Read Online Branding A Legacy (A Silver Star Ranch Novel) by HJ Bellus - Free Book Online

thought. Her eyes are a piercing green. Sterling’s voice distracts me from falling in love with the lady.
    “Went to talk to their granddad.”
    My eyes go between the two of them and I find myself more attracted to the woman. Like I’d date her.
    “Whoa.” I stand to my feet. “I need sleep now.”
    Swinging my large black bag over my shoulder, I dart off before either of them can ask any questions or I mentally dry hump the agent. Sleep, it has to be the lack of sleep and the very stressful day. Holy shit, I’m going nuts. Gripping each side of my face, I really can’t believe I’m living this life and was kicked out by my own family member today while saving Marvel. I mean, it’s not like I’m a town away from home, I’m states away.
    The dim lights peeking out into the hall from the small hospital chapel catches my attention. I decide to step inside and glide my hand along the dark wood benches as I walk slowly up to the candles. Before I know it I’m lighting a candle for Marvel and his family and one for my dad. I toss my heavy bag onto a bench as I sink to my knees and begin to pray. Moments of silence pass by as I remain on my knees and soak in the comfort of the chapel.
    I lose track of time as I continue to pray and give away all of my problems to the silence, hoping they’re trapped never to find their way back. An odd but very settling warm feeling bathes my senses and I know it’s my dad telling me to keep on keeping on.
    “Clover?”
    I turn to see Maverik in the back of the chapel holding his hat down at his side.
    “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt you.”
    “It’s fine. Is everything okay?” I ask as I rise to my feet, steady myself, and massage my kneecaps a bit.
    “Fine. I mean well…” The chapel is so dimly lit, but the cracks in his voice are evident enough to me that he’s just about to break down. “I’ve never done this.”
    His large frame is silhouetted in the back of the church as he raises both arms up in defeat. With all the carnage and heartbreak I’ve witnessed in the last few weeks, this tops it all. To see a grown man, the leader of his family, breakdown is devastating to my soul.
    Without a word, I walk to the back of the chapel, grab his hand, and guide him right up to the table at the front. I remain silent as I hand him the lighter and gesture to a candle. Maverik follows each of my gestures as he lights a candle.
    “Now, just take your time and pray, Maverik.”
    I grab my purse from the bench as Maverik sinks to his knees and bows his head. A grown man so defeated he’s on his knees begging for mercy for his sweet family. It’s in this moment that Maverik Slatter stole a piece of my heart and definitely solidified the fact they’re good people and will take care of me even though it’s not their job.
    I feel a bit lighter as I walk out of the chapel and into the dark on-call room. My head hits the pillow and the tears release. Each of them falls hard onto my pillow. It’s something I’ve done since losing my dad. I let out my sorrow behind closed doors and upon deaf ears. A tear-soaked pillow only knows the true pain buried deep down in me.

8
    Marvel
    H is screams and yells of agony ring around in my head while his blood is the only thing I can smell and taste. Drip after drip of the crimson liquid flows down the back of my throat with the only sound being Saint’s evil laughter.
    The gravel slips and slides under my boot as I try to get to him but never do. I watch as my best friend takes his last breath and it’s all on my shoulders. My leg twitches hard as I feel myself free falling from the scene and then gasp out loud as I wake up to the cold reality. I lived.
    “Marvel.”
    I look up to see Maverik on one side of me and Merek on the other. It’s the same scene each time. The bastards don’t understand a thing I’m going through. As I rotate my head, I see they finally sent away their women.
    “You okay?” Merek asks.
    I lift my head as