Free Loving Justice (El Camino Real Book 2) by Sable Hunter

on the hill overlooking the lake where she’d swum so often as a child. From where she sat, she’d be able to observe the lone rider who would make his way across the frosted hay meadow. But he wouldn’t be able to spot her, which was the way she wanted it.
    And so she waited. But not for long. Soon, a figure appeared on the crest of the hill, and she held her breath with anticipation.
    “Be still my heart. You have got to be the sexiest man alive.” Just the sight of him made her heart pound. Charlee gazed out the windshield of the rented Chevrolet. The wipers had cleared off the majority of the ice, but she still wiped the inside condensation off with her hand, not wanting to risk being unable to see clearly. She clutched the steering wheel, her cold hands folded over the leather circle, knuckles white from tension and nerves. Her Justice was a creature of habit. He always rode his horse right after dawn and today was no exception.
    Despite how everything had ended, she still cherished every moment they’d spent together. “I love you so much. I’ll always love you,” she whispered. No one was near enough to hear her on this still winter morning. Charlee’s eyes ate him up. He looked the same as he had in college, just better. His body was bigger, his hair was longer, and he sat the stallion with consummate ease.
    Justice was one with the horse. He’d given his mount free rein. The Appaloosa was running like the wind, his mane and tail standing out in the breeze. Sitting in the saddle as if it was his throne, his head was thrown back, letting the rising sun caress his face.
    Charlee clenched her hands into fists, fighting down the need to touch him. His shoulders were so broad, and she knew his chest was hard with layers of muscle. If he hadn’t changed, he favored black western shirts with either black or denim blue jeans. In all of her fantasies about him, she always remembered how his shirt was tight enough to mold itself lovingly to his body—just like she longed to do.
    But she’d only had the one chance. That one incredible night which had ended so badly. Thoughts of their baby overwhelmed her. A little life lost before it could live. Could she ever tell him? Charlee didn’t know.
    As he rode by, her eyes adored him. Charlee’s gaze followed him till he crested the hill, where he sat surveying his domain, giving credence to his last name—King.
    And then he was gone.
     
    *  *  *
     
    Justice rode toward home feeling more like himself. Some of the family was gearing up to leave after the holidays, and he needed to be there to see them off. As he and Cochise galloped under the stone arch at the entrance to El Camino, Justice could see Shiloh’s truck was pulled up to the front and the back door of the camper was open. His parents must be loading up to leave. They had retired to Colorado to raise Palomino show horses. Shiloh was going to drive them home.
    “I’m glad you made it here before we left. I need to talk to you.”
    Justice dismounted, tied Cochise to the gate and walked toward his brother. Something was up with Shiloh. He was private, getting him to open up wouldn’t be easy. He and Justice were more alike than the rest of the King siblings. “What’s up?” They turned and walked down the fence line. He let Shiloh lead and stopped when he did, leaning on the fence. Several horses were frolicking in the snow, kicking up the fine powder as they ran. Just like their owners, the animals weren’t used to this kind of weather.
    Shiloh let out a long breath. “I’m going to be gone for a few weeks. After I drop the parents off in Georgetown, I’m heading to Wyoming.”
    “You want to tell me why?”
    Justice watched his brother fight the instinct to keep quiet. Finally, he stooped and picked up a clod of dirt and chunked it over the fence. “I met a woman at the rodeo in Houston. She’s from Wyoming.”
    He waited a few moments to see if Shiloh would tell him more. He didn’t.