And she was right.
The minute she walked inside the ranch, she was greeted by a bevy of people, surprising her with a welcome-home gathering. Her eyes widened in surprise as she was crowded on all sides by those she’d known for years, and many she didn’t. She recognized a few of the cowboys who, when she’d lived on the ranch, hadn’t been much older than she was and now had children of their own.
As well, there were old familiars like Jake Stone, who enveloped her in a bear hug that rivaled her aunt’s earlier embrace.
“It’s been too long since you’ve been home, Yas! All grown up, too,” Jake said, finally releasing her enough to run an appreciative glance over her that made her blush slightly.
“And, wow, look at you, Jake! I guess it’s been longer than I thought since I’ve seen you,” she said, grinning. “I don’t remember you looking so … grown up,” she said, running her own appreciative glance over his face.
He rubbed a hand over his well-trimmed beard and mustache. “You like?”
“I do!” she said, grinning up at him.
Yasmine glanced away, her smile still lingering, when she caught sight of Holt standing in a corner, near the granite stone fireplace. The smile slipped from her face when she noticed the tall blonde standing next to him, her manicured, French-tipped nails placed over his bulging biceps, her crimson-stained lips spread wide as she grinned up at Holt showing all thirty-two of her teeth.
His eyes met hers. Although the animated blonde with her death-grip hold on his arm was standing before him, his bright blue gaze was centered directly on Yasmine.
Even from across the room, she could feel the intensity of his stare. His gaze left hers, going to Jake, who still held her within his loose embrace.
When their eyes met again, she could feel the intensity of his stare from across the room. The energy between them was electric and seemed to sear her very flesh.
Disconcerted with the look, as well as the possessive hold the woman had on him, irritated for unknown reasons with both, Yasmine forced herself to look away, taking a deep breath, and upped the wattage on her smile to Jake.
“Hey, looks like you could use a refill … May I?”
Yasmine glanced down at her wineglass, which was now empty.
She frowned, not sure when she’d finished the glass. That was the second glass she’d had since the party started. Normally she kept it at a two-drink maximum, but she planned to enjoy her surprise party. “Sure, thanks. It’s a celebration!” She agreed.
“You stay here, I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere. We still have a lot to catch up on, Yas,” he said warmly.
“I’ll be here,” she replied with equal warmth.
As she watched him make his way through the crowded throng, Yasmine was helpless not to turn back in Holt’s direction, only to find he was no longer in the same spot. She pushed back the odd disappointment. What should it matter anyway where he’d gone? she thought. Obviously her welcome-home party wasn’t all that important. And if it wasn’t important to him, it damn sure wasn’t important to her if he stuck around or not.
The inner mocking laughter in her head was soon drowned out by two baritone voices saying her name.
“Yasmine … good to see you, girl! We’ve all missed you!”
Yasmine spun around, grinning ear to ear when both Nate and Shilah Wilde grabbed her and enveloped her in a group hug.
Squirming, sandwiched between the two big men, she laughed and pushed them away.
Close to Nate was a beautiful woman beaming at his side. Yasmine needed no introductions to know this had to be Althea, Nate’s fiancée, from the look in her eyes as she gazed at him, along with the rock on her left hand that gleamed in the bright light.
After releasing her, he turned, placing a casual yet possessive arm around the woman and bringing her flush against his side.
He turned to Althea and made the introductions. Within moments of talking with her, Yasmine did a swift analysis and knew she was going to like the vivacious, lively woman.
When her aunt had first told her about Nate’s upcoming nuptials, Yasmine had been more than curious to find out who’d won the heart of Nate Wilde, particularly after his disastrous first engagement. The Wildes were family to her, as close as she came to having brothers, and she couldn’t stand the thought of him being hurt again.
After several moments of chatting, that thought was firmly put from her mind. The two were obviously madly in love, she thought, watching them as they stood with their arms wrapped around each other, talking to her.
When she saw the way the woman made Nate laugh, and the small, secret smiles they shared when they thought no one was looking, Nate whispering in her ear, whatever he said making her both giggle and blush, Yasmine felt a sting of jealousy for the love the two obviously shared before she quickly dispelled the feeling.
As the unofficial head of the household, Nate took his responsibilities seriously, always looking after the ranch, his brothers, as well as those who worked for them, putting their needs first. She smiled. He deserved happiness.
Jake soon returned and replaced her glass. For the next hour Yasmine talked and laughed with everyone, reacquainting herself with those she knew as well as forcing her natural reticence to the side and welcoming new faces.
“Looks like you’re having a fantastic time, baby … So I’m forgiven?”
Yasmine turned and smiled as her aunt approached her.
“You most definitely are forgiven. I’m having a fantastic time,” she replied happily.
Lilly raised one brow, a smile lingering around the corners of her wide mouth. She nodded her head toward Yasmine’s empty glass. “I suppose after four of those, I’d be just as happy, too,” she said, the sides of her mouth quirking.
“Four? I haven’t had …” Yasmine stopped and laughed. She actually had lost count, caught up in the party mood and simply having a good time. “Were you keeping tabs on me, Aunty?”
“Always have. Probably always will” was Lilly’s nonapologetic reply, and they both laughed. It was true.
And Yasmine wouldn’t have it any other way. Her aunt’s love and caring for her was a constant in her life, one she depended on.
“Yeah, I guess I’ve had enough of these. I’m afraid I’ve reached my limit,” she agreed.
“You look beat,” Lilly said bluntly. “Are you sure this isn’t too much?”
“I am. But I’m having a great time.” Although she was tired, having gotten up at zero-dark-thirty to catch her flight, she wasn’t ready for the party to end. Something that surprised even her, as she normally wasn’t the partygoing type.
“I think I’ll just go outside for a bit. Catch some fresh air.”
“Want me to go out with you?” her aunt asked, and Yasmine shook her head.
“No, I’ll just go for a short bit, clear my head from these,” she said and laughed. As much as she was enjoying herself and loved her aunt, Yasmine really did need a break from the festive party. Besides it being a long day, the excitement was starting to take its toll on her.
Her aunt gave her a quick hug. “Okay. You go ahead, baby. I’m sure no one will miss you for a short bit,” Lilly said, and after a second quick hug, Yasmine left.
Lilly saw the minute Holt noticed Yas leave. The entire evening she’d watched the two as they circled around each other like a stallion and a broodmare in heat. Not coming too close to each other, but both aware of the other’s presence.
Just as she guessed he would, within moments of Yasmine leaving, he quickly ended his conversation with the woman who’d been clinging to him like static the entire night, pawning her off on one of the young ranchers who willingly took the woman off his hands.
A small grin lifted the corners of Lilly’s face. It was going to be one heck of an interesting visit. She just might get her wish after all, and Yasmine would come home for good this time.