Seducing Our Lady's Heart [Commando Cowboys and Renegade Texans Unite 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Read online

  Commando Cowboys and Renegade Texans Unite 2

  Seducing Our Lady’s Heart

  Sunn Handley doesn’t believe Chandler Larsson and Todd Carrigan are serious about loving her. She’d dated them before, and they ran off to Houston. They know they have to regain her trust before she’ll say yes. When one of Sunn’s fathers gets sick, Chandler and Todd see an opportunity to be supportive and helpful.

  But loving and wanting marriage is more complicated than they realized. Todd went into foster care at three. He has to search deep in himself to find out if he can truly love and discover why his mother left him. The journey takes him to Wyoming where he discovers his relationship to the Commando Cowboy’s tribes.

  Chandler married the woman his parents picked out for him the first time. This time he’s marrying for love, but can he have a relationship with his parents and Sunn? His parents have other plans for his future. For Chandler there’s only one answer. Sunn is the woman he loves.

  Genre: Contemporary, Multiple Partners

  Length: 64,232 words

  SEDUCING OUR LADY’S HEART

  Commando Cowboys and Renegade Texans Unite 2

  Paige Cameron

  EVERLASTING POLYROMANCE

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

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  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  IMPRINT: Everlasting Polyromance

  SEDUCING OUR LADY’S HEART

  First E-book Publication: October 2013

  Cover design by Les Byerley

  All art and logo copyright © 2013 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  Letter to Readers

  Dear Readers,

  If you have purchased this copy of Seducing Our Lady’s Heart by Paige Cameron from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

  Regarding E-book Piracy

  This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book.

  The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment.

  This is Paige Cameron’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Cameron’s right to earn a living from her work.

  Amanda Hilton, Publisher

  www.SirenPublishing.com

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  DEDICATION

  To my avid reader friend, Margo. Thanks for the good critique of the book you read. It meant a lot to me.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  SEDUCING OUR LADY’S HEART

  Commando Cowboys and Renegade Texans Unite 2

  PAIGE CAMERON

  Copyright © 2013

  Chapter One

  Sunn Handley pushed away from the dining room table at her parent’s ranch house and began clearing the dishes. “The dinner was delicious, Mom.”

  “Jeb and I are going to watch the golf game,” Andy, one of Sunn’s fathers, said to her mom.

  “Go ahead. I have Sunn to help me clean up today. You guys get Sunday off.” Her mother kissed Sunn’s dads, and they walked into the family room.

  Sunn heard the television go on. She scraped the plates and filled the sink with soapy water. “You were all quiet at the table today. Is something wrong?” she asked.

  Her mother rinsed the first plate and dried it as Sunn washed the dishes. “Jeb wanted to wait before we said anything to you, but we decided that wasn’t fair. He and I are driving to Houston tomorrow morning. He has an appointment with a specialist on Wednesday.”

  “How serious is this?”

  “Dr. Evans, his regular doctor, didn’t like the looks of Jeb’s chest X-ray. I checked with Dr. Larsson, in Houston, about the best doctor to see your dad. Then I asked Dr. Evans to set up the appointment.”

  “Would you like for me to go with you to Houston?”

  “No. I’d prefer you stay here with Andy.”

  “Are you worried about both dads?”

  “There’s a group of men interested in buying the ranch.” Her mother took the silverware Sunn handed her and dried each piece meticulously. “They’ve offered to buy us out several times. Your dads have always said no. The men want to mine the land. We don’t want the property used that way. But they’re becoming more persistent.”

  “I didn’t know you had considered selling.”

  “Your dads promised we’d move to my home state, North Carolina, for part of the year after they’d retired.” Her mother put the silverware in the drawer. She took a bowl from Sunn and continued drying as she talked.

  “We’ll keep the house and a few acres around it. Then we can stay here whenever we want.”

  “It sounds like a good idea. I know you’ve missed North Carolina.”

  “I have. I like Texas, but it’ll be nice to spend time in both places.”

  “Are you scared of these guys, Mom?”

  “A little. They sounded threatening to me the last time t
hey came here. Your dads said not to worry, but I’m not sure I agree with them.”

  “I’ll enjoy staying with Dad Andy. I can drive to work and back, or if you prefer I can take the week off.”

  “That’s what I’d like. I want to know someone is here with Andy. I’m worried enough about Jeb.”

  “No problem. I’ll have my secretary move my appointments. I’ll pack some clothes and come out tomorrow.”

  Sunn’s mom hugged her. “Thank you. But if you get the least scared while staying here, call the sheriff.”

  “Don’t worry. I will.”

  * * * *

  Todd Carrigan rang the bell on Dr. Chandler Larsson’s door. Chandler welcomed him into his condo.

  “Go in the study and pour yourself a drink. I just got back from the hospital and want to change out of this suit.”

  Todd walked across the foyer and into the living room. He went down the hall to the right and into Chandler’s study.

  On the left side was a built-in bar.

  He put ice in a crystal tumbler and poured bourbon with a splash of water. The whiskey slid down his dry throat. He surveyed the room where Chandler and he had often visited. As usual it was neat as a pin. Todd liked to tease Chandler that he kept his home as well ordered as his office.

  Chandler strode in and joined Todd at the bar. “It’s been a long day. I’m glad I’m not on-call tonight.” He poured himself bourbon over ice. Then he walked across to one of the comfortable lounge chairs. “Join me.” He sat and stretched out his legs.

  “Don’t mind if I do. I thought it was time we finalized our plans for our move. How are you doing with relocating part of your practice?” Todd asked.

  “Good. I’ve arranged for a new doctor in town to join my practice. He’ll take most of the patients. I’ll see the ones that specifically ask for me on Thursdays, and I’ll do surgeries the next Wednesday. That way I only have to fly in once, take care of business in two days, and fly back to Saddlespurs. I’ll open an office in town and see whoever needs my care locally and the patients who are agreeable to flying in to see me specifically. What about you?”

  “I’m going home this week. I want to talk again with Sunn’s dads about buying their ranch. It’d give me more land for cattle. I think they’re leaning toward selling to me after I promised not to mine the land. I agree with them on keeping it in its natural state as much as possible.” Todd took a deep swallow of his whiskey. “And I’m looking forward to seeing Sunn and starting to seduce her back to us. I’d hate to lose her to one of the new cowboys in town.”

  “I won’t be far behind you. I have several surgeries this week. I plan to be in Saddlespurs by Thursday or Friday.”

  Todd got up and walked to the window. He could see parts of Houston.

  “Are you going to miss the city?” Chandler asked.

  “Not as much as I miss Sunn. We can come to the city for a visit whenever we want, especially since you’re keeping this condo.”

  “She’s going to be surprised to see us back in town.”

  “And she won’t give in easy to us. I hate that we hurt her.” Todd turned to face Chandler. “The thought of committing to one woman scared the hell out of me, so I ran. But I’ve regretted my actions.”

  “Me, too, but being divorced had made me extra cautious.”

  “We’ll make it up to her. I don’t intend to take no as an answer.”

  “I got a call from her mother and a local Saddlespurs doctor who has her dad, Jeb, as a patient. The doctor says his X-ray looks like there might be a tumor in the lower right lobe. I recommended a thoracic surgeon.”

  “Damn, she’s going to need us. I’m glad we’re ready to make the move.” Todd put down his empty glass. “I’m going to drive to Saddlespurs first thing in the morning.”

  “Keep in touch and let me know what’s going on.”

  “I want to talk with Bern and Lann about using one of their landing strips instead of me building another one. Then I’ll fly my jet home.”

  Chandler walked him to the door. “See you soon.”

  Todd strode down the hall to the elevator. He had packing to do, and then he’d leave early, around 5:00 a.m.

  * * * *

  Sunn moved herself into the ranch house Monday afternoon. She hung her clothes in her old room and joined her dad, Andy, in the kitchen.

  She found him stirring the pot of homemade soup her mom had put on earlier. He turned and smiled at her.

  “You didn’t have to move out here to keep an eye on me. I know your mother pressured you to, but I’d be fine on my own.”

  “Are you saying I’m not welcome, Dad?” she teased.

  “Of course not. You know better.”

  “Actually, I haven’t had a vacation this year. I’m looking forward to riding and just sitting on the porch in a rocker.”

  “You’re too young to rock. Where’s a boyfriend or better yet, a fiancé?”

  “I’m a busy professional, and I have no time for a serious relationship. I go out occasionally for dinner and dancing.”

  “You haven’t met the right men. When you do, you’ll find time.”

  “Don’t worry about me, Dad. I’m okay.”

  “We’d really like to have some grandchildren. We’re counting on you.” He grinned at her. “No, we just want you to be happy and no matter what you say, you don’t look happy.” He placed the spoon onto the spoon rest, lowered the heat to low, and walked out on the porch with her. They sat in two of the rockers and stared out at the prairie and the rolling hills in the distance.

  Sunn took a deep breath. “This place centers me and makes me realize how much I like the ranching life. Not that I don’t enjoy my work, but I like being at the ranch, too.”

  “We’ve had several offers on the place. Your mom said she told you about the one she’s worried about, but Todd Carrigan also wants to buy our property. He has no problem with us keeping the house and surrounding acres.”

  “Todd wants more ranch land?” Sunn had tried to not react outwardly to her father’s words. She didn’t want to think about Todd being around on a more permanent basis. Although she was over him, he reminded her of the hurt he and Chandler had caused her.

  “He said he’s going to live here, and he wants to add more cattle to his land.”

  “That’s strange. I had the impression nothing would move him from Houston. He seems like a big city guy to me.”

  Her father looked at her inquiringly. “What gave you that impression? He told me he grew up two counties over. I’ve always thought he fit well here at Saddlespurs.” Her dad took out his pipe and lit it, took a puff, and said, “You must know him better than I realized.”

  “I dated him and Chandler for a while in the past.” She frowned at her father. “Dad, I wish you’d stop smoking. I’m worried that may have caused Daddy Jeb’s lung problems.”

  “Well, I think a pipe is different than cigarettes, but I guess you’re right. I’ll put it out and chew on the stem.” He emptied his pipe. “Happy?”

  “Yes. Will you sell to Todd?”

  “If you don’t mind, then I’m going to. Your mom is anxious to get a place in North Carolina and move there for at least half the year. We promised her a long time ago, and we don’t break promises, especially not to her.”

  “I have nothing to say about it. Do whatever you want.”

  “You can stay at the house anytime. Remember, we’ll still have it.”

  “I haven’t forgotten. Thanks, Dad. I think I’ll go for a walk.”

  “Go ahead. I’m going to sit here and rock in my chair. I’m old enough,” he said and laughed.

  Sunn waved and walked to the right and out of sight of the porch. She planned to sit under the stand of trees straight ahead of her. It had always been her place to think, dream, and figure out her problems since she was young.

  The tall trees shaded a large area, and a breeze rippled through the branches. Sunn chose a spot and sank down on the soft grass. The f
amiliar scents of cattle, hay, grass, and other smells familiar to her wafted across her nose. She was home.

  But this time was different. Daddy Jeb might be seriously ill, and her parents wanted to sell most of the ranch. What was worse, they were planning to accept Todd’s offer.

  Why does it bother me? If I’m over him and Chandler, it shouldn’t. I really thought I loved them and that they cared about me. But they ran back to the city and didn’t communicate until I saw them at Bliss’s wedding. I don’t trust them, and I don’t want to have feelings for them. My life is getting too complicated.

  She got up and walked to the barn. Her horse, Minnie, hadn’t been ridden much lately. She’d been busy in her office and tired on Sundays when she visited her parents.

  When she stepped inside, she stopped to let her eyes adjust to the dimness. The barn was cool and dark after being out in the bright sunshine. Horses stirred around and toward the back of the barn she heard a faint sound. What was that?

  Sunn heard footsteps. She slipped into the first stall and knelt down. The man carried a gasoline can and was leaving a trail behind him.

  “What are you doing?” Sunn jumped out at him and pushed him down from the back. He dropped the matches he’d been carrying and the gasoline can fell to the side. She grabbed the matches and the can. As he stood, she threw gasoline at his pants.

  “Now if you tackle me and light a match you’ll go up in flames, too.” She ran as fast as she could go toward the farmhouse and yelled for her dad. When she glanced back, she saw the man had stripped off his pants and was running toward the woods behind the barn.