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All Chapters of Lexie and Killian: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

108 Chapters

Chapter 51

Killian spent most of the day cursing himself and calling himself all kinds of a fool. How the hell had he made such a mess? Of course Lexie didn't want anything to do with the asshole. He'd just been feeling so inadequate since they arrived in Savannah. He knew this whole thing was way out of his league and worried Lexie would wake up any minute and realize it.Now, he was the asshole, ruining what was probably going to be the biggest day of her life. At least her professional life. He had been blown away by her talent from the first moment he saw her paintings and, as subtly as possible, encouraged her to spread her wings again. The fact she'd applied to enter this prestigious art show was a big step for her, and now, he'd turned it all to shit. He'd play hell trying to make it all up to her.He wondered how he'd be able to do that. She'd spoken to him today only when absolutely necessary and then in the coldest of tones. He would have thought it pent-up anger except, in unguarded
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Chapter 52

Killian took his wife's small hand in his, giving it an intimate squeeze as they walked to where the microphone had been set up. Anatole Rudman, one of the partners in the Rudman-Speight Gallery and a major sponsor of the competition, was already there, smiling at everyone."I want to thank everyone for coming," he began. "This is an important night for everyone. You all know why we are here, so I won't keep you in suspense any longer. We have some outstanding entries this year and the choices were very tough. Let's begin with third place."Lexie squeezed his hand harder than he thought she could for someone so small.He leaned down to her. "I don't care if you don't win one of their stupid prizes. I think you're the best artist in the world, and I'll take out an ad telling everyone.""Okay." She tried to smile, but it wasn't working well.They announced third place and then second, and, with each announcement, Lexie's grip grew tighter."And now," Anatole Rudman said, "we come t
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Chapter 53

At approximately five in the evening on December twenty-fourth, the entire family arrived at Dusty's house on Osprey Lake. Marliss opened the door for the group as they crowded together on the porch, giving hugs to the women, and manly pats on the back to the brothers. Hunter jumped up and down with excitement."Oh, good." Marliss grinned at them. "You're all here together. Well, come on in and let's get to celebrating."Marliss and Lou had gone all-out in decorating the place. Flickering electric candles glowed in every window, pine greenery graced the mantel of the big flat stone fireplace, and garland wrapped in white lights ran along the railing of the walkway on the second floor.The tree was a massive white pine culled from a local grower, since no pine trees called Kansas their native home. Multicolored lights shimmered among the green needles, but no ornaments hung from the boughs.Theresa Walker had boxes of white bulbs that she'd always decorated the tree with, but afte
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Chapter 54

Rogue cleared his throat."I have something to say." The room grew so quiet you could've heard a pin drop. "This past year has brought a lot of changes for all of us. We've stepped out on faith to form an alliance none us ever expected. We've faced challenges." He held out his hand to Kit. "We've had to come to terms with our father, Dusty Walker, and his legacy." Rogue chuckled. "I'm glad I can laugh about it now. A man I scarcely know did his best to destroy me. But what I've gained is so much greater than what I lost." Smiling at Kit, he continued. "I have a beautiful wife, a baby on the way, and..." He raised his glass to his brothers and their ladies. "I have the best family a man could ask for.""Here, here!" Jackson cheered as the rest joined in with raised glasses and happy comments. "I think this calls for refills."Marliss, who was standing near, came forward with a tray full of drinks when, with a bang, the front door opened, and a tall, thin woman walked in. Her long, gr
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Chapter 55

The office could have been straight out of another century, with its massive desk, huge carved furniture, and lingering scent of cigar smoke. The most modern things were the four men seated across from the desk big enough to sail a battleship on.Killian Walker shifted in his chair and wished, not for the first time, he had his familiar length of rope to play with. Maybe the comforting feel of the twisted strands in his hands would calm his jumpy nerves and ease his anger. This was definitely a what-the-fuck situation, and he wasn't one bit happy about it. If wishing worked, he'd be back in Montana riding fence instead of sitting here with three strangers who looked like him and an old man who had facilitated this situation.Stanley Benner, Esquire, attorney for the late Dusty Walker-his father, of all the fucked-up things-leaned over his desk and plopped a folder of papers in front of Killian and the three other men sitting in a row with him. Killian slid a glance at them, not for the
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Chapter 56

Very reluctantly, Killian had made use of the first-class ticket the attorney had left and flown here to Red Creek, Kansas. Where he'd received the next biggest shock of his life, meeting his half-brothers. When he and his half-brothers had seen each other for the first time, they were stunned into silence, warily watching each other.The attorney rattled the papers in his hand. "As I told you, Dusty and his wife Theresa were killed in an auto accident. We're told they died instantly. It was a very sad day." He looked from one to the other. "So, if there are no more questions, I'll begin reading the key points in the will." He waited a few seconds, meeting each of their gazes."Yeah, I've got one." Rogue looked at his brothers. "How did he...?" He held up a hand. "Let me rephrase that. Why? Why four families in four different states?"The lawyer tossed the papers on the desk and laced his fingers together. "Your father wanted to have children, and he confided to me that his wife didn't
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Chapter 57

 Killian pushed back from his desk where he'd been working all morning and stretched. He'd spent the last two weeks catching up on what he had to do at Hart Brothers Ranch and making sure Larry Hart was okay with him taking off. After all, in a couple more weeks, all this bullshit would be over and he could get on with his life."I like to think of you as a friend as well as a hand here," the man told him. "I'd never stand in the way of you doing something like this. Anyway, my brothers and I know you've wanted to have your own place for a long time. While we'll hate to lose you, if this makes it possible, we wish you well." Then he clapped Killian on the shoulder. "And we'll help you any way we can."Killian had had to turn away at that, choked up at the kindness of the man.The money, however much he ended up with, would help him realize his lifelong dream of raising Appaloosas. He'd kept his dream to himself. He hadn't even told the Hart brothers. But in all the years he'd been wor
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Chapter 58

It was just after noon, and the sidewalks were busy. Killian glanced into Cubby's Creekside Café, studying the place through one of the windows. It seemed very homey inside and nearly full. Probably a good place to pick up local gossip. He'd bet a dime today's was all about him and his brothers. Half-brothers, he reminded himself, and the familiar bitterness washed through him.Benner had called this morning. He wanted Killian to stop by later today, so he could catch him up on how the first two weeks had gone, but Killian wasn't even sure he wanted to hear. He wanted out of this disaster as soon as possible. Still, he'd have to talk to the man sooner or later. Might be best to get it over with.He had made it to the end of the block, in front of Heart Starter. Was her coffee like battery acid, or just strong with a rich flavor? Whatever, he needed something to clear his brain, so he pushed the door open and walked in. A bell tinkled overhead."Be right with you," a voice called.Killi
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Chapter 59

"Well?" he finally prompted.She cocked her head and studied him for long moments. "You're new here," she said at last. "You're one of the Walker boys. Is this week your turn?"Fuck. Was the whole sordid story common news here?"I'm Killian." He held out his hand.She took it, her warm, soft skin igniting the blood in his veins. Or maybe it was the intense irritation at being the object of common gossip."Lexie Choate. Welcome to Red Creek and Heart Starter.""So, does everyone in Red Creek know all the grimy details?" he asked.She gave a slight shrug. "Dusty lived here forever and was always larger than life. When the four of you came for the meeting with the attorney, everyone's curiosity jumped about a hundred points. Word got out and, yes, you can't blame people for talking about it. The story is a little unusual.""To say the very least." He couldn't keep the edge of bitterness from his voice.A tiny frown creased her forehead. "You all aren't happy about the money?"The money. R
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Chapter 60

Everyone knew he, like his brothers, was required to stay for one week. The others had made it plain when they got to Red Creek the week was all they'd commit to. She figured Killian was probably just looking for some female companionship to pass the time. She still couldn't believe she'd accepted his dinner invitation. Since she'd come back to Red Creek, trailing the disaster her personal life had become, she'd refused to date any of the men in town who kept asking her. No more relationships. Been there, done that, had the tee shirt to prove it. Seemingly, her judgment where men were concerned was seriously flawed.But the minute she'd clapped eyes on him at Heart Starter, every female hormone stood up and saluted while all her girl parts began planning a celebration. She was tempted for the first time since she'd run home to Red Creek, pulling the tatters of her life around her. She wanted to think it was because she'd been on sexual hiatus for a long time while she sorted out her li
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