Chapter 1
Montana
Such a magnificent beast.
JJ moved back to Montana to help his parents and brother keep up with the ranch. Their parents are older and have had trouble keeping up so back to Montana he went. His brother Jack stays on the farm and lives at one of the cottages on the property. Due to financial hardships, they’ve had to let several farmhands go so a lot of the cottages are now empty.
He moves the last of his boxes into his cottage and starts to unpack. Everything has a place, everything has to have ordered, and everything has to make sense. It’s been ingrained into his brain from the moment he got off the bus for Bootcamp. Marines made him hard and direct. When he pulls his honorary discharge paperwork from the box he looks down at his prosthetic leg. In the last deployment, he was caught in a vehicle roadside bomb and unfortunately lost his leg.
He lived in the city which was easier for rehabilitating with one leg but now found himself struggling to find peace. Away from his routine at his apartment, away from the city, back to the open and unobstructed views. He’s back with one less leg, less a fiance, and less stability. Jack told him they were turning the ranch into a wedding venue to help drive finances up.
Great... Wedding crap.
JJ believes his dad just got lazy with the finances and the cattle drive was less profitable. They get a slight stipulation from the government since there are wild horses that roam part of their thousand-acre property. That is nowhere near enough to keep them afloat. Pop’s best friend in Colorado suggested this wedding idea that has made their ranch extremely profitable. If you were to ask JJ, about weddings, and marriage, the whole idea is for the weak-minded. The thought that you need someone else is just pathetic.
Jack knocks on his door, “JJ?”
“Hey, Jack.”
“Welcome home, how are you settling in?”
“Like a glove. The cottage is nice. Who was this one? Charles?”
“Yeah, he got up and moved to Oregon to be with his grandkids. He’s loving life apparently.”
“Nice.”
“We’ve got dinner with the parents in 30, ready to go?”
“Yeah, give me a minute.”
JJ finishes up cleaning just as he likes it, clean and organized. It’s the way of life. They jump in the truck and head up to the main farmhouse where their parents live. Walking up they see the parents in the kitchen window. As much as JJ is thankful to see them, he is dreading the dinner conversation they will be having.
Their mom sees them and opens the door yelling down to them, “My boys! Come in, come in!”
“Hey Pop, hey momma,” they both say as they pile in the door.
They help set the table and then gather around to ding into the home cooking. This is one thing JJ missed was the home cooking.
“No one makes fried chicken as you do,” JJ admits.
“Amen,” Pops throws his hands in the air.
“Thank you, boys,” Momma beams with pride.
“Alright, we need to get down to business boys. There are some changes going on this week. We are having a photographer and wedding influencer here for six months. Treat them well because they can make or break a business. They are well known and have a lot of connections.”
“You really are going through with this wedding idea?” JJ is annoyed by the whole situation.
“Yeah, John Sampson is prospering and this Roxana Photography has put them on the map. People come from out of state to get married at one of her signature photography venues. She trained a photographer who is on-site there now. The girl is talented,” Pops states.
“It’s a really sweet idea. We have the spare barn that is perfect for a wedding,” Momma adds.
“I agree, when Heather and I decide to get married, it will be here,” Jack says.
“You’ll pay full price for the venue,” Pops teases.
“Hush your mouth,” Momma laughs. “Jack, sweetheart, you don’t worry about the price. When you get married it will be there waiting. Pops, you are going to find yourself sleeping with the horses again if you keep that up,” She teases.
“Yes, love,” He winks at her causing her to smile. “They are staying in one of the spare cabins down there by you boys. Make them feel welcome."
“I don’t have time to cater to an old prissy photographer,” JJ tries to hold his anger.
“You haven’t even met them” Jack shakes his head.
“Still, everyone knows photographers are trolls. It’s why they are behind the camera.”
“Wow, you are a jerk,” Jack responds.
“What? I speak the truth,” JJ boldly states.
“Watch your mouth, James!” Pops warns. “JJ, you and Jack will pick up the photographer and wedding associate tomorrow morning. Be ready and be nice!”
“Yes sir,” Jack and JJ say at the same time. Even as adults, they know not to push their limits.
They finish dinner and JJ is in a down mood. He’s pissed that everything is changing. He’s here to work and not cater to a prissy woman. They head back to the cottages and Jack drops JJ off.
“Bro, I know this isn’t ideal.”
“Ideal would be if I was still marine and had my leg! Not living back at this dump!”
“Watch it!” Jack yells at him. “This place is home, your home, you should be proud of. You want to continue to be angry and then be angry in private. Don’t bring that shit here in front of me! I love it here and I am planning to live the rest of my life here and marry my sweetheart! You are my brother and I love you. You talk like that again, I have no problem knocking you the hell out. Understood?”
“Sorry,” JJ drops his head, “I got it.”
“We all get you don’t want to be here,”
“I’m sorry.”
“I don’t know what happened in the service or in the city for you to hate this place. You need to fix your shit.”
JJ just nods in agreement, he has some demons to handle. “I’ll try. That’s the best I can do.”
“Good, it’s all we ask. See you in the morning.”
“Night brother.”
JJ watches him leave for his cottage and he heads to his. He gets inside and starts to get ready for bed. Taking his prosthetic leg off and he rubs his leg the best he can. The hard plastic sometimes pinches or rubs his leg raw. Between the summer heat, hard plastic, and all the work that they are facing, they are in for one hellacious ride.
He lays down and tries to quiet his mind. Strangely it’s not the trauma from the accident that haunts him. It was the person that was in his life, Alia. The woman he planned to propose to when he got home from his last deployment. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. She was a uniform hopper and wanted to be with a man in the service. She wanted status, to travel every few years, and be a trophy wife. Not a half-ass discharged pathetic fool.
He got the “it wasn’t you, it was me” speech which ended up being really “It was you” and left him to fend for himself. At that moment, marriage was for pathetic people.
JJ wakes up the next morning early feeling anxious. He gets out of bed and starts to work out. Push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, anything he can do with one leg. His running leg is being shipped so running is out of the door at this moment. Bare minimum workout.
He takes some time to shower and get dressed. He hears Jack honk the truck horn and he hurries out to meet him.
“You good today?” Jack asks.
“I’m good, let’s go get this troll who is trying to change our home.”
“You can’t call her that.”
“Not to her face,” JJ shrugs his shoulders.
“Please, not to her face,” Jack rolls his eyes and they take off for the airport.
“Do you even know what she looks like?” JJ asks.
“No... You?”
“No.”
“Well shit...here,” He runs over to a service counter and takes a piece of paper and pen. He comes back with a sign that reads “Roxana” with an arrow that points to him and JJ.
“You are a straight doofus,” JJ teases.
“Eh, well...” He shakes his head laughing.
They stand there waiting for them to arrive. As people filter through the two women see the sign and point. They make eye contact with Jack and JJ. JJ looks directly at the tiny woman with brown hair. He’s questioning where he knows her from.
Everett arrives with Anna in Montana. This whole arrangement is a favor to John Sampson from Colorado. She spent time helping them convert their ranch into a top wedding destination. Everett has spent years building her photography business “Roxana Photography”. With her real name, the press would not only eat her alive but anyone that is associated with her. A lot of people don’t know that Roxana is really Everett. She made sure to be a hidden aspect of the business. Only a few people know her true identity. Once people find out who she is, the past will come flooding into the present.
She accepted this job as a favor to John Sampson. He and his family were welcoming and their pure kindness is what has her here today. Everett walks up to introduce herself.
“Jack,” Everett asks.
“Roxana?” Jack smiles back at her.
“That’s me,” Everett sweetly smiles back.
“Well you are a sight,” He playfully says.
“Um, ok... This is Anna. She is the lead wedding planner,” Everett introduces Anna.
“Hey, y’all,” Anna waves.
JJ can only stare at this Roxana person. His brain is fighting words to try and link where he might know her from.
“You are?” Everett asks JJ.
“JJ” He firmly crosses his arms over his chest.
“Nice to meet you,” She bunches her eyebrows at him. Confused about his demeanor.
“Yeah,” JJ Still clearly unhappy about this change to the ranch. He places blame on this Roxana person as being the reason things are changing. Between not being able to place where he knows her and the fact she showed up, JJ vows to make sure this woman does not enjoy her stay.
Everett gives him a side-eye and challenges her, “Problem?
“Not yet, but there will be,” She fires back.
“Is that so?” He takes a step towards her.
“Keep up that shitty attitude and damn straight,” She accepts his challenge taking a step towards him.
“Oh yeah!”
“Roxana, calm down,” Anna pleads.
“I.am.calm,” She grits her teeth still looking at JJ.
Anna lets off a sarcastic laugh.
“Yeah, regular old kitten you are,” JJ teases.
“With nails to cut you,” She narrows her eyes to him.
“You are just a harmless woman,” JJ pushes.
“Says the asswipe.”
“Asswipe? That’s a new term.”
“Well!” Jack slaps his hands together trying to snap them out of their hateful gazes.
“We should go,” Anna offers.
JJ keeps his arms folded and walks away. To him, she looks like a prissy princess who lived a privileged life. He is standing at the luggage conveyor waiting for them to catch up to him. When the luggage starts to come around, Jack grabs Anna’s luggage and JJ tries to reach for Everett’s.
To his surprise, she pushes him out of the way and grabs her own luggage. He turns to Jack and mouths “Troll” to him. He turns back to Everett. “You got it, princess?”
“Sure thing, Troll,” She snaps at him.
“Say what?!” His eyes glare at her.
“Yes, I can handle my own luggage. Thank you very much,” Everett sarcastically exclaims.
“Good,” JJ huffs.
They all start to walk towards the truck and JJ looks back seeing her struggle with everything but he refuses to help her. In his mind, if she wants to be an independent princess then he will let her. He stops for a minute as the fact she called him a troll just before hits him.
He stops abruptly and turns, “Hold on, did you call me a troll?”
“You are a quick one I see,” Everett says.
“You know...” He turns to face her. He wants to say more but Jack stops him.
“Well, this is a fun meeting. Roana, we are pleased you and Anna are helping us,” Jack tries to calm the situation. “We are not all this hostel.”
“I believe you,” Anna tries to help.
JJ and Everett are squared up ready for a brawl.
“Let’s go,” JJ sternly says.
Jack helps get everyone’s luggage in the truck and they drive to the ranch. When they pull up to the row of cottages Jack starts to explain where he and JJ are living.
“This is JJ’s cottage and I’m just right there,” he points. “Y’all have the pick of the other cottages.”
Everett points to the one farthest from everyone, “I’ll take that one.”
“It’s the furthest one,” Jack seems surprised.
“It’s perfect, farther away from this tool,” she throws her hand towards JJ.
JJ narrows his eyes to her and watches as she takes her luggage and drags it to the furthest cottage. Anna takes one on the opposite side of them.
“Don’t want to be close to the princess?” JJ asks.
“First off, don’t call her that. Second, no. She needs her privacy.”
“What’s she hiding,” The comment sends JJ’s mind into overdrive. Almost a confirmation she is hiding something.
“None of your business,” Anna firmly states.
“That’s how it’s going to be?” JJ tries to push.
“You laid the foundation. Now you get to deal with what you started. She’s the best person to have on your side when shit hits the fan. Don’t push her,” Anna instructs.
“Thank you for the kind advice,” Jack tries to cut the conversation. This is not how this meeting was supposed to go, “Let’s all retire for the afternoon and we will pick you up for dinner tonight and you can meet pops and momma.”
“Thank you, Jack,” Anna nods.
JJ just stomps himself to his cottage and slams the door behind him. He looks out his window towards her cottage and his mind runs wild with questions.
“Fuck this prissy princess. She can’t be that good of a photographer!” he sees her walk past her window and just her look pulls his mind to the opposite. “Where the hell do I know her from?”
Now more determined to find out who she really is.
