A Rancher's Desire Read Online Free PDF Page A

squeezed before letting go. Aside from Lalani, her brother understood exactly how much shit she’d had to put up with her whole life when it came to Evelyn.
    Out of the two of them, he was physical perfection in their mother’s eyes, taking after both their parents in the best of ways. His features strongly read Cheyenne coming from their father while his slim build and darker skin came from their mother. Elan had been the one to receive most of Evelyn’s affection because he fit the mold of the perfect son.
    Aiyanna, on the other hand, was far from what Evelyn had envisioned for a daughter but damned if she hadn’t tried to sculpt her into it; ballet, gymnastics, instruments and any pageant she could get Aiyanna in she’d tried. And Aiyanna ruined every opportunity, purposely, until she finally gave up hope and moved on to trying to run Elan’s life.
    There was love and then there was the obsessive need to control someone else’s life. Evelyn was leaning towards the second and Aiyanna was tempted to push her over the edge.
    “Do you want to find a husband? Or are you just going to end up barren and lonely?”
    Aiyanna looked over at Elan who was pleading with his eyes for her not to say what she was about to say. Twin powers were funny that way.
    “Mama, there’s something I think you should know,” Aiyanna said softly, leaning forward in her mother’s direction.
    “A.J. ...” Elan groaned.
    “Well? What is it?” Evelyn asked.
    “Lalani...well...she and I are more than just business partners and friends.” She kept her face straight and her gaze focused.
    Evelyn’s eyes widened in her face. “Aiyanna Jordyn you better not be saying what I think you’re saying.”
    When her Daddy and Elan started laughing, Aiyanna grinned. “Oh c’mon Mama, you can’t tell me that for the briefest of moments,” she held her fingers a millimeter apart, “that you weren’t happy I actually had somebody—even if she has a cookie jar just like me.”
    Evelyn ran a hand down her face. “You’re determined to drive me into an early grave.”
    Aiyanna opened her mouth and Elan slapped his hand over it. “Don’t. You. Dare.”
    She deflated and sat back in her seat, rolling her eyes.
    “Despite what you may believe Aiyanna, I actually do care if you’re happy.” Evelyn almost looked sincere, especially with the added touch of the pearl clutching.
    Aiyanna looked at Elan and he shook his head no. She sighed, “I know you do.”
    Smiling, Evelyn stood. “I’m happy to hear that.”
    She froze as the doorbell rang and looked at her mother. “Mama, you didn’t...”
    “I promise you’ll love him.” Then she shuffled off to answer the door.
    Aiyanna looked at her Daddy, horrified. “You set me up!”
    Hassun raised his hands. “You get to leave and go home. I have to stay. Do the math, baby girl.”
    Damn, he did have a point.
    Evelyn reappeared a few minutes later, tugging along the potential victim...er prospect. Once again, Aiyanna slowly turned her head and looked at Elan, one brow arched. He arched one back and shrugged.
    Aiyanna tugged her left ear and he cocked his head to the right. The plan was set. Poor dude didn’t even know what he had coming.
     

     
    “Wait, wait, wait. You’re doing all of this for a woman?”
    Julian shook his head and looked over the stable door of his favorite horse at his brother. Havan had caught him in the middle of grooming. “No, I’m doing all of this because she and I both need it.”
    Havan frowned. “What? Sex?”
    Julian rolled his eyes. Of course that’s what it always came down to with his sibling. Havan didn’t exactly embrace the idea of marriage and family. Julian couldn’t blame him. When one grew up in the environment that they had, love was trivial. Havan described it as fickle and unnecessary. On that Julian disagreed. In his eyes, a person couldn’t choose who they fell for. It just happened.
    He didn’t pretend to know what was transpiring