The Sunflower Meadow: Tales of Tarza, #1

By K.M. Jenkins

Love at first sight. Fact or fairy tale? 

My name is Prince Joseph and despite the fact I should probably keep it to myself, this is my love story. 

It was a normal day. I decided to take a ride around the pasture with my brother when it happened. The most beautiful woman of my dreams stood in the center of my mother's garden. 

A branch came out of nowhere and knocked me off my saddle. Not even my princely status can save me from the embarrassment I feel. Did she even notice me? 

When our eyes lock, I knew then she was destined to be my Queen forever. All I have to do now is find the perfect spot to propose. Will there be love among to sunflowers or will duty deny us our happily ever after?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Storyteller Publisher 22
• Release date: Apr 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201537050

K.M. Jenkins

K.M. Jenkins is a best-selling author who writes epic battles, forbidden romance, and tales of fantasy and adventure. She released her first short story, “​A Father’s Protection” in 2018, and plans to publish several more short stories before the year is out. When she is not writing, you will find her running her business as a cover artist at ​KJ Magical Designs, LLC and chasing her twin boys around the house. Between the three she has epic battles throughout the day and nothing ever gets boring.

Book preview

Upside Down Vixen

He stood before the mirror, looking at his reflection. His hands kept gripping at the thong of leather around his blouse shirt. Why do I have to wear this stupid thing? After a moment of hesitation and frustration, he grabbed it to remove it—throwing it across the room. He pulled the blouse off his shoulders and left it in a heap on the floor. A smile played across his delicate lips as he sought his riding tunic that was far more comfortable than the blouse. He would have to wear his black-leather vest over the top, but it was better than wearing that horrendous blouse. Sometimes, he wondered about his mother’s taste in style. It would kill her to see he wasn’t wearing what she laid out for him.

Well, can’t please everyone, he thought.

The tunic was over his shoulders and wrapped around his muscular body within a second. Soft fabric embraced his skin, and he gently smoothed it out over his torso. He looked back at the mirror and smiled.

That's much better.

His black trousers went well with his riding boots and tunic. The only thing out of place was his golden-blond hair hanging down in a shaggy mess. He shook his head and ran a brush through it, hoping to bring some calm to the chaos.

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

Hurry in there. You’re worse than a woman getting ready for a day at court! bellowed his brother.

Hang on, I’m coming.

He stomped over to the door in frustration. The one thing he hated most was getting rushed in the morning. Well, it wasn’t exactly morning anymore. He had slept through much of breakfast and brunch. They would probably serve lunch here shortly. His stomach rumbled loudly as he threw open the door.

His brother Ray stood on the other side and laughed. You should probably have woken up earlier if you're that hungry. Sounds like a dragon ready to maul someone. Joey rolled his eyes and shoved his brother out of the way. He made his way down to the kitchen with Ray on his tail. They both grabbed sticky buns with fruit dressing and headed out to the stables. Ray was mumbling something, but Joey was enjoying the sun on his face too much to notice.

They walked into the stables, and the sweet smell of hay filled his nostrils. He squared his shoulders as he made his way over to his best friend in the entire world. The white gelding was happy to see him, as always. Joey could remember the day Sprout came into his life like yesterday. He didn’t want to worry about the day he would have to find a replacement for his horse. They were two peas in a pod with nothing but each other to enjoy. And today was a beautiful day to place the saddle on his friend and go for a ride out to the pasture.

Ray grabbed his favorite horse and threw the saddle up over Brock. He was a tall, black chestnut beast that looked square with the shape of his muscles. The old brute was the Arms Master’s old stud who gave it to Ray when he noticed he took a liking to him. Sprout didn’t enjoy Brock’s company as much. So, Joey spent more time keeping the distance between the two.

You going to saddle that target board up or what?

What in the world is that supposed to mean?

Ray grinned devilishly. Means we can see you for miles on that white ghost. You have a death wish?

Joey growled at his brother. Oh, shut it, will you!

He braced his foot in the stirrup and flung himself over Sprout’s back. Joey shifted around in the saddle until he was comfortable, then nudged Sprout into the lead. Ray muttered something and climbed onto Brock. Ray was a few feet behind when Joey turned towards the queen’s garden.

The sound of women talking drifted on the wind and made him frown. Great, now I’m going to run into my mother instead of going for a ride. He dreaded the encounter more than anything. She was probably going to throw a fit about his choice of clothing. Like she did all the time with his younger sister, Kero. He also hated making a spectacle of things when there were other women there. If any of them were his age, she was all about parading him around in front of them, hoping beyond the wishes of the gods that he would choose one of them to be his princess.

Sprout rounded the corner, and the gardens came into full view. He didn’t see his mother at first because she was sitting behind a rosebush with Lady Annette drinking a glass of wine. What he saw was a fair-skinned, red-haired vixen that took his breath away. Joey’s eyes locked with her green ones and the most embarrassing thing ever happened. A low-hanging tree branch, knocked him upside the head, and dislodged him from his saddle. The next thing he saw was the sky then heard screams coming from every direction. Followed by the unmistakable laughter coming from Ray.

But none of that mattered as he blinked past his confusion and looked up into the sun to see red hair hanging down over the top of him. The sun brightened her skin as she looked at him from above. She smiled and her mouth moved, but the sound wasn’t registering in his ears. All he could do was stare until the moment passed.

You going to take her hand, doofus, or going to drool all day? Ray laughed.

His insult hit home. Joey climbed to his feet and stood before her, dusting off the dirt on his outfit. The dirt left streaks on his dark leather, but it would wash out.

Are you okay?

Joey looked at the fiery angel and smiled. He didn’t realize how stupid he looked as he lost himself in her eyes. His voice wouldn’t work, and the need to say something overpowered him. But as his mouth opened to speak, girls surrounded them.

Oh, by the gods! Prince Joseph, are you okay? yelled three girls at once. He put his hands up to ward off the sudden attack of girls’ hands. His heart dropped when he realized his fiery angel had disappeared. I didn’t even get her name. Secretly, he vowed to himself he would find her again. And when that time came, he would say something to her.

Screeching filled his ears as the girls fought to get his attention. He stepped back, put his hands up higher, and smiled. Ladies, I’m alright. Going to leave you now to your gathering.

Lady Brittany pushed forward and leaned against him. She ran her finger from his shoulder to his hand, then batted her eyes and pouted her lips. It would be all so much more fun if you joined us, your highness. We are so very lonely.

Joey considered her words, then froze when Ray’s voice rang out.

Get off my brother, you harlot. Last time I am going to tell ya! Ray barked. He drove Brock into the herd of women as they shrieked in dismay. Now get in your saddle. You will not spend the day with this hussy of a woman. Dad would lose his head if he knew you were courting Lord Marcus’s daughter.

Joey didn’t make any objections. He grabbed the saddle on Sprout and was on top of him in a moment. They cantered through the field to put distance between them and the girls. Joey glanced over his shoulders to see if he could find his angel, but alas, she’d disappeared from view. And Lady Brittany had scared her away. His anger bloomed for that girl. She needs to get over herself and stop throwing herself at me and my brothers. Think she would have learned after Kero punched her last week.

He shook his head to clear it and broke into a run. Sprout threw back his head and trumpeted into the air and bolted like crazy towards the grasslands north of the castle. Joey heard Ray curse and kick Brock to follow, but Sprout was in the lead. They stopped once they got to the creek about five miles north of the mainland. He dismounted, this time without falling, and allowed Sprout a drink of water from the stream.

Ray came bounding up on Brock and flung himself to the ground. His feet hit with a thud and Brock snorted. Joey walked over to a nearby tree and sat. His brother led Brock to the stream and allowed him a drink. Sprout walked around aimlessly, putting distance between himself and the stallion. Once Brock got enough to drink, Ray tethered him to a nearby branch and pulled up some loose grass to check if it was good enough for his horse.