The Circle Eight: Caleb

Published by Beth Williamson

Copyright 2013 Beth Williamson

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This book is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and places portrayed in this book are products of the author’s imagination and are either fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

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ISBN: 978-0-9885666-0-6

Circle Eight: Matthew

“Book one in Lang’s new Circle Eight series is a delicious tale of passion and betrayal. Opposites attract in this fiery tale, with memorable characters, fast-paced action and emotional rewards.” — 4 Stars, Romantic Times Book Reviews

“Wonderful love story, featuring the well thought out theme, filled with mystery and heroic women and strong western men.” — 5 Hearts, Romance Book Scene

“Go back to the days when Texas was a Republic in Emma Lang’s first book of her Circle Eight series, Matthew. From its opening page, I became engrossed with the Graham family” — 4 1/2 Kisses, Two Lips Reviews

“MATTHEW is one of the rare novels a reader picks up and never wants to end. Luckily for all of us, this is only the beginning of The Circle Eight series.” — The Romance Reviews, Top Pick

Circle Eight: Brody

“A hot, raw western romance. If you like ‘em gritty, this one’s for you.” — New York Times bestselling author Kat Martin

“Lang has grabbed reader attention with her Circle of Eight series and continues to hold it with Brody, as a bold Texas Ranger meets his match in a determined rancher’s daughter. Not only is Lang’s latest a powerfully realistic western/adventure, but a sizzling hot love story as well…” — 4 Stars, Romantic Times Book Reviews

“Hotter than a habanero, and a thrill-a-minute action adventure to boot, “Brody” is a very intense romance read.” — Red Room, Virginia Campbell

“Brody is a wonderfully well-written, good old-fashioned western love story. And when you get done, you’ll definitely be anticipating which of the next Graham siblings will fall in love!” — 5 Stars, Affaire de Coeur Book Reviews

Chapter One

May, 1840

Caleb Graham stared down at the incredible bosom in front of him, displayed like a banquet for a starving man. She leaned in to him and smiled, showing teeth yellowed by tobacco. Ah well, nobody was perfect, but unfortunately he couldn’t take her up on her offer. He gently pushed her back and brought forth his most charming grin.

“Much obliged, Mary, but I don’t have time for a quick poke. I have orders.” He had been to the small town of Espejo before since it was part of his territory as a Texas Ranger. Mary had flirted with him—or offered her services if he was being honest with himself—each time he came to town. Its proximity to headquarters gave him the excuse to stop there more often than he should have.

One day he might take her up on it. Being a ranger was a twenty-four-hours-a-day job and he didn’t get many opportunities to do much of anything but work. It had been nearly six months since he’d been home to see his family at Christmas. The Republic of Texas was a busy place for a man of the law. There were plenty of folks up to no good.

“Aww, are you sure, Ranger Graham?” Mary’s soft breasts pushed into his arm and his dick twitched. Damn but she was well built.

“Yes, I’m sure. I got orders.” The truth was, he was exhausted. He had brought in a pair of cousins who had burned down a school. While he was at headquarters, his commander gave him an “easy” assignment. Some blacksmith named Rory Foster refused to vacate government-owned property. Hopefully he wasn’t a gunslinger pretending to be a blacksmith who would try to shoot holes in him.

It was an easy assignment as far as they went. Caleb had been shot, stabbed and almost hung throughout the course of the last four years. Kicking a squatter off a patch of land didn’t sound too bad. Perhaps after he completed this assignment, he would sleep, a luxury he longed for. The memory of sleeping in his old bed at the Circle Eight, his family’s ranch, teased him. Although that life wasn’t for him, he did love his family, as crazy as they were.

“Maybe after your orders are done?” Mary’s hand crept down and caressed his balls with practiced ease. Oh yes, she was obviously gifted in the bedroom arts. His dick twitched again and he sincerely contemplated putting off his assignment for twenty-four hours. It wasn’t as though he shirked work ever. He was as relentless with himself as he was with the men he chased.

It was tempting. Incredibly tempting.

His sense of duty and honor, however, stood between him and a day of debauchery with the nicely endowed Mary. In the end, he wouldn’t give in to what she offered. Caleb devoted himself to the job as a Texas Ranger and he would not falter, even if he ached for a soft woman and a warm bed.

“Maybe.” He kissed her cheek, earning a few catcalls from the men standing outside the livery.

Mary shook her head. “That one was for free ‘cause you’re a good kisser. One day I’m going to find out if the rest of you is as pretty as your face.” She squeezed his dick for good measure then sashayed away.

He stood there for a moment until the blood stopped pounding through him. Or at least until he could walk without a hitch in his step. The woman had gifted hands, that was for sure. He adjusted the saddlebags on his shoulder and proceeded into the livery to pick up his gelding, Justice. The horse had been with him all four years, a gift from his oldest brother, Matt, when he left to join the Rangers.

The quarter horse had a big heart, a long stride and could run like the wind. He’d proven himself over and over during the last four years. He was a loyal companion who didn’t complain, at least not in words, although he did occasionally express himself with a nip to Caleb’s ass.

Caleb stepped into the shadows of the livery and headed for Justice’s stall. As a Texas Ranger, he had to take excellent care of his horse. Without it, he was a dead man. He took the responsibility seriously and always paid for the best feed and stabled the gelding whenever he could. Espejo’s livery was run by a crotchety old man named Edgar McGee. He had some questionable hygiene habits, but the man knew horses like the back of his hand.

McGee stood by the stall, his skinny frame silhouetted in the morning sunlight behind him. His wiry silver hair stood on end and Caleb wondered if the man even knew what soap or a hairbrush was.

“Come to get your horse then?” McGee smacked his lips as though he was still tasting breakfast, which was possible since some of it hung on his scraggly beard.

“Yes, sir.” Caleb opened the stall door and Justice immediately shoved his head toward Caleb’s pocket. “Whoa, boy, anxious are you?” He pulled out the sugar cubes he’d snatched from the restaurant and fed them to the spoiled gelding.

“You shouldna give him too much of that. Make him fat.” McGee farted as he spoke. The man was not one to hold back.

“I know how to take care of my horse.” Caleb made quick work of saddling the horse. Justice tapped his right front hoof on the ground as though he was anxious to leave. So was Caleb, although this easy assignment wouldn’t last long. He would take his time getting back to headquarters. After such a long stretch without a day to himself, perhaps it was time he took a breath.

He paid McGee and led the horse out of the livery. The sun shone brightly in the clear sky. It was going to be hot, the promise of summer in the air. He swung up into the saddle and headed out of town. It was no good to be in one place for very long. He’d left the Circle Eight to get away from roots—they had strangled him when he lived with his family.

Now he was always moving, always looking for the next challenge. He wasn’t a fool heading face first into danger, but he didn’t shy away from it either. The last time he was home he argued with Matthew about how often he did make it to the Circle Eight. It wasn’t as if they needed him. There were six other Grahams, plus Hannah, Matt’s wife, and Brody, Olivia’s husband. Not to mention Eva and her two sons, Lorenzo and Javier, who worked as ranch hands.

The Grahams didn’t need him and he convinced himself he didn’t need them. He could only take them in spoonfuls, nothing more than a few days. Getting stuck at the ranch during Christmas for a week drove him to hide in the barn with a bottle of booze.

Truth was, he was only twenty miles from home. He should turn that direction and pay them a visit. Whoever the blacksmith was, his eviction could wait a day. Guilt was an unwelcome visitor but it had taken up a perch on his shoulder.

Although he told himself to head north, Justice turned east instead. The damn horse seemed to read his mind. A stop at the ranch would appease his family. That was the only reason he was riding that direction.

The morning passed quickly with no more than a few critters for company. The sun was high in the sky when he turned by the big banyan tree that marked the edge of the Circle Eight. A shout in the distance told him he had already been spotted.

Sure enough, a little streak of lightning on a horse raced toward him. Catherine, the youngest girl of the Grahams, pulled her horse to a halt, kicking up dust and rocks. Caleb waved his hand in front of his face to clear away the cloud.

Catherine was eleven, full of piss and vinegar, determined to be the most hellacious teenager that ever lived. Her blonde hair had been chopped off and she wore trousers all the time. At Christmas she had spent her time brooding that he never visited and then pouted when he left. Now she wore a grin as wide as Texas. If that girl ever started dressing like a female, she would be the most beautiful creature on earth. Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief.