Page 1 of A Montana Secret Admirer (Sagebrush Ranch Sweethearts #4)

CHAPTER ONE

Never in his entire life had Reese’s heart felt like it’d completely stopped. Sure, he’d heard people describe the sensation when they were terrified. He’d heard people say that was what it felt like right before they realized their lives were about to change.

Reese hadn’t ever experienced the sensation.

Until now.

She was ethereal. The woman with curves in all the right places. The angel with golden brown hair that practically glowed beneath the afternoon sun.

Heaven incarnate, that’s what she was.

And when her blue eyes found his, not only did his heart stop, but the world stopped spinning, too.

It was brief, the amount of time she spent looking at him. Just a cursory look was all she offered him. There was something different about her. Even though she offered the people around her an easy smile, it was anything but.

He could tell. She was hiding something from the world that she didn’t want anyone else to see. But he’d seen it.

A heavy hand clapped down on his shoulder, and he jumped as he looked over at his cousin with a start. Mack chuckled and shook his head. “Don’t even go there, cuz.”

“You know her?”

“Know her? She’s Jane’s sister.”

As if against his will, Reese’s eyes drifted to the bride.

She was radiant, but it wasn’t her dress or makeup that made her so.

It was the way she looked at Noah. It was official.

Mack and his two brothers were off the market.

Today was the big day for the youngest son in their family, and Reese’s mother wasn’t going to let him forget it.

He’d lost track of how many times his mother had asked when he was going to settle down and give her some grandchildren. The problem was neither he nor his brother Leo had managed to find anyone worthy of their time.

Well, not until today.

Reese’s focus drifted back to the woman seated at a table with who he could only assume was the rest of Jane’s family. Her parents were seated with another couple. Evidently an additional sister with her husband.

“Why?” Reese murmured. “Is she taken?”

Mack offered a pained smile. “No. Well, not anymore.”

That caught Reese’s attention, and his head snapped back to Mack. “What does that mean?”

The way his cousin frowned as he himself glanced in the angel’s direction set off a wave of uncomfortable chills. Reese moved closer to Mack. “You grew up with them, right?”

Mack nodded. “Serenity married her high school sweetheart right after graduation. I don’t think she dated anyone but Finn her entire life. They were endgame.”

Something dropped into the pit of Reese’s stomach. “Endgame, huh?”

Mack turned back to Reese. “Even I knew they were soulmates when we were teenagers, and that’s saying something.”

“What happened?”

“There was a freak accident at his work. He passed away about eight months ago.”

That weight continued to settle on Reese’s chest. He couldn’t imagine losing someone like that. His focus shifted to the beauty, and he sighed. “Well, she seems to be doing pretty good.”

“Yeah, she is,” Mack agreed. “But I don’t think you’re going to get anywhere with her. You probably shouldn’t even try.”

A smile tugged at Reese’s lips. “Why? You don’t think I could persuade her to give me a chance?”

Mack arched a brow. “I’m all for lost causes and love conquering all, but that?” He jutted his chin toward the woman. “Not even you could charm her. She’s a mom, Reese. She’s got responsibilities. She’s not going to turn her life upside down just so she can have some fun.”

Reese scoffed, a hand flying to his chest. “Ouch,” he dramatized. “I’m hurt that you think I’m not interested in something deeper.”

The scrutiny his cousin set on him put Reese more on edge than he wanted to admit, so he looked away. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he ignored the holes Mack was drilling into the side of his face.

His voice lowered. “Honestly, I don’t think there is anything you could say that would scare me off, Mack. The second I saw her, something hit me. Right here.” He rubbed at his chest, trying to dislodge the pressure he was feeling.

“Are you sure it’s not just heartburn?”

Reese snorted. “Shut up, Mack.”

His cousin laughed. “I mean, you could try. There’s no hurt in that. Just don’t make it too obvious. I doubt Jane would be thrilled to know you’ve put a target on her sister.”

This time, Reese rolled his eyes. “Don’t make it sound so crude.”

Serenity.

Even her name was perfect. He watched her stand up and move away from the group to head for the refreshment table, and Reese charged forward, ignoring the comments his cousin tossed at him as he made his way to the angel who had fallen to earth.

He sidled up beside her and grabbed a plate.

Serenity glanced up at him from beneath her lashes, offered him a shy, half-smile, then picked up the tongs to fill her plate with fruit.

“Hey,” Reese murmured.

She glanced at him again. “Hello.”

The corners of his mouth quirked upward. “So… you’re the sister of the bride, huh?”

That smile he’d been so desperate to see was even better up close.

“Yes,” she drawled. “And you are?”

He pointed to his chest. “Cousin of the groom.” He glanced over his shoulder to those attending the wedding reception. “I guess that means we’re meant to be, huh?”

She stared at him for what felt like a full minute, then she laughed, and he didn’t think anything could get much better than hearing that sound from her lips. “And why would you think that?”

Reese shrugged. “Why not?”

Serenity considered him, chewing on her lower lip. Then she shook her head. “You’re funny. But I bet you get told that a lot.”

“But it’s nice to hear it from a girl like you.”

Her smile widened, and she shook her head again.

“You here with anyone?”

Her eyes flicked up to meet his, and for a split second, he could see the hesitance in her gaze. It was almost as if she wanted to tell him she did indeed have a date, so he didn’t push her into anything uncomfortable.

But then something shifted. She lifted her chin and nodded. “Yep.”

Reese had to hold back the snort. He’d been watching her enough to know that was a lie. But he couldn’t tell her that. He’d scare her away. “Really? Can I meet him?”

Her smile returned, and her eyes sparkled with amusement. “Sure. He’s right over there.” She pointed, and his eyes followed the movement. When they landed on a kid who couldn’t be any older than eight years old, he chuckled.

“You like ‘em young, huh?”

She nearly choked on her laughter. “He’s my son .”

Reese knew this, too. He’d been observant enough to notice that there were children milling around. He just hadn’t seen any men showering her with affection. He grinned right back at her. “Dang. There’s no competing with that.”

There was a flicker of surprise in her eyes, but she masked it far too quickly for him to understand where it came from. That was fine, because the smile she replaced it with was even better. “You’re absolutely right. Nothing compares to the adoration that little man gives me.”

He unabashedly let his eyes rove over her frame, taking in the pale blue sundress that hugged her curves and matched her eyes. She flushed at the attention, and he wanted nothing more than to slip his arm around her waist and drag her to the space reserved for dancing.

Reese was getting ahead of himself. He was already imagining what his life could be like with her at his side. The fact that her son did nothing to dissuade that way of thinking was even more surprising. He nodded to her plate. “You might want more than fruit.”

“Oh? Why’s that?” She frowned at the plate before glancing up at him once more.

“Because as soon as you’re done eating, you’re going to be dancing with me and burning all kinds of calories.”

She rolled her eyes. “I told you. I already have a date.”

He leaned into her again, his lips nearly grazing her ear as he whispered, “I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge.”

If he wasn’t mistaken, he could have sworn she sucked in a sharp breath. Then again, there was so much going on at the wedding, he might have imagined it. She was doing something to him. That much was clear.

One side of her mouth tilted upward, and she cocked her head as she appraised him in his suit. Then she teased him with that smile again. “I’d save you a dance, but I didn’t happen to get a dance card.”

This one was funny. She was charming. And dang, she was gorgeous. “What if I track one down for you?”

Her lips parted in surprise, then she laughed again. “All right, all right. I’ll save you a dance. Just let me get something to eat first.”

Reese gave her a mock salute. “I’ll be waiting.”

About fifteen minutes later, Reese headed over to the guy in charge of the music and requested “A Thousand Years.”

The second the song started to play, Serenity’s eyes lifted and found his.

If that wasn’t a sign, he didn’t know what was.

He moved toward her, their eyes remaining locked.

He held out his hand toward her. She didn’t accept his offer right away.

But then she realized what was going on and placed her palm over his.

Reese tugged her to her feet and took her to the open space.

There were already several couples dancing, but all he could see was her.

She placed a hand on his shoulder so lightly that he nearly didn’t feel her touch. His hand swept behind her and wrapped around her waist to pull her close.

They swayed, listening to the music. Well, as much as he could listen to the music when the blood in his ears was roaring. His heart hammered. Nothing could compare to the way he felt in this moment. It was like Fate was whispering to him that this was why it had taken him so long to find someone.

He’d been waiting for Serenity to flit into his life.