Chapter 1

      Mason Boudreaux extended a large hand toward the president and chief executive officer of Stallion Enterprises. John Stallion shook it heartily, cementing his company’s five-billion-dollar acquisition of the Boudreaux hotel chain.

      “Congratulations!” Mason intoned as John’s brother, Matthew Stallion, popped the cork on a vintage bottle of Veuve Clicquot Brut champagne.

      John nodded. “And congratulations to you, as well, sir. I’m sure this means that you will be wearing retirement quite well.”

      “I don’t know about retirement.” Mason let out a deep chuckle. “But I imagine I’m going to have a hell of a time with whatever my next business venture might be.”

      Matthew passed each man a crystal flute filled with drink. “Well, Mason, if your next adventure is as profitable as this one was, you’ll be doing exceptionally well for yourself, my friend.”

      Mason nodded his agreement as he lifted his champagne glass in salute, celebrating the sale of his hotel-owning company to the Stallion family. At his age of thirty-seven, selling the forty-five hundred hotels that constituted Boudreaux International Hotels and Resorts was a testament to his hard work and dedication. The multibillion-dollar payment was an acknowledgment of his success.

      “And now that Boudreaux International is under the Stallion umbrella, I can only hope and pray that we will continue to build on all of your accomplishments,” John said, grinning broadly, “which is why I’m happy that we could convince you to stay on board in a consulting capacity. I’m certain that we’ll need to draw on your knowledge and experience.”

      Mason took a sip of his drink. “It’s going to be a great partnership and I’m glad we’re keeping it in the family,” he said as he gestured in Matthew’s direction.

      Matthew laughed. “I appreciate that, brother-in-law. More than you know.”

      “Oh, I know!” Mason said, laughing with him. “I know my sister. I’m sure Katrina has just about worked your last nerve offering her advice about this deal. I’ve lost count of the number of times she’s wrangled me to give her opinion.”

      “You know it!” Matthew said, thinking of his beautiful new wife. Mason’s sister Katrina and he had married a few weeks earlier. His whirlwind relationship with the district court judge had taken them both by surprise and now the couple was anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first child together. “And those pregnancy hormones have not helped.”

      The third oldest Stallion brother, Mark, chimed in as he stepped through the conference room door. His baby daughter was clutched to his chest, the six-month-old little girl looking around in wide-eyed wonder. “Well, the wives are headed upstairs. Good news traveled fast.”

      “I swear, it’s like they all have radar.” John laughed and shook his head. He leaned to nuzzle his niece’s chubby cheek.

      “I heard that, John Stallion,” his wife, Marah, said as she led the way into the oversize room.

      John laughed as the beautiful woman moved to his side. He leaned to kiss her lips, wrapping his arms tightly around her small frame. “I didn’t say anything, baby!”

      Marah rolled her eyes as she kissed him back. “Uh-huh. Sure you didn’t!”

      Mark’s wife, Michelle Stallion, waved her hand in greeting as she brought up the rear. “Hey, everyone,” she said brightly as she reached to take her daughter from her husband’s arms. Mark wrapped them both in a deep bear hug.

      “Congratulations!” Katrina shouted. She moved to kiss her brother’s cheek first and then her husband’s. “This is so exciting!” she said as she nestled close against Matthew’s chest.

      Matthew caressed the bulge of new baby that protruded from her abdomen, his fingers lingering where the baby kicked once, and then a second time. “Yes, it is!”

      With the arrival of the women, the chatter in the room rose exponentially. Mason was feeling right at home as he looked around at the gleaming faces. Family—the best cheerleaders any man could wish for. He and his sister Katrina came from a large family, so this felt very much like home to them both. He grinned widely as he noted the endearing gestures she and her husband exchanged.

      He couldn’t help being in awe of the wealth of love that filled the room. With Matthew and Katrina; John and his wife, Marah; and Mark, his wife, Michelle, and their new baby girl, Irene, the room overflowed with love.

      Mason was suddenly introspective as he imagined what it might be like to have someone of his own to love. He had mastered professional success to the detriment of his personal life. Although he’d enjoyed the many beautiful women who had gone hand in hand with his lifestyle, he’d grown weary of the endless workweeks and his playboy lifestyle. Mason found himself not only ready for a change, but actively searching for the comforts family and stability would afford him. Selling his business could not have come at a more opportune time. He could feel himself grinning at the prospects.

      His thoughts were interrupted by the persistent chatter. He shifted forward in his seat as he drew his focus back to the conversation.

      “Where’s Luke?” Katrina was asking. “And Joanne? I thought they’d be here.”

      John shook his head. “Last-minute wedding chores. They had to have their final session of couple’s counseling with Reverend Barnes, and this was the only time he could fit them in. They’ll catch up with us all later.”

      “Speaking of chores,” Marah interjected. “We ladies have a very long list of things to get done. Between the rodeo and the wedding, we’ll be running from one event to the next through the end of the month, and that takes some preparing for. Each one of us is going to need a few new outfits to wear. Isn’t that right?” she said as Michelle and Katrina nodded in agreement.

      Mark winked toward his brothers, shaking his head. “I told Luke to elope but no, you women had to throw in your two cents. He and Joanne could have been married by now. Done and finished. Then none of you would need to do any shopping at all!”

      John laughed. “Do not get these women started, please.”

      Marah tapped John against the chest. “You’ve got some nerve.”

      “Don’t pay either one of them any attention,” Katrina said, rolling her eyes skyward. “Matthew will tell you that he enjoyed every second of our wedding. Didn’t you, honey?”

      Matthew leaned to kiss her cheek. “That’s right, my darling! Walking down the aisle with you was the best thing I ever did,” he said, winking at the men.

      Mason chuckled. “It sounds to me like you guys have your hands full.”

      Matthew’s head bobbed up and down. “Oh, no, not at all,” he said, his eyes widening mischievously as Katrina punched him playfully in the arm.

      Mason grinned broadly as he watched his sister and brother-in-law, the two teasing each other playfully. It had been a long time since he’d seen Katrina so happy. Joy shimmered out of her dark eyes, everything between her and her husband exemplifying the dynamic relationship they shared. An unexpected hint of jealousy flooded Mason’s spirit. As if reading his mind, Katrina moved to her big brother’s side, wrapping her arm around his broad shoulders.

      “There