Seal Cowboy: SEAL Alliance Romance Series, #7

By Alexa Davis and Ivy Jordan

When James Laurie came home from the SEAL's, the last thing he expected was to find his longtime mentor, the man he considered more of a father than his own, on his death bed. He'd been told over the years, time and time again, that the Ranch where the man helped raise him from a boy to the man he'd become, would be his one day. With the reading of the Will, the man had kept his word, and left everything to James.

James Laurie was used to life being hard, so he never assumed anything would come easy. When the old man's estranged kids decided to contest the Will, James knew he should've saw it coming, but he didn't.

Evelyn Pierce was struggling to find her place in the world. The daughter of high-powered attorney's in New York, she only knew, that wasn't what she wanted. She moved her law practice to Amarillo, Texas to be near her favorite cousin, Axel, a retired Navy Seal who sold her on the country life as children with the stories he told on visits.

When her cousin asked her to take on an estate case for a Seal friend, she had no idea what she was walking into. Corruption and deceit in the judicial system would rattle her core, causing her to rethink her career path. The man she represented, James Laurie, would clench her heart with an iron fist, causing her to question her future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alexa Davis
• Release date: Dec 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386527459

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Chapter One

James

My hand shook as I held the summons in my hand. This couldn’t be real, could it? I opened the letter again, reading carefully in case I missed something. Nope, it was real. Those fucking kids were trying to take my farm.

I walked into my office, searching frantically for the will left by old man Jasper, the only man I ever considered a father. It was clear. He left the farm to me and all that it included: equipment, livestock, the house, all the outbuildings—it was mine. So why were the kids contesting it now? It’s not like they ever stepped foot on this farm, ever cared to see if their father needed anything. Hell, they barely called the old man to check on him.

Blood boiled in my veins as I tried to wrap my head around the situation I was in. I had the will, so how could this even happen?

I’d called Luke, but he was settled, finally happy, and I hated to dump my bad news on him. I had to call someone, someone who could help, but who? I didn’t know how to fight this on my own. I didn’t even know someone could contest a will after it was read and carried out.

I fell into my office chair, stared out the window at the Double J ranch that was supposed to be my future, and felt uneasy. Noting was guaranteed. I learned that in the SEALS. Nothing. Not life, not happiness. Only death, but even that could sneak up at any time and without reason.

Fuck!

My eyes closed as the gears in my brain started to turn. Who did I know that could help?

Like a fire starting in a dry forest, my brain lit up, and warmth filled my body. Axel. He wasn’t a lawyer, but he came from a family filled with em’.

I opened up my laptop and searched through my e-mails for the last correspondence from Axel. I chuckled as I opened the e-mail with the subject line reading ‘found your woman.’ The image of the large woman sitting on what I believe is a bicycle underneath her round bikini-clad bottom was still there, taunting me.

I quickly sent my reply instead of starting a new string of e-mails.

Axel,

Lovely woman. Is she by chance a lawyer?

I just received a summons from old man Jasper’s children stating they plan to contest the will and have the farm taken from me. I know you have a family filled with lawyers; any chance one of them handles probate issues?

I hope you are doing well. Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner, but I was busy fantasizing about being a bicycle seat.

James

I sent off the e-mail and started searching the Internet for lawyers, just in case. I didn’t have much money to spare. Most of it had gone into repairs on the farm, ironically.

I found a few local listings and was busy jotting down their numbers when my computer beeped. I clicked back to my e-mail tab and noticed the quick response back from Axel.

James,

I am sorry to say the woman is not a lawyer, but a mere supermodel for the BMX circuit. I sent her your picture, and she wasn’t interested, something about you being too scrawny for her taste.

I do have good news, however. My cousin Evelyn Pierce is working not far from you, and she has a background in estate and probate law. I’m forwarding her your information now. I know she’d be happy to help out one of my SEAL brothers.

Please, be nice to the poor girl. She is a city girl, and only recently moved to the country.

Axel

My heart pounded hard against my chest as I read the words sent from my friend. Hot damn, it was good to have connections, or at least know people with connections.

Axel,

You’re amazing, thank you so much! No worries about your cousin. I know how to be nice to a lady. ☺

James

I sent my reply and leaned back in the office chair. It was an old leather captain chair; the pump no longer worked to lower it or raise it, and one of the arms was broken off. It was the standard for what I found when I returned to the farm. Old man Jasper had been pretty sick, and his so-called kids were not interested in helping around the place. I wished he would’ve let on sooner that he was so sick. By the time I got to him and to the farm, they were both pretty run down.

Another ding alerted me to Axel’s reply. I opened it up and smiled. Yes, he knew me well.

James,

Don’t be THAT nice!

She just responded saying she could stop by tomorrow afternoon around noon...is that okay?

Axel

Shit. That was quick. I was grateful, but I wasn’t sure I was ready. Hell, I didn’t even know what I needed. I had the will. I had the court summons. I guessed that would do it.

Axel,

Yes!! Noon is great. I really appreciate this. You’re a lifesaver! I owe you one...



P.S. If she’s cute, I can’t make any promises. You know I love smart women!

James

I closed the laptop and spun around in the chair to stare out the window to the farm. It was a beautiful day, and now that I had help with the legal battle, I could go out and enjoy the rest of what was left of it.

Hey, Queen, are you ready to ride? I grabbed the saddle tossed over the hitching post and slid it onto her back.

She greeted me with a low-pitched nicker, turning her head to watch me strap her into the saddle. My hand slid along her snout after fastening the last belt, and then I gripped the horn and pulled myself onto her back.

Let’s walk the fence line, pretty lady, I stroked her mane as I gave her a quick squeeze with my legs.

The reins in hand, I guided Queen towards the back edge of the property. The front fence was already repaired, but still in need of a fresh coat of paint. I decided to work my way from the back, just in case there were any damages that might allow the cattle to wander from the property.

Queen took control with a slow, graceful canter. She never was much of a trotter, and as she aged, I hated to run her too hard, even if she could handle it, so the canter was perfect. I leaned into her, letting my hands reach to her neck. I stroked her gently as she carried me towards the back fence.

Old man Jasper gave me Queen when I was just a kid, not even old enough to drink. Her gray coat, thoroughbred temperament, and speed made me fall for her the instant we locked eyes. She was my first woman, and now, my only one.

You’ve got to break her, old man Jasper scowled as if the thought of me taming a horse amused him somehow.

He proved himself right in amusement as I tried to saddle her the first time. She kicked, bucked, and snorted each time I got close. I slept in the barn with her for the first few weeks, promising that I would make her love me as much as I knew I already loved her.

I patted her as she slowed, taking a quick glance at a broken piece of fence. It wasn’t enough to allow anything through, but the splintered wood left me with enough concern to hop down and tie a red flag around it.

I didn’t even have to tell Queen to follow me as I walked the fence line. When I’d stop, she’d nudge me, snort playfully, and nearly knock me into the fence. A high-pitched squeal would escape her throat, almost like the sound of laughter.

I stared up at the sky as the sun disappeared behind a dark cloud. A clack sounded from the distance to warn me of the imminent rain.

You ready to run, Queen? I smiled, knowing she wanted nothing else.

I hopped back into the saddle, gripped the reins, and let out a yelp as I squeezed against the powerful muscles with my calves.

Queen stopped at the stables, snorted, and then took a step back. I slid out of the saddle, reached for the gun on my side, and carefully took a peek at what spooked her.

Take it easy, I whispered to her as I pulled out my pistol and aimed it towards a curled, angry rattlesnake.

He was at least ten feet away from where she stopped and was blocking the entrance to the stables.

Good eye, girl, I whispered as I pulled the trigger, putting a bullet right through the snake’s head.

Queen fussed a bit, letting out a squeal as she reared upward.

You’re fine, I chuckled as I slapped her on the ass.

I got her settled, unsaddled, and brushed before putting her in her stall. Goofy, a brown and white spotted thoroughbred, occupied the stall next to her. He didn’t have the agility or the etiquette of Queen, but he made up for what he lacked with a silly personality and sweet demeanor.

Hi’ya, Goofy, I smiled.

Goofy slid his tongue from his mouth, letting it hang to the side as I stroked his neck. I laughed as he spat in my direction, coating me with a nice amount of slobber.

I left the stables and headed to the house, stopping to pick up the rattler on my way. I shoved its body through a nail already buried into the wood railing of the front porch and went inside.

My boots were left by the door, covered in mud and splattered with a few drops of rattlesnake blood. The place was cozy, nothing fancy, but with a little hard work, it would be more than enough for just me. I hated the thought of losing it, of it being sold to someone who didn’t care what hard work had gone into the place.

I stripped out of my clothes, tossing them on one of the chairs by the table, and headed for a hot shower.

My muscles ached, not from work, but stress. I hated the tense feeling that lingered in my shoulders and pinched at my neck. The hot water helped, but not enough. This mess couldn’t be over soon enough.

As my eyes closed against the hot streams of water, my mind drifted to Evelyn Pierce. I didn’t know how good she was, but I knew I needed her to be great.

I chuckled as I tried to imagine what she looked like; tall, slender, maybe blonde hair that rolled into a tight bun atop her head. I started to grow hard thinking about the image of a woman. It had been awhile. It had been a long while. Fuck.

Axel was right to worry. I was all alone out here, and with the work on the ranch, there was no time for women. It was clear she was attractive, that much I knew, or Axel wouldn’t have worried. Man, I hope she’s an ugly duckling, a real stinker. I can’t afford to get distracted now.

My hand dropped to my manhood anyhow, even with the thoughts of her being a real rough, down-to-business, no-nonsense type. Fuck. The more I thought about her all tightened up in a business suit, the more I thought about unwrapping her like a Christmas present from Santa.

Water slapped against my pelvis as my hand pushed and pulled at my meat with a tight fist clenching, loosening, and then clenching again with each stroke. Best to get the toxins cleared from my body now, just in case she is as sexy as I imagine.

Chapter Two

Evelyn

The Double J Ranch sign hung above a dirt lane as I turned my car. The sign was old, most of the letters in need of repainting. This was the address Axel gave me, and the name matched the one in my e-mail. Why was he fighting for this place? It looked like it needed a ton of work.

I stopped my car where a red pickup truck was parked and started searching through the papers on my seat. Everything was scattered everywhere, but I knew exactly where to find what I needed. I chuckled to myself at the thought of my father’s scowling face. Evelyn, organization is the first step towards success, he would say, his long nose pointing downward at me as he spoke with disappointment echoing in his voice.

Success meant something different to me than it did my father, than it did to most, really. I wanted to be happy, and the big city wasn’t the place. Although, I wasn’t certain the country was the place either.

I shoved a new notepad, a few pens, and a book on probate and estate law into my briefcase and opened my car door.

Dammit. Why did I bother to wear my nice shoes? There was mud everywhere, and no sign of a walkway. My expectations of a ranch being fought over in probate court were much higher than what I drove up to.

The house was small, a brick ranch with a wraparound porch. The wood on the porch railings was splintered, and any sign of paint or weather treatment was long gone. The ranch was nice and solid, but small. Shutters on the outside hung crooked by some of the windows, and one was missing entirely.

I sighed as I slung the brown leather briefcase over my shoulder, a gift from my father after I passed the bar.

My first step down onto the muddy make-shift drive and my shoes were covered in mud up to my ankle. The rehab ranch was much nicer, cleaner; this place was a cesspool in comparison. Damn heels. Was I trying to impress the man I was doing a favor? I hated my height, and every time I was meeting someone new I tended to opt for my highest heels. Coming to a ranch in Hereford, Texas obviously made my decision a silly one.

I slammed the car door and turned to head towards the house when I realized my left heel was stuck in the mud so deep I couldn’t move. My hands reached frantically for the car, but I was already going down.

My backside ached as it landed hard on the ground, splashing mud from the puddle beneath me onto my clothes, my face, and my hair. The briefcase, the one Daddy bought me to stay organized, was a few feet away from me, lying comfortably in a clean patch of grass. It mocked me as I struggled to get up, only to fall again, this time face down so I could taste the earth, my embarrassment, and my father’s disappointment.

I busied myself wiping my face and clearing my eyes so I could see my way back to the car. I would leave, before James Laurie realized I was even there, and quickly wash up before returning.

Woah, a deep voice called from somewhere near, too near to escape.

I looked up to see a gray horse, teeth showing with lips curled back as if to laugh at me. Atop the horse, a man: tall, lanky, wearing a black ten-gallon hat. He slid from the saddle, the same grin as the horse spread upon his face.

Take my hand, he offered, extending it towards my mud-soaked body.

What choice did I have but to take it, to let this man help me to my feet?

Evelyn Pierce, I said softly as I took his hand.

He was strong, his grip firm, and with one swoop I was on my feet.

I assumed, he grinned.

It’s not funny. Someone could really get hurt out here, I scowled, trying the best I could to save some dignity.

His grin disappeared, and his face turned serious as he reached behind my back to steady me.

I’m sorry, ma’am, you’re right. Are you hurt? he asked gently.

No, I stammered.

Let’s get you to the house. You can use my washroom to clean up, he smiled warmly, not mockingly like before.

Thank you. Are you the cowboy I’m here to help? I asked as he guided me slowly towards the patch of grass that led to the house.

I am. James Laurie, ma’am, he introduced himself.

He wasn’t at all what I expected. As far as being a cowboy, he didn’t look like one other than his clothes, boots, and horse. His skin was soft, not hardened by years in the sun herding cattle. His build was tall, towering over my five-foot frame by at least sixteen inches, but lanky, not muscular and thick like most of the cowboys I’d run across.

I really do appreciate you coming out here to help, he opened the door, guiding me inside.

I looked around, seeing what I expected from the outside view. The front room was larger than expected, but outdated, undecorated, and dirty. The walls were papered in a faded design; wagon wheels was what I thought I made out. The furnishings were old, worn, and misplaced. With some work, it could be nice, real nice, but why would someone want to do all that work, especially this cowboy that looked like he belonged in the city more than I did?

Your washroom? I asked meekly, my voice squeaking like a tiny mouse as I spoke.

I cleared my throat.

If you don’t mind, I added.

Of course, ma’am. It’s the first door on the left, he pointed down the narrow hall.

Ma’am? I wasn’t sure I cared for that address. It made me feel old. It was easy to see I was older than James Laurie, at least by a few years, but not old enough that he should call me ma’am.

Miss Pierce is fine, I smirked and then headed in the direction of the washroom.

Disappointment struck me hard as I closed the bathroom door behind me. The room was small and smelled of something strange, something I couldn’t quite recognize.

I looked for towels, most of which were on the floor, except one tucked in the small shelf above the toilet.

Where was I even to begin? I was a mess, my clothes covered in mud, and even if I used the dirty towels on the floor, which I really didn’t want to do, there wasn’t enough here to clean me off.

The shower curtain was old and made from a stiff plastic. I pulled it back, fearing the worst. I sighed at the sight of a clean tub, clean tile walls, and a shower head I prayed worked.

I kicked off my shoes, carefully placed them in the tub, and then stepped in beside them. I’d rather be wet than muddy, so with my breath held, I turned the water on and flipped the lever to activate the shower with me underneath the nozzle.

Pipes rattled in the walls as the water worked its way out of the shower head and onto me. Mud ran down my face, my legs, and all through the tub as I was washed clean, not only of the mud, but of what little dignity I’d had when I arrived.

A bar of soap mocked me from the small shelf on the shower wall. It was dirty, covered in more mud than myself. No, rinsing was fine. I’d dry off with the one clean towel the best I could and just pull my hair back into a tight bun while it dried.

I shut the water off once it ran clear and stepped out of the tub onto one of the dirty towels. A pair of red boxer briefs peeked out from under my feet as I reached for the clean towel. My mind wandered to what the tall cowboy looked like wearing only them and his hat.

Knock, knock. Ma’am, I-uh, I mean Miss Pierce. I found some old clothes in the back room. I think they belonged to one of his kids, old man Jasper that is. They-uh, they are clean, and dry at least, James spoke through the door with a nervous rattle in his voice.

He must not be used to women throwing themselves into the mud at his feet, and then scowling at him for their misfortune and clumsiness. I sighed. Kids clothes? Old clothes? But, like he said, they were at least clean and dry.

Knowing that the one towel wouldn’t dry my silk blouse and tweed skirt, I opened the door just enough to accept his offerings.

Oh, how he must be laughing his ass off now. I set the sweatshirt and shorts on the toilet seat and stripped from my own soaked clothes. After drying off, I stepped into the bright green shorts: boy shorts no less. They were ridiculous, but they did fit. The sweatshirt was gray with the words written across it in a bold red. I stared in the mirror, completely and utterly mortified as I read ‘Save a horse, ride a cowboy’ on my chest.

The silk blouse I wore was soaking wet and showed my bra underneath while wet. My eyes rolled as I pulled my hair back into a tight bun and took a deep breath. Suck it up, Evelyn. You can do this, I told myself under my breath as I stared into the small, dirty bathroom mirror.

My hand turned the knob; I straightened up my back and walked with confidence into the main room to meet James Laurie. I smiled, picked up my briefcase, and moved to the table.

Let’s get to work, I took a seat at the table trying hard not to think about how ridiculous I must have looked.

I was relieved when he took the seat across from me, quickly nodding as he pushed papers in my direction. No nonsense, all business. That was what I needed right now.

Chapter Three

James

The woman was all business , all five feet of her. I watched anxiously as she shuffled through the papers I’d given her, the look on her face serious, but the way she pushed her eyebrows down as she read was somehow adorable.

Axel was right to warn me. Something about her intrigued me.

Do you know who was named executor of the estate? she asked.

I was, ma’- Miss Pierce, I stammered.

She nodded. Was that a smile?

She looked ridiculous in the shorts I’d found, but her thin legs poking out of them had caught my eye.

Evelyn Pierce cleared her throat as she pulled my attention back to the table and away from her legs. They were tan. I imagined what she’d look like in a bikini.

The children do have the right to contest the will, simply because they are next of kin, she stated firmly.

My heart sank. That wasn’t what I wanted to hear.

The cost for them is sometimes enormous, outweighing the gain if they win, she cleared her throat again as she looked around the room.

I know it’s not much to look at, but it’s a good ranch. Before old man Jasper died, before he got sick, this place was thriving. That’s what I want to do again, make it thrive, I rattled on like a silly teenager.

I hadn’t even realized how badly I wanted this place when he’d given it to me. Now, the thought of losing it was tearing me up inside.

Is this the only will? she asked, holding the paper I’d given her.

Yes, that I know of, I admitted.

Their case is weak if so, but if there is another one, a newer one, there could be trouble, she warned.

What do you mean, trouble? I sweated.

"Wills made on a deathbed, or shortly before the