Читать книгу The Taming of Delaney Fortune - Michelle Major - Страница 8

Prologue

Delaney Fortune Jones was a romantic at heart. She loved Valentine’s Day as much as she loved weddings. But it took a bit of work to convince herself that the tears she’d shed today, watching four of her siblings get married, were only the joyful kind.

Of course she was happy for Jude, Liam, Christopher and Stacey. They’d each found the love of their lives, and Delaney had been thrilled and honored to stand up as a bridesmaid while they said their vows. The ceremony had taken place earlier on the beautiful Parthenon-inspired stage that had been built next to the barn on her parents’ ranch. Each couple’s vows had been personal to their relationship, but when the ball of emotion wedged in Delaney’s throat as she listened, there was a wistful edge to it.

Only she and her brother Galen were single now. Delaney would be the last of Deke and Jeanne Marie’s children still living on the ranch after today. Her world had shifted, and she knew it would never be the same.

But Delaney was a romantic and an optimist. She believed she’d find true love someday. It was only a matter of time until the right cowboy came along to share the small-town life she treasured. Horseback Hollow, Texas, wasn’t big or fancy, but it was the only home she’d ever need.

Shaking her head, she took a breath and then a deeper breath. Her parents had transformed the barn for the reception, but underneath the flowers and candles, Delaney could still smell the comforting scent of hay and horses. The barn was her happy place, and looking around at all of the people she loved gathered together tonight chased away her brooding thoughts.

She tapped her cowboy boot along with the rhythm to a popular song, watching her family and friends on the dance floor. She’d changed from heels after the ceremony, but the pink shell inlay of the boots still matched her silk bridesmaid’s gown. Her young nieces and nephews ran around the edge of the dance floor, stopping to wiggle their hips as the tempo increased. Delaney laughed out loud but didn’t move to join them. She was good at a lot of things. Dancing wasn’t one of them.

However, the bar was set up on the far side of the barn, so she made her way through the crowd as the music ended. A woman turned as Delaney went to slide past her, and Delaney blinked several times. Shannon Singleton, who Delaney had known since they were girls, looked stunning in her black lace dress. The light in her eyes made her even more gorgeous.

“Delaney,” Shannon said as she gave her a quick hug, “Wasn’t it a beautiful ceremony?”

“The most beautiful,” Delaney agreed, but Shannon had already turned away, pulling a man forward.

“Delaney, have you met Cisco Mendoza?” Shannon asked. “He’s one of Gabi’s handsome brothers.”

“The most handsome,” the man murmured with a deep chuckle.

“Absolutely,” Shannon agreed with a bright laugh. “But don’t tell the rest of them I said so. Cisco, this is Delaney Fortune, the baby of the family.”

“Not quite a baby,” Delaney muttered, feeling her cheeks flame.

Handsome was an understatement for Cisco Mendoza. He was several inches taller than Delaney, with broad shoulders under his dark jacket and crisp white shirt that tapered to a lean waist. His eyes were the richest brown she’d ever seen, and his thick dark hair looked like it had been styled for a photo shoot. She tugged at her bouncy blond curls, which had taken an hour in hot rollers to create but suddenly felt too girlish.

“You two get to know each other.” Shannon looked over Delaney’s shoulder. “I owe Galen the next dance.”

Before Delaney could argue, Shannon had disappeared toward the center of the dance floor.

“It’s lovely to meet you,” Cisco said, his voice smooth like the finest whiskey. Delaney didn’t actually drink whiskey, but that’s how she imagined it. Smooth with the subtlest hint of sin.

She realized he was staring at her, waiting for her to answer. One side of his mouth quirked, as if he could see how flustered she felt standing in front of him.

Delaney wasn’t thrown off balance very often, and it made her skin itch. The bodice of her strapless gown suddenly felt too tight and she struggled to draw in a normal breath.

“You, too,” she said, surprised that her voice was steady. “It means a lot to Gabi to have her family here. Do you like Horseback Hollow? How long are you in town?” She clapped a hand over her mouth to stop the babbling.

Cisco’s grin widened, and for a moment Delaney forgot her own name, the fact she was in the barn that felt like a second home, surrounded by people she’d known her whole life. All she could see was this man and his wicked smile.

“It means a great deal to us to be with her on this day,” he said slowly, as if speaking to a child. “I do like Horseback Hollow, and I’m not sure how long I’ll be in town.” He cocked his head as the music started again, a slow ballad this time.

Delaney tilted her head, mimicking his movement before snapping out of her lust-induced haze. A man like Cisco was not for her, but something about him...

“Would you care to dance?” he asked softly.

She stared at his outstretched hand, wanting nothing in the world as much as she wanted to step into his arms. She thought about her hand on that broad shoulder, her nose pressed into his throat. He would smell wonderful—she had no doubt. She practically burned with the need to touch him.

“Delaney,” he said, a little louder now. “Dance with me?”

She almost slid her hand into his, allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor. Her fingers trembled in anticipation as she lifted them. But at the last minute she pulled her hand tight to her middle.

“Nope, sorry,” she said on a ragged breath. “Gotta go.” And with that, she turned and ran for the door.