Wade Dwyer's life is turned upside down when his father dies and he learns he must marry or he and his siblings will lose the ranch. One last jab of the knife from his father. On top of that, his father's only friend knows about the stipulation and is determined to own the property by any means necessary.<br><br>He's facing the very real possibility of being the reason his family loses their home when his brother's best friend, Lance Matthews, offers to walk down the aisle with him. A faux marriage to the man he's loved for years is a torture he isn't sure he can endure.<br><br>Can he keep the ranch ... and the man of his dreams, too?

The Twisted Oak

“We’re heading to the house. Are you joining us?” Casey asked, his voice tense, but polite.


Mr. Randle pulled off his cowboy hat and held it with both hands. “No. I’ve got to get back to work.” He eyed them, clearly expecting some kind of response. When neither spoke, he continued. “I guess we need to get together soon.”


Wade and his brother looked at each other, eyebrows raised.


They turned back to Mr. Randle and shrugged.


“What are you talking about?” Wade asked.


“Your father, he promised to sell me the land at a reduced rate.”


Casey’s eyes bugged out. “He what?”


Anger rising in him, Wade took a step forward, gratified to see the old man step back. “What the hell are you talking about?”


“Well, I’m not surprised he didn’t tell you, Wade. He couldn’t stand the sight of you,” he sneered. “But, I assumed he’d told Casey.”


Wade’s hands curled into fists and hatred for the man in front of him surged through him.


Chapter 5