Page 1 of Brand Me, Cowboy's Second Chance

CHAPTER1

BOOTS AND BITCHING PODCAST

What's up,Sagebrush Creek? It's your favorite secret podcaster here with another boots-on-the-ground update. Pour yourself a sweet tea... or something stronger. Honey, the gossip is extra spicy today, don't say I didn't warn you.

First stop on our little tour of scandal is the Mane Event Hair Salon downtown. Have y'all noticed the sudden rush of appointments? Those styling chairs haven't seen this much action since a certain stylist and her best friend's boyfriend decided to break them in after her shift... but you didn't hear it from me.

Word on the street is the ladies are lining up for those Texas-sized blowouts and fresh highlights faster than you can say yeehaw. The higher the hair, the closer to the Kingridge boys; at least that's what these desperate darlings seem to think. Nothing says "Notice me, cowboy" like three cans of hairspray and a prayer, am I right?

Speaking of Kingridge royalty, our prodigal son Fallon made quite the appearance at that little wedding party they threw in the pole barn last weekend. For someone who's supposed to be enjoying his homecoming, he sure kept to himself. The man was skulking around the back of the room with that European cologne wafting behind him.

Makes you wonder if he was looking for someone special. If he was, she sure made a point of avoiding him. But I'm sure that's just me not letting sleeping dogs lie. And either way, there's still no ring on his finger. As far as I'm concerned, it's still anyone's game. But between you and me, sugar, I'd put your money on someone who hasn't already broken his heart.

You didn't hear it from me, but Sagebrush Creek might be on the brink of another Kingridge love story. And this time, it ain't a city girl with a secret past. Nope. It's a hometown girl who never stopped loving him.

Speaking of broken hearts and family feuds... have y'all heard about Dawson Stone? The man got a real Texas welcome, bless his heart. Even those buns in the Reagan sisters' ovens can't seem to bring him into the fold with his new Kingridge brothers-in-law. Instead of playing nice with our small town royalty, our stubborn little Dawson has taken to carving out his own ranch on that pitiful plot of land up the road.

Dawson, sugar, let me give you some free advice... don't start a fight you ain't gonna win. Embrace those in-laws, and life might just get a little easier. Because if you ain't a Kingridge in this town, you might as well be shoveling manure with a teaspoon. And if you ain't from Texas, you ain't never gonna be from Texas. Those Kingridge boys are as Texas as rattlesnakes and oil wells, so play nice.

Meanwhile, it seems like playing nice isn't in Mayor Bellcourt's wheelhouse. He's been all over TV and social media with small town celebrity Brandi Rose and her camera crew by his side. Brandi doesn't age, but Mr. Mayor has seen better days. He's there, face pinched and hat in hand, begging for donations to help his so-called community improvement project.

Anyone can see it looks like he's fixing to put that highway straight through the eastern edge of Kingridge Ranch. I guess nobody told him that having a title doesn't mean squat when you're going up against the family that's been bankrolling this town since cattle first hit these plains.

There ain't a soul in Sagebrush Creek ready to stand against those Kingridge boys. Not even our dear mayor with his fancy suits. But the man's like a chihuahua yapping at a bull. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing them all in one room and on Kingridge turf, no less.

That's right, folks, the annual Farm-to-Table Gala and Auction is finally here. This Saturday is the big night. I wouldn't miss it for all the sweet tea in Texas. They're saying it's about raising money for our community. But for my enterprising Sagebrush Creek women, it's a chance to come into contact with the final four Kingridge brothers who ain't locked down yet.

Alexander, Bowen, and Callum might be off the market. But that leaves Geoffrey with his strong, silent cowboy routine. Holden with those smoldering looks and that silver tongue. Fallon, of course, fresh from that European football contract. I'd bet my hat that even Danner will be on parade... we might as well include him since he's unofficially been crowned a Kingridge brother.

Looks like that boy's here to stay. Thanks to one night between Pa and a mystery woman thirty-something years ago, there's a wild card on the table. Lucky us. I've said it before, but between you and me, I'd love to see a local girl turn up with the Kingridge crown for once.

Put on your best boots, ladies. Bring your wallets for the auction and your wiles for the after-party. There's still plenty of Kingridge royalty to go around. Rest assured, I'll be there hiding in plain sight. But don’t worry, them boys aren't for me.

I'll spend my night sipping champagne and catching every whispered secret. Because in Sagebrush Creek, the walls have ears, and those ears belong to me.

Until next time, darlings. This is your bitch with boots on the ground, signing off.

CHAPTER2

FALLON

A literal paradeof women saunters past me. They toss smiles and not-so-subtle glances my way like I'm the prize pig at the county fair. It feels like a syrupy sweet, relentless chokehold. I've gotten used to this kind of thing happening in Sagebrush Creek. But this particular brand of flirting seems to have extended beyond the gates of Kingridge tonight.

I've put miles between myself and my home. Travis' Tavern out here in Findlay might not be fancy, but it does the trick. The lighting is dim and the drinks are cold. Even better, there are fewer Sagebrush Creek skeletons lying around this closet.

But there's no escaping the weight of my last name. It seems that whispers of my homecoming have traveled far and wide through small town Texas.Fallon Kingridge is freshly back from NFL Europe. He's twenty-nine. Still no ring...And apparently that makes me fair game.

At another time in my life, I'd have taken full advantage of every lingering smile and eyelash batting in my direction. But tonight, I don't want anything to do with it. I take a sip of my beer and anchor to my corner of the bar.

"This is where you're hiding out?"

I turn in surprise to see my newly discovered half-brother, Danner.

"Yeah, unsuccessfully, I guess," I grunt in reply.

My affect doesn't faze him. Danner slides onto the barstool beside me like he was invited... He wasn't.

"You know there's plenty of booze back at the Kingridge barn." Danner lifts two fingers and orders another round.

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