Unconditional Love (Journey of Love #1)(43)
Author: Kelly Elliott

As I walked in, Ryn walked up to me and said, “Let’s wait in the waiting room. Tristan or Lark will come get us.”

I turned around and watched as Tristan, Lark, and his father all argued as their mother walked ahead of them and Lark and Tristan fought over who was going to push their dad in the wheelchair.

When I looked back at Ryn, she was smiling and I saw something in her eyes I hadn’t seen yet…love.

It had been a little over a week since I’d brought Azurdee home to meet my parents. As each day passed, they fell more and more in love with her. Even Tristan seemed to be falling for her…in a sister type way.

I walked into the kitchen and looked at my mother and father sitting there. My dad looked up and said, “Good morning. Did you sleep well last night?”

I gave him a smirk and said, “Yes. Yes sir, I did.”

He rolled his eyes and said, “Your ass is lucky we aren’t old-fashioned or you and your brother would still be sneaking off to the barn.”

I laughed and grabbed a glass out of the cabinet. “Speaking of. Where is Tristan?”

“He took a few hunters out for me that were booked.”

I glanced over toward my mother, who had a pissed-off look on her face. She hated it when my father booked hunts so close to Christmas Day. Hell, if he had it his way, he would be out guiding them on Christmas Day.

I walked up to the window and looked out and saw Tristan, Ryn, Azurdee, and two young guys all standing there talking.

Azurdee was dressed in jeans, boots and a tank top and the way the one fucker was looking at her was starting to piss me off.

I set my glass down and tried to settle my nerves before I walked out there and beat the shit out of the little fucker. I felt a hand on my shoulder and my body tensed up even more.

“She sure is a beautiful girl, Michael,” my father said.

I turned to him and then back toward the group. I nodded my head and said, “Yes sir, she is. Inside and out.”

“Sure would be a shame to let something like that slip through your hands, wouldn’t it?”

I swallowed hard and remained silent.

“Did I ever tell you how I almost lost the love of my life?”

I snapped my head over and looked at him. He was staring out the window with a smile on his face.

“Are you talking about Mom?”

He looked at me and gave me a funny look and said, “Of course I’m talking about your mother.”

I looked over my shoulder and my mom was standing at the sink with a smile on her face. I shook my head and said, “No, sir. I don’t believe I’ve ever heard that story.”

“It’s a good story,” he said as I turned and just stared at him.

“Well, are you going to tell me the story?”

He slowly turned and faced me. “Someday I’ll tell ya, but just know this—if you let Azurdee go, you’re going to let the love of your life slip away, son. It’s okay to open your heart again, Michael. Anyone who sees the way you look at her can see how much you’re in love with her. Don’t let her slip away.”

He grabbed his crutches and made his way out of the kitchen. I looked back at the window and watched as Azurdee laughed at something Tristan had said.

My mother walked up next to me and let out a little laugh. “Michael, just follow your heart. It will never lead you the wrong way if you truly listen to it.”

I looked down at my mother and smiled. “I love you, Mom.”

She returned my smile and said, “I love you too, son. Now get on out there and show that little fucker who Azurdee belongs to.”

I laughed as I hugged my mother and then headed toward the door. As I pushed it open she yelled out, “Muck out the stalls in the main barn!”

“Yes, ma’am!” I yelled back.

I walked towards Azurdee and tried to keep my hands from balling up as I watched the shorter bastard put his hand on the small of Azurdee’s back as they all made their way over to the jeep. I smiled when I noticed Azurdee move away from his touch.

“Heading out for a day hunt?” I asked as Tristan looked at me and gave me a look. I nodded to let him know I was okay. Azurdee spun around and smiled as she walked right into my arms. I held onto her as I looked at the bastard who couldn’t seem to keep his eyes to himself.

Tristan slapped the fucker on the back, causing him to pull his eyes away from Azurdee. “Lark, this is Jonathon and Luke. They’re looking to get them a nice buck. You up for a hunt?”

Azurdee pulled away and smiled as she whispered, “Good morning.”

I kissed her gently on the lips and said, “Good morning, mi amor.”

Her eyes lit up and I couldn’t help but smile bigger. I knew how much she loved me calling her that and I made every attempt to use it all the time, not just when we were making love.

“I’ve gotta pass on this hunt, Tristan,” I said as I continued to look at Azurdee. “I’ve got to take care of some things for Dad and Mom.”

Azurdee smiled and bit down on her lower lip as I felt my pants grow a few sizes too small. I’d hardly been able to spend any time with her the last few days, what with trying to help out around the ranch since my father broke his ankle.

“Probably for the best that I take this one,” Tristan said with a laugh. I looked over at him and smiled as Ryn shook her head and walked to Tristan. She reached up and kissed him and said, “Be careful. Hurry back, I’ll be missing you.” Tristan seemed shocked by what Ryn had just said. He smiled back at her and nodded his head. He watched as she walked back to the house. When he finally looked away he looked at me and attempted to smile. He looked back at Jonathon and Luke and clapped his hands and said, “Let’s do this. Let’s get us some big-ass south Texas bucks.”

I helped them get all their gear into the jeep and then pulled Tristan off to the side and asked, “You want me to take them?” He pulled back and looked at me, confused.

“No dude, I got this. You took the one out yesterday. Spend some time with Azurdee today. I’ve got this. Tomorrow is Christmas and you know Mom is going to want us to do the whole family bullshit.”

I nodded and said, “Yeah, I’m surprised Ryn hasn’t fled yet.”

Tristan nodded his head and looked away. “Yeah, well…let me get these guys out there before it gets too hot. We’re already starting out too late.”

I watched as my brother walked away and ran his hand through his hair. Yep. He was just as fucked as I was. His problem was he was falling in love with the one girl who he didn’t think was the one he should be falling in love with, and my problem was I couldn’t tell Azurdee I loved her.