A King's Heart: Mountain Royal's Series, #1

By A.J. Nighthawke

Justus King is known as the King around his small mountain community. The guys envy him and the girls fight to hang off of his arm. None of it's real. Justus lives his life trying to keep up appearances. Most of those around him are only hanging around to up their social status or for the free food. Ace and Tate are the only ones that know the real King and the only ones that wouldn't care if he had a dime. Owning and operating King Ranch is a blessing and a curse. When Ace's sister returns to Black Mountain, another genuine soul comes into his circle, and this one he wants as more than a friend. There's just one problem... Ace is the most protective brother in the world. Can King finally follow his heart and stop putting on a show? Can a woman just like him for who he is instead of what he can provide? Cheyenne Martin is a firecracker and while most women fight over his attention, she's the one that isn't impressed with his success. She refuses to call him King but he's determined to make her his Queen.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.J. Nighthawke
• Release date: Aug 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201173999

A.J. Nighthawke

There is nothing like a good story that leaves you feeling warm and cozy inside. Here is my promise to you - Within the pages of my books, you will never find anything vulgar or inappropriate. My goal is to leave you encouraged and happy. Who doesn't like a happy ending? You may find a little drama, maybe a touch of suspense. Some of the characters might even face hard challenge's but a sweet kiss, and a happily ever after is a must.

Book preview

A King’s Heart: Mountain Royal’s Series Book 1

© 2022 A.J. Nighthawke No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise – without written permission from the author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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ISBN: 9798832222127

Published by: A.J. Nighthawke

Printed in the United States of America

A

King’s

Heart

Mountain Royal’s Series

Book 1

By

A.J. Nighthawke

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 1

Justus

D id you hear, man? my best friend Tate whispers, wrapping his callused palms around the handles of the wheelbarrow and lifting. Of course, I follow through the stables with ears piqued because I’m intrigued by whatever the latest gossip is.

What? Old man Jenkins got the gout again? I snort sarcastically. There ain’t that much excitement around our little mountain community. Not that I mind. This laid-back life nestled in the paradise of these Blue Ridge Mountains suits me. If things were only so simple in my life. My father expected certain things... lifestyle, success, and exemplary business skills, to name a few.

No, Tate snips back, stopping to look at me. Well, this must be something interesting. Cheyenne Reese Martin is coming home.

Just the sound of her name makes my heart stutter. It takes a few moments for my stunned stupor to break. Even when my muddled brain catches up, I’m still unable to speak as my mind floods with all of the memories.

There were many times that my best friend Ace pushed her on the old rope swing until she squealed when we were little. I nearly had a heart attack when she leaped fearlessly off the waterfall with her long raven hair silky and shimmering in the midday sun. She wore a yellow sundress to my graduation party. That hue complimented her almond-shaped eyes of sapphire and the rich inky color of her hair. When I picture her in my mind, which is often, that enchanting vision is what I see. Her plump bottom lip was pulled between perfectly white teeth. I suppress a groan when it comes to those dimples that bookended a perfect smile. This girl was different than everyone else in my circle.

Cheyenne was only there because her brother, Ace, was one of my best friends. As I was two years older and the most popular guy in high school, nearly half the school was at that get-together. Parties were not her thing. Neither was socializing. She was probably the only girl at Charles D. Owens High School that didn’t peacock to get my attention. All the others would nearly do anything to hang on my arm. Not much has changed.

My name is Justus King, and I am the King of our community. King Ranch was built by my great-great-grandaddy and added to with every generation. We are the biggest supplier of organic beef in Western North Carolina. We own an entire mountain and valley now, and I am the one at the helm. Not much has changed. I’m still the KING.

Jenny, let it slip... Tate goes on, starting to walk again. ... that Ace is struggling with the farm. Four of their farmhands were cut to part-time, so he’s having to bring in family to help.

And the sweet and shy Cheyenne is going to be a farmhand? I question in disbelief. There is no way that Ace will let that happen. He’s always been protective of his baby sister, which is why he drug her along on most of our adventures. Their father wasn’t the best role model, and Ace wouldn’t leave Cheyenne home alone. We all heard the rumors... their mother died in childbirth, and their father was never the same. Everyone knew that he was a mean drunk. Honestly, I don’t know how the man kept their family farm with all of his money keeping the liquor store in business.

I don’t know the details, Tate huffs like I should know that. I’m just telling you what Jenny told me. They were friends in high school, and I guess they kept in touch.

Where has Cheyenne been? I question because I’ve not heard where or why she left Black Mountain. After she graduated, the girl just disappeared like a thief in the night. She was here one week and gone the next.

That I don’t know, Tate whispers. Ace hasn’t ever said, and he doesn’t talk about her. I think he is still protecting her for some reason.

Mmm, I hum, my mind spinning. There is a mystery there for sure.

That little filly is going to be the talk of the town, Tate goes on with a wicked smile.

What do you mean? I question as he dumps his load into the pile of waste.

Cheyenne was a pretty girl back in high school, he reminds with a jump of his brows. I bet she’s blossomed into a...

Shut up, I growl, doing a sweep around us to make sure that we are alone. If Ace hears you talking like that, he will knock your teeth out. Ace would string us both up by our toes if we said one word out of line about his baby sister. That was a line that the two of us knew never to cross. It didn’t matter if we were his best friends or not. Now that I think about it, I find it odd that he hasn’t mentioned her.

She is supposed to arrive on Sunday or Monday, I think, Tate tempts, giving me a wink. If she is single, then I’m interested. If not, I’m still interested.

Ugggh, I groan, rolling my eyes at his words.

۞

Ace is missing from church on Sunday, and he’s there every time the doors are open. My mind can’t help but wonder if Cheyenne has arrived. There is no doubt that Tate catches the absence of our friend as well. Now, I’m curious!

Tate and I head to Que Sera after the morning service. This is one of the three places we eat Sunday lunch. Driving by the Pizza Machine, I catch sight of Ace’s red Chevy dually.

Change of plans, I grunt, pressing down on the breaks hard and palming the steering wheel until Tate and I slide right into a front-row parking spot.

The two of us hop out, and there is no need for an explanation. Tate recognizes Ace’s truck as well. He enters the restaurant with me a few steps behind. The high-pitched squeals catch my attention as Mandy, Cara, and Lily jump up from their table to surround the two of us. Of course, they want hugs and pecks on the cheek. Cara hooks her arms around mine, trying to pull me to join them.

Uggh! I’m not here for these three.

Come sit with us, she purrs, flicking her blonde hair over her shoulder and batting those lashes at me. Should I tell her that her candy red lipstick is on her teeth? I nearly laugh but hold it back.

Letting my gaze sweep across the room, I catch sight of Ace. The others at his table are blocked by a partition wall. After having the three girls take a seat, Tate and I cross to where our friend sits.

Irritation flares when I see Lance, Darrel, and Pyne hovering over them. They swooped in fast. How did my own employees get word about this? Pffft! That Jenny can’t keep her mouth shut. Tate thinks that she only tells her juicy gossip to him. Clearly, she blabbers to whoever will listen.

Ace catches sight of us, throwing up a hand, so I keep walking. My chest constricts at the sight of Cheyenne. The enchantress has only grown in beauty. My goodness!

Missed you at church, I say, clapping Ace on the back and forcing myself not to stare. It would clearly be ungentlemanly and rude to ask the heartstopper to stand and give me a twirl.

Chey arrived this morning, he informs, and that only gives me an excuse to finally look my fill. Sapphire eyes trimmed in the deepest black lashes, tanned skin that is sunkissed to perfection, pouty lips, sharp features, the perfect nose, and.... Ahhhh.... There are those dimples.

Cheyenne, I greet a little too breathily. Nice to see you again.

The beauty only nods, her sparkling eyes flitting to something behind me.

Come on, Justus, Cara whines, sounding like a petulant child. It’s annoying, and I don’t want to be anywhere near her. You took me out Friday. I’ll take you out today.

Wow! It’s evident that Cara is trying to stake a claim, but I don’t belong to anyone. Is she feeling threatened by Cheyenne? If not, she should be. I might date, but that is as far as I’m willing to go. I’m definitely not going to be the fire hydrant peed on by immature girls who try and claim me. No one claims a King. When I meet the one for me, I’ll do the claiming.

No, I state firmly, pinning her with my warning glare that tells her to skedaddle back to her table.

We just ordered. If you hurry, y’all could join us, Ace offers, and Tate and I pull up another table. Unfortunately, Lance, Darrel, and Pyne join us as well. I can’t growl at them like I want to. I need them for work on Monday morning. The only thing that saves me from making a fool of myself is claiming the seat beside Cheyenne.

After ordering, I turn my focus on Ace, trying not to be too forward with Cheyenne. Ace is as protective as they get, and it doesn’t matter if we are good friends. His sister comes first and always has.

"So, what brings you back to Black