he bent and swept her up into his arms. "C'mon. I'm taking you back in."

As he situated her against his chest, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Her skirt was full and the layers of material cumbersome, forcing him to hold her closer to keep from dropping her. He rounded the house and headed back toward the front door.

Her arms tightened with each step, and she lifted her head so that her cheek brushed against his. "Please. We need to talk."

At the plea in her voice, he halted. He dropped his gaze to find that she was looking up at him with furrowed brows. She was such a pretty woman. Not that he was attracted to her, but that didn't mean he couldn't admit she had stunning features, with pale skin that made her eyes and hair all the more vibrant.

"You're a good man," she whispered.

"Course I am." He offered her what he hoped was an encouraging smile.

She studied his face, ending up at his mouth. "You have such a nice smile."

"So do you, darlin'." He let his smile widen, hoping he could cheer her up. "I'd sure love to see your pretty lips smile right about now."

Her eyes only welled with more tears. "Oh, Maverick."

"I said I wanna see your smile, not tears." He gentled his voice.

"I think I have feelings for you too." Her arms tightened around his shoulders.

"Whoa, now." What was going on here?

Her gaze trailed his face again. "I've tried to ignore the feelings, but they just won't go away."

"Don't go saying things like that." He lowered his voice to a hiss. This was bad. Real bad. Worse than bad.

"You can't deny you've been feeling things for me too." Her fingers at the back of his neck crept into his hair.

He had to fix things quick-like, before the situation went downhill even more. "Now darlin'—"

She rose up and pressed her lips to his, cutting him off. Her mouth was soft and her kiss filled with desperation. Her hands in his hair dragged him down, and at the same time, she deepened her kiss.

Maverick couldn't move. The shock of the moment paralyzed him. What was Violet doing? Why was she kissing him? And how could he help her see the error of her way? Help her realize the only man she oughta be kissing was Sterling?

At the banging of the front door and Sterling's shout, Maverick's heart plummeted. No doubt his friend was witnessing this whole interaction with Violet.

Maverick's muscles stiffened. He couldn't let Sterling find out the truth, that Violet had been the one to initiate the kiss. It would break his heart.

There was only one way to keep Sterling from suspecting Violet had cheated on him. Maverick pressed into her. He'd take the blame for the kiss, act like it was his idea.

The instant he let his lips fuse with hers, he knew the plan was foolish, that it wouldn't work. That he couldn't kiss her in return, not for any reason. But before he could pull back, Sterling was grabbing his arm and wrenching Violet from him.