Page 27 of Stirring Spurs (Rainbow Ranch #1)

First Chapter of Lasso Lovebirds by Clio Evans…

BEAU

In my experience, things have always happened in threes.

As my boot squelched into a third pile of horse shit this morning, I had to wonder if the universe was just pokin’ fun at me.

A curse wrenched from my lips, and I glanced around out of habit for any of the teens on our ranch—even though I was most assuredly alone.

If one of them caught wind of me cursing, I’d never hear the end of it. The good news was that the sun had barely risen, and while I wasn’t the only one up this early, I was the only one trudging through a field to fix a fence’s wiring before the rain hit.

“Damn it,” I muttered, kicking my heel out.

Shit plopped into the wet mud, the ground damp from the constant storms we’d had over the last couple weeks. Thunder rumbled in the distance as I crossed from the stables to the parked truck. I got in, shutting the door quietly and cranking the engine.

I hoped I could knock this out quickly to make it back in time for breakfast. Otherwise there’d be hell to pay from my twin brother, Boone.

Of the four of us, Boone was the only sibling that could wrangle me indoors.

Maybe it was the sticky buns or maybe it was the fact that we’d shared the same womb, but he always managed to know when something was off with me.

Just how I knew the same about him. It was a sixth sense.

Which was why I needed to fix my attitude—and clean off my boots real good—this morning before walking through the dining room door.

As the eldest, the weight of running the ranch and always having the right answers sat on my broad, sun-tanned shoulders.

I rarely got a moment alone, which was why I often jumped on tasks like this.

Mending a fence before dawn meant I could have a little time to myself to ponder, dream, and spiral.

What was putting my hackles up this morning wasn’t the fact that I’d just stepped into a pile of shit. And it wasn’t because of the storm brewing just a few miles north, or even the usual pressure of being the boss.

It was something else entirely.

I turned on the radio as I rumbled down the dirt road, using the few minutes of peace to think.

Ever since Boone and Wylie had fallen for each other, I’d been painfully reminded of the fact that I was alone.

And it was silly, right? I was so damn happy for the two of them, that it hurt.

Hell, we all were. They were perfect for each other.

Billie, our younger sister, and Benny—the youngest of the four of us—thought so too.

Romance was in the air. And while it was beautiful and heart-warming, it reminded me of the secrets I’d been keeping. It reminded me of the deep pining I had for someone I couldn’t have, and how I’d probably end up growing old alone.

Rainbow Ranch was the love of my life, right? That had to be enough to fill the cavern that echoed in my chest.

My headlights beamed through the grape-crushed dawn as I slowed to a stop, spotting the marker I’d placed the other day to show where the fencing needed repair. I turned off the truck and hopped out.

I tightened my tool belt as I trudged over to the fence. This patch-up was right near the front gate, which was exactly why I’d wanted it done so fast. I couldn’t have our fences looking rundown, especially where it was visible from the paved road.

Three flags billowed as the wind whipped up—a brilliant rainbow, a bright pink, blue, and white, and our symbol: a horseshoe with two R’s and a rainbow connecting them, representing Rainbow Ranch.

I scowled, slamming my hand down on top of my cowboy hat before it was blown straight off by the breeze.

“Damn,” I muttered, my brows shooting up.

I came prepared with my fence stretcher, fencing sleeves, pliers, and a set of gloves. But as I started to pull on the gloves, the wind slammed into me again, this time whisking my hat straight off my head and tumbling into the field.

“Damn it!” I yelled, stumbling forth to catch it before it went to our neighbor’s property.

This time, the thunder sent a chill up my spine. I glanced up as another set of headlights blinked on the paved road. A raindrop hit my forehead right as a white truck with what appeared to be saucers— are those satellites ?—on top.

The tires skidded to a halt in front of the gate. I stared as the last of the sunrise was clipped by dark, roiling clouds. My eyes widened as I realized a wall was forming in the sky. The wind became more violent, the flags thrashing relentlessly.

Someone short with bright green hair hopped out of the vehicle, waving their hands wildly. They pointed to the sky, and my stomach dropped as the clouds began to swirl in a way I knew all too well.

Living in Oklahoma, tornadoes weren’t all that rare. But one forming right here on the ranch? I couldn’t remember the last time that’d happened.

“Do you need help?” I shouted, already rushing toward the gate.

“Can I drive in?” they yelled back. “It’s coming in fast!”

My chest constricted and I nodded, unlatching it quickly. The metal groaned as I fought to pull it open, my heart beating so loud I could hear it over the violent storm. I watched the stranger get back into their van. They floored the gas, launching over the cattle gate and onto our graveled road.

They rolled down the window. “Get in,” they shouted.

Gosh, they’re pretty to look at. I swallowed hard and pointed at my truck. “Follow me to the ranch.”

When I looked back up at the sky, my stomach twisted—a funnel was starting to form. I needed to get back to the house. Now.

I sprinted to my truck and got into the front seat, slamming the door shut.

The tires peeled over the gravel as large raindrops pelted the windshield, the wind rocking the cabin as I turned to speed back toward the ranch.

I checked the rearview to make sure the stranger was following behind me, and they were.

“Fuck,” I growled as the funnel reached for the ground behind us.

It was gonna land. Now the question was whether or not it’d follow us.

It’d been a long time since we’d had a storm season quite like this, and the thought of Rainbow Ranch being swept away by a tornado was a worry I had every year. Everything could be gone in the blink of an eye, and then what? What would I do? What would we do?

I wasn’t religious. Never had been, never would be. But still, I sent up a silent prayer, a wish, a hope—whatever it was. I just wanted them all to be safe. My family. The ranch. The animals.

The truck jerked. My knuckles whitened as I gripped the steering wheel, my boot pushing the pedal into the floorboard.

Even going this fast, it’d take a few more minutes to get back to the house. The funnel looked like it’d touched the ground, tearing up the earth behind us. My heart rumbled, fear streaking through me.

“Please go,” I whispered. “Please let up.”

My throat was dry. Every muscle was tense enough that I knew I’d hurt tomorrow.

I could see the stables in the distance. My eyes darted from what was in front of me to the horror behind me—and then I blew out a breath in relief.

The funnel was going a different way. I slowed down, the adrenaline making me tremble as I pulled to a stop on the road, the stranger stopping behind me.

“Fuck. Shit. Damn it. What the fuck?!” I needed to get all the curses out while I could.

I kicked open the door and got out of the pickup, my knees feeling like Boone’s strawberry jelly. The stranger hopped out too, raking their fingers through their green hair.

I approached them, a lump forming in my throat. “Well, that was one way to meet someone,” I said. “I’m Beau Adams.”

They held out a hand. “Sky Williams.” They turned their head to look at the retreating clouds, their expression turning wistful. “Wish I could have grabbed a few pictures of that one. Glad it went the other way though, otherwise we would have been sitting ducks. I take it this is Rainbow Ranch?”

The corner of my mouth tugged as I shook their hand. Their skin was smooth against my calluses. “What gave it away?”

Sky grinned. “Well, for starters, you’re the only ranch I’ve seen in hours with the pride flag and trans flag at the gate. Plus, I’ve heard of this place.”

I raised a brow. “Are you looking for a place to stay?”

“Well,” they hesitated. “Maybe? Johnson Springs didn’t exactly feel like the friendliest place for a nonbinary person. Not that anywhere in this state really is…”

“You’ll be safe here,” I promised.

Sky cleared their throat, their pretty brown eyes dropping down. I realized I was still holding their hand. Their cheeks flushed as I released them, taking a step back.

“Sorry,” I added. “I think I’m a little scatterbrained from the storm.” What the hell was this heat creeping up the back of my neck?

“That was a close call,” they agreed.

“How about you come in for breakfast with everyone and we can talk afterward?” I asked. “Could use some food after that scare. My brother makes the best breakfast in the state.”

Sky smiled, dimples pressing into their apple cheeks. “Bold claim.”

“Well,” I chuckled. “I’ll let you be the judge of that. Welcome to Rainbow Ranch, Sky.”

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