Branded for You Read online

  It was a Thursday and Tess had planned to take the afternoon off from the restaurant. What was keeping her?

  Megan wiped her palms on her jeans, brushing dust from them as her gaze drifted over the crowd at the Yavapai County Fair. People walked to and from the exhibit halls housing vegetables, jams, canned foods, arts and crafts, and any other number of homemade or homegrown items. The prizewinners were draped with blue, red, and white ribbons indicating the prize won, and the best of each class were pinned with champion purple rosettes.

  Other people headed to the carnival side of the county fair from which a cacophony of sounds emanated. Smells of corndogs, cotton candy, fry bread, and popcorn drifted over from the carnival and she pressed a hand to her belly, which rumbled from hunger. She really needed to watch what she ate, but the carnival food smelled so good. Her hips would never forgive her but she wanted a churro in the worst way.

  While she waited for Tess and Jenny, Megan wandered toward the livestock building to watch the 4-H kids handle sheep, calves, and hogs they’d raised for show. Many of the animals would be auctioned off sometime this weekend with the champions taking home the highest dollar amounts.

  As she reached the livestock buildings she saw that the place was alive with 4-H’ers feeding and watering their animals and preparing them for show. People wandered up and down the straw strewn dirt aisles, admiring the livestock.

  Megan walked up to an arena fence and put her hands on the top rung as she watched a group of 4-H’ers showing Suffolk sheep. The black-faced and black legged lambs’ white wool was shaved down almost to the skin.

  A burning sensation caused a prickle at her nape. She felt like she was being watched. She glanced over her shoulder and a flutter traveled through her midsection when she saw that a cowboy was directly behind her…and he was looking right at her.

  He was tall and muscular and his back was up against a cottonwood tree, thumbs hooked in the pockets of his dark blue Wrangler jeans that molded muscular thighs. He wore a light blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and the hair on his forearms was golden against his tan skin. He pushed up the brim of his western hat with one finger as he looked at her.

  The tips of her ears burned as she glanced away, turning her attention back to the 4-H kids in the arena. The dangerously sexy cowboy couldn’t have been showing interest in her. Men as sexy as this one seemed to prefer women with cute, petite figures rather than ladies with full curves.

  She tried to pay attention to the 4-H’ers but she still had the feeling that he was watching her. It was all she could do not to look over her shoulder again.

  “Know any of the kids out there?” a deep voice said just behind her.

  Startled, she glanced at the man who had spoken and saw that it was the sexy cowboy who had been watching her. She met his blue eyes that were the color of faded denim as his lips curved into a slow, sensual smile. Heat flushed through her from her head to her toes.

  It took her a moment to compose herself. She shook her head. “I don’t know anyone here. I’m waiting for my sister and my niece.”

  He moved beside her and looked at the girls and boys who were showing the lambs. He rested one arm on the top rung of the fence as he gestured to a boy on the end. “That’s my nephew, Brian.”

  It gave her an excuse to look away from the cowboy so she studied the boy. “He’s a cute kid.”

  “He is.” The man spoke in a low drawl and she glanced back to him. “I’m Ryan McBride,” he said and held out his hand.

  “I’m Megan.” She offered him a smile as she took his hand. “Megan Wilder.”

  The warmth of his touch traveled straight through her. His grip was firm, his hand callused from hard work.

  “When is your sister getting here?” he asked as he released Megan’s hand.

  “Tess was supposed to be here already.” Megan dug in her pocket and grasped her cell phone. “I think I’d better call her.” When she pulled her phone out of her pocket she saw that she’d missed a call. “Looks like my sister called and left a message.”

  Megan brought the phone to her ear and listened to the voicemail.

  “Hi, Megan.” Tess sounded a little harried as she left the message. “Jenny has a fever so I need to keep her home. Sorry we have to miss out on spending time with you at the fair.” Tess ended the message with, “Call me tonight.”

  Megan lowered the phone and met Ryan’s gaze. “My niece has a fever so they’re not going to make it to the fair. Looks like I’m on my own.”

  “I’ve got a better idea,” he said with a smile. “Why don’t you spend the afternoon with me?”

  Her eyes widened a little in surprise. “I don’t know you.”

  His lips curved with amusement. “No better way to get to know me.”

  “I can’t argue with that.” She glanced toward the ring where the 4-H’ers were being presented with blue, red, and white ribbons. Brian was accepting a large purple ribbon with a rosette. “Looks like your nephew just won the grand champion prize for his lamb.”

  The crowd around the arena clapped. Ryan and Megan joined in.

  “Is that why you’re here?” she asked Ryan as the 4-H’ers walked their lambs out of the ring. “To see your nephew?”

  “In part,” Ryan said. “I’m also a 4-H leader. I help a group of local kids raise cattle.”

  “That’s great.” She smiled. “It must be rewarding.”

  He gave a nod. “It is.”

  “Do you have any more kids in your 4-H club showing livestock now?” she asked.

  “My 4-H’ers finished up this morning.” He gestured to the livestock building. “Have you had a chance to walk through?”

  “Not yet.” She shook her head.

  “You’re new in this area.” He rested one arm on the top rail of the arena fence as he studied her. “How about letting me show you around?”

  She tilted her head to the side. “How do you know I’m new?”

  He gave her a teasing grin. “I have a sense about these things.”

  “Are you sure about that?” she asked.

  “No doubt in my mind.” His blue eyes held hers. “So how about it?”

  The way he looked at her made heat travel straight through her belly. She swallowed. “All right.”

  He gave a sexy little smile. “We can start in the livestock building.”

  She slipped her hands in her back pockets as they walked side-by-side under the rooftop that covered the livestock. It was open on all sides, the shade cooling the air even more. They headed down dirt aisles that were well kept. Smells of livestock, manure, dirt, and hay were heavy on the air.

  As they strolled down the aisles, adults, teenagers, and younger children greeted Ryan. He stopped to talk with the kids, admiring their bulls, dairy cows, and calves, and congratulating the prizewinners. She gathered that he’d taught a lot of the 4-H’ers about raising and showing their animals.

  “These kids will take their livestock to the state fair at the end of October,” he said as they moved on to the sheep and dairy goats. “Our 4-H’ers represent us well.”

  As they walked, she enjoyed talking with Ryan and listening to stories he recounted about some of the kids he’d worked with over the years. He was easy to talk with and he made her feel comfortable, as if she’d known him for a while rather than just having met him. From the number of people who greeted him, it was clear he was well known and well liked.

  After they’d made their way through the livestock buildings, including the building that housed chickens, ducks, and geese, they went through the exhibit halls. In the exhibit halls it was a little quieter and not as many people stopped Ryan to talk.

  “Did you move here or are you just visiting?” Ryan asked as they looked at a quilt exhibit.

  “I moved to Prescott a month ago to be closer to my family.” She pushed a lock of shoulder-length brown hair behind her ear. “For the time being I’m staying with them but I plan to buy my own house as soo
n as things settle down.”

  Before he could ask her more questions about her family, she hurried to ask him questions. “Where do you live?”

  “I have a ranch just outside of Prescott Valley,” he said. “I raise cattle and horses, and have a small flock of Suffolk sheep.”

  “Are you related to Officer John McBride?” she asked.

  Ryan nodded. “John is my cousin.”

  “He almost ticketed me for speeding.” She gave Ryan a rueful smile. “I wasn’t paying attention to my speed on the highway the day I moved here. He was nice enough to let me off with a warning.”

  Ryan laughed. “So you’re a little speed demon?”

  “I have a lead foot at times.” She shook her head. “I really need to watch my speed better.”

  “Where are you from?” he asked.

  “Albuquerque.” She glanced at a photography exhibit and stopped as she spotted a picture of a cowboy riding a bull. The shot was so clear, so vivid, that she half expected the image of the cowboy and bull to move. “I don’t know a lot about photography, but that’s a terrific shot.”

  “That’s my youngest brother, Creed. He’s a world champion bull rider.” Ryan came up beside her. “He’s newly married to a gal who’s from the San Rafael Valley in the southern part of the state.”

  “How cool, to have a world-famous bull rider in the family.” She noticed the purple rosette next to the photograph. “I must have good taste. It’s the exhibit winner.”

  “What did you do in New Mexico?” Ryan asked as they continued walking.

  She shoved her hands in her front pockets. “I’m a graphic designer.”

  “What are you going to do in Prescott?” he asked.

  She glanced up at him. “I’m going to continue what I was doing. I can work from home since my business is Internet based.”

  Ryan and Megan walked outside of the cool exhibit hall and into the bright sunshine. They were closer now to the carnival side of the fairgrounds and the music was much louder. The yellow grass was worn down from hundreds of people trampling it.

  “Up for a ride on the Ferris wheel?” Ryan asked as they came to a stop.

  She shook her head. “I’m scared to death of them. Anything but that.”

  “All right.” The corner of his mouth quirked. “I take that to mean you don’t mind going on other rides.”

  She returned his smile. “Well, maybe not anything.”

  Chapter 3

  Megan and Ryan walked through the gate and into the melee of the carnival. As they strolled down the midway, brilliant colors, flashing lights, the shouts of carnies, and the clang and bang of games assaulted her senses. The crowd jostled them and it was almost too loud for them to hear each other talk.

  Ryan took her by the hand, catching her off guard, and drew her out of the crowd. His hand was big and warm around hers as they came to a stop in front of the milk bottle game. To either side and across the top of the yellow and red striped awning hung stuffed brown monkeys and black gorillas of all sizes. The largest was a gorilla holding a half-peeled banana.

  “Want to knock down a few bottles?” Ryan asked as he let Megan’s hand slip from his.

  “Sure.” She smiled as she found herself wishing he were still holding her hand.

  He dug in his pocket and pulled out a couple of ones and gave them to the carnie manning the game. The young man handed Ryan three balls.

  “You first.” Ryan gave one ball to Megan.

  She took it, feeling a little self-conscious as she threw the ball. She missed the three metal milk bottles by a good six inches.

  He smiled. “Give it another try.”

  She took another ball from Ryan and shook her head. “I never said I knew how to throw.”

  This time the ball brushed by one of the bottles, causing it to rock, but not enough to knock any of them down. She threw the third ball and missed the bottles entirely once again.

  “Good try.” Ryan handed the carnie more cash, and the young man in turn gave Ryan another three balls.

  He set the balls on the wood barrier in front of them, then took one of the balls and pitched it hard at the milk bottles. The bottles scattered and she grinned up at him. He pitched the next two balls and nailed two more stacks of bottles, winning a small prize.

  Instead of taking the prize, Ryan paid for more balls. He never missed and kept upgrading his prizes until he’d won the biggest prize, the huge gorilla with the banana. Megan hadn’t realized a crowd had gathered until the people started applauding and congratulating Ryan.

  The carnie took the gorilla down and gave the enormous stuffed animal to Ryan who in turn handed it to Megan.

  She laughed as she embraced the gorilla. “No one has ever won a stuffed animal for me before.”

  “I’ll carry it for you.” Ryan took the gorilla from her and held it under one arm.

  “You must have been on your high school baseball team,” she said as they moved past a crowded shooting gallery.

  He gave a nod. “I was an outfielder.”

  “Baseball is one sport I actually like.” She sidestepped an empty popcorn carton. “My favorite team has been the San Francisco Giants ever since I was a little girl and we saw a game when we visited the city.”

  “The Diamondbacks are my team,” Ryan said. “I’m also a Dodgers fan from way back, before Arizona had a team.”

  “Looks like we’ve got a little competition already between us.” She gave him a teasing look. “Considering both the Giants and the Diamondbacks are fighting for first place in the National League.”

  “We’ll have to come up with a good wager,” he said.

  She raised her brows. “Now that’s thinking ahead. The playoffs are almost a month from now and we’ve just met.”

  He shrugged. “I have a good feeling about you. My feelings are rarely wrong.”

  A tingling sensation went through her belly at the fact that he was thinking that far ahead and she’d just met him, and she couldn’t think of anything to say.

  He saved her by asking, “How about something to eat?”

  In all of the fun spending time with Ryan, she’d forgotten she was hungry. “That sounds great.”

  He bought them corndogs and sodas, and a churro each. They continued talking as they walked and it wasn’t long before the food was gone. When they finished, he bought a cone of cotton candy. “No fair is complete without cotton candy,” he said as he pulled at some of the pink and blue sticky stuff.

  “What about siblings?” she asked.

  He put it in his mouth. “Four brothers.” Ryan crouched as a little boy ran straight toward him. “And a whole lot of cousins,” he added before he caught the boy by the shoulders. “Hold on, pardner. Where’s your mama?”

  “Matt, I told you to stay with me.” A pretty redheaded woman scooped the boy up into her arms. “Thank you, Ryan.”

  “Giving your mama a hard time?” Ryan straightened and tugged on the little boy’s earlobe and the boy shook his head. To the woman Ryan said, “Carrie, this is Megan Wilder.” He turned to Megan. “The ornery boy’s mama is my cousin, Carrie Parks.”

  “Hi.” Megan gave Carrie a smile.

  The woman returned the smile. “Great to meet you.” She turned to Ryan. “I’ve got to run. Jack has Cindy and they’ve been waiting for us by one of the ticket booths. Matt busted loose before we could get to them. I was afraid he’d manage to get lost in the middle of the crowd before I could stop him.”

  “We’ll have to play ball sometime.” Ryan ruffled Matt’s hair before he looked up at the boy’s mom. “See you around, Carrie.”

  As Carrie carried Matt away and vanished in the midst of the crowded carnival, Ryan and Megan continued walking along the midway to the closest ticket booth. He went up to the little window and purchased a handful of tickets from the carnie.

  “Sure you don’t want to go on the Ferris wheel?” Ryan said with a grin as he turned back to her.

  Megan gave a big no
d. “Absolutely positive.”

  “How about the Zipper?” He pointed toward the huge oblong ride that turned and had baskets spinning all around it and people screaming with both laughter and terror. Amusement was in his gaze.

  “Are you crazy?” She shook her head. “Nuh-uh. Nothing that turns upside down.”

  “The Tilt-a-Whirl.” They stopped by the red spinning seats that looked like giant apples that went around in a big circle.

  She bit the inside of her lip for a moment. “Okay. That one looks safe enough.”

  He took her hand and tugged her toward the ride. “Let’s go.”

  They waited in line and he settled his arm around her shoulders. “Don’t look so nervous.”

  “Ha.” She met his gaze. “What if I throw up on you?”

  “Lots of babies in the family so I’m used to it.” He gave her a grin then nodded in the direction of two dunking booths. “If you do, we’ll just have to get a little wet.”

  She laughed as she saw someone getting dunked. “Now that could be fun.”

  When it was their turn to get on the ride, they climbed into one of the huge apple-shaped seats and strapped in. There was a wheel in front of them.

  “That makes it spin, doesn’t it,” she said dubiously.

  “Yep.” He grasped it. “Think you can handle it?”

  “We’ll find out.” She held onto the wheel, too.

  The ride started moving and Megan gasped as the apple started turning and gliding up and down. Ryan turned the wheel and the apple began spinning.

  Megan squealed with laughter as she was thrown against Ryan from the force of the movement. Then he was sliding over her way, pinning her against the side of the apple. Back and forth they slid into each other and she found herself giggling so hard she was out of breath by the time the ride ended.

  They climbed out of the ride when the apple came to a stop and she was a little wobbly on her feet. He took her hand and they walked down the steps to the gate that led outside of the ride’s barrier.