by Lola Kidd
Macy held back a laugh. “I think that sounds fair.”
Macy’s mother smiled in the kitchen doorway. “I knew it was time to take out the trash.”
Macy shook her head. She should have listened to her mother. She’d said Don was a loser from the start, and she was right. He had no idea what it took to care for his family or be a good husband.
She knew that whomever she dated next, she had to be sure he would be good to not only her but also her daughter. It wasn’t going to be an easy search, but she was sure she would find someone eventually. She had already made the mistake of losing a good man. She wouldn’t do that again.
Chapter Eleven
It was late in the evening and Jack was at the park alone. He’d managed to wrangle a cart for the egg hunt. It hadn’t looked that great when he first got it, but he’d fixed it up and painted it. Now, it looked as good as new. He’d gotten the idea that they could rent a pony for the day and it could take kids around the park in the cart.
The park was pretty long, so it would be a nice ride for small children. Jack wanted to test it out to make sure it would work. He just needed to wait for his passenger to show up.
“This thing looks great,” Tanner said when he finally arrived. “Sorry I’m late. I got held up at a meeting.”
“No problem at all. I wanted to give this thing a test ride before we let kids ride in it.”
Tanner looked around. “That’s a great idea, Jack, but we don’t have a horse.”
“But we do have a bull.”
Jack stripped down and transformed behind the bushes. He came back out to Tanner in his bull form. Tanner strapped Jack to the cart and got in the back.
“There’s no harness, man, so go slow.”
Jack began to pull the cart around the park along the route that he thought the ride should take. He hoped that there would be enough time to get in at least a dozen pony rides during the egg hunt. It was a nice, scenic route, and Jack thought all the kids would love it.
As they rode, Jack’s bull was really enjoying itself. It didn’t get to be out in public very often. He didn’t let his bull roam in the city because it was just too big and he was afraid the animal would freak people out.
As they came back around to the gazebo, Jack was surprised to see Macy, her daughter, and her mother taking a walk along the edge of the park. It was late, and he hadn’t expected to see anyone since the park was almost closed. And of all the people to run into, of course it had to be Macy.
“Whoa there, buddy,” Tanner said. “What about we go and chat those nice ladies up? Let’s see how the ride works with real passengers.”
Jack nodded as best he could and hoped that Tanner understood. It worked, because Tanner ran off and came back with Macy and her family.
“I can’t believe it’s really you in there,” Macy said, stroking his nose.
“This is Mr. Jack?” Jill asked excitedly.
Jack dipped his bull’s head again. Tanner ushered the ladies into the cart and Jack took them on a nice slow ride around the park.
Jill talked excitedly the entire time. She told Jack about her entire day and about all the eggs she hoped to find on the egg hunt. He’d never seen a human child so calm around him when he was in his bull form. Usually they were afraid at first and were slow to warm up to him.
When they got to the end of the ride, Tanner helped the women and Jill out of the cart.
“How was it?” he asked anxiously.
Jack had already rented the pony, so he hoped it had been fun for them.
“That was the best ride I’ve ever been on!” Jill said excitedly, jumping up and down. She came to stand in front of the bull. “Now turn back into a person.”
“He’s going to have to go behind the bushes for that,” Tanner said.
When he shifted back, he’d be naked. He was glad that Tanner had said something, because he didn’t want any unfortunate mishaps with a child present.
“We’ll go behind the bushes first to make sure Jack’s not hiding there,” Mrs. Peach said.
Jack marveled at what a quick thinker Macy’s mother was. Now there was no way that Jill would think they were pulling a trick on her.
Macy’s mother and daughter went behind the bushes and checked all around for Jack. Satisfied, they came back and let Jack go behind the bushes. He transformed back into his human form. Tanner handed him his clothes, and he pulled them on quickly.
“Ta-da!” he said, jumping out from behind the bushes. He picked up Jill and tickled her before tossing her in the air.
“I can’t believe you’re really you,” she said, giggling. “You’re an animal and a man. That’s so cool, Mr. Jack.”
“That was pretty exciting,” Macy said, looking at him shyly. She got close so she could whisper in his ear. “Can we talk?”
Tanner took the hint and said he needed to go. Macy’s mom said she’d walk Jill home by herself and quickly left Macy and Jack alone.
“I’m really sorry,” she said when they were finally by themselves. “I acted like a real crazy lady, and there’s no excuse for that. I should have rejected your profile as soon as I saw you so you could find a better match. I thought I needed to give my ex a chance since he’s the father of my child. I’m sorry if I hurt you.”
“I understand,” Jack said. “I was disappointed that you weren’t available, but I won’t hold that against you. You’re a mother, and I understand that you want to do what’s best for your daughter. I can’t say I’m not disappointed. Your husband is a lucky man.”
Macy looked down at her hands. “The thing is, my husband and I aren’t getting back together. We’re getting a divorce in a few days. He came back like he’d changed, but he hasn’t. I was wrong to try to take him back.”
Jack’s heart beat rapidly in his chest. Then, he did have a chance? Everything about Macy’s body language told him that he did. His bull still wanted her. He didn’t care if she had tried to do the right thing for her daughter and get back with her ex. What mattered was that she was single and available now. He wasn’t going to let her past stand between them.
Jack leaned in and kissed her softly on the mouth.
Macy’s eyes lit up. “What does that mean?”
“It means that I’d still like a chance to date you if you’d like that. My bar closes down early tonight. Maybe you and I could go back there, have something to eat, and talk?”
“That sounds really good,” Macy said breathlessly.
They went back to the bar and got to work in the kitchen. He didn’t have much food on hand, but Macy was able to pull everything he had into a great meal. Jack lit a few candles he had lying around from the Halloween party the year before, and they had a nice meal in one of the booths.
Over dinner, they talked about their past and what they were looking forward to in the future. She was even better than Jack had imagined. He couldn’t believe how right LK Brides had gotten it.
Chapter Twelve
After the meal, they cleaned up together in the kitchen. Macy couldn’t believe what a great night they were having. Being on a date with Jack was better than any date she had ever been on.
“That was great,” Jack said, patting his stomach. “You’re a wonderful cook.”
“My mother taught me right,” Macy said. She liked cooking for Jack, and she loved that he’d told her how much he liked it.
He kissed her on the cheek. “I’ve had a great time tonight. Thanks for going out with me.”
“Thank you for giving me a second chance,” Macy said.
She and Jack stared at each other for a moment before she jumped at him. He caught her easily, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.
She didn’t know what had come over her, but she had to have him. Right now. She kissed him wildly and ran her fingers through his hair. Jack walked them over to the counter and sat her down on it.
Macy pulled down her pants, keeping her eyes on Jack. “Take off your pants, Jack,” she sai
d in a low, sexy voice.
He didn’t have to be told twice. He pulled his pants down and let his massive erection pop free. Macy wrapped her hands around him hungrily. She was dripping wet and ready for him. She guided him toward her entrance, but Jack put his hand over hers and stopped her.
“Are you sure?” he asked, searching her eyes.
“Very sure,” Macy said. “I want to feel you inside of me.”
Jack nodded. He pulled her legs back around his waist and slid into her. They moved together, Macy matching his every thrust. As he made love to her, Macy could barely catch her breath. He rode her hard until she was seeing stars and screaming his name.
Jack came inside of her with a shudder. He slumped against her, and Macy just shook. Her toes were numb and she could barely think straight. She was on pleasure overload.
“That was spectacular,” Jack said, pulling her to his chest.
Macy burst into tears. She was embarrassed, but she couldn’t help it.
“Did I hurt you? I’m so sorry,” Jack said, alarmed. He held her tighter. “I’m sorry, Macy. I don’t know my own strength sometimes.”
“No, no, you didn’t hurt me. It was great,” she said, wiping her eyes. “I can’t believe that this is what I’ve been missing out on this entire time.”
“Don’t worry. We have a lifetime to do this,” Jack said gruffly. “I love you, Macy.”
“I love you too.” As she said it, she knew it was true. She had never told anyone that she loved them so quickly before. But LK Brides was right. She and Jack were meant for each other. They were mates.
Chapter Thirteen
It was the day of the Maple Creek Easter Egg Hunt, and Jack couldn’t be happier. He was holding Macy’s hand and they were watching Jill play with kids her age. The children were all boasting about how many eggs and prizes they had won.
Jill broke away from the group and ran over to check the pony one more time. Jack laughed and pointed it out to Macy.
“She’s going to be doing this all day, isn’t she?”
Macy nodded. “You wouldn’t believe how persistent that girl is.”
“That’s okay. Curiosity never hurt anyone,” Jack said good-naturedly.
“I believe that it killed the cat, actually,” Macy said. “I’m going to go make sure she’s not poking the poor thing in the eye. Knowing my luck, she’s going to get herself kicked out of the community event for trying to surprise a pony into shapeshifting.”
After she got up, Mrs. Peach came and took her spot. “I’m really happy to see you with my daughter.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Jack said, watching Macy with Jill. “I’m going to marry that girl.”
Mrs. Peach smiled even wider. “Good. Whenever you’re ready, Mr. Keller.”
Jack wasn’t going to make her wait very long. He loved Macy, and she was his mate. He couldn’t wait to marry her and add to their small family. He was very glad to finally be able to end his great bride hunt.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Thank you for reading The Bull’s Bride Hunt! If you enjoyed this story, please consider leaving a review. Thank you :)
Up Next:
Holiday Mail-Order Mates: Memorial Day
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Other Series by Lola Kidd
Mail-Order Mates
Loving the Lion (Book 1)
Curvy Erin Numm is over dating. At the tender age of twenty-eight, she’s seen it all. A string of bad dates and heartbreak has left her ready to put herself on the sideline. Her plans are changed when she meets an agent from Lovely and Kind Brides. The mysterious woman tells Erin she has the PERFECT match for her. Curious, Erin decides to give love one last try and join the mail-order bride agency.
Shifter Owen Brooks is a lion on a mission. He’s working on big plans but he’s having trouble crossing one special item off his to-do list; Find A Mate. A shifter isn’t complete until they find their mate and Owen’s had no luck in that department. After months of no matches, an LK Brides agent emails to let him know she has found his mate. The agent’s optimism is enough to give Owen hope that maybe his long search is over.
Follow two strangers as they embark on a journey to find their one true love. This is the first book in the Mail-Order Mates series. It is a standalone novella with a HEA. No cliffhanger!
Other books in the series:
Wolf Seeks Wife (Book 2)
The Bear’s Bride (Book 3)
Taming the Tiger (Book 4)
A Wife for the Wolves (Book 5)
Surrendering to the Stag (Book 6)
Pursuing the Panther (Book 7)
The Leopard in Love (Book 8)
Safari Shifter
Rhino You Love Me (Book 1)
Addison Little just got the chance of a lifetime. Her best friend won an all-expenses paid trip to Safari Island and she’s asked Addison to join her. Addison’s always wanted to visit the shifter-run vacation spot but it’s always been out of reach financially. This post-college trip is the curvy girl’s last chance to have try and let loose and she’s determined to let her hair down and go wild.
Chet Gallow is one of the best workers on Safari Island. He’s been driving tour buses since the island first opened and he loves his job. After eight years, he’s beginning to think it’s time for a change. He wants to settle down and is sure the best way to find his mate is by leaving the island. But there are always surprises on Safari Island.
When he meets Addison, he knows she’s the one for him. The curvy girl isn’t so sure. Chet is brass and full of himself. There’s no way she wants anything to do with the egotistical rhino shifter even if he is drop dead gorgeous. But Chet won’t give up so easy. He’s found his mate and he’s going to do whatever it takes to win her over.
This is the first book in the Safari Shifters series. This short novella contains a HEA. NO cliffhanger!
Other books in the series:
Between Two Crocs (Book 2)
Elephants Never Forget (Book 3)
Once a Cheetah (Book 4)
Don’t Kiss and Gazelle (Book 5)
Black Oak Shifters
Taken by the Shifters: The Complete Collection
Curvy Elle Quinn is beyond delighted to meet the man of her dreams on a lazy day at the farmer's market. Tall, dark and handsome Luke Rivers is equally smitten with Elle. The two can't keep their hands off each other from the minute they meet.
Too bad their pleasure is cut short when a figure from Elle's past whisks her away from Luke. Elle is about to come face-to-face with a shocking revelation about her past. The most difficult part of all is that it doesn't just affect her but also her burgeoning relationship with Luke. Can their explosive connection survive the blast from her past or will the shocking news tear them apart?
This is the first book in the Black Oak Shifter series. It is a standalone novel with a HEA ending.
Other books in the series:
Captured by the Shifters: The Complete Collection
The Shifter's Wife
The Shifter's Surprise
The Shifter's Choice
Witch and Wolf Universe
The Witch and the Wolf: The Complete Collection
Aurora Silver has a werewolf problem. Cross Hemlock won’t stop begging her for a date. If only the handsome man wasn’t only a werewolf, Rory would agree to a date in a heartbeat. Too bad witches and wolves don’t mix. When Rory’s life is in danger, Cross jumps at the chance to protect the young witch.
Cross will protect Rory no matter the cost to himself. He knows the witch is the one for him. Now all he’s got to do is keep her alive and convince her to give a wolf a chance.
This book also contains the short story, A Very Witchy Wedding.
Other books in the series:
The Vampire and the Bear
The Lost Tribe: Complete Collection
Bull's Bride Hunt (Holiday Mail Order Mates Book 3)