LITMIR.BIZ

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you want to go or not? You know the routine. I need a back door out just in case.”

      Vanessa laughed. “Am I the girlfriend or the wife?”

      “Whatever it takes to get me out of any bad situations quick.”

      “I guess I can do that. Since we’re such good friends and all.”

      “I got your good friend,” Mark laughed.

      “Are you buying dinner, too? This really sounds like it would call for a good steak dinner afterward.”

      “I swear, Vanessa. For a woman who has never officially dated me, you surely are expensive.”

      “I take that as a yes,” Vanessa said sweetly.

      Mark groaned. “Just meet me there at seven o’clock on Friday and we’ll go from there. The place is called the Post Club. I’ll keep my eye out for you.”

      “I’m sure I’ll have no problems finding it. I’ll talk to you later,” Vanessa said.

      “Yeah, later,” Mark said as he disconnected the call. And then, for just a brief moment, he couldn’t help but wonder if inviting Vanessa might have actually been a bad idea after all.

      Chapter 4

      Matthew Stallion pulled his silver BMW into the driveway of Briscoe Ranch. Mark rode shotgun and baby brother Luke took up the backseat. All three men were excited to be spending their day away from the office and out in the field. Briscoe Ranch had become John and Marah’s homestead, the family acreage bequeathed to them on the day of their wedding by her father, Edward Briscoe. Briscoe Ranch was well over eight hundred acres of working cattle ranch and an equestrian center, and its daily operations now fell under the umbrella of Stallion Enterprises’ responsibilities. It had been the compromise that had eventually sealed the deal on an acquisition that had proved to be a challenge to the four Stallion brothers.

      Back in the day, Marah’s father, Edward Briscoe, had been one of the original black cowboys, he and his first wife expanding the Texas longhorn operation to include an entertainment complex that specialized in corporate and private client services. The ranch now housed two twenty-thousand-square-foot event barns, and a country bed-and-breakfast. With the property being central to Austin, Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth, Briscoe Ranch had soon made quite a name for itself.

      Just weeks before John and Marah’s wedding, patriarch Edward had married Juanita, the Stallion family’s surrogate mother. The two families had merged nicely together and with the two marriages came the acquisition of the ranch and all it had to offer. All the Stallion men were excited about the challenge to expand this area of their business, wanting to build a world-renowned equestrian facility known for its community outreach programs. Each of them was committed to affording young boys and girls from impoverished homes the experience of ranch life up close and personal. Mark, in particular, had made it his personal pet project.

      As the three men made their way up the steps of the oversize home, Juanita greeted them at the door, her excitement uncontained. The petite woman reached to wrap her arms tightly around thick necks.

      “Oh, how I’ve missed you boys!” Juanita exclaimed, her gray hair swaying down against her shoulders.

      “You need to come into the office more often to see us, Aunt Juanita,” Mark said as he lifted her from the ground in a deep bear hug.

      “Soon. I promise,” Juanita answered. “There’s been so much going on here that I’ve just had my hands full.” She gestured for them to follow her. “Come on in. We were all getting breakfast,” she said softly.

      Inside the large home, the rest of the Briscoe-Stallion clan were gathered around the kitchen island consuming a home-cooked meal. The men were greeted by the delectable aroma of pan-fried potatoes, thick sausage and seasoned eggs.

      “Looks like we’re just in time,” Matthew said, reaching for an empty plate off the counter. “Good morning, everyone.”

      “Good morning,” said Edward and his daughters, Marah and Eden.

      “There are homemade biscuits in the oven,” Marah’s twin sister Marla said, her infant son looking curiously about from her lap.

      Mark grinned. “No wonder our big brother can’t ever be found. A beautiful wife and homemade biscuits, too! You’ve got it made, boy!” he exclaimed, slapping John on the back.

      “I go away for a few days and now I can’t be found.” John rolled his eyes skyward as he pulled another forkful of potatoes into his mouth. “Please.”

      Luke laughed. “Please nothing. Before, you would take a vacation and we’d hear from you every day. When’s the last time you talked to him, Matt?”

      Matthew shook his head. “He didn’t call me.”

      “Me either,” Mark chuckled.

      Marah grinned widely, moving to wrap her arms around her husband’s neck. “A good woman will do that for you. You boys should try it one day,” she said as she planted a kiss against John’s cheek.

      John’s smile was even wider than hers. “Don’t be jealous, boys,” he said as he hugged Marah tightly.

      They all laughed, chattering easily together as they consumed their morning meal.

      “You all are coming to our event tonight, aren’t you?” Eden asked, looking from one brother to the others.

      Luke nodded eagerly. “And, I’m bringing a good friend. You remember Michelle, don’t you, Marah?”

      Marah nodded. “Oh, I really liked her. I’m glad she’s coming. I know just the men to introduce her to.”

      Mark bristled ever so slightly. “Maybe she doesn’t want to be introduced to any men,” he said, his eyes shifting across his plate as he tried to avoid Marah’s curious stare.

      Luke eyed Marah and chuckled. “But that’s why she’s coming, Mark. I told her if anyone can help her find a good man that Marah can.”

      Mark raised one eyebrow, lifting his gaze slightly to meet his brother’s. “Did you now?” he asked, his tone voicing his displeasure at the sudden thought of his favorite mechanic meeting any other men.

      Luke laughed out loud. John looked from Mark to Luke and back again, cutting his gaze toward Matthew. “Did I miss something?”

      Matthew shrugged. “Beats me.”

      Mark frowned. “No, you didn’t miss a thing. Your brother just thinks he’s funny, that’s all.”

      Luke laughed again, shaking his head vigorously.

      Marah interjected. “Well, just so you’re prepared, Mark. I think it would be nice if you got to know Michelle better. Unless of course you think Matt would be a better choice for her?”

      Mark cast his gaze toward Marah, a rush of heat warming his cheeks as he shook his head vehemently. He stammered, choking on a piece of food. Juanita rushed to his aid, the small of her palm hammering against his broad back.

      “I swear, Mark,” Juanita exclaimed. “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that you’re obviously interested in this girl.”

      Edward shook his head. “Son, I think Juanita done peeped your hold card!”

      Mark tapped a closed fist against his chest as he gasped for air. Everyone around him was laughing heartily.

      “You all leave Mark be,” Juanita said warmly, her gaze glistening with joy. “Y’all gone make him jump scared before he gets a chance to know the girl.”

      Luke grinned, reaching for another biscuit. “Not me, Aunt Juanita. I’ve got a bet riding on this meeting. And I don’t like to lose.”

      It was a nice crowd, Mark thought to himself. A very nice group of current clients, former customers and newbies interested

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